PLEASE
find below a Jpeg of the 2016 Christmas TV Schedule. Once again, the
calendar is set up in 11X17 format but if you have to print it 8.5x11 it is
readable, but if you can print it 11X17 your eyes will thank you. The best way is to save the JPEG to your favorite portable device and zoom in and out, tho it breaks up some the more you zoom. If you would like a PDF send me a DM on twitter (@beaslma) and I'll send it your way.
This
year I tried to highlight new specials (meaning had not aired previously before
Jan. 1, 2016) in RED but as they are new be
mindful of what you and your family sit down to watch. I vouch not for their
quality, their rating level, or even their sappiness. I for one had to look up who
Taraji was, why her holiday was white hot, and if that was a good thing or not.
To save you the same trouble, it turns out she’s on Empire, a show that hasn’t graced my eye holes but I understand for
those that have viewed it… they like it. Hence she gets her own holiday show
Dec. 8th on Fox. There are some new shows, some old classics, and
some mediocre stuff that just fills the time slots throughout the month, some
of which made this calendar.
I
found a good list on the TV Guide channel’s website of specials/shows coming on
with great descriptions but they failed to list what CHANNEL the shows/specials
would air on. I found this less than helpful. Come on TV Guide Channel you are
better than that, or you used to be (PS there’s a reason not many “get a TV
guide anymore” … just saying.
Hallmark,
Hallmark Movies and Mysteries (HMM on the calendar btw), Lifetime, and Lifetime
Movie Network have been vomiting Christmas themed movies since like last
October (meaning 2015) it seems so only a hand full of theirs made the
listings. That being said Lifetime decided to only release the first week or so
of December, cause yeah that totally makes sense. It’s like they hate my
calendar…but that can’t be true, everyone loves the Calendar…EVERYONE! Right?!
It’s
amazing to me really that they take the same concept, really the same story, change
to a different “snow covered town,” change out the actors (usually Candance
Cameron Bure for Lacey Chabert (from Party of Five fame, and Meg on the 1st
season of Family Guy, and Eliza on the Wild Thornberrys—didn’t know that did
you? See you learned something by reading my rambling. Good for you!)), add a
super cute guy who has lived in said “snow covered town” his entire life, put a
new title on the movie and we got us a show!
As
always there are guidelines. . . .
First . . . a few guidelines:
·
NO E-MAILS about taking Christ out of Christmas, it’s just a
really long word and using X-Mas allows for more shows on the already full
calendar.
§ Thanks for your
understanding.
§ For those that
don’t understand I’ll be glad to remove you from the list just let me know.
·
I live in the central time zone, the times on this calendar
reflect that, adjust accordingly.
§ That said unless
otherwise stated the times are PM
·
This calendar
does not focus on established shows “Christmas special episodes” so watch out for
those … some are fun to re-watch this time of year. Psych for one has a great
Christmas episode, and so did How I Met Your Mother, Friends, Wings, Family
Ties, and other established shows.
o
Again, that is not what this is about.
·
This calendar
contains shows I want to see, so a mixture of adult themed shows/movies and
kid themed shows/movies are represented. Some are classics and some are new, so
PLEASE be mindful of what is on before you sit the kids down with popcorn to
watch.
§ Don’t call me
cause your little one watched some holiday movie on Lifetime and now has
“questions”. . . . that’s your mess not mine.
¾ Please NOTE: The Disney
version of a Christmas Carol (AKA the computer animated Jim Carrey version) is
a little dark and can be scary (much like the original story btw), you might
want to check it out before you and little man/lady plop down with popcorn and
a blanket to “watch a classic” that may also result in sleepless nights for
both you and said child. Not me I’ll be sleeping like a baby like an adult.
·
Keep an eye out for additional shows/movies that pop
up throughout the month as networks change their lineups.
·
Feel free to add your own specials and traditions to
the calendar that’s what it is there for.
·
As stated some channels have been vomiting Holiday specials for
several months so if a network had several great specials in a row I only
listed one figuring you’d be alerted to the others, hey something had to give
right!?
·
For you stay at home mom’s they run specials all day long and for
the most part my calendar focuses on the after work hour times since that is
when I can watch.
¾
That’s right it’s all about me I just share the wealth cause I’m
awesome like that!
A few programs of note:
·
A Charlie Brown Christmas
– ABC Dec. 1st with repeat showing on Dec.
22nd. A must viewing if you have little people in your life,
even if they aren’t in the room, better yet tie them to a chair and force them
to watch. They will thank you one day, if you know… social services will let
them.
o
My lawyer has informed me that actively suggesting that you tie
your kids to a chair might result in well you tying your kid to a chair, I don’t
not condone that and don’t support it at least that’s what her statement said
to write.
·
I can only find A Christmas
Story during the TBS Christmas Day Marathon so make sure you
work it into your Christmas celebrations.
¾
Bless you Ted Turner, you crazy old man, may this tradition live
forever!!
¾
I think it’s a rule you watch at least once.
o
If it’s not a rule it should be.
·
National
Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, one of the best movies ever, comes on several times this year. If
you don’t know the joy of Chevy Chase finally getting the lights to work…well I
feel sorry for you and your family and the people that know you because you are
missing the joy in your life. Correct that this year please!
·
IT’s A Wonderful
Life – Dec. 3rd on NBC Repeats
on Dec. 24th
·
The “boys” in my life informed me that DIEHARD should have been on the calendar …. boys are silly …
however and I couldn’t find it showing anywhere so yeah there’s that. If you
all find it let me know so I can let them know.
o
Sorry fellas. I tried, kinda.
A few programs of note that are not
“Christmas” related but interesting enough to make the calendar include:
o
CNN Heroes: An
All Star Tribute – Dec. 11th – it’s nice seeing that in a world full of
insanity there are some people out there trying to do good and are being
recognized for it. It’s a really inspirational night even if this year you have
to deal with Kelly Rippa, so check it out.
o
Could have been worse, could have been Kathy Griffin, for the love
of all that is good CNN please don’t make me suffer through that!!!!
o
Victoria’s Secret
Fashion Show – Dec. 5th on CBS – a dear friend of mine loves this
and insists that it go on the calendar every year, she’s the boss.
Anyway,
the intention of this calendar, much like the Halloween one is to get your
family to pause and spend some time together making memories. In this season
where we spend so much time rushing around we forget to enjoy the down time and
enjoy the family time. Great specials come and go and if we don’t watch they
will go forever.
Today’s
“classic Christmas special” may be next year’s no show on the calendar. That’s
the other reason for this calendar, if we stop watching they will stop showing.
I’m looking at you CBS and Yes Virginia which I’m sure is airing but I can’t
find out when so keep an eye out for it. The point is, just because you have The
Grinch (which is not on this calendar nearly enough (NOTE: I can’t tell if it’s animated or
the movie anymore and I’m NOT ok with that, when I could tell I marked it
(TOON)) on your shelf or Charlie Brown
Christmas (which comes on twice this year), take the time to watch it with
your family as it airs so that it will air for years to come. If not for
me do it for the children, as they are our future, according to some nice lady.
So
sit back, laugh, smile, and cry (some of these are sad, I mean who doesn’t cry
when George Bailey is standing next to the tree with Mary and his friends are
coming in to save the Bailey Savings and Loan, oh no did I give the end away
?!) and have a GREAT Christmas!
Marcy
(@beaslma)
