Fox released some information on their upcoming Holiday programming. In addition to the return of Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown and Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas. They're also premiering a new How To Train Your Dragon holiday special next month called Dreamworks Dragons: Gift Of The Night Fury. Photos from that and more information ahead!
Before we get to the specials, Fox has a number of Thanksgiving-themed episodes lined up for later this month, including New Girl, Ben and Kate, The Mindy Project, Raising Hope, The Cleveland Show and Bob's Burgers. The network is also going to air The X Factor's Live results show on Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 22 at 8:00 p.m.). It seems they're hoping families will gather around the TV after filling up on turkey and pie to see who's eliminated that week. Glee will also air on Thanksgiving night. The "Dynamic Duets" episode will focus on (vague spoiler alert) the love triangle between Marley, Jake and Ryder. It'll be interesting to see how both shows perform, as it's likely at least some of other networks will be airing specials during the primetime hours.
Moving on to the planned specials, Fox has the 2011 Charlie Brown special set to encore this year on the day after Thanksgiving. Here's the synopsis and tune-in info for that.
Friday, Nov. 23HAPPINESS IS A WARM BLANKET, CHARLIE BROWN (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) (Encore airing Monday, 12/17 at 9:00 p.m.)In this annual holiday special, the Peanuts gang is back and ready to help Linus (Austin Lux) break away from his childhood security blanket. The stakes are high as Linus learns his grandmother is coming to visit, and he must decide whether or not to dispose of his most cherished possession. In an effort to help Linus kick his habit, Charlie Brown (Trenton Rogers), Lucy (Grace Rolek) and even Snoopy pitch in to help. Lucy is quick to attempt her amateur psychiatric skills, while Snoopy employs the age old drag-and-run method. Despite all attempts, Linus eventually learns that security is a valuable quality in life and everyone is entitled to their own version of a security blanket. Another encore airs Monday, Dec. 17(9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).
And then in December, Fox will introduce a new special to the line-up, and one those of us who love How To Train Your Dragon will definitely want to catch, as it takes place in the village of Berk, and features Hiccup, Astrid and Stoic. And from the photo (and the title), it looks like Toothless will also be around…
Here's the description for the special.
Monday, Dec. 17DREAMWORKS DRAGONS: GIFT OF THE NIGHT FURY (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT)Inspired by the popular “How to Train Your Dragon” film franchise, this all-new special is a story of faith, love and friendship that takes viewers on an adventure of dragon-sized proportions as the villagers of Berk prepare for the winter holidays. As their festivities approach, the dragons make a sudden mass exodus leaving Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), Astrid (America Ferrera), Stoick (Gerard Butler) and the rest of the gang saddened by the loss of their winged friends. A wild turn of events leads Hiccup to discover a mysterious, never-before-seen island and learn the true reason why the dragons left the village. Friendship and loyalty abound in this touching holiday tale of spreading one’s wings, but always staying close to home. An encore airs Friday, Dec. 28 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT).
Here's another picture of Hiccup and Toothless…
And here's the information for the 2011 TV special Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas, which will also be airing Monday, December 17.
ICE AGE: A MAMMOTH CHRISTMAS (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) (encore)America’s favorite arctic herd returns in this annual special to decorate the holiday season. In his rush to help, Sid (John Leguizamo) destroys Manny’s (Ray Romano) favorite decorations. Manny is so upset he convinces Sid he is now on Santa’s naughty list. Sid, Crash (Seann William Scott), Eddie (Josh Peck) and Peaches (Ciara Bravo) take off for the North Pole to plead their case to Santa (Billy Gardell). Meanwhile, Manny, Ellie (Queen Latifah) and Diego (Denis Leary), worry over Peaches’ safety and race to find her. Back at the North Pole, Sid and his crew accidentally destroy Santa’s Workshop on Christmas Eve, and it’s up to these newfound friends to orchestrate a Christmas miracle. An encore airs Friday, Dec. 28 (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT).
