Holiday shows return to TV

LOS ANGELES -- The Grinch who stole Christmas is back, and so is Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Claus. How much more do we need for a warm and fuzzy holiday TV season? \nA lot more, based on the sleighful of shows on the way. There's a prime-time "Rugrats" Hanukkah special, another show with Charlie Brown and the gang, and old and new musical greetings from Bing Crosby, Macy Gray and other artists. The highlights: \nAnimation: \n• "Frosty the Snowman," 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, CBS. Narrated by Jimmy Durante, it's based on the popular song that follows the good-natured snowman on a North Pole quest to keep from melting. \n• "Rugrats Chanukah," 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, CBS. The Rugrats discover the meaning of the Jewish holiday watching Grandpa Boris and his old rival, Shlomo, take to the stage. "Rugrats: The Santa Experience" precedes it at 8 p.m. \n• "A Charlie Brown Christmas," 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, ABC. Charlie Brown searches for the meaning of Christmas in this holiday classic, followed by a behind-the-scenes documentary on its creation in 1965. \n• "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, WB. The Dr. Seuss tale returns to broadcast TV for the first time since 1987. The mean Grinch tries to deprive Whoville of Christmas in the 1966 special. \n• "The Story of Santa Claus," 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, CBS. The voices of Ed Asner, Betty White and Tim Curry are featured in the story of a gentle toy maker whose dream is to deliver a toy to every child on Christmas. \n• "Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too," 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, ABC. When a letter from Pooh and the gang to Santa goes astray, Pooh must trek to the North Pole to make sure their gift wishes come true. \n• "Twas," 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17, HBO. A journey through the holiday season, including Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah, through music and animation. Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra and Macy Gray are among the voices heard, along with children musing about the meaning of Santa Claus. \n• "Santa Baby," 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17, Fox. The voices of Gregory Hines, Patti LaBelle, Vanessa Williams and Eartha Kitt are featured in the story of a young girl (Kianna Underwood) who uses a wish to help her songwriter dad. \nStocking stuffers: \n• "Christmas in Rockefeller Center," 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28, NBC. The 69th lighting of the center's Christmas tree turns into a musical celebration with Tony Bennett, Jessica Simpson, New York City policeman Daniel Rodriguez and others. \n• "Christmas: Behind the Traditions," 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, HGTV. A lighthearted look at the history behind holiday trappings, including how the Christmas tree came to America and the meaning of mistletoe. \n• "Home for the Holidays with Martha Stewart," 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, CBS. The homemaking doyenne has holiday recipes and crafts from around the world. Guests include Isabella Rossellini. \n• "White House Christmas 2001," 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, HGTV. Dozens of decorators and artisans, including the White House pastry chef and florist, prepare the president's residence for the holidays. \n• "The Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade," 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 25, ABC. Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa are hosts of the annual holiday parade that includes Santa Claus and Mickey Mouse. \nMovies: \n• "Call Me Claus," 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, TNT. Whoopi Goldberg stars as a cynical TV producer who meets a retirement-age Santa Claus in search of his replacement. Nigel Hawthorne and Brian Stokes Mitchell co-star; the score includes new Garth Brooks songs. \n• "Three Days," 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, ABC Family. A husband (Reed Diamond) wrapped up in his career loses his wife (Kristin Davis) just before Christmas then gets the chance to relive the last few days of their life together. \n• "A Town Without Christmas," 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, CBS. Patricia Heaton, Peter Falk and Rick Roberts in a romantic drama about a reporter and novelist searching for an unhappy child. \n• "The Sons of Mistletoe," 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, CBS. Set in a boys' foster home that is in danger of being closed when its benefactor dies. Roma Downey, Doris Roberts and George Newbern star. \n• "It's a Wonderful Life", 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 24, NBC. The exclusive broadcast of the 1946 Frank Capra classic about a dispirited man (James Stewart) who is shown the value of his life by angel Clarence.