The CW Releases Their Holiday Highlights: How Will Your Favorite Shows Be Celebrating?

November may have just kicked off, but The CW is already looking forward to the holiday season.

Take a look at what the network has planned for some of your favorite shows (THE VAMPIRE DIARIES, ARROW, GOSSIP GIRL, HART OF DIXIE, and 90210), plus what movies and TV specials will be airing!

Wednesday, November 21:

TWO-HOUR MOVIE

“Planes, Trains and Automobiles” (8:00-10:00p.m. ET)

(Content Rating TBD) (HDTV)

STEVE MARTIN AND JOHN CANDY STAR ─ Neal Page (Martin), a high-strung advertising executive, meets Del Griffith (Candy), an eternally optimistic, overly talkative, well-meaning, but clumsy shower curtain ring salesman who seems to live in a world governed by a different set of rules. They share a three-day odyssey of misadventures trying to get Neal home to Chicago from New York City in time for Thanksgiving dinner with his family.  The 1987 comedy was written, produced and directed by John Hughes.

Friday, November 23:

ONE-HOUR SPECIAL

“GRANDMA GOT RUN OVER BY A REINDEER” (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET) (TV-G)

A CHRISTMAS SPECIAL BASED ON THE HIT HOLIDAY SONG ── Based on the hit song that became a worldwide holiday phenomenon, this goofy and heartwarming adventure features young Jake Spankenheimer on the quest of a lifetime to track his missing Grandma down on Christmas Eve and prove that Santa Claus is indeed real.  Michele Lee (“Knots Landing”) provides the voice of Jake’s greedy Cousin Mel and recording artist Elmo Shropshire provides the narration.

ONE-HOUR SPECIAL

“THE HAPPY ELF” (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET) (TV-G) (HDTV)

HARRY CONNICK, JR., CAROL KANE AND MICKEY ROONEY STAR — Eubie the Elf’s enthusiastic view of the holiday season is put to the test when he sets out to bring Christmas joy to a dreary town called Bluesville. An animated holiday delight featuring songs by Harry Connick, Jr., who also provides the narration.  John C. Rice directed the special written by Andrew Fishman and Scott Landis.

Monday, DECEMBER 3

“GOSSIP GIRL” — (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET)

“It’s Really Complicated” (Content Rating TBD) (HDTV)

AND LET THERE BE THANKS — Serena (Blake Lively) and Dan (Penn Badgley) decide to throw their first Thanksgiving together, inviting only their closest friends, but everyone seems to have their own agenda for attending.  Feeling defeated by his father (guest star Robert John Burke), Chuck (Ed Westwick) begins a downward spiral, leaving Blair (Leighton Meester) to find a solution to his problems.  Meanwhile, Dan has written his latest exposé, but he must make a tough decision whether to publish it, knowing it could destroy a close friendship.  Chace Crawford, Kelly Rutherford and Matthew Settle also star.  Barry Watson and Sofia Black-D’Elia guest star.  John Stephens directed the episode written by Jake Coburn (#608).

Monday, December 10

“90210” — (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET)

“The Things We Do For Love” (Content Rating TBD) (HDTV)

MUSICAL GUESTS TEGAN & SARA PERFORM — The friends prepare for a Christmas party at The Offshore.  Matthew Diamond directed the episode written by Marjorie David (#609).

Tuesday, December 11

“HART OF DIXIE” — (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET)

“Blue Christmas” (Content Rating TBD) (HDTV)

MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS PAST — Zoe (Rachel Bilson) finds herself anxious that her ever-critical mother will be visiting BlueBell soon for the holidays.  In order to avoid spending quality time with her mother, she busies herself with a patient, but potentially ruins Christmas Eve for the whole town.  Patrick Norris directed the episode written by Leila Gerstein (#210).

ONE-HOUR SPECIAL

“A MUPPETS CHRISTMAS: LETTERS TO SANTA”

(9:00-10:00 p.m. ET) (TV-G) (HDTV)

A STAR-STUDDED CHRISTMAS SPECIAL ─ When Gonzo accidentally diverts three letters to Santa, he talks Kermit and his friends into delivering them personally to the North Pole.  Guest stars include Nathan Lane, Uma Thurman, Whoopi Goldberg and Jane Krakowski.

Wednesday, December 12

“ARROW” — (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET)

“Year’s End” (Content Rating TBD) (HDTV)

Oliver (Stephen Amell) discovers that after he and his father went missing, Moira (Susanna Thompson) and Thea (Willa Holland) stopped celebrating Christmas. Determined to make up for lost time and restore a sense of normalcy to the Queen household, Oliver decides to throw the family a Christmas party.  Meanwhile, Tommy (Colin Donnell) asks Laurel (Katie Cassidy) to spend Christmas with him but she points out that Christmas was also her sister’s Sara’s birthday and she needs to be with her father.  Tommy suggests changing things up might be the best way for everyone to heal but Laurel isn’t sure her father is ready for that.

Thursday, December 13

“THE VAMPIRE DIARIES” — (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET)

“O Come, All Ye Faithful” (Content Rating TBD) (HDTV)

A WINTER WONDERLAND IN MYSTIC FALLS — As a Winter Wonderland-themed party fills the streets of Mystic Falls, Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Caroline (Candice Accola) find themselves at odds with Tyler (Michael Trevino) over his plans for Klaus (Joseph Morgan) and his hybrids.  When Caroline proposes a solution to their problem, Hayley (guest star Phoebe Tonkin) finds a dramatic way to make it clear that she is not on board.  Later, Klaus makes a discovery that leads to chaos and violence.  Meanwhile, Elena (Nina Dobrev) and Damon retreat to the Gilbert Lake House to help Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) conquer some dangerous inner demons with the help of Bonnie (Kat Graham) and Professor Shane (guest star David Alpay), who reveals a piece of ancient history that leaves them all speechless.  Zach Roerig also stars.  Pascal Verschooris directed the episode written by Michael J. Cinquemani & Julie Plec (#409).

Friday, December 14

TWO-HOUR HOLIDAY MOVIE

“PRANCER RETURNS” —

(8:00-10:00 p.m. ET) (TV-G) (HDTV)

A HOLIDAY MOVIE STARRING JOHN CORBETT, MICHAEL O’KEEFE AND JACK PALANCE — A young boy finds a deer in the forest he is sure is Santa’s beloved Prancer.  Determined to return the creature to the North Pole and his rightful destiny, the child overcomes the cynicism of his family to teach them and us a lesson about the true spirit of Christmas.  Joshua Butler directed the film written by Greg Taylor.

Tuesday, December 18

TWO-HOUR HOLIDAY MOVIE

“IT’S A VERY MERRY MUPPET CHRISTMAS MOVIE” —

(8:00-10:00 p.m. ET) (TV-PG, D) (HDTV)

KERMIT STARS ALONG WITH DAVID ARQUETTE, JOAN CUSACK, WILLIAM H. MACY AND WHOOPI GOLDBERG  — On Christmas Eve, an angel petitions God to send help for Kermit the Frog who has lost all hope after losing the Muppet Theatre.  Kirk R. Thatcher directed the film written by Tom Martin and Jim Lewis.

Wednesday, December 19

TWO-HOUR HOLIDAY MOVIE

“NOEL” — (8:00-10:00 p.m. ET) (TV-PG, D) (HDTV)

SUSAN SARANDON AND PENELOPE CRUZ STAR — Five New Yorkers come together on Christmas Eve, seeking a miracle. Chaz Palminteri directed the film written by David Hubband.

Friday, December 21

ONE-HOUR SPECIAL

“THE HAPPY ELF” — (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET)

(TV-G) (HDTV)

HARRY CONNICK, JR., CAROL KANE AND MICKEY ROONEY STAR — Eubie the Elf’s enthusiastic view of the holiday season is put to the test when he sets out to bring Christmas joy to a dreary town called Bluesville. An animated holiday delight featuring songs by Harry Connick, Jr.  John C. Rice directed the special.

ONE-HOUR HOLIDAY SPECIAL

“GRANDMA GOT RUN OVER BY A REINDEER”

(9:00-10:00 p.m. ET) (TV-G)

A CHRISTMAS SPECIAL BASED ON THE HIT HOLIDAY SONG ── Based on the hit song that became a worldwide holiday phenomenon, this goofy and heartwarming adventure features young Jake Spankenheimer on the quest of a lifetime to track his missing Grandma down on Christmas Eve and prove that Santa Claus is indeed real.  Michele Lee (“Knots Landing”) provides the voice of Jake’s greedy Cousin Mel and recording artist Elmo Shropshire provides the narration.  The special was directed by Phil Roman and written by Jim Fisher and Jim Staahl.

Monday, December 24

90-MINUTE SPECIAL

“CHRISTMAS IS HERE AGAIN”

(8:00-9:30 p.m. ET) (TV-G) (HDTV)

AN ANIMATED MUSICAL WITH THE VOICES OF JAY LENO, ED ASNER AND KATHY BATES — A musical animated tale that follows the exciting journey of a young orphan girl, Sophianna (Madison Davenport) and her unlikely band of adventurers as they help recover Santa’s magical toy sack. Throughout her pursuit for the elusive sack, Sophianna teams up with a feisty elf, an ambitious young reindeer, and a fox and polar bear duo.  The special was directed by Robert Zappia and written by Robert Zappia and Marco Zappia.

HALF-HOUR SPECIAL

“SECOND STAR TO THE LEFT”

(9:30-10:00 p.m. ET) (TV-G)

A CHRISTMAS STORY FEATURING THE VOICE OF HUGH LAURIE ── In this animated holiday special, a hamster, a rabbit and a guinea pig embark on a journey to deliver a Christmas present lost by Santa Claus.  Hugh Laurie provides the voice of Archie the Bunny.  Graham Ralph directed the special written by Jimmy Hibbert.

–

Which holiday special are you most looking forward to?

Follow @GiveMeMyRemote and @marisaroffman on Twitter for the latest TV news. Connect with other TV fans on GIVE ME MY REMOTE’s official Facebook page.

And to be the first to see our exclusive videos by subscribing to our YouTube channel at youtube.com/givememyremotetv