Morrow-TV: ABC Family launches '25 Days of Christmas' programming

ABC Family is barely letting our Thanksgiving turkey settle before leaping right into its annual "25 Days of Christmas" programming.

The event presents 200 hours of holiday-themed shows, movies and specials, beginning at 7 p.m. EST on Dec. 1 with "The Year Without Santa Claus." In the tale, Mrs. Claus reveals how she had to don the red costume and take over for her husband one season.

Among the other highlights for the first week:

-- "Pixar Short Films," showcasing 20 animated entries, will debut at 7 p.m. on Dec. 2.

-- A "Harry Potter" marathon, including the series' first three films, will begin at 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 5.

-- Classic specials such as the stop-action animated comedy "Frosty's Winter Wonderland" chills out at 7 p.m. on Dec. 4. The story revolves around Frosty's plans to marry -- if Jack Frost doesn't ruin the wedding.

Later in the month, the channel will present "Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe" starring Jenny McCarthy, Paul Sorvino and Dean McDermott. In the sequel, McCarthy plays Mary Class, who is secretly Santa's business-minded daughter. She tries to balance a busy career, a social life and the meaning of family during Christmas.

"Santa Baby 2" premieres at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13.

Other highlights for the week of Nov. 29 to Dec. 5 (all times EST; listings subject to change; Check local listings):

SUNDAY

-- "2009 Soul Train Awards" (9 p.m., BET). Terrence Howard is a co-host of the event, with Toni Braxton and Boyz II Men performing.

MONDAY

-- "Smokey Robinson Tribute on Ice" (8 p.m., Hallmark Channel). Smokey Robinson's smooth-as-glass music is the background for figure skaters to work their magic.

-- "Pawn Stars" (10 p.m., History Channel). The reality series about a pawnshop and the history of the items bought and sold begins a second season.

-- "Intervention" (9 p.m., A&E Channel). The eighth-season opener follows Linda, who gets caught up taking a painkiller that is much stronger than morphine.

TUESDAY

-- "Scrubs" (9 p.m., ABC). The comedy returns for a new season, with new characters and a new format: the setting is a medical school.

-- "Invitation Only: Carrie Underwood" (9 p.m., CMT). The former "American Idol" winner and country superstar sings from her new CD.

-- "The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show" (10 p.m., CBS). The special features 10 finalists who are competing to trod the catwalk with Heidi Klum.

WEDNESDAY

-- "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" (8 p.m., NBC). Michael Buble, Aretha Franklin and Barry Manilow are among the performers slated to rock around the colorful tree in New York City.

-- "Steven Seagal, Lawman" (10 p.m., A&E). The action-film star has cameras follow him on his other job -- as a deputy in Louisiana.

-- "Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura" (10 p.m., truTV). The former wrestler and governor looks over recent conspiracy theories and chews over if they have any legitimacy.

SATURDAY

-- "12 Men of Christmas" (9 p.m., Lifetime). Kristin Chenoweth plays a down-on-her-luck public-relations pro who tries her skills on a small Montana town.

(E-mail Terry Morrow of The Knoxville News-Sentinel in Tennessee at morrow2(at)knews.com.)

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