Your Guide to the Best Holiday TV Specials of 2015
By Polly Conway, Common Sense Media
Holiday TV specials are like a warm mug of cocoa with marshmallows: sweet, comforting, and best enjoyed with those you love. We’ve rounded up this season’s can’t-miss shows to keep your family entertained from Thanksgiving (Jim Henson’s Turkey Hollow) all the way through the holidays (Doctor Who Christmas Special). Whether you like ’em heartwarming, quirky, funny, or futuristic, you’ll find traditional faves, worthy underdogs, and a few new additions to the classic holiday-special canon. Though not all these shows feature families (or even humans!), they embody the spirit of togetherness, warmth, and tradition. (Check your local listings to confirm show dates and times.)
Thanksgiving
Friends, Thanksgiving episodes, age 14+, streaming on Netflix
Each season of Friends contains a classic Thanksgiving episode, often highlighting time spent with good (you guessed it) friends and family. Start with season five’s “The One with All the Thanksgivings” to see Joey’s iconic turkey-on-the-head scare.
Jim Henson’s Turkey Hollow, age 8+, Nov. 21 on Lifetime at 8 p.m.
This rediscovered Henson script stars Mary Steenburgen as a kooky aunt who helps her family try to find the Howling Hoodoo, a mysterious Bigfoot-like creature. Narrated by actor and rapper Ludacris, this family-friendly special features puppets that are more Fraggle than Muppet and has a gentle Emmet Otter-style vibe.
Holidays
Doctor Who, Christmas special, age 10+, Dec. 25 on BBC America (check local listings)
Rumor has it that the 11th Whovian holiday special will have the Doctor’s wife, fellow doctor and time-traveler River Song (ER’s Alex Kingston), meeting her husband for the first time in his current incarnation (Peter Capaldi plays the quippy time lord).
Frosty the Snowman, age 3+, Nov. 28 on CBS at 9 p.m.
Watch Frosty, a roly-poly goofball with a heart of gold, strike up a friendship with cute kid Karen as he tries to get to the North Pole in this 1960s classic.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas, age 4+, Dec. 5 on ABC Family at 8 p.m.
Did you know your heart grows three sizes every time you watch this special? It’s nearly impossible not to be moved by the green antihero’s redemption tale. Just try watching him serve that first slice of roast beast to his trusty dog without a grin on your face.
I Love Lucy, Christmas special, age 6+, Dec. 7 on CBS at 8 p.m.
Lucy gets up to her standard shenanigans in this set of holiday episodes. The usual lineup of unwitting participants includes neighbors Fred and Ethel and Lucy’s loving but frustrated hubby, Ricky. Hijinks will ensue.
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, A Charlie Brown Christmas, age 4+, all on ABC at 8 p.m., dates below:
- Thanksgiving: Nov. 26
- It’s Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown: Nov. 30
- A Charlie Brown Christmas: Dec. 2
What does this trilogy of holiday specials have in common? Circumstances cause the Peanuts gang to create their own traditions, and while they may not always find total success (does Charlie Brown ever get to kick that football?), friendship always saves the day. Bonus: Kristen Bell hosts an extra-special special about the beloved Christmas special this year.
Merry Madagascar, age 6+, Nov. 28 on CW at 9:30 p.m.
Wild-animal favorites Alex, Marty, and Melman made it to Madagascar; now they want to get back to New York. The best vehicle for the job? Santa’s sleigh, of course.
Prep & Landing and Prep & Landing Naughty vs. Nice, age 5+, Nov. 28 on ABC at 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
An elite organization of elves makes sure each and every home is ready for Santa. It’s serious business for Wayne, who after 227 years is ready for a promotion in this flight-themed buddy comedy. Sequel Naughty vs. Nice finds Wayne and his crew dealing with a hacker trying to program their way onto the nice list.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, age 3+, Dec. 9 on CBS at 8 p.m.
Rudolph and his misfit crew learn what it means to stay true to themselves in the old-school stop-motion special. Finding it a hard sell? Kids who love Will Ferrell in Elf will be tickled to find Buddy’s origins in this retro, Rankin/Bass Productions world.
Saturday Night Live, Christmas special, age 14+, Dec. 3 on NBC at 9 p.m.
No one skewers the holidays like SNL. Expect classic characters: Get Pete Schweddy’s (Alex Baldwin) favorite recipe, see what Stefon has up his sleeve for Christmas activities, and listen to Adam Sandler’s gem “The Hanukkah Song.”
Toy Story That Time Forgot, age 4+, Dec. 2 on ABC at 8:30 p.m.
Set days after Christmas, this action-packed treat offers plenty of positive messages about friendship, loyalty, and being true to yourself as Woody and the gang go face-to-face with a colony of battle-ready dinosaurs.
A Very Murray Christmas, age 15+, streaming on Netflix Dec. 4
Fans of satirical Christmas classic Scrooged will be happy to see Bill Murray back in the holiday spirit in this Netflix special. With rumored guests that include George Clooney, Miley Cyrus, and the Rockettes, the quirk factor here will be through the roof, which should please folks who like to keep their holidays schmaltz-free.
Wild Kratts, “Creature Christmas,” age 6+, Nov. 25 on PBS (check local listings)
The friendly, knowledgeable, and just plain fun Kratt brothers are back with their favorite critter buddies to celebrate the holidays, animal-style.
Yes, Virginia, age 4+, Nov. 28 on CBS at 9:30 p.m.; streaming on Amazon
A stellar voice cast (Neil Patrick Harris, Alfred Molina) and charming CGI animation give curious Virginia’s sweet tale a fresh life.
Check out Common Sense Media’s TV reviews to find more great picks for your family.
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