The Lookback: Halloween is Grinch Night

The Flashback 

                                                       

                                             Well he could at least smile/ copyright Universal

   Raise your hands , quick!  When you hear the word Grinch what do you think?  Christmas right? (NO , I was thinking Easter) Put those hands down.(No) Our special has the Grinch and Halloween.     This special is apparently, a prequel of "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" good because the Grinch became a ... (spoilers... rude).   It came out on October 29th, 1977 on  ABC (take that CBS) and won an Emmy.  It starts with Whoville (their baacck) when a wind is coming  and causes everyone to run inside their homes.  (wind is scary)  The narrator  explains that  the wind is a  sour sweet wind   that causes Gree Grumps to awake  and growl (  I do the same thing when I am awoken) then they wake up the Hakken  Krakks  and this causes the Grinch to get annoyed.
                                           

                                                        Who are you? /copyright universal

    So the Grinch  decides that it's  a wonderful night for Grinch night (when you are him you can make up any holiday you want)  and he Max (the dog you saw in the Christmas one) make their way to Whoville.   While the Grinch is stuck getting bristles out of hisself  after chasing a Wuzzy Woozoo (welp , we have lost our minds here please send help and money , just send money)  Euchariah (best name ever) , a Who has to leave the house to use the outhouse (though odd that Whos don't have  indoor plumbing but do have video phones) and the wind takes him up to the mountain.
           
                                               

Even the Grinch is bored/ Copyright Universal 

                         
Euchariah and the Grinch meet  and we find out Euchariah has astigmatism  (he explains it great detail it's E/I worthy) and he decides to figure away to stall the Grinch from reaching town.   The Grinch   decides to scare the who (you should know his awesome name by now) This is pretty much a good chunk of  the special. Euchariah ,though is unperturbed and holds strong and after this time delay  the wind dies down and stops the  Hakken Kraaks  and Gree Grumps stop being annoyed and this stops the Grinch. (rules? I guess)  And the day is saved thanks to the Powerpuff Girls ... wait wrong thing sorry... Euchariah saves the day and the special is over.

  That's our lookback tune in next time  when we see another Dr.Suess  special about how the Grinch  tires to have Grinch night on  Thanksgiving.

The Lookback : The Halloween Tree

The Flashback 
   

   When  I think of Halloween I don't think of trees , except for that they still have colored leaves on them taunting you. This is our lookback at a TV movie called "The Halloween Tree".
     In 1993 it was an animated movie produced by  Hanna-Barbera (their name comes up often in these lookbacks)  for TBS/Cartoon Network (all owned by ole' Ted Turner)  it is based on a book of the same name , written by  Ray Bradbury (hey, you calm down, we hear your screams from here). He also wrote the script for this movie which got him an Emmy for Outstanding writing in a children's program in 1994.

       The Movie starts with  narration from Ray Bradbury himself as a town prepares for Halloween night. We see our main characters  (in the book it was  8 boys , the movie changes it to 2 boys and 1 girl) who are wearing costumes.
                       
                     This is the intro.... that's all we have to say/ copyright H/B

     They all end up meeting up with their friend Pip who is called the Greatest Boy  whoever lived (don't tell the other boys) but he is going to the hospital because he has to have appendix removed. (not his glossary) Being good friends, they decide to follow him to the Hospital and take a short cut through the woods. (Which is something people do on Halloween) Then they think they see Pip running through the woods  where they think it was some sort of trick he is playing.  They race after "Pip" thinking it's him.   They end up going to an old mansion.
               
                                         

We aren't scared, just afraid of dust/ Copyright H&B

                                   
   A man answers the door his name is  Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud (really now? He's voiced by Lenord Nimoy , hey you calm down)   and he is disappointed  that none of the children  know the meaning of their costumes/ (Skeleton means the stuff under you skin and muscles and stuff)  The kids see Pip who is apparently a ghost now. (he died?, dark!) They try to chase after him but he disappears and they see a big tree with pumpkins growing on it. Mr.M (we aren't typing his full name twice)  tells them that is the Halloween Tree (roll credits).  Ghost Pip goes up the tree and there's a pumpkin that looks kind of like Pip. He grabs the pumpkin and leaps off the tree.

My precious/ Copyright H&B 

 So Pip has escaped and his friends want to find him and  they beg Mr. M   to help him so they can help Pip.  At first, He doesn't want to because he's annoyed that they don't know what their costumes mean or come from.  Then, he changes his mind and finally decides  to let them help and also see if they can learn about the meaning of Halloween at the same time.
                                                   

Are there snacks on this trip? / Copyright H/B

      The rest of the movie is the kids  and Mr.M going on a this trip to different countries. First, Mr.M  uses magic to  make a kite which, will be their transportation. (safe?)  They see Pip going 4,000 Halloweens ago. ( so this is a time traveling trip as well.)  They've gone back to ancient Egypt.   Where they see an Egyptian family having dinner with their grandfather , who's been dead for 67 years. (Grandpa's kind of late for dinner) They run after Pip and find a tomb then Ralph, the boy dressed as mummy, gets grabbed a mummy.  The mummy tells Ralph the reason where mummification came from.  Pip (or Pipkin) is being spirited away and Ralph has to save him. Ralph saves him by acting like a mummy.   But, Pip gets away again. 

aaaaaaaaa call my mummy/ copyright H&B 

     More after the jump 

The Lookback : Scooby Doo and Reluctant Werewolf

The Flashback 

                                                  
       This time we lookback at something Scooby-Doo related a TV movie called "Scooby Doo and reluctant werewolf, it came out in 1988 on television syndication and I remember it airing on Cartoon Network in the past , though it might air on Boomerang once in awhile . (if this was Wikipedia it would say citation needed on that boomerang thing)
    Our movie starts with  the werewolf retiring (from terrorizing people?)  and Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster ,  Frankenstien's Monster's wife ,a mummy, Jangles the skeleton and other monsters  (oh scary a skeleton ) are not happy about this because they have a big car race coming up. (Yep that makes sense ) Apparently they can't have the race with out the werewolf  (the werewolf union fought hard for that) and Dracula will have to cancel the race  that is until he is reminded that they could just get a new werewolf.  Every 500 years the moon is a perfect werewolf making conditions (convenient ) that is tomorrow night  and that it's Shaggy's time. (Otherwise how else would this be a Scooby Doo segement, no Fred can't hold a Scooby Doo movie by himself)   Drac decides to end henchmen called Hunch Bunch (not a spinoff to the Brady bunch )  to America to get Shaggy.    They find Shaggy's house (how?)  and decide to cut a hole in the roof to let moon light (and bugs, lots of bugs )  in. Scooby hears their plan and helps Shaggy (raggy) out of the room.   Shaggy and Scrappy don't believe Scooby. (plot device number 282)
          The next night , Crunch and Brunch try and get Shaggy to the moonlight , by pushing him on a cart out of the supermarket but this place is foiled by truck parking on the x.

                                                 
                                               our hero/ copyright Time Warner
         On the third night they stalk Shaggy who is on a date with his girlfriend Googie (no that is not a name) at a drive in film.  They take off his top of his car to allow the moonlight to do its thing.  It works well kind of  , since he had hiccups at the time he changes back and forth. When Shaggy goes to get some food , he turns into a werewolf (though he doesn't know)  and people start screaming.  Scooby over hears some kids talking to a cop about a werewolf and he hides.
              (So as not explain the whole movie  in some weird long post ,we instead skip every little thing to bring you to a little later  a bring you to the race)
    Now with Dracula  in Transylvania  , Shaggy is displeased being a werewolf and refuses to participate in the race.   Dracula tries everything to force him , even imprisoning him but Shaggy says no still.
                                                  
                                              No! / Copyright Warner  Brothers
    So Drac decides to make a deal instead  , if Shaggy wins the race he will turn Shaggy back into human and let him and friends go, shaggy accepts this.   Drac worries that Shaggy will win the race and tries dirty tricks to  make sure that doesn't happen. (Well he is Dracula)  Shaggy maintains his lead in the entire race  until Drac sets a monster out  but after Shaggy ,Scooby and Scrappy knock him down and Shaggy wins the race. (Would have been more interesting if  Shaggy lost then killed Dracula)   But that's not the end ... Dracula says the deal was never a go because he had is fangs crossed.   They steal Drac's spell book  and chase ensues first by car then when Shaggy destory's Drac's car, Drac switches to a plane.  They barely escape and Drac's plane is hit by lightning and he is in the ocean being chased by a shark. (You know Jaws 4 : The Vampire Chaser was a bit silly )  Googie changes Shaggy back.. the end.

    That's our lookback (our first , maybe only) at a movie with Scooby Doo in it. it  is notable for being the last movie with Scrappy in it. (But there was the Scooby Doo Movie in 2002...) It was the last movie with Scrappy in it.    It's a fun movie with hints of  Wacky Races in it, , so enjoy.
  Tune in next time when we look at the Scooby Doo Movie where Shaggy gets turned into mummy because they need a mummy for the monster boat race.

ABC Announces their Christmas TV season Plans

ABC  Christmas 

For Joshuaonline and Mychiller  Christmas
      ABC has announced  their Holiday programming  schedule  for 2015.
 

Highlights include
  A Charlie Brown Christmas airing November 30th   with  a special  called "It's your 50th Christmas Charlie Brown " at 8/7c then A Charlie Brown Chrstimas at 9/8c.
"The Great Christmas light fight " returns  on December 7th.
 Christmas episodes of ABC series  and more.

Here's the press release:

TIS THE SEASON FOR HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING ON ABC
"The Great Holiday Baking Show," All-New Series, Joins Previously Announced "It's Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown" and "Toy Story 20th Anniversary Special" in Lineup of Special Programming for November and December on the ABC Television Network
ABC celebrates the joy of the holidays with special programming, including "It's Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown," "Toy Story 20th Anniversary Special" and an all-new series, "The Great Holiday Baking Show." Holiday-themed programming will include the return of the competition series, "The Great Christmas Light Fight," special musical performances on "CMA Country Christmas," and timeless classic animated specials.
Editors please note: What follows is a chronological listing of programming highlights (all times Eastern); this is not a complete list of all holiday-themed programs airing during November and December.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27
"Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" - In the perennial favorite created in 1970 by Rankin-Bass Productions ("Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Frosty the Snowman"), Fred Astaire narrates this timeless tale of Kris Kringle (Mickey Rooney), a young boy with an immense desire to do good things for others. The vocal cast features Mickey Rooney as Kris Kringle, Keenan Wynn as Winter, Paul Frees as Burgermeister Meisterburger, Grimsby, the soldiers and the townsmen, Joan Gardner as Tanta Kringle, Robie Lester as Jessica and Andrea Sacino, Dina Lynn, Gary White and Greg Thomas as the children. (8:00-9:00 p.m.) (Rebroadcast- ABC OAD: 12/2/05)
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30
"It's Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown" - In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the beloved PEANUTS animated tale, "A Charlie Brown Christmas," Kristen Bell will host a special holiday retrospective, "It's Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown." The anniversary special will celebrate 50 years of the iconic classic that has brought joy and a television watching tradition at the holidays for generations of fans. The unforgettable night will feature spectacular live performances, from the memorable music of Vince Guaraldi, to Kristen Chenoweth singing "Happiness" from the "Peanuts" Broadway hit, and a performance from Matthew Morrison of an original song, "Just Like Me." Other amazing musical guests set to perform classic songs are Sarah McLachlan, Boyz II Men, Pentatonix, David Benoit and The All-American Boys Chorus. This December marks the 50th anniversary of the Emmy-winning special, "A Charlie Brown Christmas." (8:00-9:00 p.m.)
"A Charlie Brown Christmas" - Celebrate the joy of the holidays with the classic animated Christmas-themed PEANUTS special, "A Charlie Brown Christmas," created by the late cartoonist Charles M. Schulz. In the digitally re-mastered 1965 special, Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism that he sees everywhere during the Christmas season. Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas pageant and Charlie Brown accepts, but it proves to be a frustrating struggle. When an attempt to restore the proper spirit with a forlorn little fir Christmas tree fails, Charlie Brown needs Linus' help to learn what the real meaning of Christmas is. (9:00-10:00 p.m.) (Rebroadcast- ABC OAD: 12/20/91)
"The Great Holiday Baking Show" - SERIES PREMIERE - (10:00-11:00 p.m.) It's a delicious addition to television this holiday season when "The Great Holiday Baking Show," based on the hit UK series, "The Great British Bake Off," premieres on ABC. Hosted by Nia Vardalos ("My Big Fat Greek Wedding") and husband Ian Gomez ("Cougar Town") "The Great Holiday Baking Show" stars some of the nation's best amateur bakers as they compete in a series of themed challenges and eliminations all hoping to be crowned Holiday Baking Champion. For four weeks, James Beard Award-Winning pastry chef and author, Johnny Iuzzini, joins England's "Royal Queen of Baking," author and television personality Mary Berry, as they judge the decadent and delicious holiday fare these bakers create as they throw down their best culinary skills. "The Great Holiday Baking Show" is produced by Love Productions for the ABC Television Network.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3
"Toy Story That Time Forgot" - Pixar Animation Studios' special for television, "Toy Story That Time Forgot," features your favorite characters from the "Toy Story" films. During a post-Christmas play date, the "Toy Story" gang find themselves in uncharted territory when the coolest set of action figures ever turn out to be dangerously delusional. It's all up to Trixie, the triceratops, if the gang hopes to return to Bonnie's room in this "Toy Story That Time Forgot." The cast of "Toy Story That Time Forgot" includes Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz, Kristen Schaal as Trixie, Kevin McKidd ("Grey's Anatomy") as Reptillus Maximus, Wallace Shawn as Rex, Timothy Dalton as Mr. Pricklepants, Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head and Joan Cusack as Jessie. (8:00-8:30 p.m.) (Rebroadcast - ABC OAD: 12/2/14)
"Shrek the Halls" - DreamWorks Animation's "Shrek the Halls," a half-hour of entertainment starring America's favorite ogre and his friends and featuring the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and Antonio Banderas. Just when Shrek thought he could finally sit back, relax and enjoy his happily ever after with his new family, the most joyous of all holidays arrives. It's Christmas Eve and everyone is filled with holiday cheer -- except for Shrek. He isn't exactly the picture of yuletide joy, but for the sake of Fiona and the kids, he tries to get into the spirit of things as only an ogre can. Unfortunately, everyone seems to have their own ideas about what Christmas is all about, so when Donkey, Puss In Boots, Gingerbread Man and the whole gang try to join in on the fun, Shrek's plans for a cozy family celebration end up spiraling into one truly unforgettable Christmas. (8:30-9:00 p.m.) (Rebroadcast -- ABC OAD: 11/28/07)
"CMA Country Christmas" -- Some of the biggest names in music will come together to celebrate the holidays on "CMA Country Christmas," a two-hour special hosted for the sixth year by Jennifer Nettles. The special is a celebration of the season featuring some of the top stars in music performing holiday songs and getting into the Christmas spirit. (9:00-11:00 p.m.)
MONDAY, DECEMBER 7
"The Great Christmas Light Fight" - SEASON PREMIERE -- It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas with ABC's hit holiday decorating competition series, "The Great Christmas Light Fight" returning for its third season with all new celebrity judges, Taniya Nayak and Carter Oosterhouse. "The Great Christmas Light Fight" is a competition series in which 20 families and three neighborhoods from across America decorate their homes to the extreme. In each episode, four families compete for a cash prize as they transform their homes into a festive wonderland for the holidays. (8:00- 10:00 p.m.)
"The Great Holiday Baking Show" - Hosted by Nia Vardalos ("My Big Fat Greek Wedding") and husband Ian Gomez ("Cougar Town") "The Great Holiday Baking Show" stars some of the nation's best amateur bakers as they compete in a series of themed challenges and eliminations all hoping to be crowned Holiday Baking Champion. (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8
"Fresh Off the Boat" -- "The Real Santa" - Jessica loves the holidays, but feels that Santa could use some improvements. So she and Louis convince Evan that Santa is a scientist with multiple post-graduate degrees from Princeton and has a close relationship with his mother. Meanwhile, Eddie and Emery are struggling to find the perfect Christmas gift for their mother. (8:30-9:00 p.m.)
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9
"The Middle" - "No Silent Night" -- In an episode that takes place entirely on Christmas Eve, it's a not so silent night for the Hecks as an attempt to stay home and watch church on TV instead of going to actual church sets off a string of events that finds the ties that bind hilariously unraveling in near real time. (8:00-8:30 p.m.)
"The Goldbergs" - "A Christmas Story" -- Disappointed with her unenthusiastic family during the holidays, Beverly creates "Super Hanukkah" to get them into the spirit but it's too similar to Christmas. Meanwhile, Adam is annoyed that Barry is more interested in hanging with Lainey than him, so he triple-dog dares his brother with results neither one see coming. (8:30-9:00 p.m.)
"black-ish" - "Stuff" -- Dre thinks Christmas has become commercialized and is all about "stuff," and no one loves "stuff" more than his kids. Pops thinks they have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas and comes up with a new plan to pare down gifts and spend more time together. The kids don't handle the news well and hope that if they act nice, Dre and Bow will change their stance. Meanwhile, Dre shares his Christmas plan at work and they have him starting to doubt his new traditions. (9:30-10:00 p.m.)
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10
"Toy Story 20th Anniversary Special" - ABC will air a tribute to the Pixar Animation Studios film that ushered in a new era of computer generated animation. The special will take a look at how Pixar's early beginnings making short, digitally-animated films lead them to take the bold step of making the first feature length computer animated film, "Toy Story." Producers, animators, technical artists, designers and some of the film's voice talent will discuss making the film and the impact it has had over the years, spawning two sequels, with a new installment, "Toy Story 4," on the way. "Toy Story 20th Anniversary" will be executive produced and directed by Brad Lachman of Brad Lachman Productions in conjunction with Pixar Animation Studios. (8:00-9:00 p.m.)
"Toy Story" - Tim Allen and Tom Hanks provide the voices for two tough toys on a dangerous journey when supercharged playthings come to life, in "Toy Story," the phenomenally popular film that was the first full-length movie to be made entirely with computer animation. Cowboy Woody (Hanks) and spaceman Buzz Lightyear (Allen) are thrown into a scary new World Outside when they go out a window and into a very bad boy's backyard (this kid likes to make toys go BOOM!). They bravely make their way home -- but "home" isn't really there anymore, and their hazardous voyage continues as they follow the family to a new neighborhood. Other star voices in the 1995 Walt Disney Productions triumph include Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head, Jim Varney as Slinkey Dog, John Ratzenberger as Hamm the Pig and Annie Potts as Bo Peep. John Morris is Andy, the toys' owner, Laurie Metcalf is Mrs. Davis, his mother and Erik von Detten is Sid, the rotten kid next door. (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) (Rebroadcast: ABC OAD: 9/28/97)
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11
"Last Man Standing" - "Gift of the Wise Man" - Mike, annoyed at how far his family has moved away from the true spirit of Christmas, tells them he doesn't want any physical gifts this year. Instead, he just wants each of them to perform a "good deed" for him. Meanwhile, Chuck is nominated to be Outdoor Man's in-store Santa for the season. (8:00-8:30 p.m.)
"Dr. Ken" -- "The Master Scheduler" - When Allison gushes about how excited she is to go to Hawaii for the holidays, Ken realizes that he forgot to ask for those days off. So Ken, not wanting to admit he messed up, turns to lying, begging and bribing in hopes that the master scheduler for the office (with whom no one has ever met) can give him the time off. (8:30-9:00 p.m.)
MONDAY, DECEMBER 14
"The Great Christmas Light Fight" - In each episode four families compete for a cash prize as they transform their homes into a festive wonderland for the holidays. (8:00- 10:00 p.m.)
"The Great Holiday Baking Show" - Hosted by Nia Vardalos ("My Big Fat Greek Wedding") and husband Ian Gomez ("Cougar Town") "The Great Holiday Baking Show" stars some of the nation's best amateur bakers as they compete in a series of themed challenges and eliminations all hoping to be crowned Holiday Baking Champion. (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15
"Toy Story That Time Forgot" See Dec. 3 (8:00-8:30 p.m.) Repeat
"Shrek The Halls" See Dec. 3 (8:30-9:00 p.m.) Repeat
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17
"Disney Prep & Landing" - Walt Disney Animation Studios brings you a half-hour holiday special tale of an elite unit of Elves known as Prep & Landing. After working tirelessly on Prep & Landing for 227 years, an elf named Wayne is upset when he doesn't receive an expected promotion to be the Director of Naughty List Intelligence. Instead, Magee, the North Pole Christmas Eve Command Center Coordinator (NPCECCC for short), partners Wayne with Lanny, an idealistic rookie who has an undying enthusiasm for Christmas. During their Christmas Eve mission, Wayne and Lanny encounter unexpected challenges that push them to their limits. Will the elves be able to guide Dasher, Dancer and the rest of the reindeer pulling Santa's sleigh through a raging snowstorm to ensure a Merry Christmas for all? (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET) (Rebroadcast - ABC OAD: 12/8/09)
"Prep & Landing 2: Naughty vs. Nice" - The yuletide adventures of Christmas elves Lanny and Wayne continue. With the Big 2-5 fast approaching, Wayne and Lanny must race to recover classified North Pole technology that has fallen into the hands of a computer-hacking Naughty Kid! Desperate to prevent Christmas from descending into chaos, Wayne seeks out the foremost Naughty Kid expert to aid in the mission, a bombastic member of the Coal Elf Brigade who also happens to be his estranged brother, Noel. (8:30-9:00 p.m.) (Rebroadcast- ABC OAD: 12/5/11)
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18
"Yes, Virginia" - New York City, 1897. A little girl named Virginia O'Hanlon loves Christmas more than anything else in the world. But when a schoolyard bully challenges her belief in Santa Clause, Virginia embarks on a quest across the city to prove he is real. With her best friend Ollie in tow, Virginia meets everyone from an overeager librarian to a Scraggly Santa raising money for the poor. Finally, her father inspires her to write a letter to the New York Sun newspaper, claiming if you see it in the Sun, it's so. Based on the true story of the most famous newspaper editorial of all time, "Yes, Virginia" is a charming and heartwarming tale about believing in the true spirit of Christmas. This animated special features the voices of Neil Patrick Harris, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Michael Buscemi, Alfred Molina and Beatrice Miller. (8:30-9:00 p.m.) (Rebroadcast- ABC OAD: 12/11/09)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19
"I Want A Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown!" - "I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown!" centers on ReRun, the lovable but ever-skeptical younger brother of Linus and Lucy. It's Christmas vacation and, as usual, ReRun's big sister is stressing him out, so he decides to turn to his best friend, Snoopy, for amusement and holiday cheer. However, his faithful but unpredictable beagle companion has plans of his own, giving ReRun reason to ask Snoopy to invite his canine brother, Spike, for a visit. The cast of "I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown!" includes Jimmy Bennett as ReRun, Adam Taylor Gordon as Charlie Brown, Ashley Rose Orr as Lucy Van Pelt, Corey Padnos as Linus Van Pelt, Hannah Leigh Dworkin as Sally, Nick Price as Schroeder, Jake Miner as Pig Pen/Franklin, Kaitlyn Maggio as the little girl and Bill Melendez as Snoopy. (8:00-9:00 p.m.) (Rebroadcast- ABC OAD: 12/9/03)
MONDAY, DECEMBER 21
"The Great Christmas Light Fight" - SEASON FINALE - In each episode, four families compete for a cash prize as they transform their homes into a festive wonderland for the holidays. (8:00-10:00 p.m.)
The Great Holiday Baking Show - SEASON FINALE- Hosted by Nia Vardalos ("My Big Fat Greek Wedding") and husband Ian Gomez ("Cougar Town") "The Great Holiday Baking Show" stars some of the nation's best amateur bakers as they compete in a series of themed challenges and eliminations all hoping to be crowned Holiday Baking Champion. (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24
"It's Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown" -- See Nov. 30 (8:00-9:00 p.m.) Repeat
"A Charlie Brown Christmas" - See Nov. 30 (9:00-10:00 p.m.) Repeat
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25
"CMA Country Christmas" - See Dec. 3 (8:00-10:00 p.m.) Repeat
MONDAY, DECEMBER 28 "
Happy New Year, Charlie Brown" - The ABC Television Network and the PEANUTS gang will ring in the new year with the animated PEANUTS special, "Happy New Year, Charlie Brown," created by late cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, along with "She's a Good Skate, Charlie Brown." In "Happy New Year, Charlie Brown," the PEANUTS gang is ringing in 1986 and Marcie and Peppermint Patty are throwing a big New Year's Eve bash. Charlie Brown plans to celebrate the holiday by curling up with a big book that weighs nearly as much as he does, Tolstoy's War and Peace. The book's weight doesn't stop him from lugging it to Lucy's pre-party dance class, where he cuts a mean rug with a rollicking Patty. With just 1131 pages to go, Charlie Brown takes another break, this time for the party, and summons the courage to invite his true love, the little red-haired girl. She doesn't respond, but hapless Chuck shows up anyway - with Tolstoy in tow. Then, he settles down with the book - on a porch swing in a snowstorm, and in so doing, misses the evening's big surprise. In "She's a Good Skate, Charlie Brown," disaster strikes as Peppermint Patty heads to her first major ice-skating competition with coach Snoopy and faithful companion Marcie by her side. As always, the unassuming Woodstock flies in to save the day. (8:00-9:00 p.m.) (Rebroadcast- ABC OAD: 1/1/86)
"Rudolph's Shiny New Year" - It's Rudolph to the rescue when Happy, the Baby New Year, goes missing, in "Rudolph's Shiny New Year," the classic Rankin/Bass stop-motion animated holiday special. Red Skelton narrates and voices Father Time, while Frank Gorshin and Morey Amsterdam also provide voices for characters. Father Time (voiced by narrator Red Skelton) asks the most famous reindeer of all, Rudolph, to find the next Baby New Year before midnight on New Year's Eve. (9:00-10:00 p.m.) (Rebroadcast- ABC OAD: 12/26/06)
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31
"Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2016" - A stellar line-up of the year's top music artists performs during the biggest live music celebration of the year. The bi-coastal celebration will include hours of special performances and reports on New Year's celebrations from around the globe. Ryan Seacrest will host the traditional countdown to midnight from Times Square in New York City as he has for the last decade, and continues as an executive producer. (8:00-11:00 p.m.; 11:30 p.m.-2:13 a.m.)

The Lookback : Frankenweenie

The Flashback 
 notice: Spoliers 

                           
     This time we take a lookback at  Frankenweenie. (Stop! , We taking a lookback at  movie from 2012?  That was 3 years ago,might as well...)  No , we are looking back at 1984's "Frankenweenie". (What?)
     Tim Burton made both the 1984  short film and  2012 feature film (so he ripped himself off?)   The movie is about 30 minutes in length (so it could be aired every year as a special?)   it's  boy and his dog movie.  The boy named Victor Frankenstein (umm yeah) likes making monster movies using his dog a bull terrier named  Sparky.(I was expecting a wiener dog )
                                                 

                                           awww a boy and his dog/ Copyright Disney

  Much like the beginning of Finding Nemo , our movie has  death before the 5 minute mark. Yep, poor Sparky gets hit by a car.   Victor is of course is heartbroken by this.  Victor then learns at school that you can use electrical impulses  to move muscles and he gets inspired to bring Sparky back to life. (The one time a kid learns something from school)  So victor makes a machine to make a bolt of lighting to bring Sparky back to life. (Yes, he un burried the dog)  And Sparky is brought back to life (yay! , also Moral of the story kids, pay attention in school)  Though keeping the dog in the attic proves to be a fruitless idea (the dog gets out as soon as Victor falls asleep ) and he wonders the neighborhood.  Apparently they get freaked out. (why?, they've never seen a dog before?) Victor's parents find out about the dog and Victor explains what happened.
                                                     

                                  aww a boy and his.. ahhh kill it , what is it?!!!!/ Copyright Disney

  The Frankensteins then figure out what to do about Sparky. (They want to keep the dog a secret from the world)  The neighbors (who apparently like to gossip and have nothing better to do) give funny looks to the Frankensteins and wonder what they have in there.  Victor's dad's idea is to invite people to re-meet Sparky. (Ummmm)  Though as expected they freak out (and mess up the carpet) and their screaming causes Sparky to run.  Victor runs to find Sparky and neighbors form an angry mob. (Monday : Neighborhood Watch , Tuesday: Neighborhood Mob)  Sparky runs to a miniature golf course.   The mob do what  normal people do around wooden infrastructure light a lighter to see inside and accidentally set the the windmill at the golf course on fire. (Isn't it my job to do what you did in the first part of the sentence?)  The problem is Victor is inside it with Sparky.  (The neighbors aren't just arsonists they are also murderers?)

                                                 

                               I know , honey, I loved that Windmill too / Copyright Disney

  Sparky drags Victor out in time (oh yay)  but the fire causes a part of the mill to collapse and it re kills Sparky. (Boo!) The neighbors realizing they were wrong (or also known as idiots )  decided to help rebring  Sparky back to life again-again. They use their cars (wait they didn't drive to the ...nevermind)  and they jump start Sparky (oh , hahha I just got the name)  Sparky lives again,  Sparky falls in love with a poodle at the end (a dogs dream ) and the movie ends.

  Now the back story... (yay) this movie was supposed be a short film to be aired with the re-release of Pinocchio in theaters. But due to test screenings , they thought children were horrified.

                                  Yes, because Disney never makes things to horrify children. 

 They fired Tim Burton because of that  and over spending (well maybe that ) and it wasn't released  , until later. When  Burton had sucessful movies of "Bettlejuice" , "Nightmare before Christmas" (So Disney un-fired him . like sparky was un-dead) and they released his movie with the Nightmare Before Christmas  DVD release.    

       I myself  first found the movie on Toon Disney,when they played the movie in 2008,  which is where one of my 3 copies of the movies is from.     It's an interesting  movie, it was made in 84 , but it's black and white and it feels like an old fashion monster movie. It's nice story and  since it's 30 minutes they  didn't have to pad it out with other things. As a person (as of writing this) who hasn't seen the remake , I am not going to compare the two  even if I did see the 2012  version I would say they are different movies and special in their own ways. (Cheap)  Meaning that while they have the same name and similarities they have their own stories to an extant. 

  If you want to see the movie , it's on the DVD version of Nightmare Before Christmas and included in the remake's  DVD and Blu Ray, and it's on the internet . (Like us)   

   That's our lookback , tune in next time when we review the movies where Bambi , Nemo , and Cinderella bring their mothers back life .  

The Lookback : Children's TV blocks : PBS Kids GO!

 PBS  The Flashback 


     This is our first ( first, means there is more coming?) delve into PBS as a lookback  , but they do children's programming, they are more  well,  the opposite. (Viewers like you)
    PBS's children's shows are either known for educational or preschoolers.  PBS deiced to make a new block (mostly aired in afternoon, but depended on your market as most PBS stuff does) it's target audience were children who were probably outgrown the needs of "Sesame Street"  and watching shows like "Arthur" , "Zoom" (the revived one from 1999 ) , and "CyberChase".   This bring us to PBS Kids GO! (shout the Go , or you are doing it wrong)  which was introduced in 2004   it was going to also be a new channel (a digital over the air channel) . Which sounds great.
 
     It's look was  the PBS  Kids logo but no face of a child thing .
                
        PBS Kids go! incorporated  two long running  PBS series :  Arthur (  1996-present)  and  Cyberchase  (which began in 2002 ) , and depending on your market  , Zoom (which began in 1999 and ended in 2005). They also introduced two new series to  PBS' fall line up, First , a spin-off of Arthur featuring Buster, the bunny.  Which featured , the character  in a series where  was video taping  different kids in his travels around the  United States with his Father. It was based off an episode of Arthur of the same name where Buster's Father takes him and Arthur's Family to New York . It was a mixture of live action and animation. (not live animation that would hurt the drawer's wrist)  
               
                    
                Meanwhile ... how many times can someone say Buster?

While another series was Maya and Miguel  , which  focused on twin brother and Sister 10 year olds and the things they get into.   Since this is PBS Kids and not some other thing ,  it had a focus on multiculturalism and  language learning.  Maya usually tries to help a family member or a friend but  her plans, which sometimes includes her friends  go wrong, It ran 65 episodes from 2004-2007 (some PBS stations repeat the show as of now )
    These were the first "core 4 "  series of PBS Kids GO!
  In 2006   they added a new series called "Fetch With Ruff Ruffman" which like Postcards from  Buster it was half animation  , half live-action.  A Game show where kids competed on challenges and the host was a cartoon dog named Ruff.    This series ran from 2006 to 2010.    With the challenges the contestants had the viewers at home were able to learn along with  the contestants.
  Also, in 2006  as a short at the end of  "Maya and Miguel" a  series called "Word Girl" started  airing  and it became it's own 30 minute show in 2007. (Still running today)   This series is about  a girl named Word Girl who has come to our world  and acts as a superhero  who also has a large knowledge of vocabulary. (Remember this is PBS)  She was adopted by an Earth couple , called the Boxfords and she is known as Becky Boxford  , because all great superheros have secret identities.
       The series  , features a word  each episode  that is repeated at times when need during  the 11 minute period. (Most episodes were two 11 minute segments)   Which makes it fit in that educational thing it has.

Now a word from some guy ... we don't have commercials thanks to you.

ABC Family getting new name

ABC Family  TV NEWS 

                 

image: Disney 

UPDATE  12/11 : The Date for name change is now set for January 12th , 2016   per this 

     ABC Family is making it's biggest change in it's life  since it was bought by Disney in 2001, after  over 25 years of having the name Family in it . (First as Family Channel, then Fox  Family)  They will be renaming the channel in January of 2016 , as Freeform.


 From the Disney Blog

ABC Family President Tom Ascheim announced today that ABC Family will be renamed and rebranded as Freeform in January 2016. The name, look, feel and attitude of the network will capture the nature of the Becomer audience and the modern way this audience generates and consumes media.
Viewers will be introduced to exciting new and original content while still enjoying their favorite ABC Family shows. Pretty Little Liars, The Fosters, Young and Hungry and Baby Daddy return in early 2016 for their winter premieres alongside the world premieres of new original series Shadowhunters and Recovery Road.
The name Freeform speaks to the mindset and attitude of what the channel has defined as Becomers. Becomers are in high school, college and the decade that follows and are navigating the wonderful, fun, exciting and scary time in life when you experience the most firsts—first car, first apartment, first job, first love, first heartbreak—all the firsts that exist between who they are now and who they want to become.
This audience’s identity and experience are fluid as they explore endless possibilities and their passions take shape. Freeform personifies this fluidity and will deliver ideas, forms of content and ways of interacting with the brand. Freeform is inspired by the interconnection between content and audience; media and technology; interactive and linear; life stage and lifestyle and the way Becomers interact with them all.
Fans are encouraged to check out freeformfan.com to submit photos and videos that creatively express the word “freeform.” Submissions may be used as part of our ongoing launch campaign underscoring the new brand’s essence of collaboration and co-creation of content with our viewers.
- See more at: https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/blog/abc-family-becomes-freeform-january-2016#sthash.CZxgjjaO.dpuf

  Late last year their were rumors of a name change as the channel looks to focus on it's termed "becomers" (ages 14-34) and new programming has been added in the past months.



Deadline reports that they will be keeping popular things like the 25 days of Christmas (a  holdover of the Fox Family days)  and keeping some part of the family friendly audience.

The Lookback : The Charlie Brown lookback : Is this Goodbye , Charlie Brown?

The Peanuts 
 
     In our 9th installment of  Charlie Brown looking back we look at "Is this Goodbye ,Charlie Brown"    It first came out on CBS (of course) in February 1983.

      Our special starts with Linus trying to call Charlie Brown , but he gets Sally and Sally makes things hard for our hero (Linus is our hero , apparently) and eventually he does get C.B.   Linus tells Charlie that he has something important to tell him and should come over right way. (Linus forgot how phones work?)   When Charlie Brown goes to Linus' place we found out the news : Linus (and his family , of course) is moving away. His father has received a job transfer.  Lucy tells the same thing to Schroeder  and gives him a picture to remember her . (He doesn't believe her though ,more on that later but first a message)
                           

                                   Who's that ?  /Copyright the Peanuts/Paramount/some guy maybe

      Lucy also handed her psychiatry practice over to Snoopy who increases the price to 50 cents (like a jerk )   Later Charlie Brown sees his sister still waiting for Linus to pick her up and take her to a movie  , though Charlie tells her that is not coming and that  they are moving. She doesn't believe him.   Charlie Brown was invited for a going away party. Snoopy was the caterer because why not?
                                   

                                          Look everybody's here ! /copyright Peanuts

   Then the sad day comes ( though if  Linus and Lucy didn't move away the spinoff  called "Linus and Lucy" couldn't have ran  5 seasons on NBC ... this is a lie)    Linus even gives up his blanket to Snoopy.  C.B walks home very sad to his home , where Sally is sitting outside and Charlie Brown tells here the bad news and she walks in the house angrily.   Then Charlie Brown tells Schroeder (our new hero, yeah we  had to change heroes)  and he is shocked.   Noting he never even got to say goodbye.
    When Charlie Brown  is still upset  , Peppermint Patty decides she wants to help (and eventually get her own spinoff that ran on ... naw never do the same joke twice unless it's funny)    Patty calls Charlie Brown in the middle of the night  she invites him to date at the movies though Charlie Brown was so tired he didn't know what was going on,  Peppermint waits for Charlie Brown to pick her up ( did she give a time?)  Marcie visits him at the wall and wonders why he looks so tired and we find out that well Charlie Brown thinks he had a dream that Peppermint Patty called him on a date. Marcie tells P.P what happend but doesn't believe her and continues to wait.  (ummm Why? are people not believing people in this special ?)
   Peppermint Patty is not happy that C.B skipped their date  and she yells at him over the phone and hangs up and CB is confused.   Though as much as you can figure out the end to this special... yes  Linus and Lucy's dad didn't like his new job so back they go. (Don't ask questions. )

    If you were a reader of the comic strips this is based off the ones than ran from May 9th to May 21st 1966.

Read them starting from here