Warm up with Frosty
The TV universe is constantly expanding, and new channels and shows vie for attention just as much as old favourites. Here are the best bets on the box.
SATURDAY
Frosty the Snowman
In this animated classic, Jackie Vernon provides the voice of Frosty, the legendary snowman with a corncob pipe and a button nose. Frosty comes to life when a magician’s hat lands on his head. With the help of some children, he heads for the North Pole before he melts — but he is pursued by the magician (Billy De Wolfe) who wants his hat back. Jimmy Durante narrates the tale. (CBS)
Secrets of Noah’s Ark
A 3,700-year-old clay tablet from the Middle East reveals new information about the story of Noah’s Ark in this new documentary. In 2009, a visitor presented British Museum expert Irving Finkel with the tablet and asked him to translate the writing on it. Finkel was stunned when he realized the ancient Babylonian text was an instruction manual on how to build a huge boat to survive a flood. (History)
Movie: One Starry Christmas
This new heartwarming made-for-TV movie is about an aspiring astronomy professor (Sarah Carter, The Vow) whose boyfriend (Paul Popowich, The Bridge) leaves her alone for the holidays. Crushed, she decides to surprise him with a visit — but instead makes a connection with her bus companion Luke (Damon Runyan) along the way. (CTV)
Peter Pan Live!
Technically, it isn’t live this time, since this is an encore telecast of the production originally staged and broadcast the previous week. Allison Williams (Girls) acts and sings — and flies — in the title part of the boy who never grew up. Christopher Walken also displays his multiple talents as Peter’s main nemesis in Neverland, Captain Hook. Minnie Driver and stage veterans Kelli O’Hara and Christian Borle have major roles as well. (NBC)
Movie: Ice Age: Continental Drift
This 2012 animated offering — the fourth instalment of the Ice Age series — sees Manny, Diego and Sid set out on another adventure after their continent is set adrift. Along the way, they encounter sea creatures and battle pirates. Featuring the voices of Ray Romano, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo. (Teletoon)
Frosty Returns
First shown in 1992, this animated special stars John Goodman as the voice of Frosty the Snowman, who arrives in the town of Beansborough following the first snowstorm. His visit may have to be cut short when a new invention, a snowremoval spray called Summer Wheeze, is introduced. The show also features the voices of Jonathan Winters, Jan Hooks, Andrea Martin and later Mad Men co-star Elisabeth Moss (CBS)
SUNDAY
Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2014
The veteran journalist left daily TV work in May, but she was asked to do this special one more time — so here she is with her latest choices for her annual list, though No. 1 won’t be revealed until the actual broadcast. Chelsea Handler, Neil Patrick Harris, Scarlett Johansson, Taylor Swift and Oprah Winfrey are among those who have made the cut. Walters also gets more time for the program, with the two hours letting her do more in-depth interviews. (ABC)
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Though they’ve got along well, Jake and Charles (Andy Samberg, Joe Lo Truglio) run into dicey territory when they’re too close for comfort during a prolonged stakeout in a new episode aptly titled Stakeout. Nick Cannon (America’s Got Talent) guest stars as Holt’s (Andre Braugher) nephew, who turns Rosa’s (Stephanie Beatriz) head. Kyra Sedgwick continues her guest role. (Fox)
The Librarians
The new episode And the Horns of a Dilemma finds the Librarians (Christian Kane, John Kim, Lindy Booth) embarking on their first unsupervised mission, which hits a snag when Baird (Rebecca Romijn) loses the others in a magical labyrinth that exists below a skyscraper. John Larroquette also stars. (Space)
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
This well-known tale of the most famous reindeer of all offers a thoughtful lesson about discrimination. Young Rudolph is teased by the other reindeer and excluded from their games because his nose is different. His taunters sing a different tune, though, when Rudolph uses his nose to keep Christmas from being cancelled. (CBC)
Holiday Baking Championship
In the new episode Gingerbread Worlds, the season finale, the three remaining bakers face a single challenge, but it’s a massive one: Constructing gingerbread worlds filled with all sorts of treats. The baker who produces the most impressive results takes home $50,000 and the bragging rights to the title of Holiday Baking Champion. Nancy Fuller, Duff Goldman and Lorraine Pascale are the judges. (Food)
Backstage With Disney on Broadway: Celebrating 20
As anyone who has been to the Great White Way in the past two decades likely knows, the Disney organization has expanded very successfully into live theatrical productions. Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family) hosts this new special that highlights the stage shows, including The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid and Mary Poppins. Elton John and Nashville co-stars Sam Palladio and Clare Bowen perform related songs. (ABC)