NBC gives the gift of holiday-themed series episodes and specials throughout late November and December with a multitude of festivities, a special military audience for "The Jay Leno Show" airing Thanksgiving evening and a night of holiday-themed Thursday night comedies from "Community," "Parks and Recreation," "The Office" and "30 Rock" on December 10.
In addition, NBC premieres "The Sing-Off" as a four-night holiday event series beginning Monday, December 14 featuring the hottest a cappella singing groups from across America competing for the chance at an Epic Records/Sony Entertainment recording contract. Also, a new SNL holiday special "Saturday Night Live Christmas 2009" is set to air on Thursday, December 17.
Other programs joining in on the holiday spirit are the family friendly specials and movies -- the all-new special "Merry Madagascar," "83rd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Parade," "The National Dog Show Presented by Purina," "Christmas in Rockefeller Center," "A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa," "It's a Wonderful Life," "NBC's New Year's Eve with Carson Daly" and the "121st Tournament of Roses Parade."
Following are programming dates and show descriptions (in order of airdate, all times ET):
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17 (8-8:30 p.m.) and repeating SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28 (8-8:30 p.m.) "Merry Madagascar"
WHEN SANTA AND HIS REINDEER CRASH ONTO THE ISLAND OF MADAGASCAR IT'S UP TO THE CENTRAL PARK 'ZOOSTERS' TO SAVE CHRISTMAS - Dreamworks Animation presents a brand new holiday adventure starring everyone's favorite Central Park "zoosters." "Merry Madagascar" begins when Santa (Carl Reiner) and his sleigh unexpectedly crash land on the island, giving the jolly gentleman a case of amnesia. So it falls to Alex (Ben Stiller), Marty (Chris Rock), Melman (David Schwimmer), and Gloria (Jada Pinkett Smith) along with the ever-inventive Penguins to deliver the presents and save Christmas. And, it doesn't hurt that Santa's sleigh just might be able to make a little trip to New York City so they can finally return to their beloved home. But, during their rounds, the four re-discover the magic of giving and that it's ultimately more important than their own wish to return home. Throw in a long-lasting North Pole/South Pole rivalry between the Penguins and Santa's Reindeer, magic flying dust and a King Julien-based holiday called (what else?) 'Julianuary' and "Merry Madagascar" serves up a comedic holiday story like no other! Andy Richter and "Cedric the Entertainer" also star.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23 (8-9 p.m.)
"Heroes"
THANKSGIVING UNITES FAMILIES TOGETHER AND BRINGS NEW REVELATIONS - H.R.G. (Jack Coleman) hosts an untraditional Thanksgiving dinner. Elsewhere, the Petrelli family gets a surprise guest at their table. Meanwhile, Samuel (Robert Knepper) continues to hold Hiro (Masi Oka) hostage as Lydia (guest star Dawn Olivieri) goes in search for the truth. Greg Grunberg, Hayden Panettiere, Adrian Pasdar, Zachary Quinto, Sendhil Ramamurthy, Cristine Rose and Milo Ventimiglia also star. Ashley Crow, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Madeline Zima, Ray Park, Harry Perry, Elisabeth Rohm and Andrew Connolly also guest star.
"Trauma" (9-10 p.m.)
THANKSGIVING PLANS ARE PUT ON HOLD WHEN AN AIRPLANE IS FORCED DOWN - Thanksgiving travel gets dangerous when a packed commercial airliner must make an emergency landing that goes terribly wrong. Meanwhile, Nancy (Anastasia Griffith) finds herself reluctant to spend the holiday with her family. Elsewhere, Boone (Derek Luke) and Tyler (Kevin Rankin) respond to an unusually common Thanksgiving emergency. Cliff Curtis, Aimee Garcia, Taylor Kinney and Jamey Sheridan also star. John Terry, Matt Barr, Ryan Michelle Bathe and Scottie Thompson guest-star.
