2012 Holiday Programming

Friday, Dec. 14 RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER 8 p.m.

The classic holiday special, narrated by Burl Ives, who is also heard as the voice of Sam the Snowman, is a music story based on the popular song of the same name by Johnny Marks. It recounts the tale of a shy reindeer whose Christmas spirit is dampened because his shiny nose has made him the laughing stock of all of Christmasville.

Friday, Dec. 14 YES, VIRGINIA 9 p.m.

This animated special is based on the 1897 true story of Virginia O'Hanlon, an 8-year-old girl who inspired the most famous newspaper editorial of all time by asking "Is there a Santa Claus?" Neil Patrick Harris, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Alfred Molina voice key characters. Beatrice Miller ("Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs") voices the role of Virginia (Rebroadcast).

Friday, Dec. 14 ELF ON A SHELF 9:30 p.m.

A new animated feature based on the bestselling holiday children's book The Elf on the Shelf, follows one of the many scout elves from the North Pole, who helps Santa Claus determine who to put on the naughty and nice lists.

Saturday, Dec. 15 ELF 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 26 THE KENNEDY CENTER HONORS 9 p.m.

Bluesman Buddy Guy, actor Dustin Hoffman, comedian and television host David Letterman, ballerina Natalia Makarova and rock band Led Zeppelin will receive honors for 2012 on THE 35TH ANNUAL KENNEDY CENTER HONORS.