CTV ends the year with TV treasures including the season finale of THE AMAZING RACE and holiday themed episodes of CSI: NEW YORK and THE MENTALIST. ‘Tis the season for family favourites One Magic Christmas and Uncle Buck and the North American conventional premiere of Knocked Up. December would not be complete without holiday favourites including It’s a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol and The Sound of Music.
CTV 2010 HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING LINEUP – NEW PROGRAMS AND SPECIALS
CSI: NY – “Shop Till You Drop” – *NEW*
Friday, Dec. 3 at 9 p.m. ET
Mac (Gary Sinise) and the team search for the killer of a department store manager who was found dead in a holiday display window, on the 150th episode of CSI: NY.
THE MENTALIST – “Jolly Red Elf” – *NEW*
Thursday, Dec. 9 at 10 p.m. ET
The CBI team investigate the National Society of Authentic Santa’s when one of them is found murdered, on THE MENTALIST.
ONE MAGIC CHRISTMAS – *NEW TO CTV*
Sunday, December 19 at 7 p.m. ET
In Disney’s ONE MAGIC CHRISTMAS, a young mother rediscovers the joy and beauty of Christmas, thanks to the unshakable faith of her six-year-old daughter. The 1985 holiday film stars Academy award-winning Mary Steenburgen (Parenthood), Harry Dean Stanton (Pretty In Pink) and Canada’s own Sarah Polley (Away From Her). Encore presentation airs Dec. 22 at 9 p.m. ET.
UNCLE BUCK – *NEW TO CTV*
Sunday, Dec. 19 at 9 p.m. ET
John Candy delivers one of his finest acting roles in this classic film by John Hughes (The Breakfast Club) about a perpetual bachelor and all around slob who babysits his brother’s rebellious teenage daughter and her cute younger brother and sister. The 80s rewind flick, set around the holidays, delivers some of cinema’s finest quotes.
ETALK: HOLIDAY MOVIE GUIDE – *NEW*
Monday, Dec. 20 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. ET
ETALK’s Ben Mulroney and Tanya Kim sit down with the stars of this holiday season’s biggest films. From Ben Stiller (Little Fockers) to Gwyneth Paltrow (Country Strong), Oscar® winner Jeff Bridges (True Grit) and Canada’s own Ryan Gosling (Blue Valentine), it’s a celebrity extravaganza. Also airs Dec. 24 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. ET.
HUMAN TARGET – “A Problem Like Maria” – *NEW*
Wednesday, Dec. 22 at 8 p.m. ET (simulcast with FOX)
Synopsis is currently unavailable.
ETALK PRESENTS: THE BEST OF MUSIC 2010 – *NEW*
Wednesday, Dec. 29 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. ET
Ben Mulroney hosts this half-hour, year-end special that spotlights the biggest names and events in music this past year including some of ETALK’s most-memorable interviews and exclusives!
ETALK PRESENTS: THE BEST OF FASHION 2010 – *NEW*
Thursday, Dec. 30 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. ET
From the launch of Sarah Jessica Parker’s Halston line to Madonna’s latest business venture with daughter Lourdes and Kate Middleton’s style evolution, ETALK examines the past year in the world of fashion and design. Plus, FT’s Jeanne Beker reminisces on the past 25 years in the biz; before MTV’s Dan Levy defines his favourite fashion moments of the year.
ETALK PRESENTS: BEST OF ETALK 2010 – *NEW*
Friday, Dec. 31 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. ET
Hosted by Ben Mulroney and Tanya Kim, ETALK counts down the best moments caught on and off the camera this past season.
ETALK PRESENTS: THE YEAR IN GOSSIP 2010 – *NEW*
Friday, Dec. 31 at 7 p.m. ET
Hosts Ben Mulroney and Lainey go head-to-head on the year’s biggest newsmakers. From bad boy Charlie Sheen to Tiger’s den of women, ETALK goes unscripted for a candid look at the stories and star scandals that defined 2010.
KNOCKED UP – *NEW*
Friday, Dec. 31 at 11:30 p.m. ET
CTV presents the North American broadcast premiere of the hilarious comedy flick KNOCKED UP from famed director Judd Apatow, who also directed such films as Superbad, Talladega Nights and The 40 Year Old Virgin. In KNOCKED UP, Ben (Seth Rogen) and Allison (Katherine Heigl) were supposed to be “over” after one night, but unexpected consequences of their actions bring them together in a wildly funny and heart-warming journey that can be summed up in two words – oh, baby!
CTV 2010 HOLIDAY SPECIALS PROGRAMMING LINEUP – RETURNING FAVOURITES
BEE MOVIE
Saturday, Nov. 27 at 9 p.m. ET (Simulcast with NBC)
Barry B. Benson (Jerry Seinfeld) is a bee who just graduated from college and is disillusioned with his lone career choice: making honey. Barry discovers humans have been stealing and eating the honey and subsequently decides to file a class action lawsuit against humans.
THE BIG BANG THEORY – “The Maternal Congruence”
Tuesday, Nov. 30 at 7:30 p.m. ET
It’s the holidays and Leonard’s mother makes a visit to his dismay but Sheldon’s delight. Emmy® and Tony Award®-winning actress Christine Baranski reprises her role as Leonard’s mom in this holiday-themed episode from Season 3 of THE BIG BANG THEORY.
LANNY & WAYNE: THE CHRISTMAS ELVES IN PREP & LANDING
Tuesday, Nov. 30 at 8 p.m. ET
Produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, the half-hour holiday special reveals the tale of an elite unit of Elves known as Prep & Landing. During their Christmas Eve mission, elves Wayne and Lanny encounter unexpected challenges that push them to their limits. Starring Dave Foley (THE KIDS IN THE HALL), Sarah Chalke (SCRUBS) and Derek Richardson (MEN IN TREES), the half-hour holiday special also airs Dec. 24 at 7 p.m. ET.
SHREK THE HALLS
Tuesday, Nov. 30 at 8:30 p.m. ET (simulcast with ABC)
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 gang try to join in on the fun, Shrek’s plans for a cozy family celebration ends up spiraling into one truly unforgettable Christmas. Starring Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and Antonio Banderas, SHREK THE HALLS also airs Dec. 24 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
BORROWED HEARTS
Saturday, Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. ET
Sam Field (Eric McCormack, WILL & GRACE), a single, powerful businessman is about to close the biggest deal of his career with industrialist Javier Del Campo (Hector Elizondo, CHICAGO HOPE), a self-proclaimed family man. To impress Javier during his holiday visit, Sam convinces single mom Kathleen (Roma Downey, TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL) and her daughter, Zoey, to pose as his family for cash Kathleen desperately needs. With a little Christmas magic, Sam learns to open his heart to the best gifts of all: love and family. Encore presentation airs Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. ET.
A MUPPETS CHRISTMAS: LETTERS TO SANTA
Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. ET
Emmy® and Grammy® award-winning Muppets deliver a one-hour special filled with song, dance, mayhem and heaps of holiday high spirits. Guest stars include Whoopi Goldberg, Uma Thurman, Richard Griffiths and Jane Krakowski. The special is also choreographed by SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA’s Paul Becker, who also makes an appearance.
RITA MACNEIL’S CAPE BRETON
Friday, Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. ET
In the spectacular one-hour music special, RITA MACNEIL celebrates Cape Breton’s stunning beauty and unique musical heritage with special guests Jimmy Rankin, Ashley MacIsaac, Aselin Debison, North America’s only coal mining choir, Men of the Deeps, legendary gospel singer Mavis Staples, and more.
CORNER GAS: “No Time Like the Presents”
Saturday, Dec. 11 at 4 p.m. ET
Spend the holidays with Gas alumni Brent Butt, Gabrielle Miller, Fred Ewanuick, Tara Spencer-Nairn and the gang! Karen and Davis resort to bribery to find out what they’re getting for Christmas. Lacey begins to doubt Wanda’s friendship; while Hank decides to practice Daylight Savings Time in Saskatchewan, even though the rest of the province doesn’t.
CORNER GAS: “Merry Gasmas”
Saturday, Dec. 11 at 4:30 p.m. ET
Brent is upset when Emma wants to get away from Christmas traditions by having a traditional Christmas. Hank organizes a gift drive for a needy family, but it turns out they aren’t so needy after all. Wanda’s gift-shopping consists of finding the season’s hottest toy for her son. And Lacey’s plans to go home to Toronto for Christmas get buried under bad weather.
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
Saturday, Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. ET (simulcast with NBC)
One of the most popular films of all-time and a perennial holiday favorite, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE follows an angel who helps a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman, contemplating suicide, by showing what life would have been like if he never existed. Encore presentation airs Dec. 24 at 8 p.m. ET (simulcast with NBC).
GREMLINS
Saturday, Dec. 11 at 12:05 a.m. ET
A man buys his son a cute pet known as a Mogwai for Christmas, but when the rules for its proper upkeep are not followed it spawns a plague of hideous green monsters that proceed to lay waste to the small town of Kingston Falls. Produced by Steven Spielberg, this satiric horror film was one of the most popular films of the 1980s.
SHREK
Tuesday, Dec. 14 at 8 p.m. ET
This smash hit family comedy stars Mike Myers (Austin Powers) as the voice of Shrek, a friendly ogre who falls in love with the beautiful princess he must protect from the heartless ruler Duloc. Eddie Murphy (The Nutty Professor) co-stars as the ogre’s motor-mouth donkey sidekick in this entertaining fantasy.
THE BIG BANG THEORY – “The Bath Item Gift Hypothesis” – *NEW*
Friday, Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Much to Lenonard’s disappointment, Penny suddenly develops an interest in science when a sexy new physicist joins the lab. Meanwhile, Sheldon struggles to find an appropriate Christmas gift for Penny.
SHAMELESS IDEALISTS: K’NAAN
Saturday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. ET
Hosted by Free The Children’s Craig Kielburger, SHAMELESS IDEALISTS is a seven-part series of candid discussions with the world’s most intriguing optimists and visionaries. Kickign things off is K’naan’s story and personal journey from Somalia to international superstardom. Other in-depth interviews with Jacob Hoggard, Al Gore, Jesse Jackson, Martin Sheen, and more, air weekday mornings from Dec. 20–Dec. 24 at 10:30 a.m. ET.
CAMILLA
Saturday, Dec. 18 at 9 p.m. ET
CAMILLA is a heartwarming comedy about two women (Jessica Tandy and Bridget Fonda) who become fast friends and hit the road for the adventure of a lifetime. While a confused husband, a desperate son, and a long-lost love frantically try to track them down, the women find themselves in some funny situations.
CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT (1945)
Saturday, Dec. 18 at 12:05 a.m. ET
A food writer who has lied about being the perfect housewife must try to cover her deception when her boss and a returning war hero invite themselves to her home for a traditional family Christmas.
EIGHT DAYS TO LIVE
Monday, Dec. 20 at 9 p.m. ET
When a mother’s 19 year old son goes missing, she must race against the clock to find her son in order to save his life. This suspense film stars Kelly Rowan.
THE RANKIN FAMILY REUNION
Tuesday, Dec. 21 at 8 p.m. ET
The legendary Cape Breton singing group reunites for a one-time television special taped in front of a wildly enthusiastic audience at Toronto’s famed Masonic Temple. Jimmy, Raylene, Heather and Cookie Rankin sing all their hits, while Molly Rankin, daughter of the late fifth member of the Rankin family, John Morris Rankin, makes a guest appearance.
STOLEN MIRACLE
Tuesday, Dec. 21 at 9 p.m. ET
When a nurse kidnaps a baby from a hospital, police Sgt. Jane McKinley (Leslie Hope, JUDGING AMY) must race against time to find the child while working to keep her own family together.
RITA MACNEIL PRESENTS MEN OF THE DEEPS
Thursday, Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. ET
From the historic Savoy Theatre in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Rita MacNeil presents MEN OF THE DEEPS – North America’s only coal mining choir. In this heart-warming one-hour special, MacNeil and guests sing some of her most beloved songs, including “Working Man” and “Home I’ll Be.”
A CHRISTMAS CAROL (1951)
Thursday, Dec. 23 at 9 p.m. ET
This 1951 black-and-white version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, starring Alistair Sim, is widely considered to be the definitive of the many film adaptations of Charles Dickens’ classic novel. Encore presentation airs Dec. 24 at 12:05 a.m. ET.
YULE LOG
Saturday, Dec. 25 at 6 a.m. ET
A holiday programming staple, CTV’s YULE LOG airs first thing Christmas morning, featuring a traditional soundtrack of classic holiday tunes playing in the background.
TRANSFORMERS
Saturday, Dec. 25 at 8 p.m. ET (simulcast with ABC)
Spend Christmas Day with a film sure to appeal to the kid in everyone. From director Michael Bay and executive producer Steven Spielberg comes a thrilling battle between the heroic Autobots® and the evil Decepticons®.
AS GOOD AS IT GETS
Saturday, Dec. 25 at 12:05 a.m. ET
Jack Nicholson won a third Best Actor Oscar® for his portrayal of Melvin Udall, an obnoxious, obsessive/compulsive author who falls in love with a waitress (Helen Hunt) who works nearby. But Melvin finds it difficult to change his ways in this romantic comedy-drama from director James L. Brooks.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
Sunday, Dec. 26 at 7 p.m. ET (simulcast with ABC)
THE SOUND OF MUSIC’s 45th anniversary celebration continues, as the Oscar®-winning classic film starring Julie Andrews (Marry Poppins) and Christopher Plummer (Inside Man) returns to CTV.
PARADISE CITY: DEGRASSI GOES TO HOLLYWOOD
Monday, Dec. 27 at 8 p.m. ET
The Degrassi gang ventures to L.A. via school bus and plane to score parts in Mewesical High, a musical directed by Jason Mewes. And what would a trip to Hollywood be without some star sightings? Perez Hilton, Vivica A. Fox and Pete Wentz are just a few of the celebs that cross paths with the Degrassi gang in this CTV original movie.
STICKS AND STONES
Tuesday, Dec. 28 at 8 p.m. ET
STICKS AND STONES is the story of how a Canadian Pee-Wee hockey team in Fredericton, New Brunswick, mended Canadian/U.S. relations in the world of amateur sport. In the movie, the captain of a Canadian Pee-Wee hockey team organizes a tournament to make amends for the horrible treatment an American team received during a visit to Canada in March, 2003.
SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY
Wednesday, Dec. 29 at 8 p.m. ET
This touching, two-hour movie stars Melinda Clarke (THE O.C.) as the wild, free-spirited Blithe, and Krista Bridges (THE SUMMIT, Niagara Motel) as the conventional and demure Virginia. Together, they are sisters who reunite after being torn apart by past heartbreaks, all while embarking on a surprising emotional journey.
DEGRASSI TAKES MANHATTAN
Thursday, Dec. 30 at 8 p.m. ET
Best friends Jane and Holly J head to New York City, with big hopes and even bigger dreams. Jane’s dream to front a hot indie band collides with a love she never saw coming. Meanwhile, Holly J’s determined to make her mark as a TVM intern in Times Square, and settle into her role as Park Avenue Princess with New Yorker boyfriend Declan at her side.
TURN THE BEAT AROUND
Saturday, Jan. 1 at 8 p.m. ET
Featuring stunning dance sequences that combine cutting edge hip-hop dance moves with stylized classic disco, TURN THE BEAT AROUND follows dancer Zoe Benjamin (Romina D’Ugo) as she strives to make it in the cutthroat L.A. dance scene.
CTV 2010 HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING LINEUP – STUNT PROGRAMMING
SHREK-A-THON
Saturday, Dec. 25 from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. ETCTV presents its first annual SHREK-A-THON, featuring back-to-back telecasts of the first three blockbuster hits: SHREK, SHREK 2 and SHREK THE THIRD.
THE BEST OF DAN FOR MAYOR
Monday, Dec. 20 – Thursday, Dec. 23 and Monday, Dec. 27 – Thursday, Dec. 30 at 7 p.m. ET
Relive all the hilarious shenanigans with CORNER GAS and ROBSON ARMS alumnus Fred Ewanuick in CTV’s half-hour original comedy series DAN FOR MAYOR.
THE BEST OF HICCUPS
Monday, Dec. 20 – Thursday, Dec. 23 and Monday, Dec. 27 – Thursday, Dec. 30 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Spend the holidays with Canada’s most successful and respected comedic power couple Brent Butt and Nancy Robertson with the best of HICCUPS.
THE BEST OF FLASHPOINT
Monday, Dec. 27 – Saturday, Jan. 1 at 10 p.m. ET
Canadians can lock their sights on the best of the adrenaline-pumping drama FLASHPOINT during the holidays. The tense, emotional police drama takes viewers into the lives of the team members of the Strategic Response Unit starring Enrico Colantoni, Hugh Dillon, and David Paetkau.
SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA – NEW YEAR’S EVE MARATHON
Friday, Dec. 31 from 2 – 6 p.m. ET and 8 – 10 p.m. ET
As CTV prepares for another heart-pumping season of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA, the network gives viewers a chance to relive the edge-of-your-seat moments with encore broadcasts of the final four performance episodes and results shows from Season 3; before delivering the nail-biting grand finale, where Canada named their favourite dancer.
