Astral’s Playhouse Disney is delivering holiday greetings with a seasonal lineup that will warm viewers up throughout December. On Saturday, December 11 and Sunday, December 12, a Weekend Wonderland marathon keeps viewers merry with brand new holiday-themed episodes and Friday nights are all a glow beginning December 17 with sneak peeks of the new Canadian series Stella and Sam. Plus, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse debuts a special marathon of episodes starring Pluto on Sunday, December 26.
The month’s special holiday lineup kicks off with a Weekend Wonderland marathon on Saturday, December 11 and Sunday, December 12. >From 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. ET, Playhouse Disney will feature holiday and winter-themed episodes of viewers’ favourite series including Handy Manny and Jungle Junction. The weekend marathon features five premieres:
· Handy Manny – Dec. 11 at 9:30 a.m. ET
“Flicker Saves Christmas”: A fierce Christmas Eve storm forces Santa to make an emergency landing in Sheet Rock Hills.
· The Secret World of Benjamin Bear – Dec. 11 at 10:30 a.m. ET
“Freddy’s First Snow/The Perfect Gift”: Ben and Howie decide that teaching Freddy all about snow will help him overcome his fear of it. Also, Ben is challenged to find the perfect gift for Howie.
· Jungle Junction – Dec. 11 at 11:30 a.m. ET
“The Night Before Zipsmas/A Gift for Zooter”: As Miss Jolly shares a classic holiday tale, the Wheelers go on a nighttime ride to try to get a glimpse of Ellysanta.
· Handy Manny – Dec. 12 at 9:30 a.m. ET
“The Ayalas’ Christmas Extravaganza”: The Ayala family accidentally causes a power outage when they decorate their house with elaborate holiday decorations, so Manny and the tools work together to get the electricity turned back on.
· Special Agent Oso – Dec. 12 at 10 a.m. ET
“The Living Holiday Lights”: In this special 45-minute episode, Oso travels around the globe to help three kids prepare for three different holiday celebrations – Celeste in France celebrates Christmas, Noah in Israel celebrates Hanukkah and Brayden in Washington, DC celebrates Kwanzaa.
Also keeping spirits bright this holiday season are three special Friday night marathons that introduce Playhouse Disney viewers to the newest show joining the lineup, Stella and Sam. This new Canadian series from author/illustrator Marie-Louise Gay becomes a permanent part of the schedule in January 2011, but until then viewers can catch a sneak peek of the show on December 17, December 24 and December 31 beginning at 4 p.m. ET. The show will be paired with holiday-themed episodes of other series including Handy Manny, Special Agent Oso and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. On Friday, December 31, the special preview episodes of Stella and Sam are accompanied by Strawberry Shortcake “Sky’s The Limit” in which Strawberry must find a way to save Berry City’s water supply, and Care Bears “Oopsy Does It,” which sees Oopsy Bear try to rescue the Care Bears from the evil villain Grizzle.
Pluto stars in seven episodes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse in a special marathon beginning at 9 a.m. on December 26. Featuring favourite Mickey Mouse Clubhouse episodes such as “Pluto’s Puppy-Sitting Adventure” and “Pluto’s Playmate,” the marathon kicks off with the premiere of a brand new episode, titled “Mickey’s Little Parade.” The marathon will also see brand new short animations, each starring Mickey’s loyal and lovable pet dog, air between each Mickey Mouse Clubhouse episode.
Playhouse Disney is a commercial-free channel available in French and English to subscribers across Canada.
