Friday, November 22, 2013

Days of Our Lives Ratings Up; News for Soaps is Good

Don't sound the death knell for the soaps yet.  Over at ABC, ratings for General Hospital have been going up.  And, this comes from NBC: 

“Days of our Lives” has generated its top week in total viewers since

For the week, "Days of our Lives" averaged a 1.0 rating, 6 share among women 18-49 and a 0.6 rating among women 18-34, to tie for #4 among network daytime series in the women 18-49 demographic and tie for #6 in the women 18-34 race. "Days" matched its highest women 18-49 and 18-34 ratings in nearly two years (since the week of November 21-25, 2011).

In total viewers, “Days of our Lives” averaged 2.845 million persons for the week, its highest weeklong average since the week of Jan. 31-Feb. 4, 2011, 33 months ago, during which it averaged 3.030 million viewers.

For the week versus the same week last year, "Days of our Lives" was up 21% in the women 18-34 race (211,000 vs. 175,000), up 19% in the women 18-49 demographic (651,000 vs. 549,000), up 17% in the women 25-54 race (803,000 vs. 688,000) and up 18% in total viewers (2.8 million vs. 2.4 million).

Season to date, "Days of our Lives" is tied for #3 in the women 18-49 category and tied for #5 in the women 18-34 demo. For the season to date, "Days of our Lives" is up 5% in the women 18-34 category (214,000 vs. 203,000), up 12% in the women 18-49 race (674,000 vs. 602,000), up 12% in the women 25-54 demo (833,000 vs. 744,000) and up 7% in total viewers (2.8 million vs. 2.6 million).

Ratings reflect “live plus same day” data from Nielsen Media Research unless otherwise noted. Season-to-date figures are averages of “live plus seven day” data except for the two most recent weeks, which are “live plus same day.”
February 2011, according to “live plus same day” viewing figures for the week of Nov. 11-15 from Nielsen Media Research.

Cast Photo of NBC's The Sound of Music

Here's an NBC photo, the first look of the Von Trapp children, in costumes, for the live musical event that airs Thursday, December 5 at 8 p.m.

The children in "The Sound of Music Live!" are:
(l-r, back) Ariane Rinehart as Liesl, Michael Nigro as Friedrich, Ella Watts-Gorman as Louisa, Joe West as Kurt; (l-r, front) Sophia Ann Caruso as Brigitta, Grace Rundhaug as Marta, Peyton Ella as Gretl.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Christmas in Rockefeller Center Wednesday, December 4th

NBC will celebrate the lighting of the world’s most famous
Christmas tree with a live broadcast from Rockefeller Center in New York City on Wednesday, Dec. 4 (8-9 p.m. ET). The star-studded holiday special is hosted by “Today” anchors Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker and Natalie Morales, and will feature performances from Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton, Mariah Carey, Kelly Clarkson, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Goo Goo Dolls, Ariana Grande and Jewel.

The 81st annual holiday extravaganza will feature a 76-foot Norway Spruce that is 47 feet in diameter and weighs approximately 12 tons. The tree is estimated to be about 75 years old. More than 45,000 energy-efficient multi-colored LED lights will be strung to decorate the tree, topped with a 9 ½ foot wide LED-lit Swarovski crystal star.

The tradition of the Rockefeller Christmas tree dates back to the Great Depression. First erected in 1933, the inaugural tree was decked with 700 lights and placed in front of the then eight-month-old RCA Building (the current GE Building). The Christmas tree gathering was enhanced in 1936 with the opening of the Rockefeller Plaza outdoor ice-skating pond. NBC-TV televised the tree lighting for the first time in 1951 on “The Kate Smith Show” and as part of the nationwide “Howdy Doody” television show from 1953-55.

Prior to this year's primetime telecast, an additional live hour of the special (7-8 p.m. ET) will be broadcast by the following NBC stations: WNBC/New York; WCAU/Philadelphia; KSNV/Las Vegas; WBBH/Fort Myers, Fla.; KHNL/Honolulu, Hawaii; WNWO/Toledo, Ohio; WTWC/Tallahassee, Fla.; WVIR/Charlottesville, Va., WETM/Elmira, N.Y.; WGBC/Meridian, Miss.; KHBC/Hilo, Hawaii; and KOGG/Wailuku, Hawaii.

"Christmas in Rockefeller Center" is produced by Brad Lachman Productions with Lachman serving as executive producer. Bill Bracken will produce.

ABOUT THE HOSTS:

Matt Lauer -- Matt Lauer has been co-anchor of NBC News’ "Today" since January 6, 1997. He joined "Today" in January 1994 as the show’s news anchor. From September 1992 to September 1996, Lauer was at WNBC in New York City where he served as a co-anchor of the early morning newscast "Today in New York" and as a co-anchor of the early evening newscast "News Channel 4/Live at Five." He began substituting on "Today" as a news anchor in early 1993 before becoming the permanent news anchor in 1994. Prior to joining WNBC, Lauer hosted a daily, live, three-hour interview program, "9 Broadcast Plaza," in New York from 1989 to 1991. Before that, his experience included hosting a number of weekly information and talk programs in Boston, Philadelphia, Providence and Richmond. Lauer began his career in 1979 as a producer of the noon news on WOWK in Huntington, West Virginia. In 1980, he was a reporter on the station’s 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts. Lauer is a graduate of Ohio University. He lives in New York with his wife, Annette Roque Lauer, their sons, Jack and Thijs, and daughter, Romy.  Follow Lauer on Twitter at www.twitter.com/mlauer

Savannah Guthrie -- Savannah Guthrie is the co-anchor of NBC News' "Today” and also serves as NBC News Chief Legal Correspondent.  Prior to joining "Today," Guthrie served as NBC News White House Correspondent from December 2008 to June 2011 where she contributed to all NBC News properties, including "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams," "Today" and MSNBC. Guthrie also served as co-host of MSNBC's "The Daily Rundown" from January 2010 to June 2011. In 2002, Guthrie received her Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center, where she graduated magna cum laude. She was a member of Order of the Coif and received the International Academy of Trial Lawyers' Student Advocacy Award for her work with victims of domestic violence. She graduated cum laude from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism in 1993. She received the top score on the Arizona Bar Exam in 2002.  Follow Guthrie on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SavannahGuthrie

Al Roker -- Al Roker has been the weather and feature anchor on NBC News’ "Today" since January 1996.  He’s also co-host of "Wake Up with Al" on the Weather Channel.  Until January of 2000, Roker also served as the weekday weather forecaster for News Channel 4’s early evening newscast Live at 5 on WNBC-TV, NBC’s flagship owned and operated station in New York City. New York magazine has twice named Roker Best Weatherman. He is a recipient of the American Meteorological Society’s prestigious Seal of Approval and has been a pioneer in the use of computer graphics for weathercasting.  In 1994, Roker founded Al Roker Entertainment, Inc. (ARE), a thriving multimedia company involved in the development and production of network, cable, home video, and public television projects.  Roker is a bestselling author, with his most recent book, “Never Goin’ Back: Winning the Weight-Loss Battle For Good,” available now.  Raised in Queens, N.Y., Roker received his B.A. in communications from the State University at Oswego in 1976, and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the school in 1998. He resides in Manhattan with his wife, ABC News 20/20 Correspondent Deborah Roberts, and has two daughters and one son.  Follow Roker on Twitter at www.twitter.com/alroker

Natalie Morales -- Natalie Morales is the news anchor of NBC News' "Today" and the co-host of the third hour.  Prior to her role as news anchor, Morales served as "Today" national correspondent from February 2006 to June 2011.  Morales also served as a national correspondent for all NBC News platforms including "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams," Dateline NBC," and MSNBC, and still continues to report across the NBC News Group.  Morales, who speaks Spanish and Portuguese, was born in Taiwan and spent much of the first 18 years of her life living overseas in Panama, Brazil and Spain as an Air Force "brat." She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University, New Jersey, with dual majors in journalism and Latin American studies. Morales was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and graduated Suma Cum Laude. She currently resides in New Jersey with her husband and two sons. Follow Morales on Twitter at www.twitter.com/nmoralesNBC

ABOUT THE PERFORMERS:

Mary J. Blige – Iconic Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist, Mary J. Blige is a figure of inspiration, transformation and empowerment making Blige one of the defining voices of the contemporary music era. With a track record of eight multi-platinum albums, nine Grammy Awards (plus a staggering 29 nominations), a 2012 Golden Globe nomination, and four American Music Awards, Blige is a global superstar. And in the ensuing years, the singer/songwriter has attracted an intensely loyal fan base—responsible for propelling worldwide sales of more than 50 million albums.  In October 2013, Blige for Matriarch Records/Verve Records/Interscope Records released her 11th studio album titled “A Mary Christmas,” making it her first-ever holiday album and collaboration with legendary producer and Chairman of The Verve Music Group, David Foster. Blige's holiday album features her soulful interpretation of classic holiday tunes including "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and "The Christmas Song." Blige is joined by a number of A-list guests, starting with Barbra Streisand, who duets with Blige on "When You Wish Upon A Star," along with Jessie J on "Do You Hear What I Hear.” The Clark Sisters join Blige on "The First Noel," and "Noche de Paz" is a Spanish collaboration with Mark Anthony.  Next, Blige will star as Platinum Fro, a mysterious guardian angel in the Kasi Lemmon-directed “Black Nativity,” a contemporary adaptation of Langston Hughes’ 1961 play. The holiday musical film drama will hit theatres in November 27, 2013 with an all-star cast including Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett, Jennifer Hudson, and Tyrese Gibson.

Toni Braxton – The distinctive, sultry vocals of six-time Grammy Award-winning recording artist Toni Braxton - singer, songwriter, record producer, and philanthropist - have been celebrated internationally ever since she was first introduced to the world by Babyface and L.A. Reid in 1992.  Her self-titled debut album released the next year was a 10 million-selling phenomenon that generated Braxton’s first Grammys in 1994, for Best New Artist and Best Female R&B Vocal (“Another Sad Love Song”).  The album’s longevity led Braxton to win her second Best Female R&B Vocal Grammy the following year (for “Breathe Again”).  Her second album, “Secrets,” arrived in 1996, and history repeated itself with 15 million worldwide sales.  At the Grammy Awards in 1997, Braxton became only the second woman in history (beside Dionne Warwick) to win Best Female Pop Vocal (“Un-break My Heart”) and Best Female R&B Vocal (“You’re Makin’ Me High”) in the same year.  She returned to the Grammy podium in 2001 to claim another Best Female R&B Vocal award (“He Wasn’t Man Enough,” from the double-platinum album “The Heat”). Into the millennium, Braxton blossomed into an acting career with Broadway musical roles in “Beauty and the Beast” and “Aida,” and a dramatic turn in the Lifetime movie “Twist of Faith.”  She and her sisters currently enjoy huge success in “Braxton Family Values,” one of WE tv’s flagship reality series, which returns for a fourth season in November 2013.  Raising her two sons Denim and Diezel, Braxton balances her career demands with the high priorities of family, heath, public service, and charity work, particularly on behalf of the two diseases that have impacted her family directly - she is living with Lupus and her youngest child is living with Autism.  Early detection and intervention has helped both Braxtons to be role models on how to live normal lives with these conditions.  Braxton is also a proud spokesperson for Autism Speaks.  She and Babyface will release “Love, Marriage & Divorce,” their first album of duets together, in February 2014.

Mariah Carey – Mariah Carey is the best-selling female artist of all time with more than 200 million albums sold and a ground-breaking career total of 224 #1 Billboard hits, including an unprecedented 18 #1 Hot 100 singles - the most of any solo artist in history.  Her brand new single, "#Beautiful," a collaboration with Miguel, has won critical raves and is already #1 in over 30 countries and a certified radio smash. "#Beautiful" is the lead single from Carey’s new album for Island Def Jam Music Group. With her world renowned voice and her award-winning songwriting and producing, she has clearly earned her place at the top of music's pantheon. As a singer/songwriter/producer, she has been recognized with five Grammy Awards, nine American Music Awards, Billboard's "Artist of the Decade" Award,  the World Music Award for "World's Best Selling Female Artist of the Millennium," and BMI's "Icon Award" for her outstanding achievements in songwriting, to name a few. Carey's ongoing impact transcends the music industry to leave an indelible imprint upon the world at large. A Congressional Award recipient, Carey has generously donated her time and energy to a range of philanthropic causes near to her heart including Save the Music, The Make-A-Wish Foundation, World Hunger Relief, and the Elton John Aids Foundation, among many others. A tremendous supporter of children's charities, both domestic and international, Carey, in partnership with the Fresh Air Fund founded Camp Mariah, a retreat for inner city children to explore career development.

Kelly Clarkson -- Grammy Award winner Kelly Clarkson has released five studio albums (“Thankful,” “Breakaway,” “My December,” “All I Ever Wanted,” “Stronger”), one Greatest Hits album, sold over 20 million albums worldwide, 10 million albums in the U.S. and has had 10 singles in the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. She is the recipient of three Grammy Awards, four American Music Awards, three MTV Video Music Awards, two Academy of Country Music Awards, one Country Music Association Award and 12 Billboard Music Awards. Clarkson’s last studio effort “Stronger” debuted at #2 on both the Billboard Top 200 and Digital Albums Chart. The album produced the smash singles, “Mr. Know It All” and “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” which marks Clarkson’s 9th and 10th Top 10 hit. “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” was #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for two consecutive weeks (three weeks total) marking her third #1 on the Hot 100 chart.  Clarkson’s “Stronger” was certified Platinum by the R.I.A.A. and won the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album. She spent the summer touring with Maroon 5 and recording her very first Christmas album, “Wrapped In Red,” which was released in October and features five original tracks as well as some Christmas favorites.  Clarkson was recently nominated for two CMA Awards as well as two ACA Awards.

Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds -- Ten time Grammy Award-winning recording artist Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmonds has been revolutionizing the contemporary pop/Urban music landscape ever since scoring consecutive multi-platinum landmark albums with “Tender Lover” (1989), “For the Cool in You” (1993) and “The Day” (1996).  Edmonds is the recipient of numerous awards, including Soul Train Music Awards, BMI Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and American Music Awards.  He received the third BET Walk of Fame Award (following previous honorees Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston), BET’s Entertainer of the Year at the First Annual BET Awards, and most recently was honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Edmonds’ caring and generosity has earned him several accolades, including the Essence Award for Excellence, The City of Hope Award and Variety Magazine’s “Top of the Town” Award.  As co-founder with L.A. Reid of Atlanta’s LaFace Records in 1989, Edmonds nurtured the careers of megastars TLC, OutKast, Goodie Mob, Usher, and Toni Braxton.  Into the ’90s and ’00s, Edmonds lent his talents to an abundance of hits with other artists, resulting in more than 125 Top 10 R&B and pop hits, 42 R&B #1 hits, and 51 Top 10 Pop hits (including 16 #1’s) under his belt, which have generated cumulative single and album sales of more than 500 million units worldwide. Most recent production work with other artists includes Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Keri Hilson, Ledisi, Ariana Grande and Aretha Franklin.  Babyface is also an active touring artist, performing concerts across the U.S. and around the world on a regular basis.  He and Toni Braxton will release “Love, Marriage & Divorce,” their first album of duets together, in February 2014.

Goo Goo Dolls – Multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated Goo Goo Dolls recently released their 10th studio album, “Magnetic.”  The album debuted at #8 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart, and their new single, "Come To Me," is Top 20 and on the air in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Washington DC, Atlanta, Boston, Seattle and many more. The Buffalo trio celebrated the album's release with a performance on “Good Morning America,” and they have recently appeared on “The Tonight Show,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” “Live with Kelly & Michael,” “CBS Saturday Morning,” “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” and “Rachael Ray.” Goo Goo Dolls have sold over 10 million albums worldwide, with 14 Top 10 Radio hits, more than any other artist in the history of the Hot AC format. They are the only artist to have three songs on Billboard's "Top 100 Songs from 1992-2012" including the Number One slot, for "Iris." John Rzeznik has been honored with the Songwriters Hall of Fame Hal David Starlight Award and they have been inducted into Guitar Center's Historic Hollywood Rock Walk.

Ariana Grande – Ariana Grande has become a bona fide pop phenomenon.  2x-platinum single “The Way” initially debuted Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and seized the #1 spot on iTunes Overall Songs Chart as soon as it was released. Meanwhile, the track also resonated immensely with the Latin audience. The single’s Spanish version climbed to #5 at Latin Radio, showing that she could not only bridge the generational gap but cultural barriers as well. Everything laid the groundwork for YOURS TRULY to actually reach #1 on the iTunes Pop Albums Chart and on the Overall Albums Chart based on pre-orders alone. Yours Truly arrived at #1 on the Billboard Top 200. It was the first time since January 2010 that a debut record from a female artist topped the chart. Not only did it bow at #1 on the Top 200, in addition, it was the #1 album on iTunes Overall Albums Chart and #1 on the Digital Albums Chart.

Jewel - From the remote ranch of her Alaskan youth to the triumph of international stardom, four-time Grammy nominee Jewel, hailed by the New York Times as a “songwriter bursting with talents,” has enjoyed career longevity rare among her generation of artists. Whether alone with her guitar or fronting a band of ace musicians, Jewel has always been a charismatic live performer, earning the respect of other singer-songwriters such as Merle Haggard, Bob Dylan and Neil Young, who, not only invited her to open their shows, but mentored her in the early phases of her career. After a tremendous amount of success as a singer-songwriter and over 27 million albums sold, Jewel released a Greatest Hits album in 2013. The album features a collection of her most known songs as well as two new duets with Kelly Clarkson and The Pistol Annies, in addition to a new track called “Two Hearts Breaking.” She also starred as June Carter Cash in the Lifetime biopic “Ring of Fire,” which earned four Emmy nominations. In December of this year Jewel will join NBC’s “The Sing Off” as a new judge as well as release her much anticipated follow-up holiday album, “Let It Snow.”  The acclaimed American singer-songwriter-poet will not only debut 10 holiday favorites but will also feature two new original songs, “Blue Crystal Glow” and “It’s Christmastime.”  Produced alongside some of the music industry’s greatest composers, Steve Skinner, Robbie Kondor and Joe Mardin, the album features country, indie-pop roots with a classical twist.  Vince Gill, Country Music Hall of Famer and 20-time Grammy® Award winner, also joins Jewel on the guitar for an extraordinary rendition of “White Christmas.”  Jewel currently lives on a working ranch in Stephenville, Texas with her husband, World Champion bull-riding superstar, Ty Murray and their baby Kase Townes Murray.
with a live broadcast from Rockefeller Center in New York City on Wednesday, Dec. 4 (8-9 p.m. ET). The star-studded holiday special is hosted by “Today” anchors Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker and Natalie Morales, and will feature performances from Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton, Mariah Carey, Kelly Clarkson, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Goo Goo Dolls, Ariana Grande and Jewel.

Holiday-themed Programs from FOX

Here's the FOX holiday programming schedule:

Saturday, Nov. 23 
ANIMATION DOMINATION HIGH-DEF (11:00 PM-Midnight ET/PT) – AXE COP – “28 Days Before” It’s Thanksgiving and Axe Cop (Nick Offerman) hasn’t been seen since Halloween. How will his team defeat the evil Turkey Turkey (guest voice Jack McGee) without him? Sunday, Nov.
24 BOB’S BURGERS (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) – “Turkey in a Can” Determined to have a perfect Thanksgiving, Bob (H. Jon Benjamin) meticulously prepares the family turkey. But to his horror, he finds that someone then dumps the turkey in the toilet in an act of Thanksgiving sabotage.

AMERICAN DAD (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) – “Kung Pao Turkey” Stan’s (Seth MacFarlane) plans for a perfect Thanksgiving watching football in his underwear are thwarted when Francine (Wendy Schaal) invites her adoptive parents (guest voices Amy Hill and Tzi Ma) to join them for the holiday. Mariah Carey also makes a guest-voice cameo.

Tuesday, Nov. 26 
BROOKLYN NINE-NINE (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) – “Thanksgiving” Amy (Melissa Fumero) wants to host a Thanksgiving dinner for the entire precinct, but it turns into a holiday disaster when Holt (Andre Braugher) and Jake (Andy Samberg) must leave to go catch a perp. So, Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio) steps in to save Turkey Day.

NEW GIRL (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) – “Thanksgiving III” Jess (Zooey Deschanel) and the gang’s survival skills are put to the test when Nick (Jake Johnson) takes them camping for Thanksgiving. Coach (guest star Damon Wayans, Jr.) and Schmidt (Max Greenfield) battle it out over who is the best woodsman, while Cece (Hannah Simone) and Winston (Lamorne Morris) bond over their mutual distaste for the outdoors.

Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 28 
THE X FACTOR (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) – “Results Show” Tune in to see if your favorite singing acts make the cut in the all-new LIVE “Results Show” episode of THE X FACTOR airing on Thanksgiving night!

GLEE (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) – “Puppet Master” Demi Lovato and Adam Lambert guest-star in an all-new episode airing on Thanksgiving. Blaine (Darren Criss) believes he has the best plan to win Nationals, but he doesn’t take the glee club’s criticism too well when the students accuse him of being too controlling. Over in New York, Kurt (Chris Colfer) also runs into control issues when the band disagrees over the venue of their first official gig, and Sue (Jane Lynch) reveals the story behind her iconic tracksuit. Break out the eggnog and drink up these FOX holiday-themed programs:

Tuesday, Dec. 3 
DADS (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) – “The Glitch That Stole Christmas” When Eli (Seth Green) and Warner (Giovanni Ribisi) fire one of their employees right before the holiday season, the ex-game designer seeks his revenge by including an offensive word in their family-friendly Christmas game. Meanwhile, Edna (Tonita Castro) encourages David (Peter Reigert) to get a job as a mall Santa, so he can earn enough money to buy Eli a gift. An encore airs on Tuesday, Dec. 24 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT).

BROOKLYN NINE-NINE (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) – “Christmas” Jake is assigned to protect Holt when death threats are sent his way. Amidst the chaos, Amy attempts to coordinate a Christmas photo for the squad. An encore airs on Tuesday, Dec. 24 (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT).

THE MINDY PROJECT (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) – “Christmas Party Sex Trap” Mindy (Mindy Kaling) throws a Christmas party in an attempt to spend time with Cliff (guest star Glenn Howerton), a lawyer in the building on whom she has a crush, but everything goes completely sideways.

Thursday, Dec. 5 
GLEE (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) – “Previously Unaired Christmas” Sue Sylvester introduces the episode as a Christmas special that FOX did not allow to air last year, in which the members of New Directions audition for roles in McKinley’s living Nativity Scene. Meanwhile, in New York, Rachel (Lea Michele), Kurt and Santana (Naya Rivera) work as Santa’s elves at a mall.

Friday, Dec. 13 
RAISING HOPE (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) – “The Chance Who Stole Christmas” The town blames Burt (Garret Dillahunt) for ruining Christmas, when, as interim mayor, he’s forced to cancel the Natesville Christmas Festival. An encore airs on Christmas, Wednesday, Dec. 25 (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT).

Sunday, Dec. 15 
THE SIMPSONS (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) – “White Christmas Blues” Springfield is inundated with holiday revelers after the nuclear power plant springs a radiation leak, causing snow to fall all over town. When the tourists drive up Christmas shopping prices, Marge (Julie Kavner) opens up the Simpsons’ house to boarders. An encore airs Sunday, Dec. 23 (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT).

BOB’S BURGERS (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) – “Christmas in the Car” After purchasing a last-minute tree, the Belcher family spends Christmas Eve trying to outrun a truck shaped like a giant candy cane. Back at home, Bob’s (H. Jon Benjamin) friend, Teddy (Larry Murphy), accidentally gets stuck in the kids’ Santa trap.

FAMILY GUY (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) – “Christmas Guy” Peter (Seth MacFarlane) infuses Lois’s dad with the holiday spirit, while Stewie (Seth MacFarlane) learns the meaning of confession.

AMERICAN DAD (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) – “Minstrel Krampus” It’s holiday time in Langley Falls, and Steve (Scott Grimes) starts acting like a spoiled brat, prompting Stan to take him to see his incarcerated Grandpa Jack (guest voice Daran Norris), who recounts how he, as a boy, captured the legendary Minstrel Krampus (guest voice Danny Glover), a demon who punished naughty children on Christmas. Meanwhile, Hayley (Rachael MacFarlane) gets a job at the airport, but is not cut out for customer service.

Monday, Dec. 16 
ICE AGE: A MAMMOTH CHRISTMAS (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) – Annual Return America’s favorite arctic herd is busy decorating for the holiday season. In his rush to help, Sid (John Leguizamo) destroys Manny’s (Ray Romano) favorite decorations. Manny is so upset he convinces Sid he is now on Santa’s naughty list. Sid, Crash (Seann William Scott), Eddie (Josh Peck) and Peaches (Ciara Bravo) take off for the North Pole to plead their case to Santa (Billy Gardell). Meanwhile, Manny, Ellie (Queen Latifah) and Diego (Denis Leary), worry over Peaches’ safety and race to find her. Back at the North Pole, Sid and his crew accidentally destroy Santa’s Workshop on Christmas Eve, and it’s up to these newfound friends to orchestrate a Christmas miracle. The special, directed by Karen Disher, also features the voice talent of Chris Wedge, T.J. Miller and Judah Friedlander. An encore airs on Christmas, Wednesday, Dec. 25 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT).

DREAMWORKS DRAGONS: GIFT OF THE NIGHT FURY (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) – Annual Return Inspired by the popular “How to Train Your Dragon” film franchise, this special is a story of faith, love and friendship that takes viewers on an adventure of dragon-sized proportions as the villagers of Berk prepare for the winter holidays. As their festivities approach, the dragons make a sudden mass exodus leaving Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), Astrid (America Ferrera), Stoick (Gerard Butler) and the rest of the gang saddened by the loss of their winged friends. A wild turn of events leads Hiccup to discover a mysterious, never-before-seen island and learn the true reason why the dragons left the village. Friendship and loyalty abound in this touching holiday tale of spreading one’s wings, but always staying close to home. An encore airs on Christmas, Wednesday, Dec. 25 (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT).

Wednesday, Dec. 18 
THE X FACTOR (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) – “Season Finale, Part One” The remaining finalists take the stage LIVE to mark their spot on the last performance show of the season. Thursday, Dec. 19 THE X FACTOR (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) – “Season Finale, Part Two” Find out who will triumph as host Mario Lopez reveals the winner LIVE.

Friday, Dec. 20 
HAPPINESS IS A WARM BLANKET, CHARLIE BROWN (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) – Annual Return In this annual holiday special, the Peanuts gang is back and ready to help Linus (Austin Lux) break away from his childhood security blanket. The stakes are high as Linus learns his grandmother is coming to visit, and he must decide whether or not to dispose of his most cherished possession. In an effort to help Linus kick his habit, Charlie Brown (Trenton Rogers), Lucy (Grace Rolek) and even Snoopy pitch in to help. Lucy is quick to attempt her amateur psychiatric skills, while Snoopy employs the age old drag-and-run method. Despite all attempts, Linus eventually learns that security is a valuable quality in life and everyone is entitled to their own version of a security blanket.

Sunday, Dec. 22 
BOB’S BURGERS (7:00-7:30 PM ET/PT) – “God Rest Ye Merry Gentle-Mannequins” (Encore) In a holiday-themed encore episode, Bob inherits a storage unit, and the whole family imagines treasures, but only finds a man named Chet (guest voice Zach Galifianakis) living inside. Imbued with the holiday spirit, Linda (John Roberts) persuades Bob to invite Chet to stay at the restaurant, where it’s discovered that this stranger, who claims he was once a mannequin, has a gift for intricate and living window displays.

THE SIMPSONS (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) – “To Cur with Love” (Encore) In an encore episode, when a fire at the retirement home forces Grampa (Dan Castellaneta) to move home with the Simpsons, Homer throws out his back on moving day and decides to stay home to recover. While enjoying his time alone, Homer gets distracted by “Villageville” – a super-addictive tablet game in which he is able to create his own virtual village – and loses the family dog, Santa’s Little Helper.

THE SIMPSONS (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) – “White Christmas Blues” (Encore) An encore of the Dec. 15 holiday-themed episode.

FAMILY GUY (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) – “Jesus, Mary & Joseph” (Encore) Peter tells his own version of the Nativity story in an encore episode.

Tuesday, Dec. 24 
DADS (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) – “The Glitch That Stole Christmas” (Encore) An encore of the Dec. 3 holiday-themed episode.

BROOKLYN NINE-NINE (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) – “Christmas” (Encore) An encore of the Dec. 3 holiday-themed episode. NEW GIRL (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) – “Santa” (Encore) In an encore, when the gang attempts to juggle multiple holiday parties in one night, Jess tries to avoid a remorseful Sam (guest star David Walton), Nick (Jake Johnson) tries to keep up with a sexually adventurous Angie (guest star Olivia Munn) and Winston panics when he gets a cranberry stuck in his ear.

THE MINDY PROJECT (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) – “Josh & Mindy’s Christmas Party” (Encore) Mindy throws an office Christmas party at her apartment, and she’s eager for her colleagues to finally meet her boyfriend, Josh (guest star Tommy Dewey) in an encore of last year’s holiday-themed episode. Meanwhile, Jeremy (Ed Weeks) deals with doling out the office holiday bonuses, much to everyone’s chagrin. Christmas,

Wednesday, Dec. 25 
ICE AGE: A MAMMOTH CHRISTMAS (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) An encore broadcast of the seasonal favorite. DREAMWORKS DRAGONS: GIFT OF THE NIGHT FURY (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) An encore broadcast of the seasonal favorite.

RAISING HOPE (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) – “Last Christmas” (Encore) In an encore, Virginia (Martha Plimpton) is convinced that the world is going to end on Dec. 21, 2012. So she uses her extreme couponing skills to stock up on supplies and she forces the family to train for the apocalypse. Meanwhile, Jimmy (Lucas Neff) is determined to give Hope (guest star Baylie and Rylie Cregut) the best Christmas he can, since it likely will be the first one she remembers, and Maw Maw (Cloris Leachman) tries to knock a few more items off her bucket list before the world ends.

RAISING HOPE (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) – “The Chance Who Stole Christmas” (Encore) An encore of the Dec. 13 episode.

Thursday, Dec. 26 
GLEE (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) – “Extraordinary Merry Christmas” (Encore) When New Directions is asked to perform at two different events – on the same day, at the same time – they have a tough decision to make in an encore of a holiday-themed episode. Will they choose correctly and spread Christmas cheer, or will their ambition get the best of them?

GLEE (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) – “Glee, Actually” (Encore) In an encore of last year’s tribute to the film “Love, Actually,” seemingly separate storylines come together as one holiday-themed episode, in which Sam (Chord Overstreet) and Brittany (Heather Morris) live their lives to the fullest before the much-heralded Mayan Apocalypse occurs. Meanwhile, Jake (Jacob Artist) and Puck (Mark Salling) spend quality sibling time together for Hanukkah, Artie (Kevin McHale) has a holiday dream that changes his outlook on life and Kurt has a Christmas he’ll never forget.

Tuesday, Dec. 31 
NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVE (11:00 PM-12:30 AM ET/CT/MT/PT) Count down the final moments of 2013 while watching the ultimate year-end bash, set to feature the year’s chart-topping musical guests. As 2014 nears, FOX cameras will capture every electrifying moment both from Las Vegas and the heart of New York City as the world-famous New Year’s Eve Ball makes its descent into Times Square. NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVE is executive-produced by Bob Bain and produced by Paul Flattery.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Alexander Weiss Wins MasterChef Junior

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Alexander Weiss, a 13-year-old from New York City was the winner of FOX’s cooking competition series, MasterChef Junior. Alexander walked away with a $100,000 grand prize after being crowned by host/executive producer and judge Gordon Ramsay and fellow judges Joe Bastianich and Graham Elliot

“There was some pretty stiff competition, and it was amazing to watch these junior chefs grow each week,” said Ramsay. “Alexander pulled off complex dishes every week that professionals would be proud to call their own, and we are extremely impressed by what he has accomplished.”

“During my journey on MASTERCHEF JUNIOR, I learned so much from the judges, especially to be more confident in the kitchen and to be more determined,” said Alexander. “Of course, I will always remember the moment when I won, but I will also never forget the amazing time I had with the other contestants and judges. Thank you MASTERCHEF JUNIOR!”

In the finale episode, Alexander competed in a culinary showdown with Dara Yu, a 12-year-old from Los Angeles, CA. For the final challenge, Alexander created an impressive, restaurant-quality three-course meal: an appetizer of Basil Lemon Shrimp with Heirloom Tomato Crostini; a main course of Pan Seared Veal Chop with Gnocchi and Butter Sauce; and a Cannoli Napoleon with Mascarpone Cream for dessert. After a very close competition, it was Alexander’s harmonious flavors, complex techniques and elegant plating that earned him the MASTERCHEF JUNIOR trophy.
Here's the video: