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ABC Family: nycscififan ABC Family Specials Christmas 2009

ABC Family Specials Christmas 2009

ABC FAMILY WILL HOST AN EXCLUSIVE NIGHT OF
WALT DISNEY PICTURES PRESENTS “PIXAR SHORT FILMS”
AS PART OF NETWORK’S ANNUAL 25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS PROGAMMING EVENT
EVENT TO FEATURE 20 PIXAR SHORT FILMS AS A TWO-HOUR PRESENTATION
AIRING TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME ON TELEVISION
Programming Event to Include “Presto,” “Boundin’,” “BURN•E,” “Geri’s Game,” “Lifted,”
“Jack-Jack Attack,” “For the Birds” and “Luxo Jr.”
Burbank, CA (Monday, October 26, 2009) – For the first time on television, ABC Family will
air a two-hour presentation of Walt Disney Pictures Presents “Pixar Short Films,” featuring twenty
animated Pixar shorts, as part of the network’s annual 25 Days of Christmas programming event
(December 1-25). The critically-acclaimed short films include the Academy Award®-winning (Best
Animated Short Film) “Geri’s Game,” “For the Birds,” and “Tin Toy” and the Academy Award®-
nominated (Best Animated Short Film) “Luxo Jr.,” “”Mike’s New Car,” “One Man Band,” “Lifted” and
“Presto,” among them. “Pixar Short Films” premieres on ABC Family on Wednesday, December 2
from 7:00-9:00PM ET/PT (and again from 9:00PM-11:00PM ET/PT). Two encore presentations will
air on the network on Friday, December 18 at 10:00PM ET/PT and Saturday, December 19 at
6:00PM ET/PT.
The short films included in the two-hour presentation include:
“ADVENTURES OF ANDRE AND WALLY B.”
There's nothing like a restful nap in a pleasant wooded valley. But when Andre awakens and is greeted by a
pesky yellow-and-black striped insect with a nasty stinger, he ends up taking a quick (and painful) hike. Andre
thinks he's a clever guy, able to outsmart and outrun a bee. But like all stinging insects, Wally B. knows better,
and can chase down any target in a matter of seconds.
“BOUNDIN’”
"Boundin'" features a freshly shorn lamb and a jackalope -- the mythical horn-adorned rabbit of American
western folklore. For the high-stepping lamb, life is an upbeat western waltz until his prairie friends tease him
about his freshly sheared look. He gets down in the dumps after losing his lustrous coat. The only one who
can see things right is the giant jackalope, who brings sunshine and optimism with him wherever he bounds.
He is irrepressibly optimistic and the jackalope comes on to the scene to cheer him up and put a dance back
into his step. (2003 Academy Award® nominee for Best Animated Short Film)
“FOR THE BIRDS”
One by one, a flock of small birds perches on a telephone wire. Sitting close together has problems enough,
and then comes along a large dopey bird that tries to join them. The birds of a feather can't help but make fun
of him and their clique mentality proves embarrassing in the end. (2001 Academy Award® winner for Best
Animated Short Film)
“GERI’S GAME”
An aging codger named Geri plays a daylong game of chess against himself in the park. Somehow he begins
losing to his livelier opponent. But just when the game's nearly over, Geri manages to turn the tables. There's
Geri. And then there's the other Geri. You'd swear they were twins who didn't get along since birth. In reality,
it's only one very old man, who is young at heart having a little fun with himself by faking a heart attack and
finding new uses for his dentures. (1997 Academy Award® winner for Best Animated Short Film)
“JACK-JACK ATTACK”
From Disney·Pixar’s 2004 Academy Award®-winning “The Incredibles” (Best Animated Feature Film) – this
short finds Kari believing she's in for a night of routine babysitting. Kari is prepared to provide neurological
stimulation with some soothing musical accompaniment for little Jack-Jack, the smallest member of the Parr
family. Little does she know that Jack-Jack will teach her a thing or two about babies with "special needs."
True to her word, Kari proves that she can handle anything that Jack-Jack can dish out - just barely. And Jack-
Jack proves that listening to Mozart truly does make babies smarter. Or in his case, discover his super
powers.
“KNICK KNACK”
Life on a shelf as a snowman trapped in a snowglobe blizzard can become wearing, especially when you're
surrounded by knickknacks from sunnier locales. When the jaded snowman finally breaks free of his glass
house, his vacation plans are cut short. The touristy souvenirs on this shelf are true to life in their kitsch-ness:
a disproportionate blonde from Miami beckons from a pool, a Death Valley skeleton invites people to surf the
desert, and an Egyptian pyramid dons large sunglasses.
“LIFTED”
A young alien student bungles his first lesson in elementary abduction as an increasingly weary instructor
looks on. (2006 Academy Award® nominee for Best Animated Short Film)
“LUXO JR.”
A baby lamp finds a ball to play with and it's all fun and games until the ball bursts. Just when the elder Luxo
thinks his kid will settle down for a bit, Luxo Jr. finds another ball -- ten times larger! Luxo Jr. has a great dad
in the larger lamp. Even though he is a bit unpredictable, the elder Luxo gives him room to grow and explore.
And the tiny light has no problem with that. (1986 Academy Award® nominee for Best Animated Short Film)
“MATER AND THE GHOSTLIGHT”
A companion piece to Disney·Pixar’s 2006 Academy Award®-nominated “Cars” (Best Animated Feature Film),
this short finds Mater "haunted" by a mysterious blue light that teaches him not to play pranks on the other
cars in radiator springs.
“MIKE’S NEW CAR”
From Disney·Pixar’s 2001 Academy Award®-nominated ”Monsters, Inc.” (Best Animated Feature Film) – this
short film finds Mike discovering that being the top-ranking laugh collector at Monsters, Inc. has its advantages
-- in particular earning enough money to buy a six-wheel-drive car that's loaded with gadgets. That new car
smell doesn't last long enough however, as Sulley jump-starts an ill-fated road test that teaches Mike the true
meaning of buyer's remorse. Since ending the energy crisis in Monstropolis, this pair can still get into quite a
predicament. Mike's pride in his new wheels is only surpassed by Sulley's lack of skills at the control panel.
The two eventually agree on one thing -- walking to work might be best, at least today. (2002 Academy
Award® nominee for Best Animated Short Film)
“ONE MAN BAND”
With one coin to make a wish at the piazza fountain, Tippy, a peasant girl, encounters two competing street
performers who'd prefer the coin find its way into their tip jars. Tippy is caught in the middle as a musical duel
ensues between the one-man-bands. (2005 Academy Award® nominee for Best Animated Short Film)
“RED’S DREAM”
Life as the sole sale item in the clearance corner of Eben's Bikes can get lonely. So Red, a unicycle, dreams
up a clown corner and his own juggling act that steals the show. But all too soon, the applause turns into the
sound of rainfall as reality rushes back. Red must resign himself to sitting in the corner and await his fate.
Don't let Red's sale tag fool you. He's really a priceless unicycle with a big heart that could help out juggling
performers like lumpy the clown- if only someone would give him a chance.
“TIN TOY”
Babies are hardly monster-like, unless you're a toy. After escaping a drooling baby, Tinny realizes that he
wants to be played with after all, but in the amount of time it takes him to discover this, the baby's attention
moves on to other things only an infant could find interesting. The secret's out: curious crawling babies are
what cause toys to become "lost" beneath furniture and behind dressers. But the tin musical toy, Tinny, isn't
like the other scared toys under the sofa. He knows his job is to make children laugh, not cry. (1988 Academy
Award® for Best Animated Short Film)
“YOUR FRIEND THE RAT”
From Disney·Pixar’s 2007 Academy Award®-winning “Ratatouille” (Best Animated Feature Film) – this short
film finds Remy and his less than enthusiastic brother Emile presenting their case as to why humans and rats
should just get along. Remy guides us through the shared history of man and the rat. Emile then provides
many fun rat facts to help explain why the rat should be better appreciated. The two pull out all the stops and
end with a song describing a rat and human Utopia.
“BURN•E”
A companion piece from Disney·Pixar’s 2008 Academy-Award®-winning “WALL•E” (Best Animated Feature
Film), this short features a welding bot on the Axiom Starliner named BURN•E, who, while repairing a light
bulb, is locked out of the Starliner by WALL•E and Eve. He attempts to open the locked door, but finally
realizes he cannot.
“PRESTO”
Dignity. Poise. Mystery. We expect nothing less from the great turn-of-the century magician, Presto. But when
Presto neglects to feed his rabbit one too many times, the magician finds he isn’t the only one with a few tricks
up his sleeves! Alec is a simple bunny. He doesn’t want fame or fortune. He just wants a humble dinner.
Presto, the magician, however, lives for fame and fortune and is spiteful to anyone - or any rabbit - that stands
in his way. Is there anything that could make Presto appreciate his poor, suffering bunny and give him the
carrot he deserves? (2008 Academy Award® nominee for Best Animated Short Film)
“RESCUE SQUAD MATER”
A companion piece to Disney·Pixar’s 2006 Academy Award®-nominated “Cars” (Best Animated Feature Film),
this short finds Mater part of a rescue squad that has to put out a blaze at the local Gasoline & Match factory.
Unfortunately, Lightning McQueen is injured at this inferno and then has to be rushed to the hospital. But not
to worry-Mater's not just a fire truck, he's also an MD.
“MATER THE GREATER”
A companion piece to Disney·Pixar’s 2006 Academy Award®-nominated “Cars” (Best Animated Feature Film),
this short finds Mater as a famous daredevil car, who does all kinds of stunts. And Lightning McQueen, a
famous race car, becomes an unwilling participant in Mater's greatest stunt ever.
“EL-MATERDOR”
A companion piece to Disney·Pixar’s 2006 Academy Award®-nominated “Cars” (Best Animated Feature Film),
this short finds Mater as a famous bulldozer fighter in Spain. He's so good, he's able to fend off multiple
bulldozers at once. Lightning McQueen joins mater in this tall tale just as things are at their worst.
“UNIDENTIFIED FLYING MATER”
A companion piece to Disney·Pixar’s 2006 Academy Award®-nominated “Cars” (Best Animated Feature Film),
this short finds Mater meeting a cute little bucktoothed UFO named "Mator." Mater takes him out for a night of
fun and they quickly become best friends. But when Mator is captured by the military, Mater and Lightning
McQueen come to the rescue.

From ABC Family Press Release 10/26/2009

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MARIO LOPEZ HELPS CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAY SEASON
IN ABC FAMILY’S ORIGINAL MOVIE “THE DOG WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS,”
PREMIERING ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29th
Holiday Film Premieres as Part of Network’s “Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas”;
Stars Lopez as Voice of Zeus the Dog; Also Stars Dean Cain, Gary Valentine and Elisa Donovan
Burbank, CA (October 14, 2009) – Christmas chaos ensues for the Bannister family when
they adopt a misguided guard dog, Zeus, to try and keep their home safe from neighborhood
prowlers in the new ABC Family holiday movie, “The Dog Who Saved Christmas,” premiering on
Sunday, November 29th (8:00-10:00Pm ET/PT). The two-hour film, premiering as part of the
network’s annual “Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas” programming event, stars Dean Cain, Gary
Valentine, Elisa Donovan, Joey Diaz, Mindy Sterling, Adrienne Barbeau and Mario Lopez as the
voice of Zeus.
Convinced he’s found the perfect guard dog to thwart thieves on the prowl in his
neighborhood, George Bannister (Valentine) adopts Zeus. Although he is a loveable pooch, the
Bannisters quickly discover Zeus is not your typical guard dog; he doesn’t bark at strangers and is
accident prone. The family take a liking to Zeus, but head to Grandma’s (Sterling) house for a
Christmas visit discouraged.
While away, two inept thieves (Cain, Diaz) break into the Bannisters’ home. Chaos turns to
comedy when Zeus realizes his true guard dog potential and attempts to outwit the intruders –
beating them at their own game. Zeus undoubtedly rises to the occasion when it matters most, but
can he save Christmas and ultimately earn his place within the Bannister family?
A Starz Media presentation, “The Dog Who Saved Christmas” is directed by Michael Feifer
with executive producers Jeffrey Schenck, Zelma Kiwi and Barry Barnholtz. The film was written by
Michael Ciminera and Richard Gnolfo, from a story by Schenck, Ciminera and Gnolfo.
“The Dog Who Saved Christmas” DVD from Anchor Bay Entertainment will release on
Tuesday, December 8th nationwide.

From ABC Family Press Release 10/14/2009

-NYC
NYCSciFiFan Reg'd: 8/4/07 Last Post: 8/13/08; 3737 posts.

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“THE PRINCE & ME: HOLIDAY HONEYMOON” MAKES
ITS TELEVISION PREMIERE ON ABC FAMILY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8
Burbank, CA (September 29, 2009) – In this sequel to “The Prince & Me: The Royal Wedding,”
newlyweds Queen Paige (Kam Heskin) and King Edvard (Chris Geere) try to escape the spotlight by
honeymooning in Belavia – amidst ancient castles and glittering snowcapped mountains – but instead
end up uncovering a plot against the Danish monarchy, in the television premiere of “The Prince &
Me: Holiday Honeymoon,” Sunday November 8 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). An encore telecast follows
the premiere (10:00 PM PT– 12:00 Midnight ET/PT).
Just as the royal couple are set to board their private plane to paradise, Prince Edvard, aka Eddie,
comes up with a new game plan and diverts their destination to Belavia, a snowy underdeveloped
country under the protection of the Denmark monarchy. When the two arrive ready to begin their
honeymoon, their goal of romance and relaxation is crushed when the couple run into Paige’s high
school sweetheart, Scott (Adam Croasdell), at their inn, causing Eddie to instantly get jealous. To
make matters worse, they meet Oliver Laertes (Joshua Rubin), who is in Belavia to oversee the
building of an oil pipeline for the Danish Prime Minister – the construction of which Eddie never
approved. Eddie quickly discovers that Prime Minister Pollonius(Todd Jensen) went behind his back
to set it up and is attempting to take power from the throne. Before Eddie and Paige know it, the royal
couple’s relaxing holiday honeymoon turns into a wild race to get the Danish parliament to come to
the couple’s aid.

From ABC Family Press Release 9/29/2009

-NYC
NYCSciFiFan Reg'd: 8/4/07 Last Post: 8/13/08; 3737 posts.

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ABC FAMILY AND BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP PAIR UP TO CREATE NEW FAMILY
HOLIDAY CLASSIC, “HOLLY AND HAL MOOSE: OUR UPLIFTING CHRISTMAS
ADVENTURE,” FOR NETWORK’S “COUNTDOWN TO 25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS”
PROGRAMMING IN NOVEMBER
Meaghan Martin and Jonathan Morgan Heit Lend Voices to Elf Characters
in the Animated Special about Holly and Hal Moose, Two Antlered Siblings
Who Dare To Dream Big and Help Santa Save Christmas
BURBANK, Calif. (Oct. 15, 2009) – ABC Family and Build-A-Bear Workshop® are coming together to
create a little holiday “hoofla” this season as the network debuts an animated special that marks the
first time in the retailer’s 12-year history that its plush animals are brought to life on television. “Holly
and Hal Moose™: Our Uplifting Christmas Adventure,” a one-hour feature movie, makes its
nationwide premiere on ABC Family on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 7:00 PM ET/PT (with an encore
presentation on Saturday, Nov. 28 at 10 AM ET/PT). The television special is based on a book and
series of webisodes that introduced Holly and Hal Moose last year and captured their holiday antics,
powerful imaginations and love of adventure.
“Holly and Hal” features Meaghan Martin (“10 Things I Hate About You,” “Camp Rock”) and
Jonathan Morgan Heit (“Bedtime Stories”) as the voices of Easton and Weston (respectively), two
high-strung elves who monitor the North Pole Weather Center. In addition, an exclusive theme song,
“When You Dream,” was created for the movie by Tena Clark, award-winning music producer, song
writer and CEO/chief creative officer of DMI Music & Media Solutions.
“Holly and Hal were our first characters to inspire a storybook, and now they’re the first to become
movie stars,” said Maxine Clark, founder and chief executive bear of Build-A-Bear Workshop. “The
tale of this antlered-sibling duo is meant to inspire people to follow their dreams – no matter how big
they seem. It’s a classic holiday adventure that offers families the opportunity to start a new tradition
of watching it together each season.”
“We’re very excited about this first-time partnership with Build-A-Bear Workshop,” said Tom
Zappala, senior vice president, Disney ABC Television Group. “The story of Holly and Hal Moose is
a perfect addition to our family holiday programming.”
Families can relive the excitement of the movie by making their own Holly and Hal stuffed animal
friends and dressing them in new signature outfits and accessories from the movie. In addition,
Build-A-Bear Workshop is introducing Lil’ Hal, a rogue robot in Santa’s Workshop until Holly rescues
him from recycling and he becomes her skillful and loveable sidekick. Merchandise is available at
Build-A-Bear Workshop stores and online at buildabear.com.® The movie DVD will be released
starting Nov. 25.
To kick off the movie and holiday season, ABC Family and Build-A-Bear Workshop will host preview
parties at several mall locations, offering Guests and special families the opportunity to view the
movie early. Families who attend the preview parties will be asked to either purchase and make a
furry friend at Build-A-Bear Workshop or bring a new, unwrapped gift to donate to Toys for Tots.

From ABC Family Press Release 10/15/2009

-NYC
NYCSciFiFan Reg'd: 8/4/07 Last Post: 8/13/08; 3737 posts.