NBC Announces Holiday Lineup, 11/23-12/21

NBC is sprucing up for the upcoming holidays with season-themed series episodes of "Parenthood" (November 23)"Chuck" (November 29),"Minute to Win it" (Dec. 7, 14 and 21), "Community" (December 9),"30 Rock" (December 9) and "The Office" (December 9).

Holiday episode guest stars include Timothy Dalton, Linda Hamilton and Monet Mazur in a Thanksgiving-themed episode of "Chuck" on Monday, November 29 (8-9 p.m. ET).  William Baldwin returns in his multi-episode arc on the "Parenthood" Thanksgiving episode on Tuesday, November 23 (10-11 p.m. ET).  Meanwhile, "30 Rock" will celebrate Christmas with guest stars Elizabeth Banks, Elaine Stritch, Alan Alda and Will Forte on Thursday, December 9 (8:30-9 p.m. ET).  Guest star Amy Ryan will make her holiday return to "The Office" in a special one-hour episode on Thursday, December 9 (9-10 p.m. ET).

Following are programming dates and show descriptions (in chronological order; all times ET):

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23
"Parenthood" (10-11 p.m. ET)

ADAM DISCOVERS SURPRISING NEWS AT WORK WHILE SARAH'S THANKSGIVING DINNER GUEST CAUSES TENSION WITH MILES; WILLIAM BALDWIN GUEST-STARS -- Adam  (Peter Krause) fears his future, and he is torn between his job and family after surprising news from Gordon (guest star William Baldwin, "Dirty Sexy Money").  While preparing Thanksgiving dinner, Camille (Bonnie Bedelia) and Amber (Mae Whitman) share a bonding moment.  Meanwhile, Drew (Miles Heizer) feels uncomfortable about his mom (Lauren Graham) bringing Gordon to dinner.  Crosby (Dax Shepard) tries to impress his future mother-in-law.  Elsewhere, Julia (Erika Christensen) tries to embrace her domestic side by making pies for dinner, but snaps at Sydney (Savannah Paige Rae).  Max Burkholder, Tyree Brown, Sam Jaeger, Joy Bryant, Monica Potter and Craig T. Nelson.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29
"Chuck" (8-9 p.m. ET)

CHUCK FACES A HIGH-STAKES HOLIDAY WHEN UNEXPECTED GUESTS ARRIVE FOR A THANKSGIVING "LEFTOVERS" DINNER - MONET MAZUR, LINDA HAMILTON AND TIMOTHY DALTON GUEST STAR - DIRECTED BY Zachary Levi - It's the day after Thanksgiving and Chuck (Zachary Levi) faces the most awkward of family reunions when mom (guest star Linda Hamilton "The Terminator" films) comes over for dinner-along with the dangerous Alexei Volkoff (guest star Timothy Dalton "License to Kill").  Back at the Buy More, Morgan (Joshua Gomez) deals with the busiest shopping day of the year as Jeff (Scott Krinsky) and Lester (Vik Sahay) hatch their latest scheme.  Yvonne Strahovski, Sarah Lancaster, Ryan McPartlin, Adam Baldwin and Mark Christopher Lawrence also star.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 14 AND 21
"Minute to Win It" (8-9 p.m. ET)

POPULAR COMPETITION SERIES RETURNS WITH HOLIDAY EPISODES -- "Minute to Win It" returns to the primetime schedule Tuesday, December 7, 14 and 21 with special episodes for the holiday season. Contestants will win major holiday prizes in addition to the usual cash. These holiday episodes will also include a special sneak peek of the mini-movie "Banana" from the December 14 Blu-Ray^TM/DVD release of the hit film "Despicable Me," a special "Twelve Days of Christmas" theme, numerous audience giveaways, Christmas carolers, surprise musical performances -- and of course, Santa and his helpers.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9
"Community" (8-8:30 p.m. ET)

IN THIS SPECIAL STOP-MOTION ANIMATION EPISODE, THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS IS LOST AND ABED'S INTENSE FIXATION ON CHRISTMAS CONCERNS THE GROUP -- When Abed (Danny Pudi) wakes up in stop-motion animation, he takes it as a sign that he and the group must re-discover the meaning of Christmas. Meanwhile, Jeff (Joel McHale) and Britta (Gillian Jacobs) become growingly concerned about Abed's mental health and enlist the help of Professor Duncan (John Oliver). The group undergoes hypnosis to explore Abed's winter wonderland and soon unravel the truth behind Abed's madness.  Chevy Chase, Yvette Nicole Brown, Donald Glover, and Ken Jeong also star.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9
"30 Rock" (8:30-9 p.m. ET)

LIZ AND AVERY (GUEST STAR Elizabeth Banks) CONVINCE JACK TO TELL HIS MOTHER (GUEST STAR Elaine Stritch) TWO BIG SECRETS; Alan Alda AND Will Forte ALSO GUEST-STAR -- Liz (Tina Fey) and Avery (guest star Elizabeth Banks "Scrubs") convince Jack (Alec Baldwin) to come clean about things that he's been keeping from his mother (guest star Elaine Stritch "Monster-in-Law") when she visits him for Christmas. Later, Liz attempts to mend Jenna's (Jane Krakowski) relationship with Paul (guest star Will Forte "Saturday Night Live"). Meanwhile, Tracy (Tracy Morgan) buys the rights to a film he shot so that it will never be released and compromise his new, more serious persona. Also starring: Jack McBrayer, Scott Adsit, Judah Friedlander, Keith Powell and Katrina Bowden.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9
"The Office" (9-10 p.m. ET)

MICHAEL IS THRILLED WHEN TOBY TAKES A LEAVE OF ABSENCE; Amy Ryan GUEST-STARS IN SPECIAL ONE-HOUR EPISODE -- Michael (Steve Carell) could not be happier when Toby (Paul Lieberstein) has to take a leave of absence and corporate sends Holly Flax (guest star Amy Ryan, "Gone Baby Gone") to cover for him.  Pam (Jenna Fischer) is forced to do a second Christmas party after Michael wants the party to be on the day Holly returns to Scranton.  Meanwhile, Jim (John Krasinski) regrets agreeing to a snowball fight with Dwight (Rainn Wilson).  Ed Helms, Leslie David Baker, Brian Baumgartner, Kate Flannery, Mindy Kaling, Angela Kinsey, Phyllis Smith, Oscar Nunez, Creed Bratton, B.J. Novak, Ellie Kemper, Craig Robinson, Zach Woods and Paul Lieberstein also star. 

For "NBC Official" embeddable clips and full episodes, visit NBC.com's official show site:  http://www.nbc.com/shows/

For artwork and complete press kit from the show please visit the NBC Universal Media village website at http://www.nbcumv.com/mediavillage/.

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