NBC Brings Back Traditional Favorites and Original Specials This Holiday Season 11/25

NBC celebrates the holiday season with traditional favorites and original programming including a new Thanksgiving night music special, "Taylor Swift - Speak Now," on Thursday, November 25 (8-9 p.m. ET) that takes fans on a whirlwind trip from New York to Los Angeles as the Grammy winner launches her latest album.

"Taylor Swift - Speak Now " joins NBC's Thanksgiving Day favorites on November 25 including "The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade," (9 a.m.-12 p.m. in each time zone) and "The National Dog Show Presented by Purina" which follows the parade for its ninth consecutive year (12-2 p.m. in all time zones). In addition, the classic original film version of "Miracle on 34th Street" airs (2-4 p.m. ET) after the "Purina Dog Show" while Matt Lauer's annual "People of the Year" special airs 9-10 p.m. (ET).

These holiday treats join Dreamworks Animation specials on Wednesday, November 24 that include last year's family favorite "Merry Madagascar" (8-8:30 p.m. ET) and the premiere of the all-new "Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special" (8:30-9 p.m. ET). Both specials repeat on Saturday, December 4 (8-9 p.m. ET).

Following the animated specials on November 24, the previously announced "The Biggest Loser: Where Are They Now?" special will catch fans up on their favorite contestants (9-11 p.m. ET). An encore presentation of the program will air on Tuesday, December 28 (9-11 p.m. ET).

On Friday, November 26, audiences can settle in for the network debut of the hit feature film "Enchanted" (9-11 p.m. ET) while another smash film, "Bee Movie." makes its network premiere on Saturday, November 27 (8-10 p.m. ET).

The merriment continues with the annual "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" on Tuesday, November 30 (8-9 p.m. ET) and the classic film "It's A Wonderful Life" airs and repeats on Christmas Eve Friday, December 24 (8-11 p.m. ET).

"NBC's New Year's Eve with Carson Daly" will be counting down to 2011 on December 31 (10-11p.m. and resuming at 11:30 p.m. ET). "The 122nd Tournament of Roses Parade" rings in the New Year live from Pasadena, California on Saturday, January 1, 2011 (11 a.m.-1 p.m. ET, check local listings).

Holiday special descriptions are below:

"Taylor Swift - Speak Now " brings fans on a whirlwind trip from New York City to Los Angeles with multiple one-of-a-kind performances including a concert 30,000 feet in the air on the plane ride across country. The special also features behind-the-scenes access to the recording studio and video shoot, autograph signings, appearances, paparazzi dodging -- and all the mayhem viewers expect surrounding the Grammy-winning superstar.

"Merry Madagascar" begins when Santa (voiced by Carl Reiner) and his sleigh unexpectedly crash lands on the island, giving the jolly gentleman a case of amnesia. So it falls to everyone's favorite Central Park zoo-sters -- along with the ever-inventive Penguins -- to deliver the presents and save Christmas. Throw in a long-lasting North Pole/South Pole rivalry between the Penguins and Santa's Reindeer, magic flying dust and a King Julien-based holiday appropriately called "Julianuary" -- and "Merry Madagascar" serves up a comedic holiday story like no other.

"Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special" celebrates Winter Feast, Po's (voiced by Jack Black) favorite holiday. Every year, Po and his father hang decorations, cook together and serve noodle soup to the villagers. But this year Shifu (voiced by Dustin Hoffman) informs Po that as Dragon Warrior, it is his duty to host the formal Winter Feast at the Jade Palace. Po is caught between his obligations as the Dragon Warrior and his family traditions.

Viewers will get a chance to catch up with some of their favorite contestants from the last nine seasons of NBC's hit series "The Biggest Loser" with the inspiring Thanksgiving week special "The Biggest Loser: Where Are They Now?" More than 30 former contestants will be featured in the special revealing what they've been doing with their lives since competing on the show.

The "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" celebrates its 84th anniversary on NBC as America's most cherished holiday tradition. With its spectacular pageantry, fun and surprises, the annual New York City extravaganza has become a perennial favorite for millions across the nation. Heralding the start of the holiday season, the world-famous parade features colorful grand floats, lively marching bands, amazing character balloons and special performances by some of today's hottest stars and Broadway performers -- plus an appearance by the one-and-only Santa Claus!

John O' Hurley returns as host of "The National Dog Show Presented By Purina," a purebred canine competition that is hosted by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia. The show -- one of the oldest and most prestigious sporting events in North America -- is one of only five remaining "benched" dog shows where the public can interact with the show dogs. David Frei, "the dean" of dog show commentators, will provide expert commentary with Mary Carillo as sideline interviewer. The competition features more than 2,000 of the nation's leading canines representing more than 150 breeds, including some of the world's largest, smallest and most exotic breeds, all vying for "Best in Show" honors. A "Cutest Puppy" competition will also be part of the show for holiday viewers.

Once again NBC celebrates the season with a special broadcast of the original "Miracle on 34th Street," the 1947 holiday classic that earned Edmund Gwenn an Oscar for his portrayal of Kris Kringle. When a nice old man who claims to be Santa Claus (Gwenn) is institutionalized for being "insane," a young lawyer (John Payne) decides to defend him by arguing in court that he is the real thing.

With the New Year just weeks away, Matt Lauer (NBC's "Today") sits down with the most fascinating, inspirational, and most-talked about people of 2010 for his annual Thanksgiving primetime special "People of the Year."

A classic Disney fairy tale collides with modern-day New York City in "Enchanted," a story about a cartoon princess who is sent to the real world by an evil queen (Susan Sarandon). Soon after her arrival, Princess Giselle (Amy Adams) begins to change her views on life and love after meeting a handsome lawyer (Patrick Dempsey). Can a storybook view of romance survive in reality?

In "Bee Movie," Barry B. Benson (Jerry Seinfeld), a bee who has just graduated from college, is disillusioned at his lone career choice: making honey. On a special trip outside the hive Barry's life is saved by Vanessa (Renee Zellweger), a florist in New York City. As their relationship blossoms, he discovers humans actually eat honey, and subsequently decides to sue them.

"Christmas in Rockefeller Center" is a star-studded, live broadcast from Rockefeller Center in New York City and celebrates the lighting of the world's most famous Christmas tree. The special will include a popular musical lineup celebrating the current hits and favorite holiday music from the world of entertainment.

NBC again presents this exclusive and special telecast of Frank Capra's 1946 holiday classic, "It's a Wonderful Life," starring James Stewart, Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore. The film follows the life of George Bailey (Stewart) from childhood to maturity in the town of Bedford Falls. On what might be his last Christmas Eve, a discouraged Bailey wants to throw his life away. Fortunately, Clarence (Henry Travers), a second-class angel, is sent to show him the value of life. After Clarence gives Bailey a view of Bedford Falls without him, Bailey realizes how precious his life is and gets a second chance. He comes to learn that Clarence was right when he said, "No man is a failure who has friends." The film, which earned Oscar nominations for best picture, director, actor and film editing, was produced and directed by Capra.

"Last Call" host Carson Daly will ring in the New Year live from Times Square with "NBC's New Year's Eve with Carson Daly." The two-hour New Year's Eve special will air live on Friday, December 31 -- beginning in primetime (10-11 p.m. ET) -- and continuing at 11:30 p.m. (ET) for the countdown to 2011. "NBC's New Year's Eve with Carson Daly" will broadcast in high definition from the middle of the world's most famous New Year's Eve destination -- Times Square in New York City.

NBC will celebrate the "122nd Annual Tournament of Roses Parade" live from Pasadena, California on New Year's Day. The parade will feature all the lavish floral floats, spectacular marching bands and high-stepping equestrian teams that have made the event the most popular New Year's Day celebration in the world. This year's Rose Queen and her court will also appear, along with special guests on magnificent floats.

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