HALLMARK CHANNEL’S COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS

Beginning on December 3 at 8 p.m., the Hallmark Channel will present a new, original, holiday-themed movie every Saturday evening throughout the month. The lineup includes:

A PRINCESS FOR CHRISTMAS

Roger Moore stars in this charming story as Edward, Duke of Castlebury, a reclusive grandfather who lets go of years of hurt in order to welcome his orphaned grandchildren to their ancestral home at Christmas. If it's not too late can we add that "A Princess for Christmas" repeats Friday, December 9th at 8 pm.

ANNIE CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN

Vicki Lawrence, Maria Thayer and Vivica Fox star in this romantic fantasy about Santa’s daughter who takes her first trip away from the North Pole during the Christmas season, hoping to find adventure and love in sunny California.

THE CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Melissa Gilbert stars as a recently fired, domineering Broadway director whose only job option is getting a community Christmas play up and going.

CHRISTMAS COMES HOME TO CANAAN

Billy Ray Cyrus reprises his role as Daniel Burton from the 2009 film, “Christmas in Canaan.” When Daniel takes his young son to California for experimental surgery to help him walk again, he falls for his son’s gifted rehabilitation doctor and invites her to spend Christmas in Canaan. Set in the 1960s, this is a saga of a family’s experiences in racially charged Canaan, Texas.

CHRISTMAS MAGIC

Carrie Bishop was a successful event planner until it all ended in a nasty car accident. Suffering a head injury, she wakes up in Central Park where she meets Henry, who turns out to be her spiritual guide to heaven. However, in order to “pass over,” she has one more earthly thing she must accomplish before earning her wings.

BUDDY HOLLY: LISTEN TO ME/THE ULTIMATE BUDDY PARTY – PBS, Premieres December 3 at 9:30 P.M - repeats throughout the month – (check local listings)

One of rock ‘n’ roll’s early icons, Buddy Holly, died at a young age, but his work has endured for generations. On what would have been his 75th birthday, many of today’s rock stars paid tribute to him in a historic celebration that included performances from Stevie Nicks, Chris Isaak, Lyle Lovett, Graham Nash, Raul Malo, Paul Anka, and Boz Scaggs, as well as taped messages from some of those Holly influenced, including Ringo Starr, Keith Richards, Brian Wilson, Jackson Browne and Eric Idle.

STEPHEN KING’S BAG OF BONES – New miniseries, A&E Network - Premieres December 11 and 12 at 9 p.m.

Pierce Brosnan stars in this four-hour miniseries as a best-selling novelist who is unable to stop grieving for his wife after her sudden death. Struggling with writer’s block, he returns to the lakeside retreat they once shared, where he gets involved with a young widow, begins having nightmares and mysterious ghostly visions of his late wife - who just may have something important to tell him. Based on a novel by Stephen King, this two-parter has all the usual chills and thrills associated with the king of horror.

METHOD TO THE MADNESS OF JERRY LEWIS - New Documentary, Encore Channel – Premieres Saturday December 17 at 8 p.m. (repeats throughout the month)

There has hardly been a comedian in the past 50 years who, in one way or another, hasn’t been influenced by Jerry Lewis. This new feature-length documentary pays tribute to that fact. This special chronicles Lewis’ career in films and nightclubs, as well as his humanitarian efforts, and follows him on the road still performing at the age of 85. Featuring never-before-seen footage, there are also in-depth and candid interviews with Jerry Seinfeld, Alec Baldwin, Eddie Murphy, Chevy Chase, Quentin Tarantino, and many more.

LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER: BERNSTEIN AND GERSHWIN – PBS, Airs December 31 at 8 p.m.

PBS will ring in 2012 with a special concert celebrating the music of two legendary 20th century composers – Leonard Bernstein and George Gershwin. The concert, conducted by New York Philharmonic Music Director Alan Gilbert, will feature pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet. The evening will include Bernstein's overture to “Candide” and his symphonic dances from “West Side Story,” as well as Gershwin's “Concerto in F” and “Rhapsody in Blue.”