CAN ELMO AND HIS FRIENDS SAVE CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR? IT JUST MIGHT TAKE A MIRACLE, ON "ELMO'S CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN," AIRING SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23 ON ABC

Starring Kevin Clash as Elmo, Sheryl Crow, Jamie Foxx, Charles Gibson, Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Hudson, Kevin James, Alicia Keys, Brad Paisley, Ty Pennington, Steve Schirippa,Tony Sirico and Ben Stiller

Uh-oh, Christmas is in trouble! When the ten numbered boxes to Stiller the Elf's magical Christmas Counter-Downer become lost, the arrival of Christmas is in doubt. Can Elmo and Abby Cadabby find the missing boxes and restore the big countdown to everyone's favorite holiday? It just might take a Christmas miracle! Hosted by Elmo and Stiller the Elf (voiced by Ben Stiller) and his frosty sidekick, Stan the Snowball, "Elmo's Christmas Countdown," produced by Sesame Workshop, the non-profit organization behind Sesame Street, airs SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23 (7:00-8:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network, and is destined to make a believer out of you!

A host of famous friends are also on hand to usher in the spirit of the season: Musical numbers abound with Brad Paisley, Alicia Keys, Sheryl Crow, Jennifer Hudson ("Dreamgirls"), Anne Hathaway ("The Devil Wears Prada"), Ty Pennington ("Extreme Makeover: Home Edition") and Jamie Foxx. In a hilarious turn, Steve Schirippa and Tony Sirico ("The Sopranos) demonstrate their acting skills portraying everybody's favorite striped-shirt duo, Bert and Ernie. ABC News anchor Charles Gibson voices the reindeer news anchor, Charles Blitzen, and Kevin James ("King of Queens") reveals a side of Santa Claus you've never seen before!

In a world where reindeer report the news, Elves do yoga and Santa is issued speeding tickets, you never quite know what's going to happen. That's why it's good to have your friends around! Making appearances are many favorite "Sesame Street" residents, including Big Bird, Snuffy, Grover, Cookie Monster, Bert, Ernie, The Count, Oscar the Grouch, Prairie Dawn, The Three Bears and more.

Starring are Kevin Clash as Elmo, along with Sheryl Crow, Jamie Foxx, Charles Gibson, Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Hudson, Kevin James, Alicia Keys, Brad Paisley, Ty Pennington, Steve Schirippa, Tony Sirico and Ben Stiller.

The muppets are Pam Arciero, Fran Brill, Leslie Carrara, Ryan Dillon, James Godwin, Andy Hayward, Eric Jacobson, Peter Linz, Noel MacNeal, Ed May, Paul McGinnis, Jerry Nelson, Marc Petrosino, David Rudman, Ian Sweetman, Matt Vogel, Bryant Young, Jennifer Barnhart, Tyler Bunch, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Artie Esposito, BJ Guyer, Patrick Holmes, John Kennedy, Michael Lisa, Amanda Maddock, Joey Mazzarino, Tracie Mick, Carmen Osbahr, Martin P. Robinson, Andy Stone, Gabriel Velez, Steve Whitmire with Caroll Spinney as Big Bird and Oscar. Also appearing are the Brooklyn Youth Chorus and Tiffany Curl.

Executive producers are Carol-Lynn Parente, Kevin Clash and Ellen Goldsmith-Vein. "Elmo's Christmas Countdown" was written by Joey Mazzarino, who is also co-executive producer, while Gary Halvorson directed. Music composers are Mark Radice and John Califra, and the "Nutcracker" medley is by Jamie Foxx. "Elmo's Christmas Countdown" is produced by Sesame Workshop and Muppets, a trademark of Muppets Holding Company, LLC.

"Elmo's Christmas Countdown" will air with Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning. A TV parental guideline will be posted closer to airdate.