"POPEYE'S VOYAGE: THE QUEST FOR PAPPY" TO AIR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, ON FOX POPEYE RETURNS TO HIS SEAFARIN' WAYS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON FOR A BRAND-NEW SPECIAL

Special Co-Written and Executive-Produced by Paul Reiser ("Mad About You") 3-D, CGI Animation Updates Popeye's Look; Updated Score and Theme Song by Mark Mothersbaugh (DEVO

The new 3-D, CGI-animated holiday special POPEYE'S VOYAGE: THE QUEST FOR PAPPY will air Friday, Dec. 17 (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

In POPEYE'S VOYAGE: THE QUEST FOR PAPPY, the world's favorite spinach-slinging sailor takes to the high seas in a daring trip to rescue the father who abandoned him as a child. Wracked by nightmares that his long-gone PAPPY desperately needs him, POPEYE sets sail for the Sea of Mystery with his, if not unlikely, then certainly unseaworthy, crew: the loutish BLUTO, the lovelorn OLIVE OYL, the fearless SWEE'PEA and hamburger-loving stowaway, WIMPY. Unaware of the dangers ahead, Popeye bravely sets out to reunite his family.

As the voyage progresses toward the Sea of Mystery, the SEA HAG's domain, strange and scary things begin to happen. Mists, sirens and serpents attack the intrepid seafarers, but Popeye comes to their rescue.

POPEYE'S VOYAGE: THE QUEST FOR PAPPY stars acclaimed voice actor Billy West (M&M's Red M&M, Elmer Fudd in "Looney Tunes: Back In Action," "Ren & Stimpy") as the world-famous sailor man and Academy Award� winner Kathy Bates ("Misery," "About Schmidt") as Popeye's notorious nemesis, the villainous Sea Hag/Siren. The special was co-written by actor, comedian and lifelong Popeye fan Paul Reiser ("Mad About You") and Jim Hardison. Additionally, Mark Mothersbaugh, front man of the legendary new wave band DEVO, and more recently an accomplished film and television composer whose credits include "Pee Wee's Playhouse," "Rugrats" and "The Royal Tenenbaums," scored the all-new special and has produced a unique, updated version of the classic "Popeye the Sailor Man" theme song.

POPEYE'S VOYAGE: THE QUEST FOR PAPPY is a King Features Syndicate and Mainframe Entertainment production in association with Nuance Productions. Paul Reiser, along with Frank Caruso and Rick Karo, King Features Syndicate, serve as executive producers.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: This special has been rescheduled from the previously announced Sunday, Dec. 19.)