ABC RINGS IN THE HOLIDAYS WITH FUNNY, HEARTWARMING AND MUSICAL MOMENTS

The ABC Television Network announced the following holiday programming -- inclusive of movies, specials and holiday-themed episodes -- airing during December.

The following is a chronological listing (all times Eastern):

"NICK & JESSICA'S FAMILY CHRISTMAS" -- WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1 (9:01-10:02 p.m., ET) -- America's favorite young married couple, Nick Lachey & Jessica Simpson, multi-platinum artists known from their hit MTV series, "Newlyweds," star in a fun-filled family Christmas variety hour of comedy and music celebrating the holidays. With the success of their first variety special, the beloved Nick & Jessica return to celebrate the holidays with friends and family, while showcasing their singing and comedic talents in a series of sketches and musical performances with such guests as Brian McKnight, a magical rendition of "White Christmas" with Bing Crosby, Ashlee Simpson joining sister Jessica and singing their first televised duet of "Little Drummer Boy," and Nick's group, 98 Degrees, reuniting to sing "I'll Be Home for Christmas." All of Nick and Jessica's wishes come true in their magical cabin, where snow can fall at the flip of a switch or presents can appear under the tree in an instant. The famed couple open the show with a singing and dancing number to the tune of "Baby It's Cold Outside," from Jessica's new Christmas album entitled "Rejoyce: The Christmas Album." Members of Nick and Jessica's family share special memories of them growing up and spending the holidays together. And the Simpson and Lachey families unite (35 in all) to close out the show with a performance of "Silent Night."

"A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS" - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) - In the digitally-remastered 1965 special, Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism that he sees everywhere during the Christmas season. Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas pageant, and Charlie Brown accepts, but it proves to be a frustrating struggle. When an attempt to restore the proper spirit with a forlorn little fir Christmas tree fails, Charlie Brown needs Linus' help to learn what the real meaning of Christmas is. The hour will also include a series of Christmas-themed animated stories entitled "Charlie Brown Christmas Tales," based on Schulz's work, in which each of the beloved PEANUTS characters - Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy and Sally - will star in his or her own charming vignette. The special airs again Thursday, December 16 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET).

ACCORDING TO JIM -- "THE CHRISTMAS PARTY" -- TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7 (9:00-9:30 p.m., ET) - Cheryl and the kids are invited to a neighbor's annual Christmas party, but Jim, who is feuding with the neighbor, isn't invited. (Rebroadcast. OAD: 12/10/02)

RODNEY - "IT'S UP, IT'S GOOD" - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7 (9:30-10:00 p.m., ET) -- The true spirit of Christmas gets a little lost when Rodney, determined not to disappoint Bo and obsessed with finding the video game the boy wants so much, accidentally pulls down the church's huge religious landmark in his zealous quest. Meanwhile, a single-minded Trina wants the boys to experience the holiday church service up close, and becomes similarly obsessed with getting the family the best seats in the house.

HOPE & FAITH - "SILENT NIGHT, OPENING NIGHT" - FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10 (9:00-9:30 p.m., ET) -- Faith is crushed to learn that her role as Ashley Storm on her former soap has been recast with a new actress (Rebecca Budig, "All My Children"). To lift her spirits, Hope asks her to help out with Hayley's school holiday play. But Faith's tough coaching techniques cause big problems for the kids and Hope. Meanwhile, Charley tries to help Justin deal with a bully, but ends up in a rumble with Hank Peterson (Danny Woodburn, Mickey from "Seinfeld"), the boy's dad -- a little person who is one of Santa's elves at the mall. (Rebroadcast. OAD: 12/12/03)

LESS THAN PERFECT - "SANTA CLAUDE" - FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10 (9:30-10:00 p.m., ET) -- Claude takes on the task of personally shopping for all of Will's Christmas presents for staff and for his girlfriend, Dani (guest star Jnny McCarthy). But it all starts to go wrong when Claude accidentally gives the very expensive gift meant for Dani to Lydia -- which makes Jeb very jealous. (Rebroadcast. OAD: 12/16/03)

"NAUGHTY OR NICE" - THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY -- SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET) -- Star, co-creator and executive producer of the hit ABC comedy series of the same name (airing Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m., ET), George Lopez, stars in this original made-for-television, holiday-themed movie about a sports radio DJ who gets a lesson on the importance of family and the values of life. In the movie, Henry Ramiro (Lopez) is the reigning shock jock of Chicago sports radio who earns his living being rude. That is, until a young listener, Michael (James Kirk), with a life-threatening illness, forces Henry into a deal to be nicer on the air for just one day. He's amazed to discover that his false positive energy seems to be having an impact - the teenaged boy's health starts to improve, as do the local sports teams' scores. But Henry's new persona has made him the target of constant ridicule by a competing shock jock, The Hitman (Roger Lodge). While Henry's bosses certainly aren't happy with him, he's got other problems as well - his years of rudeness have taken a toll on his wife, Diana (Lisa Vidal), and daughter, Olivia (Bianca Collins), and they're just not buying his sudden change of attitude. When his family ultimately leaves him, Henry is about to give up, until his fans unite and prove to him that Christmas miracles really can happen. The cast includes George Lopez as Henry Ramiro, James Kirk ("X Men 2") as Michael, Lisa Vidal ("The Division," "ER") as Diana Ramiro, Bianca Collins as Olivia Ramiro, Chris Collins as Bobby, Dan McLean as Kevin Giles, John Salley ("The Best Damn Sports Show Period") as Dion Bailey and Roger Lodge ("Blind Date") as The Hitman.

"I WANT A DOG FOR CHRISTMAS, CHARLIE BROWN!" - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) -- This holiday season, ABC will again air this "PEANUTS" Christmas special, produced and animated by the same team that gave us the other, now classic cartoon specials based on Charles M. Schulz's famed comic strip. "I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown!" centers on ReRun, the lovable but ever-skeptical younger brother of Linus and Lucy. It's Christmas vacation and, as usual, ReRun's big sister is stressing him out, so he decides to turn to his best friend, Snoopy, for amusement and holiday cheer. However his faithful but unpredictable beagle companion has plans of his own, giving ReRun reason to ask Snoopy to invite his canine brother Spike for a visit. When Spike shows up, it looks like ReRun will have a dog for Christmas after all... but then the real trouble begins. (Rebroadcast. OAD: 12/9/03)

ACCORDING TO JIM - "STALKING SANTA" - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14 (9:00-9:30 p.m., ET) -- Jim tangles with a department store Santa after the two are involved in a parking lot fender bender. Unfortunately, Jim's kids witness the skirmish and are fearful Santa won't leave them any gifts for Christmas.

GEORGE LOPEZ - "A CLEAR AND PRESENTLESS DANGER" - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14 (9:30-10:00 p.m., ET) -- George may have to eat some humble holiday pie when he accuses his mother of being a scrooge.

8 SIMPLE RULES - "A VERY C.J. CHRISTMAS" - FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17 (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET) - The family decides to go all out for Christmas and make it extra special for C.J., who has never had a family holiday. But when C.J. feels like he doesn't deserve it, he flees to Las Vegas.

COMPLETE SAVAGES - "SAVAGES XXXMAS" - FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET) -- Eager to earn money to buy Christmas gifts for their girlfriends, the three older boys find jobs at a lingerie store. But their jobs turn out to be less than glamorous, and tensions arise when Sam gets promoted and Chris and Jack are left to do the grunt work.

HOPE AND FAITH - "ARU-BAH UMBUG" - FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17 (9:00-9:30 p.m., ET) -- Faith's efforts to keep Justin believing in Santa Claus backfire when she masquerades as Santa and gets stuck in the chimney. Christmas Eve turns into an even more comic disaster when Hope gets stuck trying to rescue her dizzy sister.

LESS THAN PERFECT - "CLAUDE'S 15 MINUTES OF CHRISTMAS" - FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17 (9:30-10:00 p.m., ET) - Claude is put in charge of organizing the GNB on-air holiday greeting, but is alarmed to learn that there are strict criteria to determine who can represent the company - putting her in hot water with Owen, Ramona and Carl, to whom she had promised an appearance. Meanwhile Lydia refuses to rearrange her holiday plans with Jeb when he announces they must accommodate his son, George, and Kipp and his new girlfriend, Annie, encounter holiday relationship turbulence.

ACCORDING TO JIM - "SECRET SANTA" -- TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21 (9:00-9:30 p.m. ET) -- Dana admits to Cheryl that she can't afford to buy Jim a Christmas present, so Cheryl lets Dana put her name on one of the presents she bought for him. Dana innocently picks out Cheryl's big present to Jim, but when Jim is thrilled with the gift, Dana is ready to take the credit for it. (Rebroadcast. OAD: 12/09/03)

"THE SANTA CLAUSE" - THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23 (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET) -- Tim Allen provides answers -- warm and funny answers -- to some of the world's most vexing questions: How can Santa come down your chimney if you don't have a fireplace? How does he get to every house in the world in just one night? And how do you get a job like that, anyway?

"DICK CLARK'S PRIMETIME NEW YEAR'S ROCKIN' EVE 2005" - FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) - See copy below.

"DICK CLARK'S NEW YEAR'S ROCKIN' EVE 2005" - FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31 (11:35 p.m.-2:05 a.m., ET) - For the 33rd consecutive year, Dick Clark will lead America into the New Year when he hosts three specials, starting at 10:00 p.m. ET. In all Clark will host three-and-a-half hours of special New Year's Eve programming: "Dick Clark's Primetime New Year's Rockin' Eve 2005" will air from 10:00-11:00 p.m., ET, with Clark reporting "live" on the festivities in Times Square, New York. During "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2005, Part 1" (11:35 p.m.-1:05 a.m., ET), Dick Clark will report on the final minutes of the year 2004 and his traditional Times Square countdown to midnight. Wrapping up the night's activities will be "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2005, Part 2" (1:05.--2:05 a.m., ET).