ABC's Halloween Celebration Kicks Off October 24, Including Charlie Brown Special

By: Oct. 19, 2012
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There'll be a little something for everyone when ABC celebrates the scariest night of the year with Halloween-themed programming, starting WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24. Haunting highlights include deliciously spooky recipes featured on "The Chew," frightening laughs when the Bird-Kersees feel threatened by trick-or-treating kids on "The Neighbors," an entertaining costume party hosted by Mitch and Cam on "Modern Family," and a chilling night of drama on "666 Park Avenue" as Olivia puts the finishing touches on the Drake's annual costume gala.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24

"The Chew" (1:00-2:00 p.m., ET) - John Cena is guest and, just in time for Halloween, the show goes behind the scenes of some of America's favorite candies to see how they're made. Featuring celebrity chefs Mario Batali, Michael Symon and Carla Hall, entertaining expert Clinton Kelly and health & wellness enthusiast Daphne Oz, "The Chew" is a leap forward into a delicious new kind of lifestyle series.

"The Middle" (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET) - "Halloween III: The Driving" - As Halloween approaches, the Hecks get quite the scare when Sue receives her learner's permit, and it's time for Frankie and Mike to teach her how to drive. But when a freaked-out Sue loses her nerve, she ends up running over Axl's foot, which could put an end to his high school football career and his hopes for a scholarship. Meanwhile, Axl looks forward to voting in his first election, and Brick undergoes an unexpected transformation when he eats too much Halloween candy.

"The Neighbors" (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET) - "Halloween-ween" - Since arriving on Earth, the aliens - led by the Bird-Kersees - have viewed Halloween as a threat and have set up a barrier at the gates of Hidden Hills to prevent children dressed in costumes from entering the community. The Weavers, on the other hand, are excited about their first Halloween in the suburbs and want to open the gates of the community to celebrate. They do their best to explain the ritual of trick-or-treating to the aliens. Meanwhile, Marty and Debbie's fears are realized when Amber, Max and Abby reject their family costume plans.

"Modern Family" (9:00-9:31 p.m., ET) - "Open House of Horrors" - Claire has overdone it in Halloweens past and the neighbors definitely don't share her enthusiasm, so this year she's being forced to tone it down and keep it "kid-friendly," and Phil has an idea to hold an open house on Halloween night. Meanwhile, Mitch and Cam host a costume party while contending with Lily wondering who her real mom is, and Gloria's pregnancy hormones are on overdrive, making her even more hotheaded than usual.

"Suburgatory" (9:31-10:00 p.m., ET) - "The Witch of East Chatswin" - When Tessa convinces Dalia and the KKK (Kimantha, Kaitlyn and Kenzie) to come up with feminist inspired Halloween costumes, she finds herself the interest of the infamous East Chatswin witch (aka Paula), played by guest star Rachel Dratch. As it turns out Paula isn't exactly what she seems. Meanwhile George and Noah dress up as each other, and Dallas invites George to be "Ken" to her "Barbie" -- but he declines, not realizing that she is asking him out. Rachel Dratch ("SNL") makes a special guest appearance.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25

"The Chew" (1:00-2:00 p.m., ET) - Jake Gyllenhall is guest, and just in time for Halloween, the show goes behind the scenes of some of America's favorite candies and how they are made.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26

"The Chew" (1:00-2:00 p.m., ET) - Vanessa Williams ("666 Park Avenue") and Stacy London are guests, and Michael Symon prepares a special Halloween-themed "5 in 5." The show goes behind the scenes of some of America's favorite candies and how they are made.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28

"America's Funniest Home Videos" (7:00-8:00 p.m., ET) - "Episode 2304" -- This week's Halloween-themed episode includes Tom playing "Head, Gut or Groin?," a boy asking why his plump grandpa has a baby bump, and a montage devoted to dogs wearing ridiculous Halloween costumes.

"666 Park Avenue" (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET) - "A Crowd of Demons" - As Olivia works to put the finishing touches on the lobby for the annual Drake Halloween costume gala, it brings to mind another memorable Halloween night in 1929, when murder and mayhem reigned in the building. However, now it's Jane who finds herself in the crosshairs of the spirit from the suitcase. Meanwhile, Gavin receives cryptic texts from an unknown source threatening Olivia's safety, and Henry meets a media consultant interested in propelling his political career. A jealous Brian questions Louise about her rendezvous with Dr. Evans while she was recovering from her elevator accident, and one of Gavin's most crucial personal possessions is missing by the end of the evening.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 29

"The Chew" (1:00-2:00 p.m., ET) - Guest Amy Sedaris will craft with Clinton Kelly in Clinton's Craft Corner. The show travels to the Pumpkin Regatta in Damariscotta, Maine, where intrepid contestants race inside their own hollowed-out pumpkins. Thousands gather to see if it will be sink or swim for the participants in the two divisions -- paddleboat and powerboat.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30

"Happy Endings" (9:01-9:31 p.m., ET) - "Sabado Free-Gante" - Dave and Alex go apartment hunting, but their inability to commit to a place puts their real estate agent (guest star Rachael Harris) to the ultimate test. Meanwhile, Jane takes negotiations to crazy levels when she helps Penny shop for a car; professional freeloader Max shows a cash-strapped Brad how to spend the perfect Saturday in Chicago with no money at all; and the gang celebrates Halloween dressed as the legendary Jacksons. Rob Corddry guest stars as the Car Czar.

"Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23" (9:31-10:00 p.m., ET) - "Love and Monsters..." - Halloween is June's favorite holiday, and even more so this year now that she is single! However when she discovers that Chloe plays elaborate Halloween "tricks" every year, June becomes consumed with stopping her before Chloe really hurts someone she might actually care about. Meanwhile due to a deep-rooted childhood fear of Halloween, James throws his annual Halloween "Positivity" Party. Ben Lawson ("The Deep End") guest stars.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31

"The Chew" (1:00-2:00 p.m., ET) - "The Chew Halloween Spooktacular" - Is frightful fun, with lots of surprises in "The Chew's" haunted kitchen, including the unveiling of the hosts' fabulous Halloween costumes. "The Chew" crew will provide everything spooky, scary and delicious this Halloween season with tricks and treats, including candy and cocktail recipes that are sure to provide a hauntingly good time at your own Halloween party.

"It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET) - In the classic 1966 animated Halloween-themed PEANUTS special, "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" (OAD on ABC 10/30/01), created by late cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, the PEANUTS gang celebrates Halloween with Linus hoping that, finally, he will be visited by The Great Pumpkin, while Charlie Brown is invited to a Halloween party. Cast members include Peter Robbins (Charlie Brown) and Christopher Shea (Linus). The cast also includes Sally Dryer as Lucy, Chris Doran as Schroeder, Bill Melendez as Snoopy, Kathy Steinberg as Sally, Tracy Stratford as Violet and Ann Altieri as Frieda.



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