TV One today unveiled its lineup of holiday programming, which will include the premiere of two original specials, the network's first-ever holiday variety show, One Christmas, tonight, November 30, 8PM/ET, and Russ Parr's latest feature film, family drama A Christmas Blessing, on Saturday, December 7, 8PM/ET. Additionally, TV One will air Christmas-themed episodes of the network's original sitcoms Love That Girl and The Rickey Smiley Show.
"Our Christmas programming lineup is truly robust, catering to a full spectrum of holiday sentiments. Viewers can enjoy timely episodes of our fan-favorite sitcoms, while Russ Parr's touching new film dissects the themes of love and loss, family and redemption," said D'Angela Proctor, SVP of Programming and Production for TV One. "Balancing these scripted offerings is our One Christmas special featuring an incredible lineup of R&B and gospel artists performing holiday favorites - so there is truly something everyone can enjoy."
Program descriptions and air dates are as follows:
· SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 8PM/ET: One Christmas
Co-hosted by husband-and-wife duo, author and film executive DeVon Franklin and actress Meagan Good, this pre-taped, two hour music, dance, spoken word and comedy showcase was filmed at the historic Howard Theater in Washington D.C. Anchored by music performances from Anthony Hamilton, Ron and Ernie Isley, Syleena Johnson, Kem, Ledisi, Lil' Mo, Chanté Moore, Marvin Sapp, Richard Smallwood, Angie Stone and 3WB (3 Winans Brothers) covering holiday classics, the variety special also features a special dance segment, personal Christmas anecdotes from the performers and additional celebrity guests, and a tribute to members of the U.S. Armed Forces. One Christmas is produced by Favor International and Moxy Media. Lamar Chase is producer for TV One and Tia Smith is executive in charge of production for TV One. (An embeddable promo for One Christmas is available here: http://vimeo.com/79735667. Images from the event will be available on November 20 here: www.gettyimages.com).
· FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 9PM/ET: Love That Girl - "Happy Hold Up Day" The whole gang gets taken hostage on Christmas Eve by a down-and-out married couple running from the police after a bank robbery.
· SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 8PM/ET: A Christmas Blessing This moving family drama chronicles the parallel hardships of Pamela Cleveland (Lisa Arrindell Anderson), a mother of four whose husband, Charles (David Banner), has been killed in action while serving in Afghanistan, and Earl James (Omari Hardwick), a fresh divorcee. While Pamela combats immeasurable grief and a flood of concerns as a new widow, Earl combats anxiety and struggles to maintain custody of and contact with his two sons. Pamela and Earl's lives are forever transformed when their seemingly separate paths intersect and together, they learn the realities of dating and single-parenthood, the importance of family and the true meaning of Christmas. A Christmas Blessing is produced for TV One by Uptoparr Productions, Inc. and executive produced by Russ Parr. Lamar Chase is producer for TV One and Tia Smith is executive in charge of production for TV One. (An embeddable promo for A Christmas Blessing is available here: http://vimeo.com/79735992).
· Friday, December 13, 9PM/ET: The Rickey Smiley Show - "Captive Christmas" When Rickey and the family get trapped at the church by a freak snowstorm, they take a moment to reminisce on the holiday harmony generated by their strong family connections.
About TV ONE:
Launched in January 2004, TV One (www.tvone.tv) serves more than 57.4 million households, offering a broad range of real-life and entertainment-focused original programming, classic series, movies and music designed to entertain, inform and inspire a diverse audience of adult Black viewers. In December 2008, the company launched TV One High Def, which now serves 14 million households. TV One is owned by Radio One [NASDAQ: ROIA and ROIAK, www.radio-one.com], the largest radio company that primarily targets Black and urban listeners, and Comcast Corporation [NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK), www.comcast.com], one of the nation's leading providers of entertainment, information and communications products and services.
