EVENT TO INCLUDE THREE “BROADCAST EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOKS” AT DISNEY∙PIXAR’S UPCOMING THEATRICAL RELEASE, “TOY STORY 3”

Burbank, CA (May 27, 2010) – Spend two weekends catching up with all your favorite “Toy Story” friends, including Woody and Buzz Lightyear, during ABC Family’s premieres of Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story,” “Toy Story 2” and “Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins,” starting on Saturday, June 5th, Sunday, June 6th and continuing on Sunday, June 13th. The two-weekend event will include three “broadcast exclusive first looks” at this summer’s highly-anticipated film “Toy Story 3” (in theaters on Friday, June 18). The first “broadcast exclusive first look” at the upcoming movie will debut during the network’s presentation of “Toy Story,” premiering Saturday, June 5^th; the second “broadcast exclusive first look” will debut during the Sunday, June 6th premiere of “Toy Story 2”; then on Sunday, June 13^th, viewers can tune in for a full day of “Toy Story” programming, including sneak peeks at some of the new toy characters being introduced in “Toy Story 3,” as well as a third “broadcast exclusive first look” airing during the “Toy Story” telecast. The “Toy Story” weekend schedule is as follows:

Saturday, June 5

“Toy Story”: They’re toys, they talk — at least when people aren’t around — and they’re back… celebrating the return of the “Toy Story” franchise, this time in Disney Digital 3D™. “Toy Story,” the film that started it all, takes moviegoers back to that fantastic fun-filled journey, viewed mostly through the eyes of two rival toys — Woody (voice of Tom Hanks), the lanky, likable cowboy, and Buzz Lightyear (voice of Tim Allen), the fearless space ranger. The comically-mismatched duo eventually learn to put aside their differences when circumstances separate them from their owner, Andy, and they find themselves on a hilarious adventure-filled mission in which the only way they can survive is to form an uneasy alliance.

Airs from 7:00-9:00 PM ET/PT.

Sunday, June 6

“Toy Story 2”: Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story 2” picks up as Andy heads off to Cowboy Camp, leaving his toys to their own devices. Things shift into high gear when an obsessive toy collector named Al McWhiggin (voice of Wayne Knight), owner of Al’s Toy Barn, kidnaps Woody (voice of Tom Hanks). At Al’s apartment, Woody discovers that he is a highly valued collectible from a 1950s TV show entitled “Woody’s Roundup,” and he meets the other prized toys from that show — Jessie the cowgirl (voice of Joan Cusack), Bullseye the horse and Stinky Pete the Prospector (voice of Kelsey Grammer). Back at the scene of the crime, Buzz Lightyear (voice of Tim Allen) and the gang from Andy’s room – Mr. Potato Head (voice of Don Rickles), Slinky Dog (voice of Jim Varney), Rex (voice of Wallace Shawn) and Hamm (voice of John Ratzenberger) – spring into action to rescue their pal from winding up as a museum piece. The toys get into one predicament after another in their daring race to get Woody home before Andy returns.

Airs from 9:00-1:00 PM ET/PT.

Sunday, June 13

“Pixar Short Films”: Get ready for two fun-filled hours of Walt Disney Pictures Presents “Pixar Short Films” that will include the following 20 film shorts: “Presto,” “Lifted,” “Jack-Jack Attack,” “BURN-E,” “Unidentified Flying Mater,” “Adventures of Andre and Wally B.,” “Boundin,” “For the Birds,” “Geri’s Game,” “Knick Knack,” “Luxo Jr.,” “Mater and the Ghostlight,” “Mike’s New Car,” “One Man Band,” “Red’s Dream,” “Tin Toy,” “Your Friend the Rat,” “Rescue Squad Mater,” “Mater the Greater” and “El-Materdor.” (Animated)

Airs from 3:30-5:30 PM ET/PT.

“Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins”: Buzz Lightyear, the ultimate hero from the smash hit “Toy Story” movies, is back as you’ve never seen him before! In “Buzz Lightyear of Star Command,” the world’s bravest Space Ranger takes on the evil Emperor Zurg in an intergalactic struggle of epic proportions — right in their own backyard, the Gamma Quadrant.

Airs from 5:30-7:00 PM ET/PT.

“Toy Story” (7:00-9:00 PM ET/PT)

“Toy Story 2” (9:00-11:00 PM ET/PT)

The upcoming theatrical release “Toy Story 3” welcomes Woody (voice of Tom Hanks), Buzz (voice of Tim Allen) and the whole gang back to the big screen as Andy prepares to depart for college and his loyal toys find themselves in…daycare! These untamed tots with their sticky little fingers do not play nice, so it’s all for one and one for all as plans for the great escape get underway. A few new faces — some plastic, some plush — join the adventure, including iconic swinging bachelor and Barbie counterpart Ken (voice of Michael Keaton), a thespian hedgehog named Mr. Pricklepants (voice of Timothy Dalton) and a pink, strawberry-scented teddy bear called Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear (voice of Ned Beatty). Directed by Lee Unkrich (co-director of “Toy Story 2” and “Finding Nemo”), produced by Pixar veteran Darla K. Anderson (“Cars,” “Monsters, Inc.”), and written by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Michael Arndt (“Little Miss Sunshine”), “Toy Story 3” is a comical new adventure in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D.

Part of the Disney/ABC Television Group, ABC Family is distributed in over 98 million homes. ABC Family features programming reflecting today’s families, entertaining and connecting with adults through relatable programming about today’s relationships – told with a mix of diversity, dysfunction, passion, humor and heart. ABC Family’s programming is a combination of network defining original series and original movies, quality acquired series and blockbuster theatricals. ABC Family is also the destination for annual Holiday events with “13 Nights of Halloween” and “25 Days of Christmas!” ABC Family. A New Kind of Family.

Source(s):
ABC Family Press Release

We have compiled a list of animated movies and specials that will be airing during this holiday season.  The shows listed are based solely on the movies and characters regularly covered on DTW.  Gather the family and enjoy!

NBC      Sat. Nov 28, 8:30 PM - The Incredibles: Now fighting boredom in suburbia, a former superhero and his family get a chance to save the world. (Zap2it.com)

ABC      Mon. Nov 30, 8:30 PM - Shrek the Halls: The ogre’s plans for a cozy family Christmas go awry when Donkey, Puss in Boots and the rest of the fairy-tale gang try to join in the fun. (Zap2it.com)

DISN    Tues. Dec 1, 8:00 PM - Happy Feet: Born without the ability to sing, a young emperor penguin expresses himself and hopes to attract a mate through his amazing dancing talent. (Zap2it.com)

DISN    Wed. Dec 2, 8:00 PM - Happy Feet

AFAM  Wed. Dec 2, 7:00 PM - Pixar Short Films: A collection of 20 computer-animated short films includes “Rescue Squad Mater,” “Jack-Jack Attack,” and Oscar-winners “For the Birds,” “Geri’s Game” and “Tin Toy.” (Zap2it.com)

A snowman pulls out all the stops in attempting to break out of his snowglobe in Pixar's short "Knick Knack."

AFAM  Thu. Dec 3, 6:00 PM - The Polar Express: A train conductor guides a boy who doubts the existence of Santa Claus to the North Pole. Based on a book by Chris Van Allsburg. (Zap2it.com)

AFAM  Thu. Dec 3, 8:30 PM - The Polar Express

NICK    Sat. Dec 5, 11:00 AM - Back at the Barnyard (It’s an Udderful Life): When Santa gets a case of ferret fever, Otis and the animals vow to make toys and deliver them on Christmas Eve. (Zap2it.com)

NBC      Sat. Dec 5, 8:30 PM - The Incredibles

ABC      Wed. Dec 9, 8:00 PM - Shrek the Halls

NICK    Wed. Dec 9, 7:00 AM - Back at the Barnyard (It’s an Udderful Life)

DISN    Wed. Dec 9, 8:00 PM - Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Pumpkin King gives the yuletide season a touch of Halloween in an animated tale from the mind of Tim Burton. (Zap2it.com)

DISN    Thurs. Dec 10, 12:00 PM - Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas

DXD      Fri. Dec 11, 5:00 PM - The Polar Express

NICK    Sat.  Dec 12,  11:00 AM - Back at the Barnyard (It’s an Udderful Life)

DXD      Sat. Dec 12, 8:30 PM - The Polar Express

AFAM Wed. Dec 16, 8:00 PM - Happy Feet

AFAM Fri. Dec 18, 7:30 PM - Cars: A hot-shot race-car named Lightning McQueen gets waylaid in Radiator Springs, where he finds the true meaning of friendship and family. (IMDb.com)

AFAM Sat. Dec 19, 8:00 PM - Ratatouille: Remy is a young rat in the French countryside who arrives in Paris, only to find out that his cooking idol is dead. (IMDb.com)

AFAM Fri. Dec 20, 8:30 PM - The Incredibles

DISN   Mon. Dec 21, 8:00 PM - The Polar Express

DISN   Tues. Dec 22 8:00 PM - Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas

FAM    Wed. Dec 23, 10:00 PM - The Polar Express

AFAM Fri. Dec 25, 6:00 PM - The Incredibles

DISN   Fri. Dec 25, 3:30 PM - Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas

Source(s):
Holiday TV specials [Cincinnati.com]
ABC Family (magazine ad)

All times are Eastern Standard Time and programming may vary.  Check your local listings.

It was announced last month that DreamWorks would bring some holiday cheer into the homes of families in the form of a 30 minute special titled Merry Madagascar.  Consider this a reminder that the episode airs tomorrow night on NBC — well before we even carve our turkeys, over-eat and break an ankle playing backyard football on Thanksgiving.  Christmas sure does come in a hurry.

Merry Madagascar begins when Santa and his sleigh unexpectedly crash-land on the island, giving the jolly gentleman a case of amnesia. So it falls to Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria — along with the ever-inventive Penguins — to deliver the presents and save Christmas. And it doesn’t hurt that Santa’s Sleigh just might be able to make a little trip to New York City, so they can finally return to their beloved home. But during their appointed rounds, the four re-discover the magic of giving — and that it is ultimately more important than their own wish to return home.

NBC will air Merry Madagascar on Tuesday, November 17 (8:00-8:30 PM EST) and again Saturday, November 28 (8:00-8:30 PM EST).

DreamWorks has also partnered with Walmart allowing the popular retail chain to offer up the Merry Madagascar DVD the following day, as well as other products specific to the Christmas special.

“DreamWorks Animation’s Madagascar continues to be a phenomenal entertainment property and this TV movie is a wonderful opportunity for Walmart to help families create memorable family moments in very affordable ways,” said Greg Hall, vice president of media services, Walmart. “We are proud that our exclusive, kid-friendly products for Merry Madagascar offer customers another great value to enjoy this holiday season.”

The standard DVD retails for $5, while the Special Collector’s Edition — which includes a Party With the Penguins disc — will run you $8.  Definitely worth a stop by your local store for some stocking stuffer-ideas.  Click here to visit the Walmart Merry Madagascar page for the complete selection of items. (item inventory may vary per location).

Source(s):
Merry Madagascar Preview [Cinema Blend]
Walmart and DreamWorks Animation Offer Exclusive Merry Madagascar DVD [PR Newswire]