CBS's Holiday Programming Is Highlighted By the Annual Christmas Visits of "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" and "Frosty the Snowman," Friday, Dec. 8

Will Ferrell, James Caan and Mary Steenburgen Star in the Network Television Premiere of the Hit Comedy "Elf," Saturday, Dec. 16

"How I Met Your Mother" and "Two and a Half Men" Serve Up  Holiday Episodes, Monday, Dec. 11

"The 8th Annual A Home for the Holidays," Starring Rod Stewart, Includes Special Guest Performers Five For Fighting, John Legend and Katharine McPhee, Friday, Dec. 22

 Five For Fighting, John Legend and Katharine McPhee Perform on "The 8th  Annual A Home for the Holidays" Special, Friday, Dec. 22

Caroline Kennedy Hosts "The 29th Annual Kennedy Center Honors" As Andrew Lloyd Webber, Zubin Mehta, Dolly Parton, Smokey Robinson and Steven Spielberg  Are Bestowed This Year's Honors, Tuesday, Dec. 26

            The annual Christmastime visits of "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" and "Frosty the Snowman" as well as the network television premiere of the hit theatrical comedy "Elf," starring Will Ferrell, highlight CBS's festive holiday programming.

            In addition to the yuletide animated classics, CBS will present the holiday specials THE 8TH ANNUAL A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, featuring musical performances by Five For Fighting, John Legend and Katharine McPhee, and THE 29TH ANNUAL KENNEDY CENTER HONORS, honoring Andrew Lloyd Webber, Zubin Mehta, Dolly Parton, Smokey Robinson and Steven Spielberg.

            CBS will also present holiday-themed episodes of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER and TWO AND A HALF MEN and an encore of the original holiday film, A VERY MARRIED CHRISTMAS, starring Joe Mantegna, Jean Smart and Charles Durning.

            The following are CBS's holiday-themed programs:

Tuesday, Dec. 5

(10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT)                              

THE VICTORIA'S SECRET FASHION SHOW -- This year's fashion spectacular, broadcast from Los Angeles for the first time, features headliner Justin Timberlake performing songs from his new album, FutureSex/Love Sounds. The special will include red carpet interviews, model profiles and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the world's most-celebrated fashion show.

Friday, Dec. 8                 

(8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT)             

RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER -- The longest running holiday special in television history celebrates its  42nd anniversary.  Since 1964, millions of families have watched Rudolph and his friends, Hermey the Elf, Yukon Cornelius and the Misfit Toys, save Christmas.  The classic "Animagic" special features a world-renowned musical score from Johnny Marks and the voice of legendary performer Burl Ives.

Friday, Dec. 8

(9:00-9:30 PM, ET/PT)           

FROSTY THE SNOWMAN -- Frosty, that "jolly, happy soul" whose old silk hat full of magic has turned him into a musical Christmas legend, once again demonstrates his unique showmanship.  Narrated by Jimmy Durante, the special also includes the voices of Jackie Vernon (as Frosty) and Billy De Wolfe (Professor Hinkle).

Friday, Dec. 8

(9:30-10:00 PM, ET/PT)        

FROSTY RETURNS -- The magic still in his old silk hat, the holiday season's perennially popular original dancing snowman continues his adventures and skates on the edge of danger.  Jonathan Winters is the narrator with John Goodman as the voice of Frosty.

Monday, Dec. 11

(8:00-8:30 PM, ET/PT)           

HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER -- When Ted's (Josh Radnor) lingering resentment towards Lily (Alyson Hannigan) results in him calling her the worst name imaginable, the gang's Christmas is nearly ruined.

Monday, Dec. 11

(9:00-9:30 PM, ET/PT)             

TWO AND A HALF MEN -- Charlie (Charlie Sheen) finds himself throwing an unplanned, unwanted holiday party while Evelyn (Holland Taylor) attempts to keep him from bedding his date.

Saturday, Dec. 16                   

(8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT)           

ELF -- Will Ferrell, James Caan and Mary Steenburgen star in this comedy about a man raised as an elf at the North Pole who is sent to New York in search of his true identity (Network television premiere).

Friday, Dec. 22                       

(8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT)             

THE 8TH ANNUAL A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS --Grammy Award-winner Rod Stewart headlines this touching new entertainment special that tells moving stories about adoption to raise awareness of this important social issue.  Guest performers include Five For Fighting, John Legend and Katharine McPhee, while Cedric the Entertainer, Miley Cyrus, Laura Dern, Angie Harmon, Melina Kanakaredes and Jeri Ryan present inspirational stories about adoption.

Sunday, Dec. 24

(9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT)           

A VERY MARRIED CHRISTMAS -- Tony Award winner Joe Mantegna ("Joan of Arcadia"), two-time Emmy Award winner Jean Smart ("24") and two-time Tony Award winner Charles Durning ("Cat on a Hot Tin Roof") star in this holiday movie about how a man's life begins to fall apart when he learns shortly before Christmas that his wife is having an affair and wants a divorce (Rebroadcast).

Tuesday, Dec. 26

(9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT)           

THE 29TH ANNUAL KENNEDY CENTER HONORS --

Caroline Kennedy will host for the fourth consecutive year  as musical theater composer and producer Andrew Lloyd Webber, conductor Zubin Mehta, country singer and songwriter Dolly Parton, singer, songwriter and producer Smokey Robinson and film director and producer Steven Spielberg receive honors for the year 2006. 

Photos are available at http://www.cbspressexpress.com/.