Press Release:
REINDEER IN HERE Cast Announcement
· Cast Led by Adam Devine, Jim Gaffigan, Melissa Villaseñor, Henry Winkler, Candace Cameron Bure, Donald Faison, Jo Koy, Gabriel Bateman and Brooke Monroe Conaway
“REINDEER IN HERE(R)” ANNOUNCES THE STAR-STUDDED CAST BEHIND THE NEW ONE-HOUR ANIMATED HOLIDAY SPECIAL, PREMIERING TUESDAY, NOV. 29, ON CBS
Cast Led by Adam Devine, Jim Gaffigan, Melissa Villaseñor, Henry Winkler, Candace Cameron Bure, Donald Faison, Jo Koy, Gabriel Bateman and Brooke Monroe Conaway
CBS announced today the star-studded voices behind the new CBS Original animated holiday special REINDEER IN HERE(R), which premieres Tuesday, Nov. 29 (9:01-10:01 PM, PT/ET), on the CBS Television Network and will be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+*. The one-hour special, filled with joy and magic for the whole family, will immediately follow the beloved holiday classic RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER (8:00-9:01 PM, ET/PT).
REINDEER IN HERE’s cast includes Adam Devine voicing Blizzard “Blizz;” Jim Gaffigan voicing Santa; Melissa Villaseñor voicing Candy; Henry Winkler voicing Smiley; Candace Cameron Bure voicing Pinky; Donald Faison voicing Bucky; Jo Koy voicing Hawk; Gabriel Bateman voicing Theo; and Brooke Monroe Conaway voicing Isla.
Based on the award-winning Christmas book and plush set created by acclaimed author Adam Reed, written for the screen by Greg Erb & Jason Oremland, and directed by former head of animation for Walt Disney Animation Studios Lino DiSalvo, REINDEER IN HERE is the heartwarming story of how Blizzard (Blizz), a young reindeer who has one antler that is significantly smaller than the other, and his unique group of friends band together to save the future of Christmas. In doing so, they unknowingly create a magical holiday tradition like none other.
Meet the REINDEER IN HERE Cast and Characters:
Character: Blizzard (Blizz), a young reindeer living at the North Pole who has an unusual trait – one antler that is significantly smaller than the other – voiced by actor, comedian, singer, screenwriter and producer Adam Devine.
Character: Santa, voiced by Grammy-nominated comedian, actor, writer, producer, New York Times bestselling author, Emmy-winning performer, and multiplatinum-selling recording artist Jim Gaffigan.
Character: Candy, the oversharing snowgirl, voiced by comedian, actor, artist and author Melissa Villaseñor.
Character: Smiley, an adorable and hilarious elf who has served as Santa’s harried H.O.H.O (head of holiday operations) for the past 500 years, voiced by Emmy Award-winning actor Henry Winkler.
Character: Pinky, the beautifully blingy and only all-pink reindeer at the North Pole, voiced by Emmy-nominated actor, director, New York Times bestselling author and producer Candace Cameron Bure.
Character: Bucky, the big-toothed nervous-Nelly reindeer, voiced by actor and comedian Donald Faison.
Character: Hawk, the endearingly dim-witted mohawked polar bear, voiced by stand-up comedian and actor Jo Koy.
Character: Theo, a lonely 10-year-old boy and the new kid in town who longs to make friends, voiced by young actor Gabriel Bateman.
Character: Isla, Theo’s brilliant classmate, voiced by young actor Brooke Monroe Conaway.
Reindeer in Here, the Simon and Schuster book inspiring the animated special, is now available as an updated giftable boxed set. The set comes with a timeless picture book and a lovable, huggable plush and charming new illustrations.
REINDEER IN HERE is executive produced by Adam Reed and based on the book of the same name. The special is produced by CBS’ Eye Animation Productions, CBS Studios’ animation arm. Executive producers and writers are Greg Erb and Jason Oremland (credits include Oscar-nominated “The Princess and The Frog” and MONSTER HIGH: THE MOVIE for Paramount+). Jonathan Koch and Sander Schwartz are executive producers and Lino DiSalvo is director and executive producer. Animation production is by Ottawa-based JamFilled. Executive producers for JamFilled are Jamie Leclaire, Phil Lafrance and Kyle Mac Dougall.
*Paramount+ Premium subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service as well as on-demand. Essential tier subscribers will have access to on-demand the day after the episode airs.
THE THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE ON CBS Host and Performers Announcement
· Special Performances by the Casts of the Hit Broadway Musicals “Moulin Rouge” and “SIX the Musical”
· “FBI” Star Jeremy Sisto, “The Equalizer” Star Liza Lapira and “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” Bandleader Louis Cato to Drop by the Parade and Speak with Frazier and Knight
“THE THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE ON CBS,” ANCHORED BY EMMY AWARD-WINNING HOSTS KEVIN FRAZIER AND KELTIE KNIGHT, WILL AIR LIVE FROM NEW YORK CITY, THURSDAY, NOV. 24 BRING THE CHEER! THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS HERE!
Special Performances by the Casts of the Hit Broadway Musicals “Moulin Rouge” and “SIX the Musical”
“FBI” Star Jeremy Sisto, “The Equalizer” Star Liza Lapira and “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” Bandleader Louis Cato to Drop by the Parade and Speak with Frazier and Knight
Kick off the holiday season with THE THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE ON CBS, anchored by Emmy Award-winning hosts, ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT’s Kevin Frazier and TV personality and author Keltie Knight, live from New York City on Thursday, Nov. 24 (9:00 AM-12:00 PM, ET/1:00-4:00 PM, PT), on the CBS Television Network and available to stream live on Paramount+*.
The special, a CBS Thanksgiving tradition, will feature portions of the 96th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade live from N.Y.C., as well as special performances by the casts of the hit Broadway musicals “Moulin Rouge” and “SIX the Musical.” Dropping by the parade to talk with Frazier and Knight are actors from popular CBS series, including Jeremy Sisto from FBI, Liza Lapira from THE EQUALIZER, and Louis Cato, bandleader on THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT.
Frazier and Knight will anchor from a Sixth Avenue site along the parade route. The beloved parade is famous for its gigantic balloons of cartoon character favorites, fantastic floats and lively marching bands from across the country.
Six-time Emmy Award-winner Kevin Frazier is co-host of the Emmy Award-winning syndicated entertainment newsmagazine ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT. Frazier began his broadcasting career as a local sports reporter and has kept busy hosting numerous shows and events, including GAME CHANGER WITH KEVIN FRAZIER, CLASH OF THE COMMERCIALS, “College Football on FX,” ET’s sister show THE INSIDER, ESPN’s “SportsCenter,” “NBA Shoot Around” and “NBA Fastbreak,” and has worked at the FX Network as co-host of “The FX Sports Show.” He has also served as a sideline reporter for the “NFL on Fox” telecasts as well as host of the pre-game shows for “NFL on Fox,” “NHL on Fox” and “College Football Saturday.”
Keltie Knight is a three-time Emmy Award-winning television host whose credits include CBS’ ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT, THE THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE ON CBS and THE GRAMMYS RED CARPET LIVE. She is a New York Times bestselling author, and her podcast “LadyGang” has reached an impressive 180 million downloads worldwide. Knight is the creator, executive producer and host of the CBS primetime series SUPERFAN.
Emmy Award-winning producers Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss (The Tony Awards) are executive producers for THE THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE ON CBS. Weiss will also direct.
*Paramount+ Premium subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service.
NATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING: CELEBRATING 100 YEARS Host and Performers Announcement
· The CBS Special Is Hosted by Grammy(R) Award-Winning Recording Artist, Actor and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer LL COOL J
· Star-Studded Lineup Features Musical Performances by Gloria Estefan, Andy Grammer, Joss Stone and Shania Twain
LIGHT UP THE HOLIDAYS WITH THE BELOVED AMERICAN TRADITION OF THE “NATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING: CELEBRATING 100 YEARS,” SUNDAY, DEC. 11
The CBS Special Is Hosted by Grammy(R) Award-Winning Recording Artist, Actor and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer LL COOL J
Star-Studded Lineup Features Musical Performances by Gloria Estefan, Andy Grammer, Joss Stone and Shania Twain
GRAMMY(R) Award-winning recording artist, actor and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer LL COOL J will light up this holiday season as host of the NATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING: CELEBRATING 100 YEARS, a CBS special that will be broadcast Sunday, Dec. 11 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT), and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+*.
This beloved American tradition, celebrating its 100th ceremony, is presented by the National Park Service (NPS) and National Park Foundation (NPF) and will feature Gloria Estefan, Andy Grammer, Joss Stone, Shania Twain, “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band and more singing holiday classics. The celebration will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at the Ellipse in President’s Park in Washington, D.C. For more event information and updates, please visit thenationaltree.org and follow President’s Park on Facebook and Twitter.
THE NATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING: CELEBRATING 100 YEARS is produced by White Rose Way Entertainment. Kristi Foley and Leon Knoles are executive producers and Renato Basile is producer. Knoles will also direct the special.
About the National Park Service
More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for the 423 parks in the National Park System and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.
About the National Park Foundation
The National Park Foundation works to protect wildlife and park lands, preserve history and culture, educate and engage youth, and connect people everywhere to the wonder of parks. We do it in collaboration with the National Park Service, the park partner community, and with the generous support of donors, without whom our work would not be possible. Learn more at nationalparks.org.
*Paramount+ Premium subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service as well as on demand. Essential-tier subscribers will have access to on-demand the day after the special airs. The special will also be available to stream on-demand for free on CBS.com the day after it airs.
24TH ANNUAL A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS AT THE GROVE Host and Performers Announcement
· The Special Will Feature Performances from Gloria Estefan, Andy Grammer, Little Big Town and David Foster & Kat McPhee
CBS PRESENTS THE “24TH ANNUAL A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS AT THE GROVE” HOSTED BY GLORIA ESTEFAN, AN ENTERTAINMENT SPECIAL CELEBRATING FAMILIES WHOSE LIVES HAVE BEEN CHANGED THROUGH ADOPTION, TO BE BROADCAST FRIDAY, DEC. 23
The Special Will Feature Performances from Gloria Estefan, Andy Grammer, Little Big Town and David Foster & Kat McPhee
CBS presents the 24TH ANNUAL A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS AT THE GROVE hosted by Gloria Estefan, featuring uplifting stories of adoption from foster care and raising awareness of this important social issue, will be broadcast Friday, Dec. 23 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+*.
The special, which takes place at The Grove in Los Angeles, will enhance the inspirational stories of several American families with performances by extraordinary artists, including Estefan, Andy Grammer, Little Big Town and David Foster & Kat McPhee.
For the last two decades, the award-winning special has shined a light on the thousands of American children in foster care and has inspired tens of thousands of adoptions, moving these children into loving forever families.
Currently, there are more than 400,000 children in foster care in the U.S., more than a quarter of whom are hoping for a forever home. Foster children often lead difficult lives – only half graduate from high school, 5% graduate college and 20% become homeless soon after they age out of the system. The child welfare system is sometimes described as the “highway to homelessness,” as nationwide 50% of the homeless population was once in foster care. Youth in foster care are resilient and have so much potential to beat these odds. Given a home and a chance, these children can lead fulfilling, extraordinary lives.
The stories featured in this year’s special include:
The Phoenix Family
Kaz was placed in foster care when he was 5 years old due to abuse and neglect. For the next 10 years his life was chaos. Alone and scared, he was shuffled from home to home, moving nine times. Being non-binary and on the autism spectrum, Kaz had given up hope of ever finding a forever home, until Jess and Carlos Phoenix entered the picture. Jess and Carlos consider themselves unconventional and knew they wanted to adopt an older child. Upon meeting Kaz, they were inspired by his resilience and fell in love with his uniqueness. Now living in a house full of love and support, Kaz is thriving, embracing his musical abilities and touring colleges.
The Gilmore Family
For years, Marissa and Brad tried to have biological children. After many heartbreaks, the couple turned to adoption. They met 5-year-old Tommy, who had entered foster care after suffering abuse. Marissa and Brad fell in love with the sweet little boy and it wasn’t long before Tommy felt right at home and they all bonded as a family. But then, two years after Tommy moved in, tragedy struck. Brad unexpectedly fell ill and, shockingly, he passed away days later. Marissa and Tommy’s world shattered. Fortunately for Marissa, she had Tommy by her side to help her put one foot in front of the other, even when she didn’t want to. Without hesitation, one year after Brad’s death, Marissa finalized the adoption, and they both keep Brad’s memory alive on a daily basis.
The Pitt Family
Cheryl and Joel always knew they wanted a big family, but after having two children, those dreams were dashed. Cheryl experienced heart failure after her second birth and was told she should not have more children. Years later, while at church, they learned about the need for foster care adoption and their dreams of a big family were revived. They adopted siblings Anna, 7, and Brian, 8. This big family of six was now complete and everyone happily settled into their new life. Two years later, Cheryl and Joel learned that Anna and Brian’s older sibling, Noelle, also needed a home – the family she thought was going to adopt her changed their mind. Noelle was devastated, heartbroken and alone. Although they had no plans to adopt more children, they knew they needed to reunite the children. Without hesitation they adopted Noelle, and now Cheryl and Joel have the large, loving family they always imagined.
The Henderson Family
After having two biological children, Dawn and Bryan decided they were done having kids. But watching their youngest, Ethan, grow up, they couldn’t help but wish they could give him a brother. Then Dawn began a non-profit that threw birthday parties for foster youth, and they gained firsthand knowledge of the need that is out there for older children to be adopted. They decided to pursue adoption and, soon after, they got the call about Nico, an emergency placement. Four days later, Nico, who was 5 years old, the same age as Ethan, moved in. When he arrived at the Henderson household, he had been homeless, living in a car, isolated from other children and had learning, medical and social issues. Now, at 9, Nico is thriving in school, both academically and socially. He and his brother are the best of friends, and the Hendersons’ wishes for a brother for Ethan came true.
The special is presented in association with the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and the Children’s Action Network. Created by Wendy’s(R) founder Dave Thomas, who was adopted, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a national nonprofit public charity dedicated to dramatically increasing the number of adoptions of children waiting in North America’s foster care systems. The Children’s Action Network was founded in 1990 by leaders in the entertainment industry to harness the power of the entertainment media on behalf of children.
The 24TH ANNUAL A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS AT THE GROVE is produced by Triage Entertainment and Goldsmith Entertainment. Karen Mack, Stu Schreiberg, Stephen Kroopnick and Marilyn Seabury are the executive producers. Jennifer Perry, Danielle Fiorito, Nicole Cadena and Kelly Brock are producers. Story segments directed by Johnny Milord. Karen Mack is writing and Michael Simon is directing the special.