Christmas Never Gets Old in Peanutland--Just Ask Charlie Brown and Gang

Back in 1965, Charlie Brown first demonstrated to television viewers what the true spirit of Christmas was in the memorable, critically acclaimed “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” where he rescued a pathetic little tree from the Christmas tree lot.

This year, Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy and other “Peanuts” members, still in the flower of their youth, return in a new special, It’s Christmas Time Again, Charlie Brown.

As the holidays approach, snow-covered Peanutland’s residents are filled with sprinklings of gleeful anticipation and traditional pressures of the season.

Charlie Brown needs to raise some money to buy a special gift for his girlfriend. And Peppermint Patty and Marcy participate in a Christmas pageant.

(CBS replays “A Charlie Brown Christmas” on Dec. 16.)

“It’s Christmas Time Again, Charlie Brown!” Saturday, 8:30 to 9 p.m. CBS. For ages 2 and up.

MORE FAMILY SHOWS

Turkey Day stories are featured in Nick’s Thanksgiving Fest (Sunday noon-12:30 p.m. Nickelodeon). In one story, a gang of mice and a gang of roaches plan their attack on Thanksgiving leftovers while a family goes on an after-dinner stroll. In another tale, set in the Depression on the eve before Thanksgiving, a poor family prepares for a meal of beans. But that night they dream of a feast that prepares itself ... could it be more than a dream? For ages 3 to 8.

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Kermit the Frog tells the muppet version of The Muppet Musicians of Bremen (Sunday 8-9 p.m. Nickelodeon), where animals unite against adversity. For ages 2 to 8.

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On Bill Cosby: Himself (Sunday 9-10:30 p.m. Disney), the humorist discusses various subjects, including his reflections on fatherhood. For ages 10 and up.

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Jack Frost (Tuesday 8-9 p.m. Disney) wants to be human so Father Winter agrees--on the condition that Jack acquires a house, horse, bag of gold and a wife before winter begins.Buddy Hacket and Robert Morse provide voices. For ages 2 to 8.

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What time is a kid’s favorite time to eat? Probably snack time. On Science Frontiers’ “Now Eat This” (Thursday 5-6 p.m. The Learning Channel) food designers, food technologists and food “flavorists” strategize and struggle to invent the perfect snack food. For ages 10 and up.

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Maybe you can go home again. Twenty-five years ago, Chance Carson left his family to ride the rails and live the life of a hobo. With only one week until Christmas, he heads home for a reunion with his son’s family on A Hobo’s Christmas (Friday 1-3 p.m. Family Channel). The film stars Barnard Hughes, Gerald McRaney and Wendy Crewson. For ages 7 and up.

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First Gidget went Hawaiian. Now those precocious kids from NBC’s popular sitcom “Saved by the Bell” find themselves in the land of pineapple and palm trees in Saved by the Bell--Hawaiian Style (Friday 7 to 9 p.m. NBC) when they accept an invitation from Kelly’s grandfather (Dean Jones) for some fun and sun. But when the kids learn his vacation resort is being driven out of business by a greedy real estate developer, they work together to rescue the resort from the wrecking ball. For ages 8 and up.

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All New Circus of the Stars & Side Show XVII (Friday 9-11 p.m. CBS) features ringmasters Loni Anderson and Alan Thicke. Sally Kirkland will enter the Big Cats cage, Alfonso Ribeiro will ride a motorcycle inside the Globe of Death and country singer Doug Ston becomes a Human Battering Ram. Other celebs include Meshach Taylor, Harry Anderson, Patrick Duffy, Brian Austin Green, Emma Samms, Richard Simmons and Weird Al Yankovic. For ages 9 and up.