TV One will celebrate the upcoming holidays with a programming slate of original movies, series and specials, kicking-off with the debuts of original holiday movies starring Vivica A. Fox, "A Royal Family Holiday" on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 8 p.m. ET; and its sequel "A Royal Family Christmas" on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. ET; followed by the premiere of the "Allstate Gospel Superfest: A Holiday Special," a gospel concert, on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m. ET; as well as a special Christmas episode of its hit comedy series, "Born Again Virgin," on Wednesday, Dec. 23 at 10 p.m. ET.
Throughout the months of November and December, the network will encore its popular original films "The Undershepherd," "A Christmas Blessing" and "SecondChance Christmas," as well as air the 1978 classic, sentimental fan favorite "The Wiz."
Via press release, following is a summary of TV One’s holiday programming:
NEW ORIGINAL MOVIES
– "A Royal Family Holiday" Premiere: Saturday, Nov. 21 at 8 p.m. ET Encores: Sunday, Nov. 22, 4 p.m. ET; Thursday, Nov. 26, 6 p.m. ET; Saturday, Dec. 5, 6 p.m. ET; Saturday, Dec. 6, 3 p.m. ET; Friday, Dec. 18, 6 p.m. ET; Sunday, Dec. 20, 11 a.m. ET Royalty in name and mind only, the Royal family led by patriarch Leighton Royal (Richard Lawson) and matriarch Alfreda Royal (Debbi Morgan) fake their break-up in order to lure their overly-busy children home for Thanksgiving. Surprises and challenges ensue, including drama with Alfreda’s envious sister Mona Levi (Vivica A. Fox); the revelation of a deep, dark family secret involving Alfreda’s former acquaintance Chivonne Price (Tichina Arnold); and dealings with Leighton’s super-loud, outspoken cousin Nelson Royal (Ricky Harris). Unfortunately, Leighton and Alfreda both play their roles too well as old wounds are re-opened and their carefully planned reunion leads to chaos – and a potentially real break-up. Romeo Miller (Brotherly Love, Madea’s Witness Protection), Eric Myrick III (At Sunrise), Chelsea Tavares (Fright Night) and Tequilla Whitfield (Magic Mike XXL) also star as the Royal family children.
– "A Royal Family Christmas" Premiere: Saturday, Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. ET In the sequel to A Royal Family Holiday, the children Phillip "Flip" Royal (Romeo Miller), a good-looking spiritual guru; Austin Royal (Eric Myrick III) a Washington, D.C. community activist running for Congress; Kelsey Royal (Chelsea Tavares) a fashion designer’s gopher; and Pamela Royal (Tequilla Whitfield) a hair and nail salon owner join forces to attempt to reunite their parents in time for Christmas. They try every trick in the book – including "playing nice" and setting aside old sibling rivalries – only to learn their mom and dad are enjoying "the single life." Their plan also goes awry as getting their parents back together ends up taking a back seat to their own personal and professional drama. Vivica A. Fox (6 Ways to Die, Independence Day: Resurgence) Debbi Morgan (Power, All My Children), Richard Lawson (Real Husbands of Hollywood, All My Children) Tichina Arnold (Survivor’s Remorse, Everybody Hates Chris, Martin) and Ricky Harris (Bones, Everybody Hates Chris) also star in the film.
NEW SPECIALS
– "Allstate Gospel Superfest: A Holiday Special" Premiere: Saturday, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m. ET 8 p.m. ET and 10 p.m. ET Hosted by Vivica A. Fox, Wendy Raquel Robinson (The Game) and Fonzworth Bentley (Making The Band, Lift Every Voice), the Allstate Gospel Superfest: A Holiday Special is a two-hour explosion of soul-stirring gospel music. The special features chart-topping inspirational recording artists including: Mary Mary, J MOSS, 21:03, Tasha Page-Lockhart, Lisa Page Brooks, Virtue, Ricky Dillard & New G, Dorinda Clark-Cole, The Walls Group, Michelle Williams, Angel Taylor, JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise, Lonnie Hunter featuring Structure, The Rance Allen Group and Brent Jones with Atlanta Praise.
SERIES: NEW EPISODE
– "Born Again Virgin" Premiere: Wednesday, Dec. 23 at 10 p.m. ET and 11 p.m. ET TV One’s hit comedy, Born Again Virgin, captures the Christmas spirit with a holiday-themed episode featuring main character Jenna (Danielle Nicolet) bringing a homeless man back to her condo for a hot meal and some clean clothes. Her good deed turns scary when a storm forces him to spend the night letting Danielle, Kelly (Meagan Holder) and Tara’s (Eva Marcille) imaginations get the best of them. Durrell "Tank" Babbs also stars as their "hot" neighbor Donovan.
MOVIE ENCORES
– "The Wiz": Friday, Nov. 20, 8 p. m. ET Featuring spectacular musical numbers, The Wiz details the magical experience of a young, schoolteacher Dorothy (Diana Ross, Grammy(R) Award winning singer/Lady Sings the Blues) who is taken away to the fantasy Land of Oz. Dorothy accidentally kills the Wicked Witch of the East and becomes trapped in this new, bizarre world. Upon learning that the Wiz, who has special powers can help her get back to Harlem she sets off for a journey where she meets the Scarecrow (Michael Jackson, Grammy(R) Award winning singer/songwriter), the Tin Man (Nipsey Russell, comedian, Hollywood Squares) and the Cowardly Lion (Ted Ross, Police Academy) each in search of something missing from their lives – or so they think.
– "The Undershepherd": Sunday, Nov. 22, 1:30 p.m. ET The Undershepherd tells the controversial tale of two ministers, who, although originally best friends and brothers in Christ, find their relationship tested by access to power, money and greed. Lawrence "LC" Case (Isaiah Washington, Grey’s Anatomy), an ambitious and charismatic minister becomes overcome by greed and ego and uses the pulpit to further his own agenda which ultimately lead his congregation astray. LC’s best friend, Roland (Lamman Rucker, Meet the Browns), struggles to get his grassroots ministry off the ground and doesn’t enjoy the same level of success which generates controversy and conflict between the two men. Cast also includes: Malinda Williams (Soul Food, Girlfriends Getaway), Vanessa Bell Calloway (Shameless), Robinne Lee (Being Mary Jane), Elise Neal (Hollywood Divas), Keith David (Barbershop) and Bill Cobbs (Night at the Museum).
– "Second Chance Christmas": Thursday, Dec. 3, 6 p.m. ET and 10 p.m. ET; In the film Maisie (Robinne Lee, Being Mary Jane) and her 13-year-old son Lawrence (Michael Rainey, Jr., Power) form a small, yet tight-knit family unit. Lawrence knows his mother doesn’t have the easiest life as a single mother, but it makes him happy simply to know that she is there for him. His prayers for his mother to find happiness are answered when Malcolm (McKinley Freeman, Hit The Floor) marries Maisie. Yet ironically, Lawrence is indifferent to Malcolm and is certainly not afraid to wear his feelings on his sleeve. However, when a tragic car accident takes Maisie’s life, Lawrence and Malcolm must learn to lean on one other and get by with an important piece of their lives missing. Kandi Burruss (The Real Housewives of Atlanta) and Durrell "Tank" Babbs (Born Again Virgin) also star.
– "A Christmas Blessing": Thursday, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. ET This moving family drama chronicles the parallel hardships of Pamela Cleveland (Lisa Arrindell Anderson, Madea’s Fanily Reunion), a mother of four whose husband, Charles (David Banner, The Butler), has been killed in action while serving in Afghanistan, and Earl James (Omari Hardwick, Power, Verses & Flow), 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.
