Mark your calendars for Dec. 17!
That?s when ABC will present a feel-good, locally filmed, holiday TV experience that?s bound to put smiles on the faces of viewers not only here but around the nation. A Christmas-themed episode of ?Extreme Makeover: Home Edition? not only will show Ty Pennington and his gang ? in partnership with ?Morgan?s Wonderland ? presenting a wounded warrior and his family with a smashing new home, but also will showcase San Antonio and its River Walk in all their glittery, holiday glory.
Well. . .staged holiday glory.
The two-hour special, airing from 7 to 9 that Monday night (locally on KSAT), actually was shot in late January. But to give it an all-out Christmas feel, a fictional parade was produced ? complete with carols, Santa, holly and those famous yuletide lights that fill the trees of our extremely popular downtown tourist attraction. ?Called ?The San Antonio Red, White and Blue Christmas Parade,? it likely was drawn up to mimic our real ?Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony? that actually happens the Friday after Thanksgiving. ?For more on this filming, read Roy Bragg?s story here.
This cheery footage likely will be interspersed with the main event of the special: the presentation of a stucco-and-stone, temperature-controlled home and picturesque grounds ? located between Floresville land Stockdale. It?s complete with a ?Toy Story?-themed kid?s bedroom, a putting green, horse barn and a model Old West town ? to the Harris family of Smithville. Read?Jessica Belasco?s more extensive account here.
The family of four?s patriarch, you see, is Shilo Harris, a retired Army staff sergeant who, while on patrol in Iraq, was severely burned by a massive IED blast.? He now fights for other wounded warriors to find jobs and emotional support upon their return to civilian life.
Talk about TV comfort and joy! Not only will it be heartening to watch these deserving folks get their dream home but also to see the sea of radiant faces from San Antonio and surrounding areas who volunteered their time and energy to help make it happen.
And?so what if the River Walk Christmas celebration was staged? The national exposure may help draw even more visitors to our unique city to enjoy its very real holiday delights.
Top two photos: Robin Jerstad/For the San Antonio?Express-News. Bottom photo of Harris family: Tom Reel/Express-News
Jeanne Jakle writes an entertainment column for the Express-News and delivers TV, radio and film news from San Antonio and beyond.Source: http://blog.mysanantonio.com/jakle06/2012/10/abc-sets-date-for-s-a-s-christmasy-makeover/
whale shark duke university platypus platypus overboard east of eden weather radio
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.