Road to the North Pole comedy films which were released from 1940 to 1962, starring actors Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and actress Dorothy Lamour. The opening credits show images with Brian and Stewie referencing other Christmas specials such as "The Nutcracker", "A Christmas Carol", "How the Grinch Stole Christmas", "Frosty the Snowman" and "Home Alone". The credits also show Brian and Stewie performing winter activities, such as snowball fights, making snow angels and putting coal in the (Meg's) Christmas socks instead of gifts. Ron MacFarlane, who narrated part of the episode, mentioned that Kenny Rogers was supposed to be there. The episode opens with a
Frosty the Snowman (film) CBS-produced sequel "Frosty Returns" (see below); it has run 49 years on the same network as of 2018, longer than any other currently airing Christmas special (other specials that debuted earlier have changed networks at least once). The CBC holds broadcast rights in Canada. The special also airs on Freeform in some territories. However, CBS does not own the telecast rights to the 1976 sequel "Frosty's Winter Wonderland" (that special currently airs on AMC's "Best Christmas Ever" block), which prompted CBS to commission its own "sequel" of sorts, "Frosty Returns" (see below). Family Home Entertainment released "Frosty the Snowman" on