Grammy Xmas special replaces noms special

OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW: A new Grammy-related special is on the CBS schedule. On A Very Grammy Christmas, airing on 12/5—the day the Grammy nominations are announced—Ariana Grande, Maroon 5, Tim McGraw and Pharrell Williams will perform holiday songs and hits; they’ll also be featured in those heartwarming filmed segments we’ve become accustomed to in seasonal programming, so we can expect a crackling-fire backdrop at some point during the hour. Additional performers will be announced for the show, taping 11/18, at the Shrine. What won’t be taped beforehand is the big reveal of the Album of the Year nominees, the one category not announced on the morning of 12/5. The special replaces The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown to Music's Biggest Night, which had been airing annually since 2008. "We're freshening up, changing this up a little bit and the kickoff for Grammy season will still be getting our nominations out that day, albeit a little differently," Neil Portnow explained to the AP. But there is continuity here: LL Cool J is hosting, and Ken Ehrlich is executive producing. (10/24a)