ELVES TO THE RESCUE: Dave Foley, Sarah Chalke and Derek Richardson are teaming up to save Christmas.

John Lasseter will produce the new animated special "Prep & Landing"

The three stars will voice elves in "Prep & Landing," a half-hour holiday program that will be ABC's first special to be produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios.

It's yet another product of the fruitful partnership between Disney and Pixar, the animation studio that revolutionized the animated-film biz when it released "Toy Story" in 1995. John Lasseter, who won a special achievement award at the 1996 Oscars ceremony for helming "Toy Story," has signed on as executive producer of this new special. As a high-up exec at Pixar, Lasseter has also been an integral part of other such hit animated films as "WALL-E," "Ratatouille," "Cars," "The Incredibles," "Finding Nemo" and "Monsters, Inc."

The new tale follows a select group of elite elves that form a unit called Prep & Landing, which is charged with the responsibility of ensuring that every home around the world is ready for its visit from Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.

An elf named Wayne (voiced by Foley) has been working on the Prep & Landing team for 227 years but gets passed over for a promotion. Instead, Magee (voiced by Chalke) pairs him with a rookie elf named Lanny (voiced by Richardson).

Wayne and Lanny run into so many problems during their preparations that they begin to worry that Christmas will be ruined. And when a terrible snowstorm threatens Santa's gift delivery, they must guide the reindeer through the turbulent night.

The members of the voice cast also come from impressive backgrounds in film and television.

Foley is best known for his roles in "The Kids in the Hall," and his previous voice credits include "A Bug's Life," "Toy Story 2" and "Cars."

Chalke currently plays Dr. Elliot Reid on the hit comedy series "Scrubs." She's also known for her roles in "Roseanne" and "How I Met Your Mother."

Richardson made a name for himself as Patrick Bachelor on the series "Men In Trees," and he also starred as Josh in the two "Hostel" films.

PBS GETTING 'STRANGE': Renowned director Spike Lee has partnered with PBS to bring one of his new films to the network's airwaves in 2010.

The public broadcaster recently acquired Lee's adaptation of the Broadway musical "Passing Strange" during the Tribeca Film Festival last month. The film is Lee's first project in his 25-year career to debut at the Sundance Film Festival, where it received positive reviews earlier this year.

"Passing Strange," which Lee describes as a filmed play, tells the story of a young black man who travels to Europe in the mid-1970s. Originally, he journeys across the pond as an effort to escape his traditional, middle-class upbringing in Los Angeles but soon discovers he's able to exploit his background in Europe as a traveling musician. His journey, which exposes him to new cultures and musical genres that greatly influence him, ultimately ends with his return home.

"Passing Strange" features the original Broadway cast and was filmed during its last few performances at the Belasco Theatre in the summer of 2008. The production debuted on Broadway in February 2008 and ran for 165 performances. It won one Tony Award and was nominated for six others.

The film will be featured in the 2010 season of PBS's "Great Performances," which is the longest-running performing arts anthology on television. It's currently in its 36th season.

Other recent "Great Performances" specials have included "'In the Heights': Chasing Broadway Dreams," "Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood: Live From Madison Square Garden," and a filmed stage revival of Shakespeare's "King Lear" starring Ian McKellen.

NBC UPS THE ANTE: Poker and television have had an interesting -- and highly lucrative -- love affair in recent years. Now NBC is looking to up the ante by betting on a new reality poker series this summer.

Premiering on Saturday, Aug. 1, "Face the Ace" will pit amateur players against world-class poker masters in a series of heads-up, no limit Hold 'Em games. Hosted by Steve Schirripa ("The Sopranos"), the show features a possible $1-million top prize, but there's also the chance the players can leave with nothing.

Contestants are chosen through online applications (go to www.facetheace.com or www.fulltiltpoker.net for a chance to get on the show) and then travel to Las Vegas, where they must choose one of four "Aces," pro players who are hidden behind smoked-glass doors. Once chosen, the professional reveals his or her identity and the two square off in an intense game that requires aggressive betting, bluffing and confidence.

Contestants can play up to three matches for the chance to win the full million, or elect to leave the show after each game to keep the winnings earned so far -- that is, if they manage to outplay the "Ace." A lost match means going home empty-handed.

Fulltiltpoker.net has partnered with the series to allow prospective contestants to "audition" for the show through qualifying online tournaments. Anyone interested in auditioning for the show must be at least 21 years of age.

The first two episodes of "Face the Ace" will air on Aug. 1 and 8, after which the series will return on Saturday afternoons in September.

This isn't the first poker series for NBC. It also airs the popular program "Poker After Dark" six nights a week, and is the producer and official broadcaster of the National Heads-Up Poker Championship.