As previously reported, on Christmas Day (Tuesday, December 25), ABC is scheduled to broadcast sports programming during the daytime hours and as such has preempted “General Hospital.” However, fans will still get a piece of Port Charles on the biggest holiday of the year when the Kimberly McCullough (ex-Robin Scorpio) directed episode of “The Conners” airs before the widely viewed NBA Christmas Day game on the network.

Originally aired on Tuesday, December 4, the seventh episode of the first season of the comedy series, entitled “Hold the Salt,” finds Dan questioning Peter’s motives when he learns about the pricey Christmas gift that Jackie purchased for her new, unemployed beau. Meanwhile, Darlene receives dating advice from an unlikely source.

The McCullough directed episode was written by Dave Caplan and features guest stars Jay R. Ferguson as Ben, Juliette Lewis as Blue and Matthew Broderick as Peter.

“The Conners” stars John Goodman as Dan Conner, Laurie Metcalf as Jackie Harris, Sara Gilbert as Darlene Conner, Lecy Goranson as Becky Conner-Healy, Michael Fishman as D.J. Conner, Emma Kenney as Harris Conner-Healy, Ames McNamara as Mark Conner-Healy, Jayden Rey as Mary Conner and Maya Lynne Robinson as Geena Williams-Conner.

“The Conners” rebroadcast is scheduled to air at 2:00 p.m. EST on ABC, preceding the network’s airing of the “NBA Countdown Presented by Straight Talk Wireless” and “NBA Christmas Day Presented by State Farm.” The game features the Oklahoma City Thunder at Houston Rockets.