Pixar's 'Toy Story of Terror' Premiere: Whatever Happened to These Past Halloween TV Treats?

discount Ralph Lauren men t-shirts

Move over, Charlie Brown -- a new fall special is about to haunt the pumpkin patch! Just in time for Halloween, the beloved characters from the "Toy Story" trio of movies are taking over the small screen in a spooky special set to air on ABC. Buzz and Woody (Tim Allen and Tom Hanks) are back, and so is Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head and Carl Weathers as Combat Carl (and his Jr. counterpart) in "Toy Story of Terror," which airs Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 8 p.m.

The premise? Proud toy-owner Bonnie (voiced by Emily Hahn) goes on a road trip to grandma's house (her toys are in the trunk, of course!), but when the car gets a flat tire the characters are forced to spend the night at a creepy motel. That's when toys start disappearing.

The Disney Pixar animated special took inspiration from not-so-kid-friendly horror flicks like "Alien," "Psycho," and "Night of the Living Dead," so it's no surprise that the original pitch was actually toned down after it was deemed too scary by Pixar execs.

"There was some concern early on about not making it too scary for kids," director Angus MacLane told TV Guide. "I think we've done a good job of balancing, staying true to 'Toy Story' and staying true to the genre. As far as adults are concerned, I've always thought that we make these movies for ourselves. I think it's funny, and like the other 'Toy Story' films, I think there is plenty of stuff in there that only adults will get."

So will "Toy Story of Terror" terrorize your tykes? MacLane told the Wall Street Journal, "If the title is too scary for you or makes your kids jump, the movie is too scary for you."

The mini "Toy Story" treat will also include the Easter eggs that Pixar is so well known for hiding in their films. According toHypable, keep an eye out for these hidden treasures: The graveyard scene at the beginning of the TV short includes tombstones of dead Pixar characters (R.I.P. Ellie Fredricksen?), while the artwork above the motel beds is a nod to Pixar's next film, "The Good Dinosaur."

cheap Hollister pants