The Grinch and Cindy Lou Who from "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas"

'Tis the season for your favorite festive programming. The airwaves are full of holiday heroes, from Santa Claus and Rudolph to Buddy the Elf and Frosty the Snowman. Such characters often invoke warm and fuzzy feelings for viewers, but not every Christmas icon is so full of holiday cheer. One of the Yuletide season's most enduring stars is perhaps its crankiest.

High atop Mt. Crumpit in his cave overlooking Whoville, the Grinch bristles at the sounds of celebration as the Whos below prepare for Christmas in the 1966 animated TV special "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas," airing Friday, Dec. 25, on NBC. Immediately following the beloved holiday cartoon, NBC will air the 2000 live-action adaptation of the story, starring Jim Carrey ("The Truman Show," 1998) as the Grinch.

In both versions of the tale, the Grinch comes up with a dastardly plan to ruin Christmas for the annoyingly festive Whos. He enlists the help of his long-suffering but loyal dog, Max, as he plots to steal all of the Whos' presents, trees, decorations and even food in the hopes of keeping Christmas from coming.

The Grinch may be an unlikely choice for holiday hero. After all, he seems to despise Christmas. However, perhaps his skepticism about the commercialization of Christmas is the very reason that so many viewers identify with the curmudgeonly creature. Maybe it is through his realization that the holidays aren't really about expensive gifts, elaborate decor or lavish feasts that we are all reminded that Christmas primarily exists in the hearts of those who celebrate it.

The Grinch ponders this in the classic children's book, which reads: "What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store? What if Christmas … perhaps … means a little bit more!"

It's a message that strikes home for so many people, and it may be particularly relevant this year as millions face uncertainty. While there may not be as many trinkets and toys under trees this holiday season, Christmas will come anyway — a message of hope that has resonated through several generations of Grinch fans.

Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel first brought the tale to life with his poetry and illustrations in the 1957 children's book "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." The book was received well by critics and has become a staple of holiday lore ever since. It has landed on countless top book lists and "Grinch" has even worked its way into the modern lexicon as meaning a grumpy person or someone who spoils things for others.

Given the popularity of the book, it's no wonder that the story has inspired so many adaptations. In 1966, legendary cartoonist Chuck Jones ("Looney Tunes") co-directed an animated version with Ben Washam ("Tom and Jerry"). Jones had worked with Geisel on training cartoons during World War II and reportedly approached him about adapting the story for television. The result was pure holiday TV magic, with Boris Karloff ("Frankenstein," 1931) as both the narrator and the voice of the Grinch. The special includes three songs: "Welcome Christmas" and "Trim Up the Tree," sung by a chorus of Whos, and "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," sung by an uncredited Thurl Ravenscroft ("Pinocchio," 1940). Over the years, the special has become a part of many holiday viewing traditions.

Christine Baranski, Jim Carrey and Jeffrey Tambor in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"

Directed by Ron Howard ("A Beautiful Mind," 2001), the 2000 live-action version expanded the story to a feature film length by delving into the Grinch's past and by making Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen, "Gossip Girl") a main character. Sir Anthony Hopkins ("The Silence of the Lambs," 1991) serves as the narrator in the Howard adaptation, which introduces several new characters. Christine Baranski ("The Good Fight") stars as Martha May Whovier, the Grinch's crush; Jeffrey Tambor ("Transparent") portrays Mayor Augustus May Who, the Grinch's nemesis; Bill Irwin ("Sesame Street") and Molly Shannon ("Saturday Night Live") star as Cindy Lou's dad and mom, Lou Lou Who and Betty Lou Who. While the film received mixed reviews, it grossed more than $345 million and won the Academy Award for Best Makeup. Interestingly, for many years Howard's "Grinch" was second only to the classic "Home Alone" (1990) among the highest-grossing holiday movies of all time until a new version of the Dr. Seuss tale debuted in 2018.

The 2018 computer-animated adaptation "The Grinch" likewise took some liberties to expand the story of Cindy Lou Who. Benedict Cumberbatch ("Sherlock") voices the Grinch with singer-songwriter Pharrell Williams ("The Voice") taking on the role of the narrator. The voice cast also includes Cameron Seely ("The Greatest Showman," 2017) as Cindy Lou, Rashida Jones ("Parks and Recreation") as Cindy's mother, Donna, Kenan Thompson ("Saturday Night Live") as Whoville resident Bricklebaum and Angela Lansbury ("Murder, She Wrote") as Mayor McGerkle. Similar to its predecessor, it garnered mixed reviews but was a box-office success, bringing in more than $511 million.

In addition to the screen adaptations, a musical stage version graced Broadway in 2006 and 2007. Theater companies have since toured the musical throughout North America as well as in the U.K. Also, in November it was announced that a new television adaptation of "Dr. Seuss' The Grinch Musical Live!" starring Matthew Morrison ("Glee") would air this season on NBC.

With so many versions of the story, it would appear that the Grinch still fascinates and entertains viewers. Don't miss him (times two!) in "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas," airing Friday, Dec. 25, on NBC.