The 411 Movies Top 5 12.04.09: Week 194 - The Top 5 Television Christmas Specials

Posted by Trevor Snyder on 12.04.2009

The Top 5 starts getting into the Christmas spirit, with a look at the best Holiday-themed specials and episodes in TV history.



If you've been in any retail stores since Thanksgiving, you've probably heard the Christmas music and seen the decorations. That's right, the season is here, whether we want it to be or not (I work in retail, so pardon my occasional Scrooge-ish pessimism). With that in mind, I figured we might as well accept it, and start getting in the Christmas spirit, with a special 411 look at:

THE TOP 5 TELEVISION CHRISTMAS SPECIALS

TREVOR SNYDER

HONORABLE MENTIONS: A Charlie Brown Christmas, Year Without a Santa Claus, Futurama: Xmas Story

5. Mickey's Christmas Carol

I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of most of the classic Disney animated characters, as I have always been partial to Warner Bros. and Looney Tunes. Having said that, this is probably the one special where I really enjoy all of these characters, as they are all perfectly cast into Dickens' classic tale. Scrooge McDuck as Ebenezer Scrooge is, of course, obvious – but the rest of the characters work incredibly well, as well. It's pretty interesting to see the normally flustered and angry Donald Duck here play the cheery part of Fred, Scrooge's nephew. And to this day, whenever I think of a Christmas Carol, no matter what version people are talking about, I always picture Goofy as Jacob Marley.



4. Married with Children: It's a Bundyful Life

I realize this is kind of odd, but for some reason whenever I think about classic Christmas television episodes, my mind always first goes to this fourth-season Married with Children entry. In it, Al Bundy is shown what his family's lives would have been like without him, and not surprisingly, they are all much better off. It's a wickedly fun and twisted take on It's a Wonderful Life, with the best part of course being Sam Kinison's great performance as Al's guardian angel.



3. Mystery Science Theater 3000: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

I'm not sure the MST3K crew particularly intended for this to be a sort of Christmas special – it's really just a regular episode, which them doing what they do: making fun of an incredibly cheesy movie. Still, when the movie in question concerns Santa Claus trying to bring the spirit of the holiday to the boys and girls of Mars (and having to do battle with one obnoxiously evil Martian while he's at it), there wasn't much question that this would become a Christmas staple for MSTies worldwide. A special shout-out must also go to MST3K's other Christmas episode, Santa Claus, not to mention the re-do of Santa Claus Conquers the Martians done by the Cinematic Titanic crew (which consists of Joel Hodgson and other former MST3K writers and performers).



2. A Muppet Family Christmas

A Muppet Christmas special sounds like a good idea. So does a Sesame Street Christmas special, or a Fraggle Rock Christmas special, or even a Muppet Babies Christmas special. Now, what if you combine all four? Well, of course, you get awesomeness, and that's exactly what we have here. That's right, this special a rare occasion in which all four of these Henson franchises crossed over into one event, and that alone is worth celebrating (although it's a little odd seeing actual puppet versions of the Muppet Babies, as opposed to their usual animated versions). Obviously a must-see for all Henson fans.



1. How the Grinch Stole Christmas

As far as I'm concerned, this has always been and always will be the ultimate Christmas special. Dr. Seuss' already great tale was made even better, thanks to top-notch Chuck Jones' animation and excellent voice work by Boris Karloff. I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that no matter how many times I've watched this (and it's a lot), it still works one the same level as it did when I first saw it as a little boy. It's just perfect. And if you need even more proof of how effective it is, just compare it to the wretched live-action version with Jim Carrey, which was certainly flashier and nosier, but had none of the heart and soul of the original.

LEN ARCHIBALD

All of these have become staples since I've been a lil' tyke. Some just have been with me longer. I also just realized that all five have kind of distinct animation styles.

5. Mickey's Christmas Carol

One of the first memories I have in my childhood was witnessing Disney's animated take of Charles Dicken's classic Christmas tale, complete with a who's who of the iconic characters under the "House that Mickey Built" umbrella: Mickey Mouse as Bob Cratchit, Donald Duck as nephew Fred, Goofy as Jacob Marley- and of course, Scrooge McDuck as…well…I think the name says it all. When this was released in 1983, it became somewhat of an instant classic.



4. A Chipmunk Christmas

Whoo, boy. To those who rabidly type on their keyboards about how terrible the Alvin and the Chipmunk movie is – here is where I place my fond memories. The animation isn't as good as the later 1980's Saturday morning cartoon, but the heart and charm is there. I've caught myself many – maybe too many – times singing to their tunes, especially chiming in for "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" when Alvin declares he wants "a hoola hoop." ALVIN!



3. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Even though I'm pretty okay with my number one pick, in reality, the final three are completely interchangeable, as my Christmas-themed television viewing is not complete without either of them. Rudolph's stop motion animation from Rankin/Bass sets it apart from the rest of the bunch just on the look alone (I remember the first time I saw The Abominable Snow Monster, I got freaked out!) but at the end Rudolph is a simple story about acceptance and destiny. It's also become a bit of a tradition for me and my wife to joke about Santa's fascism by having an "Island of Misfit Toys".



2. Frosty the Snowman

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" says the snowman with the New York accent. Rankin/Bass' first foray into cel animation (done in Japan) is a delightful treat, complete with the wise-cracking snowman, the magic hat, Hocus-Pocus, the spring-bouncing rabbit and Professor Hinkle (voiced by Billy De Wolfe) as one of the best Christmas cartoon villains (my #1 kinda blows him out of the water.) Jimmy Durante gives a nice down-home feeling as the narrator, while Jackie Vernon gives the voice of the most famous snowman more life than any hat could. This is another movie that says not to get on Santa's bad side, though – as if you're bad, you better prepare to write your apologies a HUNDRED ZILLION TIMES.



1. How The Grinch Stole Christmas: This is a staple for me. I think I know every word of this by heart. I think I watched this when I was in the womb. KARLOFF's narration is epic. Chuck Jones' animation is top notch. Thurl Ravenscroft's "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" is on another level. The story is tight and compact, perfect for a thrity-minute time slot. Best of all, IT'S THE FRIGGIN' GRINCH! For me, there is no competition.

STEVE GUSTAFSON

HONORABLE MENTIONS:Christmas Eve on Sesame Street, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas

5. The Simpsons Christmas Special

It's grown on me over the years. When it first came out it didn't warrant more than a shrug from me. But now, seeing the telling of Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire is like a new tradition for me. Homer trying to save Christmas for his family (after losing all their money to begin with) is a simple, yet effective plot. This episode started it all. Most of all, it has heart.



4. John Denver and The Muppets: A Christmas Together

It's the Muppets. What else needs to be said? Put this on while you're decorating or have company over and you're guaranteed a good time. Also, this was made back in the day before you had to speak down to kids and whitewash everything they saw or heard on TV, radio, books, and movies. They slide a few good zingers through when you're not looking. Especially Miss Piggy. And John Denver just makes it that much sweeter.



3. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town/Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer

CLASSIQUES! I have to put these two together because of the awesomeness that Rankin/Bass's claymation technique. From Fred Astaire playing the postman to Santa taking on the Burgermeister. Never has Santa's origin been told in such a dynamic way. Then you have Rudolph. The Island of Misfit Toys. Clarice and her shameful flirting. This one has it all. I can't imagine a holiday season without watching these two back to back.



2. The Star Wars Holiday Special

I was at the Rockville Antique Show years ago when I came across a used tape trader. I perused his wares and asked if he had any "unauthorized" tapes for sale. The mood suddenly took a turn to the grim, as the lights dimmed, and he mysteriously grew a creepy 70s 'stache. Looking from side to side he nodded for me to come closer and he said he had something so dirty, so filthy, so horrible, that I would have to follow him out to his car to get it. I'll skip the gory parts but what he had for me is The Star Wars Holiday Special. I still have it in my possession and watch it ONCE a year. To remind me, no one is perfect. Before the prequels came out, this movie was the stain on George Lucas's soul. So many questions. So many horrors. Life Day? Bea Arthur as a catina owner? Itchy? Lumpy? A singing Princess Leia? JEFFERSON STARSHIP? Watch this to remind yourself how good your life really is.



1. The Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special

How much do I love this special? I can't put it into words. From the guest stars to the lain zaniness of Pee Wee's world, this takes everything that is good and pure about the holiday season and puts it into a Christmas special. Ice skating with Little Richard? Check. Christmas card making with Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello? Check. Sleigh riding with Magic Johnson? Check. Oprah and Whoopi Goldberg keep saying the secret word? Check. Grace Jones? Check. Charo? CHARO! Buying this from 5 & Below was the best purchase I ever made! Let the holiday season begin!

SHAWN S. LEALOS

5. A Very Supernatural Christmas

Supernatural is easily one of the best shows on television and this Christmas episode from Season 3, with Pagan Gods as the bad guys, is as perfect as you can get.



4. South Park: Mr. Hankey, The Christmas Poo

GOLD!



3. Frosty the Snowman

I was watching Rudolph and Frosty a few days ago and realized that while Rudolph was not aged as well, Frosty is as wonderful as I remember from my childhood. It is a story of magical wander and is one of the best Christmas classics out there today.



2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas

You're a mean one Mr. Grinch. I have loved this movie since I was a child. There were other movies about jolly fat men and reindeers with red noses, but there has always been an attraction to me for the bad guys. Not so much Abominable Snowmen or Scrooges but more along the lines of a malcontent who staples antlers on a dog and steals everyone's presents. The songs are great and little Cindy Lou Who is just too cute. Interesting trivia: who knew that Boris Karloff voiced The Grinch? Frankenstein is the freaking Grinch! That makes me love it even more.



1. A Charlie Brown Christmas

This is the one Christmas special I must watch every year. This year, I get a new experience because I picked it up on Blu-Ray. There is a tree in our front yard that my wife refers to as the Charlie Brown tree because of its small stature and sad shape. This is a movie that is etched into my memory and one that lives forever in my Holiday spirit. I have a problem with many of the Charlie Brown specials because I have always felt they were cruel to the lead character but A Charlie Brown Christmas rises above that and proves that Christmas Spirit conquers all when everyone joins together. This is the best of the best.