One of my favorite parts of the Christmas Season is seeing how my favorite shows do Christmas! Many shows will do Christmas themed episodes come December, to varying degrees of success. Today, I want to count down my 7 of my favorites. A couple rules, I won't use the same TV Show twice, and I'm going to count backwards. And these are only Christmas episodes I've seen. There might be better ones out there (feel free to discuss them in the comments), but if I haven't seen them, they can't be my favorite!
Anyways, on to the countdown!
7. The West Wing, Season 2 Episode 10, Noel
The West Wing was a great show for many reasons. It had a good blend of humor and drama. It had compelling story lines. However, one of its greatest strengths was it's ability to make the viewer care about it's characters, its pathos, if you will. And in this episode, all these things were on display in full force. Melding light comedy as nerves are put on edge from the constant holiday tunes piped through the White House halls to a deeper story as Josh Lyman sits down with a psychotherapist to work through his post-traumatic stress disorder, which springs from the severe injuries he received during an attempt on presidential aide Charlie Young's life. Josh's slow discovery of his PTSD and the stimulus that triggers it is one of the most heart-rending sequences of emotional growth ever aired, and when set against the cheery background of the holiday season, it ratchets up the pathos that much more. Taking place on Christmas Eve, the episode features a character study of astonishing depth.
6. The O.C., Season 1 Episode 13, The Best Chrismukkah Ever
OK, so I liked The O.C. DON'T JUDGE ME! This one made me laugh. One of the main kids, Seth, is torn between two holidays at this time of year, because his dad is Jewish, and his mom is Christian. So he created the holiday of Chrismukkah! It's pretty hilarious seeing how he explains is to Ryan, and how excited he gets about how he gets the best of both worlds. It has all the teen angst and drama that a soap opera like this will have. But as far as Christmas episodes go, it was a very interesting one!
5. Family Guy, Season 3 Episode 16, A Very Special Family Guy Freakin' Christmas
This was Family Guy's first Christmas episode, in their third season. Lois (the wife) keeps trying to keep everyone happy, and spread the Christmas Spirit, but her family is not being very helpful. Peter keeps trying to watch his favorite Christmas special, "KISS Saves Santa." And he also accidentally gives away all their presents to the poor. The kids complain and ask for presents. Stewie, the youngest, learns about Santa, and decides to be extra nice by being the baby in the nativity. However, after the Turkey burns the kitchen down, Lois snaps, and the family ends up having to save her Christmas Spirit. They fail, and she is tranq'ed by the cops instead. The best part is seeing the parts of KISS Saves Santa...which looks AWESOME! (Everyone knows pterodactyls can't stand the screech of a guitar!) That, and Stewie's ideas about Santa. Pretty quality.
4. Futurama, Season 2 Episode 8, Xmas Story
This is Futurama's first Christmas episode, and it really is pretty amazing...just like the rest of the show. This is Fry's first Xmas since going to the future (yes, it's pronounced X-mas in the future), and my how things have changed. First, pine trees are extinct, so the Xmas tree is a pine tree. And the big change is, they had created a Santa robot in the future, one which would mathematically determine who had been naughty or nice. However, the formula got corrupted, and Santa deems everyone to be naughty, and kills them because of it. So Xmas is a time to hide in your house until Santa goes away. The ultimate story is the importance of Xmas being about spending time with those you love. However, it's just a really funny take on Christmas in the future...love Robot Santa.
3. Seinfeld, Season 9 Episode 10, The Strike
This one is a pretty famous Seinfeld episode. An increase in the minimum wage is enough to finally meet the demands of the striking employees of H&H Bagels, and as such, Kramer announces that after 12 years, he's going back to work. Jerry meets an attractive woman at a party, but when he later tries to date her, she doesn't look nearly as good. Elaine's use of a fake phone number backfires when she loses a card that will entitle her to a free sandwich. George tries to get away with giving away fake donation cards as Christmas gifts at work. All that is funny, but the most memorable part of this episode is Frank bringing back Festivus! A Festivus for the rest of us! The holiday's celebration includes an unadorned aluminum "Festivus pole," practices such as the "Airing of Grievances" and "Feats of Strength," and the labeling of easily explainable events as "Festivus miracles."
2. South Park, Season 6 Episode 17, Christmas in Iraq
South Park has done many, many Christmas Episodes. This one is my favorite. Cartman does the calculations, and it turns out that he's going to owe Santa 306 presents! In order to try to turn things around at the last minute, Cartman decides to bring Christmas to Iraq. He recruits his friends and Santa to do so, but Santa is captured by the Iraquis. The boys are able to get Jesus to help them rescue Santa...but he is killed in the process. After finally bringing Christmas to Iraq, Santa and the kids return to South Park, where Santa gives an emotional speech about how Christmas should now be in rememberance of a great man who gave his life for all of them...Jesus Christ. The irony in this entire episode is amazing. It's just perfectly constructed.
1. Community, Season 2 Episode 11, Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas
Still to this day, I absolutely love Community's Christmas episode from season 2. The whole thing is done in stop motion animation. And it's a great storyline, and has a great ending message. I've posted the entire episode below...so if you have time, check it out. You won't regret it.
NBC's Community - Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas from Duke Johnson on Vimeo.
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