Never one to shy away from rehashing old content, and because we've been innundated with them for a few weeks, I've decided to re-run a poll from a few years ago to find out what the The Bestest Classic Christmas TV Special of All Time.is.
The rules are fairly elastic, but by "classic" I generally mean "not released in the last twenty years." There are a couple of exceptions, because it's my poll, and such arbitrary rule breaking is the closest I ever get to actual power.
Way back when, the Grinch won pretty handily (37% of the vote). I have at least, oh - six or seven more readers now - however, so perhaps the results will be different this time.
A few observations from the list:
The late '60s-early '70s was really when Rankin-Bass asserted their dominance over yuletide entertainment. Truly a black period on America's animation history.
Bugs Bunny's Christmas Carol is the TV show Martin Riggs is watching as he prepares to eat a bullet in Lethal Weapon.
The Sesame Street special won an Emmy.
Beavis and Butthead are here by special request. You're welcome, Mom.
I'm Mister Green Christmas
I'm Mister Sun
I'm Mister Heat Blister
I'm Mister Hundred and One
They call me Heat Miser,
What ever I touch
Starts to melt in my clutch
I'm too much!
Gotta love that song. Happy Holidays to Pete and family. You're too much!
Is the last entry the one with the nerdy mouse who nearly ruins Xmas for everyone? "Ev-en a miracle needs a hand!"
Who voted for The Star Wars Holiday Special? Even Lucas recognizes what a steaming pile of Yule log that was.
I confess I was tempted to vote for the Star Wars Holiday Special just to say that I voted for it... but I didn't. The Grinch got my vote, because it's a tragic tale about a heroic dissenting figure who tried to stand up for his beliefs but was ultimately overwhelmed and brainwashed by a mob mentality. Very sad.
I voted for the Grinch, but I'm sad that the Married...With Children "It's A Bundyful Life" special wasn't listed.
(For those that don't remember, it was a true Christmas classic, with Al deciding not to off himself--out of spite, mind you--because everyone would be happier without him.)
Hey, what about "Olive, the Other Reindeer"?
A 'toon which combines my stalking of Drew Barrymore and my small mammal fetish into one truly creepy evening.
But, it's decent for a 90s cartoon.
Anyway, I heart Charlie Brown.
I note that the WKRP Thanksgiving special is the winner hands down in the more expansive "best holiday special (all categories) ever" poll.
Split vote for me between Charlie Brown and Grinch... but extra credit for whoever remembered "Even a Miracle Needs a Hand" featuring the immortal Orson Bean.
No love for Emmit Otter? Damn. I kow it would get Grotesqueticle's vote. Lots of plushies.
I think the first Simpsons Christmas show should be on the list! Yes, a little brown nosing this time of year never hurts.
I know Mr. Magoo cartoons were pretty lame and predictable (the mishaps and near misses experienced by a legally blind old man), but Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol was a very entertaining version of the Dickens' classic. There are memorable songs and some moving scenes (Really!). It's beats a lot of the usual holiday fare you see these days. I came out in 1962, and I havent' seen it for years, so it doesn't get much play, and many of your blogsters probably haven't seen it, but it's worth a look. (I'm prepared for the snickers and guffaws from peenman, basshole, norbizness, curmudgeon and the like, but that's OK, Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol is a good one)
I voted for Christmas Eve on Sesame Street, because it has poignancy out the wazoo, and because it's the only Muppet special on the list.
For those who are craving an unusually hearty dose of Muppets this Christmas, I can also recommend Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas, The Muppet Family Christmas, A Berry Bear Christmas, Elmo's World: Happy Holidays, It's A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie, The Muppet Christmas Carol (although technically not a TV special), and, depending on your tolerance levels, The Christmas Toy.
The two Muppet specials to stay away from, not just at Christmas but as a general rule, are John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together and Mr Willowby's Christmas Tree, which stars Robert Downey Jr, Stockard Channing and Leslie Nielsen and isn't even worth it for the novelty value.
Gotta love Charlie Brown.
Happy Holidays, Pete and family!