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Holiday episodes tend to be a bit generic. How many times can you rework A Christmas Carol or The Gift of the Magi into a sitcom plot? Here are a smattering of episodes worth mentioning either because they’re rare, different or doggone it, because I just like ‘em.
1. Bewitched
Bewitched had many traditional Christmas episodes during its eight season run, but 1970’s “Sisters at Heart” was controversial enough to require a special introduction by Elizabeth Montgomery at the behest of the show’s sponsor, Oscar Mayer:
The plot that was making the network so jumpy was young Tabitha’s desire to be sisters with her African-American friend, Lisa. In order to make them look alike, Tabby zaps black polka dots onto her flesh, and white ones on Lisa’s. No doubt the episode would still be controversial today, thanks to Tabitha’s brief appearance in blackface. The original story was submitted by a 10th grade English class at L.A.’s Thomas Jefferson High School.
2. Gilligan’s Island
“Birds Gotta Fly, Fish Gotta Talk,” the Christmas episode of Gilligan’s Island, was primarily a clip show. The castaways are understandably miserable spending the holiday away from home, on a desert island where even a year-old fruitcake would be more appetizing than yet another coconut cream pie. They reminisce about their first days on the island via carefully selected scenes from the pilot—carefully selected because the characters that eventually became the Professor, Mary Ann and Ginger were played by different actors in that episode.
The gang’s gripe session is interrupted by a visit from Santa Claus, who looks and sounds suspiciously like the Skipper. Santa reminds them that they’ve got a reason or two to be merry this Christmas—at least they’re all alive and thriving. And, most importantly, they genuinely like one another and live together like a family. At the same moment Jolly St. Nick makes his exit stage right, the Skipper arrives stage left. Who was that bearded man?!
3. Green Acres
This episode provides a new twist on the “longing for an old-fashioned Christmas” trope. Oliver Wendell Douglas wants to celebrate the holiday as the American Farmer of yore—to go out with axe in hand and chop down his own tree, and to decorate it with popcorn from his own corn crib. Of course, nothing is ever that simple in Hooterville. First he finds out that there is a conservation law in effect that prohibits him from cutting down trees, even on his own property. Then he is unable to work up any outrage among his neighbors, who prefer the “modern” method of buying an artificial tree from Drucker’s Store, complete with spruce spray squeezers, imitation sap oozers, strings of wax popcorn and fiberglas candy canes.
4. The Simpsons
Even though it was actually the eighth episode produced, “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire” was the first full-length episode of the series to air. It was broadcast on December 17, 1989, and it certainly set the tone for the rest of the series. It’s Christmas time, and Bart decides that a “Mother” tattoo would delight and surprise his mom. Marge catches him in the tattoo parlor at the “Moth” stage and has to blow the family’s entire Christmas present budget on a laser removal procedure. Homer’s expected Christmas bonus doesn’t come through, so he takes a job as a department store Santa to earn extra money. When Bart climbs in his lap, he utters “I’m Bart Simpson, who the hell are you?” for the first time. In a last-ditch attempt at raising cash, Homer goes to the dog track and bets on a long shot named Santa’s Little Helper. The sluggish greyhound lost the race, but won a new home with the Simpson family.
5. The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Nothing starts those visions of sugarplums dancing like Lou Grant barking “Three French hens!” And how many chances do we get to see Mary Tyler Moore sporting a World War I German spear-head helmet? Sue Ann Nivens, The Happy Homemaker, is taping her Christmas show (“Holiday Yummies from Worldwide Tummies”) in early November. A sudden snowstorm has stranded the WJM newsroom staff, so Sue Ann enlists them to flesh out her dinner table. The only problem is that Murray, Ted, Lou and even gentle angelic Mary have been sniping at each other all day in a series of petty arguments and no one is in a festive mood.
6. All in the Family
“The Draft Dodger” first aired in 1976, four years before President Jimmy Carter granted amnesty to those men who’d fled to Canada to avoid conscription into the military during the Vietnam War. David Brewster, a draft-dodging pal of the Meathead, has been living in Canada but decides to risk a visit to the U.S. in order to spend the holidays with his old friend (since his own father refuses to see him). Meanwhile, Archie has invited his old friend Pinky Peterson (whose only son died in Vietnam) for Christmas dinner. Mike and Gloria struggle to keep David’s fugitive status a secret from Archie, but once it’s revealed, it results in a heated debate. Archie, a World War II veteran who served his country when called, argues that no one wants to go to war and get killed, but a true American obeys his government. Pinky, on the other hand, believes that if his son was still alive he’d welcome David at the dinner table. A poignant and thought-provoking episode that in many ways is still relevant today.
Loyal readers know the drill: now is the time to tell me which episodes I omitted, why my taste stinks, or what they love about the shows mentioned herein. Oy to the World and a Happy Festivus to all!
Comments (42)
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TWO mentions of the Simpsons first xmas episode in one day?! Thanks, Mental Floss!! :)
Let’s see, I love the “How I met Your Mother” from season two where Marshall leaves to take his last final and can’t wait to come home to a Christmas Wonderland, then hijinks ensue. I also love the one where Marshall gets Lily the “easy bake oven” and helps the UPS guy deliver all his gifts (same episode…?)
Um, also a huge fan of the South Park sing along (Merry F*cking Christmas is a staple for me)
posted by OkieMelissa on 12-18-2009 at 12:33 pm
I always liked the “Married with Children” episode where they did a riff on “It’s a Wonderful Life” was pretty sharp. The idea that the world really would be better without Al was a pretty smart spin on it.
posted by Thom Zahler on 12-18-2009 at 12:35 pm
Thanks for including that MTM episode. I saw that with my parents in a motel room in the middle of a miserable road trip and it brought us enormous joy.
In another vane, SUPERNATURAL had a very offbeat Christmas themed episode a few seasons back.
posted by Dwayne on 12-18-2009 at 12:39 pm
The Tick (animated version) had an awesome Christmas episode. Selected quote: “If he jumps up and kicks you in the stomach, he’s not the real Santa!”
posted by Matthew E on 12-18-2009 at 1:02 pm
Pretty recent, but Penny giving Sheldon the autographed napkin on Big Bang Theory last season was pretty fantastic.
posted by Kacey on 12-18-2009 at 1:04 pm
The X-files Christmas Haunted House episode is one of the best of the series. The agents investigate a house being haunted by 2 lovers on Christmas Eve. While there, they run into a pair of specters who proceed to lecture, pester and trick them for the majority of the night. It was funny, spooky, trippy and Christmassy all at the same time.
posted by Tyler on 12-18-2009 at 1:07 pm
The old Dick Van Dyke show had a great Christmas special. How often do you get to see Mary Tyler Moore dressed as Santa?
posted by Tex on 12-18-2009 at 1:19 pm
I’m seconding OkieMelissa’s HIMYM suggestion. And yes, Melissa, they are the same ep. It’s the Easy Bake Oven that makes Lily realize Ted’s not as mean as she thought.
posted by nutmeag on 12-18-2009 at 1:27 pm
Always loved when Oliver would get on his “American Farmer” soapbox on Green Acres.
posted by PartiallyDeflected on 12-18-2009 at 1:29 pm
“The Real Ghostbusters” episode where they mistakenly bust the ghosts that visit Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” is my favorite Christmas special ever. A really neat idea, and well-written, too (especially for a children’s show in the 1980s).
The best part is when the Ghostbusters have to stall Scrooge by dressing themselves as the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future… one of the gang wheels Scrooge around in a chair with a View-Master strapped to his head… Great stuff!
It’s in the Kids section on Comcast’s On Demand service right now! Check it out!
posted by Aaron on 12-18-2009 at 1:53 pm
Now I really want to see the Bewitched episode in its entirity! I love the Mary Tyler Moore Christmas show. The Simpsons is a classic, especially given its place in the history of the show. This All in the Family episode makes me cry every time. AWESOME POST!
posted by M on 12-18-2009 at 2:22 pm
Thanks @nutmeag! The line about how “my super feminist mother wouldn’t let me have one” or whatever kills me (b/c as a super feminist, I do wonder how I’ll combat the ‘pink thing’ mentality if I’m lucky enough to have a daughter someday).
@Tyler – I agree about “How the Ghosts Stole Xmas” (XFiles episode). Solidifies my love for Ed Asner and Lily Tomlin!
I think an honorable mention should go to the first “Office” Xmas with “Yankee Swap”, the iPod and the teapot Jim bought for Pam…I believe that also introduced the Dwight Schrute Bobble Head – a cultural moment, to say the least.
posted by OkieMelissa on 12-18-2009 at 2:33 pm
The Xena Christmas episode was really good. Theur Santa Claus had a Greek name (Roman?): Senticles.
posted by Bubba on 12-18-2009 at 2:43 pm
Man I miss All in the Family. That was SUCH a great show – all of the episodes. I missed them the first time around because I was really too young, but I’ve enjoyed seeing them in reruns. Merry Christmas!
posted by Dorothy on 12-18-2009 at 2:57 pm
I doubt if network television could or would air anything as edgy as those episodes of Bewitched and All In the Family.
posted by FIREhat on 12-18-2009 at 3:04 pm
As a fellow feminist – I fought the “pink” thing for a while, but then decided that my daughter couldn’t be an empowered woman if I didn’t teach her to make decisions on her own; including if she liked pink or wanted to play with Barbie.
posted by Teresa on 12-18-2009 at 3:09 pm
I agree with Kacey; that Christmas episode of “Big Bang Theory” is one of my favorites in the whole series. It shows that Penny has changed from a clueless person to someone who gets that a Leonard Nimoy autograph would be important to Sheldon, even if she doesn’t share his enthusiasm.
posted by Dani in NC on 12-18-2009 at 3:28 pm
Funzo!
posted by R.T. on 12-18-2009 at 3:34 pm
I loved The Venture Bros x-mas special….A Very Venture Christmas.
First, it was all a dream, with a dream within a dream.
Second it had the character of ‘Tiny Joseph’ who infiltrated the Venture’s Nativity scent to booby trap it.
Third, a Krampus gets summoned and beats up Doc before getting beaten up by Brock Samson.
if you have no idea what any of this means then I would suggest watching the Venture Bros.
posted by Dan on 12-18-2009 at 4:05 pm
@OkieMelissa, I concur 100% – the South Park Christmas specials are a staple at our house. Horribly blasphemous, but still freakin’ hilarious. And I love that episode of “The Office” – I’m going to a party tonight where we’re playing “Dirty Santa” (we don’t call it Yankee Swap down here – in the South we avoid all mention of Yankees ;0), and I totally wanted to bring an iPod box. Now that you mention it, I just might do that….
Merry Christmas!
posted by Lynley on 12-18-2009 at 4:29 pm
One Christmas special that’s stood out for me was MacGuyver. Mac’s visiting a priest friend of his whose parish had their statue of the Virgin Mary stolen. At the same time, a mysterious homeless woman appears in the neighborhood.
posted by Steve from San Diego on 12-18-2009 at 4:32 pm
I second the “Married with Children” parody of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” And for an old Christmas special, the Twilight Zone with Art Carney as a homeless man who plays Santa is a classic.
posted by JonPi on 12-18-2009 at 4:37 pm
Oh yes! The Bundy version of It’s a Wonderful Life with Sam Kinneson is amazing!
posted by PartiallyDeflected on 12-18-2009 at 5:12 pm
M*A*S*H Christmas episode where Radar gets a tobogoning (sp) hat for Charles gets me every time, tear
I enjoyed most of the M*A*S*H holiday episodes
posted by lindseyc on 12-18-2009 at 5:44 pm
“Mad About You” had a Christmas episode that flashed back to how Paul and Jamie met. It was Christmastime, very funny and romantic. I especially like it because my wife and I met around the same timeframe. Our first date was a week before Christmas…20 years ago today exactly, come to think of it! (Crap…I didn’t get her anything…hope she doesn’t remember…)
posted by Dixon on 12-18-2009 at 6:03 pm
I always liked the “Friends” episode where Ross wants to teach his son about Hanukkah, but Ben just wants Santa, so Ross decides to dress up as Santa but can’t find a costume, so he dresses as an armadillo. Then Chandler shows up in a Santa costume and Joey dresses as Superman.
posted by Jenn on 12-18-2009 at 6:35 pm
I have to agree with Matthew E.
When Tick sees a flood of Santa clones filling The City and yells, “It’s Yule Tide!” … I wish all my puns were that bad.
posted by Bryan on 12-18-2009 at 6:53 pm
The best christmas special of any series has to be south park’s woodland critter christmas. Every thing about that episode is sick twisted fun and after comercial breaks matt and trey has squarely squarel say hail satan was the best
posted by craig on 12-18-2009 at 8:38 pm
I must confess my love for those MTM, Bewitched, and Green acres eps. (Plus the Dick van Dyke episode someone else mentioned).
As a true TV junkie, I must add to the list the M*A*S*H boxing day ep.(close enough, right?) and the 30 Rock Ssn. 2 special in which Jack’s mom (Elaine Stritch) proves that every family is dysfunctional. Even Liz’s seemingly perfect one.
posted by Corey on 12-18-2009 at 9:09 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OLq7IG-MEA&feature=channel
posted by edo8 on 12-18-2009 at 11:51 pm
1. The M*A*S*H Christmas episode where Klinger discovers Charles’ anonymous charity contributions.
2. The Pinky and the Brain Christmas episode where the Brain builds a mind control device.
3. Highway to Heaven episode where a reporter, a cabbie and Mark are the Three wise men, following the angel (Jonathon) as they go witness the birth of a poor, homeless, young couple’s baby.
posted by Genaro on 12-19-2009 at 2:31 am
One of the earliest memories of Christmas specials that weren’t Rudolph or Grinch as far as television is concerned was the Married… With Children episode.
But something that no one has mentioned is the Christmas episodes of Futurama with Robot Santa. I loved when he busted in on Frye and the gang and was going to kill everyone for being naughty… except Zoidberg who gets a Pogo stick. It still makes me laugh.
posted by DollarSignTexas on 12-19-2009 at 12:19 pm
My favorite Christmas episode ever is from X-men: The Animated Series; Have Yourself A Morlock Little Christmas. Simply adorable.
posted by Michèle on 12-19-2009 at 12:54 pm
Several others come to mind. First, the Cheers episode where Sam and Diane had a Xmas portrait taken while it was still hot and ended with them as old people in the future. I also thought that the ALF Christmas episode was memorable. It dealt with the themes of old age, loneliness, and death in a positive manner. Compared to the usual ALF fare, it was very jarring- but memorable. I think it’s on HULU.
posted by harold on 12-20-2009 at 2:08 pm
Even though its not exactly Christmas the Hannakkah episode of the Rugrats is one of my family’s favorites.
And I love the Christmas episode of Batman the Animated series (the first one in the early nineties) where children everywhere including Bart Simpson learned “jingle bells Batman smells Robin laid an egg…”
posted by Lisa on 12-20-2009 at 7:51 pm
Who can forget the Troy Vander Veer Variety Hour? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OLq7IG-MEA&feature=channel
posted by Lawrence on 12-22-2009 at 1:55 am
The Andy Griffith episode from season 1 with Elinor Donahue is a classic Christmas episode. In the episode, the old town scrooge learns the meaning of Christmas. He wants to be part of the celebrations, so he does everything to get arrested and put in the jail. He brings gifts for everyone. It is a great episode.
posted by Les on 12-22-2009 at 9:00 am
Twilight Zone’s Night of the Meek (as mentioned by JonPi) and the new Twilight Zone’s The Star episode based on a story by Arthur C. Clarke.
posted by bob on 12-23-2009 at 8:01 am
I have never been able to watch the Christmas episode of My So Called Life without crying. It is so sweet!
posted by elizabeth on 12-28-2009 at 6:10 pm
Ok, I know this show was cheezy and I hesitate to even admit I watched it but…The christmas episode of Touched By an Angel with the sick little girl and the young man who was mentally handicaped. It has everything a true Christmas special should have and that final scene in the church where the little girl get to see the angel fly…Oh my! I’m tearing up just thinking about it.
posted by Emma on 12-29-2009 at 7:49 am
The first season of West Wing had a great Christmas episode. A homeless man freezes to death on a park bench and they find Toby’s card in his pocket. Toby finds out he was a Vietnam Vet and he secretly uses the power of the White House to get him burried with honors at Arlington cemetary. That was amazing enough but then add the scene where the secretary talks about her sons dying in Vietnam with out their mother ….man, if that doesn’t make you cry you have no soul.
posted by RJ on 12-29-2009 at 7:54 am
I’m sure no one will see this (as Christmas is now coming up on 2 weeks past); but, I have to echo the comment on The X-Files “The Ghosts Who Stole Christmas” episode. It’s a tradition in my family to watch it the night before Christmas Eve (watching it on the actual 24th scares my wife too much).
The episode hits all the REAL elements of Christmas: loneliness, reflection, inspired, yet a-typical families, and undying (literally) love. It’s truly the best Christmas episode of any show out there, and that’s coming from a Christmas-holic like myself, who even endures the Star Wars Holiday Special each year, so as to leave no Christmas cheer stone unturned.
posted by CL Robertson on 1-6-2010 at 1:10 pm