Christmas Specials

[KDS]

Hello All,

With just ten days until Christmas, I wanted to get folks' opinions on their favorite Christmas TV specials. 

My #1 is the obvious pick, 50 years old this year, A Charlie Brown Christmas. 

Then, in no order...

How the Grinch Stole Christmas
A Garfield Christmas (which never airs in the US anymore)
The Year Without a Santa Claus
Mickey's Christmas Carol
For Better or For Worse - Bestest Christmas Present
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Frosty the Snowman
Twas the Night Before Christmas
A Chipmunks Christmas

[Douchepool]

I can't really argue with your list. I'd add one more; The Spirit of Christmas, or "The Bell Telephone Christmas Special" from 1950. It's even on YouTube. It's a perennial Philadelphia-area favorite during the holidays on PBS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OB0Lf5CKDM

[Sheriff John Stone]

For me, the Big Three have always been:

1. A Charlie Brown Christmas
2. Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer
3. Frosty The Snowman

It wouldn't be the Christmas season without them. However, the last couple of years I've been slipping up and missing some of them. The networks air them so early in December (usually the first week) that it kind of sneaks up on you. I think one of them (Charlie Brown?) was shown in early December and then repeated closer to Christmas. You can easily pick up the DVD's but it's not the same if that makes sense...

I'm old enough to remember the Christmas Specials by Andy Williams and Perry Como. They were good, too. I'm still waiting for that T.J. Lubinsky who produces those PBS oldies shows to do a Christmas one. There is so much potential for PBS Oldies Christmas Special but they better hurry because many of the "great ones" are getting up there in years. I would love to see a PBS Oldies Christmas Special with a couple of these artists:

Johnny Mathis - "Winter Wonderland"
Tony Bennett - "My Favorite Things"
The Beach Boys - "Little Saint Nick"
Ronnie Spector - "Frosty The Snowman"
Darlene Love - " (Christmas) Baby Please Come Home"
Barry Manilow - "Because It's Christmas"
Kenny Rogers - "Silent Night"
The Ventures - "Sleigh Ride"
Roger Whittaker - "Ding Dong Merrily On High"
Bruce Springsteen - "Merry Christmas, Baby"
James Taylor - "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"

[Bean Bag]

I would add the Grinch -- those are the big 4 to me.

Rudolph
Grinch
Charlie Brown
Frosty

The first 3 are probably tied for 1st.  But I'd give the edge to Rudolph.  It's the most "magical" of the 3.  As a kid, that special more than any other, captured the magic of Christmas.  It's surreal, but in a very good child-like way.

That said, Grinch is probably the best, most watchable (though Frosty is great too).  Chuck Jones was simply a genius... and with Dr Seuss' story, the combination of writing and animation talent make it one of the greatest of all time -- even though animation by this time was done on the cheap.

Charlie Brown Christmas is such a favorite, mostly because of Vince Gauraldi.  I love the soundtrack.  Frosty, has aged well and is an enjoyable little cartoon.  Great music and Jimmy Durante. 

[KDS]

Sheriff,

I do kinda miss the thrill of catching the specials on TV.  But, since the advent of DVD, I've acquired just about all of them on DVD.  It seems I'm never able to watch them when they air.  They don't have commercials.  And here's a dirty little secret.  The networks will usually edit the shows for time so they can add some more commercials.  So, if you're into them, it's probably a good idea to pick up the DVDs. 

One I forgot to mention is The Simpsons' Christmas Special that aired on Dec 17, 1989.  How'd have thought that Christmas spin off of Tracey Ullman would still be on the air 26 years, and over 500 episodes later. 

[Jay]

The Mr.Magoo christmas special is one of my favorites. It very rarely airs on tv anymore. Mickey's Christmas Carol is my all time favorite.

[KDS]

The Mr.Magoo christmas special is one of my favorites. It very rarely airs on tv anymore. Mickey's Christmas Carol is my all time favorite.

We watched Mr. Magoo the other night.  That's an important one for historical reasons since it's the first ever animated TV Christmas special.  But, I think it could've used a little more Mr. Magoo-style comedy other than the opening. 

While it's a good one, there are other versions of A Christmas Carol I tend to go for. 

[Jay]

The Mr.Magoo christmas special is one of my favorites. It very rarely airs on tv anymore. Mickey's Christmas Carol is my all time favorite.

While it's a good one, there are other versions of A Christmas Carol I tend to go for. 

I also really like the one with Alec Guinness(sp?).

[KDS]

The Mr.Magoo christmas special is one of my favorites. It very rarely airs on tv anymore. Mickey's Christmas Carol is my all time favorite.

While it's a good one, there are other versions of A Christmas Carol I tend to go for. 

I also really like the one with Alec Guinness(sp?).

I can't say I've ever seen that version.  My favorite movie version of A Christmas Carol is the 1951 version with Allistar Sim as Scrooge.  Close second is the 1984 made for TV version with George C. Scott. 

Mickey's Christmas Carol was my introduction to the Dickens story. 

It's not traditional, but my all time favorite one is Scrooged with Bill Murray. 

[Moon Dawg]

The Mr.Magoo christmas special is one of my favorites. It very rarely airs on tv anymore. Mickey's Christmas Carol is my all time favorite.

We watched Mr. Magoo the other night.  That's an important one for historical reasons since it's the first ever animated TV Christmas special.  But, I think it could've used a little more Mr. Magoo-style comedy other than the opening. 

While it's a good one, there are other versions of A Christmas Carol I tend to go for. 

  The 1971 animated version (Chuck Jones) featuring the voice of Allistar Sim is pretty special.

[KDS]

The Mr.Magoo christmas special is one of my favorites. It very rarely airs on tv anymore. Mickey's Christmas Carol is my all time favorite.

We watched Mr. Magoo the other night.  That's an important one for historical reasons since it's the first ever animated TV Christmas special.  But, I think it could've used a little more Mr. Magoo-style comedy other than the opening. 

While it's a good one, there are other versions of A Christmas Carol I tend to go for. 

  The 1971 animated version (Chuck Jones) featuring the voice of Allistar Sim is pretty special.

I really need to seek this one out. 

[Cyncie]

It baffles me why all of these Christmas specials air so early. Then, in the week or so before Christmas, when you're ready to settle into some Christmas cheer, there's not a one to be found. That's why we do most of our viewing on DVD now.

Charlie Brown is a must. As is the Grinch. For nostalgia purposes we'll watch Frosty and Rudolph, but I've found that they haven't held up that well for me. A rarity that we always watch is Opus: A Wish For Wings That Work. It's from Berkely Breathed's comic strip, Bloom County, and I think it only aired once. But, we taped it and it gets a rerun every year. I also like Disney's Prep and Landing.

I really do miss those Christmas variety specials too. Some of the current batch of stars have been bringing those back, so if you like country music and Michael Buble, you're good to go.

Movie wise, we watch Miracle on 34th Street (the original), It's a Wonderful Life, White Christmas, The Bishop's Wife, The Santa Clause, and at least one of the runnings of A Christmas Story.

Cannot do Polar Express. At all.

[Emily]

It baffles me why all of these Christmas specials air so early. Then, in the week or so before Christmas, when you're ready to settle into some Christmas cheer, there's not a one to be found. That's why we do most of our viewing on DVD now.

Charlie Brown is a must. As is the Grinch. For nostalgia purposes we'll watch Frosty and Rudolph, but I've found that they haven't held up that well for me. A rarity that we always watch is Opus: A Wish For Wings That Work. It's from Berkely Breathed's comic strip, Bloom County, and I think it only aired once. But, we taped it and it gets a rerun every year. I also like Disney's Prep and Landing.

I really do miss those Christmas variety specials too. Some of the current batch of stars have been bringing those back, so if you like country music and Michael Buble, you're good to go.

Movie wise, we watch Miracle on 34th Street (the original), It's a Wonderful Life, White Christmas, The Bishop's Wife, The Santa Clause, and at least one of the runnings of A Christmas Story.

Cannot do Polar Express. At all.

How did I miss a Bloom County TV special? Do you feel like the voices work? Opus has a voice?

[MaryUSA]

Hi all,

List of Christmas movies I watch:

It's A Wonderful Life
any version of Miracle on 34th Street
Scrooge (1970 musical)
A Christmas Carol the 84 and 99 versions
Christmas With Tucker
A Dog Named Christmas
Mrs. Santa Claus
Silent Night
The Christmas Blessing
The Christmas Hope
The Christmas Shoes
A Christmas Visitor
The Christmas Secret (2014)
Mrs. Miracle
Call Me Mrs. Miracle
Trading Christmas
Dashing Through The Snow
Charming Christmas
The Homecoming (The Walton movie)
Mr. Miracle
The 12th Day of Christmas
The Christmas Card
Three Days


Happy Viewing!!!

[Mike's Beard]

In the UK, a seasonal favorite is The Snowman by Raymond Briggs. Wonderful animation.

[Fire Wind]

I try to catch Muppet Christmas Carol.

[KDS]

I try to catch Muppet Christmas Carol.

We usually try to watch that one.

But due to busy schedules this month, my wife and I still have yet to watch any full length Christmas movies.  Other than our annual Christmas Eve viewing of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, I'm not sure when we'll find the time.

[Douchepool]

Holiday Inn and White Christmas are also perennial favorites of mine.

[SMiLE Brian]

Holiday Inn and White Christmas are also perennial favorites of mine.

What about that Mike and Dean special from the 1980s?

[JK]

In the UK, a seasonal favorite is The Snowman by Raymond Briggs. Wonderful animation.

That's a favourite in my household too. We have the Dutch overdubbed version, as originally spoken by the late Mel Smith. I feel the added commentary is just a duplication of events----the images and the music say it all, really.

 

[Cyncie]

It baffles me why all of these Christmas specials air so early. Then, in the week or so before Christmas, when you're ready to settle into some Christmas cheer, there's not a one to be found. That's why we do most of our viewing on DVD now.

Charlie Brown is a must. As is the Grinch. For nostalgia purposes we'll watch Frosty and Rudolph, but I've found that they haven't held up that well for me. A rarity that we always watch is Opus: A Wish For Wings That Work. It's from Berkely Breathed's comic strip, Bloom County, and I think it only aired once. But, we taped it and it gets a rerun every year. I also like Disney's Prep and Landing.

I really do miss those Christmas variety specials too. Some of the current batch of stars have been bringing those back, so if you like country music and Michael Buble, you're good to go.

Movie wise, we watch Miracle on 34th Street (the original), It's a Wonderful Life, White Christmas, The Bishop's Wife, The Santa Clause, and at least one of the runnings of A Christmas Story.

Cannot do Polar Express. At all.

How did I miss a Bloom County TV special? Do you feel like the voices work? Opus has a voice?

Yeah, I think the voices worked well. Robin Williams was hysterical as a kiwi in the flightless birds support group. It's not out on DVD that I know of, so here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLccxrDgi5U

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103272

[Moon Dawg]

The Mr.Magoo christmas special is one of my favorites. It very rarely airs on tv anymore. Mickey's Christmas Carol is my all time favorite.

We watched Mr. Magoo the other night.  That's an important one for historical reasons since it's the first ever animated TV Christmas special.  But, I think it could've used a little more Mr. Magoo-style comedy other than the opening. 

While it's a good one, there are other versions of A Christmas Carol I tend to go for. 

  The 1971 animated version (Chuck Jones) featuring the voice of Allistar Sim is pretty special.

I really need to seek this one out. 

  It's on You Tube!

[KDS]

The Mr.Magoo christmas special is one of my favorites. It very rarely airs on tv anymore. Mickey's Christmas Carol is my all time favorite.

We watched Mr. Magoo the other night.  That's an important one for historical reasons since it's the first ever animated TV Christmas special.  But, I think it could've used a little more Mr. Magoo-style comedy other than the opening. 

While it's a good one, there are other versions of A Christmas Carol I tend to go for. 

  The 1971 animated version (Chuck Jones) featuring the voice of Allistar Sim is pretty special.

I really need to seek this one out. 

  It's on You Tube!

Thanks, I looked on Amazon, and a VHS was going for almost $100.  I'll try to check it out on YouTube if I get a chance. 

[The LEGENDARY OSD]

Holiday Inn and White Christmas are also perennial favorites of mine.

Those plus The Bishop's Wife, Miracle on 34th Street, Holiday Affair, Scrooge(1951).

[Rocky Raccoon]

No love for the Star Wars Holiday Special with Bea Arthur and Art Carney?  "Introducing Chewbacca's family!"