Top 10 TV Christmas Moments:

There are certain events I look forward to every year during the Christmas season. Most of them are Christmas specials on TV, and even then it's not even the whole special I have to see. No, there are just a few moments that make Christmas for me. Perhaps they are a part of your Christmas TV traditions - TV-ditions if you will - as well. Maybe not. Either way I'm doing an article on the subject. Here we go - the top 10 TV Christmas moments. Enjoy!

10. Dave Foley's Bowie/Crosby Duet:
Several years ago, the CBC made a Christmas special that they are likely never to air again (I think they repeated it once, the following year). It was 'Dave Foley's the Meaning of Christmas Specials' and, as far as I know it's the only Christmas special to use the word "retarded." It's lovely. Anywho - there's a duet done with Bing Crosby and David Bowie (where Bing is played by Joe Flaherty and David by Dave Foley) of 'the Little Drummer Boy,' same as when they did it oh so many years ago for their famous video. But, instead of 'Peace on Earth' Bowie is singing his hit song "Monsters." It works out surprisingly well. At the end they fight (mostly making gay jokes and child-abuse jokes... also possibly an "only time" kinda thing). It's the highlight of many a Christmas.

9. Skeletor saves Christmas:
The first year Christmas was brought to Eternia is was almost ruined by Horde Prime killing a couple of kids and bestowing amazing powers on Eternia's #1 most wanted, Skeletor. However, it was all saved when Horde Prime was defeated by... Skeletor. It happened kinda fast, but near as I can tell he did it because an alien puppy licked his skull-face. If an alien puppy can love him, apparently he can love Christmas. Watch this one if you wanna see Skeletor be good when it counts. Even He-Man and the other Masters were without a clue. Skeletor. Wow.

8. Garfield's Christmas "Ooooh mouths":
There's a lot to enjoy about Garfield's Christmas special. The opening credits (with that weird present-giving present that Jon gets Garfield in his dream), or Grandma demanding that Jon punch her in the gut, or Doc-boy - they are all great. But the best part of this special is when everyone goes "ooooooh." It's only about 2 seconds (though I think it happens twice). I know one time it happens is when they plug in the tree and look at the lights. Their lips become tubes which extend from their heads about a foot. Here's a picture if you don't know what I'm talking about:


7. The Peanuts dance:
Possibly the most famous scene from a Christmas special ever is the dancing scene(s) from 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' where the gang should be rehearsing the play, but instead they just dance to upbeat jazz. Those are some weird kids. It goes on way too long, and it happens two or three times, but every time it's great. Everyone has tried to do those dance moves. Admit it - there's no denying it. I can see into your soul. Your dancing Christmas soul. The kid in the orange shirt with the weird spiky hair has the best dance. I'm pretty sure he's not even a regular Peanuts character but they put him in BECAUSE he's such a good dancer. Yes, the animation in this special is based on live-actors. Yes.

6. Mr. Bean's action figure manger scene:
Maybe I just really like this scene because I think it's a great idea - putting action figures in the manger scene. It makes it so much more personal. Or maybe it's that I'm a sucker for nondescript British-sounding mumbling and dinosaurs. In any case, this is great (also, the special is on in about an hour from now, as I type this. Awesome). It's a pretty unique way to open up a Christmas special, really. Well, maybe it's not the "opening" but I know it's pretty early on. I guess I'll find out in about an hour. Woot.

5. Pete in 'Mickey's Christmas Carol':
I've said this before, and I will likely say it again, Pete is the best Ghost of Christmas Future ever. I think it's because he's so different from all the other ones, what with the cigar, the voice, and the face (all things typically lacking in a GoCF). The entire scene with him is great, but really it's just that one line that he says: "Why yours, Ebenezer! The richest man in the cemetery!" I didnt even have to look that one up! It's just burned into my brain. Slapping Scrooge into the open grave and then cackling only adds to the greatness. It's the icing, if you will. The evil Christmas icing. This is Pete's best role. He will likely never be seen again outside of Goof Troop DVDs.

4. The Grinch lifting the sleigh:
The Grinch lifting that sleigh over his head totally makes him save Christmas. True, he was saving it from himself after he willfully tried to destroy all the Who's things (and indeed Christmas itself) but all that can be overlooked. I mean - theres a trumpet blast and victory lines! Victory lines mean good! Plus the Who-song in the background (Welcome Christmas) is a great one, as is the speech that leads up to it. It's such a good scene it's one of the few scenes in the live-action movie that they didn't completely change/ruin. It's pretty much the same. Sleigh almost falls; Grinch cheers up; Grinch tries to save sleigh; Grinch lifts sleigh over his head; victory lines. Good show.


3. The end of 'Mickey's Christmas Carol':
I'm not talking about Pete in this one (although, as mentioned, he is great). I'm talking about after Scrooge is back in the real-world. There's about 50 great things that happen in about 4.5 minutes. Here's a few, just to jog your memory: grabbing the dove, yelling at the dove, the dove's shocked expression, putting his foot through his hat, beating Mole to death with bags of coins, Donald flying off his horse, etc. The best part is actually at Bob Cratchit's house. All the dialogue about the laundry, the toys, etc. is all great. Sure, it's not in the actual 'A Christmas Carol' but (as we learned with Pete) the changes are what makes this version great. Kudos on having two on the list, Mickey. You rock.

2. Linus' speech:
I feel Christmas cannot come until I hear Linus' speech at least once (and given the fact that the Charlie Brown special is on about 30 times during December, it's not that hard). I dunno why it's so important, it just is. It's probably the most religious speech ever given (what with it being a direct quote from the Bible), but it somehow seems relevant to Christmas. I dunno. Linus is just kick-ass I guess, and this is Linus at his best. Linus linus Linus.

1. The Muppet Family Christmas finale:
This one hasn't been on in a few years, but that's okay because it's on YouTube and I made an MP3 of it. If you haven't seen it, it's the best medley of Christmas songs ever done, what with it being done by Muppets. Not just Muppets (and by Muppets I mean pretty much all the Jim Henson TV creations up to that point) but appropriate Muppets. The Count singing "I Saw Three Ships" equals brilliant. While the whole medley is great, the best part comes very close to the end (which makes sense). The last three songs being brilliant, and then a cameo that would make anyone smile. If you have 9 minutes, watch this whole thing. If you don't, then just skip to 4:19 and watch from there. You can skip the whole "mink" thing. But, make sure you catch the end - when they sing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" to catch that cameo. It becomes obvious why this is number one.


They haven't made a great Christmas special in a while. They need to get on that. Maybe if Jen Henson was still alive... They need to get on that, too.