I like Christmas movies, TV shows, and music. Whether Christmas is its focus, or just taking place in the background, it adds something special. That doesn't mean that I only like the usual super happy fluff that is associated with the holidays. Winter and the holidays can be at times depressing and filled with angst, and sometimes the best way to deal with this with entertainment that does not deny this. The following are some of my favorite specials, TV episodes, films, and even a soundtrack. This is by no means a comprehensive list, just a well-rounded list of my favorites.
It's A Wonderful Life
I was a latecomer to this film. Of course, I knew the gist of the story and had seen the famous scene where Jimmy Stewart runs through Bedford Falls saying "Merry Christmas" to everything and everybody in town. However, i didn't really know what the big deal was, until I actually saw the whole film. After watching George Bailey defer his dreams for so long to help others get ahead, get caught in a terrible situation, and get saved by seeing the terrible fate of all he loves (Bedford Falls is Pottertown, Uncle Billy is insane, and Mary IS A [GASP] LIBRARIAN) if he were never born. That sappy ending is well-earned by the rest of the movie. By the time I had finished it, I think I had something in my eye, and this had entered my annual Christmas watching rotation.
Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas
Jugband music playing otters, beavers, and porcupines from Jim Henson that takes place in the beautiful countryside of the eastern American highlands. What's not to like? I love how Paul Williams was able to make music that sounded like it had existed for decades. Sure, the Riverbottom Nightmare Band winning the talent contest was pretty implausible, but the combined song from the jugband and Ma Otter was much better than its wonderful parts. If only the labyrinthine rights bullcrap surrounding Henson's projects didn't prevent the Kermit wrappers from getting cut in the DVDs.
A Charlie Brown Christmas (TV Special AND soundtrack)
Such a great distillation of the Peanuts comic strip, with all of its bittersweet humour intact. Linus' retelling of the original Christmas story is one of my favorite TV scenes, as it cuts directly to the core meaning of the holiday, brushing away all of the commercial drivel and cheap artificiality.
As for the soundtrack, it is the only Christmas album I keep in my playlist year round. "Christmastime is here" is a part of one of my favorite movies (The Royal Tenenbaums and one of my favorite TV shows (Arrested Development). So yeah, it would be accurate to say I like it a lot.
Community - "Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas"
This is Community at its best. It's a little bit (OK, really) weird, it's very funny, and a bit sad. In the end, the gang comes together for Abed, even if perhaps enabling his delusion isn't exactly the healthiest thing. After all, the holiday season is a time for us to come together during the coldest, darkest time of the year and light a candle of fellowship and, yes, community.
Futurama - "A Tale of Two Santas"
Not every one of my Christmas favorites are so heartwarming or affirming, at least not on the surface. Xmas of the future is a terrifying holiday, full of bad tidings of fear, hoping that Santa skips your house this year. Even when the Planet Express gang tries to restore Xmas to a truly merry holiday, they further ruin an exploited people and planet, while Bender gets sentenced to death for his troubles. We may all be spending our holidays huddled together, scared shitless, but at least we're together.
Right here WOULD be the video for the elves song from this episode, but apparently there is no clip of this on Youtube or Hulu, unless its hidden from sight with inaccurate keywords. You are so totally not adequate, Fox, Comedy Central, or whoever is behind this crap.
The Ice Harvest
Sometimes it feels good to watch a film that is not life affirming and does not have a truly happy ending. This is one of those films. I really enjoyed a mostly irredeemable John Cusack have a really bad night as his perfect crime becomes much less so. The icy rain just adds to the misery, giving it that feeling of bitter cold that only windswept plains of the midwest can give us Americans. Of course, it helps that there is plenty of laughs to be found, although most come from a great performance by Oliver Platt, as Cusack's friend and ex-wife's new husband.
Scrooge (1951)
This version is a family tradition, as we watch it every Christmas Eve. Alastair Sim is the one true Ebenezer Scrooge. I will not accept any other arguments, although you are welcome to try in the comments section.
The West Wing - "In Excelsis Deo" and "Noel"
Is the main story of "In Excelsis Deo" a bit cheesy, a bit cliche? Of course it is. You know what? I don't care. When "Little Drummer Boy" starts playing at the end, I always stop whatever I'm doing and watch it. Kathryn Joosten did such a great job as Mrs. Landingham, creating a impact far greater than the relatively small amount of time she spent on screen during her two seasons. This episode was one of her best.
From the great second season of the show, "Noel" is one of my personal favorites. For most of its run it is effectively a flashback of events leading up to a Christmas Eve therapy session for Josh, who is clearly in mental pain from his near fatal shooting the previous summer. After Adam Arkin finally help Josh break through and admit his wounded hand was from breaking his apartment's window, the session is dismissed and Josh walks out, unsure if he'll be able to keep his job. Leo is waiting for him outside, and, well, you'll just have to watch this.
Probably my favorite Leo speech from the show. In about a minute or so of time, this shows why Leo McGarry is such a great character. Also, a great showcase for the late John Spencer.
A Christmas Story
As long as I remember watching Christmas movies and TV specials, I remember watching this. From the VHS recorded from TV, to the marathons on TNT and TBS, and finally the DVD and Blu-ray releases, I've seen this dozens of times over the year. From the Bumpuses horde of hound dogs ravaging the family turkey, to the apathetic Santa and his terrifyingly indifferent elves, to the weird kid who really likes the Tin-man, this movie is just full of hilarious stuff, some of which is only hilarious to weird midwesterners like myself. Just remember to always be sure to drink your ovaltine, and you won't shoot your eye out.
South Park - "Woodland Critter Christmas"
Without Christmas, there wouldn't be a South Park. Putting aside it's holiday roots, the long running show has had many memorable Christmas episodes. Of them all, however, my favorite has to be this one.
I love how this episode turns the idea of cheerful woodland animals getting together for a holiday on its ear. I also like how the usual bad guy (i.e. the apex predator) is actually the good guy. When I watched this the first time, I wasn't that surprised it was revealed to be a story from Cartman (once Kyle was introduced it became pretty obvious), but enjoyed it nonetheless. The mixture of the faux-John Denver music with the terrifying yet still adorable woodland critters was something I don't think I ever anticipated seeing, at least not before South Park.
Honorable Mentions: A Muppet Family Christmas, Twas the Night Before Christmas (1974 TV Special), Bad Santa, Performance of "O, Holy Night" from Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip: "The Christmas Show", The Office (U.S.) "Christmas Party" and The Office (U.K.) Christmas Special
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