Quadsville

Tue, Mar 16, 2010  | Sign Out | Account Settings
0 rating(s)
The Quadsville Council
 | See More Groups...
Loading...
Current Members: 159
Bookmark URL: http://my.quadsville.com/Groups/The_Quadsville_Council
Rudolph, Frosty, Muppets, the Grinch ... What's your favorite holiday special?
Posted by: Mayor Melissa on December 1, 2008 at 1:15PM CST
Awesome. My coworker, Janet Hill, just brought over a calendar of all the network TV holiday specials for December to me and a few other parents of young children in the newsroom. Tonight is "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."

I remember when I was a kid looking forward to these annual specials, and not just around Christmas. There was "Mickey's Valentine" in February, with scenes from classic Disney cartoons set to contemporary songs like, "Don't Go Breakin' My Heart" by Elton John or "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go" by Wham! The Garfield Halloween special where he and Odie dress up as pirates was one of my favorites, along with - of course - "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown."

But there are iconic moments of childhood associated with the annual showings of the claymation "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" or "Frosty the Snowman." It wasn't until college that I realized how bizarre this take on "Rudolph" is. And I still haven't figured out why Karen wears a skirt to build a snowman. My mother never let me out of the house without snowpants, coat, boots, hat, mittens and a scarf wrapped around half my face. I now associate snow forts with the smell of yarn.

My absolute favorite Christmas special was "A Muppet Family Christmas." This combines "The Muppet Show" and "Sesame Street" Muppets, along with the Fraggles. I still giggle when I think of the part when the Swedish Chef spies Big Bird as he's making Christmas dinner preparations ("Oje! Da beeg gobbler gobbler!" *spatulas fly up in air*).

Even though we don't watch much television at my house, I probably will be flipping on the tube to catch a few of these. There's something about watching them as they air on television in a dark living room lit only by the Christmas tree or candles that just doesn't compare to popping them in any old time on a DVD.  

Do you have any holiday TV-viewing rituals? A movie you always watch as a family? A favorite holiday special from your childhood? Reminisce below. And don't forget: "Watch out for the icy patch!"

Send This | Categories:
(16) Comments
Posted by: matt on December 1, 2008 2:19PM CST
Emmitt Otter's Jug Band Christmas. Hands-down my favorite.

Posted by: Mayor Melissa on December 1, 2008 2:27PM CST
Ah, yes. My ex-husband introduced me to that one. It's a classic in his family. And my daughter loves it, so it's a holiday staple at my house now, too.

Posted by: Penelope on December 1, 2008 2:28PM CST
Rudolph is my all time favorite! I will always love that one, the music is great!

Posted by: matt on December 1, 2008 2:37PM CST
yeah, melissa - it certainly leaves me with a feeling of "awwwww," but i for one can't help but love the Riverbottom Nightmare Band's heavy metal song at the talent contest. i love how the bridge to the song is almost entirely comprised of metal screams. hilarious. jim henson & co will forever make me crack up laughing, yet get misty eyed at the same time.

Posted by: Adam Peters on December 1, 2008 3:23PM CST
Two favorites-

"A Muppet Family Christmas" and "A Claymation Christmas".

"A Claymation Christmas" was a CBS speical aired in 1987 that my parents taped. It is WONDERFUL!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Claymation_Christmas_Celebration

Posted by: srm on December 1, 2008 3:24PM CST
There is only one christmas themed item to watch on TV. The Christmas Story marathon on TBS. That is the be all, end all of christmas movies.

Posted by: Penelope on December 1, 2008 3:57PM CST
I watch that one every year too ,never wanted a bb gun tho.The first time I saw Rudolph it was on a black and white tv, I thought it was the greatest show.

Posted by: cardsgirl on December 1, 2008 3:59PM CST
I loved "The Year without a Santa Claus" when I was younger, with the Heat Miser and Mr. Freeze. I just watched The Polar Express for the 1st time. I'd seen bits of it before, but I actually watched the whole thing this time. It was pretty good.

Posted by: RiverCity Rose on December 1, 2008 6:56PM CST
There are quite a few family favorites. I always loved A Charlie Brown Christmas and the Muppets, too.

One tradition is to watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Such a classic. Can't beat the Griswold's! I still love "Home Alone" and still laugh myself silly. Also, Home For the Holidays sort of says it all. Then, there is the Grinch.

"You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch"...classic best.


Posted by: Dustin Oliver on December 1, 2008 11:35PM CST
How The Grinch Stole Christmas (the cartoon, not the Jim Carrey version)

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (claymation)

Santa Claus is Coming to Town (claymation)

A Muppet Christmas Carol

Mickey's Christmas Carol

Frosty the Snowman

Posted by: Watchfulmom on December 2, 2008 9:17AM CST
Rudolf the Red-nosed reindeer (claymation) hands down. Frosty wasn't too bad either.

Posted by: Alan on December 2, 2008 3:42PM CST
A Bird Without Wings... from Berkley Breathed (Opus/Bloom County). I think it only aired once man years ago but I taped it and still pull it out.

Runner-up with me is the traditional... Charlie Brown Christmas

Posted by: John T Moeller on December 4, 2008 3:21PM CST
"The Little Troll Prince"

Posted by: Penelope on December 4, 2008 3:35PM CST
A Christmas Carol, can't forget that one, I own several versions, and watch them every year.

Posted by: Gerdo on December 5, 2008 7:06AM CST
Rudolf-mation, with the Burl Ives snow man.

I still get sappy over the island of misfit toys.


Loading...
About This Blog