Classic holiday TV treats
Serve up some big laughs fast with these classic holiday episodes. Even that mean old greenie “The Grinch” would give a giggle or two after watching these blasts from the past.
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Mary, Joseph and Larry
“Curb Your Enthusiasm” – Season 3
This classic from HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” will give any stress-filled holiday a merry moment. Angst-ridden because of tipping requirements at the country club and tiffs with his maid and gardener, Larry destroys a manger scene and irks the ire of Cheryl’s family.
Becky: “You at the baby Jesus and his mother Mary.”
Larry: “I thought they were animal cookies.”
Becky: “Jesus Christ is not an animal!”
Larry: “I thought he was a monkey.”
Ho, ho, ho! |
“The Strike” (aka “Festivus”)
“Seinfeld” – Season 9
With its “I find tinsel distracting” commentary from Frank Costanza, not to mention Jerry’s “two-faced” woman theory, this episode never fails to amuse TV surfers. In this 160th episode, George, Elaine and Jerry attend Dr. Tim Whatley’s Hanakkah party. As usual, Jerry meets a hot babe nabs a date, while Elaine tries to dump a dork. Kramer gets excited about this new holiday “Festivus for the rest-of-us.” Finally George, given his cheap bastard tendencies, walks away from the party with the brilliant idea of making holiday donations in friends’ names to a foundation that doesn’t exist. Sweet! |
’Tis the Fifteenth Season
“The Simpsons” – Season 15
More than 11 million Simpsons’ fans watched when this holiday episode in 2003. Filled with Homer’s signature buffoonery, he blows the family’s Christmas stash on a personalized talking Astrolabe. Shunned for his selfishness, watching “Mr. Magrew’s Christmas Carol” transforms Homer from dumb ass dolt to the epitome of do-gooder. He lavishes Marge with his last pork chop – an act that leaves her in tears. His munificance continues until he’s dubbed the nicest man in town – an honour that tweaks Flanders into a jealous fury and leaves him determined to dethrone this present-toting poseur. |
Merry Christmas, Charlie Manson!
“South Park” – Season 2
What’s a holiday without Kyle, Kenny, Stan and, of course, Cartman – “South Park’s
neurotic, know-it-all eight-year-olds? In this twisted Christmas tale, the boys head to Nebraska to spend the holidays with Cartman’s granny and an unexpected guest: Charles Mason. Desperate to go to the mall, Charlie offers to drive the boys and off they go, causing a riot, a police chase, the death of Kenny again and a transformation in killer Charlie that prompts him to trade in his Swastika tattoo on his forehead for a happy face. That’s hot!
Note to remote surfers: Stop the dial at 2004’s “Woodland Critter Christmas” episode, in which Stan helps the innocent forest animals prepare for the birth of their Lord and Saviour, the Anti-Christ.
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Merry Christmas Mr. Bean
“Mr. Bean” – Season 1
This 1992 classic starring Rowan Atkinson will get the “Ho, ho, ho’s” rolling at your next holiday party. In typical bumbling fashion, Mr. Bean sets out to buy some Christmas decorations. His shopping expedition sees him demolish an entire department store toy section with a single strand of tree lights, nab a free turkey, conduct a Salvation Army band and, at night’s end, surprise his long-suffering girlfriend over Christmas dinner. |
The Chrismukk-huh?
“The O.C.” – Season 4
Chrismukkah returns to the Cohen household! In this visit Ryan and Taylor are tossed into a parallel universe after entangling themselves into a coma while putting up the holiday lights. The two endure utter craziness in this new dimension, particularly since Ryan no longer exits. Yet all is put right once a letter from the past yanks the desperate duo back to O.C. heaven. |
Miracle on 3rd or 4th Street
“Frasier” – Season 1
The erudite Dr. Crane is one frazzled festive mess in this memorable “Frasier” episode. With his plans for a happy holiday dashed to pieces by his ex-wife Lilith, the depressed shrink decides to work at his radio station on Christmas Eve. After his shift is over, the downhearted doc ends up in a homeless shelter and learns a humbling lesson about the holidays when he’s mistaken for one of the needy chowing down on charity. |
White Lie Christmas
“My Name Is Earl” – Season 1
Feeling a little guilty that he’s ruined every Christmas spent with Joy, Earl tries to win a Dodge Neon and put it under her tree. A good idea, to be sure, until Joy’s mother steals the wheels and loses them while gambling at an Indian casino. Confused by all his buddies’ crisscrossing antics, Earl gives up on his generous streak and crosses this “to do” item for Joy off his long list of atonements. |
Blackadder’s Christmas Carol
“Blackadder” – 1988
Ebenezer Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson) starts off as the nicest Victorian moustache shop owner in this TV hoot. But when the Spirit of Christmas comes calling on Christmas Eve and shows Blackadder all his conniving ancestors’ antics, this do-gooders starts to admire their evil ways. In one fell swoop he proclaims “Bad guys have all the fun” and wakes up a greedy, uncaring cheapskate eager to test drive his new evil ways.
- Constance Droganes
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