Wes's Top 5 Christmas Episodes

Well, the Holiday Season is well and truly upon us, even though most retail stores seem to have jumped the gun. I know that the oversaturation of the Christmas season can cause some people to get cynical, and that is certainly understandable, but as for me, I genuinely love this time of year. There’s just something about this time of year that can lift my spirits even at the worst of times. So, in the spirit of the season, welcome to the first of two Christmas related articles in which I will countdown some of my favorite Christmas movies and specials and hopefully share some memories. Starting off, we’ll be discussing my top five favorite Christmas Episodes of popular TV shows.

5. Pinky & The Brain: A Pinky & The Brain Christmas

I love Pinky & The Brain. It’s one of those shows that I enjoy just as much as an adult as I did when I was a kid. There’s just something about the premise of a genetically altered super intelligent lab mouse and his idiot partner trying to take over the world that always gets a laugh. A lot of this show’s success is due in large part to the voice talents of Rob Paulsen and Maurice Lamarche, two of the most talented voice actors in the business.

In this episode, The Brain plans to use Santa’s rounds to plant Toys with secret mind control devices hidden in them in homes all over the world. Throughout the episode, Pinky is obsessed with giving his letter to Santa, much to Brain’s irritation. I won’t dare give away the ending to this episode, but it is honestly one of the most unexpectedly heart-warming moments in any animated show I’ve ever seen.

Not only does this episode have the classic humor that the Tom Ruegger team was known for, but it also stands out for showcasing these beloved characters at their most vulnerable. Like I said, I won’t give away the ending, but I will say it’s one of the rare instances in which The Brain lets his guard down and actually let’s his emotions and better nature shine through. It’s just great.

4. The Twilight Zone: Night of the Meek

Anyone who knows me knows that I have a deep respect and admiration for Twilight Zone creator and coolest man who ever lived, Rod Serling. While Serling was Jewish, he was actually born on Christmas and was nonetheless fascinated by the Holiday. This episode explores that fascination in a way that makes for one of the most unique episodes of the famous science fiction anthology series.

Henry Corwin, a depressed drunk who works as a department store Santa Claus, finds a magical sack that gives people anything they wish for and uses it to effectively act as Santa Claus. And while some are put off by the man’s seemingly unnatural generosity, Corwin responds to this with good cheer and charity, and in the end, his kindness is rewarded as he’s chosen to be the new Santa Claus.

This episode is unique amongst the series in that no one has the rug pulled out for them or is given some kind of comeuppance. Instead, Corwin simply responds to those who wish him ill with kindness. The real strength of this episode is Art Carney who plays Corwin who plays the character excellently. He’s not a larger than life figure as some would expect Santa Claus to be, he’s simply a man who wants to do good, showing that that’s all that’s needed to be Santa Claus.

3. Frasier: High Holidays

Frasier may very well be my favorite sitcom of all time. Not only is it a rarity in that it’s often seen as more popular than the show it spun off from, it’s sharp humor and dry wit never fails to get a laugh out of me.

In this episode, Frasier’s son Frederick is visiting for the Holiday Season and is beginning to exhibit signs of teenage rebellion. While Frasier is obviously put off by this development, it does spark discussion among the gang about their own rebellious phases of their youth. Apparently, Daphne can smuggle a frozen Turkey between her knees. That’ll come in handy should they ever misplace their serving tray at Thanksgiving. Niles however is distressed that he never had a rebellious phase. In order to make up for lost time Niles has decided that he’s “Getting High On Reefer.” However, when Martin accidentally eats a pot brownie intended for Niles, hilarity ensues.

This is actually my favorite episode of Frasier. All the jokes land and the episode really plays to my love of Stoner humor. I couldn’t tell you what’s more hilarious, Martin actually being stoned or Niles thinking that he’s stoned and acting accordingly. Sure, the episode doesn’t have a lot to do with Christmas outside of taking place around the Holiday season, but it still makes me laugh regardless of the when I watch it.

2. Seinfeld: The Strike

There was no way in hell this wasn’t making it onto the list and you all know why. Sure there’s Jerry dealing with his odd girlfriend who looks attractive one minutes and ugly the next. There’s Kramer running a one man strike against a Bagel Shop or George making up a fake charity to get out of buying Christmas gifts for his co-workers, but that’s not what this episode is remembered for. If there is one thing people take away from this episode it’s that it brought Festivus into popular culture.

Originally a Holiday invented by the father of Seinfeld writer Dan O’Keefe, Festivus is a Holiday that was intended to be an alternative to the pressured of the commercialism of the Christmas season, a “Festivus for the Rest of Us” if you will. The rituals of the Holiday include an Aluminum Pole on Display, Feats of Strength, and of course, the airing of grievances.

In the episode itself, it’s actually Frank Constanza who invented the holiday, and the whole affair is hilarious. Jerry Stiller is one of the funniest actors in history and was easily one of the most entertaining recurring guest stars in all of Seinfeld’s history. Simply him telling the story of how he conceived of Festivus is hilarious and over the top. Not only is this episode a classic in its own right, but it earns bonus points for literally introducing a new holiday to the world.

1. Sesame Street: Christmas Eve on Sesame Street

I know it sounds strange for a man in his thirties to be praising a show meant for preschoolers, but I honestly can’t help it, I grew up with this special and even all these years later it still puts a smile on my face. Despite how much I love The Muppets, I wasn’t really that into Sesame Street as a little kid. It wasn’t until I was in college that I really appreciated the show for what it was. The major exception to that was always Christmas Eve on Sesame Street. When I was a real little kid, I had this special recorded on a VHS tape along with the Rankin Bass Rudolph and Frosty special. Needless to say, I have a lot of precious childhood memories associated with this special.

The main plot of this special involves Big Bird becoming obsessed with figuring out how Santa Claus can fit down the Chimney at the prompting of Oscar the Grouch. We’ll ignore the fact that Big Bird lives in a nest and doesn’t need to worry about Chimney’s for the sake of the funny premise, a premise that gives us the hilarious scene of Kermit the Frog reading off a list of theories proposed by the children of Sesame Street including “He Goes on a Crash Diet every Christmas Eve and Loses 200 pounds” and “He sneaks in with the rest of the relatives at Thanksgiving and hides in the laundry until Christmas.” Good stuff.

Of course, this special has a few other sub plots as well. Bert and Ernie have to sell their prized possessions to buy gifts for one another. I challenge any of you to watch Ernie giving away Rubber Duckie without getting a little misty eyed. But by far the MVP of this special is my favorite Sesame Street Muppet, Cookie Monster. Cookie tries to write letters to Santa numerous times, but each time he gets so excited thinking about the Cookies he’s going to get from Santa that he eats the typewriter. Even all these years later, it still makes me laugh my ass off.

I absolutely love this special and everything in it. It’s a staple of my childhood and I couldn’t imagine anything else topping the list.

However, we’re not quite done yet, stay tuned for our accompanying article in which I’ll be counting down my Top 5 Christmas Movies.