Top five underappreciated Christmas specials
Harry Reynolds
Christmas is considered the “most wonderful time of the year” and this is especially so for companies and studios marketing Christmas specials. You name the show, it likely has a Christmas special, even He-Man has one, but with so many out there, it seems that some get lost under the heap, kind of like a little present that gets stuck under the tree stand. I have five of them here for you today, since no one deserves to be alone at Christmas, even holiday specials.
5. Bottom- Holy
Bottom was a long running British comedy revolving around the sad, pathetic and violent Eddie Hitler (Adrian Edmondson) and Richie (the late great Rik Mayall) who were around the age of 30 living in a dingy apartment, and spent most of the time beating each other up, a great setting for a Christmas special right? Well actually half the charm here is that despite their hatred for one another they couldn’t be apart, which is kind of nice I guess. Anyhow, the special here revolves around the duo having a baby lumbered on their doorstep, whilst trying to host a disastrous Christmas dinner with Eddie’s friends Hedgehog and Spudgun (don’t ask where they got their names from) and whilst Richie survives a detached finger (I won’t spoil how). The rest of the special gives the strangest re-enactment of the three wise men, as well as poking fun at Christmas traditions (a game of charades ends with “Goldfinger” each time). I can’t really spoil anything else at it would take away from the brilliantly strange and surreal that is Bottom. Check it out for some outrageous ridiculousness.
Bottom was a long running British comedy revolving around the sad, pathetic and violent Eddie Hitler (Adrian Edmondson) and Richie (the late great Rik Mayall) who were around the age of 30 living in a dingy apartment, and spent most of the time beating each other up, a great setting for a Christmas special right? Well actually half the charm here is that despite their hatred for one another they couldn’t be apart, which is kind of nice I guess. Anyhow, the special here revolves around the duo having a baby lumbered on their doorstep, whilst trying to host a disastrous Christmas dinner with Eddie’s friends Hedgehog and Spudgun (don’t ask where they got their names from) and whilst Richie survives a detached finger (I won’t spoil how). The rest of the special gives the strangest re-enactment of the three wise men, as well as poking fun at Christmas traditions (a game of charades ends with “Goldfinger” each time). I can’t really spoil anything else at it would take away from the brilliantly strange and surreal that is Bottom. Check it out for some outrageous ridiculousness.
4. Futurama- Xmas Story
The ever under-appreciated Futurama was recently cancelled again, with a typically well written and emotionally appropriate conclusion, and these are qualities that you really need in your holiday specials, so let’s have a killer robot Santa Claus instead! Xmas Story is a great example of taking conventional tropes and turning them upside down. In the year 3000, Xmas has become a terrifying event, where everyone stays in to avoid a violent psychopathic robotic Santa Claus. This confuses our favourite delivery boy Phillip J. Fry, who is used to our customs and methods, and we see him almost being murdered getting Leela a Christmas present (aah). The episode delivers a good balance on jokes and heartfelt moments; something the show perfected during its time on screen, and will put you in the festive mood, despite all of the hardships the characters go through. This episode makes you care and relate to the characters, and isn’t that what Christmas is all about?
The ever under-appreciated Futurama was recently cancelled again, with a typically well written and emotionally appropriate conclusion, and these are qualities that you really need in your holiday specials, so let’s have a killer robot Santa Claus instead! Xmas Story is a great example of taking conventional tropes and turning them upside down. In the year 3000, Xmas has become a terrifying event, where everyone stays in to avoid a violent psychopathic robotic Santa Claus. This confuses our favourite delivery boy Phillip J. Fry, who is used to our customs and methods, and we see him almost being murdered getting Leela a Christmas present (aah). The episode delivers a good balance on jokes and heartfelt moments; something the show perfected during its time on screen, and will put you in the festive mood, despite all of the hardships the characters go through. This episode makes you care and relate to the characters, and isn’t that what Christmas is all about?
3. South Park- Red Sleigh Down
Ah South Park, arguably the best animated series still running today, and one of few that isn’t stale and mediocre nowadays (looking at you Simpsons). With a eighteen year run, the show has had its fair share of Christmas specials, ranging from Mr Hankey to Canadian Christmases. Whilst most would look to “Woodland Critter Christmas” for its Satan-worshipping animal critters, I’m looking at an episode which focuses on Santa being kidnapped by terrorists whilst trying to deliver presents to Iraqi children. Having heard the bad news, Jesus and the kids along with Mr Hankey, travel to save Santa from his holly-jolly demise. The episode is as ridiculous and funny as its summary, featuring a bad-ass Jesus, cool gunfights and the typically irreverent style of satirical humour that only Trey Parker and Matt Stone could deliver. Be warned, this is typically offensive content, but if you can handle it, check it out for some ridiculous festive fun.
Ah South Park, arguably the best animated series still running today, and one of few that isn’t stale and mediocre nowadays (looking at you Simpsons). With a eighteen year run, the show has had its fair share of Christmas specials, ranging from Mr Hankey to Canadian Christmases. Whilst most would look to “Woodland Critter Christmas” for its Satan-worshipping animal critters, I’m looking at an episode which focuses on Santa being kidnapped by terrorists whilst trying to deliver presents to Iraqi children. Having heard the bad news, Jesus and the kids along with Mr Hankey, travel to save Santa from his holly-jolly demise. The episode is as ridiculous and funny as its summary, featuring a bad-ass Jesus, cool gunfights and the typically irreverent style of satirical humour that only Trey Parker and Matt Stone could deliver. Be warned, this is typically offensive content, but if you can handle it, check it out for some ridiculous festive fun.
2. Tokyo Godfathers
Tokyo Godfathers is the tale about how on Christmas Eve three people (a middle-aged alcoholic named Gin, a trans woman and former drag queen Hana and a dependent runaway girl Miyuki) discover an abandoned newborn while looking through the garbage. The film is gritty and harsh throughout, and deals with one problem after the other, yet as with the other conflicts seen in these Christmas specials, the Christmas spirit comes through from the characters, and their relatable personalities shine through the difficult situations that the three protagonists experience. This is a very underappreciated anime film that deserves more attention, and it’s a little different, which makes it unique, which is a quality that the best specials always have.
Tokyo Godfathers is the tale about how on Christmas Eve three people (a middle-aged alcoholic named Gin, a trans woman and former drag queen Hana and a dependent runaway girl Miyuki) discover an abandoned newborn while looking through the garbage. The film is gritty and harsh throughout, and deals with one problem after the other, yet as with the other conflicts seen in these Christmas specials, the Christmas spirit comes through from the characters, and their relatable personalities shine through the difficult situations that the three protagonists experience. This is a very underappreciated anime film that deserves more attention, and it’s a little different, which makes it unique, which is a quality that the best specials always have.
1. Die Hard
Yep, this is a Christmas film. It takes place at Christmas, therefore it counts. Do I really need to justify this? It’s Die Hard, one of the best action films of all time, and it’s the best time of the year to watch it; what excuse do you really need to see Bruce Willis in stealth mode taking down bad guys at Christmas? And with that, I’m out, Happy Holidays to those who bothered to read the article, and let’s hope for a good 2016, well film-wise anyway. Have fun.
Yep, this is a Christmas film. It takes place at Christmas, therefore it counts. Do I really need to justify this? It’s Die Hard, one of the best action films of all time, and it’s the best time of the year to watch it; what excuse do you really need to see Bruce Willis in stealth mode taking down bad guys at Christmas? And with that, I’m out, Happy Holidays to those who bothered to read the article, and let’s hope for a good 2016, well film-wise anyway. Have fun.