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Favorite Christmas Episodes

post #1 of 149
11/30/09 at 2:16pm
Thread Starter 
How about it?  What are some of your favorite Christmas-themed TV episodes?  I've got a lot of them myself, but I'll limit myself to the more well known in my first post, and then add more as the days progress.  These are in no particular order:

THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW, S1 - "A Christmas Story"
BEWITCHED, S1 - "A Vision of Sugar Plums"
BRADY BUNCH, S1 - "The Voice of Christmas"
DONNA REED SHOW, S1 - "A Very Merry Christmas"
FATHER KNOWS BEST, S1 - "Christmas Story"
HONEYMOONERS - "T'was the Night Before Christmas"
LASSIE, S5 - "Christmas Story"
OZZIE & HARRIET, S5 (rerun in S13 w/additional footage) - "Busy Christmas"
PEANUTS - "A Charlie Brown Christmas"
VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA, S1 - "Long Live the King"

There are so many wonderful episodes and I just rattled off a few that I watch yearly, but this is only the tip of the iceberg.  I have at least 50 that are "must sees" in my list, and over 300 that I enjoy to one degree or another.

Gary "gotta watch a few every night from Thanksgiving til Christmas Eve in order to get through all my favorites" O.
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post #2 of 149
11/30/09 at 2:20pm
how about Family Ties, Flintstones, the year without a santa claus, nestor the long-eared donkey, frosty the snowman, rudolph the red-nose reindeer.
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post #3 of 149
11/30/09 at 2:26pm
Thread Starter 
Great choices, Paul.  Several of those are on my "must see" list.  In fact, thinking about it more my "must see" list is probably closer to 100.  I've never actually added them up in that way ("must see") but I bet if I really thought about it the number would be in triple digits.

Gary "I especially love 'The Flintstones' episode out of those you named" O.
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post #4 of 149
11/30/09 at 2:58pm
Well, I can't compete with Gary for Christmas episodes  It ain't even close, but the ones that I have that are favorites for me are:

Happy Days S2: "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner"  The one where Fonzie fixes the Cunningham's motorized Santa in the front yard.

Love Boat S1V1: "Silent Night".  The one where the Cpt plays Santa.

You guys mentioned a Flintstones episode.  Which season was that one?  I have S1-3 of those and I'd like to watch that one this Dec if it's among the sets that I have.

I've been saving a few of the Christmas episodes in my other sets (Bewitched, Donna Reed, FKB) to watch when it gets closer to the 24th.
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post #5 of 149
11/30/09 at 3:09pm
Dranget S2-"The Big Little Jesus"     Still a classic.
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post #6 of 149
11/30/09 at 3:09pm
Thread Starter 
     Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Willis View Post

Well, I can't compete with Gary for Christmas episodes  It ain't even close, but the ones that I have that are favorites for me are:

Happy Days S2: "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner"  The one where Fonzie fixes the Cunningham's motorized Santa in the front yard.

Love Boat S1V1: "Silent Night".  The one where the Cpt plays Santa.

You guys mentioned a Flintstones episode.  Which season was that one?  I have S1-3 of those and I'd like to watch that one this Dec if it's among the sets that I have.

I've been saving a few of the Christmas episodes in my other sets (Bewitched, Donna Reed, FKB) to watch when it gets closer to the 24th.



The Flintstones episode was from Season 5, the only one they did during the show's initial run. 

I love that second season episode from HAPPY DAYS.  It's certainly on that "Must See" list for my family.  Easily the best of the bunch from that show (they had five altogether, although the S4 episode didn't have a real Christmas feel to it).


Gary "I think you'll love the FKB episode, Jeff" O.
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post #7 of 149
11/30/09 at 3:11pm
Thread Starter 
     Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack P View Post

Dranget S2-"The Big Little Jesus"     Still a classic.


Without a doubt, Jack.  Without a doubt.


Gary "I give that one an edge over the earlier 50's Dragnet episode even though it's just the same story retold" O.
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post #8 of 149
11/30/09 at 3:20pm

THE LUCY SHOW - "Together For Christmas", season 1
THE BRADY BUNCH - "The Voice of Christmas", season 1
HAPPY DAYS - "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner", season 2
BEWITCHED - "Sisters at Heart", season 7
BEWITCHED - "Humbug Not To Be Spoken Here", season 4
LAVERNE & SHIRLEY - "Oh Hear the Angels' Voices, Season 2
LAVERNE & SHIRLEY - "Oh, Come All Ye Bums", season 4
THREE'S COMPANY - "Three's Christmas", season 2
MORK AND MINDY - "Mork's First Christmas", season 1
GOOD TIMES - "Penny's Christmas", season 5
THE JEFFERSONS - "All I Want For Christmas", season 7
THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW - "Christmas and the Hardluck Kid II", season 1
THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW - "Not a Christmas Story", season 5
THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - "The Alan Brady Show Presents", season 3
THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW - "A Christmas Story", season 1
I LOVE LUCY - "The 'I Love Lucy' Christmas Special", season 6
THE LUCY SHOW - "Lucy, the Choirmaster", season 4
GREEN ACRES - "An Old Fashioned Christmas", season 2
MISTER ED - "Ed's Christmas Story", season 4
THE ADDAMS FAMILY - "Christmas with the Addams Family", season 2
SANFORD AND SON - "Ebenezer Sanford", season 5  


Edited by Theodore J. Mooney - 11/30/09 at 3:33pm
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post #9 of 149
11/30/09 at 3:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gary OS View Post

The Flintstones episode was from Season 5, the only one they did during the show's initial run. 

I love that second season episode from HAPPY DAYS.  It's certainly on that "Must See" list for my family.  Easily the best of the bunch from that show (they had five altogether, although the S4 episode didn't have a real Christmas feel to it).

Gary "I think you'll love the FKB episode, Jeff" O.
 


Thanks for the info.  I'm looking forward to that FKB episode.

Yeah, that Happy Days scene at the end with Fonzie reading "Night Before Christmas" is classic.

I might have to complete that Flintstones series after all.
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post #10 of 149
11/30/09 at 5:56pm
Thread Starter 
Yeah, I think you'll like that FKB one.  It's a classic among classics as far as Christmas-themed episodes go.  Very heartwarming and well played all the way around.  And if you can find deals on those FLINTSTONES season sets I'd encourage you to pick them up.  It's held up well for me as an adult, although some would say I'm a kid at heart so my opinion might be tainted. 

Mike, you listed some more "Must Sees" for me every year, especially those shows that had their run in the 50's or 60's.

Gary "that HD episode really is a nice one with Fonzie in the Cunningham's first home for Christmas" O.
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post #11 of 149
11/30/09 at 8:19pm
Thread Starter 
I don't know how many people have watched it, but one of my favorites is the Abbott & Costello Christmas special from one of their many appearances on THE COLGATE COMEDY HOUR.  This one has a great bit with Bud falling asleep as Lou gives him a scalp massage.  It's crazy as only A&C can do it.  Some nice song and dance numbers, as well as some acrobats, make this one a nice holiday treat in my house every year.  

Gary "calling it a night" O.
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post #12 of 149
11/30/09 at 9:36pm
A Charlie Brown Christmas will always be #1 for me, but I'm surprised we haven't seen votes for the Christmas episode of I Love Lucy or the DRAGNET episode "Big Little Jesus." Lifted directly from the radio show, but still pretty good.
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post #13 of 149
12/1/09 at 7:38am
Thread Starter 
     Quote:
Originally Posted by MattPeriolat View Post

A Charlie Brown Christmas will always be #1 for me, but I'm surprised we haven't seen votes for the Christmas episode of I Love Lucy or the DRAGNET episode "Big Little Jesus." Lifted directly from the radio show, but still pretty good.


A Charlie Brown Christmas has to be right there near the top for me too, Matt.  What a great TV special it was and still is.

Dragnet has been mentioned already, as has the I Love Lucy episode.  Both are very nice and required viewing in my home at this time every year. 


Gary "back with more later, but I hope others will share their favorites as well" O.
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post #14 of 149
12/1/09 at 4:31pm
Thread Starter 
Since the Steve Canyon thread was bumped I thought I might as well comment on the Christmas-themed episode from that excellent single season series!  It's a nice little outing entitled "The Gift" and deals with Steve helping some displaced children from a camp in Germany, and one little girl in particular, celebrate in grand style.  I loved the huge Christmas tree in the hanger, and all the presents underneath the tree.  John Ellis, in his commentary, brings up a hilarious point about how weird the St. Nicholas mask looks.  And he's completely right.  It's almost scary looking to be honest.  Anyhow, it's a great Christmas episode and has become another "Must See" for me and my family.

Gary "oh, and let's all support those Steve Canyon releases so that we can see V. 3 next year" O.
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post #15 of 149
12/1/09 at 8:24pm
Bah humbug, Gary! How soon you forgot the Goncors!

And watch that first season episode of ARNIE already or I will find Stephen Bowie and ask him to contribute to this thread.  You have been warned!
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post #16 of 149
12/2/09 at 3:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gary OS View Post

Since the Steve Canyon thread was bumped I thought I might as well comment on the Christmas-themed episode from that excellent single season series!  It's a nice little outing entitled "The Gift" and deals with Steve helping some displaced children from a camp in Germany, and one little girl in particular, celebrate in grand style.  I loved the huge Christmas tree in the hanger, and all the presents underneath the tree.  John Ellis, in his commentary, brings up a hilarious point about how weird the St. Nicholas mask looks.  And he's completely right.  It's almost scary looking to be honest.  Anyhow, it's a great Christmas episode and has become another "Must See" for me and my family.

Gary "oh, and let's all support those Steve Canyon releases so that we can see V. 3 next year" O.
 

Gary,

Which vol is that Steve Canyon episode in?  I just ordered V2 from John's site yesterday.
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post #17 of 149
12/2/09 at 6:47am
Thread Starter 
     Quote:
Originally Posted by Point-Blank View Post

Bah humbug, Gary! How soon you forgot the Goncors!

And watch that first season episode of ARNIE already or I will find Stephen Bowie and ask him to contribute to this thread.  You have been warned!


LOL, Walker.  Trust me, I will never, ever forget the Goncors after last year's Christmas.  And I promise to watch both Christmas episodes from Arnie this weekend.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Willis View Post

Gary,

Which vol is that Steve Canyon episode in?  I just ordered V2 from John's site yesterday.


You've got the right one coming, Jeff.  It's on that second volume. 


Too bad Perry Mason never did a Christmas episode.  Seems like an easy sell to have a sidewalk Santa accused of murder and Perry trying to prove him innocent.  I think they did that with one of the Matlock Christmas episodes.


Gary "the real shame is that Leave it to Beaver never did a full-fledged Christmas episode" O.
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post #18 of 149
12/3/09 at 5:01pm
Thread Starter 
Since we had a "Westerns" thread started up earlier today it made me consider that genre as it relates to Christmas-themed episodes.  Believe it or not many westerns had Christmas episodes.  Here are just a few that have been officially released:

Annie Oakley
Big Valley
Bonanza (R2)
Branded
Daniel Boone
Gunsmoke
Have Gun, Will Travel
Jim Bowie
Lone Ranger
Restless Gun
Tales of Wells Fargo
Wanted: Dead or Alive
Yancy Derringer

There are many more that have not had official releases, including shows like Rawhide, Fury, Stagecoast West, Rin Tin Tin, and The Tall Man amongst others.


Gary "it really is amazing how many westerns did film a Christmas episode" O.
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post #19 of 149
12/3/09 at 6:30pm
There are some really great Christmas shows being talked about but I would add The Jack Benny Christmas show.  I make sure I watch it yearly LOL 
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post #20 of 149
12/3/09 at 8:47pm
I haven't seen anyone mention The King Family Show Christmas specials.
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post #21 of 149
12/4/09 at 12:06pm
Thread Starter 
     Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve_Smith View Post

There are some really great Christmas shows being talked about but I would add The Jack Benny Christmas show.  I make sure I watch it yearly LOL 


I enjoy these as well.  There were at least 5 Christmas episodes from The Jack Benny Show that I'm aware of, but I've only got a couple myself. 


Quote:
Originally Posted by LeoAmes View Post

I haven't seen anyone mention The King Family Show Christmas specials.


Yikes, I don't have any idea what these are.  Can you enlighten me, Leo?


Gary "watched the silly, yet sentimental, Partridge Family Christmas episode with the kids last night" O.
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post #22 of 149
12/4/09 at 12:16pm
I'm always shocked that studios never put out compilations of just Christmas epsiodes.  I would love to have such sets purely for convenience.  It's hard trying to dig through complete season sets searching for the holiday episodes.

Where's the love for "All in the Family"?  There are several good Christmas episodes from that show.
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post #23 of 149
12/4/09 at 12:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric Peterson View Post

I'm always shocked that studios never put out compilations of just Christmas epsiodes.  I would love to have such sets purely for convenience.  It's hard trying to dig through complete season sets searching for the holiday episodes.

 
Mill Creek has a Collection of Christmas Episodes called Holiday TV Classics, which containd 49 episodes from many older TV Shows. (I do not have it) If anyone else want's to put in their two cents worth go for it!
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post #24 of 149
12/4/09 at 6:35pm

The King Family Show was a 1960s musical variety show that featured The King Sisters and their extended family (Including The King Cousins, which included the very attactive Tine Cole (Played Katie on My Three Sons) and her equally attractive sister, Cathy). Their 17 holiday specials during the 1960s and 1970s were especially popular, with their Christmas oriented ones being a staple of Christmas television programming for many families during their original airings and reruns for many years. Some of these holiday specials are available on DVD from Marilyn King (One of the King Sisters), while their first new special in many years, featuring many highlights of their past classics, is now available from their official site (And being aired in some markets).

http://www.marilynking.com/VideoPage.html

http://www.officialkingfamily.com/index_D0NP.html

 

And even though this isn't from one of their holiday specials, but rather from the first regular run of this as a television show (Ran from 1965 to 1966, then returned in 1969), I can't resist posting this none the less. It's The King Cousins singing 'Today I'm in Love' in 1965, with Cathy doing the lead vocals. The King Family also has several other official clips up on YouTube as well, but this one is my favorite.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXFLN2z_If4

 

Wish this would see a complete DVD release. But it's largely hasn't been syndicated for many years beyond occasional Christmas specials, and I haven't even seen one of those aired in quite a while now.

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post #25 of 149
12/7/09 at 10:44am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for that info on The King Family Show Christmas specials, Leo.  I'll have to look into those a bit more for potential future purchases.

Just got done watching both Christmas episodes from Have Gun, Will Travel.  I've always thought both were very well done, incorporating religious themes quite heavily.  The first season outing is a particular favorite of mine as it utilizes one of my all-time favorite cues from the CBS Music Library, "Religious Procession No. 1", during Paladin's impromptu sermon at the church.  Great stuff all the way around.

I also watched those two Arnie Christmas episodes, Point Blank (if you're reading).  Very enjoyable!


Gary "so many episodes left to view, so little time" O.
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post #26 of 149
11/21/11 at 1:25pm
Thread Starter 

I had planned on resurrecting this thread the day after Thanksgiving, which is traditionally when I begin my marathon of TV Show Christmas episodes, but today my Medic dvd set arrived and I promptly loaded and watched "Red Christmas".  Wow.  It's not a feel-good Christmas episode, but it is pretty powerful, especially for a series from the 50's.  Very sobering (and that's not meant as a play on words even though the episode content might make you think I'm joking).  At least the first few minutes were somewhat upbeat and Christmassy. 

 

Anyone else want to join in and share some thoughts on Christmas episodes you like or have watched recently?

 

 

Gary "guess I'm starting a few days early this year" O.

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post #27 of 149
11/21/11 at 1:57pm
Gary, thanks for bumping this one. Before we know it, it'll be here 4jvvuw.jpgc42rt.jpg

I don't have the Christmas episode collection that you have but here's some of my favorites that I watch every year, in approx favorite order:

HAPPY DAYS: SEASON 2 - Christmas with the Fonz - this one's probably my favorite, an annual viewing
LOVE BOAT: SEASON 1 - Silent Night, same, annual tradition
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS (1965), every year for this one
BEWITCHED: SEASON 1 - Visions of Sugar Plums , most years
DONNA REED SHOW: SEASON 1 - A Very Merry Christmas
FATHER KNOWS BEST: SEASON 1 - Christmas Story
FATHER KNOWS BEST: SEASON 3 – The Angel’s Sweater
FURY: SEASON 3 – The Wayfarer
ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW: SEASON 1 - Christmas Story

I haven't seen the DR KILDARE episode but it's on the menu this year.
Also this year: HAVE GUN WILL TRAVEL S1 - The Cross
and JOHNNY STACCATO - Three Unwise Men


kei1yf.jpg
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post #28 of 149
11/22/11 at 7:55am
Thread Starter 

Great list, Jeff!  Some that you have mentioned are in my "must see yearly" lineup as well. 

 

 

Gary "love the Christmas village" O. 

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post #29 of 149
11/22/11 at 8:29am
I have several Christmas themed dvds ready to go this week. Of course will watch Mr Magoo's Christmas Carol. That is a yearly tradition for me. Plus several versions of A Christmass Carol. Love the versions with George Scott and Patrick Steward.
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post #30 of 149
11/22/11 at 8:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by LeoAmes View Post

And even though this isn't from one of their holiday specials, but rather from the first regular run of this as a television show (Ran from 1965 to 1966, then returned in 1969), I can't resist posting this none the less. It's The King Cousins singing 'Today I'm in Love' in 1965, with Cathy doing the lead vocals. The King Family also has several other official clips up on YouTube as well, but this one is my favorite.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXFLN2z_If4

I'm not the only one here with the King Family bookmarked on YouTube! Here's my favorite - Tina singing lead on "Happy Heart".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPsx2FXji0k&list=PL9265F54197A0708F&index=5&feature=plpp_video

I'll have to check out "Today I'm in Love".

I haven't seen either the King Family or Andy Williams specials listed for the local PBS stations (I get 3 between home and work) but it's early.
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