Yuletide Television - Top 10 Christmas Themed Sitcoms
Work can be exhausting. At Agile Video, we’ve been busy watching A LOT of old sitcoms. I know, I know, it’s a rough life but we do it for you… our faithful followers, customers, friends, etc.
While conducting research for this blog, we discovered that some of the best times of our lives were spent in 30-minute chunks hunkered in front of the television set watching the Christmas specials of our favorite tv shows.
Originally we wanted to highlight specific moments in sitcom Christmas history. What person over the age of 40 can forget the time Carol Brady lost her voice right before a holiday performance? Or that touching moment when Sam Kinison appeared as Al Bundy’s angel in Married with Children? Or the time the elusive Holiday Armadillo made an appearance with Santa and Superman on Friends?
As the Agile Video Christmas committee began debating the top “moments”, we found ourselves talking mostly about entire episodes and not just single scenes. Shows like Last Man Standing, Life in Pieces, Mash, Night Court, and Newsradio all warranted mentions, but alas, didn’t make our top 10.
So grab some candy canes. Snuggle up by the fire. Turn the overhead lights off and the Christmas lights on. And enjoy the top 10 Christmas sitcom episodes.
10 - zack & Slater Save Christmas - “Saved by the Bell”
The Agile Video Christmas committee unanimously agreed, the Saved by the Bell episode titled “Home for Christmas” is far too often overlooked. It has everything you’d want from the show. Zack hitting on yet another girl. Slater acting too macho to wrap presents. Screech being Screech.
But this episode could be what inspired all of those Hallmark Channel movies. It’s cheesy. It’s overacted. And it’s glorious. In the end, the Bayside gang saves the life of the father of Zack’s love interest. In doing so, they find out the girl and her father are homeless. In the spirit of the holidays, Zack invites the two to his house for Christmas and offers to help them get back on their feet. Try watching this episode without a tissue. We dare you!
9 - Foreman Steals a Tree - “That 70’S Show”
There was no debate on whether That 70’s Show would be represented on this list. The question was which episode gets top billing? After settling the dispute with an arm wrestling match, our owner, Todd, came out victorious. His top pick was the season one masterpiece titled “The Best Christmas Ever.”
There is a lot going on in this episode. The gang illegally cuts down a tree near the interstate. They use the money they didn’t spend on a tree to buy beer. Red works at Bob’s store on Christmas Eve. Laurie spikes the punch. Hilarity and shenanigans ensue for the full half-hour.
8 - Sexy Santa Schmidt - “New Girl”
Many of our favorite Christmas episodes have multiple storylines happening at once. New Girl perfected this. Although we enjoyed all of the Christmas episodes from this show, the Season 1 Christmas special called “The 23rd” ruled supreme.
This show features the gang wrestling each other while wearing roller skates Jess had given them for Christmas. Nick gives his nephews tacks as gifts. Nick gives Winston a burrito as a gift. Schmidt dresses up as Sexy Santa because he’s the only male in his office. And Jess in that awkward moment when her boyfriend says, “I love you,” romantically replies, “Thank you.”
But for the Agile Video Christmas committee, the best part of this episode was the horrendous perfume Schmidt created himself for Cece.
Do yourself a favor and binge-watch all of the New Girl Christmas specials on Netflix.
BONUS VIDEO - this episode earned the honor because it features one of our favorite Christmas songs of all time, “Santa Stole My Lady,” by Fitz and the Tantrums.
7 - A Star Wars Christmas - “The Goldbergs”
Season four’s episode, “Han Ukkah Solo,” brings us back to our childhood. All of us at Agile are Star Wars fans. So when this episode featured the unremarkable “Star Wars Christmas Special,” we all related to Adam’s disappointment after watching the dreadful movie. There’s a reason it hasn’t become a holiday tradition in any home on the planet. It’s awful.
But this episode is anything but awful. It even features a classy rap by Big Tasty! It’s must-see holiday viewing.
6 - A Christmas Miscommunication - “Frasier”
“Frasier” is like a McDonald’s cheeseburger. Whether you like it or not, it’s consistent. The producers of “Frasier” established a template that, for the most part, each episode follows. Here is the template.
The show starts off with a misunderstanding between one or more of the characters.
That miscommunication leads to one or more of the characters making wild assumptions and therefore creating comedic situations.
At some point, Niles will yearn for Daphne.
At the end of the show, one or more of the characters realizes they misinterpreted a statement/situation/etc and the entire cast has a big laugh.
The producers stuck to this formula with the season five episode titled, “Perspectives on Christmas.” It starts with Daphne thinking Martin is dying because he was frequently visiting a church. Martin WAS trying to hide something, but he was simply rehearsing for a Christmas pageant. He didn’t want anyone to know because he couldn’t hit the high note in the song “Oh Holy Night.” Niles and Frasier make fools of themselves trying to help Martin. Niles does indeed try to earn Daphne’s affection. After 20 minutes of shenanigans, Daphe figures out Martin isn’t dying.
A side note, this episode was considered a front-runner. It came close to earning the top spot but in the end, lost out.
5 - High Times Christmas - “Frasier”
Frasier is the only show with two entries on this prestigious list. Once again, a misunderstanding leads to hilarity. In the season 11 episode, “High Holidays,” Martin accidentally eats a brownie laced with marijuana. That brownie was intended for Niles. Niles winds up with just an average run-of-the-mill brownie yet still thinks he’s high. Martin actually is goofed up on the whacky weed.
Niles and Martin truly have a Merry Jane Christmas! Plus, Frasier’s son turns Goth and Eddie replaces Frasier in a local television commercial.
4 - Away in the Newsroom - “Mary Tyler Moore”
This was a last minute and surprise entry into our discussions. We thought we had the top 10 locked in, but our fearless leader, Todd, out of nowhere brought this gem to our attention.
And we’re glad he did! Since many of us on the Christmas committee began our careers in a television newsroom, this episode is a no brainer to be included on our list.
Everyone at Agile Video has been there. While others were celebrating the holiday with family and friends, we were with our co-workers in a dingy newsroom writing stories about crime, bad weather, and other depressing events of the day.
That’s exactly what happened to Mary Tyler Moore. She was new to the news game and assumed she’d be allowed to go home for Christmas. But Lou breaks the news to her that she needs to work. To many of us, this episode is basically a documentary. Oh, by the way, it’s pretty funny too. Be sure to check out the season 1 show, “Christmas and the Hard Luck Kid.”
3 - Where’s your tree Herb? - “WKRP in Cincinnati”
We said we hold a special place in our hearts when it comes to newsrooms/tv stations etc. That’s why WKRP makes such a grand appearance on this list. In season two, “Jennifer’s Home for Christmas” had us laughing through the holidays.
The gang is itching to leave work so they can go home and celebrate with their families. But before they all leave, Jennifer hosts a holiday party at the station. The crew is anxious to leave so the party comes to a quick end. This hurts Jennifer’s feelings.
The crew then realizes Jennifer doesn’t have anywhere else to go for Christmas so they do all they can to show her a jolly good time. In the end, everyone individually brings a tree to Jennifer’s apartment and gathers for an impromptu party. That’s when Jennifer reveals she has big plans for Christmas. BIG plans. Trust me, it’s really funny. This description doesn’t do it justice so just watch the show.
2 - An iPod Christmas - “The Office”
The first Christmas episode is what made us all fall in love with The Office. It also introduced us to the YANKEEEEEE SWAP which is now a tradition here at Agile Video.
This is one of the most uncomfortable shows to watch because Michael Scott is in true Michael Scott mode. His infatuation with Ryan the intern makes everyone cringe and Phylis cry. Just writing this part of the blog makes us want to watch the episode again so that’s what we’re going to do.
1 - Festivus for the Rest of Us - “Seinfeld”
Did you know, the season nine Christmas episode wasn’t called “Festivus?” It was actually called “The Strike” because one of the storylines was about Kramer returning to work at H&H Bagels after being on strike for 12 years.
But that’s not all! This show is where George introduces us to the fake charity called The Human Fund. There’s more. Jerry’s girlfriend earns the nickname, Two-face because you never know what she’s going to look like. If that weren’t enough, Elaine gives out a fake phone number and eventually winds up with a couple of nefarious fellas.
Lastly, this episode introduces us to Festivus, the made-up holiday that was the brainchild of Frank Costanza. Festivus features a metal pole instead of a tree. The airing of grievances occurs at dinner. It’s a chance for everyone to announce how they’ve all disappointed each other throughout the year. And finally, Festivus ends with the feats of strength.
If you think your family is nuts, watch this show. You won’t find a more dysfunctional Christmas than “The Strike.”
mERRY CHRISTMAS (HAPPY FESTIVUS) TO YOU!
Thanks for taking the time to read this silly blog. This is a special time of year and we hope this little article brings a smile to your face and a little bit of joy this holiday season. As always, we’d love to hear from you. What did we miss? What did we screw up? That’s it for this year! Merry Christmas!