Beloved Christmas Shows
Television during Christmas time is filled with a wide variety of Christmas shows that range from cartoons to silly comedy skits. Which one is your favorite?
Christmas television shows start to show up on TV the Monday after Thanksgiving in the United States – that would be the first Monday after the last Thursday in November. It is hard not to be biased on what we think are the most beloved Christmas shows on television.
To make things a bit easier, we’ve decided not to include movies and you can argue all you want about how ‘Holiday Inn’ and ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ should be included. They are movies. Here we are going to talk about the television shows that we all watched during our childhood and still watch today with our own little ones.
‘Twas The Night Before Christmas
This cartoon aired in 1978 and focuses on the Christmas poem of the same name. Except in this version, the town that ‘Mother and I’ lived in has to find a way to get back on Santa’s good side after the jolly elf discovers that someone there doesn’t believe in him.
The Little Drummer Boy
Airing in 1968, this story about the Christmas carol’s hero used some of the first 3D graphic work seen on television. The drummer boy and the related characters were small marionette type figures, skillfully mastered and filmed.
Olive The Other Reindeer
One of the newer classics – Olive’s not even 10 years old yet – this cute story chronicles the adventures of Olive the Dog who is convinced by her flea, Fido who happens to be hard of hearing – that she is ‘all of the other reindeer’. Olive believes she needs to get to the North Pole to help out Santa.
Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer
This classic aired in 1944, making it one of the very first Christmas specials ever. It is still a favorite of young and old alike and chronicles Rudolph’s life before he helps guide Santa’s sleigh and shuts his cohorts up about his glowing red nose.
Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town
You have to love Fred Astaire as the voice of the narrator in this 1970 animated marionette version of the classic Christmas song. This show used the same type of animation as ‘The Little Drummer Boy’ and is another perennial favorite everyone loves to watch.
Frosty The Snowman
A year before ‘Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town’, Frosty was released with Jimmy Durante playing narrator. This particular Christmas show spawned a sequel ‘Frosty Returns’ and it is just as popular as the original.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
There is nothing more heart warming that Charlie Brown rescuing the most pathetic looking Christmas tree in the lot and reminding us all what Christmas is supposed to be about year after year. Thank you, Charlie Brown.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Of course, no list is complete without Dr. Seuss’ Grinch. Each year we watch the Grinch steal Whoville’s Christmas. And each year we watch him give it back. It just goes to show you that even the most rotten of us can be loved.
Classic Christmas shows we all love to watch are as varied as the viewers. If we missed your favorite, we apologize.
Hey I saw this really cool video on youtube…”How the Grinch Stole Baltimore”…Check it out….its really funny!!! http://www.youtube.com/visitmybaltimore
November 12th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Here you find some cartoons about christmas. Have fun.
November 14th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
I love the classics like Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman. And the Charlie Brown Christmas is another favorite classic.
November 15th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Ilyse, thanks for sharing those video’s they where really great, I just love Christmas its such a great time of the year. Presents, trees and holidays what more can one ask for
November 17th, 2008 at 5:00 am
Those shows that you have mentioned will always be classics and will always be popular for time to come, I watched that ”How the Grinch Stole Baltimore” was really funny thanks for sharing.
November 24th, 2008 at 3:09 am