Christmas Special: Difference between revisions

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{{trope}}
{{trope}}
{{Page should be category}}
[[File:Punisher.jpg|link=The Punisher|frame|He knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake!]]
[[File:He Man She Ra.jpg|link=He-Man and the Masters of the Universe|frame|Eternia celebrates the birth of Christ [[An Asskicking Christmas|with senseless violence]]!]]


A mostly American subgenre -- special television shows, often one-shots, created with a winter or holiday theme for broadcast during the month of December. Most prominently feature [[Santa Claus]] and his associated mythology, as they try to preserve political correctness. Some try to elucidate us on the [[True Meaning of Christmas]].
A mostly American subgenre—special television shows, often one-shots, created with a winter or holiday theme for broadcast during the month of December. Many prominently feature [[Santa Claus]] and his associated mythology, as they try to preserve political correctness. Some try to elucidate to us on the [[True Meaning of Christmas]]. Most, as pointed out by ''[[Wrong Hands]]'' [https://wronghands1.com/2021/12/03/tv-christmas-movie-essentials/ here], are [[Strictly Formula]].


Perhaps the best-known Christmas Specials are the animated ones (including the stop-motion animations produced primarily by [[Rankin/Bass Productions|Rankin/Bass]]) from the 1960s through the 1970s that rerun annually. Far more numerous, though, are the various celebrity specials, which usually take the form of a low-key holiday-themed [[Variety Show]]. Usually the latter are rather forgettable by virtue of their one-off nature, but sometimes they can generate moments that survive decades. A case in point would be the Bing Crosby-[[David Bowie]] duet of "The Little Drummer Boy", which has taken on a life of its own above and beyond the 1970s-vintage Crosby special from which it sprang.
Perhaps the best-known '''Christmas Specials''' are the animated ones (including the stop-motion animations produced primarily by [[Rankin/Bass Productions|Rankin/Bass]]) from the 1960s through the 1970s that rerun annually. Far more numerous, though, are the various celebrity specials, which usually take the form of a low-key holiday-themed [[Variety Show]]. Usually the latter are rather forgettable by virtue of their one-off nature, but sometimes they can generate moments that survive decades. A case in point would be the [[Bing Crosby]]-[[David Bowie]] duet of "The Little Drummer Boy", which has taken on a life of its own above and beyond the 1977 Crosby special from which it sprang.


Compare [[Christmas Episode]] ([[Separated By a Common Language|generally known as Christmas Specials]] [[A Very British Christmas|in the UK]]) and [[Halloween Special]]. If the holiday celebrated in the special only looks like Christmas but is renamed to match the setting, it's a [[You Mean "Xmas"]].
Compare [[Christmas Episode]] ([[Separated by a Common Language|generally known as Christmas Specials]] [[A Very British Christmas|in the UK]]) and [[Halloween Special]]. If the holiday celebrated in the special only looks like Christmas but is renamed to match the setting, it's a [[You Mean "Xmas"]].


[[The Wiki Rule]] applies to Christmas specials; see [http://christmas-specials.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page here].
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{{examples}}


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{{examples}}
* Disney put out ''From All of Us to All of You'' on its weekly show in 1958 - some new cartoon footage linking excerpts from their classic animated films and old shorts, and preview clips from their new features. After a few decades it faded away from American tv, but continues to be a very big draw in the UK and Scandinavia.
* Disney put out ''From All of Us to All of You'' on its weekly show in 1958 - [[Clip Show|some new cartoon footage linking excerpts from their classic animated films and old shorts]], and preview clips from their new features. After a few decades it faded away from American tv, but continues to be a very big draw in the UK and Scandinavia.
* ''[[Mr. Magoo]]'s [[Yet Another Christmas Carol|Christmas Carol]]'' (1962) was the [[Ur Example|first animated one of these]] to be produced expressly for television.
* ''[[Mr. Magoo]]'s [[Yet Another Christmas Carol|Christmas Carol]]'' (1962) was the [[Ur Example|first animated one of these]] to be produced expressly for television.
* ''[[Dinner for One (Theatre)|Dinner for One]]'' (1963, usually associated with New Year's Eve)
* ''[[Dinner for One]]'' (1963, usually associated with New Year's Eve)
* ''[[Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Animation)|Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer]]'' (1964)
* ''[[Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer]]'' (1964)
** ''[[Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Animation)|Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer]]: [[The Movie]]'' (1998). It's mostly unrelated though.
** ''[[Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer]]: [[The Movie]]'' (1998). It's mostly unrelated though.
* ''[[A Charlie Brown Christmas (Animation)|A Charlie Brown Christmas]]'' (1965; directly references the religious basis of Christmas when Linus, in a spotlight no less, quotes the Christmas story from one of the gospels)
* ''[[A Charlie Brown Christmas]]'' (1965; directly references the religious basis of Christmas when Linus, in a spotlight no less, quotes the Christmas story from one of the gospels)
** There are actually four ''[[Peanuts]]'' Christmas specials. Obviously, ''A Charlie Brown Christmas'' easily overshadows the other three, which consist of ''It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown'' (1992), ''Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales'' (2002), and ''I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown'' (2003). ''Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales'' was created specifically to pad out an hour timeslot for ''A Charlie Brown Christmas'' so that it wouldn't have to be [[Edited for Syndication]].
** There are actually four ''[[Peanuts]]'' Christmas specials. Obviously, ''A Charlie Brown Christmas'' easily overshadows the other three, which consist of ''It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown'' (1992), ''Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales'' (2002), and ''I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown'' (2003). ''Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales'' was created specifically to pad out an hour timeslot for ''A Charlie Brown Christmas'' so that it wouldn't have to be [[Edited for Syndication]].
* ''[[How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Animation)|How the Grinch Stole Christmas]]'' (1966)
* ''[[How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (animation)|How the Grinch Stole Christmas]]'' (1966)
* ''[[The Little Drummer Boy (Animation)|The Little Drummer Boy]]'' (1968; one of the rare specials which focused on the Nativity)
* ''[[The Little Drummer Boy]]'' (1968; one of the rare specials which focused on the Nativity)
* ''[[Frosty the Snowman (Animation)|Frosty the Snowman]]'' (1969)
* ''[[Frosty the Snowman]]'' (1969)
* ''[[The Night the Animals Talked (Animation)|The Night the Animals Talked]]'' (1970; another rare Nativity-themed show)
* ''[[The Night the Animals Talked]]'' (1970; another rare Nativity-themed show)
* ''[[Santa Claus is Comin' to Town (Animation)|Santa Claus Is Comin to Town]]'' (1970)
* ''[[Santa Claus is Comin' to Town]]'' (1970)
* ''[[The Year Without a Santa Claus (Animation)|The Year Without a Santa Claus]]'' (1974, animated; 2006, live action)
* ''[[The Year Without a Santa Claus]]'' (1974, animated; 2006, live action)
* ''[['Twas the Night Before Christmas (Animation)|Twas the Night Before Christmas]]'' (1974)
* ''[['Twas the Night Before Christmas]]'' (1974)
* ''[[A Cosmic Christmas]]'' (1977) (Canadian-produced and featuring aliens searching for the meaning of Christmas)
* ''[[A Cosmic Christmas]]'' (1977) (Canadian-produced and featuring aliens searching for the meaning of Christmas)
* ''[[Nestor the Long Eared Christmas Donkey (Animation)|Nestor the Long Eared Christmas Donkey]]'' (1977)
* ''[[Nestor the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey|Nestor the Long Eared Christmas Donkey]]'' (1977)
* ''[[Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas (Literature)|Emmet Otters Jug Band Christmas]]'' (1977)
* ''[[Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas]]'' (1977)
* The oh so infamous ''[[The Star Wars Holiday Special (Film)|The Star Wars Holiday Special]]'' (1978)
* The oh so infamous ''[[The Star Wars Holiday Special]]'' (1978)
* ''John Denver And The Muppets: A Christmas Together'' (1979)<ref>Probably better known for the album than the special but still ...</ref>
* ''John Denver And The Muppets: A Christmas Together'' (1979)<ref>Probably better known for the album than the special but still ...</ref>
* ''[[The Snowman (Comic Book)|The Snowman]]'' (1982) (notable as one of the first British examples)
* ''[[The Snowman]]'' (1982) (notable as one of the first British examples)
* In France, ''Le Père Noël est une ordure'' (1982) is broadcast virtually every single year on one of the six main channels around Christmas. It's actually a very dark comedy one of whose characters works as a [[Mall Santa]].
* In France, ''Le Père Noël est une ordure'' (1982) is broadcast virtually every single year on one of the six main channels around Christmas. It's actually a very dark comedy one of whose characters works as a [[Mall Santa]].
* ''[[He Man and The Masters of The Universe (Animation)|He-Man]] and [[She-Ra]]: A Christmas Special''. Features some hilarious scenes in which Skeletor becomes infused with the Christmas spirit, much to his befuddlement. (1985)
* ''[[He-Man and the Masters of the Universe|He-Man]] and [[She-Ra]]: A Christmas Special''. Features some hilarious scenes in which Skeletor becomes infused with the Christmas spirit, much to his befuddlement. (1985)
* ''[[The Christmas Toy]]'' (Jim Henson) (1986)
* ''[[The Christmas Toy]]'' (Jim Henson) (1986)
* ''[[A Muppet Family Christmas]]'' (1987)
* ''[[A Muppet Family Christmas]]'' (1987)
* ''[[Blackadder (TV)|Blackadder]]'s Christmas Carol'' (1988)
* ''[[Blackadder]]'s Christmas Carol'' (1988)
* The ''[[Barney and Friends (TV)|Barney]]'' franchise has four Christmas specials: ''Waiting for Santa'' (1990), ''Barney's Night Before Christmas'' (1999), ''Barney's Christmas Star'' (2002), and ''[[Clip Show|A Very Merry Christmas]]'' (2011).
* The ''[[Barney and Friends|Barney]]'' franchise has four Christmas specials: ''Waiting for Santa'' (1990), ''Barney's Night Before Christmas'' (1999), ''Barney's Christmas Star'' (2002), and ''[[Clip Show|A Very Merry Christmas]]'' (2011).
* ''[[Inspector Gadget (Animation)|Inspector Gadget]] [[Saving Christmas|Saves Christmas]]'' (1991)
* ''[[Inspector Gadget]] [[Saving Christmas|Saves Christmas]]'' (1991)
* ''Father Christmas'' (1991)
* ''Father Christmas'' (1991)
* ''[[A Wish for Wings That Work (Literature)|A Wish for Wings That Work]]'' (1991)
* ''[[A Wish for Wings That Work]]'' (1991) -- The only animated ''[[Bloom County]]'' production, to boot.
* ''[[Nick and Noel]]'' (1993)
* ''[[Nick & Noel]]'' (1993)
* ''[[The Town Santa Forgot (Animation)|The Town Santa Forgot]]'' (1993)
* ''[[The Town Santa Forgot]]'' (1993)
* ''The [[Reduced Shakespeare Company]] Christmas'' (radio, 1995)
* ''The [[Reduced Shakespeare Company]] Christmas'' (radio, 1995)
* ''[[Spot the Dog (Animation)|Spot's Magical Christmas]]'' (1995)
* ''[[Spot the Dog|Spot's Magical Christmas]]'' (1995)
* ''[[Bear in The Big Blue House]]'': ''A Berry Bear Christmas'' (1999)
* ''[[Bear in the Big Blue House]]'': ''A Berry Bear Christmas'' (1999)
* ''[[Olive the Other Reindeer (Animation)|Olive the Other Reindeer]]'' (1999)
* ''[[Olive the Other Reindeer]]'' (1999)
* ''[[Robbie the Reindeer (Animation)|Robbie the Reindeer]] in Hooves of Fire'' (1999)
* ''[[Robbie the Reindeer]] in Hooves of Fire'' (1999)
* ''[[Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer (Animation)|Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer]]'' (2000)
* ''[[Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer]]'' (2000)
* ''[[South Park (Animation)|South Park]]'' started out as one of those, ''Christmas In South Park''. (2000)
* ''[[South Park]]'' started out as one of those, ''Christmas In South Park''. (2000)
* ''[[Arthur (Animation)|Arthur]]'s Perfect Christmas'' (2000)
* ''[[Arthur (animation)|Arthur]]'s Perfect Christmas'' (2000)
* [[Franklin (Literature)|Franklin]]: ''Franklin's Magic Christmas'' (2001).
* [[Franklin]]: ''Franklin's Magic Christmas'' (2001).
* ''The True Meaning of Christmas Specials'' (2002) with David Foley of [[Kids in The Hall]] (and [[News Radio]]) fame.
* ''The True Meaning of Christmas Specials'' (2002) with David Foley of [[Kids in The Hall]] (and [[News Radio]]) fame.
* ''[[It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie]]'' (2002)
* ''[[It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Caillou (Animation)|Cailou's]] Holiday Movie'' (2003)
* ''[[Caillou]]'s Holiday Movie'' (2003)
* The TV adaptation of [[Terry Pratchett (Creator)|Terry Pratchett's]] ''[[Discworld (Literature)/Hogfather|Hogfather]]'' (2006)
* The TV adaptation of [[Terry Pratchett]]'s ''[[Hogfather]]'' (2006)
* [[Doctor Steel|Doctor Steel's]] ''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVfSJPKA0VM Dr. Steel Christmas Special]'' (2007) and ''[http://www.toysoldiersunite.com/media/mp3/adrsteelchristmasmp3.mp3 A Dr. Steel Christmas]'' (2009).
* [[Doctor Steel]]'s ''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVfSJPKA0VM Dr. Steel Christmas Special]'' (2007) and ''[http://www.toysoldiersunite.com/media/mp3/adrsteelchristmasmp3.mp3 A Dr. Steel Christmas]'' (2009).
* [[Leap Frog (Animation)|Leap Frog]]'s ''A Tad Of Christmas Cheer'' (2007)
* [[LeapFrog (animation)|LeapFrog]]'s ''A Tad Of Christmas Cheer'' (2007)
* ''[[Christmas Is Here Again (Animation)|Christmas Is Here Again]]'' (2007)
* ''[[Christmas Is Here Again]]'' (2007)
* ''[[The Colbert Report (TV)|A Colbert Christmas]]: The Greatest Gift Of All''. Contains both [[As the Good Book Says...|actual religious issues]], and [[Everything's Worse With Bears|killer bears]]. (2008)
* ''[[The Colbert Report|A Colbert Christmas]]: The Greatest Gift Of All''. Contains both [[As the Good Book Says...|actual religious issues]], and [[Everything's Worse with Bears|killer bears]]. (2008)
* ''[[A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa]]'' (2008)
* ''[[A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation (Animation)|Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation]]!'' (2009)
* ''[[Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation]]!'' (2009)
* ''[[Prep and Landing (Animation)|Prep and Landing]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Prep and Landing]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Red vs. Blue (Machinima)|Red vs. Blue]]'' often does holiday specials; in 2009, they made a 3-part special for Christmas.
* ''[[Red vs. Blue]]'' often does holiday specials; in 2009, they made a 3-part special for Christmas.
* [[Strawberry Shortcake]] has two: ''Berry Merry Christmas'' (2003 continuity) and ''The Glimmerberry Ball Movie'' (2009 continuity).
* [[Strawberry Shortcake]] has two: ''Berry Merry Christmas'' (2003 continuity) and ''The Glimmerberry Ball Movie'' (2009 continuity).
* ''[[Kung Fu Panda (Animation)|Kung Fu Panda]] Holiday Special'' (2010). Given the setting is ancient China, the producers use the Winter Festival instead for the occasion, which also makes the special applicable from American Thanksgiving to New Years in the future.
* ''[[Kung Fu Panda]] Holiday Special'' (2010). Given the setting is ancient China, the producers use the Winter Festival instead for the occasion, which also makes the special applicable from American Thanksgiving to New Years in the future.
* ''Hoops & Yoyo Ruin Christmas'' (2011)
* ''Hoops & Yoyo Ruin Christmas'' (2011)
* "'Elf on the Shelf'' (2011)
* "'Elf on the Shelf'' (2011)
* ''[[Bitchin' Kitchen (TV)|Bitchin Kitchen]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Bitchin' Kitchen]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Charlie and Lola (Literature)|Charlie and Lola]]'' had an episode with the siblings visiting the elves and saving Christmas.
* ''[[Charlie and Lola]]'' had an episode with the siblings visiting the elves and saving Christmas.
* ''[[The Venture Brothers]]'' "A Very Venture Christmas" - introduced the Krampus to much of America.
* ''[[The Venture Brothers]]'' "A Very Venture Christmas" - introduced the Krampus to much of America.
* ''The Adventures Of [[The League of STEAM]]'' episode, "The Fright Before Christmas".
* ''The Adventures Of [[The League of STEAM]]'' [[Christmas Episode|episode]], "The Fright Before Christmas".


{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Fiction]]
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
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[[Category:Christmas Tropes]]
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[[Category:Index]]
[[Category:Show Genres]]
[[Category:Show Genres]]
[[Category:Stock Aesops]]
[[Category:Stock Aesops]]
[[Category:Air Buddies]]
[[Category:Holiday Special]]
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[[Category:Christmas Tropes]]
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[[Category:index]]
[[Category:Christmas Special]]

Latest revision as of 17:26, 11 April 2024

Eternia celebrates the birth of Christ with senseless violence!

A mostly American subgenre—special television shows, often one-shots, created with a winter or holiday theme for broadcast during the month of December. Many prominently feature Santa Claus and his associated mythology, as they try to preserve political correctness. Some try to elucidate to us on the True Meaning of Christmas. Most, as pointed out by Wrong Hands here, are Strictly Formula.

Perhaps the best-known Christmas Specials are the animated ones (including the stop-motion animations produced primarily by Rankin/Bass) from the 1960s through the 1970s that rerun annually. Far more numerous, though, are the various celebrity specials, which usually take the form of a low-key holiday-themed Variety Show. Usually the latter are rather forgettable by virtue of their one-off nature, but sometimes they can generate moments that survive decades. A case in point would be the Bing Crosby-David Bowie duet of "The Little Drummer Boy", which has taken on a life of its own above and beyond the 1977 Crosby special from which it sprang.

Compare Christmas Episode (generally known as Christmas Specials in the UK) and Halloween Special. If the holiday celebrated in the special only looks like Christmas but is renamed to match the setting, it's a You Mean "Xmas".

The Wiki Rule applies to Christmas specials; see here.

Examples of Christmas Special include:
  1. ↑ Probably better known for the album than the special but still ...
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