Christmas: For Better or For Worse: The Bestest Present

Christmas 

                  I have done three "For Better or For Worse" specials. They are based of the comic strip by the same name.  Those specials are part of six that ran the 1990's they even a Christmas special I've written about. But there is another, we are going to be looking at a special from 1985  called "For Better or For Worse: The Bestest Present" another Christmas themed special, this would be the first and the first animated appearance of the comic strip characters.   The special ran on CTV in Canada and on HBO/ Disney Channel in the parts of the US that didn't get Canadian  TV. 

 

         The thing about this comic strip was that it followed time in more real time meaning the characters would age, compared to other strips where characters stay static in time and age. So this special being from the 80's would be different from the special from the 90's . This also means April wasn't born yet, so the only kids in the Patterson Family were Michael and Elizabeth.  They would also be slightly younger than the 90's specials, fitting with the age and looks during the 80's comic strips. 

            Michael comes home from school, it's raining, anyway the family minus Dad are going out to eat.  Because For Better or for Worse plays things in a more realistic way  this special follows some more realistic things. It does have some comedic moments.   

Don't fight for the front seat around me

          Michael and Elizabeth look at the toy department of the store . I like how it simple it is depicting Christmas at a department store, there's  a little touch you really can't see anymore due to this modern age. Also Elizabeth's bunny is missing, we saw it fall on the floor at the store. Her father actually dedicates his time to go back to the store to find the bunny.  (That's dedication and love) He misses the bunny by walking right past it because a security guard frowned at him. 

    

It' Right there look down! Look down! Please look down! 

         It was a special bunny because it was made by her grandmother.  John, the father, tells his daughter the sad news about the bunny. (With a song!)   There's a janitor at the store who seems annoyed about the aspects of the commercialism of Christmas. He's found the bunny, and somehow figures out it was made by a grandma.(I didn't know that was a thing to tell) He talks to the rabbit and knows that someone misses it. 

           

           Michael suggests they put an ad in the newspaper for the bunny, his mother doesn't think it will work, but she'll do it anyway. It's sweet to see him care for his little sister that way, this special is being too sweet.  Anyway , another song because it snowed !   Janitor guy sees the ad in the newspaper, and thinks the kids who put the ad are spoiled because reasons. 

  

Abandoning  a bunny is crime here in Canada 

         It's Christmas Day, I think the dog may have given away a hint before. The brown paper package in mail the day before that came, had the bunny inside. Liz is happy.  With some phone calls they figure out it was the grumpy janitor named Walter.  We see that Walter is alone on Christmas day when John calls him to thank him.  The family decides to invite him over for Christmas dinner, it such a sweet ending.  Walter decides against the big reward, he's happy enough to be invited. 

She got her bunny back! 

              The big thing I really like from "For Better or For Worse" specials is the atmosphere. It's not over the top, it's understated but feels nice. The Christmas at the store felt like Christmas at a store, at least a more classic style department store, it's nostalgic in a way , but that's because this special came out years and years ago.  The pacing is slow but it's not overly boring slow, it's fitting a natural pace of time and makes this special comfy.  The plot was simple but I like it, and it ends well. 

Happy ending for all 

     It's a nice alternative to louder Christmas specials and it's really something enjoyable.  

 That' s it for now tune in next time as we look down better. 

Christmas: A (Ocean Spray) Cranberry Christmas

Christmas 

     I was shifting through my DVD-R's and found one that was filled with recordings from November to December 2008. It had random stuff filling it's six hours, but one thing that popped out to me was a recording from ABC Family in December a special called "A Cranberry Christmas" .  This special I vaguely remember it's like a special that exists then disappears so it's forgotten.

    The special is based off a 1976 book of the same time. This special is more than though. You see, Ocean Spray, the company known for cranberries decided to make this into a special. For some reason. Like, they never  made one before or since. They even roped in getting Barry Manilow because Barry Manilow. I wonder how that meeting went. It was presented by Ocean Spray on ABC Family meaning everyone else some how passed up this glorious special and they went to basic cable instead. It was commercial free because Ocean Spray. 

            Even the recording has an introduction by the then Ocean Spray ad campaign of two guys. They tried to make it look like a picture book but Ocean Spray didn't splash out their cash.  They have a narrator who is also Barry Manilow. (Hey Barry, while you are here doing the songs, could you also narrate, k thanks)  The animation isn't something to write about, 1960's Hanna and Barbera would think it's too stiff.  

  

         The first song is Barry Manilow signing that Christmas is just around the corner. (It's waiting around for you to come by and take your cash)   We meet the two main characters named Maggie, a little girl, I think and her Grandma named Grandma.   There's an old man named Mr. Grape who says he owns a pond.  Then another guy, with a beard, named Mr. Whiskers. (Really!) says no that' s his bog not a pond. I hope you like them going back and forth between saying cranberry pond and cranberry bog.   Maybe they could  pop open  a bottle of Ocean Spray 100% Cranberry Mango juice and talk it over. 

I'm a Jets fan you idiot, the Patriots suck!/ Copyright Ocean Spray (I think)

            Whiskers says that his father grew cranberries there and so did his grandfather and people before him. How else you do you think we get delicious Ocean Spray 100% cranberry pomegranate juice?  (yes)  Grandma goes out stops the men from fighting, and they apparently, are scared of her power.

I said dance/ Copyright Ocean Spray 

          She offers them cranberry cookies. (Made with real Ocean Spray  Crasins(R) )  Grape hates cookies. Grandma tells the two men to search for the deed to prove it's their property.  Could have thought of that earlier, but they might be idiots.  (Just like you would be if you don't buy Ocean Spray's fresh black berries that's right they sale other fruits!)  Whiskers' house is a mess and Mr. Grape figures out he might not have rights to the pond. (bog) He just wants peace in winter, but children like to skate on the bog (pond) and annoy him.  He could just move but alright. (He should really try Ocean Spray Cranberry sauce, it's good for any occasion and calms you down with it's soothing jiggle) 

Santa doesn't look so good/ Copyright Ocean Spray

            Cyrus Grape gets the smart idea , by smart I mean stupid,  to make sure that Whiskers doesn't find the deed. Whiskers is already having a hard time himself because his house is a mess anyway. (He really should take an Ocean Spray Cranberry + Health supplement to clear his mind and clean up)  Magge comes over to Mr. Whiskers' house to check on him. (He might have died from not drinking Ocean Spray 100% Grapefruit juice)  Maggie an envelope from Mr.Whiskers' sister who lives in the city, she is coming over on Christmas Eve (she has no concern over her brother might be busy or something, and eating his Ocean Spray Crasins (R) with Blue Berries)  

       He also needs to check his mail more anyway his sister says she will somehow make him live with her in the City. (what?)  No sure how she can do that, they are both adults, he could say no, kick her off his property and have her arrested if she doesn't leave. (Then drink a fresh glass of Ocean Spray Cran-Engregy drink) Thanks to Grape being creepy, he can over hear everything and try to mess up things. (Arrest him too and take away his Ocean Spray sparkling Cran-Raspberry juice)  

      Grandma thinks it makes sense that an adult woman can take an adult man and force him to the city.(she's not been the same since that reindeer ran her over)  Now Cyrus Grape does more creepy things by standing outside Maggie and Grandma's house. He also breaks an entry and messes up Whiskers' house. They also have Barry Manilow sing a knock off "You're a Mean one, Mr. Grinch". Really though, do arrest this man. (and make sure he can never have Cranberry spicy enchiladas  again ) 

Dear Brother, I have no name so I don't remember yours so /Copyright Ocean Spray

       more after the jump

Christmas: Big City Greens: Green Christmas

Christmas Disney 

        We haven't done a "Big City Greens" post since the first episode  , and the show has since been on for two seasons and a well-rated Disney Channel animated series. We are looking at a season 2 episode because the Christmas episode "Green Christmas" is a season 2 episode. This episode aired in 2019. 

       

        The special starts with Cricket, the Green family male child, being happy that Christmas is coming.   I like how they do this musical style but characters noticing the singing. (Also that one Peanuts homage everyone does)  The first song leads to the title of the series intro, that was impressive. Nancy, the kid's mother, being confused what was going on, was nice touch. 

      

       Cricket finds out that he might be on the naughty list, showing clips from the show's  past episodes,  Tilly says if he tries to enough good deeds then it might work out.  Bill loves Christmas, especially spending time with his family, which one of his character traits, and says he got Alice, his mother, and Nancy, his ex-wife, Christmas gifts; they weren't expecting that and realize that they got Bill nothing. 

We should have gotten him a tie/ Copyright Disney 

         Cricket goes out an does "good deeds" in song to try and get on Santa's good list.  There's also this Big City (creative name for a city) Christmas tree that has a star, this is important to the plot. (It is?) Cricket decides instead to hurry the process and just convince a mall Santa for gifts.  This goes as good as cat in a crystal glass shop.  The mall Santa tells him he's definitely on the naughty list. 

I'm important to the plot, how about you?/ Copyright Disney

More after the jump 

Christmas: Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire

Christmas The Simpsons 

           The first episode of the Simpsons produced was  the last aired episode of what became the show's first season, the first aired episode happened to be the Christmas episode. It aried on December 17, 1989.  

  "The Simpsons" was created to go against the grain of what other shows with families were doing at the time period , also a good pairing for Fox's other series "Married with Children"  

       The Christmas special also presents itself something different than standard Christmas television fare, especially at the time.  With this being the first introduced episode this is an introduction to the Simpson family and characters incase you didn't see their shorts on the "Tracey Ullman Show" 

          It starts with a Christmas presentation at the school with kids presenting a pageant. Lisa Simpson does a Christmas dance and Bart gets in trouble for singing different lyrics to "Jingle Bells"  (The Batman Smells version)  Already showing a glimpse of their characters' personalities.   Marge writing a letter gives the viewers more information. 

        

           The main core of the special is to show the Simpsons as a not completely well to do family, the family having Christmas money  saved in a jar and hoping Homer gets his Christmas bonus to provide a nice Christmas.  Bart wants a Tattoo, and using Homer's line of  get one if you use your own money you can get one, he decides to get one.  

     

             These parts intersect when  the president of the company, Mr. Burns, announces their will be no Christmas bonuses; at least there's the jar, but Marge finds out that Bart got the tattoo and she has to use the jar of money to get the tattoo removed.  She's glad for Homer's bonus. It sets a great conflict for the story. Homer is put into a position of  worry.  

      

         He doesn't want to disappoint his family on Christmas and doesn't tell them that he didn't get his bonus. One of the quiet shots I like is when Homer walks out of his house and stands in front of it, the shot of the neighbor's house having the fancy decorations contrasting the Simpson house with the shoddy lights. It says so much without words giving a great impact to the special and shows what will drive Homer for the plot. 

           He doesn't want to tell  Marge about the bonus so tells her he wants to to do the Christmas shopping that year. He goes to a discount store and buys some very low cost gifts.  He bumps into Flanders again, showing the contrast once again. Homer  goes to the the bar to drink his troubles and hears about an idea of  being a Santa Claus and decides to do that for some extra cash.

       He doesn't tell his family about this either. Patty and Selma, Marge's sisters, are also very characterized in this special  where you can really tell that they don't like Homer at all.  Bart goes to the  mall with his friends and notices the Santa Claus (Homer) and his friends challenge him to pull the beard off this is when Bart finds out the truth.     

    

           Homer finds out he only gets $13.00, until he gets an idea from Barney to gamble on a dog track to makes more money.  Bart even mentions that other Christmas specials and stories as a way of hope.  I also like how Lisa corrects her Aunts on their opinions and it's well done where you learn about Lisa's intellect and that she was defending her father from being attacked. 

         Homer decides to gamble on a dog named Santa's Little Helper.  Because Santa, Christmas luck, duh.  The Simpsons decides to be subversive and not let this be a Christmas miracle and they lose money.  Bart even mentions that TV failed him.  The owner of the dog who lost tells his dog to go away and ends up with Homer and Bart. 

        

         The ending is great as Bart shows everyone the dog; the family is happy to see their new pet. It's  a great special and a great start to the Simpsons.  It's a Christmas special with it's own heart and a realism that Early Simpsons really went with well. By itself even, it's a wonderful special.  It has the roughness that Early Simpsons had but yet like "A Charlie Brown Christmas "it helps its charm.  A wonderfully well done Christmas story, yet going for the idea of  not an instant miracle but working out in a way where like Marge says the dog was  great gift because it's a way to share their love.  Homer does what he does in the episode in the drive to hope that his family has just as good of a Christmas has the neighbors ( I can't believe I didn't say Flanders at all)  the charm and heart is there 

        That's it for now tune in next time, when we work as Santa to find a racing dog. 

Christmas: Santa Claus is Comin' to Town

Christmas  The Flashback 

                                                        

             Rankin Bass trying to create a special based off a song is kind of par of the course, they already did that with Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snoweman and if you want to be pedantic, "Winter Wonderland " but with Frosty.   This year if you are reading this in 2020 (congrats you made it!) it's the 50th anniversary of this special, "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town"  which first aired on ABC on December 14th 1970.

       The title is based off the popular Christmas song of the same name.  The song has a sad history behind it, which I wrote about here.  The special does something else, it gives us an origin story to Santa Claus because we all need origin stories.  There are so many origin stories of Santa Claus, and  you can just make your own up because he's  a character you can just use and not get sued....yet.  (Santa grabbed Geraldine passionately, what oh yeah...)  Rankin Bass set out to make an origin story.


        I personally think this is Rankin Bass' master piece Christmas special, their best special, and best work. Yes, even better than 1964's Rudolph. (good now, that some have left this post in anger, the rest of us can go along with the fun) 
   
          The special starts with a mail man named Special delivery Kluger, or S.D (Scooby Doo?) for short.  He's the narrator, because Rankin Bass Christmas specials need narrators. He is voiced by the legendary  Fred Astaire. Astaire brings a great voice to this character and since he can sing, that works too!   Kluger decides to commit felonies (unless North Pole is different) and open the mail that was meant of Santa.  Many children have questions about old Claus and apparently, Kluger knows all about him. (Because he's a stalker , help!)

I know where you live/ Copyright Rankin Bass

             So he tells the kids (off screen kids) the story of the origins of Santa. (Santa was walking down the street with his parents who were then ....oh wait that's  Abe Lincoln)  It starts in a town called Sombertown. (If you named a town that you'd be somber too) It's run by man named Burgermeister Meisterburger and he's our villain. (I'd be mad too, if that was my name) One of the burgermeister's minions, comes in with a baby. (Where do Babies come from, Rankin Bass won't tell you the truth!)  B M M B doesn't like babies and orders that it gets sent the orphan asylum.

                  

Baby? I don't order that , send it back! / Copyright Rankin-Bass

          Yeah, Santa's an orphan, because parents would just get in the way. (What?)  The only clue to the baby's name is a tag (the run away parents had time to make tag?)  with the name Claus on it. See, he's Claus.  The minion loses the baby because  of course he does. A wind blew the baby and the sled the baby was on through the forest. (Oooh alright) There's a second looming villain in this special called the Winter Warlock.  The animals keep Claus safe and they put his sled in front of a house. A group of elves live there and they are called Kringles. See, origin special, why is he called Kris Kringle. (With a k?)   The Kringles also were these Santa suits because you can put 2 and 2 together. (That's right, they are hippies)

We drink Pespi, so this is strange/Copyright Rankin Bass 

          Cut... It is fun to see in this special how a majority of it you won't be seeing classic Santa. I mean with the big white beard, fat, old, stuff. It's a nice thing to see something a little different for Santa Claus. 

            The Kringles are happy to have the baby live with them and since baby Santa isn't very interesting, they grow him up to competent child Santa. The Kringles taught him how to read, write, count stars on a crystal night, and make toys. (As yes, the 2 rs , a c and a m)  This special has some good memorable songs like "Toymakes to the King" about the Kringles being big Royal toy makers. I do get confused, because where's the king now? Were they exiled, was this a France situation, the burgermeister was called the mayor earlier, none of this is explained. (odd for a special trying to explain things)


             This special liked this song they used it twice, and swapped the lyrics, more on that later.  Anyway, Kris also learned from the animals, because the animals.  The Seals though him to go ho ho ho because they had to find a strange way to explain that. Kris is man now. (He has manly needs!)
                        

I'm  giant! Help me/ Copyright  Rankin Bass 

                Kris is going to Sombertown to deliver toys. He also gets a real Kringle suit  because we already know why. Now Santa Kris is going to Sombertown.  He runs into a penguin that go so lost somehow.  He names the penguin Topper.  Yeah that second villain shows up and warns Kris to go back , which is kind of nice of him.  Kris runs to Sombertown.  (yay!)  In Sombertown, B M M B trips over a toy and broke a bone and thus he decides to ban toys. (logical)  The special uses the same song from before but swaps the lyrics for the Burgermeiser.

                             

Penguin/ Copyright Rankin Bass 

             Cut.. Also Mickey Rooney plays Kris/ Santa in this special and his voice is really good for Santa, and R and B used him later for another Santa role. It's a very earnest sounding Santa, but still has an authority to his voice.  Paul Frees, a Rankin Bass frequently used actor, is here to be the Burger Meister, the minion named Grimsley, Topper the Penguin, and pretty much anybody else they need.

  

             Anyway, the toys are rounded up and nobody stops the man. (He has a broken leg, they could have just said no and killed him) I like the Sombertown look of it being mostly gray and dark colors.  The people also wearing gray and dark colors works too.  It  makes  Kris' colorful outfit and red hair pop out as he's bringing color to their dark lives. (Symbolism!) Kris is trying to say hello and everyone is grumpy at him. My favorite is the guy that says "Don't Hi me!" .  He mentions toys and the everyone runs away like he was offending their mothers.   The kids are washing stockings, ( this is foreshadowing) and he tells the kids don't be glum.
          

You'd  be sad too in this town/ Copyright Rankin Bass 

     

               He says the line from the song and gives them toys. Toys are illegal though.  There's a school teacher named Jessica, she also has red hair. Hmmm. yes...  She tells Kris, not to give kids toys because they are immoral and illegal.  He gives her a China doll and she melts like butter.  The moral is give people toys and they won't be mad anymore. (World peace) 

 

            

I'm no longer mad/Copyright Rankin Bass 

            Now it's time for Kris to sing a song about sitting on his lap or something. Yeah, they are referencing why you sit on his lap at the mall. (Profit!) Rooney's a good singer too. (What's a mall?) The Burgermeister sees children playing with their toys and is going to arrest them. (He's tough on crime, but murder is way down)  Kris tries his give a toy thing again, but Grimsley tells him he's breaking his own law. (Couldn't he just undo his own law?)  

more after the jump

Christmas: Hey Arnold's Christmas

Christmas Nickelodeon

              Christmas specials have different forms, and can bring in different types of stories. Many attain to what is Christmas about, while  not going with the religious context of the holiday. Christmas is about family, friends, it's not about presents, it's not about fancy stuff, it's about love and caring; that's the messages many specials try to give.  

               The "Hey Arnold" Christmas episode/ special is a very special, special, though I'm not here to over sell it, and  it has been seen by a lot of people already it came in the mid 90's.  It does have something in common with the Peanuts Christmas special in the sense of it's atmosphere. The atmosphere of the special  has a very more sedate dower experience. It's not brightly lit, doesn't have a bunch of songs,  and it's focus isn't on Santa and stuff like that. In terms Nickelodeon specials it's different from most of the others just because how it looks and feels.  

  

                The special starts differently than most "Hey Arnold" episodes, it doesn't have the theme song, it just has the title with Christmas music and showing scenes around the city the show takes place. It has snow because, of course, but it's  quiet mostly with the Christmas music playing and the sounds of the kids doing winter things.  That's only for the intro, the special itself looks like the snow is mostly gone and just hints  of it around. 

  

            Helga has a plot in this special and she is actually the first character, with Phoebe we see, even before Arnold, and he has the main plot ,not her, but she's important to the plot as well.  It sets up what Helga's ambition for Christmas. she loves the presents, especially, she really wants Nancy Spumoni   (funny their Dean Martin  expry has a daughter or something famous like Frank Sentra?).  The song is kind of catchy.  It sets up that Helga really wants that one gift, it's also the hottest gift of the season, every girl and their mother wants those boots.  Even Rhonda the rich girl has had a hard time getting them.  

Everybody Loves Boots/ Copyright ViacomCBS 

           We finally see Arnold with Gerald. (Gerald likes to get everyone ties)  Arnold gives one of the  main ideas for the special, "if you give someone a present it should be unique"  that will drive what he does in the special as much as anything.  It inspires Gerald to change some gifts around.  Arnold crosses Helga's path,  a good way to show their paths will insect later on, and for Helga to do her classic lusting over Arnold monologue. (I think we used the wrong verb)   She wants to find the perfect gift for Arnold. That's another plot for this special, that drives Helga, and they will connect all this perfectly.

Computer time? What do they sell there? Hammers? / Copyright ViacomCBS 

       In speaking of plots, the main main plot is about a secret Santa at the boarding house. The boarders pick a name for a gift to give someone else, Arnold gets Mr. Hyunh for his gift selection process. (we made that sound clinical)  Arnold doesn't know what to get man; Gerald offers a great idea.(Mr. Hyunh owns a few sweaters)   Because this is a special from the 1990's and I mean that because of the time period, not as knock, there is something of importance to that time frame.  Mr. Hyunh talks about an event with Arnold that happened years before.  Back in his home country, he had a daughter named Mai.  There was a war in the country and it was getting closer and closer to where he lived every day.  He made a decision to leave with his daughter, and he goes to an American embassy to get them out, they only had room for one of them,  Mr. Hyunh made the decision to get his daughter out of there, to help her get away from the situation, and  he'd go to find her.   20 years later, he's able to leave and goes to find her, that's why he's living here.  It's an emotional scene, that really does bring tears.   

   

          Even though it is kept abstract, the special is mentioning the Vietnam War, the time framing fits it well.  The idea to keep it abstract works too, it makes the show timeless a little more. (Even though, maybe some modern tech would change how it works, but still) It's not really about the war as much as it as about a father who had to make a tough decision to make sure his daughter was safe.  I will say it's  mature for a children's program, but that's not exactly the correct thing to say. I mean  that it respects it's audience, it knows the Nickelodeon target audience are children, but it respects that to understand they want deep stories with some emotional weight and isn't afraid to do show them that.  The older people watching, especially then, would get it even more deeper.   It's doing something that makes it memorable long long after it first aired.  Not all TV episodes and Christmas specials have to be deep and have a story in them like this, that would make it boring, and we need a nice mixture of stories for Christmas and in general.  I'm glad someone decided to make a story like this to be part of our Christmas specials canon.

                                  

     

         Arnold gets an idea, he wants to help find Mr. Hyunh's daughter, and there's tension because it's the day before Christmas.  That's right, the stakes are high and time is not their side. I do like how Gerald is skeptical but still willing to help as much as he can. He's a good friend.  The special tries to bring some levity with Helga trying to find a present for Arnold.  Arnold goes to the office of information, where apparently government at work is drunk.  Except one dude, who is busy on his computer, named Mr. Bailey.   He's grumpy because he's working on Christmas Eve, I guess.(And he's not drunk)   Arnold overhears, Mr. Bailey talking to Mrs. Bailey and gets the idea to his Christmas shopping for him, in exchange for helping him.

              He agrees (and gives the kids 300  American Dollars) and says if the get ALL  the stuff on the list. (That all is an important all, the all in this part is not important) Arnold learns the other lesson many wait years to learn, Christmas Eve shopping is a miserable experience. How's Helga doing?  (Bob, on the scene here and...)   Stinky some how was able to mention Arnold, while Helga was shopping for Arnold.  Arnold and Gerald shop through montage format with "Good King Wenceslas" in jazz form.   Hey Arnold was really cool at using jazz for it's background, it gave the series  a nice vibe.  

 

         Apparently for Helga, money was no object, she was going to buy a game that cost $99.95 (I think those were 9's). It's funnyto see how Gerald kills her idea before she buys it, it is also fun to see Gerald took Arnold's message to heart.  This interaction wasn't with waste!   It's plot important.  Arnold has one item left on the list.  Nancy Spumoni snow boots.  He accidently drops the list, Helga finds it.  

Buy a whole dang fire engine?/ Copyright ViacomCBS

       Arnold didn't know that, play the tape:

                    Earlier in the episode: "You and every other girl in the city, Helga. The stores are practically sold out, there just aren't enough for everybody." ---Rhonda. 

 

              Ah yes, supply and demand, make it scarce and people want it more.  (Thank you, CNBC, can we get back to the episode now?) 

  

             A shoe store guy takes his time to get his co-workers just to laugh at Arnold. ( Hey! I don't pay for to laugh!  You don't pay at us at all! Sssh! ) Arnold can't find the shoes at all, and Mr. Bailey is like NO DEAL I wanted the shoes or my daughter will hate me or something. (He wants the good retirement home) Thanks to Helga being a stalker, (That's a sentence) she over hears the reason why Arnold wants the boots. (He'll look good in them)  

               Helga comes home and in a surprise twist, her parents remember her name and listened to her because they got her the snow boots. Helga's  happy. (Her mother stood 18 hours apparently)  Helga then remembers what we just saw a  minute ago.  She's now faced with what she wants to do. She decides to go to Mr. Bailey and gives him the boots, she works to convince him to help.  It has to be one of the most genuine and sweetest things Helga does for Arnold.  It's a great emotional scene. (Get these tears out of here!) 

  

                 It's Christmas morning, Arnold feels bad, until the doorbell rings and the guest happens to be Mr.Hyunh's daughter. It's pouring on the emotion. Arnold doesn't know how this  happened, Gerald says don't question it, like Arnold said earlier, Christmas has miracles. Maybe he has a Christmas angel.  It cuts to final shot, with Helga standing outside, socks on, no boots,  whispering "Merry Christmas, Arnold".   

 

                    It tied everything together very well, giving an arc for Helga to see Christmas in a different way and yet she wanted to get Arnold something special that would mean a lot to him, and she did. While the gift was that wanted was important the story as much as anything. It was a really nice touch, and well executed. It plays well into Arnold's optimistic characterization.  Stealing something from another Christmas special. This episode does a good job at the "Even a miracle needs a hand."  Arnold did the work to help get Mr. Hyunh and Mai reunited, and later, Helga does her own push to get it done.  Because it's Helga, it was interesting to see her mother, put so much work into giving Helga the gift she wanted, it does show that maybe she does care, even though it's not shown much.  

              This special is remembered and it should be, the quality is top notch and it's a well done special from it's atmosphere and music, to plot line, to plot line interlacing. Does it tell a good Christmas story and moral? Yes,  it brings the idea that Christmas is a time to think about others and how we see them and care for them. Arnold didn't know that  Mr. Hyunh had a daughter or much else about him, but he wanted to give a unique gift as he told Gerald should do with his gifts.  I like that message.   It's a good special, it belongs in the best Christmas specials in time. 

       That's our look back, tune in next time when we mop up these tears 

 

                            

                        

Christmas: A Very Casagrande Christmas

Nickelodeon  Christmas  Casagrandes 

             "The Loud House" spinoff, "The Casagrnades" follows its parent show in having a Christmas 22 minute special during its 2nd season.  This series premiered in October of 2019 on Nickelodeon and entered its 2nd Season in October of 2020.  The episode we are looking at is season 2 episode 2,  "A Very Casagrande Christmas" 

 

             (You can read our Casagrande episode posts here) 

             The episode starts with a nice Christmas scene, it really starts great for a special Christmas set. Ronnie Anne, her father, and brother are walking   Las Posadas, a  Christmas tradition that happens between December 16th and 24th. Ronnie Anne really hopes that the final night goes great, as the idea is to go around with the family and sing Christmas songs.  There's some other hints of things going on, like Carl wanting to rig a piñata to easily get candy.  Also, Bobby sings through this episode, and it's wonderfully fun to see.   

Christmas fun/ Copyright Viacom CBS 

   

       The plot starts with Sid's family coming over after their Christmas dinner was ruined by their monkey and snake. (That's a sentence) Rosa allows them in, but  has Arturo leave to the store to get more ingredients. He's not going to have fun. Ronnie Anne misses her father Nakamura and his son, Cory,  come over after their sweater party was ruined and Rosa lets them join dinner. (Poor Arturo score card 2) 

Hey there, we're here/ Copyright Viacom CBS

              Ronnie Anne gets more frustrated by the situation,  and more neighbors show up. I do like how Arturo tries to keep optimistic as he keeps having to get more stuff at the store on a crazy night. More chaos ensues at the Casagrande apartment.    More family members can't go out , they have to fix more stuff.  Ronnie Anne and Bobby work together and try to fix the problems of the neighbors.   It's kind inventive and cool how they resolve that solution.  (I always like these characters working together) 

        

 

            Now now, this is a 22 minute episode, that means.... oh no Arturo is stuck under all the food he bought and trapped in the now locked store. First half over.  (kind of dark) 

Give him a hand/ Copyright Viacom CBS 

             The first half sets up everything well, the environment is felt well, and the idea of the plot is set up well. It is relatable to feel like Ronnie Anne when you want to do a tradition, especially at Christmas and it doesn't go to plan. Bobby singing stuff was nice bit of levity and the comedy moments were fun without distracting the half so far.   

      More after the jump 

Christmas: The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

The Flashback  Christmas 

         There are many takes on the origin story of Santa Claus, so one from the man who created Wizard of Oz, I expect nothing else.  In 1902, L. Frank Baum's book "The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus" come out , and it's not as well known as his "Oz" series.  The concept is where does Santa Claus come from? And How does he live so long?  While, also trying to give it's own twists on where Christmas traditions come from.

    Rankin-Bass made an adaptation to the book which came out in 1985, pretty much the end of Rankin Bass and their stop motion work, at least.   I'm not going to compare to the book in this post because ,that's not really the purpose  of this blog post. We are just going look at the special on it's own. 


     This special first aired on  CBS on December 17th, and unlike Rankin Bass' other Santa origin story, it doesn't rerun on a network, just on cable.

            First off, this special starts in a forest called the forest of Burzee , and a figure named "The Great Ak" and apparently some members of the immortals are coming for a special occasion.  Ak wants to convince them something or else Santa's gonna die.  The intro is amazing, the music is grand I love it so much, it's so unnecessary but, yet awesome anyway.  Each immortal figure is introduced.  The Great Ak says that he thinks Santa deserves to be immortal  and is trying to convince the other immortals  to be allowed to continue his good work, and bestow him the mantel of immortality.

The moon light is right/ Copyright Warner Bros because they own the special. 

     The rest of the special is flashback of Ak telling them about the morals, and how one day he found a baby in the woods. He took the baby in and gave it to a lioness named Shiegra. (Uhhh what?) He made sure the child shouldn't be harmed or else lion is going to lion. He bursts into a dramatic song about how they can live forever and don't have children. (What?)  The music is on a dramatic level this special it's amazing! 
   

Her giant cat , don't the ate the baby, k thanx bye/ Copyright Warner Bros. 

    A fairy woman finds the baby and decides to take him.  Her name is Necile, and she wants to take care of the baby.  She sings a song about her wanting to take care of a child.  Eventually, Ak decides to let her take care and raise the child. They name him Claus, because that's the name that was attached to him. (That could have been where he was made or something, silly immortals)
   

My baby now/ Copyright Warner Bros. 

        There's a montage of Claus growing up with another song.  The song mentions that he will eventually have to face the mortal world and this care-free life will end in the future.  Ak decides to show Claus the mortal world.  This special isn't shying away from how the world is, it's take place before our modern times, but it sets up a more dour world.  He's shown while being invisible the different dour things in the world. Like people working for a feudal lord.  Then they go a rich family and see's how they live. Going to boys training to be samurai for war. Claus wants children to be happy and playing. 

    This gives him a drive to want to help children. When, it comes time for him to leave the forest that's what he sets to do. Tingler and Shiegra join him.  The special presents how Claus got his place to live, his "ho, ho,ho" and how he lives in a snowy spot.  Then we get a montage of Claus working with children like reading and playing with them.  As he gets older. In fact it takes a long time in his life to get the idea of doing something else, making toys. 

Remember that guy above? This is him now, feel old yet?

         An orphan boy named Weekum falls into  a snow drift and Claus saves him. He makes him a wooden cat, that becomes known as a toy.  Another song, this one about orphans wanting a big surprise like that cat toy.   This inspires him to make more toys. So he has different creatures helping him with toy making.

Where'd they get the signs?  Copyright Warner Bros.

   There are villains brought in called the Awgwas, they are make children do bad things.  They also can be invisible, which makes it easier to animate. (Joke)  They kidnap the Santa Claus but since he knows nook calls, he's freed by the nooks. The awgwas take his toys instead, alot. Great Ak calls up the awgwas to get them to stop.  They say no, so they go to war instead.


more after the jump