The Top Ten Christmas Specials and Episodes

You can compare the Holiday special television season to one of those Christmas tree farms open for business this time of year. There are acres and acres of every type and size tree available for your perusal, and while all have their particular charm, only a handful meet the highest standards of quality.

So, while rummaging through the bin marked "history of Christmas television episodes and specials," a few were earmarked for inclusion on this top ten list. Before we get started, though, a distinction must be made between specials and episodes. Historically, almost all television series produce a Christmas episode, and many generate multiple episodes, based on their longevity. As such, there are thousands from which to choose...hence, a pointless exercise. Suffice to say, if you're a fan of a particular program, the Christmas episodes probably lit your tree. Particularly memorable were those from the halcyon days of television...I Love Lucy, Andy Griffith, et al. Recently, there was an unforgettable "House" Christmas episode last year. The trouble with recent Christmas episodes on network television is they tend to run so early, so far in advance of the Holiday, and even the season, they are less impactful.

So the following list is relegated mostly to specials, and traditional fare at that, because that is the wonderful halo that glows around the Holidays. Some are animated, of course, and lean toward children's entertainment, but who among us don't revert to childhood at least for a few minutes during this festive time.

#10 - Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

For years, this Thanksgiving morning staple kicked off the Holiday special television season. Even though that's not the case anymore, there's no replacing the anticipation of Santa Claus' first visit of the season at the end of the program...particularly is you have young children.

#9 - The Yule Log

Chuckle as you might, it's a Christmas Eve and Christmas morning constant in many households. It was created in 1966 by WPIX-TV in New York, and was revived by popular demand a few years ago. Yes, it's simply continuous loop video of a log burning in a fireplace.

#8 - Frosty the Snowman

Notable voices on this animated imagining of the forever popular Christmas tune include Jimmy Durante and Jackie Vernon. The program has been airing on CBS since 1969, and maybe that's partially why it appears here on a top ten list...many of us can remember it playing a significant role in our Holiday TV viewing as youngsters.

#7 - Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Rudolph is the longest-running holiday special in television history, and is certainly among the most popular. As stop-motion animated efforts go, this one is quite good. The legendary story and song on which the program is based is presented with quality and emotion.

#6 - Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting

Raise your hand if you're one of the few who isn't moved as the countdown to lighting the enormous Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center takes place. Years ago, the program was a purely New York event, presented only on local television. Since its national rollout, it's been compromised by the almighty marketing dollar...some acts are appearing based simply on promotion...but it's hard to ignore the thousands of gleeful people gathered around the tree awaiting that countdown.

#5 - Mr. Magoo Christmas Carol

Most adults would probably laugh at this characterization, but this is an outstanding version of Dickens' famous tale. It's humorous, it's faithful to the original story, and, unlike most other musical accounts of "A Christmas Carol," the tunes here are quite appropriate and don't diminish the continuity at all.

#4 - Bing Crosby Christmas Specials

Regrettably, the days of mega-star variety shows are long gone, and with them the Christmas specials we enjoyed each year. You'll have to purchase compilations to discover the sheer Holiday spirit they engendered. Bing presented 20 of these specials, and brought his A-list pals with him. Watching these hours was akin to drinking a hot chocolate next to the fire and your Christmas tree...pure Christmas.

#3 - Bob Hope Christmas Specials

The sentiment doesn't change for Bob Hope's contribution to America's Christmas spirit. Heck, everyone waited anxiously for this Christmas special each year. It was appointment TV long before that became a catchphrase. From 1954 to 1972, Hope's entertainment of troops abroad during the Holidays served us beautifully.

#2 - Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas

There are so many wonderful elements to "Grinch"...the powerful rhymed verse of Dr. Seuss, the richly textured narration of the perfectly-cast Boris Karloff, the adaptation and direction by the legendary Chuck Jones of Warner Brothers/Bugs Bunny fame, and the heartwarming story of the permanently-grumpy main character, who "must keep Christmas from coming." It's a time-honored classic.

#1 - Charlie Brown Christmas

Have you ever purchased a Charlie Brown tree? Or remarked that others have? Such is the legacy of this outstanding Christmas landmark. Much as the "Grinch" has very comfortably weaved its way into popular culture as an adjective, so has a "Charlie Brown Christmas." Highlights include Linus reassuring Charlie on the meaning of Christmas by quoting the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke, while standing center stage in what appeared to be everybody's grammar school auditorium. The final scene, when the cast revitalizes the tree Charlie Brown errantly selected, is nothing short of pure Christmas.

Check your local listings for airings of the above specials. You can also purchase most of the above at http://www.amazon.com, http://www.dvdplanet.com, and http://www.walmart.com.