We remember Christmas through our favorite TV shows, with Homer, Ross, Monica, Frasier and the Fisher family
Here comes some nostalgia with some of our favorite Christmas episodes from six TV shows, all part of TV history except for the Simpsons now in its 21st season. Remember when Homer Simpson told a sermon of the Nativity story with his own twist or when Elaine found her own Baby Jesus in Ally McBeal? In other shows, Frasier punched Santa when he co-hosted the annual Christmas Parade with Dr. Mary, and Ross and Monica did their routine on TV for the New Year’s Eve. Read on for the Golden Girls’ Christmas night, and how we met the most dysfunctional family on Christmas Eve, the Fishers of Six Feet Under.
Ally McBeal – Blue Christmas
The bizarre episodes of Ally McBeal become even more bizarre with Christmas. However, one of the more heart-breaking episodes occurred when Elaine found a six-week-old baby under a Nativity scene manger. The episode has Ally and John Cage fighting in court to get Elaine custody of the child, while the lawyers (even Ling) in the office discover the mothers and fathers in themselves. The episode also features Ally and Renee betting on who will sing the more suggestive holiday song in the bar.
Frasier – Mary Christmas
Frasier’s childhood dream comes true when he is asked to co-host Seattle’s annual Christmas Parade with Kelly Kirkland. Trying to impress Kelly, Frasier invites her to a dinner at his apartment. An unexpected food poisoning causes Frasier co-host the parade with Dr. Mary to his utter disappointment. When Dr. Mary announces the approach of Santa, something Frasier wanted to ever since he was a child, he loses it and ends punching Santa on the nose.
Friends – The One with the Routine
Among so many classic Christmas episodes from Friends (including one where Ross tries to explain his son the Hanukah with an armadillo costume), this one stuck in our memories with a dance routine Ross and Monica put on in Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. While the Geller siblings embarrass themselves at the party, Chandler, Phoebe and Rachel try to uncover the Christmas presents Monica had bought them.
The Golden Girls – ‘Twas the Nightmare Before Christmas
This episode features the girls spending Christmas Eve together in Miami. Fed up with the financial burdens of Christmas, Dorothy suggests that each make their own gift to send one another. Rose’s wooden artifacts and Blanche’s racy calendars have Dorothy questioning her initially wise plan. Later, a snow blizzard delays their flights, causing the girls spend Christmas Eve in a diner listening to Blanche’s numerous sexual escapades from various Christmases of the past.
The Simpsons – Simpsons Christmas Stories
This three part Simpsons episode features an alternative take on the Nativity story, Grampa’s old relationship with Santa Claus, and a performance of the Nutcracker by the children of Springfield Elementary School. Homer gives a sermon on the first Christmas, with himself as Joseph, Marge as Mary, Bart as Baby Jesus, and Lisa as the angel Gabriel. The Christmas tree becomes the Hanukah bush in Homer’s version. We later find out how Grampa had a close encounter with Santa Claus on a deserted island in the Pacific during World War II and helped Santa rebuild his sleigh. In the final part, the residents of Springfield sing tunes from the Nutcracker as they go about their business, and Homer tries finding a Christmas present for Marge.
Six Feet Under – Pilot
We meet the Fisher family on a Christmas Eve with the death of patriarch Nathaniel Fisher. The Christmas dinner turns into something of a nightmare when the eldest son Nate comes home from Seattle, having just had sex in the airport, closeted gay son David bringing home his African-American boyfriend, and teenager Claire coming home stoned. A visit to both sons by the ghost of the father makes the Christmas dinner all the more unforgettable.
Originally published in Hürriyet Daily News on 18 Dec. 09
Here comes some nostalgia with some of our favorite Christmas episodes from six TV shows, all part of TV history except for the Simpsons now in its 21st season. Remember when Homer Simpson told a sermon of the Nativity story with his own twist or when Elaine found her own Baby Jesus in Ally McBeal? In other shows, Frasier punched Santa when he co-hosted the annual Christmas Parade with Dr. Mary, and Ross and Monica did their routine on TV for the New Year’s Eve. Read on for the Golden Girls’ Christmas night, and how we met the most dysfunctional family on Christmas Eve, the Fishers of Six Feet Under.
