The New Christmas Specials!
So, you say you’re tired of Rudolph and Frosty and all that. I say you’re dead inside.
But, I also say there are alternatives to those specials! As animation has changed, especially in recent years, we’ve seen holiday themed episodes of shows that may not be as classic as the Heatmiser and Burgermeister Meisterburger, but still manage to put me in the X-mas spirit.
INVADER ZIM: The Most Horrible X-Mas Ever!
The last episode EVER of the amazingly underrated animated series created by Jhonen Vasquez (of Johnny: The Homicidal Maniac and Squee…he also directed the video for “Shut Me Up” by Mindless Self Indulgence) was a holiday themed episode. The version that aired on television was edited, but a supposedly un-edited version was released as part of the Invader Zim DVD set.
The story is told by a Snowman…possibly a Slushman…in the future, who ruminates on the most horrible X-mas ever to a group of squeaky children. This special has everything: Santa, Elves, Minimoose and Jolly Boots of Doom!
This has quickly become my father’s Christmas Special of choice. The series revolves around two kids who win a bet against the Grim Reaper, causing him to have to be their best friend…FOREVER. Also, the Grim Reaper is apparently a rastafarian.
In the special, Christmas is put in danger when Santa Claus (voiced by Gilbert Godfried) is turned into a vampire. Billy, Mandy and Grim must figure out how to turn Santa back to his jolly old self before Christmas is ruined (and all the children of the world are turned into vampires). Grim also gets to realize his dream of saving Christmas with a vampire!
THE BOONDOCKS: A Huey Freeman Christmas
I love this series more than I can really say. Based on the popular comic strip by Aaron McGruder, the show follows the adventures of Huey and Riley Freeman and their Grandfather as they relocate from the city of Chicago to the suburbs. Huey is an activist, Riley is an impressionable boy obsessed with the culture being marketed to him, and Grandpa…he’s just Grandpa.
The Christmas episode features Huey being given complete creative control over his school’s Christmas play, which he plans to do as a large scale and ACCURATE portrayal of the life of Jesus.
The school just reacts poorly to his decision to insinuate that Jesus wasn’t exactly the way he’s NORMALLY portrayed. Like all Boondock’s episode it mixes absurd events with real life outcomes, and remains a bittersweet reminder of what life is really like.
ROCKO’S MODERN LIFE: Rocko’s Modern Christmas
One of the strangest holiday traditions I have is watching this special. If you don’t remember Rocko’s Modern Life, it’s a show about a wallaby, a cow and a turtle and their adventures with modern “conveniences.” The special is about Rocko trying to find Christmas spirit in the midst of commercialization and the modern concept of happiness.
I’m not sure if it’s been released on DVD, but all three parts are available on YouTube.
So whether it’s tradition or DOOM you’re seeking this Christmas, there’s something out there for you.
