Comedy Christmas Episodes

In years of Christmas past, I've shared my thoughts on different holiday specials (Disney, Doctor Who, and some others). This year I'm picking some (mostly) family friendly comedies. With a lot of crude humor in modern days, I like these for some classic Christmas humor and feel-goods.

Sabrina the Teenage Witch (Episode 3x11 - "Christmas Amnesia")
As a typical teenager, Sabrina found something to complain about. Despite her aunts trying to get her in the Christmas spirit, Sabrina only became more pessimistic. But in an It's-A-Wonderful-Life kind of way, Sabrina got to see what life would be like without Christmas, after accidentally deleting it. The heartwarming part is that Christmas didn't return until she stopped focusing on the "hooplah of Christmas" and started focusing on her family. PS: RIP Bobunk

Community (Episode 1x12 - "Comparative Religion")
My top Christmas episode for Community is easily "Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas", so instead I went with the season 1 holiday episode. It set the precedent to make fun of Greendale's excessive political correctness. In a subtle and sarcastic way, it also indirectly promoted religious diversity. Also, I enjoy the humbling that Shirley went through, learning to be a better Christian, something we could all do. On the flip side, Jeff learned to turn the other cheek (somewhat) at least out of respect for Shirley. "Oh Christmas Troy. Oh Christmas Troy"

Friends (Episode 7x10 - "The One with the Holiday Armadillo")
More or less every season of Friends has at least one holiday-themed episode, in addition to their annual Thanksgiving episodes. This is probably one of the more endearing Ross episodes. He genuinely wants to teach his son Ben about his Jewish heritage. But also, he got caught in a tough spot with Ben, in regards to Christmas. So in an attempt to find a Santa costume, Ross shows up in an armadillo outfit, who teaches Ben about Hanukkah. To supplement one of Ross's better moments, there are also some funny antics between Phoebe and Joey, which I always enjoy.

Full House (Episode 6x12 - "A Very Tanner Christmas")
As Full House does, this episode has dozens of mini-plots to include the whole family. I suppose it all has to do with personal expectations. Stephanie and Michelle expect tons of presents. DJ expects Steve to stay nearby for college. Becky wants snow. And Danny wants Vicky nearby. The best part for me is how Jesse goes to such extravagant lengths to bring Becky a white Christmas. I also enjoyed how they tried to teach Michelle and Stephanie what Christmas means, apart from presents. Something every kid should know.

Fuller House (Episode 4x01 - "Oh My Santa")
There were a few wonderful teaching moments in this episode (Ramona and Stephanie performing service at Christmastime) and funny moments (Tommy being the typical little kid, freaking out at Santa). The great part of this episode is how realistic Max's grief was. The holidays are hard when you've lost loved ones. I can't imagine that feeling. Whether it's a child taken too soon or a parent gone prematurely, the holidays are a hard time to miss the ones we love.

Boy Meets World (Episode 6x11 - "Santa's Little Helpers")
Amidst Cory and Topanga trying to get Shawn and Angela back together, my favorite part of this episode was Eric, Rachel, and Jack. They may have gone about things the wrong way (nabbing the family's Christmas presents) but there's something to be said for trying to make that Christmas special and amazing for others, especially those who don't have family. In the end, Eric became friends with a little boy named Tommy. And Tommy's life was never the same again.

Girl Meets World (Episode 3x18 - "Girl Meets a Christmas Maya")
As Riley encourages Maya to spend the holidays with her new family, they also enjoy Secret Santa with their friends. Despite her friends' apprehension, they found a way to have a meaningful Secret Santa. The gifts may not have been what they originally wanted or expected, but they got to see how much the others cared about them. That's my favorite part of Christmas presents, getting to see the thought put into a gift. Not even the gift itself. (Also there's sugar-buzzed Ava and that was really funny).

What is your favorite Christmas special to watch each year? Any others you'd add?

Also check out our thoughts on some Doctor Who, Disney, and other Christmas specials.

T.J.'s Top 10 90s Sitcoms

I'd thought about doing a Top 10 Movies post, like Joe did last week. But I decided to be random and go with a Top 90s Sitcoms. If I were to do Top 90s TV shows all together, there'd be some Star Trek on here. Where? Meh, you'll have to wait. Give it a few years and I'll probably write about them.

But here are my Top 10 Sitcoms from the era of the 90s.

10. Home Improvement: If you don't know, my first name is actually Timothy. Most people met me pre-2001 know me as Tim. And as such, many people (especially in middle school) would say to me "I don't think so, Tim." (Unlike Tim Taylor, I was usually right.) This sitcom, today, kinda bores me. But I remember when it was the most popular show that kids at school talked about. Oh, how I miss the time of the 90s when there was such a thing as a "family comedy."

9. Full House: Yeah, I admit, I used to watch this show religiously. It was my weekly favorite. And then I started watching it on TBS or something and decided "what was I thinking?" However, I still have good memories of watching this feel good family-comedy.

8. Family Matters: Speaking of family comedy, this one started out that way. But it turned into "The Urkel Show." I love how a one-time guest star gets so much praise that they have to write said character into the show permanently. Not only that, but the character became the MAIN star of the show. A lot of people don't realize that Family Matters was actually a spin-off of Perfect Strangers, and it did better than its predecessor. (You know what though, Urkel is so annoying today.)

7. Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: To be honest, I rarely watched Fresh Prince. To this day I've maybe seen about 10 or 11 episodes. But I gotta say, if given the option of any of the previous shows on this list, or this one, I would choose Fresh Prince. First of all, it's theme song is the best. And as if that's not enough, Will Smith is pretty awesome and hilarious.

6. Dinosaurs: I'm the baby, gotta love me. Dinosaurs was such an odd show, yet really well loved. How could you not love Baby Dinosaur and everything he did (or rather, said). Not the mama! Not the mama! Not the mama! Being a mama's boy and the youngest, yeah I could kinda relate. The thing I liked about this family-oriented show was that it pointed out then-modern themes that could be applied to life.

5. Saved by the Bell: It's all right, cause I'm saved by the bell. Zack. Kelly. Jessie. Slater. Screech. Lisa. Ah, the whole gang. Yeah, I'm placing this in the upper half of the list. Despite being "lame" and any other negative term you can throw its direction, I will always have a place in my heart for this show. Both Leah Remini and Tori Spelling spent time on this show. If you don't know who they are...meh, doesn't bother me. Anyway, this show was a great lesson teacher to teens. Although, I don't remember that one time when the school started spouting oil and it somehow became all the students' property.

4. Wings: If you pay attention, you can see how a few things from this show inspired Friends. Big example? Joe's OCD cleanliness + Helen's former overweight self = Monica. Shoot, I swear that Phoebe was a younger version of Fay. Interesting that Antonio went on to play Monk and probably currently has the best career of any of the alum. Yeah, a lot of them have gone on to have decent acting careers. In the later seasons, you find Maid Marian from Robin Hood: Men in Tights starring in the show. It is a pretty funny shows. And the characters mesh well with one-another. It reminds me of Friends a lot in the way the characters interact.

3. Muppets Tonight: I love the Muppets. The Muppets are one thing from when I was a little kid to today that has remained a consistent like. This short-run follow-up for The Muppet Show, was awesome. It had the same concept of the original, modernized for the 90s with its guest stars. Added Clifford, the random Rastafarian, and one of my favorites: Bobo the bear. But it keep your classics, like Kermit, Piggie, and Fozzie.

2. Newsradio: This show would have lasted longer if not for Phil Hartman's murder. You've got the classic will-they-won't-they story of Dave and Lisa. Bill's awesome jerk humor. Matthew's spazzing out. Catherine's attitude. Beth's ditziness. And not to mention Jimmy James being the oddest man to ever own a radio station. Newsradio was a classic from the get go. Best moment, in my mind, was when Matthew grew a mustache and it was presented to the three women. Beth screams in fright. Lisa laughs in horror. And Catherine slaps him. Honestly, my wife and I found it so funny we had to rewind it and watch it again.

1. Friends: I can watch Friends over and over again. And believe me, I have. From Ross saying he just wants to be married again to Rachel saying she got off the plane, this show is just a great way to watch adults grow up. One thing I think this show proves to us is that we can be who we are and still grow up without losing our authentic natures. Phoebe goes from being this hippie with very few things to tie her down to a careered massage therapist, with a husband. But she's still ditzy, floopy Phoebe. Chandler goes from being a man-child to being a committed husband and father. But he's still dorky, goofy Chandler. Rachel goes from spoiled rich girl to hard-working career mom. But she's still shopaholic,  This is a show about growing up, even when you think you're already there.

What? Something's missing? No, honestly, there isn't. Can't stand Seinfeld. Never liked Frasier. I'd honestly rather torture myself with Sister, Sister and The Nanny than either of those.

Alien abductions are involuntary, but probings are scheduled.