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Friday, July 3, 2015

Christmas TV Party 2015: Drew Flowers

Christmas TV Party 2015: Drew Flowers, Co-Moderator Yahoo Christmas
Movies and Music

1) What Christmas program/movie have you seen more times than any other?
I know this is the trendy response but my answer is It's A Wonderful Life. I can watch this one 10 times each season and get teary eyed every time! It pulls at your heartstrings and every time you watch it... you are George Bailey! Henry Travers is a loveable and logical Clarence. There is always time for me to watch this holiday classic.


2) What is your favorite musical Christmas TV special, variety performance, or holiday song in a movie?
Wow, this is a tough one. I have always enjoyed "The First Toymakers to the King" sung by Tanta
and the Kringle in Santa Claus is Comin' to Town. I also enjoy "Christmas in Your Heart" performed by ensemble and Desirée Goyette from Garfield's Christmas.

A Christmas Carol (1984)

3) What's your favorite TV or movie adaptation of Dickens' A Christmas Carol?
There are so many classic versions but the one I always had a soft spot for was the George C. Scott Christmas Carol. Jacob Marley is powerful but bone chilling, George C. Scott is superb as the rich old miser and I have yet to see a more deprived and sickly version of Tiny Tim. I remember this version getting airtime on CBS for several years on Christmas Eve however has faded since that time. I still break out the DVD every year.

4) What do you think is the worst Christmas program/movie--or your least favorite, the most disappointing or most overrated?
The worst Christmas movie in my opinion was the 1972 remake of Miracle on 34th
Street with Sebastian Cabot. There is no heart to this remake and lacks any real Christmas feeling. What made the original such a classic is how much the audience fell in love with Edmund Gwenn as
Santa and his child like spirit. We never got to feel that with Sebastian Cabot.




5) If you were asked to give advice to a TV network executive in charge of holiday programming, what would you suggest?
I think that depends on the network. I would love to see Cartoon Network do a whole evening of Christmas cartoons that don't get airtime anymore (Bugs Bunny's Looney Christmas, Garfield's Christmas, Flintstones Christmas Carol...just to name a few.)  I think networks need to realize that Christmas fans are often nostalgic so break out some old Lawrence Welk specials, Dean Martin or
Bing Crosby specials.

9 comments:

  1. Thanks for letting me participate, it was alot of fun!

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    1. Of course! Thank YOU for joining the fun :)

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  2. I so enjoyed reading your responses, Drew! Just reading your thoughts on It's a Wonderful Life, stirred my emotions. I loved how you said, we are all George Bailey... that is beautiful, truly touching!

    Also, great call on your least favorite. Sadly, remake movies typically disappoint.

    And, I also love those nostalgic Lawrence Welk Christmas Specials... all the matching outfits and beautiful Christmas Songs and Dance Numbers. Such class, from a bygone era!

    Merry "Christmas in July"!!! Net

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  3. I am so glad I'm not the only one who likes Lawrence Welk!!! I've been teased for years and years because I love to watch the show!!

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  4. As long as we're on the subject: I love seeing the singers and band members' children perform on the Lawrence Welk Christmas shows year after year. You can see the Welk families expand and watch the children grow up. It created a feeling of family for viewers. Very nice.

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  5. Love It's a Wonderful Life, too! And love the cartoons you mention, especially Garfield, simple and heartwarming and perfect for the season.

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  6. Great answers! Those are very interesting song choices, especially the one from A Garfield Christmas. There are a few great little songs in that special that I wish were even longer. Oh and I do very much enjoy the George C. Scott Christmas Carol as well!

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  7. I love a Garfield Christmas! Remember it from my own childhood and my son loves it, too. Definitely an under-rated Christmas special. I've been looking for the Bugs Bunny special for a while, too.

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  8. i don't think Bugs Bunnys Looney Christmas has received DVD treatment but you can get the VHS on Amazon.

    http://www.amazon.com/Bugs-Bunnys-Looney-Christmas-Tales/dp/6301760395/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1436889630&sr=8-1&keywords=bugs+bunnys+looney+christmas

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