This past weekend (May 26-28th, 2017), I was signing books in Akron, Ohio at the first ever Rubber City Pop Culture Fest (rcpcfest). I met so many wonderful people and had a lot of fun! I'm such a pop culture nerd that I would have been there even if I hadn't worked it. It was exciting to share my passion for Christmas entertainment with so many new people--and to see people as enthusiastic I was about Christmas on TV and movies--in the month of May. Thanks again to everyone who came out to meet me. And, for those who weren't able to attend, I thought I'd share some of the highlights of the weekend's activities.
I had a chance to meet the artist Brian Dunphy. He was kind enough to show me the original art he did for the cover of The Devil Strip--a local arts & culture magazine--he drew last year when I was included on the cover. I'm in the top right quadrant of the illustration, sandwiched between basketball superstar LeBron James, the University of Akron's mascot Zippy, and Akron entrepreneur Cristina González Alcalá. The original art was quite impressive and it is an honor to be included on the cover with these other Akronites.
Being goofy with Big Mike.
I met the Mayor! Mayor McCheese, that is.
I also had the pleasure to meet Big Mike from Discovery Family channel's Lost & Found TV program. He also runs a vintage shop Finders Keepers in Sugarcreek, OH which I have followed on Instagram. With his partner Jesse, their booth was filled with quite a few Christmas pop culture items including copies of the European release (I think?) movie poster for A Christmas Story, a Charlie in the Box toy, a couple vintage Daisy BB guns, and tons more.
movie poster
A Charlie in the Box misfit toy character from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
collectible advertisement for BB gun in A Christmas Story.
Big Mike was extremely generous--he gave me a vintage TV dinner plate and a decades-old sign from Akron's Chapel Hill Mall, the birthplace of Archie the Talking Snowman (I wrote a local history book about Archie!).
This vintage Swanson's TV dinner tray (it's clean!) is made of thick aluminum--before they manufactured them in thin tin foil or cardboard. Thanks Big Mike!
Old school logo for Chapel Hill Mall--in east Akron.
Kris Kringle action figure from 1947's Miracle on 34th Street.
I even bought myself a Miracle on 34th Street action figure of Kris Kringle and the little girl he addresses in the 1947 movie who speaks Swedish. I'm excited to add this to my collection.
Super Nerd!
Saturday night's events included several wrestling bouts.
Several of the cosplay winners.
An enthusiastic Cleveland Browns fan--with a Browns/Leg Lamp t-shirt. Northeast Ohioans love A Christmas Story!
There were tons of superhero comics and merch but I was more attracted to TV collectibles, like these vintage M*A*S*H action figures.
Of course, the pop culture fest included celebrities, artists, vendors, and entertainment. There was also a cosplay contest, a zombie walk, bands, a charity auction, and even wrestlers. It was an eventful three days.
I won 2 lots in the charity auction--one lot included memorabilia from a now defunct professional soccer team called the Cleveland Force. The 2nd lot was a set of admission tickets to several local drive-in theaters. Guess where I'm going this summer?
And guess who I spotted walking through the venue? I recognized musician/songwriter Chris Butler--from the 1980s New Wave band The Waitresses. (Remember the 80s classic song "Christmas Wrapping"and the theme tune to TV series Square Pegs?) How cool is that? I connected with him over the phone when he shared with me his story about A Christmas Story that I included in Chapter 7 of my book Triple Dog Dare but it was great seeing him in person this weekend.
Me, Chris Butler, and his girlfriend Beth. RCPCFest 2017
If you didn't attend RCPCfest but would still like to get a signed copy of any of my books, you can order them directly from the publisher, on this website here. I hope you had an eventful Memorial Day weekend too!
Joanna Wilson is a TV researcher and book author specializing in Christmas entertainment. Her latest book "Triple Dog Dare:
Watching--& Surviving--the 24-Hour Marathon of A Christmas Story"
was released in 2016. Her books can be found at the publisher's website:
1701 press.com
If you follow me on Instagram (I'm @TistheSeasonTV--here's a link), then you know I've had my head stuck in old TV Guide magazines lately. Seeing the decades-old advertisements for Christmas TV movies, specials and animation gets my heart pounding with excitement. There are other bits of info and features in the magazines that catch my attention too. When I stumbled across a quiz that tests knowledge of Christmas episodes, I knew I wanted to share it here.
How well do you know Christmas TV episodes?
I discovered the quiz in the Nov. 30-Dec. 6, 1996 TV Guide magazine. It was written by Rick Schindler. There are twenty questions--and the answers are provided. You just match the question to the correct series episode. Want to play? I've provided the correct answers down below. Just match up the number to the letter. Isn't this fun?
Here's the quiz. Below, I've also written it out. Remember the quiz was written in 1996 so don't consider any series made in the twenty years since then. GOOD LUCK!
Strange occurrences:
1. An orphan who doesn't believe in Santa is magically transported to the North Pole.
2. A time traveler tries to stop a real-estate tycoon from tearing down a mission.
3. A comatose woman is found to be pregnant--despite also being a virgin.
4. A man is kissed under the mistletoe--by a horse.
Settings:
5. A TV newsroom on Christmas Day.
6. A police station flooded with homeless people.
7. A Chicago hospital, where a doctor is having an emergency tonsillectomy.
8. A high-stakes poker game pitting brother against brother.
9. A Chicago hospital, where a singer is suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
10. Stranded in a bus station by a blizzard.
11. Stranded in an airport by a blizzard.
12. Stranded on a space station by mad scientists.
13. A Christmas party with a tropical theme in an overheated apartment.
14. The International Cottage of Flapjacks.
Characters:
15. A bowler who pawns his bowling ball to buy a Christmas gift for his wife.
16. A former loading-dock foreman whose holiday guest is a draft evader.
17. An ex-astronaut who meets the Korean family he never knew he had.
18. A gentleman farmer who is forbidden to cut down a Christmas tree on his own property.
19. A small-town Scrooge who demands the sheriff arrest a local bootlegger.
20. A TV newswoman who receives the surprise gift of a pony.
Match the question to the Christmas episode:
A. Murphy Brown
B. Picket Fences
C. Friends
D. Northern Exposure
E. The Andy Griffith Show
F. Green Acres
G. All in the Family
H. Mystery Science Theater 3000
I. The Honeymooners
J. A Different World
K. Bewitched
L. Quantum Leap
M. Barney Miller
N. Home Improvement
O. Taxi
P. The Bob Newhart Show
Q. Mister Ed
R. The Mary Tyler Moore Show
S. ER
T. Martin
While you're working on that quiz, I'll share an amusing cartoon I also found in TV Guide. This particular "That's EnterTOONment" strip was in the Dec. 9-15th, 2000 edition of the magazine. Its humor is aimed at Christmas TV entertainment fans like us.
(click on image to enlarge.)
Ready for the answers?
1. k
2. l
3. b
4. q
5. r
6. m
7. p
8. o
9. s
10. t
11. n
12. h
13. c
14. j
15. i
16. g
17. d
18. f
19. e
20. a
Give yourself 5 points for every correct answer. 0-20 points--Grinch. 25-45 points--Humbug. 50-70 points--Santa's Helper. 75-100 points--Wise Man. How did you do? Thanks TV Guide.
Joanna Wilson is a TV researcher and book author specializing in Christmas entertainment. Her latest book "Triple Dog Dare:
Watching--& Surviving--the 24-Hour Marathon of A Christmas Story"
was released in 2016. Her books can be found at the publisher's website:
1701 press.com
My photo of an advertisement from a 1974 TV Guide magazine. Remember watching this classic?
When I was growing up in the 1970s, Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus was must-see TV during the holidays. The half-hour animated special has since fallen from most viewers' favorites list but re-watching it recently reminded me of its strengths and charm. Let's revisit this cartoon classic and see how it fits in with other Christmas entertainment.
Hand drawn images are used throughout this 1974 cartoon.
1974's Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus was produced and directed by Bill Melendez, and produced and written by Mort Green. The following year, it was awarded an Emmy for Outstanding Children's Program. Melendez's name may sound familiar because he also produced and directed A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965). The animation in Yes, Virginia features an illustrative style (the images are hand drawn), a distinctive style I miss seeing in contemporary animation.
A teacher asking students to write a paper about Christmas--that sounds familiar!? (It's also a major story line in the 1983 movie A Christmas Story).
Virginia is voiced by Courtney Lemmon.
The story is inspired by the real-life Virginia O'Hanlon and a newspaper editorial from 1897 that ran in the New York Sun. This adaptation turns the newspaper's response to the 8-year old's letter to the editor into a more complete story. It begins with Virginia's schoolteacher asking the class to write a composition about Christmas for an upcoming holiday program. Young Virginia decides to write her paper about Santa Claus, confirming her belief in him. After hearing this, the other children in the classroom begin to laugh at her. Most of them confess that they no longer believe in Santa.
Virginia's classroom reflects the popular movement in the 70s to be more inclusive of minorities. Here we see Virginia's friends include Arthur, a Chinese-American, and Amy, an African-American.
Upset by their teasing, Virginia doesn't want to quit believing. She decides to ask some adults about Santa Claus to see what they have to say. After school, the children pass by Officer Reilly and ask him about Santa Claus. They stop by Shulman's candy store and ask Mr. Shulman. And, they ask Arthur's father Mr. Lee Fong, who runs his own Chinese food restaurant. The adults are each wise enough not to discourage the little girl from losing faith.
The Jewish candy store owner encourages Virginia to believe.
Virginia's father explains that we regularly believe in things we can't see.
But Virginia's questions about jolly Ole Saint Nick remain unanswered--has anyone ever seen or met Santa Claus? When Virginia returns home, she asks her father Dr. Philip O'Hanlon about believing in Santa even when no one she knows has seen him. Dr. O'Hanlon shows his daughter images with the stereopticon to make his point. Christopher Columbus sailed west for the New World although no one could see that the Earth was round. Thomas Edison developed the light bulb, Alexander Graham-Bell invented the telephone, and Marconi achieved wireless radio transmissions--although none of them had seen these things before. Virginia is inspired by these words but she is still a little skeptical. The newsboy on the corner selling papers recommends to Virginia that she write a letter to the editor of the New York Sun newspaper, an institution that prides itself on its truthful reputation: "If you see it in the Sun, it's so."
I love the period references in this turn-of-the-twentieth-century story, such as the stereopticon, the clothing, and diversity of residents dwelling in New York City.
Tommy, the newsboy who sells papers on the street corner.
Tommy convinces Mr. Church that it would be wise to respond to Virginia's letter.
Francis Church, the editor at the New York Sun, receives Virginia's letter and he's not sure how to respond. We see the man walking the streets of New York City experiencing holiday cheer from everyone he meets. Church's spirit is even given a nudge from Tommy, the newsboy who is Virginia's friend. Meanwhile, Virginia waits impatiently to see if her letter appears in the newspaper each day.
The teacher reads the editorial for all to hear.
Eventually, the school holiday program is held and the teacher discusses the children's writing assignment. As a surprise to Virginia, her letter appeared in the newspaper that day, and the teacher reads it and Mr. Church's response to the entire audience. For the full text of the original 1897 editorial written by Francis Church, click here. The inspiring words for adults and children alike still warm the heart--even after more than 100 years. Some things don't change.
Don't be surprised if you get a little choked up--just like Virginia!
A few things about this production stand out to me. I love the animation style here--the backgrounds have watercolor textures that are not just visually stimulating but evoke turn-of-the-century images that may have become water stained or faded with time. I also enjoy hearing the voice of Jim Backus as the narrator. Not only is he a familiar actor on television and film. but he voiced the title role in the 1962 animated classic Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol. Another interesting voice role is Courtney Lemmon as young Virginia--she's the real-life daughter of Oscar-winning actor Jack Lemmon. And, the closing theme tune is performed by Jimmy Osmond, the youngest sibling of Donny and Marie Osmond. This cartoon is a slice right out of the 1970s.
At the end, this animated special reminds viewers that this story was taken from real-life events.
I also appreciate that this cartoon is inspired a true story. In 1897, an 8-year-old girl named Virginia O'Hanlon did write a letter to the New York Sun newspaper and she received an editorial response from Francis Church--words that are still meaningful and emotionally moving today.
Have you seen the 2009 TV special Yes Virginia?
Did you know that the real Virginia O'Hanlon appeared as a guest in the 1960 Kraft Music Hall/Perry Como Christmas special? And, in addition to the 1974 cartoon, the story has been adapted several more times for television, including the 1991 TV movie version starring Richard Thomas, Ed Asner, and Charles Bronson (yes, THAT Charles Bronson), and the charming 2009 animated TV special with Neil Patrick Harris and Jennifer Love Hewitt using their voices to bring the characters to life. Have you seen any of these adaptions of the story of Yes, Virginia?
Joanna Wilson is a TV researcher and book author specializing in Christmas entertainment. Her latest book "Triple Dog Dare:
Watching--& Surviving--the 24-Hour Marathon of A Christmas Story"
was released in 2016. Her books can be found at the publisher's website:
1701 press.com
Thank you for continuing to support Black History Month. I
enjoy celebrating BHM on my blog because there are so many excellent
Christmas episodes, specials, and TV movies with exceptional
African-American cast members. There are also loads of outstanding and
touching Christmas TV story lines aimed at black audiences. During the
month of February each year, I like to highlight just few of my
favorites.
Hopefully, you've been following along all month long on social media as I've been sharing special BHM content from the archives. Today, I want to highlight one more significant Christmas program, one that draws upon the cultural heritage of the Gullah, the African-Americans that live along the coasts of South Carolina and Georgia. Did you grow up watching the Nick Jr. program Gullah Gullah Island?
Because of the warm climate, the Alston family decorate the tree outside their home.
Like many other Nick Jr. programs, the songs are presented in such a way to encourage children to sing along. Here, the music reflects the sounds of the island, often with a Caribbean and African influence.
The fourth season of the children's live action series features the holiday story "Gullah Gullah Christmas." It's Christmas Eve and the Alstons are busy decorating their tree. Caught up in the spirit of the season, they sing "Deck the Halls" as they hang ornaments and wrap the branches in lights. Young Shaina wishes she could visit the North Pole and meet Santa Claus.
Shaina wonders about the distance to the North Pole. about Mrs. Claus, what the elves are doing.
Shaina finds herself with Binyah Binyah at the North Pole.
After drifting off to sleep, Shaina finds herself at the snow-covered North Pole. She meets Mrs. Claus and admires her garden that grows Christmas ornaments. The two sing "Jingle Bells" as they pick ornaments from the garden in order to adorn the reindeer' bridles.
Mrs. Claus sure is friendly, warm and nice. She looks familiar too!
Bossie and Elf-Ves. It's no coincidence that Bossie resembles Shaina's brother James.
Shaina also meets the elves who are busy packing Santa's sleigh with gifts. The head elf's name is Bossie and his assistant is Elf-Ves (yes, an Elvis-inspired elf). The elves take a break from working to sing "Up on the Housetop." Shaina is excited to finally meet Santa Claus! He's so full of holiday cheer that together they sing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."
Santa is happy to meet Shaina.
The reindeer are suffering from severe head colds.
Trouble comes when the reindeer--all stricken with head colds--decide they are too sick to pull Santa's sleigh. Shaina has the solution to save Christmas! She suggests that Binyah Binyah can pull the sleigh--and Santa agrees to give it a try. With a little bit of encouragement, Binyah Binyah hops high enough to fly the sleigh across the sky.
The elves chant "Hop to it, you can do it!" to encourage the polliwog.
Shaina wakes up on Christmas morning, happy to share her experiences at the North Pole with everyone. Vanessa is convinced that Shaina was dreaming, but when the little one finds the Christmas tree ornament in her pocket that Mrs. Claus gave her, Shaina knows the truth. As the family celebrates the day together, they sing the original song "Merry Christmas To Ya/It's Gullah Gullah Christmas Time."
Shaina experiences some Christmas magic when she finds the ornament from Mrs. Claus in her pocket.
Did you watch other Nick Jr. programming in the 1990s? What were your favorites--and did they have a Christmas episode?
The simple yet heart-warming story is a charming one for young viewers. One thing about it that resonates with me is that Shaina's experiences at the North Pole resemble her waking life--I love that the North Pole resembles her own residence, Mrs. Claus looks like her mother, Bossie the elf is just like her bossy brother James, and the reindeer are all suffering from head colds this Christmas just like her cousin Vanessa. My dreams typically work like that too. I find that delightful. Of course, I also love how the culture of the Gullah is represented here, and the Christmas music reflects the influence of Caribbean and African sounds. How long has it been since you've seen this Christmas program? Feel free to leave your comments below.
Joanna Wilson is a TV researcher and book author specializing in Christmas entertainment. Her latest book "Triple Dog Dare:
Watching--& Surviving--the 24-Hour Marathon of A Christmas Story"
was released in 2016. Her books can be found at the publisher's website:
1701 press.com
