The Gathering (1977)

On book tour this past month, I was asked repeatedly about a much beloved TV movie from 1977 entitled The Gathering which starred Edward Asner, Maureen Stapleton, Gregory Harrison and Stephanie Zimbalist among others.

I wrote about this TV movie this past summer for the blog Made for TV Mayhem a site devoted to TV movies. Click here to read my post about The Gathering.

An added bonus that I brought to that posting are photos from several locations where that film was originally shot. Coincidentally, I happen to live in Northeast Ohio--very close to Hudson and Chagrin Falls, Ohio where several locations doubled for the snowy New England setting in the movie. Surprisingly, those locations have changed little since 1977. Please check those out on Made for TV Mayhem.

1980s Christmas: The Simpsons

How many people remember that 1989's “The Simpsons Christmas Special” was the first episode of the new series The Simpsons on the young Fox network? Also known by the title "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire," this holiday special was the first half-hour length story with the animated characters introduced in short bumpers on the comedy/variety series The Tracy Ullman Show. The plot of this now legendary Christmas show is familiar: When the family’s Christmas money has to be spent on tattoo removal surgery for Bart, Homer’s last chance is found at the dog track, gambling for a merry Christmas. Homer loses his money but comes home to present the family with a dog they name Santa’s Little Helper.

But the first Simpsons Christmas story debuted the previous year, in 1988, on The Tracey Ullman Show. It features a holiday Simpsons’ short entitled ‘Simpson Christmas.’ Bart provides his own version of the poem, “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Though the animation is a bit more rough, the irreverence and cleverness we have come to expect from this series is already perfected. This animated series would go on to produce many more classic Christmas episodes. Which is your favorite Simpsons Christmas story? (Mine is 1995's "Marge Be Not Proud.")

“So, to those of you groovin’ on my holiday rap: Happy Christmas to all and to all a good nap.”

Book Tour: Baltimore recap

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I'm finally home from the first leg of my book tour. But just for a week before I head back out again. In December, I'll be signing books in Indianapolis, Milwaukee and Chicago. Check the schedule on this blog (along the right hand side) marked 'Author Events 2010' for the locations, dates and times for my upcoming appearances.

My last signing was in Baltimore, Maryland on the 20th at Ukazoo Books. But the highlight of that stop was getting to finally meet a fellow blogger, Amanda By Night, who writes about TV movies especially horror TV movies. She knows her stuff. If you haven't already, you must check out her blog: Made for TV Mayhem.

Amanda guest posted on my blog this past July writing about her favorite Christmas TV special, Nestor the Long-Eared Donkey. Click here to see that post again. Maybe I can persuade her to write another for me?

Schlemiel, Schlimazel. Hasenpfeffer Incorporated!

Joanna on TV: Set Your DVRs

Well, the holiday specials have already begun to air on TV like they do every year at this time. The Hallmark Channel started televising their holiday movies last weekend and ABC Family Channel begins their countdown to the 25 Days of Christmas programming this weekend. The Macy's Thanksgiving day Parade is next Thursday and the flood of old and new programming will be unleashed.

Add to that two upcoming new specials that will include your favorite Christmas TV expert (Don't shrug your shoulders! I'm talking about myself, Joanna Wilson). As you may already know, I was asked to participate in two TV specials adding commentary about Christmas TV episodes, specials and movies. Look for me:

on the History Channel special The Real Story of Christmas scheduled to air Nov. 30th at 8pm

and TV Guide Network's 25 Most Hilarious Holiday Moments scheduled to air Dec. 5th at 8pm


I expect these programs to be repeated before Dec. 25th but check your listings to be sure. Thanks to both production companies for asking me to participate: Workaholic Productions and Atlas Media Corp. respectively. I'm sure everyone is looking forward to seeing these new holiday TV specials as well as my contributions.

Book Tour: Richmond Virginia recap

Chop Suey Books in Cary Town, Richmond Virginia

Thanks to the guys at the bookstore, Chop Suey Books, for allowing me to sign copies of The Christmas TV Companion on Thursday. They have a great collection of film and TV books on the second floor--everything from standard film studies texts (Kracauer, Dudley Andrews, Mast & Cohen) to popular television books such as Growing Up Brady by Barry Williams.

Below are a couple links to stories/interviews from Richmond. I was also interviewed on the radio WRIR for a local NPR broadcast coming soon. More on that later.

"Holiday Expert Comes to Chop Suey Books" on Richmond.com

5 Christmas Specials You May or May Not See on TV from Style Weekly in Richmond



Thanks also to Melanie and Jason--Christmas TV lovers like myself. Melanie works at the Poe Museum and certainly one of the highlights of my book tour.

My next signing is Saturday Nov. 20th from 2-4 pm at Ukazoo Books in Baltimore (Towson) Maryland. See you there!

Animated Christmas Carols--Part 2

Continuing with Part 2: my suggestions for five more (ten total) alternative animated versions of Dickens' classic book. Disney's A Christmas Carol with Jim Carrey is getting a lot of attention this week due to its release on DVD. However, these are a few animated adaptations that stand out from the rest. Check out my previous post (Part 1) to see five more titles that deserve special attention.

2005's Stroker and Hoop episode entitled "I Saw Stroker Killing Santa Claus a.k.a. A Cold, Dead, White Christmas"

This Adult Swim series on the Cartoon Network not only tips its hat to buddy cop TV shows but parodies Night Rider as well. And the series' Christmas episode is just as clever. This Christmas Carol adaptation uniquely incorporates Santa Claus--even if he is dying!

1971's A Christmas Carol by Richard Williams

This is THE animated version of the classic holiday tale by Charles Dickens easily surpassing other versions. It is visually stunning with a voice cast to match. Actor Alastair Sim repeats his noteworthy performance from the much-beloved 1951’s filmed version as he once again breathes life into the central character Ebenezer Scrooge. Michael Redgrave voices the narration. This production won an Oscar for Best Short Subject, Animated Films. This version is far too often overlooked.

1997's 101 Dalmatians: The Series episode entitled "A Christmas Cruella"

This is a family-friendly adaptation whose Scrooge character, Cruella DeVille, is in serious need of a haunting. Wait for Cruella's holiday outfit--she dresses as a stunning Christmas tree! Very fashion forward, I must say. Additionally, this is the only adaptation of Dickens book that includes two puppies and a chicken that serve as the three ghosts of Christmas. I dare you to prove me wrong!

1996's Beavis and Butt-Head Do Christmas segment entitled "Huh-Huh-Humbug"

In this classic Christmas special, three ghosts visit Beavis on Christmas Eve to attempt to teach the dull-witted teen a lesson. The key word here is 'attempt.'

2000's Aqua Teen Hunger Force episode "Cybernetic Ghost of Christmas Past From the Future"

This Adult Swim Cartoon Network TV series is just as outrageous in its Christmas episodes as it is all year round. In this thin Dickens adaptation, next door neighbor Carl is subjected to a visit to his Christmas Past by a robot ghost. However, Carl's haunting involves more than just this one ghost but supernatural disturbances within his home. It turns out his house was built on top of an ancient burial mound for Santa's enslaved elves from centuries ago. From there, it just gets weird. Rocker Glenn Danzig actually provides his voice for the character Glenn Danzig in this holiday story.

Animated Christmas Carols--Part 1

There's a tremendous amount of excitement since Disney's A Christmas Carol is coming out on DVD. Have you seen it? Did you like it? This is just one of many animated versions of Charles Dickens classic book--the most popular tale at Christmas time. Many people still watch Disney's previous adaptation Mickey's Christmas Carol. Other popular animated versions quickly come to mind: Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol; Flintstones Christmas Carol; The Jetsons Christmas Carol; and, Bah Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas movie. All of these still regularly air on TV each year. Are you looking to watch an animated Christmas Carol that maybe you haven't seen in a while? or, one that stands out from the rest? Check out my ten suggestions:

1978's The Stingiest Man in Town

This Rankin/Bass cel animated musical is often overlooked. It is narrated by a cricket, voiced by Tom Bosley (the same actor that played the father on TV's Happy Days) and Scrooge is voiced by Walter Matthau. It's a classic.

1986's The Real Ghostbusters episode "X-Mas Marks the Spot"

The four Ghostbusters unknowingly find themselves in Victorian times and capture three ghosts terrorizing a man. Later when they mysteriously return to their own time, they learn they have altered history and Christmas by eliminating Scrooge's ghosts. This cartoon ambiguously makes the literary character a historical one. But why not? Who you gonna call?

2006's American Dad episode "The Best Christmas Story Never"

Wow! Where do I start to describe this one? When the Spirit of Christmas Past escorts Stan back to Christmas 1970, he ditches the ghost for his own agenda. Through a series of loose connections, Stan blames ‘Hanoi Jane’ Fonda for the loss of Christmas spirit for Americans as well as his own disillusionment. It just keeps getting weirder and more wild--and it's worth the ride.

Gumby short entitled "Scrooge Loose"

This early 1960s stop motion program includes a holiday segment with Gumby and Pokey confronting an unhappy Scrooge who looks to sabotage Santa Claus' toy delivery. Santa vs. Scrooge: bring it on!

1987's Bravestarr episode entitled "Tex's Terrible Night"

If you aren't already familiar, this impressive animated series is a Science Fiction Western. Yeah, wow! It also distinguishes itself by incorporating the series' characters in this adaptation of Dickens' tale. The Scrooge character, Tex Hex, is haunted by Shaman who shows him the consequences of his villainous behavior. This is far more sophisticated than one expects from a children's program.

Tex as Bravestarr's Scrooge

For Part 2: click HERE....for five more animated Christmas Carols.