Glee Christmas (2011)

Volume 1 covers The best Christmas music in TV sitcoms and dramas.

In my new book Merry Musical Christmas Vol. 1, I discuss the best Christmas music in TV sitcoms and dramas.  Two days ago, I composed a post with excerpts from the new book about the 1963 musical Christmas episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show.  Click HERE to see that again.  The new book includes discussions of memorable Christmas musical moments throughout the history of TV--including ones released just last year.  Let me share one significant element from last year's episode of Glee.

Though there are nine songs performed in this episode, three of them are performed on Arnie's set while taping a local TV special.  I want to focus my discussion today on the three performances on Artie's TV Special set.  (In Merry Musical Christmas Vol. 1, you can find the rest of the musical moments of the 2011 Christmas episode of Glee covered in detail).


Excerpt from the final chapter in Merry Musical Christmas, Vol. 1:

"The third season of Glee produced another outstanding holiday episode, 2011’s “Extraordinary Merry Christmas.”  Although the Glee Club members promise Coach Sylvester they will volunteer at a local homeless shelter, most of them cancel when a new opportunity arises.  The New Directions star in a musical Christmas special for local television.  Under Artie’s direction, “The Glee Holiday Spectacular” combines the best of two of his favorite TV specials:  the Christmas episode of The Judy Garland Show and the Star Wars Holiday Special."

The opening credits to Artie's local TV special reflect a familiar Star Wars style.

"During the taping of the TV special, Blaine and Kurt sing “Let It Snow” on a set that looks just like the one in Judy Garland’s TV special--a re-creation of Judy’s own living room on Rockingham Dr. in her Brentwood home during the taping of the 1963 Christmas TV show.  At the piano, Rachel sings “My Favorite Things” and later Finn and Puck dressed as Star Wars characters Luke Skywalker and Han Solo, perform a rockin’ version of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” in the style of Bruce Springsteen’s version of the holiday classic.  Dressed as a sexy female Santa, Brittany sings a lively version of the 1980s hit “Christmas Wrapping.”   Brittany’s song is accompanied by a ribbon twirling dance routine with the other New Directions dancers including Tina and Mike.  This production number actually pays tribute to a dance number in the original Judy Garland Christmas show, in which a frenzied group of Santa Claus dancers bursts through her front door to perform a fast-paced Charleston dance number."

The start of the TV special includes Kurt stepping through the front door to address the camera, inviting TV viewers into his "home" for the Christmas show.

Likewise, Judy opens her 1963 Christmas show stepping through the front door of her "home" to address the camera, inviting TV viewers to watch her Christmas show.

"The appeal of this third season Glee Christmas episode is the tipping of their hat to two somewhat rare but real TV specials from the past: the 1963 Christmas episode of the black-and-white variety series The Judy Garland Show and the 1978 bomb Star Wars Holiday Special which aired only once on TV but has since cast a long shadow.  The only elements from the Star Wars TV special here are the Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Chewbacca costumes."

Dressed as Han Solo and Luke Skywalker, Puck and Finn perform the song "Santa Claus is Coming to Town."

 
"However, Artie’s TV special recreates many elements from the original Judy Garland Show including the living room set which looks identical to the 1963 set.  Other similarities include the fact that Artie’s special is also shot in black-and-white, Kurt addresses the camera to invite viewers into the living room set, and the Santa Claus dancers.  While Judy’s original TV special included several songs from the musical Oliver!, this Glee episode includes Rachel singing “My Favorite Things” from another Broadway hit, The Sound of Music."

Brittany sings "Christmas Wrapping" as she leads the energetic ribbon twirling dancers.

The Glee ribbon twirlers are much like the dancing Santa Clauses in the 1963 Judy Garland Christmas show.

"The music from this 2011 Glee Christmas episode was also released as an album.  Just like the previous Glee cast Christmas album, there are holiday music standards that are not included in the episode, such as “Santa Baby,” “Do You Hear What I Hear,” and “Little Drummer Boy.”  Buyers should also know that the song “My Favorite Things” is not on the Glee cast Christmas album although the single is for sale by itself."

Have you seen Judy Garland's 1963 Christmas show before?  You really should--it's a quintessential example of the TV variety special.  Judy welcomes singers Jack Jones and Mel Tormé as her guests.  Viewers are also treated to entertainment by Judy's children--a teenaged Liza Minnelli, and younger siblings, Lorne and Joe Luft.  Glee pays a wonderful tribute to Judy's original show that I'm glad has not been forgotten.


Not only is The Judy Garland Show's Christmas episode available on DVD for purchase, but it's also on youtube:





Are you looking forward to the 2012 Christmas episode of Glee?  It airs Thurs, Dec. 13th at 9pm (ET) on Fox.  I can't wait to see what surprises the series brings to this year's Christmas episode.  What's your favorite musical moment in a Christmas-themed sitcom or drama?

Santa Quiz #3

Here's my final Santa Claus identification quiz this month. I hope this was as much fun for everyone else as it was for me. I started these quizzes these last few weeks as an expression of my excitement for getting to dress like Santa myself at the Santa Hustle 5k I'm running this Sunday, Dec. 16th at Cedar Point, in Sandusky OH. Not only do all the participants get a Santa shirt, Santa hat, and beard for the race--but we get to race alongside thousands of other people dressed the same way. I'm bringing my camera.

Runners at the starting line at a Santa Hustle race in 2011.

I'll see everyone at the race on Sunday. Please stop by my booth to say 'hi' and to share with me your favorite Christmas TV special.  If you want to check out my books, I'll have copies there with me.  Otherwise, good luck to all the racers!  Have you seen the Facebook event page for the race?

Can you identify any of these animated Santa Clauses?  Just like before, name the series or the TV special's title in the comments below.  Can you do it without checking google?  Thanks for playing along.

Futurama

Olive, The Other Reindeer

The Year Without a Santa Claus

Santa Baby!

Claymation Christmas Celebration

Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town

The Nightmare Before Christmas

A Christmas Flintstone

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation

The Dick Van Dyke Show Christmas (1963)

In my new book Merry Musical Christmas Vol. 1, I discuss the best Christmas music in TV sitcoms and dramas.  One of my personal favorite musical Christmas episodes is "The Alan Brady Show Presents" from The Dick Van Dyke Show.   My discussion of this classic episode is found in the first chapter.  "The Alan Brady Show Presents" is an example of a Christmas tradition on television--it is a musical revue, or a show within a show.  Other Christmas musical revues I discuss in the book include episodes from Car 54, Where Are You?, Laverne & Shirley, The Facts of Life, Good Times, Benson, Ally McBeal--and even South Park.

In an attempt to re-create the popular structure and entertainment of a musical variety show, sitcoms sometimes create musical revues in a show-within-a-show format.  Viewers get treated to entertainment of the highest quality with complete songs as well as dance numbers and comedic acts, performed by their favorite sitcom characters.

An excerpt from the first chapter in Merry Musical Christmas:

"In the 1963 episode “The Alan Brady Show Presents,” the sitcom’s plot is offered up as if it is a Christmas episode of The Alan Brady Show, the TV show-within-a-show Rob, Sally, and Buddy write for.  It’s a special holiday episode that features music and dancing from The Alan Brady Show staff!  In this special holiday show, the original music is credited to The Dick Van Dyke Show writers Bill Persky and Sam Denoff."

This opening number is my favorite.

The opening number is legendary.  Buddy, Sally, Mel and Laura come out on stage dressed in choir robes followed by Rob as their choir director.  Tapping his baton, the formal director leads the group in a song he claims immortalizes the great man, as the foursome sing the name of the star of the show “Alan Brady” over and over to a beautiful melody.  The first time the song is sung through, the dignified conductor is choked up by emotion.  The second time the song is sung through, each of the singers takes a solo chorus singing “Alan Brady” however, in the final verse, TV writer Buddy substitutes his own name in place of Alan Brady’s--and he’s sent off the stage in disgrace." 

On the last chorus, the TV writer doesn't sing his boss' name but substitutes it for his own name, Buddy Sorrell.

"The next sing-through of the song goes beautifully once again until the final verse where TV writer Sally substitutes her name instead of singing the name Alan Brady.  She too is sent away off stage, carrying her music stand in shame.  The conductor prepares to begin again when Laura bursts out singing her own name and rushes off stage before the music even begins." 

The conductor sends another traitor off-stage in a wonderful bit featuring both physical and musical comedy.

"With only producer Mel Cooley remaining on stage, the conductor begins again and Mel sings as directed.  The conductor holds up his hand to halt the music, and Rob turns to the audience remarking that he trusts this singer as he’s Aan Brady’s brother-in-law--only to have Mel sing out his own name and rush off stage in defiance!  Amidst the laughter from the audience, Rob forces himself to say his own name and he too makes his exit." 

The stuffy conductor threatens his last remaining singer--Alan Brady's brother-in-law.

This musical performance and comedy sketch is contagiously singable--don’t be surprised if you find yourself singing the “Alan Brady” song at Christmas time.  If you've seen this bit of comedy gold, you'll know why it's one of my favorites.  And this is only the first sketch of the episode!  What's your favorite musical moment in a Christmas-themed sitcom or drama?

The full episode is curently available streaming on Netflix. Here's a video clip of the song I describe.  Sorry about the quality--the video kicks in about 1 minute into the clip.



Merry Musical Christmas is now on sale at Amazon and on this website.

Merry Musical Christmas Volume 1

My latest book Merry Musical Christmas Vol.1 is the first in a five volume series of books about the best Christmas music found in films and television.  Volume 1 focuses on the best Christmas music in TV sitcoms and dramas.  It is now for sale as an e-book and in paperback.  Click the following links for the Amazon listing: e-book and paperback.  You can also purchase a paperback version directly from the publisher--and even get an author signed copy--through this website.  Click the link on the ride-hand side of the blog.

From the introduction:

"While you might not immediately think of television as a medium to access Christmas music, there is in fact quite a bit of Christmas music to be seen and heard on TV during the holidays.  Whether we watch a favorite Christmas movie on DVD or the newest TV special, there is a long tradition of holiday specials and music within TV episodes, specials and movies.  Some of the carols we enjoy each year such as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Silver Bells” were originally written for and first heard in Hollywood films.  Still other carols have been the starting point for some of our favorite animated TV specials including Rudolph, Frosty The Snowman, and The Little Drummer Boy, helping to further cement these songs in the culture and making them Christmas standards."

Also from the introduction:

"One thing that hasn’t changed about Christmas on TV over the decades is the presence of music.  We still love to surround ourselves with music.  We may listen to the Christmas hits of our grandparents or hear the same songs sung by the latest teenage boy band, but music is an essential part of creating our cultural Christmas spirit.  And, music is an important part of narrative stories on television at Christmas time.  From television’s earliest success stories such as I Love Lucy and The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet to contemporary fan favorites like Community and Glee, Christmas music is to be found throughout our favorite TV shows.  Just as you listen to and sing Christmas songs, so too our favorite TV characters celebrate their Christmases to a festive soundtrack, they also sing Christmas songs to express their spirit of the season."

Remember the hilarious version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" sung by the cast on The Mary Tyler Moore Show?

In this first volume, I discuss some of the best and most memorable musical performances in TV sitcoms and dramas, arranged in chronological order by series.  The book begins with television series from the 1950s and '60s and continues up through 2011.  My discussion includes shows as diverse as The Honeymooners and Bonanza, Sanford and Son and Ally McBeal, and Home Improvement and Doctor Who.  Sometimes these outstanding musical performances are made by cast members and sometimes by special guests.  You can read about the Christmas episodes where Patti LaBelle, Josh Groban, Kelly Rowland, Boyz II Men, and Tom Petty perform.  You can also read about the holiday episodes where legendary Christmas music-makers such as Rosemary Clooney, Doris Day, Johnny Mathis, and Mel Tormé perform.  And so much more.

Christmas music can be the emotional thread woven through an episode’s story.  Remember this holiday episode of Community from 2010?

I even highlight a holiday TV tradition of the musical revue or show-within-a-show format.  This is where the characters in a sitcom find an opportunity to entertain an audience during the holidays and TV viewers are treated to a variety show featuring the regular cast of actors.  I discuss Christmas musical revue episodes found in Car 54, Where Are You?, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Good Times, Benson, Laverne & Shirley, The Facts of Life, and even South Park.

In the past, some TV casts recorded their own Christmas albums.  Today, it is possible to not only download Christmas music from particular holiday episodes--but the episodes as well.

The next four volumes of Merry Musical Christmas will cover the best of Christmas music in children's TV programming, movies, animated TV specials, and variety TV series.

From the introduction:

"My goal is to remind you of precious music memories from Christmas entertainment of the past, and to perhaps introduce you to something new.  Then you can share these musical moments with your family and loved ones in your own home in front of the television, perhaps inspiring you to create your own cherished Christmas memories.  I encourage you to not only read about the musical moments but to seek out and watch the TV episodes, specials and movies again.  Christmas music is one of those special experiences where hearing is believing."

So grab a copy of my new book, your remote control, and sing along.

Santa Hustle & Book Signing

The Santa Hustle 5k and Half Marathon race is just ten days away--Sunday, Dec. 16th.  I'm excited about running the 5k.  I won't be setting any land speed records but that's not really my motivation for running the Santa Hustle anyway.  I'm looking forward to joining all the other runners for a fun activity, reaching my goals for my workouts, spreading some holiday cheer--and finding another excuse to wear a silly outfit.

Half of me hopes it snows--the other half hopes for a sunny day with 50 degree temperatures.  It's northern Ohio in mid-December, there's really no predicting what the weather may be like on race day.

Whatever the weather, I'll be there running the 5k.  Afterwards, I'll be greeting runners and their families at the Post-Race Party.  Feel free to share with me the title of your favorite Christmas TV special.  People also like to ask me about Christmas TV movies and specials from the past that they can't remember the name of--hoping I'll help them out with a title.  I'm usually pretty good at that!  If you'd like to get one of my three books, I'll have copies available there, and I can even sign one if you'd like.  A signed book may make a special gift for that TV junkie/pop culture enthusiast on your Christmas list.

Again, I'll be at the Santa Hustle at Cedar Point, in Sandusky, Ohio on Sunday, Dec. 16th.  Check the website for more details on the event and its location: SantaHustle.com

I'll see everyone on Dec. 16th--and good luck with your race!

INSP Network Christmas Programming

As if being in the New York Times wasn't enough, this month I'm also the guest blogger on the INSP television network's website.   I wrote one essay about the Christmas movies that I'm most looking forward to watching in their holiday schedule.  Click HERE for the link to my essay on the INSP website.  I also wrote a second post about the Christmas-themed TV episodes they are airing.

Do you receive INSP from your cable/satellite provider?  I do--it's ch. 387 on Akron Time-Warner.

You'll notice that INSP is offering a sweepstakes attached to my blog post on their website.  They are giving away twelve titles in a grand prize as well as daily prizes.  The sweepstakes ends Dec. 12th--and the winners will be announced on TV!  You don't want to miss out on this opportunity.  Click HERE for the link to the INSP sweepstakes.

Back in October, I created a list of their holiday TV listings.  Click HERE to see the INSP Christmas programming schedule again.   They're airing quite a few Christmas TV movies, several of which are exciting favorites that are a little more rare such as Ebbie, The Christmas Secret, and The Christmas Tree.
 

INSP is also airing the Christmas episodes from the TV series The Brady Bunch, Happy Days, The Big Valley, Little House on the Prairie, The Waltons, and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.  In a second blog post for INSP website, I share my thoughts on my favorite episodes among the TV series.  Click HERE for the link to see the INSP post I wrote about the Christmas-themed TV episodes. 

Don't hesitate to enter the network's sweepstakes!  What a wonderful prize package they are offering.  And of course, don't forget to watch the complete line-up of treasured Christmas classics that are airing on INSP throughout the month of December.

Book Signing at Home Alone Screening

Don't forget, I'll be greeting readers and signing books at a local screening of Home Alone.  Will I see you there?  The event is Saturday, December 15th at the Plaza Cinemas at Chapel Hill in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.  Click HERE for the link to the theater's Facebook page.

How many times have you seen this 1990 movie?

I'll be in the lobby area at least a half hour before the movie the first movie begins and you can find me there again after the movie is over.  I'll be there before the start of the second screening at well.  The first screening of Home Alone begins at 9:30pm and the second screening begins at 11:55pm.  The links to the FB events: 9:30pm screening and 11:55pm screening.

Remember John Candy's bit part--as the polka king?

Not only can you talk to me about your favorite Christmas TV special or movie--but I'll have copies of all three of my books for sale.  This would be an ideal time to get a signed copy to give as a gift for that someone special in your life.  Then you can watch everyone's favorite Christmas movie Home Alone on the big screen--tickets are just $5 each.

Too much aftershave?

Last year, I wrote a little about Home Alone for the blog during our 1990s Christmas in July marathon.  Click HERE to see the Home Alone post again.

Who's gonna bring the green tic tacs?

I'll see everyone on Saturday, Dec. 15th!