Christmas in July 2022: Psych (2010)

 

 

Merry Christmas in July! It is Day #28 of the month-long celebration of Christmas entertainment. Each day this month I will be sharing reminisces about Christmas TV episodes, specials, and movies with a IT'S A WONDERFUL SUMMER attitude. Yes--this month I'm sharing brief essays about TV adaptations of the 1946 movie "It's a Wonderful Life" along with TV programs with significant references to the movie. Just a little something different and a way for me to show off the diversity of holiday stories I've collected in the encyclopedia Tis the Season TV (the updated and expanded 2nd edition being released soon). 

Psych isn't airing on Ion TV on Saturdays anymore (as of July 2022) but this trailer does capture the tone of the detective series.

 

Today's discussion is on the humorous detective series Psych and its fifth season episode "The Polarizing Express." In this Christmas episode, police consultant Shawn Spencer is caught on camera illegally obtaining evidence against the organized criminal Czarsky, so the case is dismissed, and the Santa Barbara Police Department fires Shawn. Feeling worthless, Shawn takes a nap after wondering how life would be different if he had never become the psychic police consultant five years ago.  

This series is all about the dynamic between Shawn and Gus who make continuous  pop culture references.

 

Shawn slips into a dream, guided by actor Tony Cox. Shawn's dream resembles It’s A Wonderful Life--but with even more movie and TV references! Shawn experiences what life would be like for the people who know him if he had never been there to influence them. Realizing that some of them may be better off, Shawn decides to awaken and gather more evidence to put Czarsky behind bars. In the end, the police are able to gather evidence against Czarsky when the city’s residents come together and agree to testify against him. Much like the ending in the 1946 movie, Shawn feels his life has meaning when he witnesses the community spirit to support him.

 

Shawn and his guardian angel Tony Cox.

The cast includes James Roday as Shawn Spencer, Dulé Hill as Gus Guster, Tony Cox as the guardian angel Tony Cox, and Keshia Knight Pulliam as Gus’ wife, Corbin Bernsen as Shawn's father Henry Spencer, Timothy Omundson as Det. Carlton Lassiter, and Det. Maggie Lawson as Juliet O'Hara. 

James Roday starred in this episode, directed it, and even has a co-writing credit. Whew! I like this adaptation of It's a Wonderful Life because the writing is clever enough to play with the familiar story structure and parody it too. This comedy series grew to be a cult TV hit largely for its humor, irreverence, pop culture and self-referential style, and boldness. This Christmas episode embodies the series' charm to the fullest. Psych has several Christmas episodes besides this one--do you have a favorite?

Joanna Wilson is a TV researcher and book author specializing in Christmas entertainment. More about the TV programs mentioned on this website can be found in her book "Tis the Season TV: the Encyclopedia of Christmas-themed Episodes, Specials, and Made-for-TV Movies." Her latest book "Triple Dog Dare: Watching--& Surviving--the 24-Hour Marathon of A Christmas Story" was released in 2016. She is currently updating and expanding the encyclopedia for an upcoming release. Her books can be found at the publisher's website: 1701 press.com

*Support this website and its research by purchasing the books at 1701 press.com

Christmas in July 2022: Night Court (1991)

 

 

Merry Christmas in July! It is Day #27 of the month-long celebration of Christmas entertainment. Each day this month I will be sharing brief reminisces about Christmas TV episodes, specials, and movies with a IT'S A WONDERFUL SUMMER attitude. Yes--this month I'm sharing brief essays about TV adaptations of the 1946 movie "It's a Wonderful Life" along with TV programs with significant references to the movie. Just a little something different and a way for me to show off the diversity of holiday stories I've collected in the encyclopedia Tis the Season TV (the updated and expanded 2nd edition being released soon). 

 

 

 

Today's discussion is on the season 8 episode "Hey Harry, F’Crying Out Loud--It’s a Wonderful Life...Sorta" from the sitcom Night Court which first aired on Feb. 27, 1991. Even though this is not a Christmas story, it is an adaptation of the 1946 holiday movie It's a Wonderful Life and includes some fantastic Christmas connects. 

 

Jazz singer Mel Tormé appears as Judge Harry Stone's guardian angel.

In this episode, Judge Harry Stone feels down after his girlfriend leaves him for the Witness Protection Program, and his regular routine seems meaningless. Attorney Christine Sullivan is worried about Harry and when she sees that Harry's favorite jazz singer Mel Tormé is performing in New York, she contacts Tormé and gets her friend tickets for the best seat in the house. Meanwhile, Harry is feeling depressed and wishes he’d never come to work at the courthouse. Harry's dream comes true courtesy of his guardian angel Herb who just so happens to resemble Mel Tormé. 

 

New York City is a far worse place when Dan Fielding is appointed as judge.

 

Herb shows Harry what life in the courthouse would look like if he never came to work there. Harry and Herb step into a black-and-white world in which Dan Fielding is the night court judge and justice is for sale. Fielding's corruption makes optimistic defense lawyer Christine Sullivan feel cynical and jaded, easy-going court clerk Mac Robinson is now a stressed-out prosecutor, bailiff Bull Shannon is the Deputy Mayor manipulated by Fielding's machinations, and bailiff Roz Russell is sent to jail for standing up to Fielding. Harry sees that his influence on the court and his friends is important and he's glad to return to his life as the night court's judge.

 

Harry sees the world without him in it in black-and-white--just like the 1946 holiday movie It's a Wonderful Life.

 

The guardian angel Herb escorts Harry into a black-and-white world--literally--as the angel explains that he knows Harry is a fan of old Hollywood movies. Inside the court, everyone is dressed in 1940s suits, dresses and fedoras--not just reflecting vintage Hollywood but recreating the look of It's a Wonderful Life.

 

In this episode, Tormé sings the jazz standard "Pick Yourself Up" written by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields.

Although the story is not set at Christmas, casting Mel Tormé as Harry's guardian angel suggests Christmas nonetheless. Not only did Mel Tormé write the holiday anthem "The Christmas Song" (with Bob Wells), but Tormé had just appeared in the eighth season Christmas episode of Night Court two months prior! Another connection to It's a Wonderful Life is made in this episode when the song "Auld Lang Syne" can be heard just before the sitcom's closing credits. The song "Auld Lang Syne" is sung in It's a Wonderful Life at the end of the movie when all of George Bailey's friends arrive with money to help him out of his jam and the celebrating begins--the emotional highlight of the 1946 movie. This sitcom's tribute to It’s a Wonderful Life may not be a Christmas episode but the spirit remains the same.

Just a few more days of TV references to It's a Wonderful Life. Have I mentioned your favorite TV adaptation yet? Feel free to leave comments below. Merry Christmas in July!

Joanna Wilson is a TV researcher and book author specializing in Christmas entertainment. More about the TV programs mentioned on this website can be found in her book "Tis the Season TV: the Encyclopedia of Christmas-themed Episodes, Specials, and Made-for-TV Movies." Her latest book "Triple Dog Dare: Watching--& Surviving--the 24-Hour Marathon of A Christmas Story" was released in 2016. She is currently updating and expanding the encyclopedia for an upcoming release. Her books can be found at the publisher's website: 1701 press.com

*Support this website and its research by purchasing the books at 1701 press.com

Christmas in July 2022: The Emperor's New School (2006)

 

  

Merry Christmas in July! It is Day #26 of the month-long celebration of Christmas/holiday entertainment. Each day this month I will be sharing brief reminisces about Christmas TV episodes, specials, and movies with a IT'S A WONDERFUL SUMMER attitude. Yes--this month I'm sharing brief essays about TV adaptations of the 1946 movie "It's a Wonderful Life" along with TV programs with significant references to the movie. Just a little something different and a way for me to show off the diversity of holiday stories I've collected in the encyclopedia Tis the Season TV (the updated and expanded 2nd edition being released soon).  

 

Today's discussion is on the Disney Channel animated series The Emperor's New School which is a follow-up to the animated Disney movie The Emperor's New Groove from 2000. The series centers on the character Kuzco who is focusing on his education before becoming emperor. The villain here is the adviser Yzma who wants to be empress instead. The first season episode "Yzmopolis" draws upon the 1946 holiday movie It's a Wonderful Life for its inspiration. I've chosen to discuss this episode because the series is set during the Pre-Columbian era featuring people from the Incan culture. I hope you're as impressed as I am to see how far the It's a Wonderful Life-story structure has traveled and yet remains meaningful to viewers. Let's look more carefully at the episode.

 

l to r: Kronk, Kuzco, and Malina.

In the 2006 episode "Yzmopolis," Kuzco knows that in his role as emperor, he doesn’t fit in with everyone else. After he upsets his friends Chicha, Kronk and Malina, Kuzco goes to the Temple of the Sky God and wishes he were never emperor. When Kuzco discovers his wish has come true and he can now fit in with the others, he happy to live the life of a peasant. 

 

The villainous Yzma is voiced by Eartha Kitt.

But Kuzco finds being a peasant isn’t as he imagined when Yzma is the emperor, Kronk is the school principal, and Malina is in violation of Yzma’s law. Kuzco finally realizes he is ready to resume his life as an emperor, however Yzma holds his fate in her hands.

The voice cast includes J.P. Manoux as Kuzco, Patrick Warburton as Kronk, Eartha Kitt as Yzma, Wendie Malick as Chicha, and Jessica DiCicco as Malina.
 

Even though this story is an adaptation of the 1946 holiday movie It’s a Wonderful Life, the 2006 episode is not a Christmas story. "What kind of Christmas could Incans celebrate anyway" you may ask. This is directly addressed in the 2007 episode “A Giftmas Story.” In that 2nd season episode, the holiday celebrated by Kuzco and his friends is creatively called Giftmas--a clear parallel to Christmas. The holiday features a gift-giver named Papa Santos who has a nice and naughty list from which he gathers names to give gifts. Papa Santas lives in the Ice Fortress (read: North Pole) and delivers his gifts on Giftmas Eve from a rickshaw to those who believe in him. Sounds pretty familiar, no? 

 

Even though the 1st season episode "Yzmopolis" does not take place at Christmas or Giftmas, it is interesting to see how the story structure from the 1946 holiday movie is repeated in a meaningful way--in a story for young viewers. Merry Christmas in July!

Joanna Wilson is a TV researcher and book author specializing in Christmas entertainment. More about the TV programs mentioned on this website can be found in her book "Tis the Season TV: the Encyclopedia of Christmas-themed Episodes, Specials, and Made-for-TV Movies." Her latest book "Triple Dog Dare: Watching--& Surviving--the 24-Hour Marathon of A Christmas Story" was released in 2016. She is currently updating and expanding the encyclopedia for an upcoming release. Her books can be found at the publisher's website: 1701 press.com

*Support this website and its research by purchasing the books at 1701 press.com

Christmas in July 2022: Alf (1987)

 

 

Merry Christmas in July! It is Day #25 of the month-long celebration of Christmas/holiday entertainment. Each day this month I will be sharing brief reminisces about Christmas TV episodes, specials, and movies with a IT'S A WONDERFUL SUMMER attitude. Yes--this month I'm sharing brief essays about TV adaptations of the 1946 movie "It's a Wonderful Life" along with TV programs with significant references to the movie. Just a little something different and a way for me to show off the diversity of holiday stories I've collected in the encyclopedia Tis the Season TV (the updated and expanded 2nd edition being released soon).  

 

Alf is handed out as a stuffed toy at the children's hospital.

Today's discussion is on the second season's hour-long installment known as Alf's Special Christmas. In this story, the Tanner family celebrates Christmas in the rustic cabin where Willie spent the holidays of his childhood. When the cabin's owner Mr. Foley drops by, Alf hides in his truck amongst a stack of Christmas presents. Alf is mistakenly given away as a doll at a children’s hospital! 

 

Alf learns about the true Christmas spirit from Tiffany.

At the hospital, Alf befriends a young girl named Tiffany who is terminally ill. Trying to get back to the Tanners, Alf gets trapped in the hospital elevator with a pregnant woman and he ends up delivering her baby. 

 

Alf steps in as Mr. Foley's guardian angel to remind Foley that still people need him.

Meanwhile, Mr. Foley is so depressed, he contemplates jumping off a bridge until Alf confronts him, much like the guardian angel in the 1946 movie It’s a Wonderful Life. Alf brings together Mr. Foley and Tiffany so each of them has someone who needs them.
 

In addition to the nod to It's a Wonderful Life, this extended episode makes two references to the famous editorial “Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus” in the context of honoring the hope of children for the future of society. The heart-felt message seems even more poignant in this already emotional episode. There are also several references to Alf being a fan of Perry Como and he’s disappointed to have to miss the annual Perry Como Christmas TV special while staying at the cabin. 

 

 

The cast includes Max Wright as Willie Tanner, Anne Schedeen as Kate Tanner, Andrea Elson as Lynn Tanner, Benji Gregory as Brian Tanner, and puppeteer Paul Fusco as the voice of Alf. Special guests include Cleavon Little as Mr. Foley, Molly Hagan as the new mother Denise, and Keri Houlihan as young Tiffany.

 

Cleavon Little as Mr. Foley.

At the end credits, there is a dedication to Tiffany Leigh Smith. She was a real-life terminally ill girl that inspired this Christmas special. 

 

Even if the reference in this episode to It's a Wonderful Life is fairly short, it is certainly memorable and the emotional climax of the story. On the icy bridge, Alf is dressed as Santa Claus and Mr. Foley wonders if his angel is actually St. Nicholas/Santa Claus. Foley is comforted by the sentiment in the editorial "Yes Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus" that we should all embrace the hope that comes with the idea of Santa Claus, as he chooses to step down from the railing of the ice-covered bridge. This sentiment is certainly beautiful year-round. Merry Christmas in July!

Joanna Wilson is a TV researcher and book author specializing in Christmas entertainment. More about the TV programs mentioned on this website can be found in her book "Tis the Season TV: the Encyclopedia of Christmas-themed Episodes, Specials, and Made-for-TV Movies." Her latest book "Triple Dog Dare: Watching--& Surviving--the 24-Hour Marathon of A Christmas Story" was released in 2016. She is currently updating and expanding the encyclopedia for an upcoming release. Her books can be found at the publisher's website: 1701 press.com

*Support this website and its research by purchasing the books at 1701 press.com

Christmas in July 2022: Benson (1984)

 

The character Benson DuBois was created for the TV series Soap, but Robert Guillaume received his own spin-off sitcom Benson.

 

Merry Christmas in July! It is Day #24 of the month-long celebration of Christmas/holiday entertainment. Each day this month I will be sharing brief reminisces about Christmas TV episodes, specials, and movies with a IT'S A WONDERFUL SUMMER attitude. Yes--this month I'm sharing brief essays about TV adaptations of the 1946 movie "It's a Wonderful Life" along with TV programs with significant references to the movie. Just a little something different and a way for me to show off the diversity of holiday stories I've collected in the encyclopedia Tis the Season TV (the updated and expanded 2nd edition being released soon).  

Today's discussion is on the 1984 episode "Home for Christmas" from the sitcom Benson. In this story, Benson accidentally hits his head while last-minute Christmas shopping, and he finds himself in heaven talking with his mother Lois. She offers to show him what his friends’ lives will be like without him. In a retelling of the 1946 movie It’s a Wonderful Life, Benson learns how much his friends need him when he sees that the scheming Clayton is now Governor, Governor Gatling is the mansion’s servant, young Katie is already divorced and directionless, and Kraus has fallen on hard times. Benson’s “angel” shows him the office Christmas party and he sees how much they’ve lost their holiday spirit. 

 

 

Although Benson’s friends can’t see him, he sings “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and his spirit inspires them. When he awakens in the hospital, Benson chooses to continue to help and support his friends.

Just before the credits, the cast break the fourth wall to each offer their holiday greetings to viewers watching at home.

The cast includes Robert Guillaume as Benson DuBois, James Noble as Governor Gatling, Missy Gold as Katie, Inga Swenson as Kraus, Rene Auberjonois as Clayton, and Beah Richards as Lois.

 

 

 

This month, I've shared a wide variety of adaptations, parodies, and significant references to the holiday movie It's a Wonderful Life. There have been comedies, dramas, TV movies--and some adaptations are found in children's programs. I've even tried to share a few examples of TV programs that adapt It's a Wonderful Life's narrative structure in episodes that are not Christmas stories. The influence of Frank Capra's movie is powerful. I have just one more week of Christmas in July. Thanks for joining me in this journey.

Joanna Wilson is a TV researcher and book author specializing in Christmas entertainment. More about the TV programs mentioned on this website can be found in her book "Tis the Season TV: the Encyclopedia of Christmas-themed Episodes, Specials, and Made-for-TV Movies." Her latest book "Triple Dog Dare: Watching--& Surviving--the 24-Hour Marathon of A Christmas Story" was released in 2016. She is currently updating and expanding the encyclopedia for an upcoming release. Her books can be found at the publisher's website: 1701 press.com

*Support this website and its research by purchasing the books at 1701 press.com

Christmas in July 2022: Even Stevens (2000)

 

Merry Christmas in July! It is Day #23 of the month-long celebration of Christmas/holiday entertainment. Each day this month I will be sharing brief reminisces about Christmas TV episodes, specials, and movies with a IT'S A WONDERFUL SUMMER attitude. Yes--this month I'm sharing brief essays about TV adaptations of the 1946 movie "It's a Wonderful Life" along with TV programs with significant references to the movie. Just a little something different and a way for me to show off the diversity of holiday stories I've collected in the encyclopedia Tis the Season TV (the updated and expanded 2nd edition being released soon). 

Today's discussion is going to expand to include a Hanukkah episode from the children's live action Disney Channel series Even Stevens. This episode's title is "Heck of a Hanukkah." In this story, mischievous Louis Stevens goes in search for the hidden Hanukkah gifts and when he finds them, in order to avoid being caught, he throws them out the window. When he's punished, Louis feels unjustly penalized for ruining the family’s Hanukkah gifts and wishes he was never born. 

In this loose adaptation of the holiday movie It's a Wonderful Life, a guardian angel in the form of one of Louis' ancestors named Bubbe Rose shows him his family members’ lives if his wish were true and he were never born. Louis is horrified to discover a pleasant and thoughtful sibling named Curtis would replace him!

While Curtis brings goodness to the Stevenses, the imbalance brought to the family without a rascal like Louis ends up harming the other members of the family. Louis sees that his family truly needs him! This Hanukkah episode brings thoughtfulness and charm to the familiar story of It's a Wonderful Life.

The cast includes Shia La Beouf as Louis Stevens, Christy Carlson Romano as Ren Stevens, Donna Pescow as mother Eileen Stevens/Bubbe Rose, Nick Spano as brother Donnie Stevens, and Chris Marquette as Curtis.

Joanna Wilson is a TV researcher and book author specializing in Christmas entertainment. More about the TV programs mentioned on this website can be found in her book "Tis the Season TV: the Encyclopedia of Christmas-themed Episodes, Specials, and Made-for-TV Movies." Her latest book "Triple Dog Dare: Watching--& Surviving--the 24-Hour Marathon of A Christmas Story" was released in 2016. She is currently updating and expanding the encyclopedia for an upcoming release. Her books can be found at the publisher's website: 1701 press.com

*Support this website and its research by purchasing the books at 1701 press.com

Christmas in July 2022: Wacky Races (2017)

 

Merry Christmas in July! It is Day #22 of the month-long celebration of Christmas entertainment. Each day this month I will be sharing brief reminisces about Christmas TV episodes, specials, and movies with a IT'S A WONDERFUL SUMMER attitude. Yes--this month I'm sharing brief essays about TV adaptations of the 1946 movie "It's a Wonderful Life" along with TV programs with significant references to the movie. Just a little something different and a way for me to show off the diversity of holiday stories I've collected in the encyclopedia Tis the Season TV (the updated and expanded 2nd edition being released soon). 

Today's discussion is on the 2017 episode "It's a Wacky Life" from the reboot of the 1960s Hanna-Barbera animated series. It made its debut and is currently streaming on Boomerang+. In this story, the villainous Dick Dastardly is too busy planning more schemes with his vehicle to attend the Wacky Racers' Christmas party. 

 

Dastardly's full name: Richard Milhouse Dastardly.

When Dick eventually does see what’s going on at the party, he’s humiliated in a rap battle against Penelope Pitstop. Returning to his race car to work on more boobie traps, he finds that once again, the contraptions only harm him. His spirit is separated from his body and floats to heaven where he meets an angel (resembling I.Q.). The angel reviews with Dastardly how disastrous his scheming efforts have been in life. When Dastardly expresses that he wished he were never born, the angel shows him what his fellow racers’ lives would be like without him. Tiny is a TV talk show host, Muttley is President of the United States, and Peter Perfect has won even more racing awards. This convinces Dastardly that he has much to live for--in order to continue his schemes!

 

Dick's guardian angel resembles the Wacky Racer I.Q. Ickly--the intellectual driver in the on-going races.

The voice cast includes Diedrich Bader as Peter Perfect, Christopher Judge as Brick, Tom Kenny as Bella, Nicole Parker as Penelope Pitstop/Pandora Pitstop, Jill Talley as IQ/Maurice, Billy West as Muttley/Tiny, and Peter Woodward as Dick Dastardly.

This holiday story is a loose adaptation of the 1946 movie It’s a Wonderful Life. It is also a parody of the original intent of the meaning in the Frank Capra original--here, Dastardly is only motivated to return to his original life because he has much more villainy to commit! While this episode is certainly not the first parody of It's a Wonderful Life, it is a reminder that the original story is so well known that humor is derived from turning the familiar story on its head.

So much more yet coming in the month-long tribute to It's a Wonderful Life. Merry Christmas in July!

Joanna Wilson is a TV researcher and book author specializing in Christmas entertainment. More about the TV programs mentioned on this website can be found in her book "Tis the Season TV: the Encyclopedia of Christmas-themed Episodes, Specials, and Made-for-TV Movies." Her latest book "Triple Dog Dare: Watching--& Surviving--the 24-Hour Marathon of A Christmas Story" was released in 2016. She is currently updating and expanding the encyclopedia for an upcoming release. Her books can be found at the publisher's website: 1701 press.com

*Support this website and its research by purchasing the books at 1701 press.com