Tuesday Top Ten: Holiday Themed TV Episodes

This week I'm doing Top Ten Holiday Themed TV Episodes. Unsurprisingly all of the picks are from Christmas since not many TV shows do special episodes for other holidays.

Finding clips for the 10 choices was harder then actually narrowing the list to 10 choices.

Hopefully you enjoy the list and I wish everyone Happy Holidays!

10. The Office: A Benihana Christmas

The Office definitely captured the awkwardness of having a party with people you only spend time with at work. 

9. Bones: The Man in the Fallout Shelter

Speaking of having to spend time during the Holidays with Co-Workers Bones did it well by forcing the cast to be stuck in the Lab. The show did it very well with how they had the cast make each other gifts and watching them spend time with their families with a glass wall between was touching and makes you realize our important it is to have family around during the Holidays.

8. Corner Gas: Merry Gasmas

Corner Gas did the a great job of showing the awkwardness of charity as well as the frustration of traveling during the holidays.

7. Scrubs: My Own Personal Jesus

Scrubs did a great job of showing someone losing faith. It cannot be easy working in a hospital during the holidays and Scrubs does a great job of showcasing all the emotion.

6. Being Erica: Fa La Erica

I liked this episode because it shows the holidays from the perspective of Christians, Jewish, and people who just don't celebrate the holidays. It showed that you can't force people to celebrate something they do not believe in.

5. The Simpsons: Santa’s Little Helper

When I was younger I always wanted a dog for Christmas even through I already had two dogs. I like the idea that everyone ends up happy. Also The Simpsons were so much funnier then.

4. The Big Bang Theory: The Bath Item Gift Hypothesis

This episode rated high for Sheldon's reaction to his gift from Penny even through the entire episode was funny.

3. Smallville: Lexmas

First of all I miss the voice over guy from the WB promos. His voice really made you excited for upcoming eisodes.

I like the idea of Lex knowing what he can have. It raises a fair question. If you knew you could have many years of happiness that would end in sadness would you make those choices or would you force yourself to change your future. The episode also reminds me of It's A Wonderful Life.

2. The OC: All Four Chrismakah Episodes

I didn't enjoy season 2 or 3 but loved season 1 and 4. Especially season 1. I loved the enthusiasm Seth shows for the holidays. The dynamic of Ryan and Seth in the episode  reminds me of Nessa and I where I love Christmas and she isn't a big fan.

1. Roswell : A Roswell Christmas Carol

No show did Christmas like Roswell. From Isabelle's crazy holiday demands to Max and Michael helping the children in the hospital. The episode showed the hope that people have during the holidays.

Tuesday Top Ten: Holiday Songs

Holiday music for for starts early November every year. I put it onto my iPod and listen to it while I walk to work. I put on the Galaxy Holiday channel as soon as the add it every year. I listen it well into January before I remove the songs from my play lists for another year. 

There are so many holiday songs I love that it was tough narrowing it down to just ten. But I was able to cut it down. Most of the songs in the list have multiple versions but I included my favorite version of each song in the list.

10. Where Are You Christmas by Faith Hill

Where are you Christmas
Why can't I find you
Why have you gone away
Where is the laughter
You used to bring me
Why can't I hear music play 

I know it's from the mediocre Live Action Grinch movie but I like the message of the song. I like the idea of Christmas changing with us. When your young it's the magic of Santa. As a teen it's two weeks out of school. While you are in college it's a chance to relax and see old friends and family. As an adult it's about making sure others are happy especially if you have children. No matter what Christmas is something different to each person.

 

9. White Christmas by Bing Crosby

 

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten,
and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow

I've grown to love this song more while living in Halifax. Especially since I could have gotten away with wearing a t-shirt today rather then my winter jacket that I was sweating in. I also know that when we do have snow and it's freezing out I'll wish for the days of sun and light breezes but Christmas without snow seems wrong to me.

 

8. I’ll Be Home for Christmas  by Frank Sinatra

Christmas Eve will find me
Where the lovelight gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams

Christmas for me was always about family. It's a little harder enjoying the holidays with our family and friends so far away. Luckily with technology I can see my family using Skype even if I won't get the spend the holidays with them.

 

7. Chanukah Song (along with Part 2 and 3) by Adam Sandler

Put on your yarmulka
Its time for Chanukah
So much funnaka
To celebrate Chanukah

I Know I'm not Jewish but I just really enjoy this song during the Holidays.

6. All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey

I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree

I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas Is you

I can pretend I don't like this song but I would be fooling no one especially since I always dance when it comes on.

5. Do They Know It’s Christmas by Band Aid

 And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time
The greatest gift they'll get this year is life.
Ohh....
Where nothing ever grows
No rain or rivers flow
Do they know it's Christmas time at all?

It's not exactly a happy song but it's always been meaningful to me. I think it is good to remember the less fortunate during the holidays. There are a lot of people around the world that suffer and are just happy to be alive while we worry about getting our latest toy.

4. Cool Yule by Louis Armstrong

He'll come a flyin' from a higher place
And fill the stocking by the fireplace
So you'll, have a yule that's cool  

The only version that matters of this song is Louis Armstrong's. His deep voice adds an entertaining layer to the song and makes it fun.

3. Happy Christmas (War Is Over) by John Lennon

  

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

I've always enjoyed this song for it's message of peace and understanding. I've always been against war. I'm a peaceful guy who hates having a simple argument and would rather resolve a disagreement with words rather then violence. I like the idea that war could be over if people just made it so. The message is inspiring especially during the holidays when so many people are stationed over seas.

2. The Christmas Song sung by Nat King Cole

And so I'm offering this simple phrase,
To kids from one to ninety-two,
Although it's been said
Many times, Many ways
Merry Christmas to you.  

This is the first Christmas song I can remember really loving. When I was in my early teens I got a cassette of Christmas songs and played this song so many times that I ruined the tape. I always liked the idea of everyone being happy on the holidays. Of course I have since grown up and now know that the idea of everyone loving the holidays will never be realized but the song still holds special meaning around the holidays.

1. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas sung by Christina Aguilera

  

Through the years we all will be together and
If the fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bow, oh yeah, oh
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now, oh, oh

This is the holiday song I listen to the most every year in all it's different versions sung by so many different voices. I like the thought of having no worries and just enjoying the holidays with friends and family. With everyone getting along even if it's just for the short time around Christmas. 

Music Monday: Chantal Kreviazuk - Feels Like Home

It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me
It feels like I'm all the way back where I come from
It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me
It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong

It's not exactly a Christmas song but I use to listen to it a lot around this time while I was in University. I'd be studying for my finals and trying to keep my mind off the fact that I'd shortly be on a train back to Campbellton, NB. Where I'd get to see my family and friends. I would try to keep myself from thinking about singing really badly at Taps or dancing at the Flagship. Spending time at Al's playing video games or walking through the McDonald's Drive-Thru at 2 in the morning with Troy. 

This song also helped me stay focussed on the task so once I was done I good have one last drinking night with my friends at X before being hung over and trying to not be sick on the train. 

This song proves that lyrics don't have to be about the holidays to make it a festive song. It's about the meaning that you grasp from the lyrics and what they mean to your life.

Tuesday Top Ten: Holiday Movies

I love Christmas. It's the only time watching poorly acted movies are not only acceptable but the movies are mostly loved by all. The movies are filled with so much cheesy dialogue and heartfelt moments . I love cheesy movies all hour long but Christmas makes my love acceptable.

There were a lot of movies that didn't make the list. Honorable Mentions to:

A Christmas Story

Polar Express

The many versions of A Christmas Carol

Unaccompanied Minors
Jingle All The Way
The Santa Clause

Four Christmas

And two movies that I love watching during the holidays but aren't exactly holiday movies:
 

Serendipity

Edward Scissorhands 

10. I’ll Be Home for Christmas

My family rented this movie one Christmas from Midnight Video. One of my sister's loved JTT and this was her choice. I didn't want to watch the film but I ended up loving the movie. It showcases the material side of Christmas (He only goes home cause is dad promises him a car) as well as the warm, family side (He discovers he misses his family and promises to start going home every year.) Since that first time I seen the movie I started a tradition of the movie being the first Holiday Film I watch every year,

9. Muppet Family Christmas

I don't understand how anyone could not like The Muppets. The are just so much fun. And a Christmas special that gathers characters from The Muppets, Sesame Street, and Fraggle Rock is triple the fun.
 
8. Eight Crazy Nights

  
I'm not Jewish but I enjoy this film anyways. Like any Adam Sandler film it's stupid humor and some of the jokes are grosser then the ones in his live action films (I'm thinking of the scenes including a Port-a-Potty and Reindeer) but the movie showcases a nice story of redemption and forgiveness.
 

7. It’s a Wonderful Life

A heartwarming story that shows that success is measured not just by the money you make but by the lives you touch. The idea that the world would be different had you never existed has been tackled in other movies and TV shows but it is done so well in this film.
 
6. Claymation/ Charlie Brown Christmas/ Frosty the Snowman

I remember the first time I watched the claymation Christmas specials. I was amazed at how cool they looked and even through the technology doesn't impress me as much as it did as a kid I still love these films.

Rudolf was always my favorite but I also laughed Santa Clause is Coming to Town and Little Drummer Boy. I included Charlie Brown and Frosty in this section because I ran out of room and did not want to not leave them out. Expecially Charlie Brown Christmas which has a storyline that still rings true.


5. Gremlins

Any movie that can be a Christmas or a Halloween movie must be included. As a kid I wanted a buddy like Gizmo and I promised my mother if I ever got Gizmo I would not feed it at night or get it wet. He's still one of the cutest movie creations ever.


4. How The Grinch Stole Christmas

I have always been a fan of Dr. Seuss books and loved the cartoon as a child. I even enjoy the live action remake even through it loses most of the emotion of the cartoon. 

3. Elf

I remember working at Wal-Mart with Moose and Cory and rewatching this movie over and over again. As much as we had to watch it I never got sick of it and spent most of my shift either quoting the movie or watching the movie and ignoring customers. 
 
2. Christmas Vacation

I love all of the Vacation films but Christmas Vacation was always my favorite. I think it's the funniest thing Chevy Chase has ever done and loved. It showcases so many levels of what Christmas is. Dealing with relatives, shopping, christmas dinner, stress of not having money for everything, and the joy of decorating. The movie does everything right and makes you laugh because it reminds of your own Christmas experiences. 

1. Home Alone 1&2

 

The ultimate Christmas movie. At least the first two movies were (the are basically the same film) great. After that the movies just got sad. But those first two films did everything right. I love how the film shows the emotions of wanting you family to disappear and then realizing that Christmas is nothing without your family. Sure the movie is farfetched (The robbers would never have walked away from being nailed in the face with a pipe or falling into a wall. Regardless the movie is fun and good for multiple viewings ever Christmas.

Music Monday: Ron Sexsmith - Maybe This Christmas

maybe this Christmas will mean something more
maybe this year love will appear
deeper than ever before
and maybe forgiveness will ask us to call
someone we love
someone we've lost
for reasons we can't quite recall
mmm, maybe this Christmas

Later this month I'll be posting my top ten Holiday songs but each Monday I'll be posting a song that I love but didn't make the list. 

I've always enjoyed Ron Sexsmith's music and loved when he was included on the Chrismukkah episode of the first season of The OC. 

I like the idea that Christmas can be more then just getting gifts and seeing family. It can be about mending fences with old friends. It can be about reconnecting with people who you have had disagreements with. The song makes me think a a scene from Home Alone where Kevin and the Old Man are talking about calling the Old Man's son so that he can see his son and granddaughter on Christmas day.

It's one of the things that this time of year should be about. Reaching out to people and finding a way to celebrate together. Accepting that the past is just the past and that you can have a future. 

The song is about hope which is what the Holiday season should be about.

Tuesday Top Twenty Five: TV Crushes

Nessa and I decided to post our Twenty Five TV Crushes. She decided not to rank her list since she loves them all so much but you can see her favorites here: 

Vanswisdom

I did rank my list because I had them ranked before she told me she would not be ranking her list. 

It was relatively easy to come up with my 25 TV Crushes. They had to be good looking obviously but there had to have more to the character because almost everyone on TV is good looking.

The character had to have a sense of humor, in most cases had to be intelligent.They had to be kind and honest. They had to be a character I would want to be friends with and someone who didn't annoy me while watching the show. They also had to be from a show that I enjoyed enough not to give up on during it's series run.

With that said here is my list:

25. Beven from One Tree Hill  

24. Maggie from Eli Stone

23. Gail from Rookie Blue

22. Cat Deeley from So You Think You Can Dance

21. Amy from Everwood

20. Kelly from Saved By The Bell

19. Jen from Dawson’s Creek

18. Andie from Dawson’s Creek

17. Amy from Heartland

16. Rory from Gilmore Girls

15. Veronica from Veronica Mars

14.  Robin from How I Met Your Mother

13. Summer from The OC

12. Lorilei from Gilmore Girls

11. Pam from The Office

10. Hannah from Everwood

9. Sarah from Chuck

8. Lily from How I Met Your Mother

 7. Olivia from Fringe

6. Penny from Big Bang Theory

5. Chloe from Smallville

4. Haley from One Tree Hill

3. Lois from Smallville

2. Brooke from One Tree Hill

1. Erica from Being Erica