Best Holiday TV Special
For millions of Americans, holiday traditions include annual viewings of holiday TV specials. Not Christmas films, or films that have become associated with Christmas. We’re talking about holiday programming made specifically for television. There have been dozens of holiday TV specials over the years, with entries from the 1950s remaining just as popular 70 years later, and newer entries finding their way on to the Christmas canon. So for this episode of the Great Pop Culture Debate, our panelists are here to discuss: What is the Best Holiday TV Special? Special discussed the Star Wars Holiday Special, Pee-Wee’s Playhouse Christmas Special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, Mickey’s Christmas Carol, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and more.
Host Eric Rezsnyak and panelists Bob Erlenback, Derek Mekita, and Michael Barber get nostalgic by discussing some of their favorite Christmas TV specials from childhood to today.
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Round 1 Match-Ups:
Match-Up 1: "The Star Wars Holiday Special" vs. Dolly Parton's "A Smoky Mountain Christmas"
Match-Up 2: "Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol" vs. "Frosty the Snowman"
Match-Up 3: "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (1966) vs. "Babes in Toyland" (1986)
Match-Up 4: "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" vs. "A Charlie Brown Christmas"
Match-Up 5: "Mickey's Christmas Carol" vs. "Will Vinton's Claymation Christmas"
Match-Up 6: "He-Man & She-Ra: A Christmas Special" vs. "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town"
Match-Up 7: "Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special" vs. "A Muppet Family Christmas"
Match-Up 8: "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (1964) vs. "Olaf's Frozen Adventure"
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EPISODE CREDITS
Host: Eric Rezsnyak
Panel: Bob Erlenback, Derek Mekita, Michael Barber
Producer: Mike Rapin
Editor: Jeffery Perry