Overlooked Christmas Specials

(The shortened opening)

NC: Hello, I'm the Nostalgia Critic. I remember it so you don't have to. You know, I started to think about all the Christmas specials that don't get that much attention, and then I started to think about the ones that probably deserve not to get that much attention, but still have a few scenes that should be looked at anyway, and then I started to think about Texas Road House.

(An image of Texas Road House is shown briefly)

NC: No...particular reason. I was just hungry. And then I realized, rather than do, like, a Top 11 list or just choose one special to talk about, I decided I'm gonna talk about the specials that deserve more attention and, even better, talk about the specials that maybe aren't great beginning to end, but still deserve to be looked at for one or two great scenes.

(Footage of various Christmas specials are shown)

NC (vo): Because so much can be done with Christmas that, even if the special isn't popular or even that good, there can still be great, wonderful stuff that's still worth mentioning. The only condition is I'm gonna try and not talk about the ones I've already discussed in my Two Best Christmas Specials Lists, because, well, I've talked about them already, and you can go check out those videos for yourselves. This is just a look at some Christmas specials and Christmas scenes that probably deserve more attention than they get.

NC: With that said, let's take a look at one of my favorite Christmas specials that always warms the heart with its kindness and humble nature. (Beat) I'm, of course, talking about RiffTrax.

(Footage of the RiffTrax Christmas Show is shown)

NC (vo):

NC: Cynicism is often a big factor in a lot of Adult Swim shows, and nowhere is that more prominent than Aqua Team Hunger Force.

(Footage of the Aqua Team Hunger Force Christmas episode is shown)

NC (vo):

NC: Something similar can be said also about Bad Santa.

(Footage of Bad Santa is shown)

NC (vo):

NC: But for every insanely depressing Christmas special, there's always gonna be an insanely positive Christmas special. And that's where Pee-Wee Herman comes in.

(Footage of the Pee-Wee Herman Christmas Show is shown)

NC (vo):

NC: But hell with the positive stuff. You want to see mean-spirited shit again. How about a giant robotic Santa killing people.

(A scene from the Futurama episode, Xmas Story, is shown, with Robot Santa's face slowly turning from happy to angry)

Robot Santa: Ho...ho...ho!

(Footage from both Futurama Xmas episodes are shown)

NC (vo): Futurama definitely has a creative take on the future, and one of the funniest is how Christmas is actually a time to keep indoors and stay with your family, not because of love and goodwill, but because there's a psychotic Robot Santa who kills anyone that's outside on Christmas night...or, sorry, they pronounce it "Xmas night".

Robot Santa: I'm going to shove coal so far up your stocking, you'll be coughing up diamonds!

NC (vo): It's just funny to see a joyful holiday being spent running for your lives away from a bloodhungry mental case. Sharp teeth and gunfire? What's not to love? It's definitely a fun, psychotic little romp to look at.

Robot Santa: Look out, Earth. I'm dreaming of a Red Xmas.

NC: But like I said before. There's good stuff to find in specials that even aren't that good.

(Footage from Home Alone 2: Lost in New York is shown)

NC (vo): Home Alone, for example, is a holiday classic, but Home Alone 2? Even the people who made it admit it was a cash-in on the last movie. But even with that, there's still some really great scenes in it. Some of the acting is still funny, the shots of Christmas in New York is nicely done. And let's be honest, Tim Curry makes this movie.

Concierge: (various scenes) Housekeeping. / Piz-za. / Uh...? / Have a lovely day.

NC (vo): As far as I'm concerned, when his scenes are over, you can stop watching the film. He just owns every scene that he's in. I think that image of the Grinch transforming into his smug smile is ingrained in everybody's head now. How can you not think of him whenever you see that scene again?

Concierge: I love you!

NC: Hell, I actually even enjoy watching the Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas Special.

(Footage of Alvin and the Chipmunks' Christmas special is shown)

NC (vo):

(Footage of the Grinch is briefly shown)

NC (vo): And speaking of which, did you know that outside of The Grinch, Chuck Jones did another Christmas Special?

(A poster of Raggedy Ann & Andy: The Great Santa Claus Caper is shown)

NC (vo): Well, okay, two, but, yeah, what the fuck was that?

(Footage of A Very Merry Cricket is shown)

NC (vo):

NC: Another city-based comedy I'm surprised isn't getting any more attention around Christmas is Tokyo Godfathers.

(Footage of Tokyo Godfathers is shown)

NC (vo):

NC: In fact, that's another one that deserves more attention.

(Posters of various Christmas Carol adaptions are shown with the caption "Really????")

NC: Okay, maybe not Christmas Carol in general, but the first one I ever saw, which, strangely enough, starred Mickey Mouse.

(Footage of Mickey's Christmas Carol is shown)

NC (vo): Yeah, that's right. Mickey friggin' Mouse. You'd think this be doomed to be some sort of bland commercial tie-in, but, especially for its short running time, it's a damn impressive telling of the Dickens classic. I mean, come on. Scrooge McDuck as Ebenezer Scrooge? How much more fitting can you get?

Scrooge: Any jackin' apes who thinks else should be boiled in his own pudding.

NC (vo): But it isn't just squeezing Disney characters into famous roles, it actually captures the essence of the story in a short amount of time and has you legitimately care about what's going on. The sad scenes, though quick, are really, really sad. Have you ever seen Mickey Mouse cry before? It's pretty fucked up! Trust me when I say, it might be short, but they take advantage of every moment they got, just like the Disney spirit should.

NC: Finally, I'm going to discuss a new Christmas classic that I may have discussed before, but nevertheless, everyone deserves to see... (A caption is shown, saying "It's Arthur Christmas, isn't it?") Yes, it's Arthur Christmas! (An audience boos) Fuck you! It's amazing!

(Footage of Arthur Christmas is shown)

NC (vo):