Christmas Comedies

By Christina VanGinkel

Has anyone else noticed that there seems to be a comedic trend in Christmas and/or holiday shows that does not take away from the traditional feel good sense that many of the early Christmas classics portrayed, but that adds a layer of goofiness unlike anything before it? For example, a holiday favorite that was and continues to be an icon of what constitutes a Christmas show, a Miracle on 34th Street, portrays its average, ordinary characters in a world where, though almost anything is possible, especially if jolly old St. Nick is involved, the characters are still average people, with ordinary lives? However, the newer Christmas themed shows revolve around a world, where comedic action is the norm. They make us laugh. They make us forget the mounting tally we have spent on gifts for everyone from our own kids to the newspaper delivery boy. They are above all else, fun to watch.

These shows are definably not for everyone, yet they have their following, me amongst them. I enjoy the old classics, such as Miracle on 34th Street, the original Scrooge, and the various animated classics such as Rudolf and Frosty in all their own variations. However, I also enjoy these new classics, as I personally refer to them, just as much if not more. Christmas season would not be what it is today without at least a viewing or two of the Griswold family in Christmas Vacation, nor would it be without Elf, or Home Alone. A Christmas Story was one of the earliest of these. Actually, when I think of A Christmas Story, I think it falls somewhere between the two, the old classics, and the comedic filled holiday shows, as the family is typical middle class, stay at home mother, working father, two kids, and a shopping store Santa Claus. But who could not laugh when once again a child is lured by the attraction of sticking his tongue to a freezing cold metal pole, as the whole audience sits back laughing, knowing full well what is about to happen. In addition, what child would not want a Red Ryder BB gun; even if all the adults around him are telling him, he is going to end up shooting his own eye out.

The more I think about it, some of the shows I think of as new are actually twenty years old or older, so the trend in comedic action at Christmas time when it comes to movies is really not that new, but it is fun to watch. Comedy is relaxing, and what better time of the year to destress in front of a good and funny movie than during the holidays when tensions can run high with visiting relatives and money flowing from our pockets at the highest rate it has all year long.

Some of my personal favorites include the Griswold's in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, the 1998 version of Scrooge, titled Scrooged, Elf, Earnest Saves Christmas, The Santa Clause 1, The Santa Clause 2 (3 is being released in theaters this season!) Jingle All the Way, all the Home Alone shows, Gremlins, and Christmas with the Kranks (I love the part where the Mrs. is in the store trying on bathing suits and in walks her priest!).

While this is just a short list of a few of my personal favorites, I have to add that I have not seen all the many other Christmas and holiday comedies, though there are quite a few more. If you do an online search, for Christmas Comedies, the lists you will find are long and varied. A friend pointed out that for those who celebrate Hanukah, that Adam Sandler's Eight Crazy Nights, though an animated holiday fable, is as funny as any of those I picked as favorites. Bad Santa is another one. I actually caught part of Bad Santa on television last year, but never was able to watch the whole show. My husband said he found it hilarious though.

If you are looking to lighten your holiday mood, then be sure to check out as many of these as you can fit in your schedule. Some are definitely for more of an adult crowd than others, so check the recommend ratings for each before popping one in when there are younger kids around. Happy Holiday Viewing Everyone!