A YouTube Christmas Bizarre

Email this| Posted Dec 8th 2008 8:00AM by Nick Zaino

Filed under: Music + Entertainment, Weird

Christmas may bring out the best in some of us, but it often brings out the worst in television. Or maybe some of you haven't realized just how often Christmas has been in danger over the years (which is probably where Bill O'Reilly developed his particular "War on Christmas" psychosis, watching Christmas saved at the last minute by an elf or a reindeer or *gag* a pure, beautiful child on program after program, year after year). And no bad Christmas special would be complete without bad Christmas music. Thanks to YouTube, we can relive some of the worst and strangest moments in Christmas special history.

YouTube

5. Harry Hill's Christmas TV Burp:

The most demented and inspired thing we have ever seen on a Christmas special from the U.K.'s Harry Hill's TV Burp the Pogues' Shane MacGowan and a woman in a whale (or dolphin, perhaps?) costume sing a song of Christmas in New York.

Watch it!

YouTube

4. Pat Boone Christmas

When the guys in the Yogi Bear and Fred Flintstone costumes have more rhythm than you, it's time to hang up the dancin' shoes. Bonus: Special guest stars, TV's the Ropers!

Watch it!

YouTube

3. A Solid Gold Christmas, Part 1

Christmas with Marilyn McCoo and the Solid Gold Dancers! The theme is "40 of the most popular Christmas songs of all time" performed by the Solid Goldiest performers, like Sister Sledge singing "Jingle Bell Rock." Follow the links for Marie Osmond, Wayland Flowers and Madame, and John Davidson.

Watch it!

YouTube

2. Hanson Christmas Special

ABC's gift to you for Christmas was maudlin ballads and faux soul from teenagers promoting their Christmas album, Snowed In. See my "Revenge Gifts" post if you want to return the favor.

Watch it!

YouTube

1. Happy Life Day from the Star Wars Holiday Special

Luke, Han, and Leia, R2-D2, and C-3PO are all here on Chewbacca's home planet, singing about their big holiday, Life Day. Yes, it's a musical clip, complete with a John Williams-inspired carol and a confusing montage. What do you get a wookie for Life Day anyway? Apparently, red robes.

Watch it!

YouTube

harry 12-09-2008 @ 7:04AM

there is a war on christmas.......bill oreilly tells it like it is....this is typical of the loons at aol to put down and attack oreilly. these loons don't have the power anymore because of bill. even walmart is decorated for christmas.. a lot of stores are actually using the word christmas in their ads.. i don't know what target is doing for decorations cause i won't step into their stores.. when they kicked the salvation army bellringers out we told them we would not shop their store n we havnt.. the salvation army lost seventeen million dollars each year because of that decision. aol and target are pathetic.....

ms.r 12-09-2008 @ 2:30PM

its not anything against the salvation army its a peddeling clouse target has .its here as well it was suprise. no solisting of any kind on the property .bothered me a bit too but you can also give elseware .thats what i do

FB 12-09-2008 @ 7:18AM

America - please keep Christ in your Christmas. Its not a "holiday", its a birthday celebration for the salvation of mankind.

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john 12-14-2008 @ 10:53AM

I often see or hear people comment on keeping Christ in christmas. The reality is christ never had anything to do with the holiday we now call christmas. In fact christmas was not even widely observed in this country in the early years. To use a former pagan holiday to celebrate the birth of Christ would have to be an offence to christ I would think. If the day of his birth was supposed to be remembered in such a lavish fashion I would think the date would have been recorded for us. Instead his death is supposed to be remembered.

draconis 12-09-2008 @ 9:17AM

Forgot ant thing done by tony bennet F'in has been

jimbarry1946 12-09-2008 @ 10:30AM

Huh?????????? What are you on. It surely isn't helping your cognitive powers.

Cookie 12-09-2008 @ 9:27AM

First off, John Gibson wrote the book "The War on Christmas", and O'Reiily agrees with the premise of the book (as do millions of other folks), but what I see happening here is a 3rd rate AOL worker/writer who saw an oportunity take a cheap shot at O'reilly under the anonymity of AOL, which, has sickened me as of late.

Wish Belkin 12-09-2008 @ 9:55AM

Having watched your clips, I have to say that Hanson's was pretty good.
Probably shouldn't have been included in this,

simocious 12-09-2008 @ 10:49AM

A huge part of the War on Christmas is denying that there is a war on Christmas!

Michele 12-09-2008 @ 11:01AM

I'm giving everyone gift cards this year. That way it saves time, and everyone can get what they want !

Jamie 12-09-2008 @ 11:01AM

Enough with this "War on Christmas" bulls**t! All holidays have their over the top ridiculous elements. Have you people all lost your sense of humor? Geez.

Emily 12-09-2008 @ 11:01AM

Hanson's was the BEST!! It fit right in with the age group back when it came out, and the CD is a Christmas must have!! It's not over done like some female singers do and it's not strange like some male singers put out!! It's great for the kids to listen too and get to know some classic Christmas toons!! A MUST HAVE!!!!!!!!!

Fred Flintstone 12-09-2008 @ 11:27AM

I'll be interested next year whether Obama celebrates Christmas or travels to Mecca, as each muslim must at least once in his life. Now he can fly Air Force One to Arabia and not have to pay for coach.

thesoccercoach 12-09-2008 @ 12:22PM

Let's keep it on track. This is the first time ever that I can agree with the story as written. This Nick Zaino guy hit the nail on the head with the Star Wars Christmas special for worst ever. There is one brilliant scene that deserves mention when Chewbacca's mother is cooking a Bantha Rump while watching a robot version of Julia Childs giving instruction. Attaboy for getting one right.

kiki 12-09-2008 @ 5:37PM

Nick, keep your stupid O'Reilly prejudices off cyberspace.

Zman 12-09-2008 @ 8:55PM

Hey Tabacco is the same as Christmas & low down religion - Forced circumcision?! Just Say "No" to free Toys !

Hope 12-14-2008 @ 3:15PM

Fred Flintstone: Another brainless, dimwit, nitwit, dumb ass, jackass, pathetic nincompoop neo con parroting the same old pathetic recycled shit. Obama is a Christian and attends a Christian church. Somebody has drilled a hole in your head that has allowed all the brain cells to ooze out so you can't think. But then, again, why think when you can sit on your sorry ass in front of the computer and continue to parrot the same old pathetic recycled shit ???????????? See what a fantastic job O'Reilly, fat ass Rush and all the others have done - all they have to do is pull the strings and you bobble your head like a jackass !!!!!!!!!!!!

Sam Fortier 1-01-2009 @ 10:54AM

Hey Nick Zaino
Your name s/b Zany ... cuz that's what you are if you don't think there's a radical assault on Christmas and Christians. This country needs more O'Reilly's ... and fewer Zaino's ...

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