This time of year families all over the US will break out their annually-watched Christmas movie collections. In my family, Christmas movies were on to provide general background cheer while playing babysitter to both children and already drunken relatives alike. This annual celebration gives me the opportunity to watch through all of my favorite Jim Henson holiday specials. Here are some of my favorite and more obscure Christmas creations from the mind of Jim.
5 - The Muppet Christmas Carol - (1992)
This Muppet take on a classic story that we all know is fresh and funny while still staying true to Dickens’s work. Much of the dialogue comes directly out of the original text and lends the film integrity in-between rubber chicken jokes.
4 - Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas - (1977)
When the Otter family falls on hard times during the holidays both mother and son decide to enter a talent show to raise some Christmas cash. This movie has some of my favorite music in the whole Muppet universe and is worth a watch.
3 - Dinosaurs Season 2: Refrigerator Day - (1991)
After Earl fails to receive his annual bonus the Sinclair family falls on hard times during the holidays (I am seeing a theme here.) As their holiday cheer comes crashing down around them the family pulls together to put on a holiday pageant that reminds them all what Refrigerator day is all about: family. The episode is filled with commentary on holiday consumerism and should not be missed. Check it out on Netflix.
2 - It’s A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie - (2002)
When Kermit loses the Muppet theatre an Angel is sent down to help him remember the meaning of Christmas. Only when Kermit realizes the impact he has had on the people around him does he get his holiday cheer back. This made-for-TV movie features everything you love about the Muppets. Its mixed adult/child humor keeps the entire family entertained and it has an entire section lampooning Moulin Rouge. It is great.
1 - A Muppet Family Christmas - (1987)
This is my favorite Muppet anything of all time. Fozzie decides to surprise his mother by bringing all of his Muppet friends home for Christmas. This TV special brings together the Sesame Street, Muppet Show and Fraggle Rock universes to create a Muppet melting pot of holiday goodness. Be careful of the icy patch!