We are watching many holiday specials this year through the magic of Christmas (and Tivo).
A Very Special Family Guy Freakin’ Christmas
I don’t like Family Guy much but I happened to see a bit of this a few years ago and have to admit it’s got some good things going for it. Namely, the interspersed Kiss Saves Christmas fake Christmas special bits. Those alone are worth the time spent watching it and navigating the otherwise hit-and-miss humor that is standard Family Guy fare. Read: the comic timing is amazing but no show is more willing to trade clever for crass. Overall: just in over the line of being worth the short time investment.
I haven’t seen this for years, if ever. Love the corny animation and narration by Jimmy Durante. It’s really for kids and a fittingly random plot ensues where the kids use a magician’s hat to bring Frosty to life, then the magician wants his hat back and therefore becomes the bad guy. Most of the events in the show are dictated by Frosty being too warm or his human companions being too cold, and the ultimate lesson is that Frosty can’t be with people or he will die. But he never really dies, because he’s magic, or Christmas is, I think. Also there are extended bits with Hocus the rabbit hamming it up. Overall: Watch it. Lovable but weird.
Hadn’t seen this one in a while, but still found it really enjoyable. The corporate humor made more of an impact on me this time around, which just gave it another layer. It’s really a great update to the classic story, with a good balance of keeping important things from the original but modernizing other parts. The frequently-running AMC version cuts out a fair number of funny (though nonessential) bits so watch through another medium if possible. Lots of good cameos. Overall: still really good.
