This is so funny. At the station, Murray come up with a new introduction for Ted to read on the news: "This is Ted Baxter with news from around the world and around the corner." Ted wants it to say, "From around the corner and around the world." This leads to all kinds of anger. Murray actually goes to Mary's apartment where she comes out of the shower in a towel to talk to him. She agrees to use is version, but the next day, during a blizzard, Mary hems and haws and Ted reads it his way. Murray decides to quit and things get worse and worse and everyone is yelling at everyone else. Meanwhile, Su Ann Nivens has taped a series of Christmas shows and invites everyone down to her studio. She makes them all wear hats and sing "The Twelve Days of Christmas." It is amazingly funny as the growl and complain and look askance. Easily one of the funniest episodes of this series. Fantastic writing.
3 Reviews
A memorable classic
Rrrobert22 November 2019
Excellently written and acted and very funny episode. All the regulars are well used with the story exposing the essence of each character.
Ted and Murray and Mary and Lou are at loggerheads when Ted's refusal to read Murray's new opening escalates. Sue Ann has prepared elaborate Christmas dishes for a pre-taped show and invites the team to her Christmas in November dinner but no one wants to go. As newsroom tensions boil over a blizzard confines them to the building and Sue Ann coerces them (and Georgette) to attend the dinner where they begrudgingly wear funny hats and sing carols.
The comedy comes naturally from each character and the situation and everything works really well.
Ted and Murray and Mary and Lou are at loggerheads when Ted's refusal to read Murray's new opening escalates. Sue Ann has prepared elaborate Christmas dishes for a pre-taped show and invites the team to her Christmas in November dinner but no one wants to go. As newsroom tensions boil over a blizzard confines them to the building and Sue Ann coerces them (and Georgette) to attend the dinner where they begrudgingly wear funny hats and sing carols.
The comedy comes naturally from each character and the situation and everything works really well.
My favorite MTM episode! Excellent writing!
AlanaFu12 March 2016
Warning: Spoilers
This is truly a great Christmas themed episode, it's got everything a Christmas episode needs: all(and only) six of the main characters, a delicious Christmas dinner for everyone at the table(a almost murder-mystery-solving setting), three classic Christmas songs that's perfect for each situation, and most importantly, a happy jolly ending. All while maintaining a strong, clear plot, filled with emotions. And as always, there are enough bits and one- liners(and funny hats) to keep us entertained.
Here's the story/emotion line:#
It started out rather slow: a bit of tension occurred, while Murray wrote "around the world and around the corner" but Ted wanted it the other way around, which greatly upsets Murray. *As a comedian myself, it's easy to understand why Murray's so upset over such small matter. "news from around the world",is the normal, also the premise; "around the corner", indicating Ted picks up news off the streets, is the punchline. It's Murray's little joke. And the premise and punchline can not switch place or it wouldn't be a joke.
(PS: It was then followed by a scene in which Murray walks into Mary when she's wearing a bath towel. Later in S07E11, there's a similar but much stronger scene where Lou walks to Mary when she's still in the tub.)
The tension then builds up: Murray's mad at Mary's indecision, Lou's mad at Mary's inability, Mary's mad at her coworkers in having doubts in her, everyone's mad at Ted, and Ted's mad at Murray for starting the whole thing...The whole WJM family is mad at each other! (which has never happened before or after!)
Just when the tension's at it's peak, it was forced into a complete contradicting jolly mood at the Christmas table.
The tensions were reflected and enhanced when they started singing the Christmas carol "12 days of Christmas". I also found funny that Murray gets the line "A Partridge in a Pear Tree", which is kind of an echo of "around the world and around the corner".
Then the tension broke out and fell into silence, timely followed by Georgette's classic "Silent Night".
At last the tension faded away, with Ted pointing out "how can they be so lousy on Christmas of all days". They realized it is actually "the season to be jolly", bursting into another classic "Deck the hall".#
Once again it's great writing, great set up, great built-up, great insertion of songs, and great Christmas spirit!
Here's the story/emotion line:#
It started out rather slow: a bit of tension occurred, while Murray wrote "around the world and around the corner" but Ted wanted it the other way around, which greatly upsets Murray. *As a comedian myself, it's easy to understand why Murray's so upset over such small matter. "news from around the world",is the normal, also the premise; "around the corner", indicating Ted picks up news off the streets, is the punchline. It's Murray's little joke. And the premise and punchline can not switch place or it wouldn't be a joke.
(PS: It was then followed by a scene in which Murray walks into Mary when she's wearing a bath towel. Later in S07E11, there's a similar but much stronger scene where Lou walks to Mary when she's still in the tub.)
The tension then builds up: Murray's mad at Mary's indecision, Lou's mad at Mary's inability, Mary's mad at her coworkers in having doubts in her, everyone's mad at Ted, and Ted's mad at Murray for starting the whole thing...The whole WJM family is mad at each other! (which has never happened before or after!)
Just when the tension's at it's peak, it was forced into a complete contradicting jolly mood at the Christmas table.
The tensions were reflected and enhanced when they started singing the Christmas carol "12 days of Christmas". I also found funny that Murray gets the line "A Partridge in a Pear Tree", which is kind of an echo of "around the world and around the corner".
Then the tension broke out and fell into silence, timely followed by Georgette's classic "Silent Night".
At last the tension faded away, with Ted pointing out "how can they be so lousy on Christmas of all days". They realized it is actually "the season to be jolly", bursting into another classic "Deck the hall".#
Once again it's great writing, great set up, great built-up, great insertion of songs, and great Christmas spirit!
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