This special really highlights the emptiness of forced secularism. It could more properly be called "How Murray Saved the Winter Solstice", if not for its exploitation of the word Christmas.
It is composed of a lot of rhyming but not much else. Those who are looking for a meaningful character arc, an original plot, or anything approaching a spiritual significance will be deeply disappointed.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!
Our story begins in a snowy town which seems to have been constructed specifically to trivialize Christmas and to put it among the other holidays for Federal and state workers/greeting card/parade/ethnic celebration/practical joke days.
Even the Santa we are introduced to makes one question why people celebrate Christmas. He is quite honestly a forceful, robber-baron type, without any of the redeeming qualities of Krampus. He virtually breaks the back of his worker elves, while offering them hot cocoa (but only at an outrageous price.)
Since he is clearly such a jerk, there are several non-sequiturs here. Firstmost: why does he even give gifts to children? Secondly, how did he attract such a multi-ethic workforce? (as any rational person would realize they would have had to immigrate and there isn't much attractive about the Far North) Also, how does he pay his elves? (he must pay them—if he is trying to make money off them). And lastly, if he is such a slave- driver, why is it the main elf we are introduced to seems to be such a loafer?
Most of the audience is probably glad when he gets punched in the face and knocked out, setting up a empty place for our titular protagonist. I won't outline the rest of the plot—because there isn't one.
There's a slight yuck factor throughout the proceedings. Cupid is bare- bottomed. Diaper rash is mentioned—for both the old year and new. The Lord's Prayer (the lone mention approaching religious significance) is said to have been burped. There's a tired old joke about sexuality based on a dumb pun. (Yes, this is a Christmas special where sexuality is discussed). Did I mention, the groundhog (Groundhog Day) is a Woody Allen- type?
There's an obvious attempt to be inclusive here. Murray ends up giving toys to both the good and bad, even to people who don't celebrate Christmas (and whose ancestors never have!). Going back to the multi- ethnic elves: who the heck ever wanted to be a Christmas elf?
Five years from now this will be long-forgotten.
It is composed of a lot of rhyming but not much else. Those who are looking for a meaningful character arc, an original plot, or anything approaching a spiritual significance will be deeply disappointed.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!
Our story begins in a snowy town which seems to have been constructed specifically to trivialize Christmas and to put it among the other holidays for Federal and state workers/greeting card/parade/ethnic celebration/practical joke days.
Even the Santa we are introduced to makes one question why people celebrate Christmas. He is quite honestly a forceful, robber-baron type, without any of the redeeming qualities of Krampus. He virtually breaks the back of his worker elves, while offering them hot cocoa (but only at an outrageous price.)
Since he is clearly such a jerk, there are several non-sequiturs here. Firstmost: why does he even give gifts to children? Secondly, how did he attract such a multi-ethic workforce? (as any rational person would realize they would have had to immigrate and there isn't much attractive about the Far North) Also, how does he pay his elves? (he must pay them—if he is trying to make money off them). And lastly, if he is such a slave- driver, why is it the main elf we are introduced to seems to be such a loafer?
Most of the audience is probably glad when he gets punched in the face and knocked out, setting up a empty place for our titular protagonist. I won't outline the rest of the plot—because there isn't one.
There's a slight yuck factor throughout the proceedings. Cupid is bare- bottomed. Diaper rash is mentioned—for both the old year and new. The Lord's Prayer (the lone mention approaching religious significance) is said to have been burped. There's a tired old joke about sexuality based on a dumb pun. (Yes, this is a Christmas special where sexuality is discussed). Did I mention, the groundhog (Groundhog Day) is a Woody Allen- type?
There's an obvious attempt to be inclusive here. Murray ends up giving toys to both the good and bad, even to people who don't celebrate Christmas (and whose ancestors never have!). Going back to the multi- ethnic elves: who the heck ever wanted to be a Christmas elf?
Five years from now this will be long-forgotten.