Movie: (1959) Pitch the devil attempts to hinder Santa on Christmas Eve.
First shown: 12/24/93
Opening: A caroling attempt ends in disaster
Intro: Inappropriate gifts are exchanged
Host segment 1: On the SOL, the rock band Santa Klaws performs
Host segment 2: The bots arrange a Nelson family reunion
Host segment 3: An all-inclusive politically correct holiday song: “Merry Christmas…If That’s Okay”
End: On the SOL, it’s a snow day! In Deep 13, Pitch and Santa fight it out
Stinger: Laughing mechanical reindeer
(249 votes, average: 4.77 out of 5)
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• This one, of course, is a perennial favorite, and now that it is on DVD, it can truly be a holiday regular. It’s one of those episodes I’ve seen so many times I can practically recite it, but it’s still entertains me every time. The movie is SO odd (it is a very weird reflection on Mexican culture), the riffing is very strong and the segments are generally pretty good. It doesn’t feel like Christmas until I’ve seen it.
• This one can be found on Shout’s “Mystery Science Theater 3000 Collection: Vol. XVI.”
• The gift exchange segment may seem a bit dry, even baffling, to our eyes today, but remember that Mike had joined the SOL crew less than ten episodes previous. The point of the segment is that they still barely know each other, so their attempts to give gifts are forced and uncomfortable. But if you didn’t know the context, you could hardly be blamed for not getting the joke.
• The first 15 or so minutes of the movie, when we get a slew of ethnic/national jokes, as Santa’s international cadre of “helpers” are introduced, are great fun. Every four years, when I watch the parade of nations at the Olympic opening ceremonies, I reuse those riffs.
• Does anybody else feel that if Crow had used that “Carmen Miranda rights” joke with Joel, Joel would have ripped at least one arm out?
• Non-spaghetti ball bumpers: pan to beaker; closeup on film canister; pan down to notebook.
• I’ve never been a big fan of the “Whispering Christmas Warrior” segment. It feels a little too restrained. I would have like to see them go more Ozzie Osbourne on the thing. I do like the reaction shots of Frank and Dr. F., though.
• One memorable set of riffs comes when each of them gives notable literary opening line. “I was born in the house my father built” is from Richard Nixon’s then-current autobiography, “The minute Yosarian…” is from “Catch-22.” “Call me Ishmael” is, of course, from “Moby Dick.”
• That’s Pat Brantseg, Mary Jo and Tim Scott as “Mike’s family.”
• One of my favorite moments from this episode is when Santa is preparing to leave his castle to deliver the presents, and as he makes his little benediction, he looks up for no particular reason and M&tB respond by looking confusedly around, as if to see what he might be looking at. It cracks me up every time.
• The Brains seem to think the name “Kringle” is funny. They use it a lot.
• As Santa is putting out presents, Crow has him mumbling: “CableAce award…no, that’s no good…” A little bitterness there.
• On the other hand, the “Merry Christmas…If That’s Okay” song is a holiday classic, right up there with “Patrick Swayze Christmas.” Commenting on PC attitudes about Christmas was not a particularly original comedic idea, but they gave it an original spin.
• Then-current reference: “At home with Carl Rowan.” Rowan was a nationally syndicated columnist and prominent supporter of gun control who became a national punchline in 1988 when he shot a teenage intruder with his unregistered .22. He passed away in 2000. Honorable mention: “A scud!” Scuds are no longer the fearsome terror weapon they were considered back then.
• RiffTrax did an entire re-riff of this movie, with all new jokes and an astonishingly bright and clean print of this movie.
• Memorable host segment line: “More pie, man-goat?” They really did a great job on Paul’s costume/make up. And of course that’s Kevin as Santa, though the credits don’t say so.
• Cast and crew roundup: producer Guillermo Calderon also worked on “The Robot Vs. The Aztec Mummy.” Importer K. Gordon Murray also brought “Robot Vs. the Aztec Mummy” and “Samson Vs. the Vampire Women to American audiences. Score composer Anthony Diaz Conde also worked on “The Robot Vs. The Aztec Mummy.”
• CreditsWatch: Host segments directed by Jim Mallon.
• Fave riff: “Suddenly Santa corkscrews into Ypsilanti, Michigan!” Honorable mention: “Well, that’s not strictly true either…”
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Next week we will return to regular order with episode 616- RACKET GIRLS.
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“Does anybody else feel that if Crow had used that “Carmen Miranda rights” joke with Joel, Joel would have ripped at least one arm out?”
I don’t know, Joel seemed fairly tolerant of that joke when Servo used it in “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.”
What was the deal with Frank’s “shaved head” and then dropping it the next episode?
I recall being at my grandmother’s house for our christmas eve gathering on the evening this premiered. CC showed Santa Claus Conquers the Martians before this.
I never really liked the “Warrior of Christmas” son either, but I do enjoy Tom & Crow’s “christmas time to free your mind…” bit.
I’ve only seen this one once so… I’ll watch it again and offer a more detailed commentary afterwards. :mrgreen:
If you watch Fox News, you’ll learn that “Merry Christmas If That’s Okay” is still VERY timely.
And the “Happy” ending works for the family how? Dad doesn’t get a job, no pot of gold.Hmmm.
(Next day): Mom to daughter:
“Well, you see, your doll has gone to a nice farm in the country where she’ll be very happy. Now let’s eat with this money I just found.”
Click on my name for my FULL review!
MDH1980 #2 – Ever hear of “The Gift of the Magi?” I lady cuts her long hair to buy her husband a watch band, but her husband has sold his watch to buy her some hair brushes.
I LOVE this episode. The movie is like a delicious cake with a bad frosting job done. The movie has GREAT messages about religion and consumerism, but is all VERY goofy.
Not since Peter Gabriel filmed the “Sledgehammer” video has an actor put so much makup on (Pitch).
5 stars all the way. Another trippy masterpiece.
Sampo: Re “a very weird reflection on Mexican culture” keep in mind that you can only ‘rely’ on the visuals… the translation / dubbing process can well put north of the border spin that was not intended in the orginal.
Also, Samp: in the gift giving sequence, was there more of a joke than the joke that was presented ?
Anyway enough of that: Love the ep.
Santa is so manic, so deranged. All irony aside, he may be my favorite Santa this side of Clement C. Moore.
And I am somewhat ashamed to say that Lupita and her story are actually quite touching. Her mother is carrying a well wrapped baby in her arms in the market scene no ? If so, then extra touching as Lupita carries the almost shoplifted doll under her shawl, mirroring the way her mother is. sigh.
Where else can you get Jesus, Santa Claus and Merlin all playing for the same team ? Sounds like a great graphic novel… The X-Mas League !!!
Reference alert : Are they name-checking the 1993 movie Sliver ( about high tech voyeurism ) early on when Santa is first heading over to his spy machinery. It is garbled on my ‘tape’. Also, I assume that ‘Mr. Owsley’ should really be Mr. Stanley, referencing Owsley Stanley the one-man California LSD industry that fueled both the Grateful Dead and the Electric Kool Aid Acid tests.
Interesting that the movie’s “Orient” is seperate from China & Japan and appears to be our… Middle East ( ? That was belly dancing right ? help me somebody ).
The Hair Band bit was no more or less that it needed to be… didn’t go on too long. The SOL Gift Exchange seemed almost perfectly written, but the Deep 13 one was a bit stilted ( but funny and in character ). The holiday carol was excellent except for the carol is a female name bit which was just needless & stupid. I think Archie Bunker, The Third Man and the Shelby Cobra at the very least would have something to say about that.
The logic of ‘moving the chimney’ is wonderful, and very Bugs Bunny ( if not downright Bunuel ).
And my last name has been misread more than once as man-goat, so of course more-pie-man-goat rips me to shreds.
“… the Pleasure Mouth …”
Always hilarious!!
Good, old fashioned nightmare fuel. Indeed.
first i don’t want to get on a rant, but the war on xmas really was one because people wanted to turn xmas into some bland general holiday with no meaning. It was getting riduclous and still is. It suppose to be a time where peace and happiness reign. instead people were called a horrible, hateful human beings for belieivng in it, and called stupid and enslaved minds. If you don’t like xmas don’t celabrate it. Whatever happen to live and let live.
As for the epidose, i think it is one of the greatest epsiodes. i think this was only episode where we get 2 songs.
This was certainly one of those movies that wasn’t bad — just quite bizarre.
Between this, the Episode Guide, and the Martian movie, I get the feeling that the MST crew really didn’t like the idea of separating Christmas from the religious background.
This one has to be my all-time favorite Mike episode. Shout Factory, I implore you…please release this one!
Gizmonic– Thanks. I’d heard of “Gift of the Magi” as a term, but for some reason wouldn’t have been able to assoicate a story with it.
Checking wikipedia and seeing how many times it’s been ripped off/paid hoamge to in pop culture, I should have known of it.
:oops:
Medium #7 – I’m guessing that the movie’s “Orient” includes India, which would explain the belly dancing (even though you NEVER need to explain belly dancing).
I guess this is as good a time as any to do this, so Merry Christmas to everyone; to Chris and Brian for keeping this awesome site going and to all the posters who keep it so lively! I love you all!
What adds to this episode being a personal favorite is that I have vivid memories of seeing this movie as a kid at the theater. Nightmare fodder indeed.
Im looking forward to playing it the week of Christmas along with SCCTM either the mst or CM verion, or both, and then Ill be watching some good Xmas movies
I love the JOIKE shirt in this one. How does Gypsy knit with no hands anyway. I didnt like how Joel was referred to as
‘the other guy’ in that segment.
The show overall is fun. Im shocked it wasnt part of the Rhino series of Volumes, so now lets hope for Shout Factory
This is certainly in my top five (maybe even top three!) favorite episodes. It’s already been mentioned, but I have to emphasize that in my home, at least, it isn’t Christmas until this has been played at least once. More often many, many times, though.
I have to agree with the poster above (Kenotic) who said that this movie isn’t bad, just bizarre, but I think I have to add one caveat: it isn’t bad in its original cultural context, but ripped from that and dubbed into English, it is both bizarre and bad. Bad in the sense that it fails as a children’s movie, in that it is difficult to imagine a child not being disturbed by the unfamiliar, the awkward, and the just downright creepy. The film is even creepier in its original cut, as the scene in which Pitch and Lucifer are introduced (the mephistophelian dance number sequence) also depicts a group of hooded, damned souls being marched through the pits of Hell. Not exactly typical norteamericano kiddie fare.
The riffing on this is absolutely top notch, with M&TB wringing the most out of the whole weird, technicolor mess. I think it may have been mentioned on this board before, or elsewhere, but add my name to those who wish MST3K had riffed more of these Mexican kiddie matinees. There are plenty (Tom Thumb, aka Pulgarcito and Little Red Riding Hood and the Monsters, aka Caperucita y Pulgarcito contra los monstruos, just to name two). Like Santa Claus, they are weird, occasionally creepy, and so bizarre that they all but scream out for commentary.
As I said, the riffing is top notch, and most of the host segments are also superb: Crow’s utter lack of enthusiasm over the “snow day” (“Yeah, it looks like a wet miracle. And I’m not shovelin’ it!”) never fails to crack me up. I can never sit through the “Whispering Christmas Warrior” segment, though. Bland, pointless, irrelevant…it feels like just an excuse to send up power ballads, which are already so self-parodic that it hardly seems necessary. One of the few things in MST3K’s history that I consider truly unfunny. Everything else in this episode is amazing, though! Five stars.
Great episode, mainly since the pervasive crazee offers so much riffing fuel.
As to the gift-exchange bit, I actually think it’s funnier if the ‘bots are taken to just have really eclectic tastes. That’s how I and my viewing circle always took it, and it was fun.
“Interesting that the movie’s “Orient” is seperate from China & Japan and appears to be our… Middle East”
Back in the day, “Orient” was a term for the East in general – the Near East (like Turkey), Middle East (like Saudi Arabia), and Far East (like China). Seems the term/translation here sort of failed.
“but the war on xmas really was one because people wanted to turn xmas into some bland general holiday with no meaning. It was getting riduclous and still is. It suppose to be a time where peace and happiness reign. instead people were called a horrible, hateful human beings for belieivng in it, and called stupid and enslaved minds. If you don’t like xmas don’t celabrate it. Whatever happen to live and let live.”
I enjoy the sentiment of brotherhood and merriment associated with Christmas, but at its core it is about the idea that one must accept Christ for that peace and joy to mean anything. And that, of course, is exclusionary and condescending to people outside of Christianity – of which our democracy has many.
More ironically, as you’ll see, you’ve got at least five key groups involved: Christians who hate the pagan imagery of trees and so forth, who deny the conventional expression of the holiday; militantly anti-religous folks who dislike Christianity and therefore *also* dislike that imagery (strange bedfellows . . .), mainstream Christians who don’t care enough about the purity of their religion to dislike the imagery; weakly-practicing and non-Christians who grew up with the holiday and enjoy it for sociocultural rather than religious reasons; and non-Christians of other religions who may or may not be tolerant of the fact that our society is awash in the imagery of a different faith for a few months each year.
So given a convoluted mess like that, Mike & the ‘bot’s entreaties to make Christmas truly multicultural seem rather poignant.
That said, I still like Whispering Christmas Warrior as well. I think they could have done better, but it was still a great concept – and it’s so random and absurd that it’s still hilarious. Let love unwind, indeed.
“(even though you NEVER need to explain belly dancing).”
Even when it’s being performed by CHILDREN?!
That’s gotta be questioned a little, if only to clarify the context . . .
One other note: the Japanese child (who does not appear to have a name) that assists Santa in his “magic observatory”. He is, indeed, speaking Japanese in both the English dub and the original Spanish audio, but his Japanese is rather awkward and poorly pronounced. So either the young actor playing him did not speak Japanese and was pronouncing his lines phonetically, or his lines were dubbed in later by another actor who wasn’t fluent. Either way, kinda odd.
I love this episode, it’s weirdness makes it the Manos of Christmas movies. So, in Mexican culture Santa Claus has a workshop full of child laborer, who really just seem to be hanging out rather than working. Santa defers to God, which does make sense in a way, but it’s still weird in the context of the movie.
And what about Santa’s castle? He’s got all of that weird surveillance gear. That “pleasure mouth”, as Crow calls it, is creepy.
I watched this recently and I noticed that both Santa Claus and Santa Claus Conquers the Martians both feature the introduction of the movie’s villains via a toy.
I enjoy “Whispering Christmas Warrior” but I do agree that it feels restrained. They really should have gone all out with an ’80s metal look. Sort of a Dio or Dokken type of look, as opposed to the Hall & Oates attempts to play metal look.
My favorite riff from this movie is from when Pitch is one of the houses. He’s running around, blowing hot air on the door knob to prevent Santa from entering the house. During all of this Mike says, “What is this? Home Alone 3: The Quickening.” A reference to the infamously bad movie sequel Highlander 2: The Quickening. Little did they know that there would eventually be a Home Alone 3.
Raptorial Talon #18 – I was referring to the association of belly dancing with the Orient, not the age of those involved, you sick monkey. :roll: In fact, I did some research by watching “History of the World, Part 2.”
Santa’s laughter mocks the poor.
A very good episode. Definitely a holiday tradition with SCCTM. Movie, not sure what to say about it. It’s just so odd. Host segments are good, especially like the ‘Nelson’ family reunion and ‘Merry Christmas, If That’s Okay’.
One of my favorite Mike episodes. Hilarious movie.
Who knew Santa Claus fought the forces of darkness alongside Merlin and a little Mexican boy in a fortress in high orbit above earth?
Joel had his crazy laughing horse in the Magic Voyage of Sinbad (That’s not Sinbad!), and Mike got his insane laughing reindeer-thing in this movie. Good ol’ fashioned nightmare fuel.
The riffing was good and the host segments were pretty funny. Especially Gypsy’s “JOIKE” sweater. Though it seems the movie itself was dishing out the laughs with its wackiness just as much as the crew.
One fan’s “eh” is another fan’s “hooray”. I found the “Rock band Santa Klaws” sketch to be the funniest host segment in the show. The movie is downright bizarre and heavy-handed, yielding pretty good results from the MST3K joke department.
To raptorial talion
actually the christmas tree comes from germany. it reprensents the station of the cross. That why it always bother me people calling it a holiday tree. It just some people want to turn xmas into their own verson of a bland holiday. just imagine someone making your birthday a bland gerneral holiday.
I also forgot the 3 kids who talk about kidnapping santa and making him do their bidding. I thought it was so weird that is was funny.
“No Lupita!” This is an awesome episode with some of the oddest scenes of all the MST3k movies. What I found disturbing was Santa’s humming/singing Christmas songs while he strolled around the castle like a big, drunken grandpa!
Jason #26. not to stir up trouble, but I’ve not seen any references to the christmas tree representing the stations of the cross. Please share your references.
I belong mostly to the ‘carried over from pagan rituals’ school, but I’d be willing to entertain any reasonable, supportable theory. That of course does not mean that 21st Century Chrsitians could not have built their own modern interpretation, but that’s kind of different from actual history ( i just read a Martin Luther version that was kind of interesting ).
( for the record, I am an ethnic christian radical atheist who LOVES christmas in all it’s pagan / commercial / peace on earth splendor ).
( umm and if anyone wants to take MY birthday and turn it into a bland general holiday, have at it !!!)
Oh, and though I like SCCTM a lot, this one ( SCCTD ? )has poved more re-watchable. There is more story and more visual content ( for me, the subject movie has a lot to do with how much I like the ep itself ).
Okay, caught up with a 2nd viewing.
*
* Callback: “Santa Claus vs. the Aztec Mummy.”
* I laughed at the fact that Santa was playing Silent Night on his organ when that’s one of the few Christmas songs in the movie that has nothing to do with him (Mike even comments that he “should” know the words to it).
* What is with Santa’s dubbed voice? He sounds like a Steve Reeves dubbed voice imitator. I do like his laugh though.
* Re-riff joke: “Dear Santa, I’m an elderly woman who doesn’t enjoy sex.” First happens on Beginning of the End (that I’m aware of).
* Where does Merlin come from in this movie? Why is he living in the clouds with Santa? Why is he even in the movie? At least they do something to justify his existence.
* I have to admit, I don’t intend to teach my kids that the focus of Christmas is on Jesus and not Santa Claus, but I’m still touched during the scene where Santa appears to the rich kid in his dream.
* Kevin as “Krusher” Kringle is the perfect end to this episode.
* Favorite riff: “A pentagram and reindeer laughing. You figure it out.”
Oops, that first bullet is a comment on Mike’s pronunciation of “Joike.” It wasn’t was I was expecting.
Wait, someone wants to turn my birthday into a general holiday? SWEET!
Seriously, I find that the general effect of the “War on Christmas” is not to make Christmas less generic and more Christian, but to instead make it generally uncomfortable and less enjoyable for everyone. I’ve had people who wouldn’t say anything to me about the holidays at all, because they couldn’t be sure if they’d offend me for mentioning Christmas (if I was multi-cultural or not Christian) or not mentioning Christmas (if I was evangelical.) So they just sort of mumbled, “Goodbye,” and looked sheepish.
I understand the feelings of the devout Christians who care deeply about this holiday, but they aren’t making any allies when they get angry over the issue.
On the disastrous attempt at caroling, this another one of those things that Trace did well, the shrieking Crow. Whether he’s getting sawn in half on a table saw, or has scalding liquid poured onto him, it’s always hilarious to hear Crow scream. It’s just one of the things I admire about the puppetry on MST3K. This piles of plastic parts are given such life, which is even greater considering that the characters are robots, and not flesh and blood beings like, say, Muppets.
“And of course that’s Kevin as Santa.”
According to the credits, it’s some guy named “Krusher Kringle” :smile:
The JOIKE sweater. That on always made me wonder: did they start with JOel and miKE, realize that would be “JOKE” and not want to go down that road, and so added the I?
And of course, by “That on”, I mean “That one”. :oops:
jason #26 – I get my Christmas tree from Home Depot.
John #32 – I understand the feelings of the devout Christians who care deeply about this holiday, but they aren’t making any allies when they get angry over the issue. As a practicing Christian, I say A-MEN to that!
I have a more cyncial, but different take on that “war on Christmas”. I suspect that it’s all about making money. If more people, in this case non-Christians, are more comfortable with the season, they are more likely to participate in the season. The ultimate goal being that everyone buys presents, not just those celebrating Christmas.
Something I noticed on a second viewing is that Frank mentions buying the watch strap for Clayton but… he never, ever states that he sold his hair to get the money for it (in fact he gets noticeably confused when Dr. F asks if he sold his hair). Which meant he inexplicably shaved his head for no apparent reason (except to homage Gift of the Magi).
Also I’m surprised there weren’t any comments on the opening. It’s another carefully rehearsed skit that, quite simply, descends into total chaos.
This has one of the most perfect stingers ever – once you know the name of the movie, and then see that laughing reindeer, you understand everything you need to know about “Santa Claus.”
I almost forgot my favorite riff: “Bone in my hair, I’M FROM DETROIT!!” LOL
I’ve always wanted to use “Joike” as shorthand for “Joel or Mike.” As in, “drink whenever Joike points at the screen.”
“Dear Santa Claus: Please bring me a little brother.”
“Ho-ho-ho! Oh, can do, ho-ho, can do!”
From the child slave labor, the hideous mouth (I hope) device, the terrifying robot reindeer, (robeindeer?) and flamboyant prancing devils, this is the most disturbing Santa based movie I’ve ever seen. (And I’ve seen “Silent Night, Deadly Night.”)
Just an awesome episode, and a true Christmas miracle for those who like their bad movies served up like a fever dream. My wife (no mystie, she) has no idea why I walk around the house bellowing “No, Lupita” at this time of year, but she does it now also.
Re: the war on Christmas, I attribute it to mostly to the culture of outrage that we as a society have allowed to take root in our everyday lives. All political sides are guilty, as are the rest of us for not laughing down the people who we agree with that are perpetuating it. People who take issue with things people of any religious persuasion do to bring happiness to children, build community, bring together families, and promote peace, love, and compassion should probably take a hard look at their priorities. If we would all take a few minutes every day away from being outraged, and spend that time instead trying to learn about and appreciate each other, we might find that those folks you spend so much time disparaging are pretty decent people. As some wise folks once advised, we all should “really just relax.”
I’m off my soapbox! Merry Christmas (from this Catholic) and Happy Holidays to all of my brothers and sisters in the Mystie community, and to our dedicated and generous hosts.
I like this episode. It is funny. I laughed a lot.
We should have a war on National Flashlight Day– and we don’t have much time to prepare for it!! (It’s on December 21st)
Merry Season’s Happy Christmas Holidays Greetings to all!
Camelot is technically still around, but it’s called FYE now, along with The Wall. I liked The Wall.
Regarding belly dancing: I believe it is actually more Middle Eastern in origin than Indian. A friend of mine who does it often works with people from Iran and Egypt.
Now, on the episode: I love this one, and I agree with Sampo it’s not Christmas until it’s been viewed. Preferably with people who have never seen it before so they too can go “what the hell?” Lupita is the cutest thing to ever appear in an MST episode ever, and it occurred to me during my last viewing it’s because she’s the most genuine of all the kids in the movie. The others are all obviously actors, but Lupita acts the most like a real little girl. It’s quite endearing. I always get a little touched at her request for two dolls, one for her and one for baby Jesus, and then crack up at Crow’s follow-up line (“Oh, he’s got plenty of presents already.”)
I remember there was some MST contest they ran a commercial for (maybe the Expo-Fest trip?) with the clip with Mike saying, “I’m telling you Pepe, these Comedy Central contests are a waste of time…”
But why is Merlin even there? I can buy the castle, the toy reindeer, and even the creepy body part-based spying equipment, but him? Did he just drop by for a visit, or are they life partners or something?
Why was Merlin lurching around like someone broke his kneecaps? Loved the ep and plan on watching it with family Xmas day. Happy Holidays!
Using pine boughs and decorating pine trees predates Christ in quite a few ancient cultures. The fact that they remained evergreen even in winter gave them a mystical quality. I think all that is just different religions stealing customs from each other and incorporating them into their own, using their own interpretations.
As for this movie, well…. It’s definitely weird. I didn’t like this ep as much as SCCTM, but it had it’s moments. A few. It kind of dragged in spots and was almost unwatchable. I didn’t like the host segments that much.
Favorite line: (when Lupita gets her dolly)”Well, it’s kind of an empty miracle with very short-lived consequences – but..” – Mike
Also liked in the beginning when Mike said: “Children on the verge of a nervous breakdown.”
And Crow’s: “Hey – could we move onto a country with some rythym?”
And of course, the ever popular: “Santa’s laughter mocks the poor.”
Oh, and Mike’s: “Our love’s implied – goodbye.”
Somebody already beat me to pointing out the fact that Servo had used the line, “Don’t forget to read them their Carmen Miranda rights.” in SCCTM. :grin:
Overall, this was so-so for me.
Not sure if this is blasphemous or not, but I prefer Santa Claus to SC Conqueres The Martians. Who couldn’t love Santa vs the Devil?
I LOVE the Parade of Nations bit. When I gave a conference paper back in the day on MST3K and metatextuality, that segment was part of my video presentation.
I started singing “Merry Christmas, If That’s Okay” a few days ago after band, which caught the attention of some people as they listened to the lyrics and kept trying to ask me questions (but got none, as I was adamant about finishing the song). Given how uptight people are about the holidays, it’s the perfect thing to sing and to bust out in, especially when you’re in public school. I’m making it my theme song for the holidays this year.
This is a great episode…fun, cracktastic, and just plain weird, as has been said about a couple dozen thousand times before. The first time I watched this was one day after school in the late summer, and being in a delirious state of mind just added to the bizarreness. And personally? I kindasortamaybe like the Whispering Christmas Warrior bit, and not just because saying “Are you ready to be merry? / Yes!” confuses the hell out of my parents.