Christma-Tele-Kwanz-Ukah-Vision Day 7: Psych 2x10

Happy Christma-tele-kwanz-ukah-vision everybody!  This is my celebration of the holiday season through television- one holiday-themed episode a day all the way until Christmas (and for the most part the episodes will be Christmas based.  I've yet to see a kwanza television episode, but I'll keep my eyes and ears open).  Enjoy the spirit of the holidays through the medium of television- make yourself a cup of hot coco, snuggle up in a blanket and immerse yourself in the season.

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"He's gonna shoot his eye out." "Yes he is."

Psych “Gus’ Dad May Have Killed an Old Guy” 2x10

Psych mixes murder and merriment in this Christmas episode, where Gus’ parents seem to be likely suspects for the murder of the old scrooge next door.  While the Gusters are trying to prove their innocence, Shawn is trying to prove to them his positive influence on Gus.  After all, Gus never took up smoking because as children Shawn once made him smoke a whole pack- see?  Good influence…  As Shawn and Gus try to clear Gus’ parents, they uncover the murder victim’s Rear Window-esque behavior, as well as a possible tell-tale heart.  The case is finally resolved through the use of Gus’ superpower- the super sniffer; a power apparently inherited from his parents.  Back at the station, Juliet is excited for her family’s Scottish Christmas traditions, that is until Lassiter comes over and aggressively takes over the kids’ crafts.  Although Juliet struggles to tell Lassie why he can’t come over for Christmas dinner, he lets her off the hook, having come to a very different conclusion about her reasoning.

Some of the best moments: Lassie's unique fear of snow globes, a Christmas-themed them song, and the holiday tradition that Shawn and his dad share.  Sometimes (always) Shawn’s brilliance takes me by surprise, and in the end of this episode, it surprises Henry too.  Maybe Shawn really is a psychic…


*Available on Netflix Instant

Christma-Tele-Kwanz-Ukah-Vision Day 6: 30 Rock 5x10

Happy Christma-tele-kwanz-ukah-vision everybody!  This is my celebration of the holiday season through television- one holiday-themed episode a day all the way until Christmas (and for the most part the episodes will be Christmas based.  I've yet to see a kwanza television episode, but I'll keep my eyes and ears open).  Enjoy the spirit of the holidays through the medium of television- make yourself a cup of hot coco, snuggle up in a blanket and immerse yourself in the season.


Another 30 Rock- for Forgetful Tuesday Double Day! (aka I forgot to post yesterday...whoops!)


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Avery and Liz on the same side of an argument- watch out Donaghy...

30 Rock “Christmas Attack Zone” 5x10

Happy Holidays!...is what terrorists say.  At least according to Jack and Avery.  This episode shows a very different side of Christmas than 30 Rock’s previous Christmas episode.  And yet it might be a lot closer to how some people spend the holiday…  Jack turns his Christmas dinner (Christmas dinner, not “holiday of lights”), into a Christmas Attack Zone, setting up the perfect elements for an explosion of hateful feelings.  Unfortunately Liz purposely neglected to spend Christmas with her family because of drama, and when she tries to put a halt to it she end up lost in the wing of Jack’s apartment designed by M.C. Escher.  Everything works out well enough in the end though, as Jack gets a whole new, and better, Christmas attack, Liz realizes that chaos of Christmas should be a family affair, and Tracy realizes that laughter is the best medicine, (aside from insulin, Spironolactone, and Bupropion - thanks Kenneth!)


*Available on Netflix Instant

Christma-Tele-Kwanz-Ukah-Vision Day 5: 30 Rock 4x08

Happy Christma-tele-kwanz-ukah-vision everybody!  This is my celebration of the holiday season through television- one holiday-themed episode a day all the way until Christmas (and for the most part the episodes will be Christmas based.  I've yet to see a kwanza television episode, but I'll keep my eyes and ears open).  Enjoy the spirit of the holidays through the medium of television- make yourself a cup of hot coco, snuggle up in a blanket and immerse yourself in the season.


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Jenna's not a big fan of duets...unless her partner makes her look good.

30 Rock “Secret Santa” 4x08

YouFace, gender-blind production of The Crucible, Bah-ston accents, Verdukianism, rage stroke induced bloody noses, wonderful bomb threats.  Those are just some of the elements found in this episode of 30 Rock.  When Kenneth tries to do Secret Santa, Frank, Toofer and Lutz all pretend to be practicing Verdukians in order to evade the worst parts of Christmas: gift giving and rules.  This leads to Kenneth’s crisis of faith, as he looks at plain Santa doll and declares, “You’re just a Kenny Rogers doll now.”  In the meantime Liz and Jack decide to exchange gifts this year, as Jack reconnects with his high school crush, Nancy.  Although Liz is clearly the underdog as giving gifts (especially free ones- unless you’d be interested in a picture of a turtle?), she manages to step it up in time to make Jack’s Christmas.  A fast-paced, funny and festive episode, which takes a nice look at what gifts are really the most important to give.


*Available on Netflix Instant

Christma-Tele-Kwanz-Ukah-Vision Day 4: The Office 2x10

Happy Christma-tele-kwanz-ukah-vision everybody!  This is my celebration of the holiday season through television- one holiday-themed episode a day all the way until Christmas (and for the most part the episodes will be Christmas based.  I've yet to see a kwanza television episode, but I'll keep my eyes and ears open).  Enjoy the spirit of the holidays through the medium of television- make yourself a cup of hot coco, snuggle up in a blanket and immerse yourself in the season.


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Jim's thoughtful gift may be repurposed as a neti pot...

The Office “Christmas Party” 2x10

A Secret Santa gift exchange turns into a Yankee swap in this episode of The Office.  Once Michael realizes that he’s not going to get a gift nearly as good as the one he gave, he changes up the party to suit his desires.  Some of the office workers give thoughtful and personalized gifts, such as Jim’s teapot stuffed with inside jokes for Pam, and others whip something together at the last minute, like Creed’s old shirt that he grabbed from his closet and shoved in a plastic bag.  It’s the office as usual, with mix-ups and mayhem as people try to get the coveted iPod in the mix of gifts.  Luckily most of the conflict is sorted out by the end, or at least is forgotten about once Michael breaks the rules and serves some “Christmas Spirit, as in spirits,” and some sweet gifts end up back where they belong.  Oh, and to end the episode Meredith flashes Michael.  Yeah, that’s a little awkward.


*Available on Netflix Instant

Christma-Tele-Kwanz-Ukah-Vision Day 3: The Dick Van Dyke Show 3x12

Happy Christma-tele-kwanz-ukah-vision everybody!  This is my celebration of the holiday season through television- one holiday-themed episode a day all the way until Christmas (and for the most part the episodes will be Christmas based.  I've yet to see a kwanza television episode, but I'll keep my eyes and ears open).  Enjoy the spirit of the holidays through the medium of television- make yourself a cup of hot coco, snuggle up in a blanket and immerse yourself in the season.


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Laura and Rob, The Dancing Santas

The Dick Van Dyke Show “The Alan Brady Show Presents” 3x12

Today we’re going old school with an episode from the wonderful 60s sitcom, The Dick Van Dyke Show.  This show focuses on Rob Petrie (Dick Van Dyke) and his work as head writer at (the fictional) The Alan Brady Show, as well as his home life with his wife Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) and his son Richie.

When The Alan Brady Show decides to make the holiday episode more heartwarming, and ignores Sally’s suggestion (“If you want heart warmth just eat a large pizza before you go to bed!”), they decide to have the writers and their families.  Although it seems that at first Rob Petrie isn’t going to be able to handle the pressure of network television, it soon becomes apparent that he’s just as comfortable on television as he is performing at parties.  The writing staff, as well as Laura, Richie and Mel all perform a variety of different musical numbers- some of the best being Rob and Laura’s jazzy Santa duet of “I Have Everything But You” and the group performance of “I Am a Fine Musician.”  Due to the premise of the episode it has a very classic early television variety show feel, and is impressively hilarious almost 50 years later.  A great episode to watch with family and enjoy.


*Available on Netflix Instant

Christma-Tele-Kwanz-Ukah-Vision Day 2: HIMYM 2x11

Happy Christma-tele-kwanz-ukah-vision everybody!  This is my celebration of the holiday season through television- one holiday-themed episode a day all the way until Christmas (and for the most part the episodes will be Christmas based.  I've yet to see a kwanza television episode, but I'll keep my eyes and ears open).  Enjoy the spirit of the holidays through the medium of television- make yourself a cup of hot coco, snuggle up in a blanket and immerse yourself in the season.


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Lily the Grinch stole Christmas...and brought it to her apartment.

How I Met Your Mother “How Lily Stole Christmas” 2x11

This Christmas-themed episode of How I Met Your Mother pays homage to the classic holiday movie, A Christmas Story.  As Lily puts the final touches on “Christmas Eve Winter Wonderland” (according to Marshall), her and Ted listen to an old message where Ted calls her a Grinch.  Except he doesn’t actually say “Grinch”…  The episode follows Ted and Lily’s relationship as they both try to move on from Lily’s San Francisco jaunt, while the subplot shows Barney’s nose “overflowing with awesomeness” as Robin nurses him back to health.  Both Ted and Lily struggle with forgiveness in time to spend Christmas together as a “family” of sorts.  And the whole time Marshall’s off in his own world, playing Santa as he helps a postman deliver last minute packages.  A classic episode of HIMYM with plenty of sparkly lights, sweet moments, and silly jokes.  What you won’t find are Sinfully Cinnamon Cookies…I’m looking at you Robin…


*Available on Netflix Instant

Christma-Tele-Kwanz-Ukah-Vision Day 1: Bones 1x09

Happy Christma-tele-kwanz-ukah-vision everybody!  This is my celebration of the holiday season through television- one holiday-themed episode a day all the way until Christmas (and for the most part the episodes will be Christmas based.  I've yet to see a kwanza television episode, but I'll keep my eyes and ears open).  Enjoy the spirit of the holidays through the medium of television- make yourself a cup of hot coco, snuggle up in a blanket and immerse yourself in the season.

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Brennan checks out a skull while Angela the Elf tries to get in the spirit.

Bones “The Man in the Fallout Shelter” 1x09

The first day of Christma-tele-kwanz-ukah-vision happens to fall on a Thursday, which Bones fans know is Bones day!  And by that I just mean that Bones happens to air on Thursdays (9pm Fox, check it out).  Anyway, in honor of this fact I decided to kick off CTKUV with a Christmas themed Bones episode.

This episode, “The Man in the Fallout Shelter” focuses on Brennan and the gang trying to solve a decades-old murder while quarantined in the lab.  No one is particularly happy about being stuck in the lab for Christmas, but they band together as a make-shift family to celebrate anyway.  In solving the murder the squints, and Booth, uncover a complicated love story, which turns into a Christmas gift for some, and which causes Brennan to confront her own family history regarding Christmas.  A solid episode overall, and a nice way to combine character development and some Christmas spirit.  Oh and Booth gets slightly stoned off a preventative vaccination and sees sparkly lights for a while.  Check it out.


*Available on Netflix Instant