By Michael Lyons
Sure, it's always nice to see those prestigious, award-winning actors portraying Ebenezer Scrooge, but try performing Charles Dickens' beloved A Christmas Carol for laughs, with a laugh track, no less, or even better, as a cartoon, in the Stone Age!
While Alistair Sim, George C. Scott, and Patrick Stewart bring depth and gravitas to this classic tale, it's also fun to see Carols of another kind: those performed as part of classic TV sitcoms and animated series. Several popular television series have used A Christmas Carol as inspiration for their holiday episode through the years.
What follows are just some of the shows that add some hilarity to the Humbug:
The Odd Couple, "Scrooge Gets An Oscar," originally aired December 17, 1970
"Would I tamper with a classic?" asks one of the Ghosts in this parody of A Christmas Carol. And, the answer is, "Yes, they would...a lot!'
This is a truly classic episode of a truly classic sitcom. "Scrooge Gets an Oscar" is filled with the sharp humor that was a hallmark of Gary Marshall's take on Neil Simon's tale of two mismatched, divorced roommates.
In this episode, it's Christmas Eve, and slovenly Oscar (Jack Klugman) is far from filled with the spirit of the season. Embittered, he refuses to participate in a benefit stage play version of A Christmas Carol, even as his neat-freak roommate Felix (Tony Randall) implores him.
That night, Oscar falls asleep, and his ulcer provides a bad dream that he is "Ebenezer Madison," who is visited by one Ghost (Randall), who says, "They couldn't get Marley. It's his busy season."
What follows is a trip through past, present, and “yet to come” that both pays homage and pokes fun at A Christmas Carol (in the future, even Oscar's gravesite is messy).
"Scrooge Gets an Oscar" is a favorite among fans of the show and classic TV devotees who watch it as part of regular, seasonal viewing. One can see why; there's plenty of sitcom fun to go around here...and Murray the cop (actor Al Molinaro) as Tiny Tim is a sight to behold.
The Honeymooners Special, originally aired November 28, 1977
After relocating both himself and his show to Miami, Florida in the '60s, Jackie Gleason produced a series of one-shot specials for ABC in the '70s that revived his legendary sitcom The Honeymooners.
One of them centered on Ralph Kramden (Gleason) attempting to get a promotion at the Gotham Bus Company by agreeing to direct a stage production of A Christmas Carol for a charity that his boss (Gale Gordon) supports.
Of course, Ralph convinces his best friend, Ed Norton (Art Carney), his wife Alice (Audrey Meadows), and Norton's wife, Trixie (Jane Kean), to take part. No spoiler that the results are somewhat disastrous, with Norton forced to play two roles.
The play itself bears no resemblance to the story of A Christmas Carol, but that almost doesn't matter, as fans of the show, will, without a doubt, get a kick out of seeing classic Honeymooners’ tropes ("Hammina Hammina Hammina!") back on screen.
If that's not enough, there's also Art Carney playing the roles of both Scrooge and Tiny Tim!
WKRP in Cincinnati, "Bah, Humbug," originally aired December 20, 1980
Mr. Carlson (Gordon Jump), general manager of the radio station WKRP, is not planning on giving out Christmas bonuses, but he is visited by four ghosts and has a revelation. In one particularly funny scene, during Christmas past, we get a glimpse at the "early days" of WKRP and see how a young reporter named Les Nessman (Richard Sanders) got his first trademark bow tie.
The cast here looks to be having a blast re-enacting Dickens' classic tale, and in a very '80s touch, Mr. Carlson has his Christmas dream thanks to one of the "special brownies" provided by DJ Dr. Johnny Fever (Howard Hesseman).
Family Ties, "A Keaton Christmas Carol," originally aired December 14, 1983
Staunch, young conservative Alex. P. Keaton (Michael J. Fox) is not revelling in the Christmas spirit, to the dismay of his ex-hippie parents (Meredith Baxter and Michael Gross). So, of course, he has A Christmas Carol-like dream, where he is visited by ghosts who look suspiciously like his sisters Mallory and Jennifer (Justine Bateman and Tina Yothers).
He has a realization (and sees his younger self discussing President Nixon). He also finds the season's spirit in a humorous and touching finale, where he brings his family last-minute gifts, he picked up at 7-11, and they all take their traditional family photo around the Christmas tree.
The Real Ghostbusters, "Xmas Marks the Spot," originally aired December 13, 1986
One of the most inspired and creative takes on A Christmas Carol comes from this unexpected source: the animated series based on 1984's blockbuster film, Ghostbusters.
In the episode, the Ghostbusters go back in time and "bust" the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. When they capture them in their containment unit, Ebenezer Scrooge never changes, and they return to a future where no one has the Christmas spirit.
The Ghostbusters realize that they need to go back in time again to "undo" the alternate reality of Christmas they have created.
Funny and immensely original, "Xmas Marks the Spot" also makes its powerful statement of how fragile the spirit of the season can be.
A Flintstones Christmas Carol, originally aired December 14, 1994
Technically, this was a special that aired over thirty years after the debut of The Flintstones primetime series, but it feels like an hour-long episode of the show.
When the "Bedrock Community Players" mount a production of A Christmas Carol, Fred lands the lead as Scrooge and lets it go to his head, alienating his friends with his newfound stardom.
Will he learn a lesson in humility? As sure as Scrooge found the Christmas Spirit!
The Flintstones have had several Christmas episodes and specials through the years. And, while it makes absolutely no sense for them to be celebrating the holiday during a time known as B.C., there's no denying how fun it is to see Bedrock during the Christmas season.
Also, fans of A Christmas Carol will appreciate the Flintstone "touches" given to the story. How can you not smile when you hear names like "Jacob Marbley" and "Charles Brickens."
Beavis and Butt-Head Do Christmas, "Huh Huh Humbug," originally aired December 19, 1995
In this hour-long special of the immensely popular '90s animated TV Show, the two titular slackers spoof two Christmas classics, It's a Wonderful Life ("It's a Miserable Life") and A Christmas Carol ("Huh Huh Humbug").
In the Carol section, Beavis, acting like Scrooge in his new job as the manager of Burger World, is visited by three ghosts during his attempts to watch TV.
Knowing the lens that the Dickens story is being filtered through going in to watch this version, as with all Beavis and Butt-Head humor, you will hate yourself for laughing.
After all, it's the only variation on the tale, in which the Scrooge-like character tells the Ghosts: "I'm trying to watch a porno, and you fartknockers keep interrupting me!"
These are just some of the many TV Show variations on a story that has enchanted our Christmas seasons since Mr. Dickens first introduced it in 1843. And, while none of them are traditional takes on A Christmas Carol, they do, in their ways, attempt to speak to the messages of kindness and caring found in the original work.
Each will also add another layer of fun and laughter to your Christmas viewing. So, for that, you've got to say about these specials: "Bless them, everyone."
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