Christmas: A few too many Christmas Spirits Shawn?

I know, a lot of Psych clips lately. But its one of the few shows that is dedicated to the holiday spirit. And its a lot of fun.

Season 5, Episode 4, "The Polarizing Express" - Original Air date: 12/15/2010


Guest-starring the bitter Tony Cox (Bad Santa, Friday, Willow) as himself, helping Shawn solve a murder after his hijinks forced a judge to throw out key evidence in a case.

This episode is a kind of "Christmas Carol" turned sideways, as Shawn discovers what it would be like if he would never have come back to Santa Barbara, all while solving a murder.

And I love the snowman.

Thanksgiving VS Planksgiving

If you didn't get enough of your full of Thanksgiving television this year, there is more to find on hulu. New this week is an episode of Hart of Dixie, one of the CW's new series this year.

But the town of BlueBell doesn't do turkey and stuffing. They do "Planksgiving" with pirates and a big fish fry in the town square.  Sounds like fun to me.


Hart of Dixie, Season 1 Episode 9 "The Pirate and the Practice"


Doctor Zoe Hart needs 30% of the patients in the local medical practice or she will lose her half of the practice that her father left her.

The rest of the town is busy getting ready for "Planksgiving." Everyone dresses as pirates and has a huge fish fry in the town square.

A little boy gets sick after he goes looking for hidden treasure to help save his family's business. Zoe must figure out what he has so she can get her 30%.

Christmas: Here Comes Santa Claus

When you turn on the news to watch Santa parachute into the local mall, you don't expect him to land in your back yard. And neither did the Bundy's. But that is what they now have to deal with. A dead Santa in their backyard and worried kids at their front door.

Married . . . with Children, Season 2 Episode 13, "You Better Watch Out"



Hulu has edited down the full episode so you can watch pretty much the whole story in about 5 minutes.

When the parachuting mall Santa crash lands in the Brundy's backyard, Al has to dress up like Santa to protect the innocent children from the truth that Santa died during the crash.   When the mall Representative comes to buy off the Bundy's, he finds how what Al has done and rips up the check he was going to give them. "Why should I bribe you to say something you already said?"

This Week's Christmas Episode Preview

'Tis the season for holiday specials. I know the real reason for the season but holiday episodes on tv are a close second.

Here is this week's highlights.

Tuesday: Last Man Standing on ABC 8/7c,

Mike's Christmas spirit takes a hit when father of Kristen's baby shows up unannounced. Meanwhile, Mandy gets job as an elf at Outdoor Man but end ups trying to unionize the workers.

 Wednesday: The Middle on ABC 8/7c
Frankie decides to host a Christmas Eve party.


Up All Night on NBC 8/7c
Regean and Chris try and make baby Amy's first Christmas perfect.

Modern Family on ABC 9/8c
The family throws together a quick Christmas celebration when they realize they will be apart on the actual day.

Happy Endings on ABC 9:30/8:30c
Max is desperate for extra cash so he agrees to play Santa at Penny's charity event.




Thursday: Community on NBC 8/7c
The GCC gang will be singing lots of holiday favorites when the glee club is suddenly sidelined.


Parks and Recreation on NBC 8:30/7:30c
The Parks Department debate what to get Leslie for Christmas.

The Office on NBC 9/8c
Robert California drowns his sorrows at the office Christmas party and Andy plays Santa.





Whitney on NBC 9:30/8:30c
Whitney and Alex try to plan hooky from their family gatherings so that can start a new tradition with their friends.






Friday:

CBS has a full night of Christmas shows starting at 8/7c, shows include: Frosting the Snowman, Frosty Returns, Yes, Virginia, and The Elf on the Shelf: An Elf's Story

As you can see there are still plenty of gaps. I will be adding to the preview soon so check back. Thanks

Netflix in the Holiday Spirit

As a mother of a toddler and a woman without cable, I have always loved watching streaming video off of Netflix. It has almost all of my daughter favorite shows and a lot of mine. And when they raised the prices this year, I just kept the streaming videos because I just couldn't live without them. But somehow, Netflix has gotten better. Now in their suggestions section, they have holiday recommendations.

I must be in heaven!

Not only does it list Christmas movies, but tv shows and episodes as well. Right away it shows me that 30Rock's Season 2 Episode 9 is called "LudaChristmas" and all I have to do is click on it to watch it. They also have Arrested Development, Raising Hope, and Glee just to name a few.

Maybe they saw my blog and realized how much people really love those holiday specials?

Christmas: I Guess Anyone Can Be a Store Santa

I always knew that seasonal episodes were important in tv land. But I didn't realize that the iconic show, The Simpsons started their full sitcom career with a Christmas special. That right. Season 1 Episode 1 is all about Homer trying to earn extra money for the holiday season by playing Santa.

This is also the episode were the Simpsons get their beloved dog, Santa's Little Helper.

The Simpsons, Season 1 Episode 1 : "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire"



The Simpson family head to the mall to start their Christmas shopping. Sounds simple enough until Bart sneaks off an get a tattoo. Marge uses the money they have been saving for Christmas presents to have the tattoo removed. But she isn't worried because they have Homer's Christmas bonus coming.

Homer doesn't have the heart to tell Marge that he isn't getting a Christmas bonus this year. Instead her tries to raise the money himself by becoming a department store Santa.  He doesn't get paid until Christmas Eve, which makes it to late to do anything when he realizes he hasn't made enough to save Christmas.  So he takes Bart to the dog racing track and bets it all on Santa's Little Helper. They lose all his money but walk away with the dog. Santa's Little Helper is all family really needed to have a special Christmas morning. This is a true holiday classic.

Christmas: Home for the Holidays

Christmas is a time for old friends and rekindled feelings. Like a friends sister who is now irresistible, from Psych's second annual Christmas show.

Season 3, Episode 9, "Christmas Joy"


When Gus's family gathers for the holidays, Shawn discovers that Gus's sister joy has grown into a beautiful, but forbidden, woman.

There is also murder and mayhem as the Psych investigative team tries to prove Santa's innocence (a la Miracle on 34th Street?). I guess this is one great way to save Christmas.

Christmas: A little murder with your eggnog?

Mrs Cosby yelling: "I don't want to go to prison." Instant classic from one of the best comedies on TV right now. Here's a preview from Psych's very first Christmas episode.

Season 2, episode 10 "Gus's Dad May Have Killed An Old Guy"


Psych always brings in sweet guest stars and this time its Phylicia Rashad (Mrs. Cosby) and Ernie Hudson (Winston from Ghostbusters), to star at Gus's parents.

But when someone is murdered, Mr. Guster is the prime suspect, with a great Christmas theme all around.

Halloween: Haunted Houses and Murder

Okay. Not techinically Halloween, but with Psych's bizarre schedule (mid-summer start), it's as close as you get. The haunted house is a Halloween classic. The best part is always trying to figure out which of the characters are puppets or fake, and which ones are live people waiting to jump out and scare the jee-willigers out of you.

Check out the writer commentary from the episode.

Season 5, Episode 11: "In Plain Fright"


Shawn and Gus stumbled upon a murder at a haunted house ride at a theme park. They have to sneak back in to find the body while hilarity ensues.

For fans of the episode, check out some outtakes.

1st Day of School: Bart Simpson's First Day

Schools all over the country are starting back to school soon (some today in fact). For some parents it is a time to cry. For others a time to cheer. But for most it is a time to share a little wisdom.

Homer tells Bart to pay attention because if he does, he might accomplish something the Simpsons have dreamed about for some time, "You may outsmart someone."

Labor Day: Married with Children

Before you know it Labor Day will be here and summer will be over. I can't say that I am sad about summer being over. I live in Tulsa, Oklahoma and it has been one of the hottest places in the country this year. I am ready for fall!

So to help get us ready for any Labor Day barbecues we might have planned is Al Bundy showing us what is really important about the day.

Married with Children, Season 4 Episode 1 "Hot Off the Grill"


It just wouldn't be Labor Day without Al Bundy relaxing all day while Peg does all the work to get ready for their yearly barbecue. He needs energy to make his special burgers. And it won't be time to eat until Peg sings the National Anthem.

Canada Day!

July 1st is Canada Day. Here to celebrate is Dwight's song all about Canada. It's no "Oh, Canada" But it is pretty great!

1st Day of Summer: Kamp Krusty

Tomorrow, June 21st, is the first day of summer. Here is Tulsa the temps are already in the high 90s each day so I have a hard time believing that summer is just now starting.

And with summer comes summer camp. And what better place is there than Kamp Krusty?

The Simpsons Season 4 Episode 1 "Kamp Krsuty"



While Lisa and Bart are away at Kamp Krusty, Homer and Marge relax. Homer even loses weight and regrows some hair.

But Lisa and Bart's summer isn't as good. Kamp Krusty is nothing like the promising commercials. Bart tries to stay positive by telling himself that Krusty will show up. But when that never happens, Bart organizes the other campers into overthrowing the camp leadership.

After news of the overthrow makes it to the nightly news, Homer loses his hair and gains back his weight immediately. And Krusty shows up to makes amends and takes the kids to Tijuana, Mexico.

Father's Day: The Cosby Show

Who needs 6 months notice to find the perfect Father's Day's gifts? Apparently the Cosby kids do. It is 2 weeks before Christmas and Cliff comes into the kitchen dressed in all the awful gifts that his kids have given him.

Now we don't have 6 month's until Father's Day. We only have 5 days. So if you don't have gifts for Father's Day yet, you better get shopping.

The Cosby Show Season 1 Episode 13 "Father's Day"


It might be snowing, and the kids might be hoping for a snow day, and it might be 2 weeks before Chirstmas, but Cliff thinks it is the perfect time to talk to his kids about their choices in Father's Day gifts. He gives them 6 moths notice to get better and to put some real thought into their gift or he will be saving all the awful presents to sell to his future grandchildren. That way his children will have to wear them as well.

Father's Day: Roseanne

Father's day is this Sunday so it is time to start celebrating with some classic tv episodes.  Here is a great  Father's Day episode from Rosanne. It shows us how hard it can be when our dads come to visit. Is the phrase "work smart not hard" caring advice or a put down?

Roseanne Season 1 Episode 14 "Father's Day"



Everyone, except Dan, is trilled when Dan's father shows up. He has gives for everyone including some advice for Dan. "Work smart, not hard." Rosanne tries to smooth things over between Dan and his father. You can watch the full episode on tvland.

Hurricane Season Starts Today

June 1st means the start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season. And if you live in areas that are prone to hurricanes, you know exactly what to do.  But have you ever wondered if it would be better to open all your windows during a hurricane? Mythbusters looks into this very myth.

Mythbusters 2009 Season Episode 16 "Hurricane Windows"



Mythbusters isn't the only show that can teach us a thing or too about hurricanes. Dirty Jobs gives us an inside look at the men and women that keep the hurricane barriers in place as Mike Rowe tries to do their job. He goes inside the barrier to clean and change the zinc anodes.

Dirty Jobs Season 2 Episode 35 "Bell Maker"

Graduation: With Steve Carell

It can be kind of boring waiting for your loved-one's name to get called during commencement, but it can be a great time to search for funny names. Names that should never have been given. Names that make you say, "What were those parents thinking?"

Saturday Night Live Season 33 Episode 12

Simpsons: School's Out Forever

It's the final day of school and the first day of freedom for hundreds of schools, at least in our neck of the woods. Isn't this a little bit how you felt as that final bell rang.

"I trust you all remembered to bring in your implements of destruction."

The Simpsons, Season 4, Episode 1 "Kamp Krusty.


Well, it's all a dream, and Bart tries to turn his straight Ds report card into straight As so he can go to camp as promised. "You know a D turns into a B so easily. You just got greedy." Well, camp is much of a vacation for Marge and Homer as Bart and Lisa, so they are off to Kamp Krusty. The camp doesn't quite live up to the Krusty seal of approval and Barney Gumble steps for the lazy clown.


Simpsons at its absolute best and a classic ode to summer.

Graduation: Family Ties

Alex is graduating from high school but isn't valedictorian. His girlfriend is. Pay special attention to his girlfriend, Rachel. Rachel is played by Daphne Zuniga who played Princess Vespa in Space Balls.

Family Ties Season 2 Episode 20 "The Graduate"


Alex has a hard time when he finds out that he isn't valedictorian of his senior class. But he has a harder time when he realizes his girlfriend is.

Graduation: Modern Family

When I was in school, I only had one graduation (from high school). So as I watched Wednesday night's episode of Modern Family and could help and wonder why there is a middle school graduation? I have come to the conclusion that these graduations (be them junior high, middle school, kindergarten) only exist because the cap and gown people want them to exist.

Modern Family Season 2 Episode 23 "See You Next Fall"


The whole family meets at Jay's house before Alex's middle school graduation. Jay spends the whole time trying to hide his bad botox job, Cameron gets feed up with Mitchell making fun of him and Phil sympathizes with Claire about the kids growing up too fast but only because he wants to go to Vegas the next day.