Some time back, I wrote a piece where I spoke of my dread of the new ABC Family Christmas special, A Miser Brothers’ Christmas, based on the beloved characters from The Year Without a Santa Claus. Based on what I had seen of it, I predicted it would be dreadful. I also promised that if I was wrong and enjoyed it, I would write a glowing review.

I don’t have to write that review. This “new Holiday classic” was pretty lousy.

The plot was about Santa being disabled while testing a new sonic sled, and the Miser Brothers, Heat & Snow, being framed for it by their brother North Wind who, for reasons not disclosed during the special, wants Santa’s job for himself. The Misers then have to fill in for Santa.

For those of you who missed the show, I’ll save you the trouble; eventually, Christmas goes on as planned. By the way, some villain wanting Santa’s job is a staple of Holiday classics, and I’ve never understood it. Who wants to tear around the globe in the freezing cold and come home stinking of reindeer droppings and stale cookies? Is it because you only have to work one day a year?

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A big part of the Christmas season is, for me, watching all the classic holiday Christmas specials. It just wouldn’t be Christmas without Frosty, Rudolph, the Grinch, and all my other holiday TV pals.

One of my favorite specials is the holiday classic, The Year Without a Santa Claus, featuring a memorable appearance by two brothers, Heat Miser and Snow Miser, who apparently have some hand in the current global warming crisis, due to some complicated family issues.

I love these characters so much that I was delighted/dismayed when the ABC Family Channel announced they would premier a new special, A Miser Brothers Christmas, on December 13th (as part of their annual however-many days of showing crappy Christmas movies thing they do every year). I was delighted because I, of course, was happy to see my old pals back, and thrilled that Mickey Rooney was returning as the voice of Santa, and that George S. Irving was reprising his role as Heat Miser. Sadly, Dick Shawn will not be playing Snow Miser again, as he is dead.

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Mmmm. Smell that aroma? A mix of pine, dirty Santa suits, chocolate coins, candles, and sweat from that dude pulling out his well-worn credit card for the 20th time today. Yes, it’s once again time for that festive season of Christmakwanzakuh. A time when all men and women get together – to be first in line at the store for the four laptops they are selling at $300 a piece; a time for friends and family – who will be regifting the gift you sent them last year; and a time for television viewing.

Although most of our shows will be taking the month of December off, there is plenty of viewing to be done, thanks to the plethora of holiday cartoons, movies, and specials that will be clogging the network arteries from now until the last hours of Christmas fade into a sleepy, ham-induced memory. As there is so much out there to watch, we here at CliqueClack TV feel it is our responsibility, nay, our sworn duty to the Lords of Television, to provide you with the most comprehensive list of holiday-themed programming that we can give.

So, after the jump, you’ll be able to view a guide of what you look forward to over the next few weeks. Please read it slowly, as the sugary content of some of these shows may cause diabetes. Oh, and if you miss the initial airing of your favorite special, don’t worry. It will be on at least two or 150 more times before Christmas. So, if the sugar plums are done dancing in your heads, away we go-Ho-Ho-Ho! Read the rest of this entry »