5 Forgotten Halloween Specials

Halloween brings us Halloween focused episodes for sitcoms, spooky movies, and every now and then Halloween specials. While not as commonplace as they once were, Halloween specials use to be utilized by networks to grab some ratings while folk's were in spooky season mode. In this blog I'm going to cover 5 Halloween specials that have flown under the radar or been forgotten altogether. 

The Halloween Tree

This 1993 ABC network original film produced by animated powerhouse Hanna Barbera, and based on the novel. A group of friends learn about the spirit and origins of Halloween when one of their friends is taken away by a mysterious force. With the help of a guide, they must get their friend back. The special use to be a staple of the cartoon network, but we all know that channel has fallen from grace hard. 

The Last Halloween

This 1991 special which originally aired on ABC and was produced by Hanna Barbera. Follows three aliens who are sent to earth in search of a precious material called "coobi". Coobi turns out to be candy, and the three aliens team up with a brother and sister to help save the town's candy factory and Halloween.

The David S. Pumpkins Halloween Special

Based on a SNL sketch played by Tom Hanks, this 2017 special that aired on NBC. Follows Peter Dinklage narrating the story of his younger self and his sister, and the one halloween they met David S. Pumpkins. Along with his two skeletons, they all teamed together to help save the holiday of Halloween.

Claymation Comedy Of Horrors

Produced by Will Vinton who was a claymation genius, this 1991 special originally aired on CBS (In May that year, which is strange). A pig named Wilshire, and his pals a snail named Sheldon and fellow pig Vince. Learn about halloween and the history of Victor Frakenswine, and launch a get rich quick scheme based on that. That could land them in deep trouble.

Michael Jackson Halloween

This 2017 CBS special honestly was just a quick way to cash in on MJ's catalog, and I love some MJ. The special follows a young boy and girl named Vincent and Victoria who visit a hotel called This Place Hotel on 777 Jackson Street. Guided by the chimpaneeze Bubbles, the two set out to learn about themselves defeating the witch Comfority who is trying to ban music and dance. In the end good ol' MJ who has been a guiding force all along shows up for some classic dance breaks. 

Read More

5 Christmas Specials You Don't Remember

 

Christmas time is a very festive time of the year. It brings Christmas lights and decorations, music, movies, special episodes of television series. And those Christmas specials to cash in on the spirit, there are Christmas Specials that are classics and must watch every year. Specials such as Charlie Brown Christmas, A Year Without Santa Claus, and Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer to name a few. It's customary that for every classic that's watched every holiday season, there are several people just don't remember. 

Here Are 5 Christmas Special's you likely don't remember

5. Munsters Scary Little Christmas

                                   

In the mid-90's Fox tried to bring back the 60's sitcom family The Munsters into pop culture. They had a TV movie to "reintroduce" the family and this special followed. Released in 1996, the film follows the Munster family as young son Eddie get's homesick and wants to return to Transylvania. His father Herman decides to do a Transylvanian Christmas, but soon everything just goes left. Including Santa and his elves needing assistance from The Munsters to ensure Christmas actually happens that year.

The film is available on Youtube to watch.

4. Santa, Baby!

                                     

This 2001 special that aired on Fox boasted several legendary entertainers as members of it's cast. The like's of Gregory Hines, Patti Labelle, Vanessa Williams, and Eartha Kitt. The film follows a struggling songwriter Noel (Gregory Hines) who with the assistance of his family and a partridge finds the Christmas spirit once again. This special was produced by animation powerhouse Rankin/Bass but for some reason is rarely aired. 

A rip of I believe the original airing is currently available on YouTube.

3. The Town Santa Forgot

Airing on NBC in December 1993, this Holiday special follows the story of a young boy named Jeremy Creek. Jeremy was a mischievous, selfish kid who surely would end up on the naughty list most years.  One day after being punished he decides to write Santa a letter of all the toys he wants, an substantial list by the way. When it reaches Santa he assumes the letter came from a town and not just one person.

Jeremy is dismayed Christmas morning and he realizes Santa forgot to pay his town a visit. He however learns a valuable lesson about Christmas, giving to others and the Holiday Spirit.

Produced by Hanna-Barbera, the special was a staple on Cartoon Network and Boomerang cable channels for years. Unfortunately it's no longer aired and not available for streaming, the most you can find it is on some third party sites if you look hard enough.

2. Jingle Bell Rock 

                                                        

This ABC original special aired in 1995, produced by animated powerhouse Dic is actually intriguing and a bit ahead of it's time with what kid's would understand. Santa Claus has been too generous rarely putting anyone on the naughty list, as such his operation has ran out of funding and he has to lay off his elves. With the likelihood that Christmas will be cancelled for children all across the world, one elf named Buddy set's out to Hollywood and write's a song to enter a talent contest. Buddy has hopes of winning to give Santa the earnings and save Christmas.

The special is available on YouTube from a few different sources.

1. Have Yourself A Goofy Little Christmas

This special aired in 1992 and is canon in the Goof Troop episode list, originally airing as a one hour special and broken up in subsequent airings. It also sadly was the finale of the series, which while sad isn't a bad way to go out. The special follows Goofy and his son Max as they follow their neighbors to Aspirin, Colorado for the holidays. The only thing is Goofy isn't exactly welcomed, but he ends up saving the day anyway.

Only season 1 of Goof Troop is currently available on Disney Plus, unfortunately this special is not available. 

Read More