The 20 best holiday TV episodes
This holiday season, you're going to want to watch some good television. That's just a fact of life. So here are 20 of the best holiday episodes.
"Arnold's Christmas" (“Hey Arnold!,” 1x11)
Only '90s kids (sorry) will get the emotional gut-punch that is the entire story of Mr. Hyunh and his long-lost daughter, Mai. Some of those '90s kids might even be tearing up just typing this right now.
"Miracle on 3rd or 4th Street" (“Frasier,” 1x12)
Accidental homeless man Frasier relying on the kindness of strangers.
The Chrismukkah episodes (“The O.C.,” 1x13/2x06/3x10/4x07)
The fourth one's secretly the best, the third one's definitely the worst (but would be an all-time great if you just kept the Ryan bar mitzvah plot and took out Johnny...and also put in Taylor Townsend), and the first two are just as great as you remember.
"The Snowmen" (“Doctor Who,” 2012 Christmas Special)
Evil snowmen. That's what the holiday season is all about.
"So-Called Angels" (“My So-Called Life,” 1x15)
There's actually a lot of debate about whether this is a good episode of MSCL or not? You know, magical teen orphan ghost angel played by Juliana Hatfield and all. But it's definitely a memorable holiday episode of television.
"An Echolls Family Christmas" (“Veronica Mars,” 1x10)
Peak Veronica Mars; peak holiday noir.
"A Very Sunny Christmas" (“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” 6x13)
It’s…odd this exists six episodes into the series. And with every passing year, it becomes a more obscure reference point for the series — especially because it was originally released as a special DVD and not an episode aired during the actual season. Still, moments like Frank emerging from the couch and Charlie vs. Santa remain all-time greats.
"Lexmas" (“Smallville,” 5x09)
Honestly, as far as alt-worlds go, this is a really solid episode of "Smallville." (The real world plot where Clark has to talk down a suicidal Santa Claus is...a choice.)
"White Christmas" (“Black Mirror,” 2014 Christmas Special)
This is not a happy holiday episode, but it's definitely an all-time "Black Mirror" great.
"Amends" (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” 3x10)
Sure, most talk about this episode centers on Buffy's awful baby bangs (what were those?), but this is ultimately a really solid episode that also sets up some foundation for future episodes of both "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel."
"Unhappy Holidays" (“Everwood,” 2x10)
This is kind of a depressing holiday episode list, isn't it? Sorry, not sorry. So of course you can't forget about Everwood's second season Christmas episode, right in the sweet spot of clinically depressed Amy Abbott.
"Fall On Your Knees"/"The Consequences of Falling" (“Popular,” 1x10/2X10)
Pick your poison: "A Christmas Carol" (Season 1) or "It's A Wonderful Life" (Season 2). (Really, Season 1 is the better one.)
"The Santa Experience"/"Chanukah"/"A Rugrats Kwanzaa" ("Rugrats," 2x14/4x01/7x13)
Fact: No show has been able to touch Rugrats' holiday game. No show.
"Christmas" (“The Wonder Years,” 2x03)
It was a simpler time, when all you wanted for Christmas was a color TV.
"Tis the Season" (“Ally McBeal,” 4x06)
Fact: Season 4 is the best season of "Ally McBeal." Fact: Robert Downey Jr. singing Joni Mitchell's "River" in this episode is still absolutely heartbreaking.
"Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas" and “Regional Holiday Music” (“Community,” 2x11/3x10)
Do you want your claymation or your "Glee" riff? Why not both and make it a holiday double feature?
"No-Ho-Ho" (“Happy Endings,” 3x07)
Three words: Hip. Hop. Santa.
"Afternoon Delight" (“Arrested Development,” 2x06)
Yes, this is technically a holiday episode of "Arrested Development."
"Ludachristmas" (“30 Rock,” 2x09)
Ludachristmas! Ludachristmas! Ludachristmas! Also: Liz Lemon's amnesiac older brother (Andy Richter) is classic "30 Rock."
"Do You See What I See" (“Eureka,” 4x21)
This is an insane (really, very bold) episode of television. It's awesome.
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