Music on TV - Week of 12.26.11: New Year's Eve with Coldplay, Drake, Lady Gaga

New Year's Eve: Coldplay on Austin City Limits / Drake with Carson Daly / Lady Gaga for Dick Clark/Ryan Seacrest

With every New Year's Eve comes the pressure to ring in the new year with a bang, but for most, the evening generally ends up at somebody's house (usually your own) with a TV that gets turned on to mark the countdown.* With that in mind, there are a few decent options to have on the tube in the background of wherever you find yourself inching towards 2012.

*That is usually it goes down for me -- but not this year.

As a music-only option, for the first time in Austin City Limits nearly 40 years, the program is broadcasting a New Year's Eve special, and they've called upon Coldplay for their first. ACL executive producer Terry Lickona said in a press release, "We decided to go big with Coldplay — really big. So we came up with the idea of celebrating New Year’s Eve with a 90-minute special. All the hits plus their brand new songs. It’ll be a great way to kick off 2012!" There's probably bigger and better they could go with, but NYE requires a vanilla-like reach, so Coldplay is the ticket for 2012.

Elsewhere, you have the usual suspects, firstly with the Dick Clark's Rockin' NYE (ABC) annual tradition (torch still slowly being handed over to co-host Ryan Seacrest), this year featuring Lady Gaga as the featured music act, but a who's who of Billboard chart toppers chime in with a song: Nicki Minaj, Florence + the Machine, Blink-182, Justin Bieber, LMFAO, Pitbull, Will.i.am, OneRepublic, Taio Cruz, Gym Glass Heroes, the Band Perry, and Hot Chelle Rae. Meanwhile, NBC has New Year's Eve with Carson Daly, which usually gets the slight music edge, but this year is they've gone a tad more MOR, with Drake, Jessie J, Cee Lo Green, The Roots, and the legend himself, Tony Bennett.

UPDATE: Spin Magazine has an extensive guide out now that covers live NYE shows in major cities across the country. So go rock 2012.

Picks for the week
Monday, December 26
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Paul Anka (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Lenny Kravitz (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Jimmy Cliff (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Thievery Corporation (REPEAT)
Tuesday, December 27
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Pink Martini (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Coldplay (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: We Were Promised Jetpacks (REPEAT)
Wednesday, December 28
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Yelawolf (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Rufus Wainwright (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Pitbull (REPEAT)
Thursday, December 29
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: My Morning Jacket (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Shelby Lynne (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Cake (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Young the Giant (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Paul Simon (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Wye Oak, Butch Walker (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Seether (REPEAT)
Friday, December 30
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Young Jeezy (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: My Morning Jacket (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Foster the People (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Kylesa, Cliff Martinez (REPEAT)
Saturday, December 31
ABC: Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest: Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Florence + the Machine, Blink-182, Justin Bieber, LMFAO, Pitbull, Will.i.am, OneRepublic, Taio Cruz, Gym Class Heroes, Hot Chelle Rae
NBC: New Year's Eve with Carson Daly: Drake, Jessie J, Cee Lo Green, The Roots, Tony Bennett
PBS: Coldplay New Year's Eve: An Austin City Limits Special: Coldplay

It's That Rankin-Bass Time of Year Again

Heat Miser does battle with brother Snow Miser in the Rankin-Bass holiday classic The Year Without a Santa Claus

It's well into time of year where I re-package my Rankin-Bass obsession. But since there's still time to catch the specials on TV (check schedule below), I humbly give you an updated version of this yearly recycled piece. Holidays are for re-gifting!

There's a whole generation of us who grew up on Rankin-Bass' stop-motion animated holiday specials that are now of an age in control, so it's no wonder the specials have been an anchor of ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas schedule going back to 1996, when it was still FOX Family. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Comin' To Town, and the cult favorite The Year Without a Santa Claus were always required viewing growing up in my household this time of year, and I continue to find myself searching these titles on the TV schedule, to rekindle that old magic.

Early on, these holiday productions of Arthur Rankin Jr and Jules Bass were certainly magic, but the pressure to catch lightning in a bottle over and over again made for a lot of misfires, like the long forgotten Rudolph And Frosty's Christmas In July, or The Leprechauns' Christmas Gold (video) and the LOTR inspired The Life And Adventures Of Santa Claus (now conveniently packaged with Nestor the Christmas Donkey!), which puts Claus in the fantasy drama, pitting him against characters like The Gnome King and the Commander of the Wind Demons. (See trailer below.)


While most of the Rankin-Bass titles were based on existing Christmas songs, many original songs were written for these specials that quickly became part of the holiday tradition. For instance, Johnny Marks, who had written "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," was brought in to write seven more songs for the Rankin-Bass production of the same name, and much like Vince Guaraldi did for A Charlie Brown Christmas (which airs tonight, December 15, @8PM), these songs elevate the animated special to holiday classic.

I've ranked my top five favorite Rankin-Bass holiday musical memories below, and as expected, Rudolph's nabbed the majority. You'll also notice, these are all original songs for the specials, so no pre-existing classics like "Rudolph," "Frosty," "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and "Blue Christmas" here.

5. "Silver & Gold" - Sam the Snowman (Burl Ives) / Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) [video]

It's probably surprising that it's not ranked higher, as the song is undoubtedly the most recognizable of the bunch here. But having the narrator Sam the Snowman singing it separates it a bit from the Rudolph story, and even beyond that, when you hear it, a visual of Burl Ives comes to mind more than his animated character, Sam. To tell the truth, I'm creeped out by both visuals, as Sam was one ugly snowman. Apparently, he was drawn to look like scriptwriter Romeo Muller, who at least as a snowman, was certainly no Romeo.


Already aired -- before Thanksgiving, November 23rd on CBS :(

4. "We're a Couple of Misfits" - Rudolph (Billie Mae Richards) and Hermey the Elf (Paul Soles) / Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) [video]

When Rudolph met Hermey: Rudolph is a tale of alienation, with the underlying message that it's okay to be different. I get the feeling if Hermey D.D.S. was introduced today, the Christian right would wrongfully target him like Tinky Winky and SpongeBob Squarepants. Thankfully, no one wants to sully our memories in political correctness. Oh, wait, I guess they do. Looking at it again, Hermey and Rudolph are kind of gay -- and by gay, I of course mean happy.


Already aired -- before Thanksgiving, November 23rd on CBS :(

3. "Put One Foot In Front of the Other" - Kris Kringle (Mickey Rooney) and Winter Warlock (Keenan Wynn) / Santa Claus is Comin' To Town (1972) [videos all taken down]

Besides "Silver & Gold," this has to be the other most memorable song in the Rankin-Bass canon. I've always found myself singing its ridiculously catchy chorus, but it's the verses that still stand the test of time. It's no wonder some identify it with AA's 12-step process.

If you want to change your direction
If you're time of life is at hand
Well don't be the rule -- be the exception
A good way to start is to stand.

Airs Christmas Eve - Saturday, December 24th at 7PM (ABC Family) -- see schedule below for more

2. "There's Always Tomorrow" - Clarice (Janet Orenstein) sings to Rudolph / Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) [video]

This is probably the most underrated Johnny Marks song, and easily the best ballad from the Rankin-Bass collection. This tune really should rank up there with Disney's "When You Wish Upon a Star," but it's never truly been given its due. Red Red Meat covered it majestically a few years back, and when I find myself singing it as a lullaby to one of my boys, it never fails to give me goosebumps.


Already aired -- before Thanksgiving, November 23rd on CBS :(

1. "Snow Miser / Heat Miser" (Dick Shawn, George S. Irving) - The Year Without A Santa Claus (1974) [video]

Really, the only reason TYWASC achieved cult classic status is because of this song and the dueling half-bros Snow and Heat Miser. It's the snappy delivery from Dick Shawn (as Snow) and George S. Irving (as Heat) that make it a classic, and this song will always be the one I think of whenever Rankin-Bass comes up. Sadly, there's never been a digital release of the soundtrack, so no song is technically available to download or stream. A remake that aired in 2006 nearly ruined the legacy of TYWASC (Just watch what they did to the miser bros duel to see what I mean. Thankfully, disappeared from everyone's memory quicker than The Leprechauns' Christmas Gold. An ABC Family original sequel entitled A Miser Brothers Christmas did nothing to alleviate the damage (video), instead merely piled on. Lesson learned -- the miser legacy should be left well enough alone.

Airs Christmas Eve - Saturday, December 24th at 7PM (ABC Family)

Bonus playlist: Here's a collection of artists who grew up with Rankin-Bass doing covers of songs from the animated specials:
Rankin-Bass Holiday Covers

Previously: Miser in Reverse ("A Miser Brothers Christmas"), Ranking the Music of Rankin-Bass (Tracklisting)

Rush Release 15 Albums in three Sectors

And the holiday season of box sets is officially upon us...

On November 21, Canada's favorite prog rock power trio is releasing their entire 15 albums from the Mercury years (1974-1988) in three box sets entitled Sectors (because calling it "Subdivisions" would be too on the nose?). Each CD comes with a special booklet with lyrics and photos from the period, and one album in each box gets an additional 5.1 stereo sound DVD.

Sector 1: Rush (1974), Fly By Night (1975), Caress of Steel (1975), 2112 (1976), All the World's a Stage (1976), Fly by Night (DVD)

Sector 2: A Farewell to Kings (1977), Hemispheres (1978), Permanent Waves (1980), Moving Pictures (1981), Exit...Stage Left (1981), A Farewell to Kings (DVD)

Sector 3: Signals (1982), Grace Under Pressure (1984), Power Windows (1985), Hold Your Fire (1987), A Show of Hands (1988), Signals (DVD)

This is the collection every basement / garage / lonely apartment needs. But if you haven't yet found that special lady in your life, best stay away far away from these.

Glee "A Very Glee Christmas": You're a Slight One, Mr. Glee

The holiday archetypes are all there. A bah humbug / Grinch (Sue? Check). The naive child full of hope / Cindy Lou Who (Brittany? Check). Caroling, tree decorating, a couple Christmas miracles, smother it in cheese and chase it with some sap. Boom... X-mas special. "A Very Glee Christmas" seems almost entirely inspired by animated specials, which sort of works in that Sue and Brittany are kind of cartoon-like anyway. Still, the episode manages to also squeeze in some of the sadness and/or loneliness of the holiday (just a smidge... don't want to any channel changing).

The Glee Christmas album has been out for a few weeks, and the thing I took away from it listening to it prior was, man... good thing you buried k.d. lang singing "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch, as it's the only rendition you'd want to hear again. Imagine if they'd lead with that one?

Playlist: Glee - Episode 2.10
1. "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" - Glee Cast [Amazon / iTunes]
2. "We Need A Little Christmas" - Glee Cast [Amazon / iTunes]
3. "Merry Christmas Darling" - Glee Cast [Amazon / iTunes]
4. "Baby, It's Cold Outside" - Glee Cast [Amazon / iTunes]
5. "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch - k.d. lang [Amazon / iTunes]
6. "Last Christmas" - Glee Cast [Amazon / iTunes]
7. "Welcome Christmas" - Glee Cast [Amazon / iTunes]

Previously; "Special Education" (Episode 2.09)

Ear on TV: Week of 12.21.09: The Muppets

For anyone that were weened on The Muppets variety series, the repeated appearances Jim Henson's legacy this past month has been a welcome surprise. In the past month, the lovable puppets have not only popped up on the tube, but also launched their own YouTube channel, generating several viral sensations in it's infancy. Their fine rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody" alone has captured ten million views already, and the more recent (and festive) "Ringing of the Bells" is well on its way to everyone's inbox. In these clips, there's a bit of the magic that's been missing since Henson died back in 1990.

On Wednesday night, a few of Kermit's friends will make a very special appearance on The Late Show with Jimmy Fallon, which we can assume will be holiday oriented (ala "The Ringing of the Bells," embedded below). But there's also a recent history with the talk show, after Statler and Waldorf (the old hecklers from the opera boxes) interrupted Fallon and guest Jason Segel back in May. As long as Animal and Beaker are involved, their appearance will be must-see for the evening.



On the surface, the Sundance documentary Rufus Wainwright: Prima Donna (Monday,) is supposed to be about a pop star attempting to compose his first opera, but ends up being just as much a coming of age (and out of the closet) story. Between shots of Wainwright laboring over the project are home movies from his childhood and talking head interviews with famous dad Loudon Wainwright III along with soprano Renee Fleming and Rufus' boyfriend, Jorn Weisbrodt.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, December 21
FUEL: Check 1, 2: The Dodos
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Silversun Pickups
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Julian Casablancas
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Brett Dennen
SUNDANCE: Rufus Wainwright: Prima Donna: Rufus Wainwright
Tuesday, December 22
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Weezer (REPEAT)
IFC: Dinner With the Band: Kid Sister, Flosstradamus
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Kid Cudi
Wednesday, December 23
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Passion Pit (REPEAT)
NBC: The Jay Leno Show: Dan Finnerty and the Dan Band
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Muppets
SUNDANCE: Spectacle: Elvis Costello With...: Elvis Costello, Richard Thompson, Nick Lowe, Allen Toussaint, Levon Helm
Thursday, December 24
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Wolfmother (REPEAT)
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Entrance Band
Friday, December 25
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Band of Skulls (REPEAT)
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Municipal Waste
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Doves
SUNDANCE: Monterey Pop: Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Janis Joplin, Simon & Garfunkel, Otis Redding

Muppets in song: the gift that keeps on giving...

It has been a couple weeks since we were blessed with the Muppets version of "Bohemian Rhapsody," and now Muppets Studios is back with another cover -- and this time it's more festive.

Below is video for "Ringing of the Bells," and like last time out, b-listers (but headliners in our heart) Animal and Beaker end up being the stars:


Previouisly: Muppet Rhapsody & Fallon as Neil Young as Fresh Prince

Miser in Reverse

This weekend I watched ABC Family's attempt at rekindling the The Year Without a Santa Claus magic with their A Miser Brother's Christmas special. Of course, the brothers Miser deserve their own show, but unless it's going to be in some worthy hands, I say let the Rankin-Bass classic be.

Cuppa Coffee Animation did a fine enough job bringing them back to life for the special, but the new music was forgettable and the dialogue was pretty much what you expect from sanitized holiday fare for children these days. The only highlight for me was hearing theater legend George S. Irving back voicing Heat Miser as he did 34 years ago in the original (Mickey Rooney is also back as Santa,) but it only made the absence of Dick Shawn as Snow Miser that much harder to bear (Shawn, a comedian, died during a stand-up performance in 1987). Rankin-Bass historian Rick Goldschmidt agrees with my assessment for the most part, based on the five minutes or so that he could stomach watching:

I knew it would be bad BUT could not believe how awful it was! I had to turn it off after about 5 minutes. RANKIN/BASS classic Holiday TV specials have lasted over forty years....things like this last about 5 minutes and then are forgotten about forever.

Let's not forget this is the second time the brothers have been brought back with lackluster content. NBC's live-action version of The Year without a Santa Claus was just a waste of talent: John Goodman (Santa,) Michael McKean (Snow Miser) and Harvey Fierstein (Heat Miser).

There were a handful of Rankin-Bass classics that a generation of us was raised on, and they deserve their due. I did a top five music moments from the specials last year, and it's worth revisiting. Naturally, the original miser brothers' performance sits atop the list.

Previously: Ranking the Music of Rankin-Bass Holiday Specials

The parcheesi of my people

It was the last Chuck of 2007, and while we have to wait until January for more, it was a pretty good one to go out on, don't you think? A Christmas holiday party, Chuck in a tux drinking a martini, Sarah in a bikini, and Casey's usual quips.

Ah yes, Major John Casey... much is obviously given to the conflict of interest in the relationship between Chuck and Sarah, and Casey even lectures Sarah to that end, but there's much to the relationship between Chuck and Casey as well. Even though he's still obviously in a supporting role here, Adam Baldwin (playing Casey) was given a spotlight of sorts, to help hint at some sort of internal conflict over his job to both protect and eventually terminate Chuck. Subtle, to be sure, but under Casey's macho exterior lies a beating hear to be sure, and Chuck has to have grown on him. What happens at the moment Casey's called upon to do the job should be the real climax of this first season -- if we even get to it, thanks to the writer's strike.

Speaking of climax, seeing Casey clean his 1985 Ford Crown Victoria (to the obscure Henry Turner's Crystal Band song "Giving My Love Up To You,") was a bit much for the eyes, but hearing him say "you bet it's shiny" gave me a little Firefly thrill. It's also worth pointing out here that they used a black Crown Victoria as the vehicle of choice in Men in Black, and while that one turned into a rocket ship, they both had a nice prisoner containment unit. RIP Crown Vic, we barely knew ya.

Musically, there was some fun to be had, with the opening scene involving recently converted Lester taking the other Buy More grunts' money playing dreidel like a game of dice all to Nelly's "Pimp Juice." "This is the parcheesi of my people!" he intones when his rules are challenged by Anna. Tonight's the first night of Hanukkah (Happy Hanukkah!) so it's appropriate to address the mystery of Lester's conversion Judaism, readdressed in the episode. Since Schwartz didn't make Chuck Jewish (even thought that Zach Levi is) it's interesting to see him comically interject Judaism via the character you'd last think to be Jewish. Like calling Jeff 'bubalah', Yiddish for 'sweetheart' or getting politically correct with the boss on calling the party a 'holiday' party. Speaking of the party, it was great hearing some "Christmas in Hollis" from Run-DMC, probably my favorite Christmas song ever recorded.

Another song that played early on, was Burl Ives singing "Holly Jolly Christmas" which is only significant in that in the background scenes in the Buy More, they showed a couple Rankin-Bass classics on the television screens, including Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in which the song famously appeared. The other one they showed a tiny bit of was The Year Without A Santa Claus, and while it wasn't the Miser brothers, seeing Jingle and Jangle Bells had me feeling a bit of synergy with my post from yesterday.

Playlist: Chuck - Episode 1.11
1. "Pimp Juice" - Nelly - Lester takes money playing dreidel
2. "Have A Holly Jolly Christmas" - Burl Ives
3. "Deck The Halls" - First Com
4. “Giving My Love Up To You“ - Henry Turner’s Crystal Band - Casey lovingly washes his 1985 Ford LTD Crown Victoria
5. "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" - First Com
6. "I Saw Three Ships" - First Com
7. "Christmas In Hollis" - Run DMC - The Buy More holiday party kicks off
8. "Melt with You" - Modern English - The Buy More holiday party

Previously: Klingon and Kevlar (Episode 1.10)

Ranking the music of Rankin-Bass

A whole generation of us grew up on Rankin-Bass' stop-motion animated holiday specials. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Comin' To Town, and the cult favorite The Year Without a Santa Claus were always required viewing growing up in my household this time of year, and I continue to find myself searching these titles on the TV schedule, to rekindle that old magic.

Early on, these holiday productions of Arthur Rankin Jr and Jules Bass were certainly magic, but the pressure to catch lightning in a bottle over and over again made for a lot of misfires, like the long forgotten Rudolph And Frosty's Christmas In July, or The Leprechauns' Christmas Gold and the LOTR inspired The Life And Adventures Of Santa Claus, which puts Claus in the fantasy drama, pitting him against characters like The Gnome King and the Commander of the Wind Demons.
You can catch a bunch of these lesser-known Rankin-Bass productions Saturday, December 7, when ABC Family runs a marathon starting at 7 am.

While most of the Rankin-Bass titles were based on existing Christmas songs, many original songs were written for these specials that quickly became part of the holiday tradition. For instance, Johnny Marks, who had written "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," was brought in to write seven more songs for the Rankin-Bass production of the same name, and much like Vince Guaraldi did for A Charlie Brown Christmas, these songs elevate the animated special to holiday classic.

I've ranked my top five favorite Rankin-Bass holiday musical memories below, and as expected, Rudolph's nabbed the majority.

5. "Silver & Gold" - Sam the Snowman (Burl Ives) / Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) [video]

It's probably surprising that it's not ranked higher, as the song is undoubtedly the most recognizable of the bunch here. But having the narrator Sam the Snowman singing it separates it a bit from the Rudolph story, and even beyond that, when you hear it, a visual of Burl Ives comes to mind more than his animated character, Sam. To tell the truth, I'm creeped out by both visuals, as Sam was one ugly snowman. Apparently, he was drawn to look like scriptwriter Romeo Muller, who at least as a snowman, was certainly no Romeo.

Airs Tuesday, December 4 at 8PM/7C (CBS)

4. "We're a Couple of Misfits" - Rudolph (Billie Mae Richards) and Hermey the Elf (Paul Soles) / Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) [video]

When Rudolph met Hermey: Rudolph is a tale of alienation, with the underlying message that it's okay to be different. I get the feeling if Hermey D.D.S. was introduced today, the Christian right would wrongfully target him like Tinky Winky and SpongeBob Squarepants. Thankfully, no one wants to sully our memories in political correctness. Oh, wait, I guess they do. Looking at it again, Hermey and Rudolph are kind of gay -- and by gay, I of course mean happy.

Airs Tuesday, December 4 at 8PM (CBS)

3. "Put One Foot In Front of the Other" - Kris Kringle (Mickey Rooney) and Winter Warlock (Keenan Wynn) / Santa Claus is Comin' To Town (1972) [video]

Besides "Silver & Gold," this has to be the other most memorable song in the Rankin-Bass canon. I've always found myself singing its ridiculously catchy chorus, but it's the verses that still stand the test of time. It's no wonder some identify it with AA's 12-step process.

If you want to change your direction
If you're time of life is at hand
Well don't be the rule -- be the exception
A good way to start is to stand.

Airs Wednesday, December 5 at 8PM (ABC) -- see schedule below for more

2. "There's Always Tomorrow" - Clarice (Janet Orenstein) sings to Rudolph / Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) [video]

This is probably the most underrated Johnny Marks song, and easily the best ballad from the Rankin-Bass collection. This tune really should rank up there with Disney's "When You Wish Upon a Star," but it's never truly been given its due. Red Red Meat covered it beautifully a few years back, and when I find myself singing it as a lullaby to one of my boys, it never fails to give me goosebumps.

Airs Tuesday, December 4 at 8PM (CBS)

1. "Snow Miser / Heat Miser" (Dick Shawn, George S. Irving) - The Year Without A Santa Claus (1974) [video]

Really, the only reason TYWASC was a cult classic is because of this song and the dueling half-bros Snow and Heat Miser. It's the snappy delivery from Dick Shawn (as Snow) and George S. Irving (as Heat) that make it a classic, and this song will always be the one I think of whenever Rankin-Bass comes up. Unfortunately, the remake that aired last holiday season might possibly have ruined the legacy of TYWASC. All you have to do is see what they did to the song and miser bros duel to know what I mean. Thankfully, it will probably disappear from everyone's memory quicker than The Leprechauns' Christmas Gold.

Airs Monday, December 3 at 8PM (ABCFAM) -- see schedule below for more

A schedule of Rankin-Bass Holiday Specials airing this week:
Monday, December 3
Rudolph's Shiny New Year (ABCFAM)
The Year Without Santa Claus (ABCFAM)
Rudolph and the Island of Misfit Toys @9PM (ABCFAM)
Nestor the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey @10PM (ABCFAM)
Tuesday, December 4
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer @8PM (CBS)
Wednesday, December 5
Twas the Night Before Christmas @7PM (ABCFAM)
Santa Claus is Comin' To Town @8PM (ABC)
First Christmas Snow @8PM (ABCFAM)
Rudolph's Shiny New Year @10PM (ABCFAM)
Friday, December 7
Frosty the Snowman: @ 8PM (CBS)
Frosty Returns follows this, but SKIP IT. First of all it's not Rankin-Bass, second of all it sucks
Saturday, December 8
Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July @7AM (ABCFAM)
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus @9AM (ABCFAM)
Nestor the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey @10AM (ABCFAM)
Pinocchio's Christmas @10:30AM (ABCFAM)
Jack Frost @11:30AM (ABCFAM)
Frosty's Winter Wonderland @12:30PM (ABCFAM)
Twas the Night Before Christmas @1PM (ABCFAM)
Rudolph's Shiny New Year @1:30PM (ABCFAM)
The Year Without Santa Claus @2:30PM (ABCFAM)
Santa Claus is Comin' to Town @3:30PM (ABCFAM)

Bonus playlist: Here's a collection of artists who grew up with Rankin-Bass doing covers of songs from the animated specials:
Rankin-Bass Holiday Covers