9 Funny Holiday TV Moments

Usually, I lead up to one of the best clips, but, in this case, I need to start with one.

1. Consumer Probe with Irwin Mainway

I’ve loved this Saturday Night Live skit, featuring Dan Aykroyd and Candice Bergen, since I was a kid. Aykroyd plays Irwin Mainway, President of Mainway Toys, which sell, um, let’s just say toys that are Not Ready for Children Players. (Did you get you that play on words? Pretty good, huh?)

My favorite? The Fonzie from Happy Days doll that has been converted to “Johnny Switchblade Adventure Punk.”

Oh, who am I kidding? “Bag O’ Glass” makes me laugh hysterically too.

Watch for when Bergen smiles. I have no idea how she didn’t completely lose it.

2. A Festivus for the Rest of Us

Seinfeld is considered one of the funniest sitcoms in television history. This clip will show you why.

If you find tinsel a distraction, you’ll love this.

Trust me, you’ll love it anyway.

3. Mr. Robinson’s Christmas

Eddie Murphy was brilliant during his days on SNL. One skit I’ve always loved is “Mr. Robinson’s Neighborhood,” a takeoff of PBS’ much-more-kid-friendly “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” kids’ show.

This one is a Christmas classic—pure comedy gold. My favorite line? “Hey Robinson! Did you sell my kid a head of lettuce with a dress on it?”

Yes, angry neighbor. But it was actually a head of cabbage.

4. I Wish It Was Christmas Today

Why is this clip funny? I’m not even sure I know. But it features Horatio Sans, Jimmy Fallon, Chris Kattan, and Tracy Morgan. The song was so successful that they have done it on SNL for many, many Christmas seasons.

I’m telling you, you’re gonna laugh. If for no other reason, than in this clip, they all look like they’re still in high school.

And the song is a great ear worm…

You’re welcome…

5. Hanukkah Harry Saves Christmas

What happens when Santa Claus gets the stomach flu? His good buddy Hanukkah Harry comes to the rescue, making children appreciate Santa and his cool gifts.

This classic SNL skit stars Jon Lovitz as Hanukkah Harry and the late, great, Phil Hartman as Santa.

Mike Myers and Victoria Jackson play the kids, and they look like they’re in high school.

6. The Lost Ending of “It’s a Wonderful Life”

Yes, there’s a lot of SNL on my list. But they tend to do Christmas better than almost anyone else.

This skit features Dana Carvey and Jan Hooks playing George and Mary Bailey from It’s a Wonderful Life. Dennis Miller plays George’s brother, Harry, back from the service. Phil Hartman is absent-minded Uncle Billy, and Jon Lovitz rounds out the cast of this parody as mean, old Mr. Potter.

And William Shatner introduces it—awesome!

Enjoy this “Lost Ending” of a Christmas classic.

7. Adam Sandler’s Hanukkah Song

By the time you read this, Hanukkah 2013 will be over. But it just wouldn’t be the holiday season without hearing Adam Sandler’s “Hanukkah Song.”

Here he is performing it for the first time on SNL’s Weekend Update. Today, when he performs it, people sing along. Not so, during this clip.

My favorite line? “You don’t need ‘Deck the Halls’ or ‘Jingle Bell Rock,’ ‘Cause you can spin a dreidel with Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock (both Jewish).”

8. South Park: Cartman Sings “O Holy Night” 

It’s a Christmas miracle! What, you may ask?

This South Park clip is funny and totally safe for work.

Seriously.

I mean it. I’m not trying to get you fired. This is funny, features Cartman, has no cursing, and is from “South Park.”

9. Season’s Greetings from Tonto, Tarzan Frankenstein

Featuring Jon Lovitz as Tonto, Kevin Nealon as Tarzan, and the late Phil Hartman as Frankenstein, the “Tonto, Tarzan Frankenstein” skits were a staple of SNL in the ‘80s.

This Christmas one should show you why.

Michele Wojciechowski is the author of the award-winning humor book Next Time I Move, They’ll Carry Me Out in a Box (which makes a great Christmas gift, unlike “Bag O’ Glass”), is the writer of the award-winning humor column, Wojo’s World®, and is a not-yet award-winning stand-up comic. As she types this, she’s still laughing about “Johnny Switchblade Adventure Punk.” Check out her website at www.WojosWorld.com.