Looks like The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus will only be on three times—on Dec 9 at 11a.m; the 12th at 7pm; and the 24th at 3pm—on ABC family, this year.
It’s from a story by L. Frank Baum, apparently set in the same universe as Oz, though it’s not a crossover. It’s affectionately known as “Hobbit Claus” at my house.
It has a wood sprite with Tourette’s syndrome, and the line “They are training to be Samurai,” which I believe is unparalelled in all of the christmas specials ever made.
And a horned wizard named Ack who slays goblins with a magic axe.
It is not a comedy.
All courtesy of the magic of Rankin-Bass stop motion.
There’s also a live-action version of The Year Without A Santa Claus on December 11, starring John Goodman as Santa, Delta Burke as Mrs. Claus, Michael McKeen as Cold Miser, and Harvey Fierstein as Heat Miser.
However, if this is a TV movie and not just a Christmas special, then that means they’ve padded at least another 1/2-hour’s worth of material and that bodes particularly ill.
Still, I’m sure I’ll watch it (the Mrs. is revving into Xmas mode)
I didn’t get to see it at all last year! The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus is my all time favorite Rankin-Bass special. For some reason, the idea of Santa having a Mantle of Immortality really made sense to me when I was little.
Already happened. I don’t remember seeing in to ABC Family’s schedule between now and the 25th; I think you only get one shot at it (on CBS, IIRC). Sorry.