# Your opinions wanted on Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 3, 2009, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-opinions-wanted-on-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer/519849 "2009-12-03T14:44:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2009, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-opinions-wanted-on-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer/519849/61 "2009-12-05T20:41:06Z")
This thread isn’t about whether we should be teaching kids lessons about tolerance, and all that jazz. This about the useless need to shove a character down our throats that takes away from good old fashioned Christmas for the purist like me. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2009, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-opinions-wanted-on-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer/519849/62 "2009-12-05T20:44:14Z")
> [@mobo85](#): > > [This](http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:kfR5HcT-macJ:www.homeandholidays.com/files2/viewarticle.php%3Farticleid%3D9372+rudolph+%22protected+by+pillows%22&cd=7&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us) appears to be the complete text of May’s original Rudolph story, based on quotes I can find from other sources. This might officially be the worst poetry ever. > [@](#): > > For a wonderful triumph! It actually might!" > (Old Santa, you notice, was extra-polite > To Rudolph, regarding his “wonderful forehead.” > To call it a “big, shiny nose” would sound horrid!) Forehead and horrid! > [@](#): > > Said Santa: --“My sleigh I’ll bring down to the lawn. > You’d stick in the chimney.” And flash . . . he was gone. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2009, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-opinions-wanted-on-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer/519849/63 "2009-12-05T20:52:30Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > This might officially be the worst poetry ever. > > Forehead and horrid! Still not as bad as the poetry of Paula Nancy Millstone Jennings. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2009, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-opinions-wanted-on-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer/519849/64 "2009-12-05T21:17:22Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > This might officially be the worst poetry ever. > > \ > > Forehead and horrid! Either I’m being whooshed or you’re unfamiliar of the story of [the little girl who had the little curl](http://www.poetryfoundation.org/archive/poem.html?id=173916). By Longfellow, no less. ---
**Author:** ![KittenKat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kittenkat/32/306_2.png) [@KittenKat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KittenKat)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2009, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-opinions-wanted-on-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer/519849/65 "2009-12-05T22:05:21Z")
> [@mobo85](#): > > [This](http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:kfR5HcT-macJ:www.homeandholidays.com/files2/viewarticle.php%3Farticleid%3D9372+rudolph+%22protected+by+pillows%22&cd=7&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us) appears to be the complete text of May’s original Rudolph story, based on quotes I can find from other sources. While I can’t swear that that is the original Rudolph story, it does appear to be the text of the book the that my younger brother had as a kid (latter half of the 60s), and that I loved so much that I had the first part about Rudolph memorized (up through “He went to bed hopeful; he knew he’d been good!”). Well, it appears to be the text with one exception. I bought an updated copy of “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” a few years ago with the 1939 text and illustrations done in 2001. In the scene where Rudolph leaves his house to join the Santa, the line is So Rudolph pranced out through the door, very gay, And took his proud place at the head of the sleigh. I supposed it’s obvious why the line was changed, but the “hay, hay” in the Home and Holidays link is just lame, and probably ouhgt be “hey, hey” anyway. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2009, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-opinions-wanted-on-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer/519849/66 "2009-12-05T22:19:47Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Oh, sure. And I suppose that Prancer is German for “Very very fightening me.” I thought his name was Panzer. Anyhow the moral of Rudolph is if you don’t fit it, people will treat you like crap unless they need something from you. ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2009, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-opinions-wanted-on-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer/519849/67 "2009-12-05T22:36:50Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > This might officially be the worst poetry ever. To me, it sounds very much like something Dr. Seuss would write- the rhyme scheme is similar. (At the time the story of Rudolph was published, Seuss had only written four books, only one of which was in rhyme, though he was well-known as a cartoonist and the creator of the “Quick, Henry, the Flit!” advertising campaign.) ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2009, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-opinions-wanted-on-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer/519849/68 "2009-12-06T02:02:45Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > This thread isn’t about whether we should be teaching kids lessons about tolerance, and all that jazz. > > This about the useless need to shove a character down our throats that takes away from good old fashioned Christmas for the purist like me. But where do you draw the line? Might not Santa and the “original 8” spoil Christmas for the purist who thinks it should be all Bethlehem and manger? The real issue is not that Christmas tradition changes over time, it is whether the change is in the spirit of the traditional (which IMHO Rudolph is) or whether it isn’t (i.e. Frosty the Snowman). It’s about Christmas enhancement ( “Welcome Christmas”) or Christmas reduction (“Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree”). It’s about Christmas blossom (Heat & Snow Miser) or Christmas weed (Winter Warlock). Rudolph hasn’t been shoved down our throats. He hasn’t become a central figure, just another fine ornament on our holiday tree. Please, there is so much right with Rudolph, and so much wrong with so much other holiday flotsam. You’ve got the right idea. But **Philster** , you have the wrong target. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2009, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-opinions-wanted-on-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer/519849/69 "2009-12-06T03:23:45Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > Thanks! This is…odd. I like how the reindeer are wearing protective pillows when they play on the ice. And I thought overparenting happened in the 90s/00s. > > The image of Santa delivering presents to the reindeer kids sleeping in suburban houses in beds is so hilariously bizarre. It kinda reminds me of arrival Father Christmas from _The Lion The Witch And The Wardrobe_, with the animals all having their stockings out. ---
**Author:** ![SleepyDuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@SleepyDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SleepyDuck)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2009, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-opinions-wanted-on-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer/519849/70 "2009-12-06T03:53:45Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > Let me start right off by telling you that I am on my annual crusade against Rudolph. I don’t like the whole story. I don’t even like the little freak, but if he were legit, I’d give him his props. > > I know Santa has **eight** hard-working reindeer on his sleigh team (and Rudy ain’t number 9). I become incredulous when Rudolph is giving any credit, recognition or praise. I usually say something along the lines of this: “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer is the biggest fraud perpetrated on the American public since One Hour Martinizing!” (A shout out to Cosmo Kramer for giving me the second part of that line). > > I don’t appreciate how Rudolph was shoved down our throats. I think he is part of “the problem”: Plastic trees, tacky plastic decorations, ugly colored lights, fake this, ugly blowup lawn things. Ugh. Enough already. > > Also, the Rudolph TV special from Rankin/Bass does nothing but caste the other reindeer as prejudice and makes Santa look like an absolute a-hole! He tells Rudolph’s dad (Comet maybe?) to get the freak out of here. The song puts down the other reindeer, because they shunned Rudy from their games. > > I say, “ENOUGH!”. Rudolph, you are a fictitious character and your whole, phony-baloney story has hurt the reputation of the real sleigh team. Your song and TV special make the other reindeer and Santa look very bad. > > I want Rudolph out of Christmas! Clearly, you are in the minority: [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/04/arts/television/04arts-REINDEERGUID\_BRF.html](http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/04/arts/television/04arts-REINDEERGUID_BRF.html) ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2009, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-opinions-wanted-on-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer/519849/71 "2009-12-06T04:00:31Z")
I just want to make use of this thread to again tout the only Greek-root word I’ve ever had occasion to coin: Rudolph was _erythrorhyncheous_. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2009, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-opinions-wanted-on-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer/519849/72 "2009-12-06T05:35:00Z")
Rudolph was a smarmy little goody-two-shoes bionic freak. Up against the wall, Rudolph, right next to Bambi. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2009, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-opinions-wanted-on-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer/519849/73 "2009-12-06T05:52:44Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > … It’s like being that guy who got recruited into the rock band because the drummer couldn’t work. Ringo, the Red Nose Reindeer, eh? ---
**Author:** ![BigBertha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@BigBertha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigBertha)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2009, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-opinions-wanted-on-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer/519849/74 "2009-12-06T07:55:06Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > I’ve always been a fan of Olive, “the other reindeer”. One of Drew Barrymore’s better parts. > > . When i heard the title, I’d thought the ‘otherness’ was she was gay. Sadly, no. Anyone else absolutely love the Bill Clynton(sp?) twelve tiny tales of christmas? As for Rudolph, I figured the story was those who unfairly get made fun of sometimes prove they are better than those who make fun, but then, if people are making fun of you, you’re already proven better. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2009, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-opinions-wanted-on-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer/519849/75 "2009-12-06T08:00:51Z")
> [@BigBertha](#): > > Anyone else absolutely love the Bill Clynton(sp?) Plympton. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2009, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-opinions-wanted-on-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer/519849/76 "2009-12-06T17:13:29Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > Rudolph could well be the second best Christmas story of all. I agree. The \*best \*Christmas story, of course, is _The Nightmare Before Christmas_. ---
**Author:** ![Meltdown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Meltdown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meltdown)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2009, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-opinions-wanted-on-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer/519849/77 "2009-12-06T17:20:16Z")
> [@](#): > > You know Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen > Comet and Cupid, Donner and Blitzen > But do you recall > The most famous reindeer of all? Let’s take the singer at his word. If Rudolph is the most famous reindeer of all, than it follows that he is more famous than Dasher, Dancer, et. al. The singer assumes we know Dasher and Dancer, yet seems to be in doubt as to whether or not we know a reindeer who is more famous. It would be equivalent of saying “You know Tito and Jermaine and Randy, but have you ever heard of Michael Jackson?” Who, exactly, does he think he’s singing to? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2009, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-opinions-wanted-on-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer/519849/78 "2009-12-06T18:26:15Z")
The “most famous” would imply that Rudolph is the reindeer best known to most people. But the opening lines refer to one specific individual (“you” the listener) and individual knowledge can vary. So it’s possible that you personally could know the other less famous reindeers without knowing the most famous reindeer. It’s like somebody who can name all of the original cast of ER except for George Clooney. ---
**Author:** ![Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4da419/32.png) [@Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gala_Matrix_Fire)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2009, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-opinions-wanted-on-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer/519849/79 "2009-12-06T18:31:14Z")
This reminds me of the lyrics, “You’re so vain, I bet you think this song is about you.” Well it is, isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2009, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-opinions-wanted-on-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer/519849/80 "2009-12-06T21:40:28Z")
Reminds me a bit of _the Dick Van Dyke Show_ Laura is talking to Rob) Laura ) If you want to end up another Dwight Heatherton, go ahead! Rob) Who’s that? Laura) Dwight Heatheron happens to be an excellent writer who is unknown today because he got no publicity. Rob) Then how do you know him? Laura) Oh c’mon Rob, he’s _famous_. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-opinions-wanted-on-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer/519849.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-opinions-wanted-on-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer/519849.md?page=5)