****
Old ski nose does the holiday thing with guests Jack Benny, Nancy Wilson, Janet Leigh and, of course, Der Bingle himself. After a topical monologue (cactus in the White House, astronauts in their underwear) come the predictably goofy sketches and solid musical numbers. The most chrismassy bit is a sketch featuring Jack Benny as an escaped mobster who breaks into Santa’s North Pole workshop. Jokes about Castro, Mickey Rooney and Cassius Clay ensure millennials will have no clue what’s going on. A fun time capsule but one of the weaker holiday specials of the era.
***
A lovely service. Sad to think that the number of Britons identifying as Christian has nearly halved since this mass was broadcast.
Garry Moore Show (Dec 1963)
First rate old fashioned Variety show. Fun production numbers, Garry chats with a cartoon character, comedy duo Allen and Rossi perform a couple of fairly hilarious bits, Nancy Walker plays Rapunzel in a rather fractured fairy tale but the only solid Christmas content comes during the opening song and dance.
****
Apparently it's also Hanukkah in July and now I know how to make Latkes.
Bonus tip: Apparently you shouldn't let your oil get too hot while your cooking in the nude or you may fry your **** - well I'll let you watch and learn from this classy episode. Millennials are awesome!
One World Kitchen Bakes the Holidays
****
Canadian cookery show One World Kitchen's holiday baking special on the other hand was fun and instructional and not nearly as cringe. Holiday recipes from Italy, Argentina, Japan and Thailand are featured and now I'm soooo hungry.
