* Classic TV Christmas*
Your host: Billy Ingram

MERRY CHRISTMAS
This is the opening to one of the hippest Christmas specials of the late-1950s - an episode of the Frank Sinatra Show with guest Bing Crosby. This show was so popular there was even a soundtrack album available.

Bill Melendez, the animator behind A Charlie Brown Christmas, is seen talking about his career.

Is there a more perfect or lovely voice at Christmastime than the late Karen Carpenter? Here she sings 'I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day' from a TV special - apparently someone's done some video editing on it. Why the Carpenters' Christmas specials aren't on DVD is a mystery to me because they're loads of fun and filled with holiday cheer.

Andy Williams' guest on his 1962 Christmas show was the legendary Bette Davis who, at the time, was trying to morph into a musical comedy star. She delivers one of the most embarrassing musical numbers ever when she croaked, 'Just Turn me Loose on Broadway.'

A holiday routine from the Abbott & Costello Colgate Comedy Hour Christmas Special from the early-1950s.

A clip from the lost 1956 episode of I Love Lucy, the Christmas episode
that was TV's first flashback / clip show. This episode wasn't included in the syndication package we all grew up with and went unseen until it was restored and aired on CBS back in 1989.

Remember You Can't Do That on Television? Here's a bit from the 1984 Christmas episode.

What would happen if a commercial director got Santa into a recording booth to record his trademark "Ho Ho Ho?' Holarity!

Merry Christmas! Is it over yet?

One of my favorite Christmas comedy skits of all time is from the Carol Burnett Show when Eunice, Ed and Mama celebrate the holiday.

Here's another early family skit that fits with the season.

It is what it is!

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BONUS: Thanksgiving TV Shows / Thanksgiving Day Parade TV History / Thanksgiving TV Cartoon Specials of the 1970s /WPIX Thanksgiving Day TV Specials

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