Guest blogger Joanna Wilson writes:
Everybody’s favorite work-place family sitcom (or drink-place family sitcom) from the 1980s is Cheers. This popular show has several holiday episodes but my own favorite is the one entitled “Christmas Cheers” from 1987.
In this story, Rebecca has all the bar staff scheduled to work the holiday. Cliff is selfishly trying to win a canned-food drive charity collection competition while Sam is able to miraculously acquire a last minute gift for Rebecca.
However the more minor plot line is the more touching one: the Cheers regulars are sick of seeing the film It’s a Wonderful Life airing yet again on TV. As they watch it in the bar, they complain about how saccharine this oft-repeated movie is. But during the scene in the 1946 movie where the Bedford Falls residents come together to support George Bailey and to sing “Auld Lang Syne,” there isn’t a dry eye in Cheers!
What’s your favorite Cheers holiday moment?
Joanna Wilson is an expert on Christmas-themed television and recently contributed interviews to shows for the History Channel and The TV Guide Network. The Real Story of Christmas premiered on the History channel on November 30th (repeated throughout the holiday season, so check local listings) and The TV Guide Network’s 25 Most Hilarious Holiday Moments debuts on December 5 at 8:00 PM E/P. She is the author of two books: The Christmas TV Companion: a Guide to Cult Classics, Strange Specials and Outrageous Oddities (2010), and the forthcoming Tis the Season TV: the Encyclopedia of Christmas-Themed Episodes, Specials and Made-for-TV Movies. For more infomation, visit Christmas TV Companion and check out her Facebook group page.