Throwback Thursday: ‘One Day at a Time,’ ‘The Simpsons,’ ‘Dragnet,’ and Christmas Episodes
We may still be about ten days out from Christmas, but the holiday spirit is alive and well. So with this week’s Throwback Thursday highlighting December 13-19, we decided to take a look at Christmas episodes of the past.
This means we get a look at a memorable Chrismukkah episode from The O.C. where Seth’s holiday spirit is dampened by some startling family news. Then we head over to The Simpsons and explore that time Bart got into some legal trouble right before the joyous holiday.
Finally, the Christmas episode that so many fans still reference and love as if it just aired yesterday — Schitt’s Creek Season 4 Episode 13, “Merry Christmas, Johnny Rose.” Who says it’s too early to get in that joyful spirit?
Fasten your seatbelts…it’s going to be a bumpy ride through TV history.
Major TV Moments:
Marge isn’t too happy with Bart (The Simpsons Season 7 Episode 11, “Marge Be Not Proud”) (December 11, 1995)
Bart and Marge have always had a great relationship. So when Bart is caught stealing a video game right before Christmas, Marge is understandably upset.
She doesn’t feel like she can trust her baby boy anymore and that really puts a damper on the holiday spirit in the Simpson household. Bart tries desperately to regain her trust, and love, by getting her a gift.
When she realizes his gift is something he made for her and didn’t “steal” she is overcome with emotion and the two patch things up. The holiday spirit is alive and well within Marge after all.
Chrismukkah is ruined? Or maybe not. (The O.C. Season 2 Episode 6, “The Chrismukkah That Almost Wasn’t”) (December 16, 2004)
Anyone who knows The O.C. or at least the character Seth Cohen knows of his hybrid holiday, Chrismukkah. This young man lives for the holiday season every year because he gets to celebrate, not one, but two joyous and loving holidays — Hanukkah and Christmas.
However, during Season 2, Seth makes the mistake of inviting both Marissa and Summer to their annual festivities when Ryan asked him to not extend the invitation to the girl he used to love. So now the group has to contend with Ryan’s current love interest and his former love interest in the same home.
As if that isn’t bad enough, it is soon revealed that Lindsay, Ryan’s new interest, is Seth’s aunt. This bombshell almost ruins the holidays, but by some miracle, things are soon smoothed over.
The Rose’s find their Holiday Spirit (Schitt’s Creek Season 4 Episode 13, “Merry Christmas, Johnny Rose”) (December 19, 2018)
It’s been a few years since the Rose family were dropped unceremoniously into the town of Schitt’s Creek without a penny to their name. Now, they are finally starting to get back on their feet and find joy in their lives once again.
However, they still don’t have it in them to celebrate Christmas, but Johnny Rose is having none of that. He drags his family into an elaborate plan to throw one of their world-famous holiday celebrations — without the expense.
Through his enthusiasm, the rest of the family finds it within themselves to put forth some effort on the big day. What results is a warm, loving holiday that is like nothing they’ve ever done before, and yet shows their bond to one another.
Premieres:
This week there really aren’t many shows to talk about. However, there are a few memorable ones that people still consume through reruns or binging to this day.
For example, before One Day at a Time was a beloved reboot, it was an original program that premiered this week back in 1975. A couple of decades before that the world was introduced to the show, Dragnet.
More recently we’ve had The Simpsons premiere — they are currently airing Season 32! As well as sci-fi favorite The Expanse.
Here are a few TV shows that premiered this week in TV History:
- 1951 – Dragnet
- 1975 – One Day at a Time
- 1989 – The Simpsons
- 2005 – Deal or No Deal
- 2006 – Identity
- 2009 – The Jackson’s: A Family Dynasty
- 2009 – The Sing-Off
- 2015 – The Expanse
- 2019 – The Christmas Caroler Challenge
- 2019 – Don’t F**k With Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer
Tell-Tale TV Archives:
This week our archive finds focus on the biggest section of our website — apart from reviews — lists! We found some really good ones from the early years of Tell-Tale TV.
First, we have a list giving the reasons you should be watching Scorpion — which is still a highly revered show in the year 2020. Then there is the list of Star Wars mentions on TV. And finally, we have our favorite TV Couples from 2016.
All of these lists really bring out the heart of what we do here at Tell-Tale TV. So, take a look and use these lists as a way to explore other lists our page may hold.
2014
New Favorite Series: 5 Reasons You Should Be Watching Scorpion
2015
2016
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What are some major TV premieres, finales, or moments you remember? Sound off in the comments below and your choice just might be featured in a future Throwback Thursday column.
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Mads Misasi
Mads is a part-time entertainment journalist and full-time marketing content creator. They love any and all TV Dramas with a few sitcoms mixed in. Join in the fun talking about TV by following them on Twitter: @dorothynyc89.