Viewers have enjoyed sharing holidays with their favorite television characters since the mediums infancy.
A few is one thing, but a top 100?
Thats a whole other ballgame.
The toughest of all the restrictions so many great, long-running TV shows have spent several Christmases with us.
(Throughout the list, Ive noted other strong festive entries from the shows featured.)
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Only episodes of ongoing series are eligible.
Episodes featured must specifically be about Christmastime, or feature Christmas elements prominently.
Episodes are judged on a combination of raw quality and festive spirit.
(The latter is how, er,Saved By The Bellmade the cut.)
Thanks to Robert David Sullivan, who offered several suggestions for the list.
His knowledge of classic television is unparalleled and histop 100 sitcom episodes of all-time countdownis a must-read.
Its such likeable material, though, corny jokes and all: warm, sentimental and surprisingly amusing.
Hes forced to sell his shiny new bowling ball to fund a last-minute alternative.
Season 5s Santas Helperis among them; a straight-ahead tale of festive redemption.
If your tolerance for old-school sitcom is high, theres much to love here.
They dont have time for anyone who tries to artificially mask such, either.
Santas, multiple mangers, neon signs from the local bar: nothing is too kitsch.
Their defiant spirit is infectious, a representation of shamelessly, proud vulgarity that simply has to be applauded.
Thats quite a shame, as its rather good telly.
This Christmas, hes been forced to participate in a pantomime, more esteemed work having run dry.
Upon entering, they find a bearded man named Nick, who proves pleasant company as the evening unfolds.
In shades ofMiracle On 34thStreet, a man who claims he is Santa Claus appears in court for trespassing.
Look out for a Family Ties-era Michael J.
Fox, who delivers a convincing performance as one of the young criminals.
The school principal is unenthused, to say the least, but the show goes on.
Look out for a number of clever references toA Charlie Brown Christmas.
Rival mall Lakeside has opened across town, and the shoe shop that Al Bundy works in is suffering.
The gang do their best to pull together and deliver a memorable, loving Christmas for Fay.
All three are in full supply here.
In the mood for more Christmas Ally?
The process doesnt go smoothly, though, and comedic twists and turns imminently beckon.
Department store owner Ben demands that Andy imprison moonshiner Jim for the holidays.
Its a shameThe Andy Griffith Shownever again featured Christmas in its eight-season run.
Its romantic reminisces suit Christmas perfectly, imbuing December memories with otherworldly charm and tender sentimentality.
A loving and romantic story, aided by the upbeat festive theme an office Christmas party scene proves pivotal.
Were in an allegory!, David proclaims.)
It really does capture the feeling of what its like to a child on Boxing Day.
Its not wrong: this is a violent, twisted,Very Supernatural Christmasindeed.
Tense, disturbing stuff, but its laced with the shows trademark wit.
Robert Lindsays Ben is on good form too: his frustration and anxiety is palpable.
Funny, true-to-life material.
First-series entry Xmas Partyis no exception.
Featured previously on this list withAlly McBeal, hes back again with one ofBoston Legals many Christmas episodes.
Alan and Shirley participate in a case involving a mother fighting for custody of her daughters.
Breathtakingly sincere one moment, utterly off-the-wall the next, its a fine example ofBoston Legalfiring on all cylinders.
A marvellous blend of the traditional and the quirky, the profound and the superficial.
Funny material that ties inneatly with the transcendent nature of the season.
(The nine-season run is a pretty exhaustive PSA warning against moving across the street from your parents.)
In Raymonds most memorable Christmas episode, though, things are a little different.
Sure, theyd return a regular old toaster their son bought them but one engraved with the family name?
Theyll go to hell and back in a bid to getthatback.
Mr. Monk Meets His Dadis more than a standard case-of-the-week episode, though.
The real draw here is the stirring reunion of Adrian with his father after an absence of 39 years.
Its an inspired source of comedy.
As is30 Rocks tradition, its all marvellously ludicrous, oddball comedy that nonetheless retains a genuinely warm heart.
notes Johnny Fever).
Naturally, theres a twist but its not the one viewers might be anticipating.
A fine example of one of TVs most popular comedies.
Hes subverted the holiday on several occasions though: there was Festivus (for the rest of us!)
Awkward, anti-festive comedy at its finest.
It proves challenging, to say the least.
Its a busy, busy day for the Vicar that proves brilliantly entertaining.
Tiny quibbles and adjustments give way to escalating farce, as Jack just cannot settle on his decisions.
A show well ahead of its time.
but eventually overcomes his misgivings to engage in the office festivities.
Its all funny, original material that pointedly observes a number of societys festive quirks.
John Lithgow as Dick continually demonstrates his place among the greatest sitcom performers of all time.
Eight days of presents followed by one day of many presents who wouldnt want to embracethat?
(Hes not drunk, but his underage passenger sure is.)
What more could he ask for?
As tends to happen inPeep Show, things dont go particularly smoothly.
Mark asks girlfriend Dobby to pretend to be a platonic friend, which doesnt go down well.
Jeremys attempts at cooking the Christmas dinner dont pan out very well.
Marks dad continually insults and mocks him; Marks sister flirts with druggie friend Super Hans.
The scene escalates into an explosion of festive resentment: cringe comedy at its very finest.
Not so much for Axl Heck, mind.
A great concept for a heartwarming Christmas episode that really captures the festive spirit.
Their interactions with the airports rather limited staff are classic sitcom material.
Meanwhile, at home, Tims boys are forced to go it alone in the neighborhood Christmas lighting contest.
when an anonymous infant is found on the doorstep.
Grannys confusion about the television she thinks its a washing machine is absolute gold, silly but spectacularly funny.
Meanwhile, Sunnydales experiencing unseasonably warm weather, and Willow is contemplating losing her virginity to Oz.
Its not exactly a traditional turkey-and-tree Christmas special but Buffy was never one to live life by others rules.
Mom Lois has laid down the gauntlet: the boys must behave or Christmas will be cancelled.
Family comedy at its most honest.
Elsewhere, military school student Francis takes Christmas off to visit the utterly unpleasant Grandma Ida.
A bitterly funny festive special.
The League of Gentleman Yule Never Leave!
Everyones favorite atheist reverend, Bernice Woodall, takes in three disturbing tales from parishioners seeking festive solace.
Festive nightmare fuel at its finest.
But this Christmas, it goes doubly so.
This is festive drama at its most unconventional, challenging, and downright entertaining.
A touching, uplifting episode from a show that didnt often deal in such positivity.
The shows first Christmas special is structured with largely episodic segments set betwixt a wraparound story.
His exploits in a bid to test Oscars hypothesis are lovably innocent, likeable and sweet.
One of their earliest out-of-the-ballpark classic episodes was the series first Christmas episode, Christmas Party.
Were yet to spend another Christmas with Alan Partridge, in any form, which is a shame.
A-ha
19.
Playing with structure, stylish flourishes, and intelligent, self-aware plotting was the name of the game.
In Abeds Uncontrollable Christmas, the show gains profound emotional resonance, too.
Its an adult, complex concept, butCommunitypulls it off with finesse.
Abeds Uncontrollable Christmasis a funny episode of television.
But, more than that, its a profound treatise on the reason for the season.
It backfires, though, as Ben becomes concerned that Santa wont be visiting this year.
Revenge, backstabbing, ruined childhood memories: its all here, and its all disconcertingly hilarious.
They seek revenge, drafting in an old enemy of Franks to aid them in their misdeeds.
The plans dont quite plan out… but they certainly make for entertaining viewing.
Its Christmas as onlyAlways Sunnycan deliver.
Its an atmospheric, moody episode unconventionally small-scale byX-Filesstandards, but all the better for it.
Perfect lock-the-doors, snuggle-by-the-fireside festive viewing.
Season 8s entry, Ill Be Home For Christmas, is the perfect example.
The staff cling to hope for a Christmas miracle in a suitably emotionally-charged plot thread.
(Like this one?
The link is inextricable.
Oh, and theres the turkey.
(The following years A Tale Of Two Santasis also exceptionally good fun.)
How can a person acclimatise to such juxtaposition?
How can you go back to those children and maintain that same joie de vivre?
Surprisingly, though, co-writer Graham Lineham isnt the biggest fan of the show.
As marvellous a character as David Brent is, though, this finale belongs to Dawn and Tim.
Its one of the most touching sequences in TV history, and it feels so genuinely earned.
This is perfect television.
The stunning jazz soundtrack further distinguished the show from its brethren.
Arnold and his friend Gerald do their best to track her down as the big day imminently beckons.
Meanwhile, eternally insecure bully Helga desperately yearns for the years must-have Nancy Spumoni snow boots.
Its a deep Christmas special with an emotional intelligence far beyond its years.
Miracle is a microcosm of Christmas as a whole; its the greatest festive episode of all-time.
