I'm nearing the end of my latest watch-through of The Office, one of my all time favorite shows, and I've been reminded of just how phenomenal the final season is. Season 9's holiday episode, "Dwight Christmas" brings that signature Office blend of painful comedy and heart. Plus, it teaches the viewer about German Christmas traditions. A winner all around.
If a heavy and melancholy Christmas episode is more your speed this year, I recommend "In Excelsis Deo," the tenth episode of Season 1 of The West Wing. Richard Schiff delivers a masterful performance in this episode in which Toby makes it his mission to secure a proper funeral for a homeless veteran. The episode is powerful and so meaningful to Schiff that he got choked up when discussing it on The West Wing Weekly podcast. Oh, and it won two Emmys.
Friends - "The One with the Inappropriate Sister"
Sure, you could watch "The One with the Holiday Armadillo," but my pick for a Friends episode worthy of your time this year is "The One with the Inappropriate Sister," solely for the holiday-themed Phoebe storyline. My love for Lisa Kudrow and her portrayal of Phoebe Buffay may cloud my judgement, but the character's devotion to her charity-bucket-bellringer duties cracks me up like nothing else.
Scrubs is a show that manages to be utterly funny and unexpectedly heartwarming at the same time. In "My Own Personal Jesus," Turk's devotion to hope and belief in miracles in what seem like the gloomiest circumstances make it the perfect episode if you need an emotional lift this Christmas.
After getting lost innumerable times in the YouTube black hole of British panel shows, I knew I needed more Miranda Hart in my life. So I binged my way through her self-titled and quasi-autobiographical show Miranda and can I just say - SUCH FUN! If you're a Miranda fan, today is the day to re-watch "The Perfect Christmas." If you haven't discovered this gem of a show yet, I think you'll still relate to Miranda's hatred of forced family Christmas traditions, instinct to hide from carol singers, and frustration with online purchases failing to arrive.
