By Alina Adams for Kveller
As someone who learned English from watching TV, wrote a Master’s Thesis about TV, then worked in TV, I feel I can say with certainty that Christmas specials, be they rip-offs (sorry, homages) of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “A Christmas Carol,” or “Miracle on 34th Street,” all share a common message: Nonbelievers Snooze, Nonbelievers Lose.
Now,
would that be non-believers in Christ? Nah. What does he have to do
with anything? TV is talking about non-believers in Santa (or his
designated representative, The Christmas Spirit). TV kids (and adults)
who believe in Santa get all their wishes answered. Like that episode of
“Silver Spoons” where Ricky Shroder’s friend was homeless and living in
a cave with his family and then woke up Christmas morning to find a
bright, shining tree all decked out with presents. (Finding a place to
plug a string of lights inside a cave seems like the true Christmas
miracle to me, but what do I know?) Or, for the youngsters among you,
remember that episode of “Glee” where Brittany believed in Santa Claus
and wished for Artie to walk again and Christmas morning brought him
robotic legs (which, fun fact, are made in Israel)?And those who don’t believe, well, you deserve whatever you’ve got coming. (Or not coming, as the case may be.) It’s got to be true. I saw it on TV.
Do the nice people who make television, and its near-mandatory Christmas episodes, realize that’s the message they’re sending? Are they doing it deliberately?
I don’t think so, and no, they aren’t.
I sincerely think the show’s creators are under the impression that they’re presenting a universal message about the value of faith, hope, and believing in miracles (hey, that last one is almost Hanukkah-ish, isn’t it? If you squint a little?).
Some of the best stuff on TV might very well be an ecumenical Christmas show. But, as the saying goes: Would you want your kid to watch one?
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