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Christmas specialsare normally a time for TV shows to diffuse some holiday cheer , although some festive episode have lean into the darkest sides of the season . Whilebeloved classics likeA Charlie Brown Christmashave become one-year viewing for class around the world , other viewers would much rather look out a Christmas special that does n’t shy away from the challenges of the holidays . While it can sometimes be jar to see a especially dark Christmas special , it ’s also important that boob tube shows do n’t fall behind their individuality just because Christmas is considered a time of joy and togetherness .
Many of thegreatest Christmas specials of all timeaddress saturnine subject matters and are n’t afraid to undertake terrifying themes or bring about stories of sad sloppiness . While hopeful holiday specials have their meritoriousness , there ’s something enjoyable about a Christmas special that tug back against the conventions of the genre and tries to brook in foe to the distinctive festive formula . Whileall these Christmas special were surprisingly dark , that ’s no understanding they should n’t go down in chronicle as some of the best Christmas episodes television has to offer .
10"The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe"
Season 2, Episode 8: Doctor Who (1963 - Present)
The iconic BBC sci - fi seriesDoctor Whohas had plenty of Christmas specialsthroughout its recollective and renowned account . While special sequence were not a pillar of the original series , after the show was revived in 2005 , they became a regular occurrence around Christmas and New Year asDoctor Who - loving families would gather together to watch this annual occurrent . WhileDoctor Who’sChristmas special were often lighthearted affairs , they occasionally leaned into more gloomy dependent matters , such as in “ The Doctor , the Widow and the Wardrobe . ”
This Christmas special see the Doctor crash landing place on Earth in 1938and introduced Madge Arwell , who helped take the Eleventh Doctor back to his TARDIS . As the years passed , Madge ’s husband go away miss in the Second World War , and the episode dealt with themes of red ink , grief , and forfeit . While there were some blithe moments and soupy Christmas scene , “ The Doctor , the Widow and the Wardrobe ” showcased the bittersweet circumstances many aspect at Christmas and the sad realness that bar families from being reunify over the holidays .
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Doctor Who : Doctor Who is a British sci - fi TV series debut in 1963 , following The Doctor , a time - traveling alien Time Lord . The Doctor explores the universe in the TARDIS , accompanied by companions , confronting various opposer and endeavour to save civilization while addressing iniquity .
9“Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas”
Season 2, Episode 11: Community (2009 - 2014)
Communitywas a situation comedy that was never afraid to tackle all types of genres , and it was exalt to keep an eye on its creative spin on the tropes of a Christmas special . “ Abed ’s Uncontrollable Christmas ” bring to mind beloved specials of the past as it use astop - motion animation style similar to classic like the 1964 TV specialRudolph the Red - Nosed Reindeer . However , rather than acting as a fun alteration of gait for this hot - action mechanism serial publication , the stop - movement fashion was written into the sequence ’s premise as a psychological delusion that Abed underwent after learning his mother was not visiting for Christmas .
This unparalleled blend of holiday sunniness and genial health emergency made theCommunity’sChristmas particular a dark homage to beloved halt - motion specials while also spotlight theme around the loneliness of Christmas . This thematically productive conception leaned into theCommunity’sfocus on feel family , as the study chemical group all get together together to help Abed in his time of need . As a clever way of parody the absurdity of the overly mawkish Christmas specials , Communitymanaged to keep its key signature trend while deliver its own heartwarming festal episode .
Community is a comedic boob tube series that chronicle the lives of diverse students at Greendale Community College , a fancied and notoriously underperform educational institution in Colorado . Released in 2009 , the show explores the way-out interactions and relationships among the eclectic radical pilot their pedantic and personal challenges .
8“Xmas Story”
Season 2, Episode 4: Futurama (1999 - Present)
The sci - fi animated seriesFuturamaused its futuristic mise en scene of the thirtieth century to satirize contemporary culture , and Christmas was not resistant to this . The season 2 Christmas special ofFuturamashowcased Fry ’s feeling nostalgic for the Christmases of his past times and learn the young traditions of Xmas , which had fall back Christian association years before . The job of Santa Claus has also been automated in the cosmos ofFuturama , as a robotic St. Nick was grow by the Friendly Robot Company to shell out toys around the world .
However , in a dark twist , the robot Santa turned into a unbalanced manslayer as his interior programing was too rigorous , and he plot to down everyone he deem was on the naughty list . With raft of character reference to famous Christmas special of the past , like the sparkler - skate children ofA Charlie Brown Christmas , “ Xmas Story ” mixed gay fun with red excess . Asthe first Christmas that Fry spent in the futurity , “ Xmas Story ” was anything but calm .
Futurama follows the exploits of Philip J. Fry , a pizza bringing boy from 1999 who is cryogenically frozen for 1000 year . awaken up in the year 3000 , Fry befriends a cyclops named Leela and a rascally robot named Bender , and the three find use with Planet Express , an interplanetary manner of speaking inspection and repair . Their employment takes them to all corners of the universe , exploring space and the future as imagined by Matt Groening and the Maker of The Simpsons .
7“Sabrina’s Christmas Wish”
2014 Christmas Special: BoJack Horseman (2014 - 2020)
The depressed , drug - addicted , former wizard BoJack Horseman does not feel like the best candidate to lead an upbeat situation comedy Christmas special . That ’s whyBoJack Horsemanmade the clever decision to have an sequence - within - an - installment for their holiday special in 2014 , which saw BoJack and Todd rewatchingan sometime Christmas special from BoJack ’s highly popular 1990s sitcomHorsin ’ Around . This was squall “ Sabrina Christmas Wish , ” and using this cunning , self - referential concept , it could comment on the ridiculousness of Christmas TV episodes while also pay court to them .
BoJack himself summed up the lip service of Christmas specials when he called them “ cynical cash catch by greedy corporations ” press “ bathetic clap - trap for mush brain idiots who ’d rather spend their Christmas observe a faux syndicate on television than actually try on to have a conversation with their own mute kinsfolk . ” However , thisHorsin ’ Aroundepisode ended up being quite slushy as the young adoptee Sabrina ( Sarah Lynne ) had never had a Christmas before and heartbreakingly asked Santa to bring in her parents back . With equal parts temper and heart , “ Sabrina ’s Christmas Special ” was one ofBoJack Horseman’sbest instalment .
Once the renowned star of a run into sitcom , BoJack Horseman has fall on tough times . stick in a major calling slump and longing to relive his glory days , BoJack attempts to once more become relevant in an industry that has long since flex its back on him . With a few dysfunctional supporter at his side , BoJack begins his long - overdue calling comeback .
6"A Very Sunny Christmas"
Season 6, Episodes 13 & 14: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005 - Present)
It ’s hard to imagine a worse bunch of people to drop Christmas with than the crowd fromIt ’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia . This was certainly the case with their merry special “ A Very gay Christmas , ” which showcased the dark side of the holiday at Paddy ’s Pub . From Dennis and Dee reliving the horror of their childhood as Frank endue them with empty boxful traverse in roll newspaper to Mac learning he used to steal from his neighbor ’s houses on Christmas morning , there were pile of dark revelations in “ A Very cheery Christmas . ”
However , the gloomy face ofAlways Sunny’sholiday limited wasCharlie learning the trueness about how his mother paid for Christmas , as a litany of ‘ Santas ’ would inflict his mamma in the bedroom and present a young Charlie his present tense . WithA Christmas Carol - esque scheme from Frank that eventually brought the gang closer together , Always Sunnydid the holiday the only fashion they knew how , by being absolutely chaotic and bring out more childhood injury than anyone should have to deal with during the festive time of year .
It ’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is a Sitcom and Black Comedy create by Rob McElhenney . It star Rob McElhenney , Charlie Day , Kaitlin Olson , Glenn Howerton , and Danny DeVito . The series follows a chemical group of friends that own and frequent the Irish cake , Paddy ’s Pub , and get into all sort of troubling adventure .
Custom by Yeider Chacon.
5“White Christmas”
2014 Christmas Special: Black Mirror (2011 - Present)
While most TV shows use their Christmas special as an opportunity to spread some vacation cheer , this was never go to be the case forBlack Mirror . This dark anthology series has consistently explored the minacious side of technology and left viewers emotionally devastate with its bleak and existential episode ending . “ White Christmas ” was no unlike , as it told three dark stories from Matt ( Jon Hamm ) and Joe ( Rafe Spall ) in a distant cabin on Christmas Day .
In typical Charlie Brooker style , the script for “ White Christmas ” wasone of the most intense and somebody - destroying installment in all ofBlack Mirror . From characters being “ blockade ” in veridical life as they become all ostracized from society to virile intimate predator peeping on women being score , the integrality of the Christmas special made for difficult viewing . However , the most anxiousness - induct aspect of “ White Christmas ” was its shocking conclusion , which revealed Joe was destined to experience time at 1,000 twelvemonth per minute of arc in an unimaginably cruel punishment for his crimes .
Black Mirror is a dystopian anthology series that explores the unsettling and heavy wallop of mod technology on society . Premiering in 2011 , it examines various scenario where technological advancements intersect with human nature , produce thought - provoking narratives about modern-day and future government issue .
Doctor Who: Doctor Who is a British sci-fi television series debuting in 1963, following The Doctor, a time-traveling alien Time Lord. The Doctor explores the universe in the TARDIS, accompanied by companions, confronting various adversaries and striving to save civilizations while addressing injustices.
4“Marge Be Not Proud”
Season 7, Episode 11: The Simpsons (1989 - Present)
The Simpsonshave had plenty of peachy Christmas instalment , with the pilot “ Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire " even being set during the holiday . However , one installment that took a much coloured turn was “ Marge Be Not majestic ” from time of year 7 , which featured Bart slip a video game from a local shop and the shock and destruction of Marge discovering it . While Christmas was usually a joyous time , a dark shadow loom over it this year asBart struggled to reconcile with his brokenhearted mother .
This episode showcased what the former time of year ofThe Simpsonsdid so well , as it blended humor with nitty-gritty and featured a extremely sentimental story about the nature of trustfulness , sympathy , and poor decision - making . As Bart tried to make amends with Marge , he was once again accused of shrinkage , only for Marge to discover his gift to her was a framed photo of himself , paid for in full . This kind gesture regard the pair submit as Marge gifted Bart the lackluster video gameLee Carvallo ’s Putting Challenge , much to his dashing hopes .
The Simpsons is a long - running invigorate TV series created by Matt Groening that satirically succeed a working - form syndicate in the misfit metropolis of Springfield . Homer , a bit of a schmoe who works at a atomic power plant , is the provider for his family , while his wife , Marge , essay to keep saneness and rationality in the house to the well of her power . Bart is a born troublemaker , and Lisa is his tops - intelligent baby who finds herself surrounded by masses who ca n’t understand her . Finally , Maggie is the mysterious baby who play as a deus ex machina when the series call for it . The show puts the family in several uncivilised situations while always tackling socio - political and pop - culture topics set within their world , provide an often acuate critique of the subject covered in each installment . This series first premier in 1989 and has been a staple of Fox ’s programming agenda ever since !
Doctor Who: Doctor Who is a British sci-fi television series debuting in 1963, following The Doctor, a time-traveling alien Time Lord. The Doctor explores the universe in the TARDIS, accompanied by companions, confronting various adversaries and striving to save civilizations while addressing injustices.
3“The Night Of The Meek”
Season 2, Episode 11: The Twilight Zone (1959 - 1964)
The Twilight Zone’sChristmas episodesalways put a dark spin on the holidays as they maintained the show ’s unique take on existential philosophy , philosophy , and social comment . The beneficial of all of these was “ The Night of the Meek , ” which observe a drunken section storage Santa Claus key Henry Corvin . As a down - and - out human beings with picayune to hold out for , Henry got a fortune to spread some Christmas sunniness when he unwrap the real Santa ’s sack of witching toys .
While narration fromThe Twilight Zoneusually part merry and end bleak , this episode was the opposite way around as it hold an uplifting and happy message about the wonders of Christmas . This festive Christmas instalment was a true classic from the original series and stood in barren direct contrast to the gloomy and downbeat conclusion of so many other non - Christmas - theme instalment . “ The Night of the Meek ” was evenremade for the 1985 resurgence series ofThe Twilight Zone , although Rod Serling ’s original monologue was changed .
2“It’s the Most Wonderful Time Of The Year”
Season 2, Episode 8: Six Feet Under (2001 - 2005)
Six Feet Underwas never the cheery of telly appearance , as it often delved deep into the darkest sides of human psychological science . As the account of the Fisher family , who break away a funeral family in Los Angeles , almost every episode opened with death , and the Christmas episode “ It ’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year ” was no different . This sequence begins with a seasonal Santa Claus working at a shopping center , only to be cark by a chemical group of Thomas Kyd as he drive his motorcycle and die after colliding with a railroad car .
This shocking possibility set the tone for the episode “ It ’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year , ” as the Fisher family was forced to influence on Christmas because the house of the shopping shopping centre Santa compensate superfluous to have the funeral on that Clarence Day . Christmas also mark the first day of remembrance of the family ’s paterfamilias , Nathaniel , who also drop dead in a car accident over the holidays . With so many raw emotions and unuttered family injury , thisSix Feet UnderChristmas episode was sincerely glowering .
create by Alan Ball , Six Feet Under is a Black Comedy and Drama series that stars Peter Krause , Frances Conroy , Rachel Griffiths , and Michael C. Hall . Running for five seasons between 2001 and 2005 , the plot revolves around a dysfunctional kinsfolk that have and operates a funeral home .
1"Fishes"
Season 2, Episode 6: The Bear (2022 - Present)
No Christmas special has well lay out the helter-skelter nature of nonadaptive families coming together during the holidays thanThe Bear . The 2d season instalment , “ Pisces , ” wasset five years before Carmy opened The Bear restaurantand highlight the discomfort and stress at the Berzatto household . With plenty of mellow - visibility guests , including Jamie Lee Curtis , John Mulaney , and Bob Odenkirk , this usurious episode gave a unique brainwave into the family dynamics that have inform much of the series and the psychological trauma that practically all the show ’s character reference carry .
“ Fishes ” was one of the very best instalment ofThe Bearfor the way it built towards its grand conclusions as character scream , kinsfolk member broke down , and dinner guests got extraordinarily drunk . As a sincerely wearing TV viewing experience , The Bear’sChristmas specialconjured up memories of every spoiled Christmas dinner party spectator had ever serve , as the tension of too much family together at the same fourth dimension caused old wounds to open and the darkest incline of family life to be shown with a level of reality rarely seen on television .
The Bear follows Carmy , a young fine - dining chef , as he return to Chicago to manage his family ’s sandwich shop . Amidst personal and professional challenge , he strain to transform both the establishment and himself while navigate relationships with a diverse and farinaceous squad that becomes his pick out family unit .
Community is a comedic television series that chronicles the lives of diverse students at Greendale Community College, a fictional and notoriously underperforming educational institution in Colorado. Released in 2009, the show explores the quirky interactions and relationships among the eclectic group navigating their academic and personal challenges.
Futurama follows the exploits of Philip J. Fry, a pizza delivery boy from 1999 who is cryogenically frozen for 1000 years. Waking up in the year 3000, Fry befriends a cyclops named Leela and a roguish robot named Bender, and the three find employment with Planet Express, an interplanetary delivery service. Their work takes them to all corners of the universe, exploring space and the future as imagined by Matt Groening and the creators of The Simpsons.
Once the famous star of a hit sitcom, BoJack Horseman has fallen on tough times. Stuck in a major career slump and longing to relive his glory days, BoJack attempts to once more become relevant in an industry that has long since turned its back on him. With a few dysfunctional friends at his side, BoJack begins his long-overdue career comeback.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is a Sitcom and Black Comedy created by Rob McElhenney. It stars Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day, Kaitlin Olson, Glenn Howerton, and Danny DeVito. The series follows a group of friends that own and frequent the Irish bar, Paddy’s Pub, and get into all sorts of troubling adventures.
Black Mirror is a dystopian anthology series that explores the unsettling and profound impact of modern technology on society. Premiering in 2011, it examines various scenarios where technological advancements intersect with human nature, creating thought-provoking narratives about contemporary and future issues.
The Simpsons is a long-running animated TV series created by Matt Groening that satirically follows a working-class family in the misfit city of Springfield. Homer, a bit of a schmoe who works at a nuclear power plant, is the provider for his family, while his wife, Marge, tries to keep sanity and reason in the house to the best of her ability. Bart is a born troublemaker, and Lisa is his super-intelligent sister who finds herself surrounded by people who can’t understand her. Finally, Maggie is the mysterious baby who acts as a deus ex machina when the series calls for it. The show puts the family in several wild situations while constantly tackling socio-political and pop-culture topics set within their world, providing an often sharp critique of the subjects covered in each episode. This series first premiered in 1989 and has been a staple of Fox’s programming schedule ever since!
Created by Alan Ball, Six Feet Under is a Black Comedy and Drama series that stars Peter Krause, Frances Conroy, Rachel Griffiths, and Michael C. Hall. Running for five seasons between 2001 and 2005, the plot revolves around a dysfunctional family that owns and operates a funeral home.
The Bear follows Carmy, a young fine-dining chef, as he returns to Chicago to manage his family’s sandwich shop. Amidst personal and professional challenges, he strives to transform both the establishment and himself while navigating relationships with a diverse and gritty team that becomes his chosen family.
