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The Ghost of Christmas Past

By Steven Lloyd Wilson | Posted Under Trailers | Comments (32)

xmaspast.jpg

When I was little, I thought Christmas was about getting presents. Then I realized it was about giving presents. It was never about snow though since I grew up in California. I’m pretty sure that until about age fourteen I thought that a white Christmas was the punchline to a racist joke that I just didn’t understand. But now, in my esteemed old age, with the wisdom of decades settling upon me like an aura, I have realized the true meaning of Christmas. It’s about the “Doctor Who” Christmas special.

Below is the trailer for this year’s special, a delicious take on the Christmas Carol story.


And this year, because we’ve been very very good Companions, and asked many very excellent questions, we’re not getting a K-9 cyber turd in our stockings. No waiting a week like last time, or even worse waiting a couple of months until we could buy it on DVD or iTunes. No, no, no. This year us American children are getting the “Doctor Who” Christmas special on Christmas Day on BBC America, at 9PM (8PM Central).

(source: Blastr)









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Comments

I'm so happy I could adopt an orphan.

Posted by: PaddyDog at November 22, 2010 10:04 AM

Whoa! Who says there's no Santa Claus?

Posted by: Uncle JR at November 22, 2010 10:06 AM

What I want to know is when the hell is it airing on Space in Canada? There hasn't been an announcement and it's driving me CRAZY. It's my first Christmas with my husband in our own house and we need to start a new (awesome) tradition!

Posted by: teacupnosaucer at November 22, 2010 10:20 AM

Oh, Gambon, you're the Scrooge I never knew I always wanted.

Posted by: coveredinbees at November 22, 2010 10:32 AM

You're so right Bees. Since Alastair Sim is no longer with us (and hasn't been since 1976), Gambon is the obvious choice.

Posted by: PaddyDog at November 22, 2010 10:41 AM

There wasn't nearly enough Karen Gillan in that trailer. I'll still be watching, of course.

Posted by: Dill The Devil at November 22, 2010 10:42 AM

Why no saucer?

Posted by: PaddyDog at November 22, 2010 10:42 AM

I mean Patrick Stewart can wig himself and get as rumpled and grizzled as can be, he's still got that precise Picard sheen underneath. Gambon is like a LIVING Scrooge. He couldn't be tidy if he tried. His FACE is rumpled. Love him.

Posted by: coveredinbees at November 22, 2010 10:49 AM

Crap, I'll be out of town at a B&B with no BBCA access. DAMN YOU, FOOKIN PRAWNS!

Posted by: BWeaves at November 22, 2010 11:10 AM

Mr. Julien always says that Patrick Stewart can't be Scrooge because he looks like he could bench the Ghost of Christmas Present.

At our house, we are all about A Christmas Carol. We have the following versions

1. Alastair Sim

2. Albert Finney - musical version ripped off entirely from Oliver! which, fyi, is also a Christmas movie at the Julien house because nothing says yuletide like prostitues being bludgeoned to death, amirite? No? Shut up and drink your gin!

3. Mr. Maggoo - surprisingly good songs

4. Muppet/Michael Caine - actually this one is mine

5. An advent calendar with excerpts to read each day.

They will all go on repeat starting December 1st.

And yet, and yet, despite that fact that we are not fans of the Dr. Who, I can't help but think that Gambon is INSPIRED casting. We may have to check it out.

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at November 22, 2010 11:14 AM

It sure would make for a nice Christmas if BBCA would air it in its entirety.

Posted by: C. Robert Dimitri at November 22, 2010 11:21 AM

Mrs. Julien, we have:

1. The annotated edition of the book
2. Alastair Sim film version
3. Muppets film version
4. Sesame Street version
5. Collection of tree ornaments representing the story's characters (Marley always shocks guests)

But no. We're not obssessed. Not at all.

Where does one obtain the advent calendar?

Posted by: PaddyDog at November 22, 2010 11:25 AM

Mrs. Julien,

No love for George C. Scott's version of Scrooge? I always thought that not only did they do a good job casting him, but they also pulled off THE definitive Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come- that screeching noise that is supposed to be his (its) "voice" still gives me night terrors.

Albus Dumbledore Mark II as Scrooge with The Doctor Mark 11? Hmmm...

Posted by: bleujayone at November 22, 2010 11:31 AM

Albert Finney! Of course! I suspect he and Gambon are actually the same person.

Also, I jolly well love a Dickensian classic that ends in a hanging for Christmas. Please, sir, may I have some more?

Posted by: coveredinbees at November 22, 2010 11:33 AM

Seriously, PaddyDog. Will you marry me? [commence stalking]I'm on Facebook now. We can take our (my) love offline and away from prying eyes. What can I do to get you into a Mrs. Julien-based real world relationship today? Pajibacon NYC at the Met?[end stalking]

I think we got the Advent calendar from Amazon.

Christmas tree ornaments? I am so in. I could only like that idea more if they were made of gingerbread.

Last year, Little Julien, of his own creativity, decided to start putting on a play of ACC and my husband took a box and drew a different spirit on each side. The Boy would rotate the box to indicate who he was playing. GOLD!

And now I must away and learn of this Sesame Street version you speak of...

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at November 22, 2010 11:33 AM

I greatly PREFER Gambon's Dumbledore. There, I said it.

I like the George C.Scott version too, but we need to pace ourselves.

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at November 22, 2010 11:35 AM

Bludgeoning prostitutes was more of a Thanksgiving thing when I was growing up. Then again, the Mid-Atlantic states always have to have their own way of doing things.

Posted by: Jim Doggie at November 22, 2010 11:36 AM

Just further proof Jim Doggie, that I'll ever really understand American culture.

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at November 22, 2010 11:44 AM

They FINALLY got Matt Smith's hair right. I thought he was geek-hot before, but now he does all sorts of funny things to my secret places.

Posted by: AM at November 22, 2010 11:50 AM

Ah, Mrs. Julien, you must track down the Sesame Street version. Oscar the Grouch was born to play Scrooge and he does so with aplomb.

Now how do I find you on Facebook without opening my email to the trolls?

Don't worry Coveredinbees, I'm not cheating. A threesome would be lovely, right?

Posted by: PaddyDog at November 22, 2010 11:58 AM

Also, since I find myself in the company of fellow ACC obssessees here, allow me to tell you about our local pub The Celtic Knot. On two Saturdays leading up to Christmas, they serve a traditional afternoon tea and have an actor read A Christmas Carol while tea is being served. It's all for charity.

Posted by: PaddyDog at November 22, 2010 12:00 PM

I know both of you on facebook. I'll make it happen. Matchmaking as I type. Suppressing quivering jealousy.

Posted by: coveredinbees at November 22, 2010 12:02 PM

But how does Oscar get transformed? Is it like the Black Adder Christmas Carol where everything is backwards?

[I'll send a note to coveredinbees asking her to let me know who you are as I'm not on the spreadsheet thingy either.]

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at November 22, 2010 12:05 PM

Thank you!

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at November 22, 2010 12:06 PM

Nooooooo. Now the 'rents are going to hog up the tv during A Very Jersey Crizzmas.

Posted by: American children at November 22, 2010 12:19 PM

I would love for Matt Smith to come down my chimney this Christmas. Then I'd go down on his chimney. Then he could put his chimney up my chimney...OK, I think it's about time to hop off this metaphor train.

Matt Smith could ride my metaphor train.

Posted by: esme at November 22, 2010 1:22 PM

I greatly PREFER Gambon's Dumbledore. There, I said it.

Fucking ditto.

And despite my burn out on Who, Matt Smith and Gambon have bought themselves another try at my attention span.

Posted by: idiosynchronic at November 22, 2010 1:32 PM

@esme - You forgot to mention your "Shining Time Station". Mr. Conductor indeed.

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at November 22, 2010 1:42 PM

God bless us everyone!

Posted by: Liz at November 22, 2010 3:41 PM

We do Alistair Sim, George C. Scott and Bill Murray in Scrooged if for no other reason than Carol Kane and the toaster.

Several nights of ACC are a tradition here at the Burrow. Our other tradition is a night of mead and ale while watching The Lion in Winter, which, technically, is also a Christmas movie.

Posted by: Young_Grandma_Ben at November 22, 2010 4:13 PM

...........damn, I feel like Derek Smalls jumping out at the end of the song. The MCP was blocking me all day!

Posted by: Jay at November 22, 2010 6:04 PM

I'm still reeling from two weekends ago when I finally worked up the courage to watch "The End of Time" and it was just as heartbreaking as I thought it would be. Donna's consolation prize broke my heart. As for Ten? Why David, why? Why did you leave me? I thought it was going to be you and me and all of time and space. You promised!
Ahem.
But, yeah, I'm afraid to watch the new kid. I know y'all have said he grows into the part quite spiffily (is that a word?), but I just... I can't. Yet. I'm afraid I won't love the character as much as I used to and that we'll drift apart. I'm scared. Hold me!

Posted by: Kateshi Rinkichiku at November 23, 2010 6:23 AM