Product Description

SNL: CHRISTMAS (DVD MOVIE)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6722 in DVD
• Brand: Lions Gate
• Released on: 2003-10-28
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .25 pounds
• Running time: 90 minutes

Amazon.com
The best Christmas material from two-and-a-half decades of Saturday Night Live is collected in this video, which gets off to a raucous start by presenting Chevy Chase's (literally) unbalanced rendition of President Gerald Ford decorating the White House Christmas tree. A number of memorable Christmas satires appear, including Eddie Murphy's spoof of Mr. Rodgers, Ana Gasteyer appearing in the "Martha Stewart Topless Christmas Special," and even Adam Sandler's "Hanukkah Song." Some of the best material is from the show's early freewheeling years: a classic bit with guest Candice Bergen, playing an uptight newswoman, being suitably offended while interviewing an irresponsible and utterly sleazy toy manufacturer (Dan Ackroyd); John Belushi doing a silent yet brilliant turn as a hard-drinking department store Santa; and the entire original cast taking part in an elaborate (by the show's early standards) production number. Also appearing in the video compilation are cast members Bill Murray, Jane Curtin, Phil Hartman, Mike Myers, and Dana Carvey, as well as guests Steve Martin, Danny DeVito, Paul Simon, William Shatner, and Alec Baldwin (who visits the NPR ladies to deliver a wickedly deadpan talk about his Christmas balls). Saturday Night Live has been notoriously uneven over the years, but this video is a full stocking of consistently inspired writing and performances. --Robert J. McNamara

Customer Reviews

wICKEDLY FUNNY STUFF FROM SNL
Since the beginning, Saturday Night Live has always given us brilliant holiday sketches. This collection combines the classic original cast, right up to recent casts of the late 90's.

The list of skits includes:

Candace Bergen interviewing Dan Ackroyd as ruthless toymaker Irving Mainway who sells toys like "Bag O' Glass" and Johnny Switchblade Punk action figure.

John Lovitz who has to fill-in for Santa Clause playing Hanukah Harry...

The Classic Alec Baldwin on NPR radio sketch discussing his Shweaty Balls with Molly Shannon and Ana Gasteyer...

Steve Martin doing his fireside.."My Wish for Christmas.." routine...

John Belushi as a drunken mall Santa...

The Lost Ending to "It's a Wonderful Life"

Gasteyer as a topless Martha Stewart...

Eddie Murphy doing a "Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood" bit...

Adam Sandler doing his usual Hannukah song...

All good fun and most of it very good.

Leave Me Alone! Please Go Away! I'm Doing Fine ! Just Go Away!
Each and every year, I look forward to SNL's holiday special. There are so many hilarious bits that've aired over the years that the show never disappoints. Naturally, when this DVD was made available, I bought it right away.

Now, for my money, this DVD is worth it for the "Dysfunctional Family Christmas Album" ad alone, but there are lots of other bits that are fantastic, too. Eddie Murphy's classic "Mr. Robinson" is great, as is Steve Martin's "Christmas Wish". No SNL Christmas DVD would be complete with Candace Bergen & Dan Aykroyd in "Consumer Probe" (featuring Dan Aykroyd as the head of Mainway Toys, makers of "Bag O' Glass" and "Johnny Switchblade: Adventure Punk"), or the original "Not Ready For Primetime Players" singing "Winter Wonderland". These sketches are featured along with Adam Sandler's "Hannukah Song" and Jon Lovitz in "Hannukah Harry" (yes, it IS on the DVD, contrary to some other reviews posted).

Like many other reviewers, I was very disappointed that the classic "Sweeney Sisters" Christmas sketch (featuring William Shatner) was not included. In my opinion, "The Sweeney Sisters" bit was one of the funniest things ever on SNL and to exclude this sketch from the DVD seems completely ridiculous. For this reason, I can't give the DVD full marks.

It's a great DVD, though, and I get a lot of laughs every time I watch it. Definitely worth the money.

Needs a Part II
Excellent collection of skits that will get multiple viewings out of any SNL fanatic. A reviewer mentions that there's no "Haunaukah Harry" skit; don't worry, it's definitely there ("on Hershal, on Moshe, on Shlomo!!").

What's here is great, but there are so many more to include. Someone already mentioned the lack of Sweeney Sisters. There was also a great Christmas "Mommie Dearest" skit with Gilda Radner & Jane Curtin that I'd love to see. If I'm not mistaken, there was also an "Uncle Roy" themed Christmas skit. I don't believe there's any Will Farrell on here, nor are there the Christmas Greetings from Frankenstein, Tarzan and....I forget the third person.

Release part II!!!