NBC/NYC’s Tree Lighting Special

Last night I did a couple of things I don’t make an annunal tradition out of. The first was to watch a Christmas special. I don’t dislike Christmas specials, its just over the last few years, we’re being subjected to lame newer Christmas specials starring an actor or two who couldn’t keep a show of their own probably. And these Christmas specials only air on ABC Family, probably because of the familiness of such shows. I’m definitely not talking about the classic Christmas specials which even though they’re being aired throughout this month, you can get on DVD avoiding commercials all together. You probably selfishly know what you want for yourself anyhow. Or what you were going to buy for your friends and loved ones. And if you’re watching a Christmas special two-three days before Christmas, the commercials aren’t going to help anyway.

Which also brings us to last night, I’ll get to that too. With what I’ve been going through my health all month along and having to have a third treatment yesterday with not the greatest of news, I thought I’d try to get a little more into the spirit, kinda prepare for the holidays. (sans commercialism where possible) The other thing I did which I usually don’t is to watch NBC’s Christmas Tree special with my 90 year old neighbor who is kinda like a grandma to me. Let me tell you, it brings a different experience and perspective to television watching.

Almost right off the bat I realize why I don’t watch any of these live Christmas specials. You’re watching a Today Show host and *insert this year’s “available” celebrity* here. And the “chemistry” between them is fake and why do they have to set up this “storyline” of a SO fake romance involving buying presents. Just announce the musicial acts, maybe give out some facts, and let us all get into the spirit of Christmas.

Which will only last so long because we have to watch “the romance” sketch. And those commercials. Without even mentioning where to get it, Al Roker comes through with the gift which they had been setting up all night. “Will & Grace” star Megan Mullally doesn’t. Her gift later in the show to AL was a rock which lamely set up the next “rock” act. If I could have rolled my eyes by the same lame set up, I would have. And if I have to say lame and special again, it will be be too soon. Hopefully limited to just this blog entry.

The redeeming qualities of watching such a Christmas special was that my 90 year old neighbor was making comments, which weren’t all family friendly. See AL, this is not a family show, no matter what you say. Ms. Mullally “fantasizing” about Rod Stewart too was enough to make any of us sick. Long before that as the show is starting and a choir is singing “O’ Christmas Tree,” my neighbor makes a racist remark because the choir was “multi-cultured” as my mom put it. The 90 year old neighbor was talking about black Americans. Wow, its easy to forgot how various generations were raised, how the times were. I know other people can relate, fortunately she’s not my real grandma so I would not have to deal with this embarassment all the time. Sometime after this where I’m not feeling so uncomfortable she, my mom, and I are enjoying the Christmas songs (not so much all the acts) and my 90 year old neighbor “has jokes” on some people’s singing and people’s hair styles. Especially Rod Stewart. It was funny because by now you just don’t know what an old lady is going to say. It had me laughing enough to crack on how Rod’s wearing a wig or birds are nesting in there. She’s just acting like a woman of her time and a grandma and saying, “why can’t he get a normal, nice hair cut.” I suspect because guys like Rod and Brian Setzer need to live the rock n roll life style. Whatever that means. Even though Rod and Sting (who wasn’t there) are old enough to be grandparents. I’m not positive about that, it seems plausible.

It takes 30 seconds or less to light the 9ft tree. As its Christmas time anyway, why not do something caring, meaningful, to pull at the ‘ol heart strings. Hopefully the good tidings and good will, will go long beyond Christmas time. NBC teamed up with the Marines who were already charaity situated with Toys For Tots. The goal for T.F.T is to give gifts to children whose families are deployed. Plus to give gifts to children of families who lived in hurricane ravished areas. In fact prior to this special airing, my mom and I were already involved with Toys For Tots.

By the time you can let your heart melt, NBC has to go to commercial as they tease the next act and perhaps the lame setup. This year if I remember the tree lighting special was sponsored by The Puerto Rico Tourism bord, Ford, this lodge in The Poconos, American Express, and at least one drug company. With the exception of the drug company, the other commercials aired pretty much in order every break. By the time we saw the same commercials 5x, my 90 year neighbor was making more jokes. I don’t think 90 year women intentionally try to be funny, they just can be. For example, when they’re showing a guy on vacation getting a massage and his nails done she said, “He’s a sissy.” Wow.

Long before the show ended we find out the 9ft tree came from my “backyard,” Wayne, NJ. Where my 90 year old neighbor and I commented on how much gas it took to get the tree cut and haul the tree less then 12 miles to NYC. Supposedly this tree is nicer then some of the previous ones according to other comments I heard and read. How can they tell?

I’m sure the tree lighting special (ahh!) is great to see live, (maybe I wouldn’t have to see the “sketches”) would I watch it again on TV, not if I could help it. I guess too it would depend on who I was watching it with.

Now its December 1st and I have all month to watch something better, Christmas movies.

This entry was posted on December 1, 2005 at 6:55 am and is filed under Holidays. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.