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| screenplay =
| screenplay =
| story =
| story =
| director = [[Phil Roman]]<br />George Singer (co-director)
| director = [[Phil Roman]]
| starring = [[Lorenzo Music]]<br />Thom Huge<br />[[Gregg Berger]]<br />[[Julie Payne (post-1960s actress)|Julie Payne]]<br />[[Pat Harrington Jr.]]<br />[[David L. Lander]]<br />[[Pat Carroll (actress)|Pat Carroll]]
| starring = [[Lorenzo Music]]<br />Thom Huge<br />[[Gregg Berger]]<br />[[Julie Payne (post-1960s actress)|Julie Payne]]<br />[[Pat Harrington Jr.]]<br />[[David L. Lander]]<br />[[Pat Carroll]]
| narrated =
| narrated =
| theme_music_composer = [[Ed Bogas]] and [[Desirée Goyette]] (music and lyrics)<br />[[Lou Rawls]], Thom Huge, [[Gregg Berger]], [[Desirée Goyette]] and [[Lorenzo Music]] (vocals)
| theme_music_composer = [[Ed Bogas]] and [[Desirée Goyette]] (music and lyrics)<br />[[Lou Rawls]], Thom Huge, [[Gregg Berger]], [[Desirée Goyette]] and [[Lorenzo Music]] (vocals)
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| runtime = 24 minutes
| runtime = 24 minutes
| company = [[Film Roman]]<br />[[United Media]]<br />[[Paws, Inc.]]
| company = [[Film Roman]]<br />[[United Media]]<br />[[Paws, Inc.]]
| distributor =
| budget =
| budget =
| network = [[CBS]]
| network = [[CBS]]
| first_aired = {{start date|1987|12|21}}
| released = {{Start date|1987|12|21}}
| last_aired =
| related = {{Plainlist|
| preceded_by = ''[[Garfield Goes Hollywood]]''
* ''[[Garfield Goes Hollywood]]''
| followed_by = ''[[Happy Birthday, Garfield]]''
* ''[[Happy Birthday, Garfield]]''
}}
}}
}}
'''''A Garfield Christmas Special''''' is a 1987 American animated [[television special]] based on the ''[[Garfield]]'' comic strip, created by [[Jim Davis (cartoonist)|Jim Davis]]. It is directed by [[Phil Roman]] and stars [[Lorenzo Music]] as the voice of [[Garfield (character)|Garfield]] the house cat, as well as Thom Huge, [[Gregg Berger]], [[Julie Payne (post-1960s actress)|Julie Payne]], [[Pat Harrington Jr.]], [[David L. Lander]] and [[Pat Carroll (actress)|Pat Carroll]]. The special is about Garfield spending [[Christmas]] with the Arbuckle family on their farm, and discovering the [[true meaning of Christmas]].
'''''A Garfield Christmas Special''''' is a 1987 American animated [[television special]] based on the ''[[Garfield]]'' comic strip, created by [[Jim Davis (cartoonist)|Jim Davis]]. It is directed by [[Phil Roman]] and stars [[Lorenzo Music]] as the voice of [[Garfield (character)|Garfield]] the house cat, as well as Thom Huge, [[Gregg Berger]], [[Julie Payne (post-1960s actress)|Julie Payne]], [[Pat Harrington Jr.]], [[David L. Lander]] and [[Pat Carroll]]. The special is about Garfield spending [[Christmas]] with the Arbuckle family on their farm, and discovering the [[true meaning of Christmas]].


Davis, who wrote the teleplay, cited it as semi-autobiographical. The special was first broadcast December 21, 1987, on [[CBS]] and was often rebroadcast in subsequent years at Christmastime: until 2000 (December 14, 2000 was the final CBS broadcast). It was nominated for the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program]] and has been released on [[DVD]].
Davis, who wrote the teleplay, cited it as semi-autobiographical. The special was first broadcast on December 21, 1987, on [[CBS]] and was often rebroadcast in subsequent years at Christmastime: until 2000 (December 14, 2000 was the final CBS broadcast). It was nominated for the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program]] and has been released on [[DVD]].


This was the seventh of twelve [[Garfield television specials]] made between 1982 and 1991.
This was the seventh of twelve [[Garfield television specials]] made between 1982 and 1991.
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[[Jon Arbuckle|Jon]] wakes up [[Garfield (character)|Garfield]] on Christmas Eve morning, telling him that they're going to the countryside to celebrate Christmas with Jon's family on their farm. Garfield is annoyed that they always go to the farm and the family never comes to Jon's house. During his drive to his family's farm, Jon talks about Christmases he had when he was a boy, with his parents, brother Doc Boy, and Grandma, while Garfield listens with great cynicism.
[[Jon Arbuckle|Jon]] wakes up [[Garfield (character)|Garfield]] on Christmas Eve morning, telling him that they're going to the countryside to celebrate Christmas with Jon's family on their farm. Garfield is annoyed that they always go to the farm and the family never comes to Jon's house. During his drive to his family's farm, Jon talks about Christmases he had when he was a boy, with his parents, brother Doc Boy, and Grandma, while Garfield listens with great cynicism.


Upon arriving, Grandma and Garfield quickly grow a special bond. While Jon, Garfield, and Odie take a walk, Grandma spikes Mom's sausage gravy with chili powder, bragging that her sausage gravy just won the [[Greene County, Indiana|Greene County Fair]]. Jon and Garfield return for dinner, while Odie works on something secretive and then sneaks back into the house. After dinner, they decorate the [[Christmas tree|tree]]. Jon asks Garfield to put the star on, as no one else can reach the top of the tree. As the family sings Christmas songs, Grandma tells Garfield about her beloved and deceased husband, whom she especially misses at Christmastime because of his unspoken, but obvious, love for the holiday. Afterwards, Mom asks Dad to read a book called ''Binky, the Clown Who Saved Christmas.'' Dad is reluctant, as he is tired of reading it every year, but gives in. At night, Garfield notices Odie's suspicious activity and follows him to the barn, seeing Odie making something out of a piece of wood, some wire, a plunger handle, and a hand rake. While there, Garfield stumbles upon some old letters and realizes they must be 50 years old.
Upon arriving, Grandma and Garfield quickly grow a special bond. While Jon, Garfield, and Odie take a walk, Grandma spikes Mom's sausage gravy with chili powder, bragging that her sausage gravy just won the [[Greene County, Indiana|Greene County Fair]]. Jon and Garfield return for dinner, while Odie works on something secretive and then sneaks back into the house. After dinner, they decorate the [[Christmas tree|tree]]. Jon asks Garfield to put the star on, as no one else can reach the top of the tree. As the family sings Christmas songs, Grandma tells Garfield about her beloved and deceased husband, whom she especially misses at Christmastime because of his unspoken, but obvious, love for the holiday. Afterwards, Mom asks Dad to read a book called ''Binky, the Clown Who Saved Christmas,'' apparently a fictional adventure of the [[Binky the Clown|psychotic children's entertainer]] first seen in ''[[Garfield's Halloween Adventure]]''. Dad is reluctant, as he is tired of reading it every year, but gives in. At night, Garfield notices Odie's suspicious activity and follows him to the barn, seeing Odie making something out of a piece of wood, some wire, a plunger handle, and a hand rake. While there, Garfield stumbles upon some old letters and realizes they must be 50 years old.


On Christmas morning, just when it seems like all the presents have been opened, Garfield gives Grandma the letters he found in the barn. These letters were love notes written to Grandma by her husband from when they first met each other and married. Garfield also finds out that Odie has been busy making his ultimate Christmas gift: a homemade back scratcher. Garfield gladly thanks and embraces Odie for the gift he made. This is a rare glimpse at Garfield's softer side, as Garfield learns one of the true meanings of Christmas: "It's not the giving, it's not the getting, it's the loving!"
On Christmas morning, just when it seems like all the presents have been opened, Garfield gives Grandma the letters he found in the barn. These letters were love notes written to Grandma by her husband from when they first met each other and married. Garfield also finds out that Odie has been busy making his ultimate Christmas gift: a homemade back scratcher. Garfield gladly thanks and embraces Odie for the gift he made. This is a rare glimpse at Garfield's softer side, as Garfield learns one of the true meanings of Christmas: "It's not the giving, it's not the getting, it's the loving! There, I said it. Now get outta here."


== Voice cast ==
== Voice cast ==
[[File:Pat Carroll 1972.JPG|thumb|[[Pat Carroll (actress)|Pat Carroll]] voiced Grandma Arbuckle.]]
[[File:Pat Carroll 1972.JPG|thumb|[[Pat Carroll]] voiced Grandma Arbuckle.]]
{{Cast listing|
{{Cast listing|
* [[Lorenzo Music]] as [[Garfield (character)|Garfield]]
* [[Lorenzo Music]] as [[Garfield (character)|Garfield]]
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* [[Pat Harrington Jr.|Pat Harrington]] and [[Julie Payne (actress, born 1946)|Julie Payne]] as Dad and Mom Arbuckle, Jon's parents
* [[Pat Harrington Jr.|Pat Harrington]] and [[Julie Payne (actress, born 1946)|Julie Payne]] as Dad and Mom Arbuckle, Jon's parents
* [[David Lander]] as Doc Boy Arbuckle, Jon's younger brother
* [[David Lander]] as Doc Boy Arbuckle, Jon's younger brother
* [[Pat Carroll (actress)|Pat Carroll]] as Grandma Arbuckle, Jon's paternal grandmother
* [[Pat Carroll]] as Grandma Arbuckle, Jon's paternal grandmother
}}
}}


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* "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme, Gimme" performed by [[Lou Rawls]]
* "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme, Gimme" performed by [[Lou Rawls]]
* "Can't Wait Till Christmas" performed by Thom Huge, [[Lorenzo Music]], and [[Gregg Berger]]
* "Can't Wait Till Christmas" performed by Thom Huge, [[Lorenzo Music]], and [[Gregg Berger]]
* "[[O Christmas Tree]]" performed by [[Pat Carroll (actress)|Pat Carroll]]
* "[[O Christmas Tree]]" performed by [[Pat Carroll]]
* "Christmas in Your Heart" performed by ensemble and [[Desirée Goyette]]
* "Christmas in Your Heart" performed by ensemble and [[Desirée Goyette]]
* "You Can Never Find an Elf When You Need One" performed by [[Lou Rawls]] and [[Desirée Goyette]]
* "You Can Never Find an Elf When You Need One" performed by [[Lou Rawls]] and [[Desirée Goyette]]
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In writing the teleplay, Davis based it on experiences he had celebrating Christmas with his family on their farm in [[Indiana]], with many Arbuckles modeled after Davis family members.<ref name="Adams">{{cite news |url=https://tv.avclub.com/a-garfield-christmas-is-a-sincere-christmas-card-from-t-1798274755 |title=A Garfield Christmas is a sincere Christmas card from the comics' most cynical cat |last=Adams |first=Erik |newspaper=[[The A.V. Club]] |date=10 December 2014 |accessdate=6 November 2016 |archive-date=19 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219232434/https://tv.avclub.com/a-garfield-christmas-is-a-sincere-christmas-card-from-t-1798274755 |url-status=live }}</ref> Davis' real-life brother was known as Doc Boy.<ref name="Nicholson">{{cite news |url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2014/11/26/garfield-creator-jim-davis-explains-why-cats-rule-the-internet/ |title=Garfield Creator Jim Davis Explains Why Cats Rule the Internet |last=Nicholson |first=Amy |newspaper=[[The Village Voice]] |date=26 November 2014 |accessdate=6 November 2016 |archive-date=12 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912141859/https://www.villagevoice.com/2014/11/26/garfield-creator-jim-davis-explains-why-cats-rule-the-internet/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Davis referred to the story as "very autobiographical", adding "That was ''my'' Christmas on the farm".<ref name="Huver">{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/garfield-creator-jim-davis-remembers-bringing-his-fat-cat-to-tv/ |title='Garfield' Creator Jim Davis Remembers Bringing His Fat Cat To TV |last=Huver |first=Scott |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |date=10 November 2014 |accessdate=6 November 2016 |archive-date=7 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107092439/http://www.cbr.com/garfield-creator-jim-davis-remembers-bringing-his-fat-cat-to-tv/ |url-status=live }}</ref> However, he noted Grandma was an entirely fictional character, added for the emotional subplot of having time with loved ones at Christmas.<ref name="Huver"/>
In writing the teleplay, Davis based it on experiences he had celebrating Christmas with his family on their farm in [[Indiana]], with many Arbuckles modeled after Davis family members.<ref name="Adams">{{cite news |url=https://tv.avclub.com/a-garfield-christmas-is-a-sincere-christmas-card-from-t-1798274755 |title=A Garfield Christmas is a sincere Christmas card from the comics' most cynical cat |last=Adams |first=Erik |newspaper=[[The A.V. Club]] |date=10 December 2014 |accessdate=6 November 2016 |archive-date=19 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219232434/https://tv.avclub.com/a-garfield-christmas-is-a-sincere-christmas-card-from-t-1798274755 |url-status=live }}</ref> Davis' real-life brother was known as Doc Boy.<ref name="Nicholson">{{cite news |url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2014/11/26/garfield-creator-jim-davis-explains-why-cats-rule-the-internet/ |title=Garfield Creator Jim Davis Explains Why Cats Rule the Internet |last=Nicholson |first=Amy |newspaper=[[The Village Voice]] |date=26 November 2014 |accessdate=6 November 2016 |archive-date=12 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912141859/https://www.villagevoice.com/2014/11/26/garfield-creator-jim-davis-explains-why-cats-rule-the-internet/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Davis referred to the story as "very autobiographical", adding "That was ''my'' Christmas on the farm".<ref name="Huver">{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/garfield-creator-jim-davis-remembers-bringing-his-fat-cat-to-tv/ |title='Garfield' Creator Jim Davis Remembers Bringing His Fat Cat To TV |last=Huver |first=Scott |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |date=10 November 2014 |accessdate=6 November 2016 |archive-date=7 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107092439/http://www.cbr.com/garfield-creator-jim-davis-remembers-bringing-his-fat-cat-to-tv/ |url-status=live }}</ref> However, he noted Grandma was an entirely fictional character, added for the emotional subplot of having time with loved ones at Christmas.<ref name="Huver"/>


[[Lorenzo Music]], Thom Huge and [[Gregg Berger]] reprise their respective roles from past films as Garfield, Jon Arbuckle, and Odie. [[Julie Payne (post-1960s actress)|Julie Payne]] and [[Pat Harrington Jr.]] voice Jon's mother and father, while [[David L. Lander]] voices Jon's brother, Doc Boy. Grandma was voiced by [[Pat Carroll (actress)|Pat Carroll]], who at the time was becoming increasingly popular in voice work. After the 1970s, she was working on ''[[Legends of the Superheroes]]'' and ''[[Pound Puppies (1986 TV series)|Pound Puppies]]''.<ref>{{cite book |title=Disney Voice Actors: A Biographical Dictionary |last=Hischak |first=Thomas S. |publisher=McFarland & Company Publishers |date=2011 |page=39 |isbn=978-0786486946}}</ref>
[[Lorenzo Music]], Thom Huge and [[Gregg Berger]] reprise their respective roles from past films as Garfield, Jon Arbuckle, and Odie. [[Julie Payne (post-1960s actress)|Julie Payne]] and [[Pat Harrington Jr.]] voice Jon's mother and father, while [[David L. Lander]] voices Jon's brother, Doc Boy. Grandma was voiced by [[Pat Carroll]], who at the time was becoming increasingly popular in voice work. After the 1970s, she was working on ''[[Legends of the Superheroes]]'' and ''[[Pound Puppies (1986 TV series)|Pound Puppies]]''.<ref>{{cite book |title=Disney Voice Actors: A Biographical Dictionary |last=Hischak |first=Thomas S. |publisher=McFarland & Company Publishers |date=2011 |page=39 |isbn=978-0786486946}}</ref>


== Broadcast and release ==
== Broadcast and release ==
The episode first aired on December 21, 1987.<ref>{{cite book |title=Television Specials: 5,336 Entertainment Programs, 1936-2012 |last=Terrace |first=Vincent |edition=2d |publisher=McFarland & Company Publishers |date=2013 |page=162 |isbn=978-1476612409 }}</ref> According to ''[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]]'', the special was rebroadcast every year until 2000.<ref name="Brayson">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/128527-42-christmas-movies-streaming-right-now-from-home-alone-to-love-actually |title=42 Christmas Movies Streaming Right Now, From 'Home Alone' To 'Love Actually' |last=Brayson |first=Johnny |magazine=[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]] |date=8 December 2015 |accessdate=6 November 2016 |archive-date=7 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107092500/https://www.bustle.com/articles/128527-42-christmas-movies-streaming-right-now-from-home-alone-to-love-actually |url-status=live }}</ref> It often played along with the 1965 ''[[Peanuts]]'' special ''[[A Charlie Brown Christmas]].''<ref name="Adams"/>
The episode first aired on December 21, 1987.<ref>{{cite book |title=Television Specials: 5,336 Entertainment Programs, 1936-2012 |last=Terrace |first=Vincent |edition=2d |publisher=McFarland & Company Publishers |date=2013 |page=162 |isbn=978-1476612409 }}</ref> According to ''[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]]'', the special was rebroadcast every year until 2000.<ref name="Brayson">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/128527-42-christmas-movies-streaming-right-now-from-home-alone-to-love-actually |title=42 Christmas Movies Streaming Right Now, From 'Home Alone' To 'Love Actually' |last=Brayson |first=Johnny |magazine=[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]] |date=8 December 2015 |accessdate=6 November 2016 |archive-date=7 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107092500/https://www.bustle.com/articles/128527-42-christmas-movies-streaming-right-now-from-home-alone-to-love-actually |url-status=live }}</ref> It often played along with the 1965 ''[[Peanuts]]'' special ''[[A Charlie Brown Christmas]].''<ref name="Adams"/>

The home video version reanimates some scenes, including the part where Grandma talks to Garfield about her late husband. In addition to using a different animation style, the altered scene shows a picture of the husband, which was not present in the broadcast.


In 2004, ''A Garfield Christmas'' was released on the DVD ''[[List of Garfield home video releases|Garfield Holiday Celebrations]]'', along with ''[[Garfield's Halloween Adventure]]'' and ''[[Garfield's Thanksgiving]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://garfield.com/videos/garfield-holiday-celebrations |title=Garfield Holiday Celebrations |publisher=Garfield.com |accessdate=27 October 2016 |archive-date=28 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028154230/https://garfield.com/videos/garfield-holiday-celebrations |url-status=live }}</ref> It appeared 23rd in TV DVD sales for the week of November 10, 2007.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top TV DVD Sales |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=November 10, 2007 |page=71}}</ref> In 2014, ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' reported copies of the DVD "were selling on [[eBay]] like rare collector's items".<ref name="Jue">{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2014/11/04/garfield-creator-jim-davis/ |title=Jim Davis talks 'Garfield' origins, holiday specials, and calls Garfield 'a human in a cat suit' |last=Jue |first=Teresa |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=4 November 2014 |accessdate=27 October 2016 |archive-date=19 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119034037/http://www.ew.com/article/2014/11/04/garfield-creator-jim-davis |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Garfield'' holiday-themed specials, including ''A Garfield Christmas'', were also receiving millions of views on the website [[YouTube]].<ref name="Nicholson"/> It was consequently re-released on another DVD compilation, ''The Garfield Holiday Collection'', on November 4, 2014, sold only by [[Walmart]], and was also made available for digital download on November 11 that year.<ref name="Jue"/>
In 2004, ''A Garfield Christmas'' was released on the DVD ''[[List of Garfield home video releases|Garfield Holiday Celebrations]]'', along with ''[[Garfield's Halloween Adventure]]'' and ''[[Garfield's Thanksgiving]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://garfield.com/videos/garfield-holiday-celebrations |title=Garfield Holiday Celebrations |publisher=Garfield.com |accessdate=27 October 2016 |archive-date=28 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028154230/https://garfield.com/videos/garfield-holiday-celebrations |url-status=live }}</ref> It appeared 23rd in TV DVD sales for the week of November 10, 2007.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top TV DVD Sales |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=November 10, 2007 |page=71}}</ref> In 2014, ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' reported copies of the DVD "were selling on [[eBay]] like rare collector's items".<ref name="Jue">{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2014/11/04/garfield-creator-jim-davis/ |title=Jim Davis talks 'Garfield' origins, holiday specials, and calls Garfield 'a human in a cat suit' |last=Jue |first=Teresa |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=4 November 2014 |accessdate=27 October 2016 |archive-date=19 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119034037/http://www.ew.com/article/2014/11/04/garfield-creator-jim-davis |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Garfield'' holiday-themed specials, including ''A Garfield Christmas'', were also receiving millions of views on the website [[YouTube]].<ref name="Nicholson"/> It was consequently re-released on another DVD compilation, ''The Garfield Holiday Collection'', on November 4, 2014, sold only by [[Walmart]], and was also made available for digital download on November 11 that year.<ref name="Jue"/>
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In 2004, ''[[TV Guide]]'' ranked the special 10th on its 10 Best Family Holiday Specials list.<ref>{{cite book|title=TV Guide Guide to TV|year=2004|publisher=Barnes and Noble|isbn=0-7607-5634-1|pages=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780760756348/page/574 574]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780760756348/page/574}}</ref> In 2013, Scott Neumyer of ''[[Parade (magazine)|Parade]]'' called it "a delightful little short featuring everyone's favorite cantankerous orange cat".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://parade.com/212348/scottneumyer/10-awesome-christmas-specials-on-blu-ray-dvd/ |title=10 Awesome Christmas Specials on Blu-ray & DVD |last=Neumyer |first=Scott |magazine=[[Parade (magazine)|Parade]] |date=15 October 2013 |accessdate=6 November 2016 |archive-date=7 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107155514/http://parade.com/212348/scottneumyer/10-awesome-christmas-specials-on-blu-ray-dvd/ |url-status=live }}</ref> That year, Jef Rouner of the ''[[Houston Press]]'' described the episode as "depressing" and mostly unfunny, remarking that since Grandma cannot hear Garfield's thoughts, "what we're watching is a sad old widow so desperately lonely without her late husband that she has begun talking out loud to a visiting cat".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.houstonpress.com/arts/top-5-most-depressing-christmas-episodes-on-television-6379055 |title=Top 5 Most Depressing Christmas Episodes on Television |last=Rouner |first=Jef |newspaper=[[Houston Press]] |date=13 December 2013 |accessdate=6 November 2016 |archive-date=7 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107155615/http://www.houstonpress.com/arts/top-5-most-depressing-christmas-episodes-on-television-6379055 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2014, Johnny Brayson of ''[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]]'' called it "a bona fide classic".<ref name="Brayson"/>
In 2004, ''[[TV Guide]]'' ranked the special 10th on its 10 Best Family Holiday Specials list.<ref>{{cite book|title=TV Guide Guide to TV|year=2004|publisher=Barnes and Noble|isbn=0-7607-5634-1|pages=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780760756348/page/574 574]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780760756348/page/574}}</ref> In 2013, Scott Neumyer of ''[[Parade (magazine)|Parade]]'' called it "a delightful little short featuring everyone's favorite cantankerous orange cat".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://parade.com/212348/scottneumyer/10-awesome-christmas-specials-on-blu-ray-dvd/ |title=10 Awesome Christmas Specials on Blu-ray & DVD |last=Neumyer |first=Scott |magazine=[[Parade (magazine)|Parade]] |date=15 October 2013 |accessdate=6 November 2016 |archive-date=7 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107155514/http://parade.com/212348/scottneumyer/10-awesome-christmas-specials-on-blu-ray-dvd/ |url-status=live }}</ref> That year, Jef Rouner of the ''[[Houston Press]]'' described the episode as "depressing" and mostly unfunny, remarking that since Grandma cannot hear Garfield's thoughts, "what we're watching is a sad old widow so desperately lonely without her late husband that she has begun talking out loud to a visiting cat".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.houstonpress.com/arts/top-5-most-depressing-christmas-episodes-on-television-6379055 |title=Top 5 Most Depressing Christmas Episodes on Television |last=Rouner |first=Jef |newspaper=[[Houston Press]] |date=13 December 2013 |accessdate=6 November 2016 |archive-date=7 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107155615/http://www.houstonpress.com/arts/top-5-most-depressing-christmas-episodes-on-television-6379055 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2014, Johnny Brayson of ''[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]]'' called it "a bona fide classic".<ref name="Brayson"/>

==See also==
* [[List of Christmas films]]


== References ==
== References ==
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== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|id=0302596|title=A Garfield Christmas Special}}
* {{IMDb title|id=0302596|title=A Garfield Christmas Special}}
* {{bcdb title|55071}}
* {{youTube|TbL-uxd4ZVw|''A Garfield Christmas Special''}} (official ''Garfield & Friends'' channel)
* {{youTube|TbL-uxd4ZVw|''A Garfield Christmas Special''}} (official ''Garfield & Friends'' channel)


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[[Category:Christmas television specials]]
[[Category:Christmas television specials]]
[[Category:Film Roman television specials]]
[[Category:Film Roman television specials]]
[[Category:CBS original programming]]
[[Category:Television shows directed by Phil Roman]]
[[Category:Television shows directed by Phil Roman]]
[[Category:Garfield television specials]]
[[Category:Garfield television specials]]

Latest revision as of 07:17, 10 October 2024

A Garfield Christmas
Also known asA Garfield Christmas Special
Created byJim Davis
Written byJim Davis
Directed byPhil Roman
StarringLorenzo Music
Thom Huge
Gregg Berger
Julie Payne
Pat Harrington Jr.
David L. Lander
Pat Carroll
Theme music composerEd Bogas and Desirée Goyette (music and lyrics)
Lou Rawls, Thom Huge, Gregg Berger, Desirée Goyette and Lorenzo Music (vocals)
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducerPhil Roman
Running time24 minutes
Production companiesFilm Roman
United Media
Paws, Inc.
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseDecember 21, 1987 (1987-12-21)
Related

A Garfield Christmas Special is a 1987 American animated television special based on the Garfield comic strip, created by Jim Davis. It is directed by Phil Roman and stars Lorenzo Music as the voice of Garfield the house cat, as well as Thom Huge, Gregg Berger, Julie Payne, Pat Harrington Jr., David L. Lander and Pat Carroll. The special is about Garfield spending Christmas with the Arbuckle family on their farm, and discovering the true meaning of Christmas.

Davis, who wrote the teleplay, cited it as semi-autobiographical. The special was first broadcast on December 21, 1987, on CBS and was often rebroadcast in subsequent years at Christmastime: until 2000 (December 14, 2000 was the final CBS broadcast). It was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program and has been released on DVD.

This was the seventh of twelve Garfield television specials made between 1982 and 1991.

Plot

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Jon wakes up Garfield on Christmas Eve morning, telling him that they're going to the countryside to celebrate Christmas with Jon's family on their farm. Garfield is annoyed that they always go to the farm and the family never comes to Jon's house. During his drive to his family's farm, Jon talks about Christmases he had when he was a boy, with his parents, brother Doc Boy, and Grandma, while Garfield listens with great cynicism.

Upon arriving, Grandma and Garfield quickly grow a special bond. While Jon, Garfield, and Odie take a walk, Grandma spikes Mom's sausage gravy with chili powder, bragging that her sausage gravy just won the Greene County Fair. Jon and Garfield return for dinner, while Odie works on something secretive and then sneaks back into the house. After dinner, they decorate the tree. Jon asks Garfield to put the star on, as no one else can reach the top of the tree. As the family sings Christmas songs, Grandma tells Garfield about her beloved and deceased husband, whom she especially misses at Christmastime because of his unspoken, but obvious, love for the holiday. Afterwards, Mom asks Dad to read a book called Binky, the Clown Who Saved Christmas, apparently a fictional adventure of the psychotic children's entertainer first seen in Garfield's Halloween Adventure. Dad is reluctant, as he is tired of reading it every year, but gives in. At night, Garfield notices Odie's suspicious activity and follows him to the barn, seeing Odie making something out of a piece of wood, some wire, a plunger handle, and a hand rake. While there, Garfield stumbles upon some old letters and realizes they must be 50 years old.

On Christmas morning, just when it seems like all the presents have been opened, Garfield gives Grandma the letters he found in the barn. These letters were love notes written to Grandma by her husband from when they first met each other and married. Garfield also finds out that Odie has been busy making his ultimate Christmas gift: a homemade back scratcher. Garfield gladly thanks and embraces Odie for the gift he made. This is a rare glimpse at Garfield's softer side, as Garfield learns one of the true meanings of Christmas: "It's not the giving, it's not the getting, it's the loving! There, I said it. Now get outta here."

Voice cast

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Pat Carroll voiced Grandma Arbuckle.

Songs

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"Here Comes Garfield" from the special of the same name can be heard instrumentally when Jon wakes up Garfield from his dream.

Production

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In writing the teleplay, Davis based it on experiences he had celebrating Christmas with his family on their farm in Indiana, with many Arbuckles modeled after Davis family members.[1] Davis' real-life brother was known as Doc Boy.[2] Davis referred to the story as "very autobiographical", adding "That was my Christmas on the farm".[3] However, he noted Grandma was an entirely fictional character, added for the emotional subplot of having time with loved ones at Christmas.[3]

Lorenzo Music, Thom Huge and Gregg Berger reprise their respective roles from past films as Garfield, Jon Arbuckle, and Odie. Julie Payne and Pat Harrington Jr. voice Jon's mother and father, while David L. Lander voices Jon's brother, Doc Boy. Grandma was voiced by Pat Carroll, who at the time was becoming increasingly popular in voice work. After the 1970s, she was working on Legends of the Superheroes and Pound Puppies.[4]

Broadcast and release

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The episode first aired on December 21, 1987.[5] According to Bustle, the special was rebroadcast every year until 2000.[6] It often played along with the 1965 Peanuts special A Charlie Brown Christmas.[1]

The home video version reanimates some scenes, including the part where Grandma talks to Garfield about her late husband. In addition to using a different animation style, the altered scene shows a picture of the husband, which was not present in the broadcast.

In 2004, A Garfield Christmas was released on the DVD Garfield Holiday Celebrations, along with Garfield's Halloween Adventure and Garfield's Thanksgiving.[7] It appeared 23rd in TV DVD sales for the week of November 10, 2007.[8] In 2014, Entertainment Weekly reported copies of the DVD "were selling on eBay like rare collector's items".[9] Garfield holiday-themed specials, including A Garfield Christmas, were also receiving millions of views on the website YouTube.[2] It was consequently re-released on another DVD compilation, The Garfield Holiday Collection, on November 4, 2014, sold only by Walmart, and was also made available for digital download on November 11 that year.[9]

Reception

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The special was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program at the 40th Primetime Emmy Awards.[10]

In 2004, TV Guide ranked the special 10th on its 10 Best Family Holiday Specials list.[11] In 2013, Scott Neumyer of Parade called it "a delightful little short featuring everyone's favorite cantankerous orange cat".[12] That year, Jef Rouner of the Houston Press described the episode as "depressing" and mostly unfunny, remarking that since Grandma cannot hear Garfield's thoughts, "what we're watching is a sad old widow so desperately lonely without her late husband that she has begun talking out loud to a visiting cat".[13] In 2014, Johnny Brayson of Bustle called it "a bona fide classic".[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Adams, Erik (10 December 2014). "A Garfield Christmas is a sincere Christmas card from the comics' most cynical cat". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on 19 February 2018. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  2. ^ a b Nicholson, Amy (26 November 2014). "Garfield Creator Jim Davis Explains Why Cats Rule the Internet". The Village Voice. Archived from the original on 12 September 2018. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  3. ^ a b Huver, Scott (10 November 2014). "'Garfield' Creator Jim Davis Remembers Bringing His Fat Cat To TV". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on 7 November 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  4. ^ Hischak, Thomas S. (2011). Disney Voice Actors: A Biographical Dictionary. McFarland & Company Publishers. p. 39. ISBN 978-0786486946.
  5. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2013). Television Specials: 5,336 Entertainment Programs, 1936-2012 (2d ed.). McFarland & Company Publishers. p. 162. ISBN 978-1476612409.
  6. ^ a b Brayson, Johnny (8 December 2015). "42 Christmas Movies Streaming Right Now, From 'Home Alone' To 'Love Actually'". Bustle. Archived from the original on 7 November 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  7. ^ "Garfield Holiday Celebrations". Garfield.com. Archived from the original on 28 October 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  8. ^ "Top TV DVD Sales". Billboard. November 10, 2007. p. 71.
  9. ^ a b Jue, Teresa (4 November 2014). "Jim Davis talks 'Garfield' origins, holiday specials, and calls Garfield 'a human in a cat suit'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 19 November 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  10. ^ "A Garfield Christmas Special". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on 17 June 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  11. ^ TV Guide Guide to TV. Barnes and Noble. 2004. pp. 574. ISBN 0-7607-5634-1.
  12. ^ Neumyer, Scott (15 October 2013). "10 Awesome Christmas Specials on Blu-ray & DVD". Parade. Archived from the original on 7 November 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  13. ^ Rouner, Jef (13 December 2013). "Top 5 Most Depressing Christmas Episodes on Television". Houston Press. Archived from the original on 7 November 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
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