Festive Sitcom Specials to Watch This December
The Office
The Office, adapted from the British version, ran for nine seasons. It’s the best UK to US adaptation but it also has some of the best festive episodes. Since there are several all of them are going to be listed.
The first festive episode comes in season 2 episode 10 with Christmas Party. This is the episode where the audience is introduced to the teapot from Jim (John Krasinski) to Pam (Jenna Fischer).
However, it’s also where we see the full selfishness of Michael Scott (Steve Carrell). Since he gets a present he doesn’t like, Michael forces everyone to play Yankee Swap.
This is a game where people swap their presents and nobody gets what they want. As bad as it sounds The Office festive episodes always find a way to turn it around.
The next is A Benihana Christmas (season 3 episodes 10 & 11). It’s the first two-part festive special and has some risky moments. One of these comes from Michael Scott, who meets a waitress and is unable to tell her apart from her colleague.
This is taken further when a different actress steps in to play the role later on.
It also features the recurring issue of the party planning committee. But, at its heart, the episode is about forgiveness and coming together at the worst of times. Furthermore, it helps the episode is directed by the late, and great, Harold Ramis.
Season 5 episode 11 Moroccan Christmas is slightly darker than what’s come before. Most of its focus is on Meredith’s (Kate Flannery) alcoholism and Michael forcing her to rehab. There are several hilarious moments though.
Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson) resells the year’s hottest items while also falling for one of Jim’s best pranks. If you’re going to watch this episode without seeing the series, good luck with the ending. That is where things really heat up.
Season 6 episode 13 Secret Santa is another example of Michael’s immaturity. After finding out somebody else is Santa, Michael dresses up as Jesus and tries to destroy the party for everyone. He leaks the secret Santa list and creates friction between certain characters.
Again, because it’s Michael Scott, things don’t go the way they start. But that’s something you should leave to see for yourself.
Season 7 episodes 11 & 12 Classy Christmas are the final festive episodes with Steve Carrell. It sees the return of Michael Scott’s former girlfriend, Holly Flax (Amy Ryan) and how he deals with her being in a relationship. The throughline is bittersweet as it shows how the other characters feel about Michael.
However, the downside comes from Jim and Dwight’s storyline. After Jim hits Dwight with one snowball, the latter terrorizes him through fear tactics and more. Other than that, the episode is very festive.
Season 8 episode 10 Christmas Wishes sees Andy Bernard (Ed Helms) as the manager of Dunder Mifflin. He makes it his job to fulfil every wish from his employees but those grow increasingly difficult due to an ex-girlfriend’s drunken wish.
Jim and Dwight’s pranks are getting out of hand and Andy tells them they will lose their bonus if they don’t stop. There is also a difficult story with Robert California (James Spader) that may make some viewers uncomfortable.
Season 9 episode 9 Dwight Christmas is the final festive special from the series. Trading in Santa Claus for the year, Dwight introduces Belsnickel, the German gift-giver who decides if someone has been impish or admirable. The episode shows how close Jim and Dwight have come.
Die Hard is part of the episode where two characters watch it while growing closer romantically. Craig Robinson gets to show off his comedy chops more than usual in this episode. It’s the over-the-top comedy that he would soon use on the loveable Doug Judy in Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
