If I Were Disney CEO Part 32B - Walt Disney World Holiday Offerings

"From all of us to all of you a very merry Christmas!
And at this joyful time of year we want you to be with us.
So get around a lovely tree where all the lights are shining.
We'll be as happy as can be while all the bells are shining."

As a bonus entry into this If I Were Disney CEO series, a festive holiday treat focusing on holiday offerings for the stateside Disney parks.  I'm of the opinion that few can celebrate the season like Disney and would love to ramp up and diversify the offerings that the parks have.  I'm focusing on the stateside parks, because while the international parks do celebrate, the offerings are nowhere close to the extent that the stateside parks undertake.  Were I to elaborate on the international parks, I would want to focus on the celebrations and customs within the particular country.

With that in mind, my goals for this exercise are to give each stateside park a unique feeling for the Christmas season, focusing on a particular component of the holidays and playing into the parks strengths.  One thing I will discuss specifically for each park to highlight the unique attributes is the tree lighting ceremony.  Each park should have one, and they should each be unique and reflect that specific park.

Today, the Walt Disney World Resort.

The Magic Kingdom:
When discussing the differences in Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom, Disneyland always comes down on the nostalgic side and the Magic Kingdom carries a bit more grandeur.  Disneyland has even been described as quaint, where as the Magic Kingdom is a bit more majestic.  Part of this comes down to the size of the castle and the image it portrays.  I think this can be used to describe the difference in the holiday offerings between the parks as well.  The Magic Kingdom's holiday offerings should focus more on the magic of the season.  Here's my holiday wishlist for the Magic Kingdom:

• A condensed Nutcracker Ballet for the Main Street Theater - The Main Street Theater needs to be used to contain a large scale Christmas production and what better and more theme appropriate than a performance of the Nutcracker ballet.  A condensed ballet would be a wonderful seasonal addition.
• Jingle Cruise - a holiday overlay of the Jungle Cruise offered since 2013.  A holiday shipment exploded over the jungle with lots of fruitcake jokes.  Allow spiked eggnog and this might be a perfect ride.
• Decorations and appropriate music in the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse - one easy addition would be to add Christmas decor to the Treehouse, to mirror the scene in the Swiss Family Robinson Movie.  Appropriate music as played on the Treehouse organ could make this a quick, holiday addition.
• Country Bear Christmas Special - As was mentioned for Disney California Adventure, this is a holiday overlay that needs to be brought back.  This version was previously offered in the Magic Kingdom and is a must to be reinstalled.
• Christmas Show in the Diamond Horseshoe - As mentioned for Disneyland, there should always be a show in the Diamond Horseshoe, and there should absolutely be a Christmas show at this season.
• Holiday Costumes for Belle and Beast in Enchanted Tales with Belle and Be Our Guest - Belle and Beast are one of the few princess and prince combinations that have appropriate holiday attire thanks to the Belle's Enchanted Christmas straight-to-dvd special.  These new costumes would make a nice festive touch.  A new storyline for Enchanted Tales with Belle would also be an easy holiday overlay.
• Broader scope for decorations in Fantasyland - the New Fantasyland area started getting Christmas decorations in 2013.  This should be expanded into Fantasyland proper, even if just for garland around the ride signage.  
• Tomorrowland decorations - Tomorrowland does have the Totally Tomorrowland Christmas and Club Tinsel shows, but there needs to be decorations in the land.  Here, it would be fun to see what a cyberpunk Christmas would look like.
• Frozen Holiday Wish - This has been a cute addition, where Elsa covers the castle in ice and causes it to snow.  Their costumes could be changed out for their holiday versions from Olaf's Frozen Adventure, but otherwise this is a solid offering.
• Once Upon A Christmastime Parade - a classic.  
• Holiday Wishes - perfect for the park.  This fireworks spectacular utilizes Jiminy Cricket, who I believe should be the voice of the park.  Excellent musical arrangements.  I would just get it out from the upcharge party earlier.
• Tree Lighting Ceremony - The Magic Kingdom's tree lighting ceremony should be accompanied by music from a town band, like the Magic Kingdom Marching band.  To me, the song I most associate with the Magic Kingdom and Christmas is We Need A Little Christmas.  That is what I envision for this ceremony.

EPCOT:
EPCOT is the park that celebrates Christmas around the world.  The cultures, the music, the variations on Santa Claus.  EPCOT should center on the majesty of the season.  With that in mind, here is my holiday wishlist for EPCOT:

• A restored Lights of Winter - The one portion of the holiday offerings that helps bridge the Future World and World Showcase sections.  With the Osborne Festival of Dancing Lights no longer offered at Hollywood Studios, the resort needs a Christmas light focused offering.  I would update them to LEDs, as those could be used to synchronize with other holiday offerings.
• its a small world holiday - With the attraction rebuilt here, the holiday offering would be a natural fit.  The Lights of Winter could lead up to the facade and tie into the projection and clock shows.  This would be the seminal attraction to tie all of the holiday offerings together.
• Festival of the Holidays - as in DCA, Disney has expanded their holiday offerings to include food booths to celebrate the holiday foods of different cultures around the world.  One area EPCOT needs to beef up would be the seasonal entertainment acts that are part of this Festival.  DCA has several incredible holiday acts.   EPCOT should have the same.
• Feliz Navidad overlay in Grand Fiesta Tour - This would seem to be an easy overlay, given the projections.  The Three Caballeros celebrating Feliz Navidad.
• Anna and Elsa in their holiday costumes - As in the Magic Kingdom, the meet and greets for Anna and Elsa should have them in their Olaf's Frozen Adventure holiday costumes.
• Holiday Storytellers - One great offering at EPCOT is the various storytellers in each country telling of their version of Santa Claus or their Christmas traditions.  I wish these were highlighted more.
• Voices of Liberty Caroling - the Voices of Liberty are one of my favorite parts of EPCOT and their Christmas Carols are amazing.  These singers are some of the best I've heard and the arrangements are impeccable.
• Candlelight Processional - A wonderful variation of the Candlelight Processional from Disneyland.  This is a classic presentation of the classic Christmas story, no changes needed.
• Holiday Illuminations - Currently Illuminations has a holiday Peace on Earth tag.  I would create a full Holiday Illuminations, designed to highlight Christmas and Holiday celebrations around the world.  For personal preference, I would highlight Heather Headley as the prominent singer of the show.  She has been in both the World of Color Seasons of Light and Winter Dreams variations.
• Tree Lighting Ceremony - EPCOT currently has a wonderfully majestic tree lighting ceremony I would continue.  A musical theme by a symphony orchestra.  It is composed of no specific identifiable Christmas melody, but is instantly recognizable as a holiday tune.

Disney Hollywood Studios:

The mission of Disney Hollywood Studios is to have guests experience their favorite movies - to put them into the worlds of their favorite films.  Christmas should be no exception and the goal should be to put them into their favorite Christmas films.  Thankfully, this could be achieved fairly easily, especially with the 20th Century Fox acquisition and the iconic Christmas film it made.

• Christmas Tree decor on the lights on Hollywood Boulevard - Taking an inspiration from Hollywood history, I would love to see these classic Christmas tree additions recreated down Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood Studios.
• Mickey's Holiday Railway - I would start working now on animation for a Christmas version of the Mickey's Runaway Railway attraction being added to the Chinese Theater.  With the screen based attraction, the animation would be most of what is necessary for a quick conversion.
• Echo Lake Christmas tree and 1950s decorations - this has been the best addition to Disney Hollywood Studios.  I would keep these attractions going, looking to plus them with the fountains in Echo Lake.
• Seasonal Shows in Superstar Television and ILM Special Effects - Superstar Television in particular would be a great place to recreate a Christmas Special.
• Jingle Bell Rock 'n Roller Coaster - This seems like a no-brainer.  A storyline centering on needing to get the gifts to Santa as quickly as possible with Run, Run Rudolph and  Jingle Bell Rock as example songs.
• Life Day acknowledgement in Galaxy's Edge - Like Disneyland, this should not be overt, but should be there.  An opportunity to celebrate the holidays in the Star Wars Universe.
• Christmas Toy Story Playland - Alien holiday tunes on Alien Swirling Saucers, jingle bells on Slinky Dog Dash.  Giant Christmas decorations, including the Angel Kitty.  Experience Christmas as a toy.
• Holiday Midway Mania - Again, the screen based attraction could be easily swapped for a Christmas themed version.  The animation should already be in progress.
• Christmas MuppetVision - I would replace the MuppetVision*3D Movie with a version that presents a tour through Muppet versions of Christmas classics.  It's A Wonderful Log, and the like.
• Muppets Present...Great Moments in a Christmas Carol - I would use the facades on Grand Avenue to present Muppets telling the story of A Christmas Carol from the windows, with a walk-around Ghost of Christmas Present character from Muppet Christmas Carol available for meet and greets.  Again, this one seems like it should have been implemented ages ago.
• Nightmare Before Christmas section - as my plans for DHS called for a Nightmare Before Christmas dark ride, this area would be perfect to play up during the holiday season.  Meet and Greets with 
• Miracle on 34th Street - One big coup in the 20th Century Fox acquisition is the inclusion of A Miracle on 34th Street.  For Christmas, this gives Disney access to THE Santa Claus. It would be great to setup a recreation of the Santa chair from the movie in a "department" store in the park for the official Santa Claus photo and wishlist opportunity.  It would also open up the next option.
• Get the Macy's Holiday Parade back from Universal - Years ago, Disney had partnered with Macy's to have the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade balloons on their Streets of America section during the Christmas season. 
  
  When that went away to eventually be replaced by the Osborne Family Lights, Universal picked up the license, creating their Universal's Holiday Parade Featuring Macy's.  With the acquisition of Miracle on 34th Street, I would be working to partner with Macy's to pick up the license as soon as it expires with Universal.  Then Disney could have the official parade and the official Santa Claus.  It would seem like a wonderfully symbiotic relationship.
• Wonderful World of Christmas fireworks - Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam is a fun show, and I like the idea of the Prep & Landing team running Christmas in Disney Hollywood Studios, but I would love to see a firework show that is a true celebration of Christmas movies.  The acquisition of 20th Century Fox presents the opportunity to work in films like Home Alone, Miracle on 34th Street, Die Hard, and Jingle All The Way with existing Disney properties like Mickey's Christmas Carol, Muppet Christmas Carol, Babes in Toyland, and Nightmare Before Christmas, in addition to the shorts and specials.
• Tree Lighting Ceremony - The tree lighting ceremony should be a celebration of Christmas in entertainment.  It's a studio chorus and orchestra playing White Christmas.  Tied to the golden age of Hollywood with searchlights on the tree.

Disney's Animal Kingdom:

Disney's Animal Kingdom has a typically subdued Christmas offering. It previously had a parade, but that is no longer an option.  I would like to keep the subdued spirit, but expand into an appropriate area - to celebrate and explore the connection of animals to the seasonal holidays.  Accordingly, here is my holiday wishlist for Disney's Animal Kingdom:

• Diwali celebration in UP - The Diwali recognition in Up! A Great Bird Adventure Show has been a great addition.  I would like to see that expanded into Asia, with the colors and lights.
• Oversized decorations in a bug's land - For my proposed bug's land addition, I would also bring the oversized decorations from Disney California Adventure.  This area was always cute in California over the holidays and should be the same here.
• Manger scene between Africa and Asia with camels, sheep, donkey - With the connection of the traditional nativity story to the Middle East and Asia continent, it would be a perfect opportunity to have a manger scene with just the animals present.  To recognize the connection of the camel, the donkey, and sheep to the Christmas story.  A scene that could be viewed and potential opportunity for an animal encounter.
• Santa's Stables at Conservation Station - Likewise, the other great animal connections to the season are reindeer and the yule goat.  The season presents a perfect opportunity to bring in these animals as seasonal attractions in an appropriate space.  Santa's Stables could also be designed to help keep the normally far northern animals cooler in Florida.
• Winter celebration in Dinoland with Ice Age takeover - With 20th Century Fox, Disney has also acquired the Ice Age franchise and has been looking for ways to bring them into the park.  Winter would seem to be the perfect opportunity to take a space from a celebration of the reptilian/avian dinosaurs to the mammals of the Ice Age.  Could be done in an appropriately tacky and delightful Chester and Hester Style.
• Holiday Tree of Life lighting ceremony - Disney Animal Kingdom presents a different challenge with the tree lighting ceremony.  The park's tree is located outside the park itself, in front of the main gate.  There is not really a good space to put the Christmas tree, but the park's central icon is a tree.  I would love to see a Holiday segment added to the Tree of Life tree lighting projection show that could serve that function for the park, with an appropriate world music score.

All together, these additions and plussings could make the holiday offerings of the Walt Disney World resort truly a place for a world-class celebration.

As always, thank you for reading.  After the new year, the series will continue with Disney's television offerings.

If I Were Disney CEO Part 32A - Disneyland Holiday Park Offerings

"From all of us to all of you a very merry Christmas!
And at this joyful time of year we want you to be with us.
So get around a lovely tree where all the lights are shining.
We'll be as happy as can be while all the bells are shining."

As a bonus entry into this If I Were Disney CEO series, a festive holiday treat focusing on holiday offerings for the stateside Disney parks.  I'm of the opinion that few can celebrate the season like Disney and would love to ramp up and diversify the offerings that the parks have.  I'm focusing on the stateside parks, because while the international parks do celebrate, the offerings are nowhere close to the extent that the stateside parks undertake.  Were I to elaborate on the international parks, I would want to focus on the celebrations and customs within the particular country.

With that in mind, my goals for this exercise are to give each stateside park a unique feeling for the Christmas season, focusing on a particular component of the holidays and playing into the parks strengths.  One thing I will discuss specifically for each park to highlight the unique attributes is the tree lighting ceremony.  Each park should have one, and they should each be unique and reflect that specific park.

Today, the Disneyland Resort.

Disneyland:
Disneyland Park plays heavily into nostalgia and the holiday offerings should do the same.  I want to expand from the current offerings to build out a full celebration of the season that also celebrates the magic of Disneyland itself.  Accordingly, here is my holiday wishlist for Disneyland:

• Haunted Mansion Holiday - why break what is working.  A holiday overlay of the Haunted Mansion with Nightmare Before Christmas characters that completely transforms the experience into a new ride.  Now in its 17th year, the ride keeps getting better and better.
• it's a small world holiday - a holiday overlay now in its 21st year, the ride gains thousands of Christmas lights as well as a medley of Jingle Bells, Deck the Halls, and it's a small world.  This is my favorite version of the ride.
• Forgo the Jingle Cruise - While the Jingle Cruise was a fun overlay, I think it works better in the Magic Kingdom.  I would focus on a different Adventureland attraction for the seasonal offering.
• The Tropical Holiday Tiki Room overlay - I would propose an overlay for the Enchanted Tiki Room complete with Mele Kalikimaka, Santa's Hula, The Twelve Days of Christmas or maybe Numbah One Day of Christmas (all the birds).  You can even have a Very Merry Holly Jolly Tiki Room. And this can spill over into the new Tropical Hideaway area.
• The minor overlay in the Storybook Land Canal Boats - I love how all of the little miniatures in the Canal Boats get Christmas decorations.  This should absolutely be continued and if we could carve out a space for it at Christmas time, I would love to add one for Santa's workshop.
• A Christmas Show in the Golden Horseshoe - There should always be a show in the Golden Horseshoe and there should be a Christmas one.  Perhaps this holiday version could combine a version of The Gift of the Magi with various Christmas carols and music, all through a western interpretation.
• Decorations in Tomorrowland - I would love to see how a 1950s Jetson-future Christmas would look.  All the lands get decorations except Tomorrowland.  Even Fantasyland has been getting in on the fun of late with appropriate garland.  Surely a fun retro future, aluminum tree with color wheel version could be created.
• Life Day acknowledgement in Galaxy's Edge - I know the Star Wars Holiday special is not supposed to exist and I would not want very overt ties to that ill-conceived television special.  I would like to see a small acknowledgement of the celebration of Life Day within Galaxy's Edge, perhaps even as small as Life Day merchandise offerings by the vendors within the market.  An acknowledgement of the holiday of the Star Wars universe.
• Star on the Matterhorn - I want the star brought back to top the Matterhorn.  From the early 1960s through 1973-1974, Disneyland put a shining star up on top of the Matterhorn and would bathe the mountain in green lights at night to make it look like a giant Christmas tree.  Particularly in light of what can be done with projection mapping on the mountain, the star should be brought back to help sell the giant Christmas tree.
  
• Christmas Trees in the Moat - I may be weird, but if they are not going to add fountains to the moat, I would love them to bring back Christmas trees in the moat.  I would not want the solid white trees of the image below or the burnt sienna from the past, but a green tree with white flocking and lights could be a great addition to flank each side of the castle.

  

  (c) Yesterland

• Bring Back The Silly Reindeer - I want the silly reindeer back in the parades and as walk-around characters.  Disneyland Christmas needs the Toy Soldiers from Babes in Toyland and the Silly Reindeer.  The Magic Kingdom can keep the new look, Disneyland should have the classic cartoony look.
  
• Christmas Fantasy Parade - A classic.  The floats can be updated and well maintained, but the music is perfect and the parade is pure magic.
• New Christmas in Disneyland fireworks show - Believe ... in Holiday Magic on the other hand could stand to be replaced.  I'd love to see a fireworks show closer in spirit to Remember Dreams Come True, celebrating the magic of Christmas in Disneyland.  Using that theme song and the Jack Wagner introduction, music from various Christmas celebrations in Disneyland from the past, with the amazing new projections and additions Disney has created could make a very powerful new show.
• The Candlelight Processional - EPCOT may have more performances, but the original Candlelight Processional at Disneyland is spectacular.  A 60 year tradition culminating in a mass choir and orchestra performance with a celebrity reading of the traditional Christmas story.  A truly magical weekend and a tradition worth upholding.
• Tree Lighting Ceremony - The Tree Lighting ceremony for Disneyland should place into the nostalgia of time and place, focusing particularly on small time turn of the century Main Street.  The primary song for the tree lighting would be We Wish You A Merry Christmas as played by a small brass band.

Disney California Adventure:

Holidays in Disney California Adventure should focus on the celebrations and culture surrounding the holiday in California.  There are a lot of classic California Christmas touches I'd like to add to this park to enhance the Christmas offerings that they have already added.  Accordingly, here's my holiday wishlist for Disney California Adventure:

• Mater's Jingle Jamboree - The overlays added to the flat rides in Cars Land are amazing, as are all of the decorations.  Mater's is simply fun.
• Luigi's Joy to the Whirl - Like Mater's, Luigi's is just a fun addition.  Carols from Carsoli and festive dancing.
• Christmas Movies at the Cars Drive In - It would be so much fun to show Christmas B-Movies like Santa Car versus the Martians in the Cars Drive In theater.  A simple overlay that would be a lot of fun.
• Country Bear Christmas Special - The benefit of adding Country Bears to DCA is getting the Country Bear Christmas Special.  This is a fun overlay and completely fitting for the Grizzly Peak area.
• Pixar Pier Decorations - The Pixar Pier area is currently devoid of Christmas decorations.  I know it's new, but it is time to add appropriate garland, toys, and decorations to the area.
• Christmas Midway Mania - the attraction is primarily screens, so it is perfect to create new animation for it.  Christmas games to be played with the toys.  The perfect Christmas version of a ride.
• Christmas in the Holiday Canteen - I would create a Christmas show in the Hollywood Canteen.  Someone doing Judy singing Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.  The Andrews Sisters Jingle Bells, etc.
• Bell Ringers on Buena Vista Street - The Buena Vista Christmas Carolers should be brought back.  In addition, I would like kettle bells on Buena Vista street to collect for a worthy cause.  Disney can pick the cause or could create their own specific charity for the season.
• Candy Cane Wrap on the Red Car Trolleys - The trolleys in Los Angeles used to get a candy cane paint job at Christmas.  I would love to see a wrap that helped bring that back in DCA.
  
• Christmas in Marvel - I would love to see a Santron addition (Santa Ultron robot) or Son of Santa as meet and greet characters. (Only slightly tongue in cheek)
• Rustic Santa in the Redwood Challenge area - While the original location of Santa in the department store was a good idea (and one I'll borrow for tomorrow), the setup in the Redwood Challenge trails is excellent.  The snowfall they've added in the woods, and the reindeer games in the other trails make this a very fun location to meet Santa Claus.
• Festival of the Holidays - Festival of the Holidays has been a great addition to the park, both in terms of the food and the entertainment groups offered.  A taste of the cultures of California Christmas in all its varieties.
• Viva Navidad! - This likewise has been a wonderfully fun addition and a great use of the Three Caballeros to celebrate the Latin American heritage in California and its celebration of Christmas.
• The Hollywood Christmas Parade - One great offering would be to create a version of the Hollywood Christmas Parade that could run in conjunction with the Festival of the Holiday booths.  I know that has been an issue in the past and would look for ways for both to be offered.  It would be great to pay homage to the parade that has been a staple since 1928.
• Add the World of Color Christmas intro to World of Color Season of Light - World of Color Season of Light is one of the best versions of World of Color, if not the best.  The only thing it is missing is the version of the old World of Color television intro paired with White Christmas, Jingle Bells, and Joy to the World.  That was the perfect intro for a holiday version of the show and should be restored.
• Give DCA its own Candlelight Processional - DCA should have a special offering on a single weekend to encapsulate the history of the season in Los Angeles.  For this, I would create a program based on a Las Posadas procession, ending at a Pastorela with Paradise Bay as a backdrop, or perhaps a celebrity reading of a Pastorela story.  The combination would pay homage to the oldest Christmas celebrations in Los Angeles and would DCA a great new tradition to keep up for 60 years itself.  Further it would tie greatly into the Festival of the Holidays and Viva Navidad offerings.  If they wanted to go in a different direction I could also envision a purely tinsel Charles Phoenix Retro Holiday show, celebrating the best of mid-century modern.
• Tree Lighting Ceremony - For the tree lighting ceremony, I would look to play tribute to California's warmer weather and entertainment roots.  The song choice would be Silver Bells, which could tie well into the Buena Vista Christmas Carolers and the donation kettle bells.  This moves the time period up a bit, but still does not quite get to a completely Hollywood Christmas.

Christmas at the Disneyland Resort is truly a magical experience.  There's so much packed into that condensed area that you cannot help but get into the holiday spirit.

This post was originally going to cover both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, but the size has necessitated it be split into two parts.  So tomorrow, I'll add my thoughts on the holiday offerings for Walt Disney World.

Thanks, as always, for reading!

Most Memorable Christmas Gift

One of the ways that Jamie and I got to know each other was through a series of questions.  Everything from silly preferences (your favorite Muppet) to aspirational goals (next country you would like to visit, where do you see yourself in five years) to deep theological issues (your greatest struggle).  One of the questions that got asked early on was regarding the most memorable Christmas gift you ever received.  Jamie's answer revolved around a favorite toy received.  The one she waited for.  My answer was similar, but it also involved a bit of a reprimand as well.

The year I received coal.

Well, not coal exactly.  I received switches.  A definite reminder of my place on the naughty list for how I acted through the Christmas season.

It was 1980-something, the year that the Nintendo Gameboy first came out.  A personal gaming platform in glorious sepia/gray-tone that played a handful of Nintendo games, including the most addictive game ever created - Tetris.  It was all that I wanted for Christmas.  I wanted a Gameboy, I wanted a handful of games, and I wanted hours to play it.

I asked for it from everyone - my parents, grandparents, strangers on the street (okay maybe not this far) and of course the big man himself, Santa Claus.  I didn't care about any other gift.  Just the Gameboy.  And I did not wear it well.

In our family, we essentially had four Christmases.  Four gift opening opportunities.  On Christmas Eve, we would have dinner with my dad's family and open gifts there with that side.  After that dinner, we would always open gifts among the Keeler crew once we got back home and into pjs.  Then Christmas morning, we would open the gifts from Santa.  And Christmas lunch would be with my mom's family.  Four opportunities for gifts.

At Christmas Eve dinner, I was already starting to get antsy.  I tore through packages, sizing them up to determine which one might be the right size and shape to contain the precious Gameboy.  I remember that I even received a Gameboy game from an aunt and uncle.  Looking back on it now, this should have been a clue that all would be right with the world and the Gameboy would be coming, but my poor brain at the time did not register this.  I believe I responded at the time that it wouldn't do me any good because I didn't have a Gameboy.  Ugh, I cringe at that now.

One Christmas gift session down - no Gameboy.

When we got home, my parents of course had to talk to me about my behavior that evening, but sadly it still didn't register.  We got in our pjs and exchanged our family gifts.  Still no Gameboy.  I'm sure I pouted through that evening, spoiled brat that I was acting, as I had not received what I wanted yet.

It was hard to sleep that night.  The combination of excitement and want.  Nerves and general Christmas rush. But eventually I fell asleep.  I think I even dreamed about the Gameboy.  I know - it was bad that year.  After all, my best hope at this point was Santa Claus, or so I thought.

I awoke next morning with a package in my room, which was unusual.  Typically Santa's gifts were all in the living room around the tree.

I started unwrapping the gift and there it was.  The Gameboy box.  I tore into the box trying to get the system out to start playing it then and there, and found instead a surprise.  There was no Gameboy system inside.

Where the Gameboy should be lay a bundle of tiny switches, tied together neatly with a red string.  That image is forever burned into my memory.   Given the size, they weren't really switches, just little twigs tied together, but I knew what they represented.

I stood there a little dumbstruck for a few minutes.  "Santa gave me switches?."  Then it started to sink in - "oh, Santa gave me switches."  I knew where I fell on the nice/naughty list.

I had to go out and show the rest of the family what Santa had left me.  My parents relayed a message from Santa regarding my behavior and attitude towards receiving.  And finally gave me the gift I had been waiting for, the one I expected to be in the box.

Here's the thing, I know I enjoyed the Gameboy.  I can remember the handful of games I played on that device and I remember getting other family members hooked on the games, like how my mom got addicted to Tetris.  But that memory pales in comparison to the one of opening the box and seeing the switches.  And I know what lesson that taught me about the spirit of receiving and how it changed my attitude towards gifts and Christmas from then on.

I try to remember that as a parent, now, with a little girl in particular who is getting a little caught up in the getting part of the season.  She's a little too young now to truly understand, but you better believe I'm ready to relay that same kind of lesson if need be.  I've even got a little coal bag ready to replace a stocking should the need arise.

After all, it might not be the most appreciated gift at the time, but it might end up being the most memorable.

Yes, Virginia, We Still Believe in a Male Santa Claus

"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damn lies, and statistics."

Another of the Christmas controversies this year has been the uproar over a report on a survey that seemed to indicate people wanted a gender-neutral Santa Claus.  The study from a company called GraphicSprings, got the input of 400 people from the United States and United Kingdom for suggestions on how to modernize St. Nick.  They then used those results to poll 4,000 people on how they would envision the jolly elf.   It was then reported that the results showed 19 percent of people in the United States believe the Man with the Bag should be identified as gender neutral, more than 10 percent indicating he should be female.  Eighteen percent want the Fat Man to be wearing skinny jeans.  From there, respondents indicated their preference on his appearance, his method of transportation, and his other accessories.

And of course, predictably, the internet lost its mind.  It became the latest clickbait controversy and took off like wildfire.

Unsurprisingly, the "study" that supports these findings is junk.

To begin with, the study was conducted by a biased company.  GraphicSpring is a graphics company, primarily in logo design, who was looking specifically to change the image of Santa Claus.  They were going into the survey with the purpose of generating a newsworthy item, to draw attention to their company.  The survey was designed to highlight items that are polarizing in the "culture wars" - the outraged outcome was exactly the intent.  After all, look at the reporting.  No one is reporting that 70.79 percent of respondents believe that Santa Claus should be male or the other 60-70 percent populations that voted for no changes in any other category.  The news items focus on the 19% that supposedly want a radical change; a change that would be controversial.  It's a tactic designed to focus you to the controversial, to make you pick a side.

It's the same tactic used in news stories that proclaim that feminists want to end Father's Day or that men giving women CPR is sexual assault.  Real "fake" news; the kind designed to elicit a certain guaranteed response.

It should also be noted that participants did not come up with the idea to make Santa gender neutral themselves.  They were not asked the open question of "what would you do to modernize Santa?."  They were fed gender neutral as one possible answer.  A tactic that real studies avoid.

There's also an issue on the reporting of their numbers.  They indicated 4,000 people participated in the polling.  If you look, it appears that four sets of approximately 1,000 people participated on each of the sections of topics.  That could be 4,000 total unique individuals from the combined search sections, or some much smaller population just over 1,000 people accounted for four times.  They have not provided any transparency into the process. Likewise, we know no demographics, just that they are from the Untied States and the United Kingdom and between 18 and 65 years of age.  That could be a mix of all 18 year olds with one 65 year old.  It could also mean that they were all 20 years old, or all 60 years old.  We have no gender demographics, nor identity demographics.  We have no geographic breakdown.  There's a complete lack of the supporting information that would allow us to determine if this type of study was representative of a larger population.

And even still, even through that skewed process, the vast majority of voters still selected the attributes that would hew closest to a traditional Santa Claus.

A tempest wrapped in tinsel.

So, Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, and he will continue to be so for the foreseeable future.

Third Sunday of Advent - Joy to the World

On the third Sunday of advent, we celebrate the joy of the coming Savior.  This is Gaudete Sunday - Gaudete in Domino semper; Rejoice in the Lord Always.  The exceeding great joy of knowing that you are unconditionally loved by the Father and that nothing - not sickness, failure, emotional distress, oppression, war, or even death - can take that love away.

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice.  Let your forbearance be known to all, for the Lord is near at hand; have no anxiety about anything, but in all things, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God.  Lord, you have blessed your land; you have turned away the captivity of Jacob."

Phillipians 4:4-6; Psalm 85:1

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

Luke 2:8-14

When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Matthew 2:10-11

May this be a Sunday of exceeding great joy for you and yours and may the joy of this season carry you forward in your days to come.

My Favorite Things - Top 10 Places to Spend Christmas

A list of combined favorites this time, with a list of my favorite places to spend Christmas.  Over the past several years, we've becoming increasing fond of giving experiences instead of gifts.  We have all that we need and most of what we want.  And while the joy of giving and receiving gifts is still there, we really appreciate most being together over the holidays and seeking out new experiences.  Accordingly, this list includes several holiday locations that we have visited and a few that are on the top of our lists.

• Home with Family - They say there's no place like home for the holidays and they are quite true.  There is still something magical about being in Buna or in Winnsboro over the holidays.  I am very thankful we are able to travel and to spend as much time in these places as we do.
• New York City - New York is a magical city at Christmas.  The tree in Rockefeller Center.  Ice skating beneath it.  The potential for snow in Central Park. Macy's and the official Santa Claus.  Window decorations on Fifth Avenue.  And the Rockettes.  Plus all that makes New York such a vibrant city.  This was a favorite Christmas in the past and we are looking forward to doing it again.
• Rocky Mountains - There is something magical about snow at Christmas.  The mountains and skiing, sledding, and sleighing.  A warm fireplace in the cabin.  While our first experience here was not as enjoyable as it could have been thanks to extreme jet lag and altitude sickness, we hope to try this again in the future.
• Smoky Mountains - This has a lot of the same benefits of the Rocky Mountains, but has a more down home, country feel.  With everything we saw at Thanksgiving in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, this would make a wonderful place to spend Christmas.
• Disneyland - Few places do holiday celebrations like Disney.  The Christmas Parade and Fireworks.  The ride overlays.  Decorations everywhere.  The Candlelight Processional.  The abundance of holiday foods.  We've done both coasts during the holiday season and have enjoyed them both.  It's crowded, but it can be an amazing experience even if just to focus on the specific holiday offerings.
• New Orleans - The food and the music really make this special.  Reveillon dinners and caroling in Jackson Square. Christmas Fest in the convention center. Bonfires on the levees for Papa Noel.  The Celebration in the Oaks.  Again a place we are ready to try again.
• San Antonio - San Antonio is probably the most beautiful place in Texas at Christmas.  The lights on the Riverwalk and the Holiday River Parade.  The Holiday Night Market.  The Alamo Lights.  The Fiesta de Navidad with La Pastorela Folklorica and La Gran Posada.  Well worth experiencing.
• Bed and Breakfast in Connecticut/Vermont - This is an experience we want simply to recreate a holiday movie.  To capture that spirit of Christmas in Connecticut, Holiday Inn, or White Christmas.  Head to the northeast and hope for snow.
• Hawaii - We're hoping for a Mele Kalikimaka one year.  A tropical holiday for a change of scenery.  Beautiful poinsettias in bloom.  Christmas Luau.  Something different and something very fun.
• Hershey, PA - What could be better than Christmas in a town that smells like chocolate?  Christmas activities in the theme park, decorations around the town.  A light trail.  Lots and lots of chocolate.  Sounds sweet.

What are your favorite places to spend Christmas?  What would you add to this list?

The Ghost of Christmas Present

"Come in and know me better, man"

Tonight, I will be watching Dallas Theater Center's annual presentation of A Christmas Carol with Jamie and her students.  Jamie always raves about this production, and I'm glad to finally get to see it.

A Christmas Carol is a story that gets a lot of play in our house during this time of year.  We have the recent Jim Carrey motion capture version that Jamie uses in class, as it is one of the most faithful adaptations.  We watch Mickey's Christmas Carol for Scrooge McDuck (lovingly homaged in this year's Ducktales Christmas episode).  We watch the derivations of the story, like Rod Serling's haunting Carol for Another Christmas.  And of course, we watch the best adaptation of them all - Muppet Christmas Carol.  I'm not joking on that last part.  Michael Caine has to be one of the best Ebeneezer Scrooge's ever because he plays the role with such sincerity.  The perfect straight-man while surrounded by Muppets.

Of late, the Ghost of Christmas Present has become a fascinating figure to me.  A Father Christmas like figure.  A giant of a man - a symbol of plenty.  A cornucopia for a torch and a bountiful feast before him.  And through his journey he shows Scrooge the abundance of the celebration, even for those of meager means.

I also love the detail of him carrying an empty scabbard.  A symbol of the message the angels brought for this time of year, "on Earth peace, goodwill toward men."  The sword is not needed, the Savior is here.

The spirit also serves as a reminder to us of the fleeting nature of the present.  He exists only for the season and each year, a new brother is born.  In Dickens' text, it seems he lives for the Twelve Days of Christmas, as he disappears on the stroke of midnight on Twelfth Night, the eve of Epiphany or Three Kings' Day.  He is a reminder for us to "be present."  The spirit is merry because of his focus on the celebration of the night.  Unburdened by the mistakes of the past or the worries of the future, the Ghost of Christmas Present can enjoy the merriment of the season.  He can spread his light and warmth from his torch as he travels.

That is not to say that this spirit ignores the realities that many face over the holidays.  He shows Scrooge scenes of deprivation as well as plenty. And it is this spirit that gives Scrooge perhaps the most pressing warnings.  Warnings that all would do well to heed.

Toward the end of his visit, the spirit reveals to Scrooge two emaciated children, a boy and a girl, clinging to his robes. Ignorance and Want.  The boy is Ignorance and the girl is Want.  They are man's children.  "Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom unless the writing be erased."

The ills of Want are quite apparent.  Want represents the need we see all around us.  Homelessness, hunger, poverty, and neglect.  All social ills that we recognize and prioritize trying to address.  "Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives."  Titus 3:14  We do so, because we recognize the dark ends that Want leads to.  Disease, abuse, suffering, desperation, and death.  All ends we would seek to avoid.

The ills of Ignorance are less obvious, but far more dangerous.  Ignorance prolongs and worsens Want.  For Ignorance keeps us in fear: we fear what we do not know and understand.  It is ignorance that prolongs racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, religious intolerance, and hate.  For it is much easier to hate that which you do not know or understand.   It is Ignorance that looks at someone who is begging and assumes that they have not even tried to look for a job.  It is Ignorance that assumes that same person would just spend any money on alcohol or drugs.

And it is Ignorance that we first must tackle so that we can address Want.   "Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way."  Proverbs 19:2  That is the warning of the Ghost of Christmas Present.  Why Ignorance is to be feared more.  For it is Ignorance that will bring our doom, unless it is changed.

We see this through the character of Scrooge himself.  The first thing that is changed through his travels with the spirits is his ignorance to the world around him.  Through his travels, he becomes aware of the joys and the sorrows that surround him, breaking through his narcissism and myopic greed.  Through the removal of his ignorance, his heart can be changed.  And from that, he can be moved to address the wants that are all around him.  The want of the Cratchit family for basic provisions.  Tiny Tim's want for nourishment to help heal him.  Fred's want for family connection.

May we all be present this Christmas season.  Aware of those around us and open to their needs.  May we not let ignorance lead us, but may we seek to address want where it is found and meet it. May we share our abundance and bounty with those around us.  May we embody the peace of the season and may we rejoice in it.  And may we never forget the reason for Christmas past, present, and future.

Come, let's know Him better.

Holiday Parties - Why I Love My Work and Why I Love My Church

This week has marked the start of the holiday party season for the Keeler household.  On Tuesday evening, Jamie had her annual Christmas Cast Party (the first year it has not been at our apartment).  This evening, we will be attending the annual Level 2 Legal Solutions Holiday party in Richardson.  This Sunday evening, we will have the privilege of attending the Volunteer Appreciation dinner at Stonepoint Church in Wills Point.  Both are events we look forward to all year long. 

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The Level 2 Legal Solutions Holiday Dinner is truly one of the things that I love about my work and one of the things that really sets us apart from other companies in our field.  Every year, our company gives back to its employees with a great dinner, door prizes, games, gifts, and a truly enjoyable evening.  We'll close the office early and head out to dinner, with a drinks and plenty of opportunity to socialize.  Everyone is there from the CEO to the newest reviewers. 

For years, the dinner used to be held in Wills Point at Four Winds Steakhouse.  The one night of the year my drive actually worked to my advantage.  One benefit, I suppose, of having a four star steakhouse in your town half-way between the offices.  We would bus all the reviewers out to Wills Point and back again.  Last year, we finally moved the party up to Richardson, allowing an earlier end for everyone involved.

The dinner was also an opportunity for us to announce the recipients of the L2L Charitable Giving Grant Awards.  Each year (and now multiple times a year), we ask the employees to nominate charities that are important to them for the opportunity for a grant for that organization.  This is the fifth year of that program, I believe.

The dinner can be very difficult to schedule.  We never know exactly how many people will be working on projects at the time, especially as far in advance as many locations need to know, so it takes a lot of coordination and preparation to pull it off as well as we do.  It is noticed and very appreciated by our workforce.

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The Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at Stonepoint is an opportunity for the staff of Stonepoint to say thank you to the many volunteers that help keep Stonepoint serving.  They provide the meal and serve the many volunteers and provide the evenings entertainment.  It's a night of games with prizes and consequences (our church is a big believer in consequences), with a few surprises along the way. 

This will be Jamie and my third Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.  It's a gesture that truly reflects the hearts of those on the staff of the church and their care for its members.  A reminder that the Church is not the pastor, not the staff - it's the members of the body.  This is just one of the many reasons Why I Love My Church.

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I hope you and yours have many opportunities to get together with the various groups that make your lives great.  From family, to friends, to church family, to co-workers.  To enjoy this season and to look forward to greater things ahead.

If I Were Disney CEO Part 31 - ESPN Films and National Geographic Films

ESPN was "one of the best acquisitions maybe of that whole century."

Michael Eisner, former Disney CEO

"National Geographic is another tremendous brand built on quality, one that has global reach and cross-generational appeal. We also like that its values are vital and relevant to a planet facing environmental challenge.  Our goal is to support Nat Geo's expansion around the world and provide the additional resources required to position the brand as another major provider of content.  And we see numerous other exciting opportunities for this brand across our entire company, including in the ecotourism space."

Bob Iger, Disney CEO

I've decided to group the last two studios in Disney's studio entertainment portfolio into one blog entry, largely because they represent similar niches for Disney.  Both have been primarily broadcast and documentary studios.  Both reflect genres of content that Disney has successfully offered in the past.  And both reflect stronger brands for their chosen niche than Disney itself.  ESPN Films and National Geographic Films.  I'll discuss ESPN first, then National Geographic.

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ESPN
Created in March 2008, ESPN Films produces films covering sports-related stories, including the critically acclaimed 30 for 30 and Nine for IX series, and SEC Storied.  ESPN Films has also produced television films related to sports stories and has produced the Queen of Katwe feature film with Walt Disney Pictures.

True life sports films have a strong connection with Walt Disney Pictures, particularly over the past few decades. Cool Runnings, Remember the Titans, Miracle, Glory Road, The Greatest Game Ever Played, Invincible, Million Dollar Arm, and Queen of Katwe all have carried the Disney banner.  They generally have fit into the family friendly entertainment model of Disney and most often represent stories of great triumph, of the good guys/the hero winning.  Sports films, however, do not neatly fit into the categories outlined for live-action Walt Disney Pictures (beyond the generic past category), and would be better served by a studio with a sharper focus on sports stories and greater brand recognition with sports enthusiasts.

I would expand the current ESPN Films division into a full-fledged theatrical release studio, focusing on dramatizations of the true-life sports stories, told by the artists at the top of their game.

Primary Goals for the Division:

• Identify a Leader - The film division will need someone to guide it.  It's Kevin Feige, Brian Henson, Kathleen Kennedy.   Some kind of story trust to ensure a certain level of quality product.  This should be the first priority.
• Look Broadly for Stories - There are a lot of untold sports stories.  Lists the these two could prove useful in identifying places to start.  Likewise, many of the stories told in the 30 for 30 series could prove to be great feature material.  The Black List has great sports scripts including The Prospect, a film about Michael Jordan's year in baseball as he dealt with his father's passing.  The division could even get into costume dramas with something like Marathon, regarding the first running of the 26.2 miles and inspiration for the races.  The possibilities are limited only by the desire to dig for them.
• Experiment with Artists -  Further, this should be a division where the artists are brought in from from a variety of different backgrounds.  I would love to see what Alfonso Curon or Joe Wright could do with a sports film.  What kind of sports movie is Quentin Tarantino itching to tell?  Just as this should be a place for a wide variety of sport types, this should also be the place for a uniqueness in the storytelling.
• Maintain the Quality Documentaries and Move Them Into Theatrical Releases - The addition of feature films should in no way come at the expense of the documentaries.  The documentaries are working well and I'd like to highlight them and release them for Academy consideration.  Documentary filmmaking should remain a cornerstone of both of these film divisions.
• Expand the ESPN Sound Into a Fanfare - The feature film division will need a title card and fanfare.  For brand strength, the sound of ESPN heard in all the broadcasts should be expanded to a fanfare for the feature film introduction.  It's something that can be played with as the Walt Disney Theatrical card is, but it should be upfront and generally, instantly recognizable.
• Use the 30 for 30 Short Films as Paired Shorts With the Feature - ESPN Films already has a thriving short film division, creating 30 for 30 shorts focusing on a specific point of view of the filmmaker in a more flexible format.  These could be paired with the feature to great affect, perhaps highlighting a different point of view or aspect of the events portrayed in the feature film.

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National Geographic
National Geographic Films is likewise the film subsidiary of the National Geographic Society.  It has been producing documentaries since 2002, including the Academy Award winning March of the Penguins.  Through the acquisition of 20th Century Fox, Disney will own National Geographic Partners, the joint media venture which publishes the magazine, and produces its film and television offerings.

The Disney Company has a strong history of animal and nature films dating all the way back to Walt's True Life Adventures showed as theatrical shorts and aired as part of the Disneyland and Wonderful World of Color television programs.  Disney further started an indpendent film unit for nature documentaries following the success of March of the Penguins.  Disneynature was announced on April 21, 2008 and has released twelve films so far, with two in development.

While Disneynature has enjoyed a modest success, it is clear that National Geographic is the stronger of the two brands.  For that reason, I would suspend the Disneynature line and fold all properties into the National Geographic Film division.

Primary Goals for the Division:

• Maintain Leadership with Jean-Francois Camilleri - Jean-Francois Camilleri is the current head of Disneynature and senior vice president and general manager of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures France.  Through his leadership, Disneynature has had a consistent vision and direction and he would provide needed stability in the reorganization.
• Focus Squarely on Documentaries - This is not a division for dramatizations, with very limited exception.  Old Yeller or Homeward Bound would cheapen the National Geographic banner.  The only limited exception that I could envision would be historic dramas based on true life exploration and expeditions.  The discovery of King Tuts tomb, the discovery of the Titanic by Robert Ballard, a biography of Jane Goodall, etc.  This type of film should be developed only in limited circumstances though.
• Make Use of the Iconic Bernstein Theme - Again, an iconic theme and image that should not be wasted.  
• Utilize the True-Life Adventure Banner for Short Films - Pair the National Geographic documentaries with a True-Life Adventure short film, complete with Disney's iconic imagery of the globe and compass.
• Continue to Explore the Vast Regions of the Globe - Disneynature films have so far covered the continents and oceans.  The beauty of the National Geographic brand is that it also expands the studio to cover more than just animals and nature.  It can cover civilizations, discoveries, exploration, and preservation.  Such films should continue to keep a global vision and reach.
• Strengthen the Charitable and Conservation Partnerships with Each Film - Each of the Disneynature films has had a specific conservation charity partner that has benefited from the success of the film.  African Cats benefited the African Wildlife Foundation, Chimpanzee benefited the Jane Goodall Institute, and so on.  This program should be continued and strengthened through the National Geographic brand.

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With those two final studios, I feel this places Disney Studio Entertainment in wonderful position to release a truly diverse film slate that will reach across age groups, genres, and platforms.  It creates a specific niche for each studio and presents a specific type of experience at the theater for any Disney studio film.

As always, thank you for sticking through this series.  Next week, a Christmas bonus entry.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

One of the more repetitive themes of this Christmas has been the controversy surrounding the song Baby It's Cold Outside, particularly picking up after Cleveland radio station WDOK banned the song from the airwaves this year.  Canada's CBC Radio also followed in the ban.  In the couple of weeks since the ban was initiated, much has been written and ranted about, seeing this as part of the "War on Christmas" or an overreach by the "feminist/#MeToo movement."

The song as originally written by Frank Loesser in 1944 as a duet for he and his wife as a party trick, often used to signify to guests that it was time to leave.  On the printed score, the lyrics are written for two parties, a "Mouse" and a "Wolf", not specifying the gender of either party.  The song went on to be included in the Esther Williams film Neptune's Daughter, for which it won the Oscar in 1949 as Best Original Song.

It's an odd song for Christmas for a couple of reasons.  First, it's not really a Christmas song, but a winter song.  It has nothing to do with Christmas and has no mention of any of the celebrations.  Further, the song's premier in Neptune's Daughter did not even have any connection to winter in the context of the scene.  The only indications we have for winter are lyrics that indicate that it is cold outside and there's a blizzard.  The song could really be performed from November through February with no problem.  It's just developed a connection to Christmas through various Christmas albums. 

Secondly, the song has an interesting history, as it virtually dropped off the map from the 1972 until 1990.  The song had a strong resurgence post-2003 thanks to the movie Elf and the duet between Zoe Deschanel and Leon Redbone/Will Farrell.  Without that boost, we may not even be having this discussion today.

The beauty (and current concern) of the song lies in the flexibility of the lyrics, which enables it to present a few different scenarios.  It can definitely been heard as a willing Mouse looking to overcome societal expectation and enjoy a wonderful consensual night of fun with the Wolf.  It can also be heard to represent a pushy/persistent/determined Wolf breaking through any resistance the Mouse can offer.

If you look at the first version the public heard and saw in Neptune's Daughter (my favorite), it becomes easy to see how it can be interpreted both ways. When it is performed with a female "Mouse" and a male "Wolf" (Esther Williams and Ricardo Montalban), the song is understood as supporters believe. Williams clearly wants to stay.  "I wish I knew how to break the spell.  I ought to say no, no, no sir.  At least I'm going to say that I tried."  These lyrics in particular convey the struggle between societal expectation and inward desire.  Montalban is trying to give her every justification to do so, reaching for the most ludicrous of pretenses, as they are singing the song in the middle of summer.  It's cold outside indeed.

Neptune's Daughter then cleverly reverses the genders in the song, with a a male "Mouse" and female "Wolf" (Red Skelton and Betty Garrett).  In this scenario, Skelton is clearly trying everything to leave and Garrett is doing everything in her power to make him stay. Though it's played for comedy, the same words are used to convey both meanings effectively. 

Beyond the overall effect presented in this second scenario, there are two large problem stanzas for modern audiences that are continually raised.  First, there is the "what's in this drink" line.  This is one where context is important.  "What's in this drink" is a old movie line from the 1930s that means "I'm telling the truth."  It's used as a gag, where the person will do something out of the ordinary from their expected character and blame it on the drink.  The joke is that there is usually nothing in the drink.  The second stanza of contention is "The answer is no" line. Again a product of its time but nonetheless a big problem in the "verbal affirmative yes" culture.

And therein likely lies the biggest problem the song faces.  Without an understanding of history and culture, the song will likely be viewed as more and more of a problem.  Without the people who can spot the references and understand them, it will likely just be seen as that date-rapey song, as I've seen so often in comments. 

While you can, do yourself a favor and check out Neptune's Daughter.  And if the song's a favorite, continue to give it a listen. 

Beyond Tomorrow

I believe ... that the soul of man is immortal and will be treated with justice in another life, respecting its conduct in this.

Benjamin Franklin

One of the joys of Christmas is discovering a new Christmas movie.  We watch many different types of Christmas movies throughout the season, ranging from classic era TCM-inspired favorites to modern classics to hallmark/Lifetime repetitive plot trifles.  Yesterday, we watched a couple from TCM that are not part of our normal rotation:  The Man Who Came To Dinner and Beyond Tomorrow.  The Man Who Came To Dinner is a fun comedy with razor sharp wit and a holiday setting.  Beyond Tomorrow is a fantasy melodrama in the vein of It's a Wonderful Life.  Of the two, Beyond Tomorrow has a couple of great themes that I would like to explore.

Filled with wonderful character actors like Harry Carey and C. Aubrey Smith, the film centers on the a trio of rich but lonely heads of an engineering firm who invite three strangers to dinner on Christmas Eve through an interesting test.  Only two show up, James and Jean, who fall in love and become friends with their three benefactors.  After a tragedy befalls the group, the film seeks to show whether true love can triumph over all (with a little assistance that is).

One of the more interesting themes in the film is regarding purity of heart.  The film opens with the quote above from Benjamin Franklin on a title card.  For the Christmas dinner, the three older gentlemen were originally preparing to have dinner with more prestigious guests, who cancel at the last minute.  One of the engineers, George Melton, is convinced the cancellation is because of his dark past.  The darkness in his past and soul runs through the movie and provides him with one of the most intriguing quotes in the movie.

To be born innocent is natural, but to die pure of heart, that's a gift.

George Melton, Beyond Tomorrow

George says this to James, the cowboy from Texas.  You can see George admires James' youth, his morality, his naivety, in many ways.  His lack of corruption.  George may be cynical and remains wary as the events unfold, but his hope is for James and for Jean to remain unchanged.

Purity is something I think we often dismiss. With the world as it is how can we expect anyone to remain pure.  We're too cynical, too jaded, too worn to believe that we or anyone else could maintain it, and when we find it, we often label those who possess it simple, naive, or sheltered (as if those were always bad things to be).

I think we also focus far too much on sex and sexuality when we discuss purity, for it goes far beyond that.  Purity goes to one's very essence - to purity of heart and thought. "Blessed are the pure in heart: they shall see God."  The Greek word used for pure here is katharos, meaning clean, blameless, unstained.  It can refer specifically to that which is purified by fire or by pruning.  A pure heart has no hypocrisy, no guile, no hidden motives.  It is child like in its innocence.

But sadly, we are destined to become stained, to become dirty.  One constant view across the denominations is that man is inherently sinful - man will inherently make himself impure.  We need an external force to make us pure again.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10

It's fitting through a Christmas film to have a reminder of why the Savior needed to come at all.  Of why the whole pageantry was assembled in the first place.  Without the child in the manger, there would be no way to die pure of heart.  That gift would be unavailable.  But through the child, who would become the pure and spotless Lamb, whose internal purity would allow Him to pay the penalty required for impurity, He allowed us to be purified.  

Now that purification may come through fire or pruning.  It may not be a pleasant experience to work through.  But just as a vine must be pruned to be healthy, and gold must be melted to remove the imperfections, so to must our lives be inspected and revised to make us pure and blameless before Him.  To remove the corruption, the cynicism, the guilt, the shame, the wear, the tear, and the decay.  And to restore our joy.  Exceeding great joy.  To allow us to see the world fresh through His eyes.

Lord, create in me a pure heart, and restore the exceeding great joy of this season.  May we all seek that gift, to live a life pure in heart for the rest of our days.

Second Sunday of Advent - O Come, O Come Emanuel

Today marks the second Sunday of Advent.  A time that used to reflect on the preparations made for the arrival of the Messiah.  Of the birth of John the Baptist, he who would prepare a way for the Lord.

A voice of one calling:
"In the wilderness prepare 
the way for the Lord;
make straight in the desert 
a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up, 
every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
the rugged places a plain.
And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
and all people will see it together.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken."

Isaiah 40:3-5

Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel who alone does marvelous deeds.

Psalm 72:18

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.”

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Luke 1:26-38

I've always loved the comparison in the miracles of the birth of John and of Jesus.  Though they are not of the same level, through them we see the breadth of the work of God - to bring forth life from the dead and to bring forth life from nothingness. To restore and rejuvenate, as well as to completely create from new.  A beautiful reminder that no matter where we may be in our lives, God can prepare a way.

My Favorite Things - Top 10 Favorite Christmas Hymns

Continuing from yesterday's post on favorite Christmas carols, I turn now to my favorite Christmas hymns.  As with the carols, the list is a little more expansive than traditional Christmas hymns and encompasses my favorite religious music of the seasons.  It touches on a lot of styles and types of artists, reflecting generally my fairly eclectic tastes in music.

With that stated, here is my list of top 10 favorite Christmas hymns, in no particular order.

• I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day by Casting Crowns - a great update of the classic song.  The minor key and the echo really help sell the message of the song.
• O Holy Night by David Phelps - One of the greatest male vocalists singing the most challenging Christmas hymn.  The C#5 at the end at full voice is one of the most impressive vocal performances I've heard.  I've seen him do this song live, followed by No More Night, and am continually astounded by his voice.
• The Little Drummer Boy by Bing Crosby and David Bowie - A great reworking of The Little Drummer Boy with the Peace on Earth counterpoint.  I'm a sucker for counterpoint and love this old and new arrangement.
• Joseph's Lullaby by MercyMe - It's amazing how your perspective on Christmas changes when you are a parent, and this is a prime example.  This song more than any other gets into Joseph's head for me in a way that humbles and comforts me.  The line "Lord I ask that He, in just this moment, simply be my child." has completely flipped the Christmas story for me, in a good way.  A beautiful song and a beautiful message.
• How Many Kings by Downhere - A song I've come around to and have really grown to appreciate.  A wonderful reminder of what the true gift of Christmas is and why we have reason to celebrate.  Plus, there is incredible lyric work in this song, particularly in the "Gold for His honor, and frankincense for His pleasure, and myrrh for the cross He'll suffer" section.
• Joy To The World (Unspeakable Joy) by Chris Tomlin - A great driving and upbeat Joy to the World.  The Unspeakable Joy chorus is a nice addition to the traditional hymn, providing a great opportunity for the expansion of harmony and the sound.  Now if only to add the course from Three Dog Night and it would be perfect.
• Glory to God in the Highest by the Old Friend Quartet - a classic gospel quartet song backed by the best in gospel music via the Gaither choir.  The breakout section varying the chorus is amazing and an amazing true bass in the late George Younce.
• All is Well by Voctave - this is such a simple song, but so beautiful. I've sang this as a solo before and the simple melody is so haunting and perfect to capture the message of the angels that night.  Voctave simply is one of the best a cappella groups in existence.   Exquisite arrangements, unearthly sopranos.  Many of these vocalists are part of the Voices of Liberty at Epcot at Disney World and they bring their beautiful talents to a great variety of songs in Voctave.
• Peace on Earth/Silent Night by Dean Martin - as I said before, I'm a sucker for counterpoint and this is a beautiful variation.  The Peace on Earth melody overlaid on Silent Night enriches both songs.  Originally written for Lady in the Tramp, Dean Martin performs the definitive version.
• Ave Maria by Leslie Odom, Jr. -  I have always loved the melody of this song and Leslie Odom, Jr.'s version is simply beautiful.  Pure voice with the simplest of accompaniment.  He makes this look effortless and it is so appreciated.

What are your favorite Christmas hymns?  Have I overlooked any?

My Favorite Things - Top 10 Favorite Christmas Carols

I'm moving up My Favorite Things a day, as I need two days  for this weeks lists.  Today and tomorrow will be a two part list that need to be presented together, as I start to present my favorite Christmas music.

This is such a daunting challenge that there will be two lists - one today for favorite Christmas carols and one tomorrow for favorite Christmas hymns.  Both lists will be a little more expansive so as Christmas carols will cover my favorite non-religious Christmas music and hymns will cover my favorite religious Christmas music.  And as before with favorite music, I'm going to point you to a specific artist and version.

With that in mind, here's my list of Top 10 Favorite Christmas Carols, in no particular order.

• Winter Wonderland by Jason Mraz - Jason Mraz has the funnest version of this song.  Very simply scored, with lots of fun shout-outs in the background.  It will put a smile on your face.
• Happy Xmas (War is Over) by Maroon 5 - I love this song and Adam Levine presents a very stripped down version that can truly sell the lyrics and message of the song.  The combination of his voice and the piano is really all the song needs.  And I'm of the opinion stripping the children's choir out of the background at the end is a real benefit.
• Jingle Bells by Michael Buble with the Puppini Sisters - this is another Christmas classic that is just put into a very fun arrangement.  From the "Ready Mr. Buble" banter at the beginning to the Puppini Sisters showcasing their best Andrews' Sisters, this to me is the definitive Jingle Bells.
• White Christmas by The Drifters - This is my favorite version of White Christmas.  Bing Crosby may be iconic, but this is the most fun to listen to and sing.  Otis Redding's does come a close second, though.
• The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole - The icon for a good reason.  No one has come close yet to the smooth, pure sound of Nat King Cole's voice. This is one that makes Christmas when it is played.
• Feliz Navidad by David Crowder Band - Feliz Navidad as interpreted on a Casio electric keyboard.  I'm a huge fan of David Crowder and this is a prime example of why.
• (It Must Have Been Ol') Santa Claus by Harry Connick, Jr. - Harry Connick's New Orleans jazz addition to Christmas music.  Just a great, funky beat and a great, great band.
• Please Come Home for Christmas by The Eagles -  A great song, not just a great Christmas song.  From the octave bell tones at the beginning to the end, this is the Christmas blues song (sorry Elvis).  And while Charles Brown's original is good, the Eagles own this song.
• All I Want For Christmas is You by Idina Mendzel - one of the greatest modern additions to the Christmas genre interpreted by one of Broadway's best.  This to me edges out Mariah Carey's version with the ending.
• I Believe in Santa Claus by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers - it was hard to decide between this and With Bells On, but I Believe in Santa Claus won out because of the message.  I'm still convinced Once Upon a Christmas by Dolly and Kenny is one of, if not the greatest Christmas album of all time, and this is my favorite song on that recording.  I may be a little biased based on years of listening to this as a kid in a I Believe in Santa Claus sweatshirt, but I'm sticking to it.

Bonus - I didn't include it on the list as it's a December song not a Christmas song, but What Are You Doing New Years Eve? is quickly rising up my list, particularly as interpreted by Seth McFarlane. I'm not a fan of his style of humor, but his voice is such a perfect throwback.

That's my list.  What are your favorite Christmas songs?  Are there any underappreciated gems that you love?

Tomorrow - favorite hymns.

A Christmas Present - Snowball Fights Now Legal in Severance, Colorado

And for a positive and uplifting story for the season - nine-year-old Dane Best was able to successfully lobby his town board of Severance, Colorado to overturn a century-old ban on snowball fights.

Apparently, it had been illegal to throw a snowball within the city limits, part of a larger ordinance that made it illegal to throw or shoot stones or missiles at people, animals, buildings, trees, any other public or private property, or vehicles. Snowballs apparently somehow fell under the town's definition of "missiles," because of course they would.  Dane found out about the law a month and a half ago.  It was a well known law in town.  According to the town administrator, Kyle Rietkerk, officials have been trying to get an elementary schooler interested in repealing that part of the ordinance's language for about four years.  "All of the kids always get blown away that it's illegal to have snowball fights in Severance.  So, what ends up happening is they always encourage the kids with, 'You have the power you can change the law.'  No one has."

Until Dane.  Dane got his class at Range View Elementary to write letters in support of the change to the ordinance and has been researching other city ordinances.  At the town board meeting, he presented a list of reasons why the Severance Town Board should repeal  the ordinance.  "I think it's an outdated law.  I want to be able to throw a snowball without getting in trouble."

I love this story.  It's a great highlight of the power to change the laws, especially showing a child's introduction to the civic process.

It also acts as a highlight of the crazy ordinances we have across the country.  Like it's illegal to play dominoes on Sunday in Alabama.

What's your favorite crazy law?

If I Were Disney CEO Part 30 - 20th Century Fox

"Combining the 21CF businesses with Disney and establishing new 'Fox' will unlock significant value for our shareholders.  We are grateful to our shareholders for approving this transaction.  I want to thank all of our executives and colleagues for their enormous contributions in building 21st Century Fox over the past decades.  With their help, we expect the enlarged Disney and new 'Fox' companies will be pre-eminent in the entertainment and media industries."

Rupert Murdoch, Executive Chairman, 21st Century Fox

"We're incredibly pleased that shareholders of both companies have granted approval for us to move forward, and are confident in our ability to create significant long-term value through this acquisition of Fox's premier assets.  We remain grateful to Rupert Murdoch and to the rest of the 21st Century Fox board for entrusting us with the future of these extraordinary businesses, and look forward to welcoming 21st Century Fox's stellar talent to Disney and ultimately integrating our businesses to provide consumers around the world with more appealing content and entertainment options."

Robert Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company

Disney's most recent acquisition is 20th Century Fox.  Still working its way through approvals, the acquisition looks to be completed early next year.  In this acquisition, Disney has obtained a compelling film library dating back to the earliest parts of the 20th century and including full rights to many other properties Disney already owned.  The greatest challenge is to determine what 20th Century Fox adds to the Disney studio organization beyond simply providing a home for R rated releases.

The goals for 20th Century Fox, then, center on creating a unique identity and purpose within the Disney organization.

Primary Goals for the Division:

• Move X-men and Fantastic Four related films to Marvel Studios - This will undoubtedly be part of the goal of the acquisition, but it should be stated.  X-men and Fantastic Four related films should be moved under the Marvel Studios banner.  This will require a slight reboot of the films, but that should not be a huge hurdle.  The Fantastic Four films would surely welcome it and they would make the perfect addition to MCU Phase 4.  X-men films will be the ones hurt most by a reboot, but there are various options there.  However they proceed, Ryan Reynolds can remain as Deadpool.  It would make sense that he would be able to recall a massive reboot, with his meta-awareness.
• Ignore the impulse to put the Fox fanfare back on Star Wars films - The other film series put back together with the Fox acquisition is Star Wars.  This gives Disney full access to all of the Star Wars films and could tempt some to put the 20th Century Fox opening and fanfare back at the beginning of the films.  I would resist this impulse and take the opportunity to fully cement the Lucasfilm brand, as discussed in the previous entry in this series.
• Identify the franchises for continuation and development - Beyond the Marvel related and Star Wars films, 20th Century Fox has a deep library with a few franchises that are worth continuing to explore.  Alien, Predator, Planet of the Apes, Avatar, and Kingsman are a few series that merit further exploration and further development.  Though these would be the exception to the key focus of the studio, there is worth to be gained through these properties.
• Embrace the R rating, but don't cater solely to it - The obvious fit for 20th Century Fox in the Disney family is to handle the films that are less than family friendly.  To house the R-rated pictures.  While this is an important niche and can mean the true end of the Hollywood Pictures, Buena Vista Motion Pictures, Miramax, Dimension Films, and Touchstone Films labels as necessary for that purpose, the 20th Century Fox film slate should not solely be composed of harder/R-rated films.  To do so would ignore the rich history of the studio and would prohibit recent successes like The Greatest Showman.  Like any other tool, the rating becomes an available resource, not a crutch.
• Identify directors for continued investment and relationship - The new post-acquisition 20th Century will be the perfect home for director driven films.  The other studios in the Disney family are either studio driven (Disney animation and live action, PIXAR, Muppets/Henson) or series driven (Marvel and Lucasfilm).  20th Century becomes a great home for standalone, director driven, auteur films.  For unique and offbeat pictures.  To that end, it would behoove the company to identify a list of directors they would like to work with on any of their projects.  Off the top of my head, I would be pushing for James Cameron, Wes Anderson, Tim Burton, Matthew Vaughn, Ridley Scott, Joe Wright, Edgar Wright, Guillermo del Toro, Patty Jenkins, and Quentin Tarantino.  If Steven Spielberg and Christopher Nolan were not so entrenched at Universal and Warner Brothers, respectively, I'd add them to the list.
• Mine the Black List for script potential - The Black List refers to an annual list of most liked screenplays that are not yet produced.   It would provide a great blueprint for intriguing films for a 20th Century film slate.  Beyond the ideas the directors above would bring themselves, this could provide another source of inspiration and direction. 
• Divest Blue Sky Animation - 20th Century Fox never had a great theatrical animation studio associated with it.  In the 1990s with the Disney Renaissance, 20th Century Fox had created Fox Family Films which became 20th Century Animation.  Today, Fox owns Blue Sky Animation for its animated film division.  Blue Sky is responsible for the Ice Age and Rio franchises as well as Robots, The Peanuts Movie, and the recent Ferdinand.  While Ice Age remains a lucrative animation franchise financially, Blue Sky represents the largest redundancy in the acquisition.  Disney has a plethora of animation resources currently and should divest Blue Sky Animation, while keeping the Ice Age film rights.  This would allow Disney potentially to develop further Ice Age films, while allowing Blue Sky to be sold to a film studio that needs animation resources.
• Distinguish 20th Century Fox and Searchlight - Of the Fox Studios, I would keep 20th Century and Searchlight.  Both have a certain brand cache associated with the names and a history and legacy worth preserving.  The issue would be distinguishing between the two.  Currently, Searchlight represents the independent, art-house, and foreign film division, while 20th Century represents the more mainstream, full-release division.  This division seems to work, though I would characterize it more as a plot-driven versus character-driven distinction.  Smaller, more-intimate character-driven films would seem to fit better with Searchlight, whereas the larger, plot-driven tentpoles would belong to 20th Century.
• Maintain the 20th Century name (not 21st Century) - I would keep the 20th Century Films name.  Perhaps it is just nostalgia, but 21st Century Fox just does not seem to have the same resonance.  I would seek to distinguish the studio from the New Fox that will be spinning out as an ongoing entity.  Were Disney acquiring all of the company this would not be as big of an issue, but since New Fox will exist with the broadcast television network, the sports network, and the news division, I am concerned about brand confusion between Disney's Fox studios and New Fox.  As a solution, I would propose reviving an old identity - 20th Century Pictures.  An indpendent film company in the 1930s that merged with Fox film, 20th Century Pictures would still have the familiar ring without the Fox connection.  Similarly Fox Searchlight Pictures could become simply Searchlight Pictures.  The logos still work, the fanfare still works, but the connection to Fox is removed.

Since this film studio would be more director and producer driven with a focus on unique, standalone film offerings, I do not have a suggested initial film slate for the studio.  Instead, I would simply look forward to the various ideas and unique stories that the directors would want to tell.  I would hope to creation a variation of the old studio-system within 20th Century, seeking to keep directors under this umbrella, looking to produce and release all film ideas that they have.  An exclusivity provision, if not a true studio system.

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As always, thank you for sticking with this series.  The next entry in the series is a new use for ESPN Films.