The Festivus Airing of Grievances

[Brandi Maxxxx]

A topic for all the Scrooges to discuss the annoyances that infect their TV viewing every December.

 

My complaint is about how the news media is expected to play along with all the festivity. This week Australia's The Project came under fire because somebody on it said Santa Claus isn't real. Apparently the news is supposed to perpetuate the myths people tell their children (in addition to the other myths). If you're worried about your children's innocence being ruined, you shouldn't be exposing them to all the fucked up things happening in the world via a news show. While The Project isn't supposed to be a 100% news show, it does cover a lot of topics that aren't child-friendly. But there's more to the story. The next day they responded to the controversy by having an interview with "Santa Claus". I'm sure that was a nice treat for all the kids who sat through the story about the CIA's use of torture, which included an interview with former Guantanamo Bay inmate David Hicks.

 

In short: We complain when the media treats us like children but we encourage it when Christmas is involved.

[HonestlyWTF]

My grievance is Fox News yearly rants about the "War on Christmas".

I found a video of Jon Stewart mocking it, but it turns out it's not available.

Edited December 11, 2014 by HonestlyWTF

[ganesh]

Commercials that use a commonly known xmas song but substitute their own lyrics to buy something. And I don't really like xmas songs. I just think it's cheap.

 

Commercials where one spouse buys the other a car and it's in the driveway with a bow on it. If my partner made a huge major purchase without consulting me, I'd pack my bags.

[annzeepark914]

The sappy Christmas theme movies.  I believe I could write a script for one of these sadsack-but-with-joyous-conclusion movies.  Wish they'd bring back that wonderful TV xmas movie The Gathering starring Ed Asner (both Part I and Part II).  It was realistic w/o being depressing (and filmed in a gorgeous, wintry location). So now I'm hunting for those old Fred Astaire/Bing Crosby holiday movies that used to be shown all the time on TV (because despite the silliness of their storylines, there's the fabulous dancing and music to enjoy). But must admit I've had my fill of "It's A Wonderful Life". 

 

So, bring out that aluminum pole...I'm ready for Festivus!

[ganesh]

I hate how there's seemingly only one version of xmas and that's the only way you can celebrate it. 

 

This probably goes without saying, but the consumerism is shameful and disgusting. 

[BabyVegas]

My grievance is Fox News yearly rants about the "War on Christmas".

This causes me endless rage. There is no war on Christmas, Faux News. Christmas is alive and well and eating every other holiday it can. It killed me when they said to kids "Jesus is white, kids. He just is." Weeeeelllllllll...actually Jesus was a Jew from the Middle East. Odds are that he looked like most of the Sephardim at my temple. And they aren't white.

I don't know why this bothers me more than usual at Christmas. Maybe it's because all of the movies seem to want me to feel bad for not buying into the magic of Jesus and Christmas and Santa Claus.

[ganesh]

I don't get where this Jesus is white is from. I was forced through ccd when I was a kid and no one ever insisted he was white. 

 

I don't know why this bothers me more than usual at Christmas. Maybe it's because all of the movies seem to want me to feel bad for not buying into the magic of Jesus and Christmas and Santa Claus.

 

This is what I mean by saying that there's only one way you're supposed to celebrate xmas. 

[blueray]

I  Hate Christmas Music! I get that it's part of the tradition for people, but seriously does it have to start being played 24/7 on some radio stations before Thanksgiving.  And at this point in December it's starts taking over every station. This is something that bothers me every winter, to the point where I count down to the 26th, so I can listen to real music again. I know that is now just over a week away, but that doesn't mean that I want to hear "jingle bells" from 1940. Actually I don't want to listen to modern Christmas music either, sorry but that isn't music, it's just plain noise. Save it for people who want to buy your CD's, and don't ruin the radio for everyone else!

 

Okay rant done.

Edited December 15, 2014 by blueray

[Qoass]

I work a lot of hours and never get to see many of the daytime shows discussed here.  When I have a holiday off (doesn't matter if it's Christmas or Arbor Day), I always think, "At LAST!  I can watch that show everybody's talking about!".  But, no.  It seems every network feels it's a good idea to dump their regular schedule in favor of children's programming or college sports or NYPD Blue marathons or something else I don't care about it.

 

Would it kill them to just run Gilmore Girls as usual so that I can veg in front of the screen on my rare day off?

[kassygreene]

This is why a Netflix or Hulu or Amazon subscription is cool.  I have oodles of series to dip in to.

[Qoass]

Oh, I know.  I have most of Gilmore Girls on DVD.  However, there's something to be said for just coming across something by chance rather than digging it up on purpose.  

[blueray]

Oh, I know.  I have most of Gilmore Girls on DVD.  However, there's something to be said for just coming across something by chance rather than digging it up on purpose.  

That's true. That's one of the few good things about tv, it tells you want to watch. I find if I'm not currently binge watching something I can't decide what to play on netflix.

[yourpointis]

O.M.G. Will these Christmas movies never end on Hallmark/Hallmark Movies channels?!?! They started Oct 31st (running 24/7) and it's a new year and they're still showing. (Enough already!) I'm ready for regular programming to resume. Please Hallmark stop with the good tidings and cheer.

[annzeepark914]

I  Hate Christmas Music! I get that it's part of the tradition for people, but seriously does it have to start being played 24/7 on some radio stations before Thanksgiving.  And at this point in December it's starts taking over every station. This is something that bothers me every winter, to the point where I count down to the 26th, so I can listen to real music again. I know that is now just over a week away, but that doesn't mean that I want to hear "jingle bells" from 1940. Actually I don't want to listen to modern Christmas music either, sorry but that isn't music, it's just plain noise. Save it for people who want to buy your CD's, and don't ruin the radio for everyone else!

 

 

Oh me oh my...I had to look twice to make sure this wasn't my rant. @Blueray, I've said these exact same words to people as well as online for the past few years. I start grumbling as soon as a few radio stations I listen to in the car start their nonstop xmas music (usually around the beginning of November).  Christmas-The- Holiday has overtaken warm, thoughtful Thanksgiving...a sweet holiday (now basically left in the dust) in which there's no pressure to buy gifts or decorate the house/yard/mailbox, wear yourself out at the malls, go broke, etc.  This year I avoided those radio stations and played only soothing CD's while out amongst the crazed, distracted drivers (the only radio music I'd listen to was the winter music: Sleigh Ride, Frosty the Snowman, Let It Snow). 

[Shannon L.]

At Target today, they not only had Valentine's Day cards out (which I saw them starting the display on the 26th!), but bikinis.  Ugh.

[Qoass]

So... maybe if I wear a bikini, somebody will give me a valentine?

 

Yeah, I got nothin'...

[The Crazed Spruce]

I walked into KMart yesterday and they had Valentines day stuff all over the store.  What's wrong with waiting until mid January?  This goes with a rant about my neighbors putting Christmas lights in early October.  3 months of lights and NO Halloween this year.

Could be worse. I went to the store to pick up a few things last weekend, and they already have their Easter stuff out!