Category Archives: TV Review

Ghosts of Christmas Past #25: The Twilight Zone 3.37 “The Changing of the Guard”

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Seeing as how one of the first ghosts of Christmas Past was an episode of the Twilight Zone, it seems only appropriate that the same should be true of the 2013’s final Christmas ghost.

It’s debatable whether “The Changing of the Guard” is truly a Christmas episode.  However, it does take place during the holiday season and it’s such a wonderful and sweet 23 minutes of television that it simply has to be shared and enjoyed.

The Changing of the Guard, which features a poignant lead performance from Donald Pleasance, originally aired on June 1st, 1962.

All of us here at the Shattered Lens hope that you have had and will continue to have a wonderful holiday season!  Please enjoy The Changing of the Guard.

Ghosts of Christmas Past #23: The Twilight Zone 1.31 “The Star”

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Tonight’s ghost of Christmas Past was recommended to me by the TSL’s own editor-in-chief, Arleigh Sandoc.  This episode of the Twilight Zone originally aired on December 20th, 1985.  Based on a short story by Arthur C. Clarke, The Star features two men — one a scientist and one a priest — exploring the remains of a long dead alien civilization and discovering a connection to our own society.

And yes, it is a Christmas story.

Ghosts of Christmas Past #21: Ghosts of Degrassi Past

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Today’s ghost of Christmas past comes to us from my favorite country in the whole entire world, Canada!

Admit it, longtime readers — you knew that I was eventually going to have to find an excuse to include an episode of Degrassi in my holiday series, didn’t you?

Ghosts of Degrassi Past is a mini-episode from 2009.  Holly J is, as usual, stressing out so the ghost of J.T. appears and teachers her a lesson about Christmas spirit.

It’s Degrassi at its best!

 

Ghosts of Christmas Past #18: Sabrina The Teenage Witch 3.11 “Christmas Amnesia”

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

I had so much fun with yesterday’s Ghost of Christmas Past that I decided, “Why not see how Sabrina celebrated Christmas the next year?”

She celebrated it by accidentally casting a spell that made the entire world forget about Christmas!  Agck!

Christmas Amnesia originally aired on December 11th, 1998.

Ghosts of Christmas Past #17: Sabrina, The Teenage Witch 2.12 “Sabrina Claus”

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

In today’s Ghost of Christmas Past, Sabrina the Teenage Witch develops a case of egotitis so her aunts call upon a special person named Bob to help her with her problem.  While spending the day with Bob, Sabrina discovers that Bob is better known as Santa Claus.  When Bob is injured, it’s up to one teenage witch to save Christmas…

I used to love Sabrina, The Teenage Witch.  Some of that was because I always wanted to be able to make things happen just by pointing her finger and saying something cute, just like Sabrina!  However, most of it was because Sabrina had a talking cat.

This episode originally aired on December 19th, 1997.

Ghosts of Christmas Past #14: Dave Foley’s The True Meaning of Christmas Specials

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

I came across tonight’s Ghost of Christmas Past while I was doing a search on Christmas specials that have been posted to YouTube.  Apparently, this is a Canadian show that aired way back in 2002.

And, watching it, I could really tell that was the truth.  This show is not only very Canadian but it’s very 2002 and as well.  Fortunately, while I can pretty much do without 2002, I happen to love Canada.

Ghosts of Christmas Past #13: Dragnet 2.7 “The Big .22 Rifle For Christmas”

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Today’s Ghost of Christmas Past was originally broadcast in 1952 and it’s certainly a lot more serious than anything that The Brady Bunch ever had to deal with.

In this episode of the early police procedural Dragnet, two cops search for two young boys who have disappeared on Christmas.  Ominously, one of the boys has received a present — a .22 caliber rifle.

The Big .22 Rifle For Christmas was originally broadcast on December 18th, 1952 and it remains effective even 60 years later.