Day 3: Santa Claus is coming to town…

 …through your TV screens. 

In honor of the long anticipated Castle Christmas Special airing tonight, here's the top 5 of my all time favorite Christmas Specials (watch them if you haven't yet!):

5) The O.C., "The Chrismukk-huh?" (2006)

The most controversial choice on the list. People seem to either love or hate this episode, that plays with the idea of what had happened if Ryan had never come to Newport - But I for one can't get enough of the show's take on my favorite Christmas movie (It's a Wonderful Life). 

4) Psych, "Christmas Joy" (2008)

Another slightly controversial one. I know that a lot of people really dislike this episode, but I can't help it, I'm a simply sucker for a funny Christmas ep, and this one had reindeer, and a Santa Baby montage…  

3) Remington Steele, "Dancer, Prancer, Donner and Steele" (1985)

The agency's Christmas party takes a turn for the worse when three Santas take the detectives and their party guests hostage - but what really makes this, is the unexpected twist that ends with a motorcycle chase in a Christmas tree lot.

2) The Middle, "A Simple Christmas" (2010)

Maybe it reminds me of the family Christmases when I was a kid, maybe I just enjoy chaos,  but few things are as entertaining as a Heck family Christmas. And I'm already looking forward to this year's Christmas special.  

And on number one, my all time favorite Christmas episode...

1) The Twilight Zone, "Night of The Meek"  (1960)

Nothing will ever live up to the magic of Night of the Meek. It isn't among the most shocking or "cool" episodes, but I will never forget Henry Corvin and the magic burlab bag. 

So what are your favorite Christmas Specials? Let me know comment below!

Peace, Love and Mistletoe

Laura 

Will They Or Won't They?

…Catch the bad guy ;)

As most of you know I grew up loving detective shows, but the clever detectives weren't the only thing I loved about them. The shows I adored the most always had a "will they or won't they?" arc going on. 

So… "Hi my name is Laura, and I'm a shipper"

My first detective show ship was Remington Steele's PI duo Remington Steele and Laura Holt. However the "shipping" didn't start until years after I first saw it. I wasn't even born when this show originally aired, and since I was about 5 years old when I saw the first reruns I didn't fully grasp the concept of UST (unresolved sexual tension) yet. But during a little DVD marathon yesterday I realized something: my first TV ship has a lot in common with one of my current ships…in fact they might even be the same people:

Yes I'm talking about Castle's Richard Castle and Kate Beckett. And being named after the (romantic) lead is not the only thing these two shows have in common:

Remington and Castle are both sharp-witted (sometimes cocky) guys, and their partners in crime, Laura and Kate, are the more serious (but nevertheless very flirty) part of the duo. And all four were (or in Castle's case are) too afraid and stubborn to make a move.

RS, however, is the more campy show of the two. With the exception of a few episodes it was a lot more lighthearted than it's modern day counterpart.  There seemed to be less at stake, and the characters shared their first kiss in the third (!) episode. On Castle it took three seasons to get to that particular milestone. Okay, so technically both kisses weren't even real (we know they were, but the characters themselves might deny it), but that is just another thing the couples have in common.

So RS might be ahead in the speed category, but when it comes to continuity I prefer Castle's slow but steady approach. At least we know where the couple stands, and even it is very frustrating at times the big relief will be worth it.  And until then I always have my RS DVDs if I'm in need for some serious fluff.

Another funny tidbit is that Brosnan was actually offered the role of James Bond 10 years before he first played 007, but couldn't take the part because of his commitment to RS. And wasn't it Richard Castle who happily turned down the offer to author the next Bond novels just so he could continue writing about his favorite NYC detective?  Coincidence or not, I leave that up to you…

Peace, Love and Sunshine

Laura 

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