This Christmas, Be Sure To Catch The Latest Episode Of  'The Yule Log'

By - 407 words

Language

Reading Level

Listen to Article

Let's face it - Christmas television can get a little boring. How many times can one watch fun movies like Elf, Home Alone and Polar Express? Maybe that's why 'The Yule Log' generates so much excitement each year. After all, what better way to celebrate the season than by watching a warm crackling fire?

This rather imaginative programming was first aired on New York's WPIX on December 24th, 1966. Stuck with an open programming slot created by the sudden cancelation of a Christmas Eve college basketball game, the station's President, Fred Thrower, came up with a brilliant idea. Why not fill the slot with a 'Christmas card' for its viewers. The 'card' comprised of a fireplace complete with a warm crackling fire and Christmas stockings hung on the sides. It was no ordinary fire either, but one that had been warming up Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the city's mayor.

The genius of the 3-hour program was that it comprised of a 17 second scene that was repeated over and over again, with some Christmas music playing in the background. To everyone's utter surprise, the show was a roaring success!

From then on, it became an eagerly awaited annual tradition. Then in 1989, the unthinkable happened - The Yule Log got canceled. However, it was not for lack of fans but because the station found it too expensive to air it without commercials.

But that was not the end. In 2000, New Jersey resident Joe Malzone set up an online petition to bring the show back. The response was so overwhelming, that the station had no choice but to give in. That year, it was the most watched Christmas 'show' in the Metropolitan New York Area and a new 'Yule Log' era was born.

The show's success has resulted in numerous copycats. This year's line up includes hour-long shows by on-demand Internet streaming companies Netflix and Hulu, as well as, one with a My Little Pony theme on the kid-friendly Hub cable channel. And if none of them are good enough for you, there is always YouTube, where numerous parodies have made their appearance. One of the cutest ones features Internet celebrity feline, Lil Bub, who has added her own magic touch by purring the entire time! The best part is that it lasts an entire hour if, you can sit through it!

Happy Viewing and A Very Merry Christmas To All Of You!

Resources: Wired.com, nydaily.com

Cite Article
Geography
Learn Keywords in this Article
99 Comments
  • pineapplewaffle
    pineapplewafflealmost 11 years
    Oh yeah!!! I saw the lil bub on youtube! It was my favorite, along with Teddy bear the porcupine gets a chirstmas treat, and Teddy bear does his chirstmas morning frolic.
    • hghhalmost 11 years
      i don't get it, it is weird
      • rozeb
        rozebalmost 11 years
        ThecThe cat keeps purring. The fire keeps burning. It's kind of mesmerizing,in a way. And calming.
      • hhhalmost 11 years
        that is so weird!
        • qwerty2747
          qwerty2747almost 11 years
          we should do a video like that with grumpy cat....
          • kell kellalmost 11 years
            i cant belive it
            • bucky
              buckyalmost 11 years
              Ha ha! Can't wait to watch!
              • hialmost 11 years
                I like it. This is an okay article
                • meepsy
                  meepsyalmost 11 years
                  I LOVE cats, so I love this video. Reply to me if you agree that this is a good idea.
                • rozeb
                  rozebalmost 11 years
                  Answer to critical thinking question: one of my favorite family traditions is putting up the tree and listening to Christmas music while doing it.