Stuck at home with your dysfunctional family for the holidays? Love them but can't deal with the stress? Currently hiding out in your childhood bedroom? Here are 5 TV Christmas episodes featuring some tense and dysfunctional family MESS to make you feel a little bit better about your own messy family.
The Sopranos
Season 3, Episode 10 ("...To Save Us All from Satan's Power") &
Season 6, Episode 12 ("Kaisha")
Season 3, Episode 10 ("...To Save Us All from Satan's Power"):
The Sopranos have given us tons of awkward and tense family moments, and these two Christmas themed episodes are no different. In "...To Save Us All from Satan's Power," Tony has a panic attack, Carmela gets saddled with doing all the Christmas dinner prep work in addition to having to cook everything for Christmas Eve, Tony beats up Meadow's boyfriend (Jackie Jr.) at a strip club, and then Jackie Jr. later crashes Christmas morning at the Soprano household when everyone is opening their presents and Tony is NOT impressed. Woof. Carmela also confronts Tony about his infidelity. Shitty gifts abound and the family have to fake enthusiasm and gratefulness.
Season 6, Episode 12 ("Kaisha"):
Mental health and physical health issues cast a heavy weight over everything leading up to the festivities, Meadow is out in California and isn't coming home for Christmas, Tony discovers that Christopher has been sleeping with real-estate agent Julianna, A.J. shows up to dinner with an older woman the family doesn't approve of. Everything is TENSE.
Peep Show
Season 7, Episode 5 ("Seasonal Beatings")
Season 7, Episode 5 ("Seasonal Beatings"):
Mark is ON EDGE while preparing Christmas dinner as he will be having his dysfunctional family over to the flat for the holidays - he snaps at Jeremy after Jeremy jokes about forgetting to get the turkey:
Things only get worse when Mark's terrible family shows up and he engages in a quiet battle of power with his father, everyone criticizes the food, Dobby feels insulted as Mark refuses to acknowledge their relationship, and again - terrible gifts abound with Mark getting a used paper shredder from his father!
It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia
Season 6, Episode 13 ("A Very Sunny Christmas")
Season 6, Episode 13 ("A Very Sunny Christmas"):
Dennis and Dee decide to get back at their father, Frank, after years of him buying presents for himself and giving the kids nothing. Charlie remembers a slew of strange men over the years his mother invited over as "Santa" and Mac learns that his parents used to break into other people's houses with him so they could steal other families' presents.
Malcolm In The Middle
Season 3, Episode 7 ("Christmas")
Season 3, Episode 7 ("Christmas"):
Older brother Francis goes to Canada to spend Christmas with his grandmother (who ends up stabbing him with a knitting needle) while back in America, Lois flips out and decides to hold Christmas hostage because her misbehaving children are on her last nerve. When Reese tries to call her bluff, she burns his presents in front of him.
Not in the mood for too much dysfunction? Then check out![]()
theemii's extensive list: ONTD ORIGINAL: My Favorite Christmas themed Episodes
Favourite dysfunctional TV Christmas, ONTD?
Sources: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8
The Sopranos
Season 3, Episode 10 ("...To Save Us All from Satan's Power") &
Season 6, Episode 12 ("Kaisha")
Season 3, Episode 10 ("...To Save Us All from Satan's Power"):
The Sopranos have given us tons of awkward and tense family moments, and these two Christmas themed episodes are no different. In "...To Save Us All from Satan's Power," Tony has a panic attack, Carmela gets saddled with doing all the Christmas dinner prep work in addition to having to cook everything for Christmas Eve, Tony beats up Meadow's boyfriend (Jackie Jr.) at a strip club, and then Jackie Jr. later crashes Christmas morning at the Soprano household when everyone is opening their presents and Tony is NOT impressed. Woof. Carmela also confronts Tony about his infidelity. Shitty gifts abound and the family have to fake enthusiasm and gratefulness.
Season 6, Episode 12 ("Kaisha"):
Mental health and physical health issues cast a heavy weight over everything leading up to the festivities, Meadow is out in California and isn't coming home for Christmas, Tony discovers that Christopher has been sleeping with real-estate agent Julianna, A.J. shows up to dinner with an older woman the family doesn't approve of. Everything is TENSE.
Peep Show
Season 7, Episode 5 ("Seasonal Beatings")
Season 7, Episode 5 ("Seasonal Beatings"):
Mark is ON EDGE while preparing Christmas dinner as he will be having his dysfunctional family over to the flat for the holidays - he snaps at Jeremy after Jeremy jokes about forgetting to get the turkey:
Things only get worse when Mark's terrible family shows up and he engages in a quiet battle of power with his father, everyone criticizes the food, Dobby feels insulted as Mark refuses to acknowledge their relationship, and again - terrible gifts abound with Mark getting a used paper shredder from his father!
It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia
Season 6, Episode 13 ("A Very Sunny Christmas")
Season 6, Episode 13 ("A Very Sunny Christmas"):
Dennis and Dee decide to get back at their father, Frank, after years of him buying presents for himself and giving the kids nothing. Charlie remembers a slew of strange men over the years his mother invited over as "Santa" and Mac learns that his parents used to break into other people's houses with him so they could steal other families' presents.
Malcolm In The Middle
Season 3, Episode 7 ("Christmas")
Season 3, Episode 7 ("Christmas"):
Older brother Francis goes to Canada to spend Christmas with his grandmother (who ends up stabbing him with a knitting needle) while back in America, Lois flips out and decides to hold Christmas hostage because her misbehaving children are on her last nerve. When Reese tries to call her bluff, she burns his presents in front of him.
Not in the mood for too much dysfunction? Then check out
theemii's extensive list: ONTD ORIGINAL: My Favorite Christmas themed EpisodesFavourite dysfunctional TV Christmas, ONTD?
Sources: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8