15 Years Ago Today, NBC Aired One of the All-Time Best TV Holiday Episodes (And Here’s Where You Can Stream It)

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It’s amazing to think it’s been 15 years since TV viewers were taken on a surprisingly wonderful adventure through a world created with stop-motion animation. The episode appeared unexpectedly, yet fit seamlessly into the quirky, forward-thinking sitcom Community, where anything could happen. Blending the feel of today’s comedy with the charm of classic stop-motion holiday specials, Dan Harmon and his team created a truly special gift: Community‘s second (and arguably best) Christmas episode.

On December 9, 2010, NBC broadcast the 11th episode of Community‘s second season, called “Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas.” Fans of the show often consider this episode to be one of the most beloved and memorable from the entire series. Luckily, Community is readily available to watch now, making it easy to revisit this classic.

You can watch all six seasons of Community on Peacock and Hulu. If you’re looking for a free option, the first two seasons, including this popular Christmas episode, are available on Tubi.

Community’s Modern Christmas Special

Community’s second Christmas episode was a stop-motion musical, reminiscent of beloved holiday specials like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, instantly sparking feelings of nostalgia among viewers. Even just the unique animation style would have pleased fans, but this was Community – creator Dan Harmon and his team always went above and beyond expectations.

“Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas” is as unique and complex as the best episodes of Community, and it also continues the story from the Season 1 Christmas episode, “Comparative Religion.” That earlier episode featured the study group sharing their personal beliefs, which made planning a holiday party difficult. In this Season 2 Christmas episode, the group demonstrates significant personal growth by recognizing that their different beliefs ultimately share the same core message of togetherness and community.

This episode plunges viewers into Abed’s perspective when he wakes up to a world made entirely of stop-motion animation. The story hints that Abed might be having a mental breakdown, but subtle clues suggest it could be something else entirely. The episode doesn’t offer a clear answer about whether the events are real or a figment of Abed’s imagination – and perhaps that’s the point.

No matter how you look at it, this story is deeply moving and uplifting, which is why it’s such a compelling TV episode. Whether the characters were whisked away to a cartoon world to rescue Christmas, or a close-knit group supported a friend through a difficult period, the result is fantastic.

The episode clearly revolves around Abed experiencing a delusion and unintentionally involving his friends. However, the ending subtly suggests that what seemed like a fantasy might have actually been real, which is a really nice detail.

Adding to everything else, this episode featured amazing character designs. Once the study group enters the Christmas world, each member is transformed into a toy or classic holiday character. Troy’s nutcracker is a standout, but Pierce as a teddy bear is truly unforgettable – it’s cute, funny, and a little bit scary all at once.

Looking for a fantastic Christmas TV episode? Don’t miss “Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas” – it’s sure to fill you with holiday cheer!

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2025-12-09 23:40