Here's a Christmas special I'd forgotten about: Phil Roman's 'Nick and Noel' ...and after watching it, I remembered why I'd forgotten it. :3
Oh, it's not a bad special... To be 'bad' it would need to have some kind of identity or character---something to pull it away from mediocrity. Alas, there's nothing special about this special at all. ...So why am I reviewing it?
Because it's obscure! ...Yeah, I need to work on my motivations.
"Up next: Veggietales Full Episode: 'Merry Larry and The True Light'"
Why aren't I watching that!? :P
Boy, I haven't even begun this review yet and I'm already trying to distract myself. ...All right, let's do this thing!
The story begins with narration from Barnaby: a grandfatherly mouse whose family has lived many years in the townhouse shown to us in the title sequence.
Barnaby recalls for us, his Christmas-Eve visitors, about a past December when the townhome received a new resident: a (supposedly) famous singer named Leslie-Lee and her dog, Nick. Hitherto, the townhome had only one family: a widower named Howard, and his young daughter, Sarah ...and Noel, their cat. :3
Howard is interesting. It's not his character, but his design. It's hard to explain, but his design seems more creative/stylized that those of the other characters (perhaps he's a caricature of someone in the studio?). I'm unsure, it could just be my imagination. As for Howard himself, he's supposedly a copywriter ...and if this sample of Howard's writing's any indicator, he isn't very good at it: https://sta.sh/0sv57tjckfh
"Added extras"? C'mon, dude!
Anyway...
No explanation is ever given as to why Noel and Barnaby are friends, but the reason Howard, and neighbor Leslie-Lee don't get along is revealed quite plainly. In short, their townhome has very thin walls. :3
Followed closely behind by Noel, Howard delivered a knock to Leslie-Lee's door. While the humans argued, Noel was met by Nick. Conformable with the sentiment between their humans, the pets decided they wouldn't like one another and so began to bicker.
...Usually I don't mention voice actors in my reviews, as my focus is on the characters and stories, but I have to mention this...
Jerry Houser (the principal from 'As Told by Ginger') is the voice of Nick the Dog. This is a square peg for a round hole---my brain cannot accept Houser's voice is coming from that dog. :P I've experienced instances of bad casting before, but this case both annoys and baffles me (perhaps more than it should).
The script also doesn't do the poor casting any favors...
NOEL (to Nick): "I can't believe how noisy you are"
NICK: "I can't believe hoe nerdy you are. ...You have no appreciation for fine music!"
NOEL: "That's music? It sounds more like an engine turning over!"
NICK: "Obviously you have never heard of warming up the voice"
NOEL: "If it gets any warmer, we're gonna go deaf!"
...Did Howard write this? :P
Granted, I'd gladly endure more of this dialogue over the song that proceeds it. Yes, Nick and Noel sing about their antagonism, the lyrics of which match both the quality and flavor of the afore-quoted... basically a continuation of Nick and Noel's insults set to music.
After this, we cut to Sarah's room wherein she was writing a letter to Santa Claus. Noel listened as Sarah read her letter aloud.
"Dear Santa, I know you're really busy and there are lots of needy children all over the world. So please give all the dolls and toys and games to all the other needy children... because all I want for Christmas is a mommy."
All right, so when do Howard and Leslie-Lee make up and and hook up? :P Yeah, sarcasm aside, this set-up has 'predictability' written all over it.
Sarah gave her Santa letter to Howard so he could mail it. Alas, Howard's tight work schedule forbade him time for the post office. ...and seeing as it's so close to Christmas, tomorrow would be too late (it's the day before Christmas Eve)!
...I don't even think Priority Mail would deliver that fast. :P
Barnaby narrates to us that Noel discovered the letter amid the pile of outgoing mail. Noel knocked upon the threshold of Barnaby's mousehole, to ask him how to get to the North Pole (Noel intended to deliver the letter herself). Barnaby suggested Noel ask Nick how to get there, in light of the fact that his owner Leslie-Lee is (supposedly) world famous, and had taken Nick with her everywhere.
Noel reluctantly conceded---forced to humble herself before Nick for to have his assistance.
NICK: "The North Pole is, uh... At the end of North Street"
Noel intended to brave the journey alone, much to the astonishment of Nick. In a mix of chivalry and a need to reinforce his own ego, Nick followed alongside Noel ...The North Street and beyond! :D
...Unfortunately, neither Nick nor Noel knew the location of North Street, nor could they read the road signs. Natheless, the pets would not be dejected---continued they forth, by faith alone!
Back at home, Howard and Sarah have another confrontation with Leslie-Lee, initiated when the two (literally) bumped into one another on their porch.
LESLIE-LEE (to Howard): "I'm sorry ...I'm just in such a hurry. ...I must finish my Christmas shopping---there are only two days left!"
SARAH: "Oh, Daddy, can we go? I want to get presents for Noel and Nicky"
Howard was too much a workaholic to go shopping just then (strange, considering he's shown carrying a grocery bag). Sarah asked if she could go with Leslie-Lee. Howard agrees.
Father of the year right there!
The humans had yet to notice the absence of their pets. On return to Nick and Noel, the two have apparently found North Street (unsure how they know this, considering neither can read), but the road seemingly has no end in sight. Eventually, the pets arrived at the North Street terminus: an iron gate overarched with the designation, 'Winter Wonderland'.
It's not made immediately clear what Winter Wonderland is exactly, but it's revealed to be an indoor ice-skating rink. Nick and Noel entered the building to see a make-believe Santa, taking his leave from a day of performing.
LOUDSPEAKER: "Sorry folks, but Santa has to get back to the North Pole, and Winter Wonderland is now closing"
Nick and Noel gave chase after the departing Santa.
You know, I'm unsure how our narrator Barnaby knows all these details---he didn't experience any of this. :P
At home, the humans had finally became conscious of their AWOL pets.
LESLIE-LEE (to Howard): "This just isn't like Nicky---he would never leave without me!"
HOWARD: "This just isn't like Noel---she's never left the front porch!"
Back to the lodge (I'm getting whiplash here!)...
Despite being so close, Nick and Noel lost track of Santa
...Geeze, Nick, you're a dog. Make like Toucan Sam and follow your nose! :P
Anyway, not much happened after; the pets failed to catch up with Santa. Disheartened, the two returned to the cold, wintry night---neither knowing how or where to proceed. Yet, even the dimmest glimmer of hope either could feigned until made, was extinguished once the letter to Santa slipped away, into a sewer drain.
That's s sad... look at me, I'm crying! Seriously, I need a break to cheer up---I'm gonna go watch Schindler's List. :(
*eyeroll*
At home, Howard and Leslie-Lee where, as predicted, began to fall for one another ...under the guise of 'keeping up the Christmas spirit'. Leslie-Lee sang a song of hope, to try to hearten little Sarah. The song is sweet and serviceable, showing scenes of Nick and Noel wandering about during rendition.
When morning arrived, Nick and Noel found themselves at the Winter Wonderland Petting Zoo (I wonder what they call these places in summer). The animals kept there included a horse, goat, cow, duck and a hog nursing *hoglets.
*which SpellCheck tells me is not a word ...But it should be!
Noel decided the next course of action would be for she and Nick to find a mom for Sarah themselves. Noel contemplated the livestock...
NOEL (to Nick, in reference to the hog mom): "Gasp! She's perfect! ...Look at her: she'd be a great mother!"
...Mhm.
In reply to the proposition, the hog mom suggested perhaps Sarah would prefer a human mother.
NOEL: "Gasp! Of course!"
Ah-ha, but upon the realization of there being only five minutes remain of this special, Noel had this to say,
NOEL (to Nick): "Oh, you were right. Finding Santa; finding a mother---it was a silly idea all along. What a waste of time!"
Nick then offered some comfort to Noel; the two shared a moment (aw!). The pets then began their trek back home.
In short, the pets returned home to Sarah. Overtaken by the sight, Howard and Leslie-Lee begin to make out (no joke).
BARNABY (narrating): "Well, to make a long story short, Howard proposed to Leslie right there on the spot. They arranged for a minister to stop by between Christmas-Eve services, and they got married right here, under the mistletoe"
You know, since Leslie-Lee couldn't rightly be called 'Mom' before she'd become Leslie-Lee Hicks ...and the goal was a mom for Christmas, so, yeah... :P
~Fin
My concluding thoughts ...wait, what'd I just see again? ;)
