A Special Presentation, or Alf Will Not Be Seen Tonight

It's the holiday season, so it's Rankin Bass time! Rankin Bass made SO MANY holiday specials that were all sort of stealth Christmas specials. They still hold up, especially Jack Frost -- which is fun and also has everyone's favorite asshole Kubla Kraus the Cossack King!

A comet is threatening Moominland in this animated adaptation of the beloved Moomin comics by Finnish cartoonist Tove Marika Jansson. Moomin and his pals go to an observatory to get some info about a comet that's going to kill them all. Meanwhile, a philosopher takes up residence in the Moomin household. It's all very cute.

That's right, we're going to tell you about Homestuck and YOU'RE GONNA LISTEN. Mike seems to have stepped out for cigarettes and we hope to see him again soon, but until then, Tom from Flash In The Pan and “Jernacious” Jerna Van Vooren have returned to tell us all about the incredible and slightly baffling Homestuck pilot from the visionaries who brought you Hotel Of A Hell! Find out just how traumatic it can be for a kid to be home alone and how much that explains about Generation X. See more of Tom at:Flash in the Pan’s website and Flash in the Pan’s PatreonSee more of Jerna at:Jerna’s itchio andJerna’s BlueSky And read Ethan’s book “Joy Traveler” for free here: Joy Traveler at Bogleech.com

This week, we look at the forgotten 1994 action flick The Shadow and find a surprisingly fun little romp, studded with absolute stars like Alec Baldwin, Penelope Ann Miller, Tim Curry, a young Ian McKellen, John Ione, Sab Shimono, Koop, Neelix, Bob the guardian angel, Willie Tanner, and so many more! Thrills! Chills! Spills! They're all here! We like it!

It's the Fabulous Funnies -- a 1970s cartoon that adapts Alley Oop, the Katzenjammer Kids, and other beloved comics of the last century into the most boring, didactic series you've ever seen. The kids will love it, I guess. It notably does NOT include Tumbleweeds. Hmm.