The Best Decemberween Ever

From Homestar Runner Wiki

Revision as of 04:29, 12 May 2006

A little Charlie Brown tribute

Homestar asks around trying to figure out the perfect Decemberween present for Strong Bad.

Cast (in order of appearance): Homestar Runner, Strong Sad, Coach Z, Marzipan, Bubs, Strong Mad, The Cheat, Strong Bad, Pom Pom, The King of Town, The Poopsmith

Places: Homestar's House, The Brick Wall, The Field, Marzipan's House, Bubs' Concession Stand

Date: December 21, 2001

Running Time: 4:43

Page Title: Sponsored by Dolly Madison!

Transcript

{A "SPECIAL" logo appears on the screen and spins a few times as we zoom in on it. As this happens, it turns from blue to pink.}

{Music plays in the background. A calendar appears for the month of December, with most of the days crossed out in red X's. December 21st and 22nd (Friday and Saturday) become crossed out, then the camera zooms in on Sunday the 23rd. A title appears: "A new Homestar cartoon written and animated by the Brethren Chaps." This title is crossed out with a red X, and the camera pans to Monday the 24th. Another title appears: "Voices by Matt C. and Missy P." This title is then crossed out, and the camera pans to Tuesday the 25th, which is already labeled "Decemberween". This day is circled in red, and additional words appear, making the title read: "The Best Decemberween Ever". Fade out.}

{Fade outside, next to Homestar's house, where it is snowing. The background music continues to play. Homestar walks out of his house wearing a brown hunter's hat. He walks a short distance and behind a brick wall, stopping next to Strong Sad, who is leaning on the wall. The music slowly fades out.}

HOMESTAR RUNNER: {Sighs twice, with his breath visible. A long pause, and then he sighs again.}

STRONG SAD: What's the matter, Homestar?

HOMESTAR RUNNER: {Surprised} Oh! Strong Sad! I can't decide what to get Strong Bad for Decemberween.

STRONG SAD: Uh... What do you mean?

{Cut to a wide shot with Homestar and Strong Sad silhouetted.}

HOMESTAR RUNNER: Well, I know he's kind of a jerk sometimes, and he says "holy crap" a lot, but I think if I get him the perfect present, he just might like me again.

{Cut to a close-up of Strong Sad.}

STRONG SAD: What? People get presents for Decemberween? I always just get locked in the bathtub!

{Cut to the original shot of both characters.}

HOMESTAR RUNNER: Oh... Right. Uh... I gotta go. {Homestar dashes off, temporarily leaving a cloud shaped like himself behind.}

{Cut to Coach Z and Homestar walking in front of some trees. The trees have signs on them.}

COACH Z: Well, Homestar, I'll tell ya. Buying a Decemberween present for Strong Bad is like a great sports play.

HOMESTAR RUNNER: Let me guess. I can't just rush into the score zone.

COACH Z: {stops and turns around} Hey, that's right!

HOMESTAR RUNNER: {frustrated} Coach! That's your answer for everything!

COACH Z: Oh. {pauses, then holds up a bottle of blue mouthwash} Mouthwarsh? {begins gulping mouthwash down}

{Cut to Homestar and Marzipan in her house. Marzipan is wearing a green dress instead of her normal purple dress, and she is drawing protest signs.}

HOMESTAR RUNNER: ...and then he said it was like a great sports play. And I didn't even think that applies to this situation.

MARZIPAN: That's great, Homestar. {starts writing on a blank sign: "DEC"} Why don't you just get him a shirt? He doesn't seem to have very many of those.

{Cut to a close-up of Homestar.}

HOMESTAR RUNNER: No, I'm pretty sure he enjoys going topless.

{The camera zooms back out.}

MARZIPAN: Well, you could get him a sponge, or a Jew's harp, or you could make some him some Chex party mix... {by now, she has written "DECEMBER WEEN KILLS"}

HOMESTAR RUNNER: No way, those are terrible ideas.

{Zoom in to Homestar's face again}

HOMESTAR RUNNER: {laughing} Like, I don't even want to see what you got me this year. {chuckles}

{Cut to a close-up of Marzipan.}

MARZIPAN: {turning to Homestar angrily} Why don't you go bother somebody else?!

{She drops her completed sign. Cut back to the original shot of Homestar and Marzipan. The new sign reads: "DECEMBER WEEN KILLS BUNNIES"}

HOMESTAR RUNNER: Now that's a good idea!

{The background music starts up again. Cut to a silhouette of Homestar walking among some trees, which sway back and forth in the wind. Cut to Bubs' Concession Stand, which has lights and holiday decorations all over it. Homestar walks up.}

BUBS: Hey there, Homestar, what can I do for you on this fine holiday?

HOMESTAR RUNNER: I can't find a freakin' present for Strong Bad.

BUBS: Well, you know what Coach Z says...

{Zoom in on Homestar.}

HOMESTAR RUNNER: {annoyed, and leaning back} Yes, I know! I know!

{Zoom back out.}

BUBS: Oh, well, take a look around. I got all types of crazy crap!

{Zoom in on Homestar again.}

HOMESTAR RUNNER: {holds up a NES cartridge: "Tag Team Wrestling"} No... {tosses it away, holds up a pair of gold, sparkling oven mitts with "SB" written in cursive letters} No... {tosses the gloves away, pulls out a Strong Sad voodoo doll with pins sticking out of it} Uh, are you allowed to sell this? {tosses the doll away, holds up a "Frampton Comes Alive" poster with an autograph addressed to Strong Bad} No...

{Cut to a silhouette of Bubs' Concession Stand as seen from the side. The items Homestar discarded are lying in a pile behind him.}

HOMESTAR RUNNER: {holds up a rectangular object} That's it! This is the perfect present!

{Cut to a field with snow-covered trees in the background. The camera pans right to show several of the characters opening or exchanging gifts. Strong Mad and The Cheat are the first to appear. The Cheat opens a gift and his head explodes. Marzipan pans into the shot, followed by Coach Z in the foreground.}

MARZIPAN: {opens her gift, a Coach Z scratch n' sniff 2002 calendar} Coach Z, this is nasty.

COACH Z: That's okay. Smell Orctober!

{Camera continues panning, revealing Strong Bad and Pom Pom, and Homestar standing in the foreground. Strong Bad is wearing yellow earmuffs.}

STRONG BAD: {holds up his gift and shakes it} Okay, let's see what we got from Homestar here...

HOMESTAR RUNNER: Open it! Open it! That one's from me. It took me forever to pick it out!

STRONG BAD: {opens his gift, which turns out to be a Deep Impact DVD} What?! The Deep Impact DVD?! You got me this for like the last three years, man!

HOMESTAR RUNNER: I know! And you liked it so much, I decided to get it for you again!

STRONG BAD: Oh, man! This is the worst Decemberween ever!

HOMESTAR RUNNER: {simultaneously} This is the best Decemberween ever!

{Cut to black, then fade back in to the field. All of the main characters except Strong Sad and Homsar are gathered together. During each chorus, everyone sings except The Poopsmith and Pom Pom. The Cheat squeaks along with the music, and Coach Z pronounces Decemberween as "Decemberwern".}

EVERYONE: {Singing to the tune of "O Christmas Tree"} Decemberween, Decemberween, you're fifty-five days after Halloween.

{Cut to a close-up of Marzipan}

MARZIPAN: With bunnies running for their lives,

{Pan left to The King of Town}

KING OF TOWN: {holding up a bunny on a plate} I wish this one was super-sized!

{Cut back out to the group shot}

EVERYONE: Decemberween, Decemberween, you're fifty-five days after Halloween!

{Cut to Strong Sad entering from the right}

STRONG SAD: What are you guys talking about?

STRONG BAD: {moves in front of Strong Sad} Hey, who the crap let Strong Sad out?

{Cut back out to the group shot.}

EVERYONE: Decemberween, Decemberween, you're fifty-five days after Halloween!

{Cut to a close-up of Bubs}

BUBS: I've got all types of crazy crap!

HOMESTAR RUNNER: {enters the shot from the right} I bought Strong Bad a Deep Impact!

{Cut back out to the group shot}

EVERYONE: Decemberween, Decemberween

HOMESTAR RUNNER: Coach Z's been drinking Listerine!

{Music cuts out with a record scratch as Coach Z wobbles and falls face first into the snow. Fade to black.}

Easter Eggs

• When Homestar is talking to Bubs at his concession stand, you can remove some of the Christmas lights and move them around just as in the Astro Lite game! To help do this, pause the toon by right-clicking and unchecking play.

Fun Facts

Explanations

• A Jew's harp is an ancient Eurasian instrument, also known as a jaw harp or mouth harp. Some believe it is called a 'juice harp' because the sound of the words 'juice' and 'jews' are similar. It should also be noted that some people consider the term Jew's harp offensive, and that the alternatives are generally preferred.

Trivia

• This toon marks the start of Strong Sad's voice becoming more "delicate," though some of his "fatigued" voice still remains at this time.
• This toon also marks the completion of Strong Bad's voice not having the Mexican accent (in other words, he sounds more like how he does today).
• The signs on the trees are as follows:
  • 3% APR!!!
  • The Decemberator 2000
  • Zero Down!
  • Cheap as Free
  • buy me! i'm awesome
  • No you're not. I am.
• Marzipan's protest signs are as follows:
  • DOWN WITH D'WEEN! (two signs)
  • I THINK IT'S TOO COMMERCIALIZED! (two signs)
  • DECEMBER WEEN KILLS BUNNIES
• The signs at Bubs' Concession Stand are:
  • Concessions By Bubs
  • ALL TYPES OF CRAZY CRAP
  • WE "GOT" THE GOODS
  • decem-berween stuff
• Among the items Homestar finds at Bubs' is a copy of the NES game Tag Team Wrestling. The game's teams were called "The Ricky Fighters" and "The Strong Bads". Evidently, this game is where Strong Bad got his name. This could also be a reference to Marshmallow's Last Stand, when Strong Bad tells Homestar and Pom-Pom that he and Strong Mad are "the best tag-team wrestlers in the world".
• The Peter Frampton poster Homestar finds at the concession stand reads "Frampton Comes Alive!", and is autographed: "To: Strong Bad, Best Wishes! – P.F."
• This is the first cartoon where Decemberween is mentioned by its real name.

Remarks

• A Holiday Greeting had the same page title, as well as the same intro and loading screen.
• This cartoon seems to have been made during a transitionary period of sorts: The animation is of the most recent style, but the voices are the type that are associated more with the previous style. Notice, for instance, Homestar's pronunciation of "Strong Bad". Also, Bubs' Concession stand still has its old "Concessions by Bubs" sign, like from Where's The Cheat? and A Jumping Jack Contest.
• The calendar at the beginning of the toon only shows 29 days in the month.
• All of the presents Homestar considers at Bubs' Concession Stand seem to be things Strong Bad has previously received, perhaps indicating that an unsatisfied Strong Bad returned them, or perhaps just indicating Homestar's lack of intelligent present choice.
• In Marshmallow's Last Stand, Homestar has the shape of a star on his soles. In this toon, if you look at his footprints in the snow, they are just lines.

Goofs

• Strong Sad has no arms while he is singing, and Strong Bad has no arms while he is opening Homestar's present.
• During the singing, if you listen closely, you can hear little The Cheat noises. But the Cheat doesn't move until the end.
• When Coach Z and Homestar stop, the "Buy me, I'm awesome" sign on the Christmas tree is covering up a little bit of the tree in front of it.
• Though Strong Sad walks in during the song, he does not appear in the main group shot. Also, Strong Bad snaps back to his original position in the group shot after having moved to block Strong Sad's view.
• When Homestar and Coach Z are walking along together, they don't leave any footprints in the snow.
• When Homestar leans his head back and says, "I know, I know!", the outline on the back of his head goes inside his body and out the back of his shirt.

Inside References

• The oven mitts are a reference to In Search of the Yello Dello, as is Coach Z's quote regarding the "great sports play".

Real-World References

• The introduction, with the spinning Special logo and sound effect, is a reference to the logo and sound that CBS used to preface their specials. The actual opening, used from 1973 to the late 1980's, is viewable here (this requires RealPlayer to view). This was used earlier in A Holiday Greeting, as well as in The Luau (in this case, only the music was used).
• The beginning of the toon contains many references to the "Peanuts" cartoons by Charles Schulz, such as Homestar wearing a winter hat (similar to Charlie Brown's hat in "A Charlie Brown Christmas") and walking out of a house and along the low brick wall, Homestar sighing, along with the way Strong Sad's arms are drawn. Also, one of Marzipan's signs reads that Decemberween is too commercial, which is also similarly referenced in "A Charlie Brown Christmas", in which Charlie Brown thinks his dog Snoopy has gone commercial when he sees him decorating his dog house to enter a "lights and display" contest. Finally, it pays further homage at the end, when all the cast gets together and sings a song (which the Peanuts always did in their holiday specials).
• The page title refers to Dolly Madison Bakery, a sponsor of various cartoon specials on CBS -- including Peanuts -- throughout the 1960's and 1970's.
• The title of this 'toon is based on the book, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever", by Barbara Robinson. The plot has nothing in common except for the holiday theme, of course.
• The Cheat's head exploding when he opened a present is possibly a reference to The Smurfs, in which Jokey Smurf would give someone a present that would explode in the opener's face.
• Listerine (Coach Z's "mouthwarsh") is an over-the-counter mouthwash created by Pfizer Inc. With an alcohol concentration between 21% and 26% w/v, it is possible to get drunk off of Listerine, as demonstrated by Coach Z. However, the alcohol in Listerine is denatured, which would cause him to regurgitate it before the alcohol could take effect.
• Deep Impact is a 1998 science fiction film released by Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures. The interrelated stories of the plot describe events which take place surrounding the discovery of the fictional comet "Wolf-Biederman" due to impact Earth, and its subsequent approach to our planet.
• Chex party mix is a common holiday snack containing Chex cereal, pretzels, spices, etc.

Fast Forward

• Strong Sad getting locked in the bathtub, as mentioned in this toon, is later seen in Homestar Presents: Presents.
• Homestar gives Strong Bad a Deep Impact DVD again in Real Live Emails.
• Coach Z drinks Listerine again (and pours it into the fruit punch) in senior prom, though it is yellow instead of blue.

External Links

• watch "The Best Decemberween Ever"
• view the Flash file for "The Best Decemberween Ever"