Introduction
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: "The True Meaning of Christmas Specials" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (April 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this message) The True Meaning of Christmas Specials is a Canadian television Christmas special, hosted by Dave Foley. It was first broadcast on CBC Television on December 22, 2002.
Synopsis
[edit] Dave Foley has reached a milestone in his career, He is hosting his first Christmas special, live from the beach, featuring surf-guitar legend, Dick Dale. The special seems to be going well, but as Dave begins to try to sell kitchen gadgets to the television audience, he senses there is something wrong with his Special; but can't place his finger on it. After some deliberation, he decides to move the beach party north to Canada, depicted as a snow-covered cabin, which strangely appears to be located only fifty feet from the beach. Upon arriving, Dave teams up with El Vez ("The Mexican Elvis"), Elvis Stojko, Bing Crosby, Thomas the Butler, Santa Dude, Mike Myers, and "The Ghosts of Christmas Specials Past, Present, and Yet to Come". He consults a priest and many of his new friends, but cannot gain passion for his Christmas special. Eventually, Dave dreams about "Christmas Specials Yet to Come", which is a future reminiscent of Soylent Green, only with Christmas specials. He wakes with a start when he discovers that in the future, there are people-flavored chips, and that the people chips are made from people. He resumes his Christmas special with added fervor, as El Vez and Dick Dale party the night away.
Cast
[edit] (in credits order)
Dave Foley as Himself/David Bowie Jann Arden as The Ghost of Christmas Specials Present Dick Dale as Himself Joe Flaherty as Bing Crosby Tom Green as Thomas, the butler Crissy Guerrero as El Vette Lisa Hockly as El Vette Paul Irving as Lodge Manager Robert 'El Vez' López as Himself Kevin McDonald as The Ghost of Christmas Specials Yet To Come Mike Myers as Himself Jason Priestley as Santa Dude Andy Richter as Priest Elvis Stojko as Himself Dave Thomas as The Ghost of Christmas Specials Past (Bob Hope)
Why This One Still Pops Up on Festive Line‑ups
Even though the show aired more than two decades ago, its mix of slap‑slap comedy and a decidedly Canadian sensibility keeps it on repeat in the BBC’s holiday repeats and streaming bundles. Dave Foley’s brand of irreverent banter taps into the early‑2000s nostalgia boom, and the special’s sketch format means you can dip in for a laugh without committing to a full‑length film. For families that prefer a quick, laugh‑filled interlude between dinner and gift‑opening, it offers a low‑stress, bite‑size alternative to the longer, sentiment‑heavy classics that dominate the season.
How to Stream It Without Missing the Gags
Most UK viewers will find the special on the CBC‑Kids archive or via a niche streaming service that hosts Canadian retro TV. To avoid buffering during the rapid‑fire sketches, set your player to a stable 1080p stream and enable subtitles – they’re surprisingly helpful for catching Foley’s rapid one‑liners. Pair the viewing with a simple snack like popcorn or mince pies; the humour lands best when you’re not distracted by a full‑course dinner. If you have kids, pause after each segment to discuss the jokes; the comedy often riffs on holiday tropes that can spark a fun conversation about what really makes Christmas feel "true" to each household.
What Viewers Often Miss: The Subtle Social Satire
At first glance the special seems like pure comedy, but a closer look reveals a gentle poke at commercialised Christmas expectations. Foley’s skits parody everything from last‑minute shopping frenzies to the pressure of perfect family gatherings, pointing out the absurdities we’ve all come to accept. This satirical edge is easy to overlook if you focus only on the jokes, yet it’s what gives the programme its lasting relevance. Recognising these layers transforms the viewing from a simple laugh‑track into a brief, reflective commentary on how we navigate tradition in a modern, consumer‑driven world.