Claymation Christmas Celebration (1987 TV Special)

Tim Conner: Herb

Quotes 

• Rex : [after "Carol of the Bells"]  Magnificent! Uh, who was that conductor again?

  Herb : Oh, I don't know, but his face sure rings a bell.

• Rex : The ringing of the bells at Christmastime is a homeowner of early winter celebrations when the earth was cold and the sun was dying; evil spirits were very powerful.

  Herb : And one of the ways to drive evil off...

  [rings bell] 

  Herb : was by making a great deal of noise.

  [rings his bell again] 

  Herb : As making noise was also fun, bell-ringing ceremonies became a part of the spirit of Christmas.

  [rings his bell once more] 

  Rex : Uh, next on our program is the exquisite "Carol of the Bells".

  Herb : [rings bell]  This isn't driving you off!

  Rex : Grrr...

• Rex : Herb, haven't you had enough Christmas goodies?

  Herb : I told you there was a song about snacks.

  Rex : Say good night, Herb.

  Herb : Good night, Herb.

• Herb : Now that, I like! Let's wassail!

• Herb : [after "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"]  Sensational!

  [seeing Rex looking depressed] 

  Herb : Cheer up, Rex!

  Rex : It's wassail, I know it's wassail.

  [he hears elves singing "Here We Come A-Wassailing", this time the "wassail" is correct] 

  Rex : That's it! Somebody's got it right!

• Rex : Thematically speaking, we will be looking at Christmas carols as they relate to specific traditions...

  Herb : Yeah! Songs about Christmas trees, and stacks of gifts, reindeer, and jingling bells, holiday ballet, Santa Claus, universal joy, and Christ - mas snacks!

  Rex : [gritting his teeth]  There is not a carol about snacks.

• Rex : [after "We Three Kings"]  Wasn't that delightful?

  Herb : Besides, Rex, maybe "wassail" is an old word that means "waffle". After all, what can be more Christmassy than a thick stack of syrup-drenched waffles?

  Rex : As usual, Herb, there you go letting history take a back seat to your stomach.

• Herb : [reading a dictionary, after "O Christmas Tree"]  Says here: wassail is derived from the Celtic word for lamb's wool. Must be an old sheep-sheering song!

  Rex : It's not a sheep-sheering song, you bone head! Wassail comes from the Anglo-Saxon "wassail", which means be in health.

• Herb : [after "Angels We Have Heard on High"]  Oh, what I'd give to ice skate with that Margot!

  Rex : [aside]  There's no ice thick enough for the two of you.

• [last lines] 

  Rex : Uh, thanks for joining us for our claymation Christmas carols!

  Herb : Merry Christmas!

  Rex : And a happy New Year!

• Rex : One of the most beloved symbols of Christmas is the Christmas tree, festooned with lights, and ornaments...

  Herb : And candy canes and popcorn chains!

  Rex : Yes, of course, Herb.