It's Christmas time yet again, and yet again, Tim has put enough wattage on his roof to light a airport runway. If blinding the neighborhood means winning that lighting contest, there will be no stopping him. On the more resourceful side of the news, Brad and Randy have been collecting door to door for charity. As they sit in their room, counting out their donations, Randy gets a twisted idea and says they should take out a commission, for what he called "business expenses." At Tool Time, the annoying new producer Maureen makes Tim wear an elf hat and accompany Al, dressed as Santa, to do a promo for their upcoming Christmas benefit show, featuring the Manhattan Transfer. Tim had hoped for the barking dogs, but they don't do cable shows. The promo featured Santa Borland and Tim "the Elf Man" Taylor on a snowmobile in front of blue-screen projections, which Tim tried to spice up and only ended up falling out of the sleigh. At home, Brad and Randy head back out to do more collecting, boasting a $5 donation gathered that morning. Tim sits on a pile of ornaments, getting a reindeer antler up his butt and he and Jill go outside to remove it. They find out from Wilson that he gave the boys a $10 donation earlier that day, but the boys said it was only $5. Caught in a lie! Not only that, but they also found a cache of comic books and video games in the boys' possession. Something's rotten in the state of Detroit.
When the two junior bandits get home, their parents corner them with their findings. Brad and Randy fess up as Jill shames them for taking money from children who have next to nothing, and then they're sent to their room to think long and hard about what they'd done. So while his sons ponder their misdeed, it's time for Tool Time! Tim introduces the Manhattan Transfer, two members are named Tim and Alan, or Al, but he doesn't assist Tim. So the group begins to sing Santa Claus is Coming to Town, but sadly, he gets stuck in the chimney. Seriously, Al, dressed as Santa, gets stuck in the prop chimney, and Tim's "brilliant" idea for getting him out is a Binford chainsaw. Tim and Jill watch the episode later, with Al still stuck in the chimney and presumably cursing out Tim. Meanwhile, Brad and Randy return from the children's' shelter where they gave back the money they stole, then they go back up to their room and reflect on what they've done, and decide to donate some of their old toys. So it all worked out, but there's a bit of unfinished business: Tim's Christmas lights. Not only does he lose to Doc Johnson again, but his plastic snowman melted.
Another good Christmas episode. The premise of Brad and Randy stealing from charity was borrowed for an episode of Malcolm in the Middle, in which the boys start out selling items from a church basement and give the money to the collection box, but gradually keep more and more for themselves, not to mention the junk they're trying to sell. It was a bit more over-the-top for that show. Now, I believe this was the last episode to feature Tim's rival, Maureen Binford, and an annoying character she was. On the other hand, she was the only head of Binford who liked Al over Tim, mostly due to his kissing up. So the performances were all good, the writing and directing was good, this was a very pleasing Home Improvement Christmas. I recommend it.
When the two junior bandits get home, their parents corner them with their findings. Brad and Randy fess up as Jill shames them for taking money from children who have next to nothing, and then they're sent to their room to think long and hard about what they'd done. So while his sons ponder their misdeed, it's time for Tool Time! Tim introduces the Manhattan Transfer, two members are named Tim and Alan, or Al, but he doesn't assist Tim. So the group begins to sing Santa Claus is Coming to Town, but sadly, he gets stuck in the chimney. Seriously, Al, dressed as Santa, gets stuck in the prop chimney, and Tim's "brilliant" idea for getting him out is a Binford chainsaw. Tim and Jill watch the episode later, with Al still stuck in the chimney and presumably cursing out Tim. Meanwhile, Brad and Randy return from the children's' shelter where they gave back the money they stole, then they go back up to their room and reflect on what they've done, and decide to donate some of their old toys. So it all worked out, but there's a bit of unfinished business: Tim's Christmas lights. Not only does he lose to Doc Johnson again, but his plastic snowman melted.
Another good Christmas episode. The premise of Brad and Randy stealing from charity was borrowed for an episode of Malcolm in the Middle, in which the boys start out selling items from a church basement and give the money to the collection box, but gradually keep more and more for themselves, not to mention the junk they're trying to sell. It was a bit more over-the-top for that show. Now, I believe this was the last episode to feature Tim's rival, Maureen Binford, and an annoying character she was. On the other hand, she was the only head of Binford who liked Al over Tim, mostly due to his kissing up. So the performances were all good, the writing and directing was good, this was a very pleasing Home Improvement Christmas. I recommend it.
