If you were a mid-tier comedian in the 90s looking to breakthrough into television then Fox was the network for you. Whether it was via sitcom or cartoon, Fox seemed to think this was a winning strategy which is apparently why comedian Louie Anderson got his own show called Life with Louie. Life with Louie was pretty unique when compared with the rest of the Fox Kids lineup in the mid 90s. Most of the shows were either superhero cartoons or some kind of wacky offering. Life with Louie was a more grounded show and was basically a slice of life animated sitcom. It was slightly autobiographical as it starred a kid version of Louie (voiced by himself) and just followed his day-to-day life dealing with typical kid problems. It was a show that was allowed to have more heart than the rest of the lineup which is perhaps why it managed to attract critical acclaim.

I don’t know if Life with Louie was popular in spite of its unique approach. I watched it, but I can’t recall ever having a conversation about the show with another kid. It also wasn’t appointment viewing for me, but I was a pretty loyal Fox Kids watcher on Saturday morning so I saw a lot of the show. It’s a show that probably would have felt more at home as part of the ABC One Saturday Morning lineup, but at least on Fox it got to stand out a bit. As I got older, Saturday morning stopped being appointment viewing for me. I probably slept through most of the programming including Life with Louie. As a result, I’m far more familiar with the first season as opposed to the later ones.

The show basically followed in the footsteps of The Simpsons and premiered with a Christmas episode. We’ve already looked at that one, and it was an episode that was featured in primetime. Fox liked to pull that trick with its animated shows. The calendar in December was often where most shows took time off for reruns. Holiday specials worked their way into lineups because back then most people didn’t own physical copies of those shows so they were like appointment viewing. Miss it, and you had to wait a whole year to see it again. Life with Louie‘s second Christmas episode didn’t get the same treatment. By then, the show was in its third and final season and would only air three more episodes after it. It must not have been a big hit for Fox since the final episode count ended up being 39. In other words, it never got that full series order most animated shows strive for (usually 52 episodes, sometimes 65). Still, 39 episodes isn’t a bad run and the first Christmas special was pretty good so I’m feeling relatively confident going into this one which I have never seen.

The episode begins with the typical song, but all of the clips used in the intro are Christmas or winter related. Since the show only had two Christmas episodes, they’re basically all taken from the first episode and the one we’re about to watch. The episode begins with a narration by Anderson, as all do. No live-action segment as we go straight to animation. It’s Louie, his brother Tommy (Miko Hughes), and his mother Ora (Edie McClurg) and dad Andy (Anderson) strolling through downtown Cedar Knoll. As the narration explains, winter in Wisconsin lasted a long time, but Christmas was like the relief from that long, cold, winter. Unfortunately for Louie, he’s one of 11 children to Ora and Andy so his dad informs him that there’s a five dollar limit on Christmas. Louie is pretty glum about this and responds with a healthy dose of sarcasm suggesting he and Tommy each ask for half of the alphabet and then maybe next year they’ll get a board they can spell out “Thank you” on. Anderson, as narrator, does explain that five bucks went a lot further when he was a kid than it did in the mid 90s, but not far enough to get something really cool. This is demonstrated when a shopkeeper changes the price on a window display of a remote-controlled Jeep from five bucks to seven.

I should also get it out of the way now, that despite Louie having so many siblings, Tommy is really the only one we see featured much. I guess the cast just would have been too massive otherwise so they’re usually offscreen and mentioned only in passing. I also find it funny that for kid Louie, Anderson does a deeper voice than his natural one, and for his dad he does a higher, nasally, one. Having never heard the real Andy Anderson speak I can only assume this is what he sounded like. Or Louie just decided this was way funnier.

We next find Louie at school getting lunch and discussing Christmas presents with his friends. He’s pretty mopey about this imposed five dollar limit (the subject of Santa is not discussed so I take it these kids are all non-believers, or Santa just fills stockings and parents get the good stuff) while most of his buddies are all expecting something more extravagant. Everyone that is, except Teako (Jer Adrianne Lelliott). I don’t think Teako is a regular character and is someone introduced for this episode, which means he’s definitely part of the plot. He’s not joining in with the other kids eating lunch and is instead shooting a basketball since the cafeteria doubles as a gymnasium. My schools all did the same, but we were never allowed to shoot hoops at lunch. Anyway, he indicates he doesn’t know what he’s asking his parents for Christmas and doesn’t really have much to say about the holiday in general. Instead, he seems like he wants to change the subject and asks if anyone wants to play HORSE. Toddler (Justin Jon Ross), offers to play with him and the subject is seemingly dropped. Teako is definitely either poor or an orphan or both – I’m calling it now.

In Tommy’s classroom, the teacher (possibly Samantha Dean) is eager to welcome Santa Claus to entertain the kids today. And playing Santa is none other than Mr. Anderson. He looks the part well enough and the kids seem pretty excited to have him there, but when the teacher suggest he sing some Christmas carols he balks. His schtick in this show is that he basically doesn’t want to do anything, but despite whatever protest he musters he basically goes along with it anyway which is exactly what happens here. Andy isn’t much of a singer though, so the kids aren’t exactly enjoying his rendition of “Deck the Halls.” He’s also changing the words as he goes to make it a song about kids driving their fathers nuts around Christmas. He may not be much of a singer, but he’s a pretty good ad-libber. Tommy started off enjoying seeing his father in some state of misery, but is now more embarrassed than anything. And the other kids staring at him would seem to indicate they all know who this Santa really is. When Andy is finished with his song, Tommy decides to, I guess, get even in a way by asking where all of the presents are? This sets off a stampede of kindergarteners who soon overwhelm Andy who acts like he’s under siege in a war situation.

Andy and Tommy return home and his Santa suit is in tatters. Andy refers to the children as demented demons as he holds up what remains of his suit for his wife Ora, who downplays the abuse. He casually strips down into his long underwear and approaches his recliner, which Louie is presently occupying. I like how it’s basically understood that Louie is expected to vacate the chair for his old man and he does so. Andy collapses into the chair vowing to never play Santa again, but Ora has some bad news for him: she already signed him up to play Santa at the local orphanage (told you, Teako is definitely a resident) and Andy complains about it, but you know he’s going to go along with it. Louie, enjoying his father’s misery, asks him what happened to his heart and Andy replies “I gave it to the Tin Man.” Pretty good comeback, Anderson.

The next day, we find Louie and his classmates engaged in a good old-fashioned game of dodgeball. The bully characters, lead by chief rival Glen Glenn (Justin Shenkarow), are all on one side while Louie and friends are on the other. They’re not doing so hot, but Teako is on their team and he’s pretty damn good. Louie, on the other hand, is trying his best to avoid getting nailed by a rubber ball including hiding behind Toddler, who as you may have guessed based on his nickname, is a pretty small kid on his own. Eventually, it’s down to just Teako and Louie versus Glen. When Glen misses, Teako asks Louie if he’s ready and hands him a ball. Louie is reluctant, but seems to trust Teako. Teako tosses his ball in a high arc, like he’s shooting hoops. Glen laughs at what he feels is a wimpy throw, but it’s just a diversion. Teako tells Louie “Now!” and he runs, trips, but still manages to get his shot off. He hits Glen right in the belly while Teako’s ball hits him in the head for added insult. As the kids rain praise down on Louie and Teako, Louie explains that “It’s all in the wrist.”

We return to the Anderson residence where Andy is still grouchy about having to play Santa. He’s standing on an ottoman while Ora repairs the Santa suit as he wears it. He’s now irritated because he doesn’t think he’s fat enough to play Santa, and yet he always gets asked to do it. As he says it, he undermines his own argument by complaining that the suit is too tight. Ora then has more bad news for him: his mother and brother Eric are coming for Christmas dinner. He winces as she accidentally sticks him with the needle she’s using to sew up the costume, but when she apologizes for doing so he corrects her and says he was wincing from the pain of finding out his relatives were coming, not the needle in his side. Louie then enters from the kitchen with a glass of milk and a massive plate of cookies. His mom wants to know if he’s decided on what he wants for Christmas, but Louie just complains about the dollar limit once again. This just earns him a lecture from his dad, one of those “In my day,” talks where his dad says he was lucky to get a lump of coal which he then had to rely on for warmth all winter long. As Louie disappears upstairs to consume an unhealthy amount of cookies in his room, his mother remarks that Christmas isn’t just about getting presents. Andy agrees and notes it’s also the time when annoying relatives invade your house and ruin your holiday.

The next day, Louie and his friends are out sledding. They have one, large, toboggan style sled and they’re on a large hill overlooking the orphanage. Louie makes a somewhat callous remark how it must be great to be an orphan and not have a family, which Teako tries to brush off. Louie wants to sled down that side of the hill, but Teako suggests the other side which the other kids refer to as Concussion Corridor. Local lore says that only Glen Glenn has survived such an attempt and Louie points out how that must have worked out for him considering his present disposition. Teako likes a challenge and encourages Louie to try it insisting that his steering will see them through. The others just kind of go along with Teako, albeit apprehensively, and soon they’re off! Despite Teako’s confidence, Louie’s piloting skills appear to be lacking some polish as they crash into a rock. Everyone is sent flying and Toddler momentarily thinks his legs were separated from his body, but it was just the legs of Mike who landed headfirst in the snow. Despite the crash, everyone seems all right and, best of all, they had a blast! Louie insists they head to his house next where they’ll almost certainly be able to score some hot chocolate.

The kids enter the Anderson home to find Louie’s mom setting up the Christmas tree and listening to Christmas music. The second they enter she asks if anyone wants hot chocolate and Louie points out that she’s a mind reader. As the kids settle on the floor to drink hot chocolate, Teako is in awe of all of Louie’s comic books. Mike (Justin Shenkarow) asks Louie if his electric football game is hanging around which draws more awe from Teako. And when Mike opens a closet to retrieve said game, he can hardly believe how much stuff is in there. Louie dismisses it as all junk completely oblivious to the trials of his new friend. Tommy then comes over because he’s seen Teako playing basketball at school and thinks he’s amazing. He even wants the kid to sign his ball, but Louie ushers him away. When he complains about how annoying little brothers are, Teako suggests that the kid seems fine to him. Louie’s mom then delivers a plate full of homemade Christmas cookies which draws more awe from Teako. As they settle in to play the electric football game, Louie laments having a large family and wishes he was an only child. Teako tries to tell him that being an only child isn’t so great and that he wishes he had a big family like Louie’s, but Mike just corrects him by saying he has yet to meet “Corporal Keister.”

Evening arrives and the kids all go their separate ways, but not without thanking Mrs. Anderson for a lovely time. She’s pretty impressed with Teako and Louie shares her sentiment pointing out that he’s handsome, popular, good at sports, and he’s an only child. Who wouldn’t want to be him? Ora doesn’t try to change her son’s opinion, just offers up some classic Mom talk by saying he must be a smart kid too since he’s chosen Louie as a friend. She’s so cute and earnest that this sweet stuff is working like a charm on me.

The next day, Louie, Teako, and Mike are roaming the streets of town since Louie has yet to figure out what to ask Santa for Christmas. Mike can’t believe that Louie can’t find something worthwhile for five bucks. Louie is still pretty sullen and as they look at the remote control Jeep from earlier he opines that five bucks probably couldn’t even get him the batteries that power the thing. Teako tries to be helpful and suggests a book, but Michael looks at him like he’s got two heads at the mere suggestion of such. He then pivots to a gumball machine as they’re in a store that has one for five bucks. Mike is quick to point out that it doesn’t come with gum. Louie then allows himself a moment of panic for if he can’t find something then he’s sure to get something terrible. Teako seems dubious of such, but Louie tells him that’s how he got a flywheel for his birthday.

At the Anderson house, it’s time for the old man to get ready for his star turn as Santa Claus for the orphans. He’s about as happy as you would expect. Ora is very supportive and reminds him that all of the gifts will be labeled with each kids name. He just snaps back at her that he knows how to read, but asks where the gifts are? Speak of the devil as the doorbell rings and some delivery men show up with a trio of massive sacks of presents. Andy has no idea how he’s supposed to manage such a volume, but Louie and Tommy laughing at him gives him an idea. We then cut to Louie dressed as an elf and Tommy a reindeer. Andy is pretty proud of his solution and if I’m not mistaken I think he rather likes the fact that his boys get to share in his misery this evening. Ora, naturally, thinks they’re adorable resulting in Louie asking if he can be adorable in his regular clothes?

Louie’s concerns are dismissed as the boys set out with three sacks of gifts strapped to the roof of Andy’s station wagon, The Rambler. He backs into his neighbor’s garbage cans and serenades the boys with his own rendition of “Silent Night” as they head for the orphanage. In between each line he inserts his own comments, such as “Silent Night (not if you have 11 kids). Holy night (What? Did they see my boxers?).” At the orphanage, Ora is there passing out snacks and such when her boys show up. Andy is ready to haul the gifts inside, but Louie and Tommy see this as an opportunity to get back at their father for making them dress up. Louie insists that he can’t enter through the front door as Santa, he has to go down the chimney. This has “bad idea” written all over it and Andy knows, but in typical Andy fashion, he whines and complains, but ultimately does as suggested. I don’t know how they got to the roof, but they did and Louie and Tommy help stuff their father down the chimney. It’s a little more than a tight fit, but where there’s a will there’s a way! Andy lands hard on his rump and then mistakenly calls for the presents which follow close behind. As for Louie and Tommy, well, they’re not Santa so they waltz in through the front door!

The kids are pretty happy to see Santa and Ora makes the mistake of mentioning presents. Poor Andy gets assaulted just as he did in Tommy’s class and he points that out by crying, “Deja vu!” After things settle down, Santa Andy starts handing out gifts. As kids come up to retrieve them, Louie calls out the price on each item since they’re all well above five bucks. Andy actually seems like he’s enjoying himself, though probably not his son’s quips. He tells Louie to do him a favor and go brush the snow off his car, of course, catching himself in the moment and correcting it to “sleigh.”

We then come to the last gift which is for a kid named Russell. Andy calls the name out a few times, and then, predictably, from the shadows emerges Teako. Louie gasps when he sees his friend, who just cheerfully says “Hi Louie,” as he walks by to receive his present. Louie asks why everyone calls him Teako when his name is Russell and, get ready for more sadness, he explains it’s because it’s short for “Antique.” Being the oldest kid in the orphanage, he acquired a nickname which has been shortened overtime to Teak or Teako. God damn, it’s getting dusty in here. Ora then suggests to Teako that he open his gift and so he does. To Louie’s surprise it’s an electric train set which he’s quick to call out to his dad costs $29.99! Teako ignores him and asks if he’d like to help him set it up and Louie agrees on account of the fact that he’ll never get one.

With the train setup, Teako and Louie are able to play and have a little heart-to-heart. Louie asks him why he never mentioned he was an orphan and Teako confesses he’s a little embarrassed by it. He tells Louie that he’s lucky to have parents and siblings and for once Louie agrees with him, though not all that convinced by the sound of things. He also refers to his dad sarcastically as Dean Martin since he’s busy leading the kids in a horrible version of “Jingle Bells,” one that ends with him wishing he was on the frontlines of war instead of here. Andy then makes for the snack table and boasts to Ora that these kids are totally buying into him as Santa Claus. Then some kid calls him Mr. Anderson and he’s forced to concede that maybe his performance isn’t that impressive. Louie comes over and tells his parents he finally knows what he wants for Christmas: for Teako to be able to spend Christmas with the Andersons! Andy is predictably aghast and complains about having another mouth to feed, but he should probably shut his yap since I bet he’s coming out ahead on this one. Louie’s mom asks him if he’s sure he wouldn’t want a real present, but Louie just returns her sentiment that Christmas isn’t only about getting stuff which is music to a mom’s ears. As she turns her attention to Andy, Louie’s smiling, elf, face gets smushed between his parents in what is almost certainly going to be the featured image of this post.

Christmas comes, and as requested, Teako is there to spend it with Louie’s family. And so are Louie’s relatives who his father isn’t exactly thrilled to have over. Before they go in for dinner, Louie, Tommy, and Teako are shown playing tag outside and Louie takes a tumble. When he enters the house, he’s literally a snowball. His grandmother (Inga Swenson) is there and she has what sounds like a Swedish accent. I’m guessing Louie’s grandfather didn’t have the same since Anderson is about as vanilla a name as it gets. Andy can soon be heard asking his wife for his vice grips as he’s having some difficulty with a jar of something. This just invites a scolding from his mother who opens it without a fuss.

Louie and Teako take a seat at one of the three tables setup in the Anderson living room. One of Louie’s seldom seen older siblings pops in and asks if Teako is some cousin he’s never met. When Louie tells him that Teako is his friend his brother laughs and suggests the kid must have lost a bet. Louie is ready for a comeback though as he tells Teako this is the brother who’s never had a date. Grandma Helga then suggests to her son that he should say the blessing before dinner. Andy does his best, and his best isn’t very good, “If you’re listening, big guy, thanks for the viddles. And thanks for bringing our family together,” followed by something unintelligible to my ear. His brother, Eric (Stephen Tobolowsky), tells Andy his blessing was very nice and Andy is quick to point out “I didn’t mean you!”

Ora then encourages everyone to dig in and a free for all ensues. Teako is aghast at how quickly the food is flying around, but he basically just sticks his plate out and it gets passed around and loaded up with all kinds of stuff. The same is true for Louie and the two share a smile as they dig in. We then cut to the kids watching TV. It’s the original version of Miracle on 34th Street and it’s the scene where the little, Dutch, orphan is introduced to Santa Claus. They use the actual footage, which is something they also did in the first Christmas special only then it was It’s a Wonderful Life. The movie is interrupted by Eric asking his brother if he’s still driving the same car. Andy happily declares he still is listing all of the stuff that’s basically wrong with it, but it has 750,000 miles on it (but is also on its fourth engine). Eric tells him he needs to upgrade to a luxury car, but Andy just sort of growls in response.

Eric takes the opportunity to flaunt his new camera in his brother’s face noting it cost him a pretty penny. Andy is unimpressed, but has nothing to throw back in his brother’s face, that is until his own flesh and blood approaches with a gift for their dear old dad. Louie and Tommy present a present to their father and he tries to rub it in his brother’s face how much his kids appreciate him. Then he opens it to find a lump of coal which gives everyone a good laugh. Andy is a little pissed at first, but then starts to suggest it can keep the family warm into February, then under his breath whispers “Or start a fire under Eric’s car.”

Eric either doesn’t hear that part or takes it in stride and instead declares that they should take a family photo. Teako offers to take the picture, but of course Louie wants his friend to join in the picture. No problem, as Eric points out they can use the timer feature on this fancy, new, camera of his. He sets it on the television and everyone takes their place. Then they wait, and wait, and by the time the camera goes off they have all started doing something else.

It’s time to pass out stockings and there’s even one for Teako. Or should I say Teco? The credits on IMDB list him as Teako, but the stocking says Teco. I’m not changing it now. Andy reaches under the tree, now back in his Santa threads, and mentions he has “a surprise for you, son.” Louie is indeed surprised when the gift is for Teako, and the moment is captured by Uncle Eric’s camera. The real Louie’s voice enters to wrap things up. As we see Louie and Teako playing checkers (I guess that was his gift?), Louie tells us sometimes the best gift you can get is spending time with the people you like the most. We see quick cuts of the pair making cookies and the family being lead in song by Andy. “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” which no one seems to be enjoying except for Andy. It’s his own version which highlights his unfortunate existence. Everyone walks away, but the song ends on a rather sweet note with Andy concluding “And a wife who stands by me throughout it all!” He mumbles that he should have been a singer as we fade out.

As expected, “Family Portrait” was a sweet and earnest Christmas episode from Life with Louie. I could see the plot beats coming a mile away and I ate it all up. It was cute. Louie’s obliviousness to how good he has it, Teako’s genuine good heart, and even old man Anderson who despite the grumbling and protesting seems to always do the right thing. Louie Anderson turned his father into a comedic figure, but you can also tell the guy must really love and respect his old man. And his mom is portrayed in such a positive manner too that I just keep coming back to the fact that it’s all just sweet. Very, very, sweet.

If there is a touch of cynicism to this thing it wouldn’t work. It lets the characters and the moment get just touching and sappy enough and knows when to ease up. It would have probably been over-the-top if the Andersons announced they were adopting Teako. They have 11 kids already and seem to basically just get by, adding a twelfth would probably be unwise. And Teako, despite some embarrassment at being an orphan, seems to be a well-adjusted kid. He may not have a family of his own, but he has a pretty strong group of friends and a good support system. If the kid was ever in trouble or needed anything you know Louie’s mom wouldn’t hesitate to make it happen.

I’m left wishing that this wasn’t basically the end of Life with Louie. These characters are interesting to me and it would have been nice to see how everything turned out. I know the show is somewhat autobiographical, but I don’t think it is down to the plot. As in, I don’t think Louie Anderson ever had an orphan boy over for Christmas as his Christmas gift. I could be wrong, and I don’t know if it was ever asked of him. He’s unfortunately no longer with us, though I’m assuming some of his 10 siblings are so maybe they could recall?

It’s not important though. This is a perfectly fine Christmas special whether the events depicted happened or not. And it is indeed one I recommend along with the other Christmas episode of Life with Louie. They’re both feel good Christmas stories that manage to feel sentimental and heartfelt, but without crossing over into corny territory. I don’t know how they pulled it off and if I did I’d write a hundred Christmas specials of my own. It’s not an easy thing. Life with Louie sadly never got the full DVD or Blu Ray release Louie Anderson seemed to think was imminent making it a lot like some of the other Fox Kids originals. On the plus side, that means it’s readily available online streaming for free and since the show did air on digital cable at one time the transfers are pretty good. You just have to deal with the stupid JETIX logo that channel superimposed over everything. Their program director had no sense of taste.