TV REVIEW: THE SANTA CLAUSES - Season 1

3/5

Ho, Ho, Home Improvements For The Holidays.

6 Episodes. Starring: Tim Allen, Elizabeth Mitchell, Austin Kane, Elizabeth Allen-Dick, Matilda Lawler, Devin Bright, Rupali Redd & Kal Penn. Created By: Jack Burditt. 

Ding-dong, merrily on high. Pole-to-pole, why does Tim Allen make so many Santa movies? There's a "clause" in his contract. Ba-dum tss! Dad jokes aside, this is the season for the 'Home Improvement' legend to find his home for the holidays. All as 'Toy Story's' Buzz (Captain America providing the real space commanding voice in this year's 'Lightyear' origin movie story) reunites with Disney who are bringing a plus to some big sequels to their hallmark classics on their Netflix noodling streaming service (see the live-action 'Pinocchio' with the wood of Woody, Tom Hanks, or Guillermo del Toro's out the cabinet). An Amy Adams 'Enchanted' sequel for those 'Disenchanted' between all that Marvel and Star Wars shows (hardly). 'Hocus Pocus 2' this Halloween for your best Bette. They're all here under the tree. Along with a six-part miniseries with Allen as the key to fill your stockings. 

Coming up with more than coal, 'The Santa Clauses' is a sweet six, snow-shooting series complete with the best sack joke out there (and we aren't talking about the touchdown of a classic cameo). Tim Allen is Santa, even more than he is "A TOY!" Even if he is looking to hang up the Kenny Rogers and paunch like all us fair (of hair) to middle ageing men will be resolute in doing with a New Year gym membership after all the trimmings of those turkeys (hand holding a mince pie up). Cue the auditions for the next St. Nick in a homely mini-movie over six shows that even features Allen's own instantly recognizable family (a delightful Dr. Dolittle in Elizabeth Allen-Dick). 

Sleigh, sleigh, slaying it in a 90s (by the fade) Shania Twain tour tee (want), 'Once Upon A Time', 'Lost' and 'ER' star Elizabeth Mitchell makes her name as more than Ms. Claus. Letting her hair down and laying waste to more toy soldiers than Eminem. Forming a formidable one-two Mr. and Mrs. punch with Allen like Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn that's not to be spiked. But it's Ansel Elgort lookalike Austin Kane who is his own man, offering several of this season's (that's just been renewed for next Christmas) sweetest and most sincere moments amongst all the sugar and CG VR moments. 

Drone warfare, elves more lost than a Will Ferrell Buddy and a man hell-bent on making Christmas every day like a prime time Amazon. A lot has changed. But 2006's 'The Escape Clause' (now that's a time longer than 'Avatar' this Christmas) of the trilogy is still in-effect with this sled spin-off. 'Frasier' and 'Modern Family's' own Jack Burditt's Christmas creation sees 'Harold and Kumar' star Kal Penn looking to show run the 'House'. Don't believe the 'Superhuman' can do it? This author and academic lecturer has many hats. Even being a White House staff member of Barack Obama's administration. Now how's THAT for change? But it's the Grace of Rupali Redd as his darling daughter that really steals the show 'tis season. Those are your good tidings. Along with Matilda Lawler's elf that will never stay on the shelf, her sugar plum of Devin Bright's first to call Noel and some fondly familiar faces in the snow globe. Not to mention a hilariously disgruntled elf with the darkest and best line of the series who chugs syrup like it was whiskey. Chomping on candy sticks like cigarettes. You get the puns. They're on repeat here like Christmas songs this time of year. Far from ho, ho, hum, this Santa gets its 'Clause' into you. One that offers a moral message as fond as family just in time for you to make it home for Christmas. See you in a few days, Mum and Dad. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'The Santa Clause', 'Hocus Pocus 2', 'Disenchanted'.