After 20 years, 'Christmas Vacation' still brings the laughs

All Clark Griswold wanted was an "old-fashioned family Christmas."

But he couldn't swing it because the fates were against him.

His zealous desire for perfection got in the way, too.

"National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" turns 20 years old this holiday season, making it an official classic. In fact, it airs at 8 tonight on AMC (American Movie Classics).

As the hapless Griswold, Chevy Chase was in his prime. This was the third film in the Griswold misadventure "Vacation" films.

While it's not as sentimental as seasonal favorites such as "Miracle on 34th Street" or "It's a Wonderful Life," the movie has plenty of laughs and relatable holiday moments.

Some of us may know guys like Clark who go all out to decorate the house. He strings up 25,000 lights with interesting results.

And there's Clark's ill-fated quest for the perfect tree; the family cat getting fried by the gnawing on the tree lights; Uncle Lewis setting the tree on fire; redneck cousin Eddie showing up in an RV; and the family being terrorized by a maniac squirrel.

The film's script was written by the late John Hughes who adapted his short story, "Christmas '59," which appeared in National Lampoon's magazine in December 1980.

"Christmas Vacation" gives a nod to "It's a Wonderful Life," which is seen playing on a TV set in the background of a scene when the Griswold grandparents arrive.

In another scene Clark and Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) toast their eggnog in moose head mugs, a wink to Marty Moose and Walley World from the first "Vacation" movie.

Fans of the film can purchase replicas of those mugs, as well as Griswold, Walley World and "Christmas Vacation" T-shirts at www.chasingthefrog.com/
christmasvacation-t-shirts.php

You can get one with Clark's rant against his boss. Griswold has some choice words when he learns that the Christmas bonus is a membership in a jelly of the month club.

And Hallmark has a commemorative Christmas ornament, "Cousin's Eddie's Rusty RV," which plays some of Eddie's lines from the movie. Now that's classic.

SNOWED IN: The Weather Channel wants you to be dreaming of a white Christmas with its "Guaranteed White Christmas" contest.

One viewer will have snow delivered on Christmas Day (no matter the location) and there will be live coverage by meteorologist Adam Berg.

Viewers have until Dec. 6 to send in a video pleading for snow. Check out the rules on www.weather.com/ whitechristmas.

SNL HOSTS: "Saturday Night Live" appears to be making a run at younger female viewers with next round of guest hosts. Saturday's episode will be hosted by "Gossip Girl's" Blake Lively, with musical guest Rihanna.

Taylor Lautner, the hunky teen werewolf of "The Twilight Saga" is paired with Bon Jovi on Dec. 12. And James Franco, currently guesting on "General Hospital," will host Dec. 19 with British rock band Muse as the musical guest.

DONT MISS: "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," at 8 tonight on ABC, is the 1966 animated Dr. Seuss holiday story that takes viewers inside a snowflake to Whoville, the magical land of the Whos where the Grinch, a hateful creature with a heart three sizes too small, despises Christmas and plots to steal it.

TUNE IN TONIGHT: "Smokey Robinson Tribute on Ice," 6 p.m., Hallmark Channel

Filmed during the recent Tampa stop, singer Smokey Robinson performs his hits (not on ice) while Olympic, World and National figure skaters are on the ice.