Video Hangover: Run-D.M.C. - "Christmas In Hollis"

Every week, we dig in the archives for videos that we find noteworthy, memorable, or just unbelievably stupid. And then, Jon McMillan breaks 'em down for you. Why Video Hangover? Because when you watch as many videos as we do, you're going to feel it afterwards.

"Christmas in Hollis"
Run DMC, 1987

Run, D.M.C., Jam Master J, D.M.C.'s mom, black Santa, and a crazy elf celebrate Christmas in Hollis, Queens.

Mmmmm...Christmas macaroni
Love the attention to holiday detail here. The handpainted welcome to Hollis, Queens sign above the park, the big bag with a money symbol, the plastic yule log -- Santa's wallet even has a beard! And a dog with antlers taped to its head as a stand-in reindeer? If that doesn't count as "ill," I don't know what does.

If Dick Cheney ever finds out about this thing we'll all be in big, big trouble
Also, to clarify: the modified Simon that controls Christmas has four buttons: Naughty, Nice, Access, and Eject.

Goddamn naughty Communists
And the award for "Worst Christmas Elf" goes to ... the Christmas elf! Not only does he steal Run's Christmas hat and chain, but he totally screws over Paul Raymond from Sydney, Coco from Fiji, "Big O" from New York, Tim Simpson from Chicago, and Miette Madsen from Sweden. Katherin Moreski from Moscow, on the other hand, gets exactly what she deserves.

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Posted at 11:39 AM in Video, Video Hangover
Tags: Run-D.M.C.

9 Comments

This was the quintessential Christmas video for me growing up. Love the video and love the song.

Posted by: Mike at 12/18/07 11:49 AM | Reply
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Beavis and Butt-Head did the best commentary for this video. Anyone else's pales in comparison.

Posted by: kidacomputerok at 12/18/07 11:55 AM | Reply
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This is definitely one of my favorite xmas songs... It reminds me of Die Hard.

Posted by: tk. at 12/18/07 12:57 PM | Reply
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I remember this from those A Very Special Christmas albums my mom always bought. Didn't know it had a video, that just kinda made my day.

Posted by: Becky at 12/18/07 1:19 PM | Reply
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@ tk. -- "This IS Christmas music." - Argyle

Posted by: troy. at 12/18/07 1:20 PM | Reply
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Beavis and Butthead comment rocked!

Posted by: Esteban at 12/18/07 3:23 PM | Reply
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this really is the best christmas song ever

Posted by: andrew at 12/18/07 5:23 PM | Reply
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Macaroni and cheese, like chicken, is soul food, and black people certainly do eat it at Christmas time.

Posted by: An Ill Reindeer at 12/19/07 5:25 PM | Reply
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Epic is the only word to describe this video.

Posted by: Monica at 12/19/07 7:49 PM | Reply
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