Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer

What could possibly be worse than the prospect of being once again subjected to this played-out one-hit wonder holiday novelty record? How about this execrable produced-for-video effort that is the cinematic equivalent of a lump of coal? Yes, Grandma still gets run over by Santa's sleigh, but she doesn't die (although the lingering shots of her lying immobile face down in the snow may upset younger viewers). The Saturday morning fodder-level plot finds Cousin Mel trying to wrest control of Grandma's old-fashioned store that's standing in the way of a new strip mall and Santa being put on trial for hit-and-run. As "Ode to Billie Joe" and "The Night the Lights Went Out In Georgia" taught us long ago, some songs are best left to the radio. Not recommended. Aud: P. (K. Lee Benson)