Writer of Pop Culture

1966: First All-Female Music Group to Make #1

Originally called the Primettes, the Supremes were the most commercially successful Motown act and still hold the record for America’s most successful vocal group. The group began performing together in 1959. On this day in 1966, the Supremes became the first all-female group to have a No. 1 selling album with The Supremes A ‘Go-Go. Together, they had 12 number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1970, Diana Ross left the group to pursue a solo career, but the Supremes continued on until 1977 ending a 18-year run. (Image: Wikimedia)

---

2020: The Year Without a Santa Claus

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the department store chain Macy’s announced on this day in 2020 that Santa Claus would not be making an appearance in its stores ending a 159-year holiday tradition.

Since 1947, children have climbed up on Santa’s lap to tell him what they wanted for Christmas, but not that year. Santa did make appearances through a “virtual engagement” on the company’s website and Santa did show up for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, but that too was limited. It was shown for television audiences only.

---

2004: ‘Surviving Christmas’ Didn’t Survive Christmas

Dreamworks didn’t have a lot of faith in their movie, Surviving Christmas which starred Ben Affleck. Though originally planned as a 2003 holiday release, it was pushed back 10 months to avoid competition against Paycheck, another Affleck film (or an attempt to bury the movie).

Jon Favreau was in talks of directing Surviving Christmas but chose to direct Elf instead. With Mike Mitchell in the director’s chair, the movie didn’t have a chance. It didn’t even have a completed script! This led to a lot of improvised lines, arguments and delays.

Starring James Gandolfini, Christina Applegate and Catherine O’Hara, the movie was about an obnoxious millionaire who pays a family that he’s never met to allow him to spend Christmas with them.

Despite the fact that this is a Christmas movie, it opened in theaters on this day, over a week before Halloween and closed before Thanksgiving. Having only made a little over $15 million against a $45 million budget, the movie was made available on DVD just in time before Christmas.

Is there any surprise that Surviving Christmas was nominated for three Razzies for Worst Picture, Actor and Screenplay? Surprisingly, it won none of them.

Return to October Page >>>