Merry Madagascar on NBC

By Ally Matteodo

In a delightful holiday special, the zoo crew from the movies Madagascar and Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa returned in the holiday television treat Merry Madagascar at 8:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 17th.  Earning the title Best TV Show of the Week, Merry Madagascar chronicles the adventure of Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe, and Gloria the hippo as they work to save Christmas.  In honor of the holidays the fabulous four decide to return to their beloved New York City in a hot-air balloon.  Unfortunately, only minutes after departure, they’re shot down by Julien, a megalomaniacal meerkat who believes them to be the marauding Red Goblin.  Furious at what they believe to be a hoax, the four begin to loudly protest Julien’s actions, but before they know it another flying object manifests itself on the horizon, and the island dwellers are pelted with rocks.  Alex shoots down the object, but upon closer examination the animals realize they were pelted with coal and candy canes, not rocks, and Alex shot down Santa’s sleigh!  Santa suffers amnesia from the fall and cannot remember his role in Christmas.  Taking over, Alex and his friends decide to deliver the presents themselves, with the help of penguins from the South Pole.  The reindeer must stay behind since they only take orders from Santa.  The four manage to deliver all the presents on time, but gloomily realize that there is only enough magic dust (which enables the penguins to fly) to return to Madagascar, or to New York City.  Choosing to do the right thing, they return to Madagascar, and Santa’s memory returns.  Rather than be blue over missing out on Christmas in Rockefeller Center, the four decide to stage the best Christmas ever right there in Madagascar. 

This light-hearted foray of the Madagascar gang is comedic and sweet.  Julien, the ruler of Madagascar, has instituted a holiday called Julienuary in honor of himself.  While Santa remains on the island, Julien insists that all presents go to him.  However, as he sits by his lonesome surrounded by presents, he begins to realize the emptiness inside of himself.  Santa appears in his doorway and suggests he try giving one of his presents to someone else.  With this simple gesture, Julien feels a warmth growing inside, and soon, he’s showering the entire island with gifts.  In honor of his change of heart, Santa takes Julien off the naughty list.  Alex, Marty, Melman, and Gloria also try their best to fill in for Santa, and even though their hearts yearn to return to New York City, they follow their consciences and fly back to Madagascar for Santa.  Yet virtue is itself its own reward.  When you do the wrong thing, even if you’re in your favorite place in the world, your conscience needles you and you’re unable to enjoy it.  Yet when you do the right thing, your inner spirit fills with a certain glow, and no matter where you are, your heart and mind remain blithe and clear. 

Best TV Show of the Week

The Parents Television Council - www.parentstv.org