The X-Files episode "How the Ghosts Stole Christmas" airs 1998

I'm always looking for horror-comedies, so the sixth episode of the sixth season of the X-Files How the Ghosts Stole Christmas is a treat. It aired December 13, 1998.  Agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) explore a haunted house.  Apparently, two lovers killed each other in a lovers' pact some 81 years before, but it seems they still reside there.

Lily Tomlin had previously mentioned her interest in appearing in an episode and Ed Asner was also on board for the episode.  Scares and laughs abound.  It is a great episode and I look forward to watching it again.

"Up" released 2009

Up, Disney's animated movie featuring the cranky Mr. Fredericksen, voiced by Ed Asner, in a house carried aloft by balloons, was released May 29, 2009.  Russell is Pixar's first lead Asian character.  Up also introduced us to Dug, the loveable Golden Retriever who can communicate with humans.

It won two Academy Awards: Best Original Score and Best Animated Feature Film of the Year.  It was nominated for three more: Best Motion Picture, Best Writing and Best Sound Editing.

"Roots" premieres 1977

Alex Haley's groundbreaking and controversial mini-series Roots premiered January 23, 1977.  It became one of the most-watched series on television and its finale is still among the highest number of viewers for an episode.  The story is a dramatization of Haley's ancestral heritage from Kunta Kinte's capture and arrival in America as a slave.

It won 9 Primetime Emmys and a Golden Globe for Best TV Series - Drama.  Louis Gossett, Jr. won a Primetime Emmy for Best Actor in a Drama or Comedy Series, Single Appearance and Ed Asner won for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Drama Series, Single Appearance.

It received an additional twenty-eight nominations.  Among the nominations for Best Actor/Actress and Best Supporting Actor/Actress were LeVar Burton (Geordi LaForge), John Amos, Ben Vereen, Madge Sinclair, Leslie Uggams, Cicely Tyson and Sandy Duncan.