It's officially the holiday season, which means that it's time to watch Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer again, along with a few other classics. However, viewers this year noticed some disturbing facts about the 1964 Christmas stop motion animated television special that they hadn't noticed before. The movie used to only air once per year, but like most other holiday classics, it runs several times now, which means that we can watch it multiple times with the rest of North America.
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer aired Tuesday night on CBS, and social media instantly lit up with viewers voicing their concerns with the holiday special. One of the more popular observations is the one where one of Santa's elves throws a bird who cannot fly off of the sleigh. Many believe that poor bird is thrown to his death, but a closer look at the script reveals that the bird actually prefers to swim, so the elf is actually helping the little bird out by throwing him off of the moving sleigh.
Second to the bird being thrown off of the sleigh, is the bullying aspect. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer is constantly bullied by the other reindeer. Many social media users posted the popular meme which says, "deviation from the norm will be punished unless it's exploitable." That's definitely the case here, when Rudolph is only treated well once they all figure out that his glowing red nose can help save the day. Others noticed that the bullying takes place within the first two minutes of the movie, setting the tone very early on for a traumatic viewing for some social media users.
It was also pointed out that Santa Claus is kind of mean in Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer. He pretty much turns his back on poor Rudolph until he later finds out that his red nose can help him, which is when he changes his tune. Other interesting observations about the 1964 classic state that Yukon Cornelius is the first hipster and that the Island of Misfit Toys is pretty messed up, with many asking why Dolly for Sue is there to begin with. Some of these questions will go unanswered, but social media is trying to solve all of the mysteries.
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer currently has a 94 percent Fresh Rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which means that not everybody is offended by the Christmas classic. In addition to finding some flaws with the movie, it is also notable for being the longest-running holiday special in history, and only airs on CBS. Many of the groundbreaking stop-motion puppets were sadly thrown away after the production because the crew didn't realize that it was going to be a huge hit. However, there appears to be nine or ten puppets from the production, including a Rudolph, in the possession of collectors. You can read some of the responses to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer below, starting with the TrivWorks Twitter account.
Okay, I’m going to say what we’re all thinking: In the scene where Rudolph’s nose is revealed, Santa is kind of a dick. #RudolphTheRedNosedReindeer
— Liz Palm Trees Prato (@Liz_Prato) November 28, 2018
Wow. Santa's a total dick. #RudolphTheRedNosedReindeer
— MizD (@TheRealStacyD) November 28, 2018
From Twitter:
Trivia Fact! Yukon Cornelius was the first hipster #Rudolph #RudolphTheRedNosedReindeer pic.twitter.com/fwKxEviZ16
— TrivWorks (@TrivWorks) November 28, 2018
Every year the elf throws the bird out of the sleigh without an umbrella, even though earlier the bird said it CAN'T FLY. Every. Damn. Year. #RudolphTheRedNosedReindeer
— Sarah B (@SarahB1863) November 28, 2018
That's what I thought until I listened closely to the show tonight (and confirmed w/ reading the script). Bird:
"WouId you Iike to be a bird that doesn't fIy? I swim!"
It didn't say it can't. Maybe not flying is a choice in favor of (mostly) swimming. At least I hope so!
— Dana Dicer (@theDanaDicer) November 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/Liz_Prato/status/1067634947756675072
Fireball has the gall to make fun of Rudolph’s nose when he is the only one with hair #RudolphTheRedNosedReindeer #Rudolph pic.twitter.com/NwdEWyfTJC
— Peter A Lyon (@lyonpaa) November 28, 2018
My saddest takeaway in #RudolphTheRedNosedReindeer is how dismissive & mean #santa is when they first the red nose. Really Santa?!?! ?
— Beth Farnham (@bethfarnham) November 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/TheRealStacyD/status/1067634673650589696
Why is Dolly for Sue on the Island of Misfit Toys?#RudolphTheRedNosedReindeer #IslandofMisfitToys
Via @CBS pic.twitter.com/3s7aCMKrcB— Rev. Peter Preble (@frpeterpreble) November 28, 2018
Watching Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. The moral of the story I’ve learned since watching it as a kid: People are dicks until they need something from you. #RudolphTheRedNosedReindeer
— Kim Huck (@acejordan23) November 28, 2018
And speaking of #RudolphTheRedNosedReindeer, what the ultimate bully comeback. Those reindeer and their games.. very, very mean. We know Rudolph saves the day in the end, but it hurts to watch. Little, dear Rudolph. pic.twitter.com/QDbewGH5Vi
— Kelly Jones (@RealKellyJones) November 28, 2018
Nothing says holiday spirit quite like dissecting #RudolphTheRedNosedReindeer and realizing almost everyone is an ass. Comet legit encouraged bullying and exclusion. pic.twitter.com/ldmxOv0cqz
— Ashley E. Armstrong (@AshleyEANews) November 28, 2018
I will never not tweet this when #RudolphTheRedNosedReindeer is trending. pic.twitter.com/XqDl8SGV80
— Adam Heffner (@aheffner24) November 28, 2018
Oh no. It’s #RudolphTheRedNosedReindeer I don’t have strength to watch this again. Those poor elves. That bully with the whip. Abusive deer. Dentist shaming. Unloved toys. It’s too much.
— MJ Caan (@MJCaan) November 28, 2018
Ugh.....here comes Comet. The worst coach you've ever seen since on screen since the last move you ever watched about youth sports.#RudolphTheRedNosedReindeer
— Chris Hill (@TMFChrisHill) November 28, 2018
The North Pole needs a HR department. All these bosses are horrible. #RudolphTheRedNosedReindeer
— ChicagoMatt (@ChicagoMatt) November 28, 2018
