The Santa Clauses
{{Short description|2022 American television series}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2022}}
{{Use list-defined references|date=May 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox television
| genre = {{Plainlist|
}}
| image = The Santa Clauses poster.jpg
| caption = Season 1 promotional poster
| based_on = {{Based on|The Santa Clause|Leo Benvenuti
Steve Rudnick}}
| creator = Jack Burditt
| showrunner = Jack Burditt
| starring = {{Plainlist|
- Tim Allen
- Elizabeth Mitchell
- Austin Kane
- Elizabeth Allen-Dick
- Matilda Lawler
- Devin Bright
- Rupali Redd
- Kal Penn
- Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias
- Eric Stonestreet
}}
| theme_music_composer =
| opentheme =
| endtheme =
| music = {{Plainlist|
- Ariel Rechtshaid
- Will Canzoneri
}}
| editor = {{Plainlist|
- Arge O'Neal
- Christine Kim
- Dean Pollack
- Daedra Carline
}}
| cinematography = JP Wakayama
| country = United States
| language = English
| num_seasons = 2
| num_episodes = 12
| executive_producer = {{Plainlist|
- Jack Burditt
- Tim Allen
- Jason Winer
- Jon Radler
- Rick Messina
- Richard Baker
- Kevin Hench
}}
| runtime = 33 minutes
| company = {{Plainlist|
- Double Wide Productions
- Small Dog Picture Company
- 20th Television
- Disney Branded Television
}}
| first_aired = {{Start date|2022|11|16}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2023|12|6}}
| network = Disney+
}}
The Santa Clauses is an American Christmas fantasy comedy television series created by Jack Burditt for Disney+ and based on The Santa Clause film series. Serving as a sequel to The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (2006), Tim Allen, Elizabeth Mitchell, Eric Lloyd, and David Krumholtz all reprise their roles from the film series. Jack Burditt serves as showrunner and executive producer.{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=January 14, 2022 |title=Tim Allen To Headline 'The Santa Clause' Sequel Series For Disney+ From 'Last Man Standing' Team |url=https://deadline.com/2022/01/tim-allen-the-santa-clause-sequel-series-disney-plus-scott-calvin-jack-burditt-last-man-standing-1234912715/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328040101/https://deadline.com/2022/01/tim-allen-the-santa-clause-sequel-series-disney-plus-scott-calvin-jack-burditt-last-man-standing-1234912715/ |archive-date=March 28, 2023 |access-date=January 15, 2022 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}} It premiered on November 16, 2022. In December 2022, The Santa Clauses was renewed for a second season which premiered with two episodes on November 8, 2023.
Plot
The series follows Scott Calvin, a former businessman who became Santa Claus in 1994, his wife Carol Calvin (Mrs. Claus), and their children Buddy "Cal" Calvin-Claus and Sandra Calvin-Claus. Scott Calvin, having served as Santa Claus for almost 30 years, believes that he is losing his magical abilities due to age and decides to choose a successor and retire.{{Cite web |date=2022-01-14 |title=Just Announced: Tim Allen Returns to the Red Suit for The Santa Clause, a Limited Series for Disney+ |url=https://d23.com/just-announced-tim-allen-returns-to-the-red-suit-for-the-santa-clause-a-limited-series-for-disney/ |access-date=2022-01-14 |website=D23 |archive-date=January 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115050703/https://d23.com/just-announced-tim-allen-returns-to-the-red-suit-for-the-santa-clause-a-limited-series-for-disney/ |url-status=live }}
Cast and characters
=Main=
- Tim Allen as Scott Calvin / Santa Claus: A former successful businessman, who became Santa Claus in 1994 and chose to remain in the role out of the goodness of his heart. After almost 30 years in his role, Calvin believes that he is losing his magical abilities due to aging and chooses to retire after choosing a successor. He is revealed to be the first human to take up the mantle of Santa Claus after the army of previous Santa Clauses determined that the world needed someone who would be familiar with the development of technology and given the nature of Santa Claus that Calvin had naturally within; all of his traits being what the world needs.{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Rick |date=January 14, 2022 |title=Tim Allen to Star in, Produce 'Santa Clause' Series at Disney+ |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/tim-allen-santa-clause-series-disney-plus-1235075331/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024204917/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/tim-allen-santa-clause-series-disney-plus-1235075331/ |archive-date=October 24, 2022 |access-date=January 15, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}} Liam Seja portrays Calvin as a child during a flashback sequence.{{cite web |author=Curran |first=Brad |date=December 7, 2022 |title=The Santa Clauses Episode 5 Just Changed The Entire Franchise |url=https://screenrant.com/santa-clauses-episode-5-franchise-changes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208075333/https://screenrant.com/santa-clauses-episode-5-franchise-changes/ |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |accessdate=December 8, 2022 |work=Screen Rant}}
- Elizabeth Mitchell as Carol Calvin / Mrs. Claus:{{Cite web |last=Rosario |first=Alexandra Del |date=January 28, 2022 |title=Elizabeth Mitchell To Return As Mrs. Claus For 'The Santa Clause' Disney+ Limited Series |url=https://deadline.com/2022/01/the-santa-clause-elizabeth-mitchell-disney-series-mrs-clause-1234921373/ |access-date=January 28, 2022 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US |archive-date=October 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024204917/https://deadline.com/2022/01/the-santa-clause-elizabeth-mitchell-disney-series-mrs-clause-1234921373/ |url-status=live }} Calvin's wife, whom he married during The Santa Clause 2: The Mrs. Clause. Unhappy with her lack of purpose as "Mrs. Claus", Carol is receptive to her husband's decision to retire. Finding success once again in her role as a school principal when they move out of the North Pole, she begins to believe that Calvin's decision was best for the entire family.
- Austin Kane as Buddy "Cal" Calvin-Claus: Scott's youngest son, Carol's only son, Sandra's brother, and Charlie's paternal half brother. Cal at first is excited to experience life in his own way, having become distraught and fearful at the prospect of succeeding his father. Over the course of the series, it is revealed that he possesses magical abilities due to being born in the North Pole and the spirit of Christmas. The character first appeared in The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, where he was named Buddy after his maternal grandfather.{{cite web |last=Del Rosario |first=Alexandra |date=April 1, 2022 |title='The Santa Clause': Elizabeth Allen-Dick Joins Dad Tim Allen, 3 Others Cast In Disney+ Limited Series |url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/the-santa-clause-tim-allen-daughter-elizabeth-allen-dick-joins-tim-disney-series-1234992110/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024210424/https://deadline.com/2022/04/the-santa-clause-tim-allen-daughter-elizabeth-allen-dick-joins-tim-disney-series-1234992110/ |archive-date=October 24, 2022 |access-date=April 1, 2022 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}
- Elizabeth Allen-Dick as Sandra Calvin-Claus: Scott and Carol's daughter and youngest child; Buddy's sister and Charlie's paternal half-sister. Sandra enjoys living in at the North Pole and is hesitant to move away when her father decides to retire. At the confusion of her parents, she often develops close friendships with animals. Over the course of the series, it's revealed that she has magical abilities that she inherited from Santa Claus and the spirit of Christmas.{{cite web |last=Dick |first=Jeremy |date=April 1, 2022 |title=Elizabeth Allen-Dick Joins Father Tim Allen in the Santa Clause Sequel Series |url=https://movieweb.com/the-santa-clause-cast-elizabeth-allen-dick/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025105801/https://movieweb.com/the-santa-clause-cast-elizabeth-allen-dick/ |archive-date=October 25, 2022 |access-date=July 27, 2022 |website=MovieWeb}}
- Matilda Lawler as Betty (season 1; recurring: season 2): Chief of Staff at the North Pole, and Noel's wife.
- Devin Bright as Noel: The current right-hand elf at the North Pole, Betty's husband, and one of Santa's best friends.
- Rupali Redd as Grace Choksi (season 1): Simon's kind-hearted daughter, who believes in the spirit of Christmas. Grace is excited to live at the North Pole and experience the joys of Christmas every day. Her mother expressed desires for the feelings of Christmas every day, prior to passing from a major illness.
- Kal Penn as Simon Choksi / Santa Claus (season 1):{{cite web |last=Maas |first=Jennifer |date=March 3, 2022 |title='Santa Clause' Series at Disney Plus Adds Kal Penn |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/santa-clause-series-disney-plus-kal-penn-1235195311/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124023137/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/santa-clause-series-disney-plus-kal-penn-1235195311/ |archive-date=November 24, 2022 |accessdate=March 12, 2022 |work=Variety}}{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=March 3, 2022 |title=Kal Penn Joins 'The Santa Clause' Disney+ Limited Series |url=https://deadline.com/2022/03/the-santa-clause-kal-penn-tim-allen-disney-plus-limited-series-1234969497/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024210419/https://deadline.com/2022/03/the-santa-clause-kal-penn-tim-allen-disney-plus-limited-series-1234969497/ |archive-date=October 24, 2022 |access-date=March 3, 2022 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}} The man that Scott Calvin chooses to be his successor as Santa Claus at the North Pole. Prior to his new role, Choski is a game inventor, product developer, and single father with aspirations to become the equivalent of "the next Jeff Bezos" in the technology world. When he is appointed as the next Santa Claus, he views the efficiency at the North Pole as an opportunity to realize his unsuccessful business aspirations. Leading in his new role forcefully, Simon determines that every day will be Christmas, providing the world with instant gratification through a combination of his business technology and the North Pole's magic. Over time, however, he becomes disillusioned and bitter with his new role, and indifferent to the survival of the North Pole. As the spirit of Christmas begins to fade, Choksi finds himself at odds with Calvin who returns to reclaim his role as Santa Claus.
- Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias as Kris Moreno / Kris Kringle (season 2), the head of failing theme park Santapolis who finds Magnus Antas and frees him.
- Eric Stonestreet as Magnus Antas / The Mad Santa (season 2), a rogue past Santa Claus who was imprisoned in a nutcracker and seeks to take over the North Pole.
=Recurring=
- Isabella Bennett as Edie: An elf at the North Pole who regularly reviews the List with Santa, to ensure that good children receive what they want on Christmas. Edie is an advocate for the naughty children as well.
- Sasha Knight as Crouton: An elf at the North Pole who assists Santa.
- Izaac Wang as Hugo: An elf at the North Pole who helps run the machinery that monitors Santa Claus while he makes his deliveries on Christmas Eve.
- Miya Cech as Doc Martin: An elf doctor who helps manage Santa's health problems.
- Laura San Giacomo as La Befana: The good-natured Italian folkloric holiday figure, known as the Christmas witch, who lives in the Wobbly Woods.
- Liam Kyle as Gary, an elf in charge of the E.L.F.S. (Effective Liberating Flight Squad).
- Ruby Jay as Riley: Cal Calvin's supportive first girlfriend. The pair first meet when the Calvin family moves to Chicago, and though Cal is an outsider at school, Riley immediately takes a liking to him.
- Marta Kessler as Olga (season 2): A gnome who sides with Magnus.
=Guest stars=
- Eric Lloyd{{efn|name=fn1|Credited as a special guest star.}} as Charlie Calvin: Scott's oldest son from his previous marriage, and Carol's step-son. Charlie is Buddy and Sandra's paternal half-brother, and though he expressed interest in following in his father's footsteps as a child, he now states that his current job and young family prevent him from being able to be the successor when his father chooses to retire.{{cite web |last=Barnhardt |first=Adam |date=September 10, 2022 |title=The Santa Clauses Confirms Another Key Character Is Returning |url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-santa-clauses-reboot-tim-allen-eric-lloyd-charlie-return-confirmed/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108013759/https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-santa-clauses-reboot-tim-allen-eric-lloyd-charlie-return-confirmed/ |archive-date=November 8, 2022 |access-date=October 4, 2022 |website=ComicBook.com}}
- Peyton Manning{{efn|name=fn1|Credited as a special guest star.}} as himself, a potential candidate for a replacement Santa.
- David Krumholtz{{efn|name=fn1|Credited as a special guest star.}} as Bernard: The former right-hand elf to Calvin as Santa, who's revealed to have served in the role for thousands of years with the previous figures who held the mantle of Santa Claus, before briefly retiring to marry Vanessa Redgrave.
- Mitch Poulos as Saint Nicholas of Myra: The historical figure who served as inspiration for the legend of Santa Claus. Through his benevolent good acts of kindness and example in the spirit of giving, the spirit of Christmas created magic that resulted in the creation of ethereal figures including the role of Santa, elves, and flying reindeer.
- Mauricio Mendoza as Papa Noel / Santa Claus: One of the ancient successors to St. Nicholas, a Frenchman who carried the mantle for a time and completed his role as Santa Claus.
- Dirk Rogers as Krampus: The ancient folklore anthropomorphic horned being, who served during the Dark Ages as the successor to St. Nicholas; known for his role in scaring children into behaving for their parents. In the series, Krampus is shown to be stealing toys from children on the naughty list.
- Jim O'Heir as Santa Claus XVII: Calvin's predecessor and the seventeenth successor to Saint Nicholas, referred to amongst the various previous holders of the Santa Claus mantle as number "17". This man acted in the role of Santa for decades, from the Great Depression to the night that Scott Calvin became Santa Claus. He chose Scott after interacting with him as a child one night on Christmas Eve. Previously thought to have randomly passed away after falling off Scott's roof in the '90s, it is revealed that he retired to the afterlife after choosing his successor correctly. O'Heir takes over the role from Steve Lucescu, who appeared in The Santa Clause and The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause.{{cite web|url=https://www.looper.com/1129681/bernards-return-in-the-santa-clauses-will-finally-answer-why-scott-calvin-became-santa/?zsource=googlenewsapp|work=Looper|title=Bernard's Return In The Santa Clauses Will Finally Answer Why Scott Calvin Became Santa|author=Connolly, Jason|date=December 7, 2022|accessdate=December 8, 2022|archive-date=December 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209064743/https://www.looper.com/1129681/bernards-return-in-the-santa-clauses-will-finally-answer-why-scott-calvin-became-santa/?zsource=googlenewsapp|url-status=live}}{{cite web |author=Freitag |first=Lee |date=December 7, 2022 |title=The Santa Clauses Retcons the 1994 Film with a Spider-Verse-Like Twist |url=https://www.cbr.com/the-santa-clauses-retcons-1994-film-spider-verse-twist/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208075035/https://www.cbr.com/the-santa-clauses-retcons-1994-film-spider-verse-twist/ |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |accessdate=December 8, 2022 |work=Comic Book Resources}}{{cite web |author=Kraemer |first=Justine |date=December 7, 2022 |title=The Santa Clauses Season 1 Episode 5 Review: Chapter Five: Across the Yule-Verse |url=https://telltaletv.com/2022/12/the-santa-clauses-season-1-episode-5-review-chapter-five-across-the-yule-verse/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209071353/https://telltaletv.com/2022/12/the-santa-clauses-season-1-episode-5-review-chapter-five-across-the-yule-verse/ |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |accessdate=December 9, 2022 |work=Tell-Tale TV}}
- Casey Wilson as Sara: Now fully grown, she was once the little girl Scott first encountered as Santa in the first film. Wilson replaces Melissa King, from The Santa Clause.
- Kevin Pollak as Cupid{{Cite web|url=https://tvline.com/trailers/the-santa-clauses-season-2-trailer-release-date-tim-allen-eric-stonestreet-video-1235061921/|title=Santa Clauses Season 2 Trailer: Eric Stonestreet's Mad Santa Is Out for Revenge — Plus, Tracy Morgan's Easter Bunny Makes His Debut|website=TVLine|first=Ryan|last=Schwartz|date=October 17, 2023|access-date=October 18, 2023}}
- Tracy Morgan as The Easter Bunny. He replaces Jay Thomas from previous films, due to his death in 2017.
- Michael Dorn as Sandman{{Cite web|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/trailers/tim-allen-modern-family-eric-stonestreet-the-santa-clauses-season-2-trailer|title=Tim Allen Clashes With Modern Family's Eric Stonestreet In The Santa Clauses Season 2 Trailer, And I'm Down To See These Sitcom Legends Face Off|website=CinemaBlend|first=Erik|last=Swann|date=October 17, 2023|access-date=November 9, 2023}}
Episodes
=Series overview=
{{Series overview
| color1 = #5C1106
| link1 = #Season 1 (2022)
| episodes1 = 6
| start1 = {{Start date|2022|11|16}}
| end1 = {{End date|2022|12|14}}
| color2 = #FEB16C
| link2 = #Season 2 (2023)
| episodes2 = 6
| start2 = {{Start date|2023|11|8}}
| end2 = {{End date|2023|12|6}}
}}
=Season 1 (2022)=
{{Episode table |background=#5C1106 |overall=5 |season=5 |title=25 |director=14 |writer=26 |airdate=19 |prodcode=6 |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 1
| EpisodeNumber2 = 1
|Title = Chapter One: Good to Ho
|DirectedBy = Jason Winer
|WrittenBy = Jack Burditt
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|11|16}}
|ProdCode = 1HMD01
|ShortSummary = In 2022, 28 years have passed since Scott Calvin took on the role of Santa Claus.{{efn|name=fn2|As depicted in The Santa Clause (1994)}} While doing his rounds with his assistant elf Noel, Scott's magic falters causing the reindeer to go off course, resulting in them landing back to the North Pole. Meanwhile, Scott's wife, Carol eavesdrop on her children, Buddy "Cal" and Sandra, the former of who is playing virtual reality. Sandra notes that growing up at the North Pole she hasn't had any friends and notes how Mrs. Claus is perceived. Meanwhile, Simon Chokshi, a head executive at EverythingNow, is trying to balance life as a single father of his daughter Grace after his wife died. Scott returns and learns he is losing weight, causing him to start deliberately trying to gain weight. However, he continues to lose more weight over time. The following year as he is doing his rounds, he falls off a roof, leading to Carol being worried as Betty, Noel's wife and head elf is worried about Scott. Grace confronts Simon about his beliefs about Santa, but he explains he doesn't know if he is real.
- Note: The ending scene where Scott falls off the roof is a callback to The Santa Clause, when Scott had the roof mishap with Santa on Christmas Eve.
|LineColor = 5C1106
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2
| EpisodeNumber2 = 2
|Title = Chapter Two: The Secessus Clause
|DirectedBy = Jason Winer
|WrittenBy = Katy Colloton & Katie O'Brien
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|11|16}}
|ProdCode = 1HMD02
|ShortSummary = Betty informs Scott of yet another clause called the Secessus Clause, which would allow Scott to retire as Santa once he chooses a worthy successor. Scott initially considers his sons for the role, but Charlie turns him down as he is happily married with a family of his own and Cal expresses a desire to see the real world. Meanwhile, Simon tries to get investors for his business to improve his delivery system, but it backfires when one of his automated drones malfunctions. Returning home, Simon and Grace find their living room decorated for Christmas just before the elves come to take them to the North Pole.
|LineColor = 5C1106
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 3
| EpisodeNumber2 = 3
|Title = Chapter Three: Into the Wobbly Woods
|DirectedBy = Charles Randolph-Wright
|WrittenBy = Kevin Hench
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|11|23}}
|ProdCode = 1HMD03
|ShortSummary = Scott meets with potential candidates for Santa Claus (including Peyton Manning) while Carol and Cal look forward to life outside the Pole, though Sandra, however, is reluctant to leave. While Scott meets with Simon, Sandra takes Grace on a tour of the Pole and discovers she can understand animals. She and Grace go to the Wobbly Woods to meet with Befana, the Christmas Witch. Scott and Simon go looking for them and bond over their mutual struggles as fathers. Scott decides to make Simon the new Santa Claus and he and his family depart for Chicago.
|LineColor = 5C1106
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 4
| EpisodeNumber2 = 4
|Title = Chapter Four: The Shoes Off the Bed Clause
|DirectedBy = Charles Randolph-Wright
|WrittenBy = Ari Berkowitz & Alison Bennett
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|11|30}}
|ProdCode = 1HMD04
|ShortSummary = The Calvin family starts adapting to life in the real world. Carol is offered a job running a local school, Cal becomes smitten with a girl named Riley and Sandra makes friends by joining an equestrian club. Scott, however, struggles to adapt to no longer being Santa. At the North Pole, Simon's first day as Santa is off to a rocky start as he has lost the Santa coat and then decides to launch a new campaign called Christmas Every Day, which massively backfires by lowering the Christmas spirit and causing the elves to start disappearing, worrying Betty, whom Simon fires after she begins questioning him. Betty visits Befana in search of an old friend only to find the Santa coat.
|LineColor = 5C1106
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 5
| EpisodeNumber2 = 5
|Title = Chapter Five: Across the Yule-Verse
|DirectedBy = Katie Locke O'Brien
|WrittenBy = Eugene Garcia-Cross and Hayley Frazier & Emalee Burditt
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|12|7}}
|ProdCode = 1HMD05
|ShortSummary = Bernard appears before Scott and tells him he needs to return to his role as Santa. To convince him, Bernard takes him to visit Scott's predecessor, Santa XVII, who reveals that all previous Santas were ethereal and Scott was chosen to become Santa because of his giving spirit as a child. The clauses were created to help guide him in his endeavors. Learning of Simon's campaign, Scott returns to the North Pole much to his family's concern. When they realize what is going on, they decide to follow. At the North Pole, Scott is locked up by Simon.
|LineColor = 5C1106
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 6
| EpisodeNumber2 = 6
|Title = Chapter Six: A Christmas to Remember
|DirectedBy = Katie Locke O'Brien
|WrittenBy = Hayley Frazier & Emalee Burditt
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|12|14}}
|ProdCode = 1HMD06
|ShortSummary = After breaking out, Scott reunites with his family, who split up when they learn that the Santa coat is searching for him. Unfortunately, Simon beats them to it and threatens to burn the coat but is stopped by Grace. Showing her father a snow globe containing memories of the last Christmas with her late mother, Simon comes to his senses and apologizes to Grace for everything. Reembracing the Christmas spirit with his family, Scott returns to the role of Santa and the elves return. After returning the Choksis back to their home, Scott and his family set out to deliver presents. Cal even delivers a bouquet of poinsettias to his girlfriend Riley, who believes the truth about Cal’s family and kisses him. Returning home, Scott and his family celebrate, more than ready to prepare for next year.
|LineColor = 5C1106
}}
}}
=Season 2 (2023)=
{{Episode table |background=#FEB16C |overall=5 |season=5 |title=25 |director=14 |writer=26 |airdate=19 |prodcode=6 |airdateR={{cite web|url=http://thefutoncritic.com/showatch/santa-clauses/listings/|title=The Santa Clauses on Disney+ – Listings|website=The Futon Critic|access-date=November 15, 2023}} |episodes=
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 7
| EpisodeNumber2 = 1
| Title = Chapter Seven: The Kribble Krabble Clause
| DirectedBy = Jason Winer
| WrittenBy = Jack Burditt
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|11|8}}
| ProdCode = 2HMD01
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = FEB16C
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 8
| EpisodeNumber2 = 2
| Title = Chapter Eight: Floofy
| DirectedBy = Jason Winer
| WrittenBy = Jack Burditt
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|11|8}}
| ProdCode = 2HMD02
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = FEB16C
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 9
| EpisodeNumber2 = 3
| Title = Chapter Nine: No Magic at the Dinner Table
| DirectedBy = Katie Locke O'Brien
| WrittenBy = Camille Patrao & Eugene Garcia-Cross
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|11|15}}
| ProdCode = 2HMD03
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = FEB16C
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 10
| EpisodeNumber2 = 4
| Title = Chapter Ten: Miracle on Dead Creek Road
| DirectedBy = Katie Locke O'Brien
| WrittenBy = Katy Colloton & Katie O'Brien
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|11|22}}
| ProdCode = 2HMD04
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = FEB16C
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 11
| EpisodeNumber2 = 5
| Title = Chapter Eleven: B-E-T-T-Y
| DirectedBy = Charles Randolph-Wright
| WrittenBy = Emalee Burditt & Hayley Frazier
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|11|29}}
| ProdCode = 2HMD05
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = FEB16C
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 12
| EpisodeNumber2 = 6
| Title = Chapter Twelve: Wanga Banga Langa
| DirectedBy = Charles Randolph-Wright
| WrittenBy = Vali Chandrasekaran
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|12|6}}
| ProdCode = 2HMD06
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = FEB16C
}}
}}
Production
= Development =
In January 2022, it was announced that a limited series that would serve as a legacy-sequel to The Santa Clause films was in development, with Tim Allen reprising his role in addition to serving as executive producer. Initially given the working title of "The Clauses", the project was conceptualized with intent for a streaming release exclusive to Disney+. Jack Burditt serves as showrunner and executive producer, while Jason Winer is a director in addition to serving as an executive producer.
According to Allen, "It originally had a lot of otherworldly characters, and ghosts, and goblins. I said no, this is Christ-mas. Its Christ-mas. It literally is a religious holiday. We don't have to blow trumpets, but I do want you to acknowledge it. That's what this is about. If you want to get into Santa Claus, you're gonna have to go back to history, and it's all about religion."{{Cite web |last=Ortiz |first=Andi |date=2022-11-09 |title=The Santa Clauses Highlights the 'Christ' in Christmas, Tim Allen Says |url=https://www.thewrap.com/the-santa-clauses-christianity-tim-allen-disney-series/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211132913/https://www.thewrap.com/the-santa-clauses-christianity-tim-allen-disney-series/ |archive-date=December 11, 2022 |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=TheWrap |language=en-US}} On December 14, 2022, The Santa Clauses was renewed for a second season, with Tim Allen and Elizabeth Mitchell set to return.{{cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=December 14, 2022 |title='The Santa Clauses' Renewed For Season 2 By Disney+ |url=https://deadline.com/2022/12/the-santa-clauses-renewed-season-2-disney-plus-1235199579/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214233607/https://deadline.com/2022/12/the-santa-clauses-renewed-season-2-disney-plus-1235199579/ |archive-date=December 14, 2022 |access-date=December 14, 2022 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}
=Casting=
Tim Allen and Elizabeth Mitchell were announced to be reprising their roles as Scott Calvin / Santa Claus and Carol Calvin / Mrs. Claus, respectively. In addition, Kal Penn joined the cast as a character named Simon Choski. Elizabeth Allen-Dick, Tim Allen's real life daughter, had been cast in her acting debut as Scott's daughter. Austin Kane, Rupali Redd and Devin Bright also joined the cast. Matilda Lawler joined the cast as a series regular.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/matilda-lawler-disney-the-santa-clause-as-series-regular-1235005834/ |title=Matilda Lawler Joins Disney+'s 'The Santa Clause' As Series Regular |website=Deadline Hollywood |first=Alexandra |last=Del Rosario |date=April 20, 2022 |access-date=April 20, 2022 |archive-date=April 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420163153/https://deadline.com/2022/04/matilda-lawler-disney-the-santa-clause-as-series-regular-1235005834/ |url-status=live }} In late July 2022, it was confirmed that David Krumholtz would be reprising his role as Bernard,{{cite web |last=Klein |first=Brennan |date=July 27, 2022 |title=Bernard Is Back: Original Actor Returning For Disney's Santa Clause Show |url=https://screenrant.com/santa-clause-show-david-krumholtz-bernard-elf-return-confirmed/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727190544/https://screenrant.com/santa-clause-show-david-krumholtz-bernard-elf-return-confirmed/ |archive-date=July 27, 2022 |access-date=July 27, 2022 |website=Screen Rant}} while the following month, Laura San Giacomo was announced to be portraying the Christmas Witch.{{cite web |last=Rice |first=Lynette |date=August 5, 2022 |title='The Santa Clauses' Adds Laura San Giacomo As Christmas Witch |url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/the-santa-clauses-laura-san-giacomo-christmas-witch-1235085884/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805163113/https://deadline.com/2022/08/the-santa-clauses-laura-san-giacomo-christmas-witch-1235085884/ |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |access-date=August 5, 2022 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} On February 24, 2023, Eric Stonestreet joined the cast in undisclosed capacity while Marta Kessler was cast to guest star for the second season. Three days later, Gabriel Iglesias was cast as a series regular for the second season.{{Cite web |last=Rice |first=Lynette |date=February 27, 2023 |title='The Santa Clauses' Adds Gabriel Iglesias As Series Regular |url=https://deadline.com/2023/02/the-santa-clauses-gabriel-iglesias-series-regular-1235273076/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227200455/https://deadline.com/2023/02/the-santa-clauses-gabriel-iglesias-series-regular-1235273076/ |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |access-date=February 27, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} On May 3, 2023, it was announced that Tracy Morgan was set to make a cameo and Stonestreet was cast as a series regular for the second season.{{Cite web |last=Rice |first=Lynette |date=May 3, 2023 |title='The Santa Clauses' Nabs Tracy Morgan For Carrot-Eating Cameo On Disney+ Comedy |url=https://deadline.com/2023/05/the-santa-clauses-tracy-morgan-cast-disney-plus-1235355225/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503225333/https://deadline.com/2023/05/the-santa-clauses-tracy-morgan-cast-disney-plus-1235355225/ |archive-date=May 3, 2023 |access-date=May 3, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}
= Filming =
The series began filming in March 2022 in Los Angeles, with JP Wakayama serving as the cinematographer.{{Cite web |title=J.P. Wakyama |url=https://www.murthaskouras.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Wakayama-JP-5.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530133440/https://www.murthaskouras.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Wakayama-JP-5.pdf |archive-date=May 30, 2022 |access-date=May 30, 2022 |agency=Murtha Skouras Agency}} Filming wrapped in June 2022.{{cite tweet|user=ocftimallen|first=Tim|last=Allen|number=1532848785042182144|date=June 3, 2022|title=Finished shooting at the pole. The magic begins this fall. Don't tell anyone I shared this photo looking out Santa's window.|access-date=September 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906231757/https://twitter.com/ofctimallen/status/1532848785042182144|archive-date=September 6, 2022|url-status=live}} Production for the second season began in February 2023.{{Cite web |last=Rice |first=Lynette |date=February 24, 2023 |title=Eric Stonestreet Joins 'The Santa Clauses' In Season 2; 'Modern Family' Star Will Play Mad Santa |url=https://deadline.com/2023/02/eric-stonestreet-the-santa-clauses-season-2-disney-plus-1235269682/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224182742/https://deadline.com/2023/02/eric-stonestreet-the-santa-clauses-season-2-disney-plus-1235269682/ |archive-date=February 24, 2023 |access-date=February 24, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}
= Music =
In November 2022, it was revealed that Ariel Rechtshaid would compose the score for the series.{{cite web|url=https://filmmusicreporter.com/2022/11/08/ariel-rechtshaid-scoring-disneys-the-santa-clauses/|title=Ariel Rechtshaid Scoring Disney+'s 'The Santa Clauses'|website=Film Music Reporter|date=November 8, 2022|access-date=November 9, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108221048/https://filmmusicreporter.com/2022/11/08/ariel-rechtshaid-scoring-disneys-the-santa-clauses/|url-status=live}}
A digital soundtrack for the series' second season became available on December 8, 2023.[https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0CP8TDV3N The Santa Clauses: Season 2 (Original Soundtrack)]
class="wikitable"
|+ The Santa Clauses: Season 2 (Original Soundtrack) | |
Song name | Artist |
---|---|
"Dancing with My Elf" | The Santa Clauses – Cast |
"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" | Lawrence |
"We Wish You a Merry Christmas" | rowspan="3" | The Santa Clauses – Cast |
"If You Leave" | |
"Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" |
Release
The Santa Clauses was released on November 16, 2022 on Disney+, with its first two episodes available immediately.{{Cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Ryan |date=September 10, 2022 |title=The Santa Clauses Trailer: Is Tim Allen Being Replaced by... Peyton Manning? — Get Disney+ Premiere Date |url=https://tvline.com/2022/09/10/the-santa-clause-tv-show-release-date-trailer-tim-allen-disney-plus-sequel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220910230044/https://tvline.com/2022/09/10/the-santa-clause-tv-show-release-date-trailer-tim-allen-disney-plus-sequel/ |archive-date=September 10, 2022 |access-date=September 10, 2022 |website=TVLine}}
The first 2 episodes made its linear premiere on Freeform on December 16, 2022 followed by airings on FX on December 17, 2022, ABC on December 24, 2022 and on Disney Channel on December 25, 2022.{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2022 |title=Ho ho ho! Starting December 16, the first two episodes of #TheSantaClauses will debut on @FreeformTV, @FXNetworks, @ABCNetwork, and @DisneyChannel! All episodes are currently streaming on @DisneyPlus. #DisneyBrandedTelevision |url=https://twitter.com/DisneyBrandTVPR/status/1603473683783114752/photo/1/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328040048/https://twitter.com/DisneyBrandTVPR/status/1603473683783114752 |archive-date=March 28, 2023 |access-date=December 15, 2022 |website=Twitter}} The second season premiered on November 8, 2023, with two new episodes.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/09/the-santa-clauses-season-2-premiere-date-1235552429/|title='The Santa Clauses': Disney+ Reveals Return Date For Tim Allen Comedy|website=Deadline Hollywood|last=Rice|first=Lynette|date=September 21, 2023|access-date=September 21, 2023}}
Reception
=Viewership=
JustWatch, a guide to streaming content with access to data from more than 20 million users around the world, reported that The Santa Clauses was the tenth most-streamed series in the U.S. from November 14–20.{{Cite web |last=Gruenwedel |first=Erik |date=2022-11-22 |title=JustWatch: 'Smile,' 'Yellowstone' Dominated Weekly Streaming Through Nov. 20 |url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/justwatch-smile-yellowstone-dominated-weekly-streaming-through-nov-20/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123012452/https://www.mediaplaynews.com/justwatch-smile-yellowstone-dominated-weekly-streaming-through-nov-20/ |archive-date=November 23, 2022 |access-date=2022-11-23 |website=Media Play News |language=en-US}} Whip Media, which tracks viewership data for the more than 21 million worldwide users of its TV Time app, calculated that it was among the five most-streamed original shows in the U.S. between December 11-18.{{Cite web |last=Prange |first=Stephanie |date=2022-12-14 |title='Bullet Train', 'Wednesday' Top Weekly Whip U.S. Streaming Charts |url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/bullet-train-wednesday-top-weekly-whip-u-s-streaming-charts/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227174955/https://www.mediaplaynews.com/bullet-train-wednesday-top-weekly-whip-u-s-streaming-charts/ |archive-date=December 27, 2022 |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=Media Play News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Prange |first=Stephanie |date=2022-12-21 |title='Black Adam', 'Wednesday' Top Weekly Whip U.S. Streaming Charts |url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/black-adam-wednesday-top-weekly-whip-u-s-streaming-charts/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227180501/https://www.mediaplaynews.com/black-adam-wednesday-top-weekly-whip-u-s-streaming-charts/ |archive-date=December 27, 2022 |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=Media Play News |language=en-US}}
Luminate, which measures streaming performance in the U.S. by analyzing viewership data, audience engagement metrics, and content reach across various platforms, reported that The Santa Clauses accounted for 3.9% of total original series viewership on Disney+ between December 31, 2021, and December 29, 2022.{{Cite web |last=Aquilina |first=Tyler |date=2024-03-20 |title=Streaming Viewership Data Shows Steep Drop-Off After Top Originals |url=https://variety.com/vip/streaming-viewership-data-top-svod-series-peak-tv-1235946070/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} In 2023, The Santa Clauses was among the tenth most-streamed original series in the U.S. from November 19 to December 10, according to Whip Media.{{multiref2
|1={{Cite web |last=Prange |first=Stephanie |date=November 21, 2023 |title='Blue Beetle,' 'Loki' Top Weekly Whip U.S. Streaming Charts |url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/blue-beetle-loki-top-weekly-whip-u-s-streaming-charts/ |access-date=2023-11-30 |website=Media Play News |language=en-US}}|2={{Cite web |last=Prange |first=Stephanie |date=November 28, 2023 |title='Blue Beetle,' 'Invincible' Top Weekly Whip U.S. Streaming Charts |url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/blue-beetle-invincible-top-weekly-whip-us-streaming-charts/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=Media Play News |language=en-US}}|3={{Cite web |last=Prange |first=Stephanie |date=December 5, 2023 |title='Family Switch,' 'Squid Game: The Challenge' Top Weekly Whip U.S. Streaming Charts |url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/family-switch-squid-game-the-challenge-top-weekly-whip-u-s-streaming-charts/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=Media Play News |language=en-US}}|4={{Cite web |last=Prange |first=Stephanie |date=December 12, 2023 |title='Leave the World Behind,' 'Squid Game: The Challenge' Top Weekly Whip U.S. Streaming Charts |url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/leave-the-world-behind-squid-game-the-challenge-top-weekly-whip-u-s-streaming-charts/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=Media Play News |language=en-US}}
}}
= Critical response =
{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|55|5.6|22|The Santa Clauses is a bit ho ho ho-hum as a continuation of the holiday franchise, but it's hardly a lump of coal thanks to Tim Allen's spirited return as Father Christmas, along with a dash of yuletide nostalgia.}}{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes|id=the_santa_clauses|title=The Santa Clauses|type=tv|season=1|access-date=January 8, 2023}}{{cbignore}} Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 55 out of 100 based on six critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".{{Cite Metacritic|id=the-santa-clauses-2022|title=The Santa Clauses|type=tv|season=1|access-date=November 17, 2022}}{{cbignore}}
= Accolades =
See also
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Disney+ series}}
- {{IMDb title}}
{{Santa Clause}}
{{Disney+ original ended series}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Santa Clauses, The}}
Category:2020s American comedy television series
Category:2022 American television series debuts
Category:2023 American television series endings
Category:American sequel television series
Category:Christmas television series
Category:Disney+ original programming
Category:American English-language television shows
Category:Live action television shows based on films
Category:Santa Claus in television
Category:Television series by 20th Century Fox Television
Category:Television shows filmed in Los Angeles
Category:The Santa Clause (franchise)
Category:Television series about children
Category:Television series about elves