Merry Madagascar

Merry Madagascar is a Christmas special first broadcast on the NBC network on November 17, 2009, which starred the characters from the film series Madagascar.[1]

Merry Madagascar
Based onCharacters by
Tom McGrath
Eric Darnell
Written byEric Darnell
Tom McGrath
David Soren
Directed byDavid Soren
StarringBen Stiller
Chris Rock
David Schwimmer
Jada Pinkett Smith
Danny Jacobs
Cedric the Entertainer
Andy Richter
Carl Reiner
Music byHeitor Pereira
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producersMireille Soria
Eric Darnell
Tom McGrath
ProducerJoe M. Aguilar
Running time28 minutes
Production companiesDreamWorks Animation
Pacific Data Images
DistributorDreamWorks Animation
Release
Original networkNBC
Original release
  • November 17, 2009 (2009-11-17)

It features many of the same voices from the film (except Sacha Baron Cohen, who was replaced by Danny Jacobs, the voice of Julien in both The Penguins of Madagascar and All Hail King Julien television series), including Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, and Jada Pinkett Smith. Carl Reiner provided the voice of Santa Claus.[2]

Plot

Alex, Marty, Melman, and Gloria attempt to return to New York City in a hot air balloon, but the lemur population inadvertently thwarts their escape by mistaking them for the "red night goblin" that visits annually. The "goblin" then showers the island with coals. Alex shoots it down, discovering it was actually Santa Claus throwing coal at Julien for being naughty.

The crash leaves Santa with amnesia, unaware of his responsibilities. The group resolve to deliver the presents and use the sleigh to get back home, but Santa's reindeer won't take orders from anyone other than Santa, so the penguins use Santa's magic dust to fly.

Their initial attempts to make deliveries go awry so they decide to dump the gifts at the relevant post offices. However, after crashing into an apartment and unintentionally bringing joy to a little girl, they continue with the deliveries despite the adverse conditions.

Back on Madagascar, while the lemurs are presenting gifts to Julien for "Julianuary", Santa rediscovers his ability to make toys. He crafts gifts for them all, angering Julien as he feels the focus should be on him. Julien decrees that the lemurs' gifts belong to him. Sifting through the presents alone depresses him; Santa's suggestion of giving a gift lifts his mood.

As the night nears its end, the animals have only enough magic dust for one last trip. Putting aside their desire to go home, they return to Madagascar to rescue Santa. They run out of dust and crash into him, restoring his memory. He thanks the animals for making his deliveries and takes Julien off the naughty list. However, the animals have overlooked a bag for Liechtenstein, so Santa switches to a reserve tank to make the trip before the animals can ask for a ride. The animals resolve to enjoy their Christmas in Madagascar, but Julien throws a coconut at Alex to get back on the naughty list, causing a lump on his head and amnesia, like Santa before him.

Cast

Note: Rico appears, but has no dialogue.

Awards

Merry Madagascar was nominated for six Annie Awards, and won one award for Storyboarding in a Television Production.[3]

Award ! Recipient(s) Result
Best Animated Television Production DreamWorks Animation Nominated
Character Animation in a Television Production Kevan Shorey Nominated
Character Design in a Television Production Craig Kellman Nominated
Storyboarding in a Television Production Robert Koo Won
Voice Acting in a Television Production Danny Jacobs (Voice of King Julien) Nominated
Willow Smith (Voice of Abby) Nominated

Home media

Merry Madagascar was released on DVD in the United States on November 18, 2009, exclusively at stores of Walmart,[4] and it was widely released on October 11, 2011.[5] The special was released on Blu ray and DVD on October 30, 2012, as part of compilation titled Dreamworks Holiday Classics.[6][7] It was re released on DVD on October 1, 2013 along with Shrek the Halls, Kung Fu Panda Holiday, Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury, and The Croods.

Partnership

In July 2011, as part of a strategic partnership between DreamWorks Animation and Gaylord Hotels, Merry Madagascar was presented as the theme of the ICE! exhibit at Gaylord's hotels in Nashville and Maryland. In this presentation, the plot of the film is told through a series of ice sculptures that visitors walk past.[8]

References
  1. J. McLean, Thomas (October 1, 2009). "NBC Airs DreamWorks Holiday Specials". Animation Magazine. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  2. Crump, William D. (2019). Happy Holidays—Animated! A Worldwide Encyclopedia of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's Cartoons on Television and Film. McFarland & Co. p. 189. ISBN 9781476672939.
  3. "37th Annual Annie Nominations and Awards Recipients". The Annie Awards. Archived from the original on August 15, 2010. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  4. "Walmart and DreamWorks Animation Offer Exclusive Merry Madagascar DVD and Holiday Items in Walmart Stores". PR Newswire. November 3, 2009. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
  5. "Merry Madagascar (2009)". Amazon. Retrieved November 16, 2012.
  6. "Dreamworks Holiday Classics: Merry Madagascar / Shrek The Halls / Dragons: Gift Of The Night Fury (Blu-ray + DVD) (Widescreen)". Wallmart. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
  7. "Dreamworks Holiday Classics Blu-ray". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
  8. "THIS CHRISTMAS, 'SHREK THE HALLS' AND GET 'MERRY MADAGASCAR' AT GAYLORD HOTELS". Gaylord Hotels. July 19, 2011. Archived from the original on May 2, 2012. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
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