Santa Baby

I was not familiar with the 2006 movie "Santa Baby" from director Ron Underwood. But as I stumbled upon it here in 2024, I opted to add it to my December month list of Christmas movies to watch.

Writers Garrett Frawley and Brian Turner put together a fair enough script. Sure, the movie was watchable and entertaining enough for what it turned out. But it just wasn't a particularly outstanding or memorable viewing experience.

The movie has a pretty great cast ensemble, with the likes of Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, Ivan Sergei, George Wendt and Michael Moriarty. Needless to say that the acting performances in the movie were good.

"Santa Baby" is hardly a Christmas classic. Nor is it a movie that I will ever return to watch a second time. There are far better Christmas movies out there.

My rating of director Ron Underwood's 2006 movie "Santa Baby" lands on a bland five out of ten stars.

I no longer think of Playboy when I hear the name Jenny McCarthy. I now think of Autism, and good acting. She does a superb job in this charming and funny Christmas story.

Santa (George Wendt) is having heart trouble and so mom (Lynne Griffin) calls Mary Class (she changed her name) home. Mary (McCarthy) is a successful workaholic that has always had a rough time with dad (WHO HASN'T?). She wants efficiency, while he stick to tradition.

She also left a beau (Ivan Sergei) when she left home and has new boyfriend in the big city. You can imagine the problems there when the two meet.

So you have family struggle on a grand scale, relationship problems and lots of comedy in a great Christmas movie.

Also stars Kandyse McClure, who will be familiar to "Battlestar Galactica" fans, who creates a little heat of her own.

This is not the first story about Santa planning to retire, and let a son/daughter take over the toy manufacturing and delivery business. The idea has been done before, often and better.

Apparently, Santa's daughter Mary (Jenny McCarthy) was once as kind hearted and sweet as her folks and the elves that work for them. For whatever reason, she veered from her famous father's (George Wendt) path, and became a corporate junior exec with a big mouth and an attitude to match. When she discovers her dad is physically unable to perform his duties one season, she butts in, takes over, and embarks on a board room mentality approach to revamp the North Pole toyshop for greater "efficiency." The dialogue is needlessly negative, as she mocks generosity, Christmas cheer, elves, and her amiable father. Here's a typical line from the movie, as an example of the overall tone: "Here's a stocking....stuff it." Original and hilarious, isn't it?

The acting rises above the script, and there's a sweet, sentimental romance in the later going of the film. It's a shame that the meanness early on may lead you to shut this thing off before it introduces this element. If you can make it through the first half of the film, you may find a dose of Christmas spirit from the movie near the end.

Wow is my only comment. McCarthy reveals so much depth and charisma in her acting abilities. I also found this story quite intriguing. Who is this daughter of Kringle?...This re-arranger of emotions who has held my heart captive for so long? I don't want to spoil any surprises for the possible late viewers BUT I will say it has a happy ending. Not in the massage parlor way either. My life is changed forever.

I should also note that the annoying song that goes with this movie made me not want to watch it. I would recommend that any other viewer who fears this will taint the actual viewing should swallow this pill in a small show of sacrifice. While not as astoundingly good as that one with Dudley as a drunken elf--for which I can't remember the title--it does stand out as a heart-warming cup of holiday good-spirit-nog. My soul is tinseled with good will toward my fellow man. Just what Christmas is about. I'm a better person for having watched it.

Santa Baby (2006) is a film I recently watched on Tubi. The story follows a successful business executive who returns home to visit her ailing father, bringing her executive assistant along for the trip. Little does she know, her father is actually Santa Claus, and he may need her help this Christmas to ensure the children of the world receive their gifts.

Directed by Ron Underwood (Tremors), the film stars Jenny McCarthy (Dirty Love), Ivan Sergei (Crossing Jordan), George Wendt (Cheers), Kandyse McClure (Romeo Must Die), and Michael Moriarty (Pale Rider).

The cast, settings, and storyline weren't as bad as I initially expected. The movie does a decent job incorporating workplace terminology and references from its era into the holiday premise. It also effectively portrays that women can be just as capable and handy as men. I particularly enjoyed the depiction of the father-daughter relationship, which added some heart to the film. However, the romantic subplot was predictable, cheesy, and felt typical of a holiday movie. The ending, while lighthearted, tied the plot together nicely.

In conclusion, Santa Baby isn't anything extraordinary, but it's not a complete waste of time either. I'd give it a 5/10 and only recommend it if there's nothing better available.