A ZOOM Family Christmas
By Madeline Fretz
Based on a screenplay by Jerry Juhl
Circa 2007
A ZOOM + Sesame Street + Fraggle Rock crossover
Chapter 1: Cheer and Spirit
+++++++ Cast +++++++
Aline Barta
Alisa Besher
Kevin Barrette
Cara Fretz
Caroline Botelho
Claudio Jimenez
David Toropov
Emily Palmer Marshall
Eric Rollins
Estuardo Alvizures
Frances Dormond
Francesco Tena
Garrett DiBona
Jessica Ogungbadero
Kaleigh Cronin
Keiko Yoshida
Kenneth Yates
Kortney Summer
Kyle Larrow
Lynese Browder
Matt Runyon
Maya Morales
Mike Hansen
Nick Henry
Noreen Raja
Pablo Verez
Rachel Redd
Ray Filme
Elena Sheih
Taylor Garron
Zoe Costello
Loretta Long as Susan
Roscoe Orman as Gordon
Olamide Faison as Miles
Caroll Spinney as Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch
Matt Vogel as Big Bird (some lines)
Eric Jacobson as Bert and Grover
Kevin Clash as Elmo, Hoots the Owl, and Baby Natasha
David Rudman as Cookie Monster, Baby Bear, and Humphrey
Leslie Carrara-Rudolph as Abby Cadabby
Joey Mazzarino as Murray Monster, Papa Bear, and Ingrid
Carmen Oshbar as Rosita
Fran Brill as Zoe and Prairie Dawn
Jerry Nelson as Count Von Count, Herry Monster, and Gobo Fraggle
Stephanie D'Abruzzo as Elizabeth, Lulu, and Curly Bear
Martin P. Robinson as Telly Monster
Steve Whitmire as Ernie and Wembley Fraggle
Karen Prell as Red Fraggle
Dave Goelz as Boober Fraggle
Jennifer Barnhart as Mama Bear and Mokey Fraggle
Pam Arciero as Grundgetta and Mokey Fraggle (some lines)
Bob Golding as Milo
Justin Fletcher as Jake and Doodles
Colleen Daley as Fizz and Izzles
Emma Weaver as Bella
Jared Nathan
Our story begins in December - The one month of the year where all around the world people begin to celebrate the holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa) before the new year comes around. At this moment, a pickup truck was driving through a snowstorm, the driver being Kenny Yates, a former ZOOMer from 2000 to 2001, who are off to keep the tradition alive. Next to him was 3-season ZOOMer Elena "Shing-Ying" Sheih,
Some others included Francesco Tena, Taylor Garron, Zoe Costello, Pablo Velez, Alisa Besher, Garrett DiBona, Estuardo Alvizures, Cara Fretz, Kyle Larrow, Emily Marshall, Keiko Yoshida, Kaleigh Cronin, Rachel Redd, Lynese Browder, Mike Hansen, and David Toropov. Also on board were one-time ZOOMers Claudio Jimenez, Jessica Ogungbadero, Noreen Raja, Nick Henry, Ray Filme, Matt Runyon, Frances Dormond, and Maya Morales.
Kenny: Gosh, this is the best idea any of us've had in a long time. Christmas at Caroline's
Kaleigh: Sounds great, Ken. But don'cha think we shoulda called her to let her know we were coming?
Kenny: Oh, how little you understand, Kales. Caroline loves surprises.
Pablo: Good thing she's in for a beauty.
Kenny: Y'know, I can just imagine what Caroline is doing right now.
Now we see Caroline's home, as Kenny's voice did some describing.
Kenny's: (voice over) She'll be right there in the house on top of the hill all bundled on the sofa enjoying the warm fire. Christmas decorations'll be all up and she'll probably feel a bit sad since she's all alone for the holidays.
Kenny was partly right - for as we look inside the house, everything is neat and tidy, but no decorations were up with the sofa empty and no fire was in the fireplace. As for Caroline, she came out with some suitcases and looked ready to take off on a trip.
Caroline: The plane leaves for the Florida keys in three hours. Once I get there, I'll hit the beach and catch some rays. ZOOMeriffic!
Back in the van, Kenny smiles.
Kenny: Oh, this is gonna be such a surprise!
Zoe: Indeed.
Alisa: Well, I'm in the mood for another song.
Taylor: Me too. Hey Shingy, hit it!
Shing-Ying: You got it folks!
Everyone in the van: (singing) Haul out the holly
Put up the tree before my
Kenny honked the horn before they continued.
Everyone in the van: (singing) Spirit falls again
Fill up the stocking
We may be rushing things, but deck the halls again now
For we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute
Candles in the window
Carols at the spinet
Yes, we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute
It hasn't snowed a single flurry
But Santa, dear, we're in a hurry
So climb down the chimney
Put up the brightest string of
Johnny 5 honked the horn once again.
Everyone in the van: (singing) Lights we've ever seen
Slice up the fruitcake
It's time we hung some tinsel on that evergreen bough
For we need a little music
Need a little laughter
Need a little singing
Ringing through the rafter
And we need a little snappy
"Happy ever after"
We need
A
Lit-tle
Christmas
NOW!
Snow continued to fall on the ground at Caroline's house.
Caroline: Well I think we have everything. Airline tickets, suntan lotion...
Before she could finish, the doorbell rang.
Caroline: Come in!
The front door swing open, revealing a black man, his wife, and their adoptive son.
Gordon: Hello, is this the Botelho residence?
Caroline walked over to the guests she was expecting.
Caroline: Oh, you must be the renters. Come in.
Gordon: Yes, I'm Gordon Robinson from Sesame Street. (to Miles and Susan) Go on ahead, you two.
Susan: Okay, Gordon.
Susan went in, followed by Miles. She slipped coming in and nearly lost her balance.
Susan: Whoa!
Caroline: Oh, mind your step coming in. There's an icy patch there. (sighs) I'm just so glad someone's gonna be able to watch over the place while I'm gone.
Gordon: (closing the door behind him) No trouble at all, Ms. Botelho. This is my wife Susan, and our son Miles, who we adopted in 1985.
Miles/Susan: Hi.
Gordon: (to Caroline) Anyway, Ms. Botelho, we're certainly delighted to be renting the place. I've been wanting to spend a nice, quiet Christmas in the country with my wife and son.
Caroline: Well, you've come to the right place.
Miles: Ms. Botelho, where can we put our things?
Caroline: (points upwards) Oh, you can go ahead and put your things in the bedroom at the top of the stairs.
Susan/Miles: Thank you.
Gordon followed his wife and son up the stairs.
Suddenly, they heard the doorbell ring a second time.
Caroline: (perplexed) Now who could that be?
Suddenly the door opened, revealing her former boyfriend.
Kenny: Ta-da! Merry Christmas!
Caroline: (gasps) Kenny!
Kenny: (gasps) Caroline!
They hugged.
Caroline: Ooh, it's so good to see you again. This is a surprise.
Kenny! Oh no, the real surprise is...I've brought all my friends with me!
Caroline: What?!
As Kenny said that, everyone from the van came running into the house like a stampede. Kaleigh was the first to come in.
Kaleigh: Merry Christmas!
Then she slipped and fell.
Caroline: Careful of the icy patch!
Not all of them heeded Caroline's warning as more slipped.
Alisa: YAA!
Zoe: Whoa! Golly.
Pablo: Whoa!
Shing-Ying: AH!
Fortunately for Shing, Francesco managed to catch her.
Kenny: Well, whaddaya think, Caroline?
Caroline: Well, I dunno what to say, Ken.
Gordon: Uh, 'scuse me, Ms. Botelho, but I rented this place to have a nice, quiet Christmas with my wife and son.
(stops at Miles and Susan): Wait a minute, you two! They could be from some street in New York City for all we know.
Caroline: (reassuringly) Not really. Most of 'em are from the show ZOOM. I recognize a lot of those ZOOMers I met over the years.
Kyle: Yup, and proud of it too!
Claudio: (looking around) Why am I here?
Gordon (to Susan and Miles): Tell me, you two, are these anything like those humans back on Sesame Street?
Susan: Oh… like Maria, Luis, Bob, Alan, Linda, and Gina?
Miles: Don't forget Gabi!
Gordon: Oooookay.
Kenny: Listen, Caroline, I know there's an awful lot of us here and...
Caroline: Oh don't you worry bout a thing. There's plenty of room for everybody.
Gordon: (offended) Excuse me, but you promised me a nice, quiet Christmas with my wife and son.
Caroline: Hey, hey, hey, you think you're disappointed?! I just took three three months of surfing lessons for nothing!
Suddenly they heard a Tarzan yell coming from Garrett's pocket.
Garrett: (chuckles lightly) Sorry, that's just my cellphone.
Garrett walked away ss he pulled his cellphone out of his pocket. Then he pressed the button and answered it.
Garrett: Hello? Aline?
Yes, the caller was Garrett's love interest, Aline Barta. She was wearing a white and pink dress and was in the middle of something while she was on her cellphone.
Aline: Hey, Garrett. How's my fave ZOOM Boy?
As Garrett next spoke, Aline did a couple of poses as a camera took her picture.
Garrett: (on the line) Oh I'm fine, Aline. Where are ya anyway? I thought you'd be up here at Caroline's house with us.
Aline: (regretfully) Oh, I'm sorry, Garrett. But I forgot about a small photo session I scheduled with Mr. Powers.
Austin: Alright, darling, once more over the shoulder. Hold it.
He then flashed another picture.
Garrett: Well, uh, how much longer will you be?
Aline: No need to worry.
She did another pose as Austin took the picture.
Austin: Oh, yeah, baby. Couldn't be better.
Aline: (to Austin) Thanks. (to Garrett) I have a ride outside ready to fly me right into your arms at Caroline's. (laughes as she poses again)
Austin: (taking the picture) Oh, beautiful, baby. Just beautiful.
Aline: I gotta go now, Sora. See ya soon.
Garrett: Well, all right, Kairi. Take care.
Aline: Hugs and kisses. Bye-bye!
Aline then hung up and put her leg up to do a pose like the Rockettes.
Austin: (taking the picture) Oh, yes. Now gimme the puppy-dog pout.
Aline: (knowing) Okay.
Aline posed as Austin continued snapping pictures.
Austin: Yes. Yes, yes. (stopped) No, no!
Back at Caroline's house, Garrett had already stuffed his cellphone back in his pocket. He then turned to his left and saw Caroline herself guiding some of the guests upstairs.
Caroline: You'll find more bedrooms up the stairs.
Just then the doorbell rang again.
Susan: There's more?
Caroline: Somebody get the door?
Kenny: I got it, Caroline.
He opened the door and was shocked to see Eric Rollins carrying some pots, pans and other cooking tools.
Eric: (imitates Ricky Ricardo) Lucy, I'm hooooooome!
Kenny: (stepping aside) Oh, hello, Eric. Come on in. Careful of the icy patch there.
Pablo: Aw, no worries. Treads can go on any surface.
He watched as the black man easily rolled across it.
Kenny: A-pparently. So, whatcha doin' with all this stuff?
Eric: I'm here to help make some Christmas goodies.
Caroline: Ooookay. Um, Kenny, why don't you and Pablo take Eric over to the kitchen so he can get started.
Kenny: Okay. C'mon, Eric.
Pablo: Oh, this is gonna be fun.
Eric then started humming "Good King Wenceslas" as Kenny and Pablo led him into the kitchen. All while Emily and Nick sat on the stairs.
Emily: Boy, things sure got a bit hectic around here.
Nick: I'll say. But I think it's cool Caroline invited us for Christmas.
Emily: Well, at least we have each other. (puts her arm around Nick) Well, I know of a certain song you may like Nicholas. (to the camera) This song is for all of you out there who are Spanish. (clears throat, sings) Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Prospero Ano y Felicidad
Noreen: (amazed) Wow. I didn't know Emily could speak Spanish.
Nick: (smiles) When you've been around for as long as I have, Em, nothing really surprises you.
Emily: (songs) Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Prospero Ano y Felicidad
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my home
Noreen: (joins in) I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my home
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Prospero Ano y Felicidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Prospero Ano y Felicidad
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my home
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my home
Noreen: Feliz Navidad, everyone!
Once they had led Eric into the kitchen, Kenny and Pablo walked out, with David, Lynese, Keiko, Alisa, and Zoe.
Alisa: Gee, Zoe, it was a ZOOMeriffic idea to come here and celebrate Christmas.
David: Boy, it sure was.
Lynese: (chuckles) Indeed. It's always fun to have family together.
Keiko: We always get together at Christmas.
Zoe: Oh yes. Life would be kinda annoying if it weren't for ZOOMtacular times like this.
David: Uh, yeah. What she said.
(singing) Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Zoe: (singing) Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh
Other Season 1 ZOOMers join in: (singing) Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Pablo: Let's join in.
Season 1 cast: (singing) Dashing through the snow
In a one Horse open sleigh
o'er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on Bobtails ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride
and sing a Sleighing song tonight
Oh jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Their singing quickly came to an end as they heard loud electronic music starting. Apparently, the Season 7 ZOOMers all built up a stage and brought their instruments so they could do a small performance. Shing-Ying on guitar, Francesco on keyboard, Kyle and Noreen on tambourines, Emily on harmonica, Nick on drums, and Taylor on bass with Shing and Francesco as vocals. Ray shone his light up at the stage.
Shing-Ying/Francesco: (singing) Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bell swing and jingle bell ring
Emily/Taylor: (singing) Snowin' and blowin' up bushels of fun
Noreen: (singing) Now the jingle hop has begun
Kyle: (singing) Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells chime and jingle bell time
Dancin' and prancin' in jingle bells square
In the frosty air
Nick: (singing) What a bright time
It's the right time
to rock the night away
As Nick sang, The ZOOMers from the first season danced to the music, not minding the kids taking up the caroling now as they knew how to rock. Eric, who had left most of his kitchen stuff in the kitchen, joined in on the fun too as Kenny and Caroline started dancing to the beat as well.
Nick: (singing) Jingle bell time
It's a swell time
To go glidin' in a one horse sleigh
Kyle: (singing) Giddy-up jingle horse
Pick up your feet
Jingle around the clock
Shing-Ying and Francesco join in: (singing) Mix and mingle in a jinglin' beat
That's the Jingle Bell Rock!
Emily then did a solo with a harmonica. Once it was done, everyone sang.
Season 7 cast: (singing) What a bright time
It's the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle Bell time
It's a swell time
To go glidin' in a one horse sleigh
Emily, Taylor, Noreen, and Nick: (singing) Giddy-up jingle horse
Pick up your feet
Jingle around the clock
Mix and mingle in a jinglin' beat
Shing-Ying: (singing) That's the Jingle Bell
Francesco: (singing) That's the Jingle Bell
Kyle: (singing) That's the Jingle Bell
Season 7 cast: (singing) That's the Jingle Bell Rooooooooooock!
Shing: That's the Jingle Bell Rock!
The whole band finished up and the ones who watched the performance applauded.