Programma Televisivo: Ally McBeal - 4x6
ALLY: Previously on Ally McBeal: I'm removed from the partnership track.
For being a prude?
They said it was values.
The problem is, I have them.
I've never been this forward with a man, but would you like dinner?
I'd love to.
Tomorrow is my third date with Larry.
And you think you two will kiss?
Don't run from me.
Don't run from what you're feeling.
Any idea what you're getting yourself into?
ALLY: Easy, easy, easy.
LARRY: Isn't it a little early for a tree?
ALLY: Christmas starts as soon as you put up a tree.
I think the world could extend the yuletide spirit a week.
[HORN HONKS] Bite me!
There's the spirit.
Decorate the tree, sit on the couch, make an eggnog...
I always hated Christmas.
Uh-oh.
I should've saved that for later.
I don't know if I can be with a man who hates Christmas.
I'm allergic to down feathers in a couch.
There's cholesterol in eggnog.
The tree is a fire hazard, and twinkly lights can cause seizures.
That's why you hate Christmas?
That, and I'm always alone.
Oh.
Well, you're not gonna be alone this Christmas.
Could you say that again?
You're not gonna be alone this Christmas.
What?
Let's go decorate the tree.
I can't wait.
VONDA SINGS: I've been down this road 'Tis the Season Walking the line That's painted by pride And I have made mistakes in my life That I just can 't hide Oh, I believe I am ready For what love has to bring I got myself together Yeah, now I'm ready to sing I've been searching my soul tonight I know there's so much more to life Now I know I can shine a light To find my way back home Oh, baby, yeah Oh, yeah First up, Stevens vs.
WKGB.
John?
Yes.
Yes?
What's the case?
WKGB, is it a Russian spy thing?
WKGB is a local news station, Richard.
Perhaps you've caught it inadvertently while surfing your titty shows.
Funny.
Latin woman, big breasts?
One of the anchors, yes.
Another is Kendall Stevens.
He was discharged.
We're suing for wrongful termination.
Ling is second chair.
Why was he fired?
For excessive truth-telling.
He announced on the morning newscast that there was no Santa...
...resulting in his discharge.
He said there was no Santa?
You didn't know?
How could he?
NELLE: Oh, please.
He's nothing but a dangerous myth.
Fat alcoholic.
He's a pedophile too.
Gets kids to sit on his lap...
...while promising toys.
I salute our client.
Last year you loved Santa Claus.
He was in last year.
Now he's out.
Hey.
Larry.
Sweetie.
What are you doing here?
I missed you and it's only 9:30.
That's sweet.
This is a workplace.
Could you drip over each other someplace else?
Okay, um...
Huh.
Something's wrong.
Um.
Can you excuse me for just a little bit of...
...a second.
Slept with her yet?
It's not my business, so yes or no would suffice.
I run a business here.
I need my litigators hungry.
If she's being satiated, I need to know.
Protect the firm.
So are you two...?
Ally's told me so much about you...
...and I believed little of it.
I make a dent.
Have all my life.
And you're making one now.
We've always talked to each other.
When there is a problem...
...we talk.
It's just, you know, you're part of the problem.
Well, then, you...
I am?
I'm happy for your happiness, Ally.
I'm thrilled for John and Kimmie, Richard and Ling.
I see couples everywhere.
Happy, smiling, disgusting, kissy-face couples.
It makes me sick.
I'm tired of being alone.
I used to mope.
Now I want to get a gun and mow down all the couples.
The stupid, sucky-face, happy pigs.
Ah.
And Christmas is coming.
The worst.
I sit at home and all the TV shows are about love.
I get depressed and have a drink.
Then I'm at a bar with some stranger, offering up my vagina.
Well, you...
Do you like music?
I'm sorry?
Ally tells me that you love music.
As do I.
In fact, when I'm feeling empty, like I do in December...
...I sit at my piano at night and just sing a little.
You'd be surprised what an incredible companion music can be.
It's about applause with me.
Without an audience, I have no use for music.
Well...
They let you sing at the bar?
They discourage it.
They say I make it about me.
What you need to do is find a song that makes you feel better.
I'm sure we can get you on stage.
Okay.
Thank you.
What?
Well, it's just the way that you...
...handle the Kimmies and the Elaines of the world.
How about the Allies?
Tell me why you can't handle Christmas.
I did.
Your parents will tell you he's real because they love you.
They want you to enjoy the myth of "ho, ho, ho," sugar plums and elves.
They'll tell you lies that their parents told...
...
because they want to surround you with the magic feeling of Christmas.
It's fine to pretend with your parents...
...
that there really is such a thing as Santa Claus.
Enjoy it like a good story.
As you would Jack and the Beanstalk or the Easter Bunny or Peter Pan.
But no giant's going to fall out of the sky chasing a golden goose.
No rabbit's going to sneak into your house with chocolate eggs.
And there won 't be any Santa Claus coming down your chimney, for real.
This is Kendall Stevens.
You shattered quite a few myths there.
Any child old enough to be watching the news probably already knows.
Lf not, they should.
Why?
Sometime he's going to know.
If the news comes from another kid, it won't be broken gently.
I remember the day I found out.
It was a huge betrayal.
My parents had lied to me.
My son, when he found out at 7 from an older kid at school...
...he came home, looked at me and said: "I trusted you."
That's when I realized, this is a fundamental lie to children.
Did you tell your producers you would say this?
No.
You defied producers and exposed the station to negative...
I knew it wouldn't be popular.
But what?
It was news?
It was the truth.
As much as you disagree with my broadcast...
...a newsman should never be fired for broadcasting the truth.
JOHN: I remember when I found out.
I was shopping with my mother.
I sat on the department store Santa, told him all about this special...
...steam train I wanted, which was green with red stripes.
Then we left the store, came to a street corner, and there was Santa...
...ringing a bell.
He was black.
I thought it was odd.
Got from here to there so fast and changed color.
But, I thought, he's Santa.
He's magic.
And then he looked at me with no recognition whatsoever and said: "Well, little one, what would you like for Christmas?"
And I knew right then this whole thing was a fraud.
That's awful.
I found out my freshman year in college.
You have been sheltered your whole life.
Oh, not as much as people think.
I dated a rock star.
You did?
Well, one date.
I met him after the concert.
I'd known him an hour when he asked me to touch his willy, so it didn't last.
Still, the idea of you and a rock star?
Actually, every boy I ever dated was a singer of some sorts.
Really?
I love singers.
I don't know why.
Do you sing?
Me?
Yeah.
I had a band in college.
You did?
It was no big deal.
It was just rock'n'roll.
Did people go wild for you?
Ahh, they...
I'd get them pretty whipped up.
But it was years ago.
I've decided I know what I want for my Christmas present.
What?
I want you to sing a song for me at the bar.
Oh, that...
Th-th...
No, I...
I don't perform anymore.
But you would sing one song just for me, right?
Well...
[NOSE SQUEAKS] It's my tuning nose.
You really do love Christmas, don't you?
Well...
...yes.
Why don't you?
Uh-oh.
It's an issue.
Should we settle this before we name children?
Seriously, Larry.
It's a little premature to say it, not to mention presumptuous, but...
...I'd think twice about having kids with a man who doesn't like Christmas.
So if we got married, we could just skip the children part?
I'm being serious.
I would like you to be.
Okay.
I have a child.
What?
I have a son.
He's 7 years old.
Why didn't you tell me this before?
Because I'm ashamed.
You're ashamed of having a son?
I'm ashamed I don't see him every day...
...and he's growing up mostly without his father.
Well, where is he?
He's in Detroit...
...with his mother.
I thought your ex-wife lived here in Boston.
She does.
Oh, you had this child with another woman.
Merry Christmas.
Why did you say you sang?
I don't know.
She said all the men she loved sang...
...then I promised her a number.
You did what?
As a Christmas present.
What'll I do?
She's expecting a real singer.
A performer.
John, you care about this woman?
I believe I do.
Yeah.
This could be something real?
It's entirely possible.
Then there's only one thing you can do.
Lie bigger.
Say you have a throat polyp.
I'm not gonna follow up one lie with another.
There's nothing more fundamental to a relationship than honesty.
If she finds out you've lied?
You gotta lie again.
It's your only out.
I'm gonna just tell her the truth.
Mistake.
I'll do it at lunch.
Have you picked your song?
No.
I'm looking for the perfect one that speaks to me.
Something pretty.
Something that coincides with my current self.
Elaine?
I love music, don't get me wrong.
Is climbing into the spotlight for attention the way to fix loneliness?
Well, that's what I look for in a man.
Attention.
It seems a little desperate to me.
This from a man who dates women with schlongs?
I'm sorry.
That was rude.
Mark?
I haven't had a real boyfriend in seven years.
I am desperate.
A television station has an obligation to its viewers.
We build a trust with our audience.
We expect our anchors to honor it.
This was a breach.
Announcing there is no Santa Claus?
Absolutely.
We incurred the wrath of our trusted public.
Goodwill we'd cultivated...
...obliterated by his anti-American, anti-Yuletide, anti-humanity stance.
Everyone at WKGB is chagrined and remains chagrined.
As a gesture to our viewers, who put their trust in our good name...
...we owed it to them to discharge the transgressor...
...of this mean-spirited, unscripted, cynical proclamation.
Ratings go down after he declared no Santa?
No, but there's more to television news, my good man, than ratings.
The business of goodwill.
We certainly can't condone an anchorman...
...speaking in a manner that injures children.
Some were hurt?
Very much so.
You know of children who got hurt?
My own grandson, Jacob Ray, 8 years old.
He was devastated.
In his living room, his parents trusting our good name...
...suddenly he hears "no Santa Claus."
The child was poleaxed, yes, he was.
Ratings did not go down, your anchors ad-lib all the time.
It was because he poleaxed little children?
Primarily, yes.
It was reckless.
Reckless, I tell you.
I have nothing further, Your Honor.
Your Honor, we next call to the stand little Jacob Ray.
I object to that.
We'd like to demonstrate the effect this announcement had on children.
It's manipulative.
I'll allow it after lunch.
Until then we're adjourned.
Hey.
Ally, hi.
It's a nice tree.
You okay?
Me?
Yeah.
Yeah, I'm fine.
Why?
Well, you just looked a little disappointed about...
You having a son?
Yeah.
Are you?
Disappointed?
No.
Look, Larry, I won't lie.
I'd like to believe I'm the first woman you ever looked at, much less...
But, see, you're gonna have to forgive me, because I...
...have spent my life making a list of how it'll go when I meet somebody.
As I've gotten older, I've become more willing to make compromises.
There's only one prerequisite left on the list for the man in my life.
What's that?
I have to love him.
These Christmas blues?
Are they connected to your son?
Very much.
Can you tell me?
Until he was 3 his mother and I were together.
This was before I married and became un-together with somebody else.
And he loves the snow.
Well, Christmastime...
All that stuff that you find magical about Christmas, the tree...
...the stockings...
...the sleigh rides and making angels.
I did all that with him.
And now I don't have him.
So I...
I don't really have Christmas.
Ally, when you do have a child, no matter...
...how much you think you're prepared for it, you'll be stunned...
...by the capacity you have to love somebody.
I believe a child should be able to hold on to Santa as long as possible.
We didn't tell Kimmie till she was in college.
I hope you don't mind Mommy being here.
Oh, no.
She usually comes on all my dates.
Really?
One problem Kimmie's had with courting is she becomes guarded.
Having me with her puts her at ease.
Yes.
Makes sense.
Um...
Actually, Kimmie, I have a little confession of my own to make.
When I said I was a singer...
You are?
Can you believe it?
Well, hello.
Did I say you'd be with a singer?
Don't embarrass me.
Do you play an instrument, John?
You were gonna be truthful.
The mother threw me.
Yes, the mother.
She brings her mother on dates.
She's bringing her tonight and tomorrow.
They both expect to hear me sing.
I told you to lie.
That's the best I can do.
Can you do your Barry White thing?
No, I told her it was rock'n'roll.
I'm fraught.
What's the problem?
Bob Dylan's been singing for 35 years.
Never hit a note.
A lot of songs don't have melodies.
Pick a song where you talk the words.
Oh, balls.
She'll never fall for that.
What about movement?
I step like I'm trying to kill bugs.
I can help.
I've been doing movement to make me a hotter lover.
See, I'll get you through this, John.
Let's talk about the mother.
Tomorrow, tomorrow I love you, tomorrow Could you guys fake keeping up?
You're always a day...
All right.
You guys can go home now, but I need you back early.
I've got to check on wardrobe.
5:30 sharp.
Let's show up with our heads on this time.
Tomorrow Elaine?
Is that your song?
Isn't it perfect?
It's about waking up to a better world.
I chose it because it's poignant.
Well, she seems more buoyant, anyway.
Did you bring me here for Elaine's music or get me drunk on eggnog?
The eggnogs are virgin, thank you.
I happen to be an expert on getting people into the Christmas spirit.
You present a particularly tough challenge.
But I'm gonna break you down.
Come on.
Where are we going?
You said music was your big companion.
Yeah, but now I have you.
I need you to sit at the piano.
I am going to supply you with a theme song.
I learned it in therapy.
Okay.
Okay.
Christmas is coming The goose is getting fat The animal rights groups already took that one.
Oh.
Okay.
How about this one now?
I used to date a hockey player and he loved it.
All I want for Christmas Is my two front teeth No, no, no, that's stupid.
Okay.
How about this?
Dashing through the snow In a one-horse open sleigh All the dashing through the snow and jingle bells?
That's what I do with Sam.
You never told me his name.
Sam.
Hey, how about we go to Detroit for Christmas?
His mother takes him to her parents' in Canada.
But you're so sweet to offer.
When you said you sit at your piano when you feel empty, what do you play?
"New York, New York."
"Shout."
I have to pee.
God, that's so romantic.
But when I get back, you're gonna play me something.
Thank you all for coming.
It's good to be in Boston.
Here's a little something.
It's coming on Christmas They're cutting down trees They're putting up reindeer Singing songs of joy, good peace Wish I had a river I could skate away on But it don 't snow here It stays pretty green Gonna make a lot money Then I'm gonna quit this crazy scene Oh, wish I had a river I could skate away on Oh, I wish I had a river I made my baby cry See?
No singing.
You just move.
Hey!
There are very few words, you just move.
Oh, balls!
No, this will work.
You kind of talk-sing the song.
I want to tell you a story You put your mouth to the mike, flush against it.
Full reverb.
You try it.
All right.
I want to tell you...
Too close.
I want to tell you a story Excellent.
You can do this.
Who am I kidding?
The girl.
To sleep with her.
What if I fall flat on my face?
You won't.
How can you be sure?
Don't worry.
I'll have an insurance policy in place.
What kind of insurance?
Flirt with the whole bar?
Smile, ask them as a favor, could they cheer while John is up there singing?
Why is John singing, anyway?
To impress a girl.
These are hard times for him.
It's Christmas.
He used to have a beautiful woman.
It was you, Nelle.
I'm asking you and Ling to charm a few recruits.
I don't think people will cheer because I ask them to.
Nelle, men will do anything for you.
One look.
They want to whisk you away.
You have that effect.
It's the hair.
The look on his face.
You worried?
Well, it was a hugely sad song, Renee.
One of the things that I love about him is he has this ability...
...to lift me out of my gloom.
Now I think his despair runs deeper than mine.
Ally, all this sadness?
It's Christmas.
Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy.
Oh, please.
What's everybody's favorite Christmas movie?
It's A Wonderful Life?
Jimmy Stewart.
He tries to commit suicide.
He jumps off a bridge.
It broke my heart to listen to him sing that song.
He's gonna be fine.
And how can you be sure?
He's got you.
I was playing with my toys on the rug.
I wasn't really watching the TV.
When I heard "Santa Claus," I looked up.
That's when I heard it.
Tell us what you heard.
I heard that man say there was no Santa Claus.
Okay.
And can you tell us how that made you feel?
Would you like to take a break, son?
Actually, Your Honor, I have no further questions.
Hi, Jacob.
My name is Ling.
You think you can continue?
How old are you, Jacob?
I'm 8.
Eight!
What are you, first grade?
Second?
Third.
Third!
So you read, do math.
You look like a smart kid.
Ever been in an airplane?
Yeah.
Last year, I went to Disneyland in California.
It was a jet.
A jet?
I bet a jet goes fast.
Seven hundred miles per hour.
Whoosh!
Jacob.
Truthfully, when you heard Mr.
Stevens' broadcast...
...you knew there was no Santa, didn't you?
No, I did not!
No need to get loud...
...sweetheart.
You thought Santa delivered presents all over the world?
On Christmas Eve.
So it takes a jet going seven hundred miles per hour...
...six hours to fly across one country...
...and you thought eight reindeer could lug a big sled all over in one night?
Isn't that a little dopey to think that, Jacob?
Can we talk about the size of Santa's bag?
That little sack has enough toys for 300 million children?
Are you retarded, Jacob?
Objection!
I'm trying to find out what he believed.
He seems smart.
You thought one fat old man living on the North Pole was making toys...
...for every child to be carried in one bag, one sleigh, in one night?
Well, I know it's a little dubious.
How about "He sees you when you're sleeping"?
That I always wondered about. "
Knows if you've been bad or good."
Um...
What about Rudolph's nose, cutting through the fog?
Oh, I never believed that!
Ever wonder why all those toys Santa makes...
...Iook like the ones you see at Toys 'R' Us?
It's a little suspicious.
What's Santa do in Florida?
Lots of snow there for his sleigh, right?
Objection!
Jacob, you seem intelligent.
I want you to tell us what you really think of the idea of Santa Claus.
It's stupid!
Wow!
Now that is the Christmas spirit.
I thought you'd like it.
Ally, I'm sorry if I've been a wet blanket.
I know Christmas is important to you, and I won't spoil things.
Are you trying to have a serious conversation with a red blinking nose?
I'm sorry.
Better?
You are the biggest nut I've ever met.
That's a good thing?
It's a good thing.
Now.
Come on.
I am going to take you to see your positive influence at work.
What positive influence?
When I'm stuck with a day That's gray and lonely Oh, the sun 'll come out tomorrow There's gotta be a law against this.
Look over there.
Come what may Tomorrow I love you, tomorrow You're always a day away Everybody!
Tomorrow, tomorrow I love you, tomorrow You're always a day Away I think it worked.
Maybe.
Just think, John, when you sing...
It's only a day away Mr.
Larry.
Miss Kimmie.
Again!
Is this fate?
You think maybe you and I are meant to procreate?
I'm not at ease with coarse humor.
You suing somebody?
I'm here to see my John.
He's giving his closing arguments.
He's closing now?
As we speak.
Where is the evidence that any child got hurt?
Now, Mr.
Stark called his own grandson into action.
But the reality is that when kids do get hurt on this...
...it's not the reveal that there's no Santa.
It's the reveal that maybe their parents lied to them.
Kendall Stevens?
For being a prude?
They said it was values.
The problem is, I have them.
I've never been this forward with a man, but would you like dinner?
I'd love to.
Tomorrow is my third date with Larry.
And you think you two will kiss?
Don't run from me.
Don't run from what you're feeling.
Any idea what you're getting yourself into?
ALLY: Easy, easy, easy.
LARRY: Isn't it a little early for a tree?
ALLY: Christmas starts as soon as you put up a tree.
I think the world could extend the yuletide spirit a week.
[HORN HONKS] Bite me!
There's the spirit.
Decorate the tree, sit on the couch, make an eggnog...
I always hated Christmas.
Uh-oh.
I should've saved that for later.
I don't know if I can be with a man who hates Christmas.
I'm allergic to down feathers in a couch.
There's cholesterol in eggnog.
The tree is a fire hazard, and twinkly lights can cause seizures.
That's why you hate Christmas?
That, and I'm always alone.
Oh.
Well, you're not gonna be alone this Christmas.
Could you say that again?
You're not gonna be alone this Christmas.
What?
Let's go decorate the tree.
I can't wait.
VONDA SINGS: I've been down this road 'Tis the Season Walking the line That's painted by pride And I have made mistakes in my life That I just can 't hide Oh, I believe I am ready For what love has to bring I got myself together Yeah, now I'm ready to sing I've been searching my soul tonight I know there's so much more to life Now I know I can shine a light To find my way back home Oh, baby, yeah Oh, yeah First up, Stevens vs.
WKGB.
John?
Yes.
Yes?
What's the case?
WKGB, is it a Russian spy thing?
WKGB is a local news station, Richard.
Perhaps you've caught it inadvertently while surfing your titty shows.
Funny.
Latin woman, big breasts?
One of the anchors, yes.
Another is Kendall Stevens.
He was discharged.
We're suing for wrongful termination.
Ling is second chair.
Why was he fired?
For excessive truth-telling.
He announced on the morning newscast that there was no Santa...
...resulting in his discharge.
He said there was no Santa?
You didn't know?
How could he?
NELLE: Oh, please.
He's nothing but a dangerous myth.
Fat alcoholic.
He's a pedophile too.
Gets kids to sit on his lap...
...while promising toys.
I salute our client.
Last year you loved Santa Claus.
He was in last year.
Now he's out.
Hey.
Larry.
Sweetie.
What are you doing here?
I missed you and it's only 9:30.
That's sweet.
This is a workplace.
Could you drip over each other someplace else?
Okay, um...
Huh.
Something's wrong.
Um.
Can you excuse me for just a little bit of...
...a second.
Slept with her yet?
It's not my business, so yes or no would suffice.
I run a business here.
I need my litigators hungry.
If she's being satiated, I need to know.
Protect the firm.
So are you two...?
Ally's told me so much about you...
...and I believed little of it.
I make a dent.
Have all my life.
And you're making one now.
We've always talked to each other.
When there is a problem...
...we talk.
It's just, you know, you're part of the problem.
Well, then, you...
I am?
I'm happy for your happiness, Ally.
I'm thrilled for John and Kimmie, Richard and Ling.
I see couples everywhere.
Happy, smiling, disgusting, kissy-face couples.
It makes me sick.
I'm tired of being alone.
I used to mope.
Now I want to get a gun and mow down all the couples.
The stupid, sucky-face, happy pigs.
Ah.
And Christmas is coming.
The worst.
I sit at home and all the TV shows are about love.
I get depressed and have a drink.
Then I'm at a bar with some stranger, offering up my vagina.
Well, you...
Do you like music?
I'm sorry?
Ally tells me that you love music.
As do I.
In fact, when I'm feeling empty, like I do in December...
...I sit at my piano at night and just sing a little.
You'd be surprised what an incredible companion music can be.
It's about applause with me.
Without an audience, I have no use for music.
Well...
They let you sing at the bar?
They discourage it.
They say I make it about me.
What you need to do is find a song that makes you feel better.
I'm sure we can get you on stage.
Okay.
Thank you.
What?
Well, it's just the way that you...
...handle the Kimmies and the Elaines of the world.
How about the Allies?
Tell me why you can't handle Christmas.
I did.
Your parents will tell you he's real because they love you.
They want you to enjoy the myth of "ho, ho, ho," sugar plums and elves.
They'll tell you lies that their parents told...
...
because they want to surround you with the magic feeling of Christmas.
It's fine to pretend with your parents...
...
that there really is such a thing as Santa Claus.
Enjoy it like a good story.
As you would Jack and the Beanstalk or the Easter Bunny or Peter Pan.
But no giant's going to fall out of the sky chasing a golden goose.
No rabbit's going to sneak into your house with chocolate eggs.
And there won 't be any Santa Claus coming down your chimney, for real.
This is Kendall Stevens.
You shattered quite a few myths there.
Any child old enough to be watching the news probably already knows.
Lf not, they should.
Why?
Sometime he's going to know.
If the news comes from another kid, it won't be broken gently.
I remember the day I found out.
It was a huge betrayal.
My parents had lied to me.
My son, when he found out at 7 from an older kid at school...
...he came home, looked at me and said: "I trusted you."
That's when I realized, this is a fundamental lie to children.
Did you tell your producers you would say this?
No.
You defied producers and exposed the station to negative...
I knew it wouldn't be popular.
But what?
It was news?
It was the truth.
As much as you disagree with my broadcast...
...a newsman should never be fired for broadcasting the truth.
JOHN: I remember when I found out.
I was shopping with my mother.
I sat on the department store Santa, told him all about this special...
...steam train I wanted, which was green with red stripes.
Then we left the store, came to a street corner, and there was Santa...
...ringing a bell.
He was black.
I thought it was odd.
Got from here to there so fast and changed color.
But, I thought, he's Santa.
He's magic.
And then he looked at me with no recognition whatsoever and said: "Well, little one, what would you like for Christmas?"
And I knew right then this whole thing was a fraud.
That's awful.
I found out my freshman year in college.
You have been sheltered your whole life.
Oh, not as much as people think.
I dated a rock star.
You did?
Well, one date.
I met him after the concert.
I'd known him an hour when he asked me to touch his willy, so it didn't last.
Still, the idea of you and a rock star?
Actually, every boy I ever dated was a singer of some sorts.
Really?
I love singers.
I don't know why.
Do you sing?
Me?
Yeah.
I had a band in college.
You did?
It was no big deal.
It was just rock'n'roll.
Did people go wild for you?
Ahh, they...
I'd get them pretty whipped up.
But it was years ago.
I've decided I know what I want for my Christmas present.
What?
I want you to sing a song for me at the bar.
Oh, that...
Th-th...
No, I...
I don't perform anymore.
But you would sing one song just for me, right?
Well...
[NOSE SQUEAKS] It's my tuning nose.
You really do love Christmas, don't you?
Well...
...yes.
Why don't you?
Uh-oh.
It's an issue.
Should we settle this before we name children?
Seriously, Larry.
It's a little premature to say it, not to mention presumptuous, but...
...I'd think twice about having kids with a man who doesn't like Christmas.
So if we got married, we could just skip the children part?
I'm being serious.
I would like you to be.
Okay.
I have a child.
What?
I have a son.
He's 7 years old.
Why didn't you tell me this before?
Because I'm ashamed.
You're ashamed of having a son?
I'm ashamed I don't see him every day...
...and he's growing up mostly without his father.
Well, where is he?
He's in Detroit...
...with his mother.
I thought your ex-wife lived here in Boston.
She does.
Oh, you had this child with another woman.
Merry Christmas.
Why did you say you sang?
I don't know.
She said all the men she loved sang...
...then I promised her a number.
You did what?
As a Christmas present.
What'll I do?
She's expecting a real singer.
A performer.
John, you care about this woman?
I believe I do.
Yeah.
This could be something real?
It's entirely possible.
Then there's only one thing you can do.
Lie bigger.
Say you have a throat polyp.
I'm not gonna follow up one lie with another.
There's nothing more fundamental to a relationship than honesty.
If she finds out you've lied?
You gotta lie again.
It's your only out.
I'm gonna just tell her the truth.
Mistake.
I'll do it at lunch.
Have you picked your song?
No.
I'm looking for the perfect one that speaks to me.
Something pretty.
Something that coincides with my current self.
Elaine?
I love music, don't get me wrong.
Is climbing into the spotlight for attention the way to fix loneliness?
Well, that's what I look for in a man.
Attention.
It seems a little desperate to me.
This from a man who dates women with schlongs?
I'm sorry.
That was rude.
Mark?
I haven't had a real boyfriend in seven years.
I am desperate.
A television station has an obligation to its viewers.
We build a trust with our audience.
We expect our anchors to honor it.
This was a breach.
Announcing there is no Santa Claus?
Absolutely.
We incurred the wrath of our trusted public.
Goodwill we'd cultivated...
...obliterated by his anti-American, anti-Yuletide, anti-humanity stance.
Everyone at WKGB is chagrined and remains chagrined.
As a gesture to our viewers, who put their trust in our good name...
...we owed it to them to discharge the transgressor...
...of this mean-spirited, unscripted, cynical proclamation.
Ratings go down after he declared no Santa?
No, but there's more to television news, my good man, than ratings.
The business of goodwill.
We certainly can't condone an anchorman...
...speaking in a manner that injures children.
Some were hurt?
Very much so.
You know of children who got hurt?
My own grandson, Jacob Ray, 8 years old.
He was devastated.
In his living room, his parents trusting our good name...
...suddenly he hears "no Santa Claus."
The child was poleaxed, yes, he was.
Ratings did not go down, your anchors ad-lib all the time.
It was because he poleaxed little children?
Primarily, yes.
It was reckless.
Reckless, I tell you.
I have nothing further, Your Honor.
Your Honor, we next call to the stand little Jacob Ray.
I object to that.
We'd like to demonstrate the effect this announcement had on children.
It's manipulative.
I'll allow it after lunch.
Until then we're adjourned.
Hey.
Ally, hi.
It's a nice tree.
You okay?
Me?
Yeah.
Yeah, I'm fine.
Why?
Well, you just looked a little disappointed about...
You having a son?
Yeah.
Are you?
Disappointed?
No.
Look, Larry, I won't lie.
I'd like to believe I'm the first woman you ever looked at, much less...
But, see, you're gonna have to forgive me, because I...
...have spent my life making a list of how it'll go when I meet somebody.
As I've gotten older, I've become more willing to make compromises.
There's only one prerequisite left on the list for the man in my life.
What's that?
I have to love him.
These Christmas blues?
Are they connected to your son?
Very much.
Can you tell me?
Until he was 3 his mother and I were together.
This was before I married and became un-together with somebody else.
And he loves the snow.
Well, Christmastime...
All that stuff that you find magical about Christmas, the tree...
...the stockings...
...the sleigh rides and making angels.
I did all that with him.
And now I don't have him.
So I...
I don't really have Christmas.
Ally, when you do have a child, no matter...
...how much you think you're prepared for it, you'll be stunned...
...by the capacity you have to love somebody.
I believe a child should be able to hold on to Santa as long as possible.
We didn't tell Kimmie till she was in college.
I hope you don't mind Mommy being here.
Oh, no.
She usually comes on all my dates.
Really?
One problem Kimmie's had with courting is she becomes guarded.
Having me with her puts her at ease.
Yes.
Makes sense.
Um...
Actually, Kimmie, I have a little confession of my own to make.
When I said I was a singer...
You are?
Can you believe it?
Well, hello.
Did I say you'd be with a singer?
Don't embarrass me.
Do you play an instrument, John?
You were gonna be truthful.
The mother threw me.
Yes, the mother.
She brings her mother on dates.
She's bringing her tonight and tomorrow.
They both expect to hear me sing.
I told you to lie.
That's the best I can do.
Can you do your Barry White thing?
No, I told her it was rock'n'roll.
I'm fraught.
What's the problem?
Bob Dylan's been singing for 35 years.
Never hit a note.
A lot of songs don't have melodies.
Pick a song where you talk the words.
Oh, balls.
She'll never fall for that.
What about movement?
I step like I'm trying to kill bugs.
I can help.
I've been doing movement to make me a hotter lover.
See, I'll get you through this, John.
Let's talk about the mother.
Tomorrow, tomorrow I love you, tomorrow Could you guys fake keeping up?
You're always a day...
All right.
You guys can go home now, but I need you back early.
I've got to check on wardrobe.
5:30 sharp.
Let's show up with our heads on this time.
Tomorrow Elaine?
Is that your song?
Isn't it perfect?
It's about waking up to a better world.
I chose it because it's poignant.
Well, she seems more buoyant, anyway.
Did you bring me here for Elaine's music or get me drunk on eggnog?
The eggnogs are virgin, thank you.
I happen to be an expert on getting people into the Christmas spirit.
You present a particularly tough challenge.
But I'm gonna break you down.
Come on.
Where are we going?
You said music was your big companion.
Yeah, but now I have you.
I need you to sit at the piano.
I am going to supply you with a theme song.
I learned it in therapy.
Okay.
Okay.
Christmas is coming The goose is getting fat The animal rights groups already took that one.
Oh.
Okay.
How about this one now?
I used to date a hockey player and he loved it.
All I want for Christmas Is my two front teeth No, no, no, that's stupid.
Okay.
How about this?
Dashing through the snow In a one-horse open sleigh All the dashing through the snow and jingle bells?
That's what I do with Sam.
You never told me his name.
Sam.
Hey, how about we go to Detroit for Christmas?
His mother takes him to her parents' in Canada.
But you're so sweet to offer.
When you said you sit at your piano when you feel empty, what do you play?
"New York, New York."
"Shout."
I have to pee.
God, that's so romantic.
But when I get back, you're gonna play me something.
Thank you all for coming.
It's good to be in Boston.
Here's a little something.
It's coming on Christmas They're cutting down trees They're putting up reindeer Singing songs of joy, good peace Wish I had a river I could skate away on But it don 't snow here It stays pretty green Gonna make a lot money Then I'm gonna quit this crazy scene Oh, wish I had a river I could skate away on Oh, I wish I had a river I made my baby cry See?
No singing.
You just move.
Hey!
There are very few words, you just move.
Oh, balls!
No, this will work.
You kind of talk-sing the song.
I want to tell you a story You put your mouth to the mike, flush against it.
Full reverb.
You try it.
All right.
I want to tell you...
Too close.
I want to tell you a story Excellent.
You can do this.
Who am I kidding?
The girl.
To sleep with her.
What if I fall flat on my face?
You won't.
How can you be sure?
Don't worry.
I'll have an insurance policy in place.
What kind of insurance?
Flirt with the whole bar?
Smile, ask them as a favor, could they cheer while John is up there singing?
Why is John singing, anyway?
To impress a girl.
These are hard times for him.
It's Christmas.
He used to have a beautiful woman.
It was you, Nelle.
I'm asking you and Ling to charm a few recruits.
I don't think people will cheer because I ask them to.
Nelle, men will do anything for you.
One look.
They want to whisk you away.
You have that effect.
It's the hair.
The look on his face.
You worried?
Well, it was a hugely sad song, Renee.
One of the things that I love about him is he has this ability...
...to lift me out of my gloom.
Now I think his despair runs deeper than mine.
Ally, all this sadness?
It's Christmas.
Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy.
Oh, please.
What's everybody's favorite Christmas movie?
It's A Wonderful Life?
Jimmy Stewart.
He tries to commit suicide.
He jumps off a bridge.
It broke my heart to listen to him sing that song.
He's gonna be fine.
And how can you be sure?
He's got you.
I was playing with my toys on the rug.
I wasn't really watching the TV.
When I heard "Santa Claus," I looked up.
That's when I heard it.
Tell us what you heard.
I heard that man say there was no Santa Claus.
Okay.
And can you tell us how that made you feel?
Would you like to take a break, son?
Actually, Your Honor, I have no further questions.
Hi, Jacob.
My name is Ling.
You think you can continue?
How old are you, Jacob?
I'm 8.
Eight!
What are you, first grade?
Second?
Third.
Third!
So you read, do math.
You look like a smart kid.
Ever been in an airplane?
Yeah.
Last year, I went to Disneyland in California.
It was a jet.
A jet?
I bet a jet goes fast.
Seven hundred miles per hour.
Whoosh!
Jacob.
Truthfully, when you heard Mr.
Stevens' broadcast...
...you knew there was no Santa, didn't you?
No, I did not!
No need to get loud...
...sweetheart.
You thought Santa delivered presents all over the world?
On Christmas Eve.
So it takes a jet going seven hundred miles per hour...
...six hours to fly across one country...
...and you thought eight reindeer could lug a big sled all over in one night?
Isn't that a little dopey to think that, Jacob?
Can we talk about the size of Santa's bag?
That little sack has enough toys for 300 million children?
Are you retarded, Jacob?
Objection!
I'm trying to find out what he believed.
He seems smart.
You thought one fat old man living on the North Pole was making toys...
...for every child to be carried in one bag, one sleigh, in one night?
Well, I know it's a little dubious.
How about "He sees you when you're sleeping"?
That I always wondered about. "
Knows if you've been bad or good."
Um...
What about Rudolph's nose, cutting through the fog?
Oh, I never believed that!
Ever wonder why all those toys Santa makes...
...Iook like the ones you see at Toys 'R' Us?
It's a little suspicious.
What's Santa do in Florida?
Lots of snow there for his sleigh, right?
Objection!
Jacob, you seem intelligent.
I want you to tell us what you really think of the idea of Santa Claus.
It's stupid!
Wow!
Now that is the Christmas spirit.
I thought you'd like it.
Ally, I'm sorry if I've been a wet blanket.
I know Christmas is important to you, and I won't spoil things.
Are you trying to have a serious conversation with a red blinking nose?
I'm sorry.
Better?
You are the biggest nut I've ever met.
That's a good thing?
It's a good thing.
Now.
Come on.
I am going to take you to see your positive influence at work.
What positive influence?
When I'm stuck with a day That's gray and lonely Oh, the sun 'll come out tomorrow There's gotta be a law against this.
Look over there.
Come what may Tomorrow I love you, tomorrow You're always a day away Everybody!
Tomorrow, tomorrow I love you, tomorrow You're always a day Away I think it worked.
Maybe.
Just think, John, when you sing...
It's only a day away Mr.
Larry.
Miss Kimmie.
Again!
Is this fate?
You think maybe you and I are meant to procreate?
I'm not at ease with coarse humor.
You suing somebody?
I'm here to see my John.
He's giving his closing arguments.
He's closing now?
As we speak.
Where is the evidence that any child got hurt?
Now, Mr.
Stark called his own grandson into action.
But the reality is that when kids do get hurt on this...
...it's not the reveal that there's no Santa.
It's the reveal that maybe their parents lied to them.
Kendall Stevens?