By Joshie Jaxon 

Greetings, geek fans! We’re a week away from X-Mas, and I’m giving you your gift early. Rather than reviewing three versions of A Christmas Carol, I’m going to rate some of the main characters each day, and then give my overall review at the end. I’m hoping this will be a fun format for ya, so if it isn’t, you’ll just have to put up with me all week. These are my favorite adaptations of the story, and oddly, I’ve never read the original. I find these to be the most entertaining, and maintaining the spirit of our site. Let the geeks begin! 
Diva’s Christmas Carol – 

Lets get this Bob out of the way. He sucks. There’s nothing to make him the sympathetic character in this version. Yeah, he still works for Scrooge/Ebony, but he’s not nearly as abused as Mickey or Kermit. He’s just an overworked assistant to a pop diva. Boo fricken hoo, Bob. Most of our community would give our left nut to serve. Yes, we get some back story that he and Ebony were once an item, and now she’s his boss, so I guess he gave his nuts up after all. I think my issue with this incarnation of Bob is that the story has a modern setting. As we see in flashbacks, his wife and Tim have a house, food, and aren’t suffering other than he’s not there. Oh, and the whole sick kid thing, so I guess there’s that, but I just can’t sympathize with Bob, or even relate, beyond the fact the we all at one point have had a boss that doesn’t value us. Next!
Mickey’s Christmas Carol – 

Who’s the leader of the club that’s made for you and me? M-i-c-k-e-y M-o-u-s-e! As the leader of his franchise, of course Mickey is going to be cast as Bob, the abused worker. Mickey is adorable and loving in his own right, but give him a family and sick kid to support, and the “aww” factor goes through the roof. His family has what appears to be a canary-sized bird for X-Mas dinner. He even takes in Scrooge’s laundry to earn an extra haypenny. When we’re given the glimpse at the future, and Tim is dead, Mickey clutching the crutch with a tear in his eye will get to even the coldest heart. Not mine, cause, yeah, but normal people. Grab the tissues. Mickey does a great job as the Everyman that we can all relate to in some form. As Scrooge goes on his rant at the end, and Mickey thinks he’s about to lose everything, we feel the relief when Scrooge reveals that he’s instead getting a raise and being made partner. Yay, Mickey! 
Muppet Christmas Carol –

The role of loyal employee could only be played by our dear Kermit the Frog in this iteration. He’s got the sympathy factor going for him, along with being someone that we tend to root for in his movies. I may be a Gonzo man, but Kermit gave us Rainbow Connection. He gets points. You sympathize with the abuse he takes from his boss, even for the times they’re in, and does it all with a happy heart. He’s grateful for what he has, and that he can provide for his family. During Scrooge’s visit to the present we see that Bob is loved by his entire family, as they run to greet him when he gets home. He may not have much, but he’s got what matters. Even with a sick son like Tiny Tim, he’s grateful for everything he has in life. Something still relevant today. No better puppet to deliver that lesson than Kermit. Mickey is great, but I have to give the edge to Kermit. It’s not easy being green. 
Tune in tomorrow for Marley during my Christmas Carol Countdown. Until next time, stay geeky, and keep gabbing!