On the First Day of FRIENDSmas:

“I’m the holiday Armadillo!”

-- Ross

I may or may not devote an occasional series, leading up to the Christmas holiday, of epic FRIENDS Christmas episodes. You’ll get your answer depending on how many more episode recaps I publish.

This episode focuses on the endearing Ross, trying to bring Hanukkah cheer to his son, Ben, already broken-hearted for lack of a visit from Santa. Those of you well-enough acquainted with the episode already know: Ross barters with a costume-retailer and finds…an armadillo.
Keep in mind Ross only asked if there was something, anything. And the retailer comes up with…armadillo.

I wonder if the FRIENDS staff came across an armadillo costume they needed to use, or lose.

“Well come in, have a seat. You must be exhausted, coming all the way from…Texas!”

-- Monica

After Chandler and his enthusiastic Santa role—despite the lack of bowlful-of-jelly-belly—discourages Ben further, Ross collaborates and brings Santa along in a second visit to Ben, just in time for Christmas.

“Um, because if Santa and the Holiday Armadillo are even in the same room for too long, the universe will implode! Merry Christmas!”

-- Chandler, after Ben asks why he (Santa) has to leave.

I actually really like that they give attention to the topic, for the year it premiered, especially. Media exposes the issue more, now, but then the object of FRIENDS was to relate to common issues and, more importantly, offer ways to teach audiences to breach those issues. With comedy.
True, not every audience member relates to some of their crazier antics (I think of wearing a turkey on your head, right off the bat), but a prevalent topic sits just under the Armadillo costume. After all, he worked real hard to get all the way to Manhattan from Texas.

I’m not going to try and fit an armadillo in a pair tree for you—I’ll leave you with the promise I’ll consider eleven more days of FRIENDSmas. Until then.