Daily Dirt: All-time No. 1 Christmas movie revealed, and it’s a obviously a wonderful choice

How many of you were correct in predicting what out No. 1 all-time Christmas movie would be? For those of you who were, Muddy River News founder and reigning monarch J. Robert Gough congratulates you. For those of you who were not … what were you thinking? Welcome to Vol. 128 of the Daily Dirt and today’s three thoughts.

1. Today’s the day! We reveal our top 10 best Christmas movies ever. The countdown is over. Let the viewing begin. What began with No. 30 “Batman Returns,” concludes with …

10.”A Charlie Brown Christmas”: You have to smile while watching this classic. I think it’s a law.

9. “The Preacher’s Wife”: An often overlooked holiday movie, starring Denzel Washington and the late Whitney Houston.

8. “Bad Santa”: It’s early in the holiday season and we can all use a little Billy Bob Thornton.

7. “White Christmas”: Bing Crosby helps add his own musical touch to the holidays.

6. “Die Hard”: Is it or isn’t it a Christmas movie. We’ve got more than a month to decide — or at least debate, but for the time being, just enjoy Bruce Willis — with hair — kicking some holiday butt.

5. “Miracle on 34th Street”: You WILL believe in Santa Claus after watching this memorable film.

4. “A Christmas Story”: These final four represent the Mount Rushmore of Christmas movies. Darren McGavin is the anchor of this longtime favorite.

3. “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”: I still laugh at this movie each and every year.

2. “Love Actually”: A lot is going on in this film, but it all comes together in the end in a marvelous, marvelous way. This might be Hugh Grant’s finest film.

1. “It’s A Wonderful Life”: Was there ever any doubt what No. 1 would be? Not only the finest Christmas movie, but one of the finest overall films ever. Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, Ward Bond headline a perfect cast.

2. Here’s our promised follow-up on what some currently unemployed TV stars are receiving each year in residual money from previous shows. In other words, lunch money is not a problem, except maybe for one of the following:

• Maureen McCormick (“The Brady Bunch”): For her five seasons on this 1970s show, Maureen receives $0. Zilch. Yeah, contracts are much different these days, eh?
• David Schwimmer (“Friends”): $20 million. Maybe “Ross” could float Maureen a loan …
• David Caruso (“CSI: Miami”): $100,000. Obviously, David C. needed the other David’s agent.
• Jennifer Aniston (“Friends”): $20 million. I knew when you reading about David Schwimmer that Jennifer was on your mind. And yes, she’s well taken care of, too.
• David Hasselhoff (“Baywatch”): $4 million. Don’t hassle The Hoff.

3. There’s never a bad day to spend a few minutes on Facebook. Here were some of today’s top finds:

• “Stop taking Facebook so seriously. Most of your ‘likes’ come from someone sitting on a toilet.”
• “Folks crying about a $3 gallon of gas while in line for a $5 cup of coffee.”
• “In a world full of Karens, be a Beth.” (Another “Yellowstone” watcher is heard from.)
• “Fun fact: Michigan used to have a lot to cheer about.” (Obviously, posted by an Ohio State football fan.)
• “Nothing I love more than at the end of every night crawling into my bed, exhausted, finally able to settle down … and spend three more hours on my phone.”

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. His chestnuts are already roasting on an open fire.