Christmas Oddities: Remembered Another Special

• The Great Santa Claus Switch (1970; 1 hour; Jim Henson Company) The show, narrated by Ed Sullivan, begins at the North Pole with Santa Claus and his elves getting ready for another Christmas. However, Cosmo Scam has hatched a plan to kidnap Santa and take his place. As part of the plan, Cosmo plans to abduct Santa's elves (one at a time) and replace them with his evil henchmen, called the Frackles (no, not the Fraggles). Scam’s schemes are foiled by Fred (the anomalously named smallest elf) and by Santa’s own kindness while he is imprisoned by the Frackles.
  
• Art Carney plays both Santa Claus and Cosmo Scam (SC and CS) This special includes the very first appearance of the puppet that would later become Gonzo. He was then known as Snarl (or the Cigar Box Frackle) and would be remodeled and reused for The Muppet Show. I remember seeing it back in the day; I must have been six! Apparently it is tied up with ownership problems so there is no official release, but it can be seen on YouTube.