You know that feeling when you're scrolling through a streaming app in December and everything looks the same? It's all high-gloss royalty in fake European countries or bakers falling in love with woodworkers.
But then there's Whoopi.
If you grew up in the early 2000s, the Whoopi Goldberg Christmas film Call Me Claus probably lives in a very specific, fuzzy corner of your brain. It’s not your average "save the town square" story. It’s weird. It’s cynical. And honestly? It’s kind of revolutionary for a TV movie from 2001.
Whoopi Goldberg doesn't just "do" Christmas. She owns it. Whether she's wearing one of her legendary ugly sweaters on The View or literally taking over the North Pole, she brings this grounded, "don't mess with me" energy that the holiday genre usually lacks.
What Really Happens in Call Me Claus?
Basically, the plot is a wild ride. Nigel Hawthorne (who was a legend, by the way) plays a 200-year-old Santa Claus whose contract is up. He needs a replacement, or the world literally ends in a flood. No pressure, right?
He finds Lucy Cullins, played by Whoopi.
Lucy is a grumpy, high-powered executive at a home shopping network. She’s stressed. She’s over it. She hasn't cared about Christmas since her father passed away when she was a kid.
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It’s a classic setup, but Whoopi makes it work because she doesn't play "sad." She plays "annoyed." You’ve probably felt that way when you’re trying to finish work and someone starts blasting Mariah Carey in the office.
Why the Casting Was a Big Deal
Back in 2001, seeing a Black woman as the literal Santa Claus was huge. It wasn't just a gimmick. The movie actually touches on how Lucy’s identity and her history in Los Angeles shape her view of the world.
The film was produced by Whoopi herself, alongside Lisa Sanderson and—randomly enough—country superstar Garth Brooks.
Think about that mix.
You’ve got an EGOT winner, a British stage icon, and a country singer making a movie about a shopping network producer becoming Father (or Mother) Christmas. It’s such a specific "Y2K era" energy.
The Most Unforgettable Moments
- The Glowing Hat: In a flashback to 1965, a young Lucy (played by a young Tinashe, the singer! Seriously, look it up) tries on Santa's hat and it glows. That’s how we know she’s the "Chosen One."
- The Shopping Network Chaos: Lucy hires the real Nick to play the on-screen Santa for her network. He's too good at it. He knows exactly what everyone wants, and the sales go through the roof.
- The North Pole Reveal: When Lucy finally realizes Nick isn't just some method actor, the transition from her gritty TV studio to the North Pole is pure holiday cheese in the best way possible.
Beyond the Suit: Whoopi's Other Holiday Hits
While Call Me Claus is the big one, it’s not the only time she’s dipped her toes into the tinsel.
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She voiced the character Stormella in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie (1998). If you don't remember Stormella, she was the Evil Ice Queen who hated everyone. Whoopi playing a villainous ice queen is exactly the kind of range we deserve.
She also popped up as the Ghost of Christmas Present in a 1997 animated version of A Christmas Carol.
Honestly, Whoopi has a bit of a monopoly on playing supernatural holiday beings.
A New Orleans Noel (2022)
More recently, she moved behind the scenes as an executive producer for A New Orleans Noel.
She told Rachael Ray in an interview that she did it specifically because Patti LaBelle was in it. Whoopi basically said if Patti is there, she’s in. That’s the kind of loyalty we love to see. It’s a much more traditional romance than her 2001 film, but it still has that "Whoopi touch"—meaning it feels like real people talking, not just Hallmark robots.
Why We Still Watch It
Let’s be real. The CGI in Call Me Claus has not aged perfectly. The "flying" sleigh looks like it was filmed in a garage. But that’s sort of why it works.
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It feels human.
We’re so used to these $100 million Netflix holiday spectacles that have no soul. This movie has a lot of soul. It deals with grief, losing your faith in the "magic" of life, and the corporate pressure of the holidays.
Lucy Cullins isn't a magical person. She’s a tired person. And seeing a tired person get to fly a sleigh is the ultimate escapism.
How to Watch Whoopi’s Christmas Movies Today
If you're looking to catch a Whoopi Goldberg Christmas film this year, here’s the deal:
- Call Me Claus: Usually pops up on Freeform or the Hallmark Channel during their 24/7 marathons. You can also find it for digital rent/purchase on Amazon or Vudu.
- A New Orleans Noel: This one is a Lifetime original. If you have the Lifetime app or a Hulu + Live TV subscription, you’re usually good to go.
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1998): This one is a bit harder to find on streaming, but it’s a staple on YouTube for a few bucks.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Next Movie Night
If you're planning a Whoopi-themed marathon, don't just put the movie on and scroll on your phone.
- Look for the cameos: Keep an eye out for Taylor Negron as the elf Ralph. He’s a comedic genius who left us too soon.
- Spot the "Real" Santa: Nigel Hawthorne was actually filming this while he was quite ill, yet he brings such a gentle, twinkling energy to the role. It was one of his final performances.
- Check the Sweaters: If you watch her more recent holiday appearances on The View, she often promotes her own line of "ugly" sweaters. They’re actually pretty high-quality and very funny.
Whatever you think of TV movies, Whoopi Goldberg changed the game by proving that Santa doesn't have to look one specific way. She brought grit to the North Pole, and for that, we have to stan.