We’re wrapping up 2024 in the best way possible — celebrating 16 years of I Spot Santa with the first of three brand-new Sam and Murphy Christmas sketches we’re sharing this holiday season. These monster buddies are back at the North Pole, and they’ve brought along a frosty new friend who’s full of holiday spirit (and a little bit of mischief).
If you haven’t met them yet, Sam and Murphy are the monster world’s biggest Christmas fans — and this year, they’re helping Mr. Shivers the Snowman discover what it really means to feel the Christmas joy. You can watch the full sketch right here:
Watch Sam, Murphy & Mr. Shivers
Meet the Cast
We have an incredible team bringing these holiday hijinks to life:
- Sam is performed by the amazing Ronald Binion, a master of physical comedy and goofy monster charm.
- Murphy is brought to life by BJ Guyer, who also co-produced this year’s sketch with me.
- Our chilly new friend Mr. Shivers the Snowman is none other than Tyler Bunch, a longtime puppeteer you’ll know from Sesame Street and countless other children’s classics. When you need a snowman with heart, Tyler’s your guy.
How I Wrote This Sketch
One thing I love about writing for Sam and Murphy is how they handle Christmas lessons. They never just deliver them. They trip into each lesson, get snow on their fur, and laugh all the way through.
With Mr. Shivers, I wanted a simple story about warmth. Not just the kind that melts snow, but the kind that melts your heart.
In this sketch, Sam and Murphy find Mr. Shivers all alone and a little grouchy. He’s convinced he doesn’t need anyone’s help, but monsters like Sam and Murphy don’t take no for an answer.
I wrote them bouncing off each other like two kids determined to bring joy to everyone they meet. There’s slapstick, and there’s that moment where even the grumpiest snowman cracks a smile. This one has a lot of heart and I’m quite proud of that.
When I write these, I always sneak in little wordplay. I add physical gags too. I trust kids (and grown-ups) to connect the dots without spelling it all out. That’s the fun part. After sixteen years of making I Spot Santa sketches, I still love it as much as the first season.
The Magical Winter Set
I have to brag about this set. It’s one of the most beautiful we’ve built for Sam and Murphy yet. This winter wonderland was made in four layered stages:
- The furthest layer is a gradient blue sky, giving it that timeless North Pole feel.
- In front of that, a snowy mountain backdrop with miniature pine trees, like a vintage holiday window display.
- Then comes the main layer, where Sam, Murphy, and Mr. Shivers play out their wintry adventure.
- Finally, there’s the snowy foreground. It’s filled with fluffy snowdrifts and tiny pinecones. This makes the whole thing pop like a storybook.
The layers gave our puppeteers room to play. They also let me, as the writer and director, block out fun entrances and exits. This way, our monsters could surprise you from every corner.
Spread the Warmth
So grab a mug of hot cocoa. Gather the family around. Let Sam, Murphy, and Mr. Shivers remind you what Christmas is about. It’s all about friends, warmth, and a little bit of monster mischief.
This sketch is the first of three new Sam and Murphy adventures. It kicks off our 16th year at I Spot Santa. We can’t wait to share the next ones with you.
Watch the full sketch here:
Watch Sam, Murphy & Mr. Shivers
And share it with anyone who could use a laugh and a little holiday magic. Merry Christmas and happy spotting!