The two appeared in previous Will Vinton videos dating back to 1980 including Dinosaur, but this Christmas special is the first in which they have dialogue and contemporary personalities, vaguely parodying Siskel and Ebert respectively.

Among the musical performances: Throughout the program, Rex futilely attempts to clarify the true pronunciation and meaning of the term "wassail', featured in the Christmas carol "Here We Come A-Wassailing".

Rex is convinced that his own pronunciation is correct, but he is continually questioned by the others, including Herb, when the latter is not busy excessively partaking of the various Christmas treats offered by each group; consulting the dictionary provides no meaningful help.

Finally, near the program's end, a large truck loaded with cider-swilling Irish elves arrives in Christmas Square singing the correct version of the carol, validating Rex's theory much to his delight.

[2] 1988—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program given to Will Vinton (executive producer/director), David Altschul (producer) and Ralph Liddle (writer) A companion soundtrack album was released by Atlantic Records in 1988 and was originally available on LP, cassette, and compact disc.