A Carol Christmas 2003

Carol Cartman is a conceited sensationalist talk show host [Tori Spelling]. She is cynical, selfish, and generally treats her employees with cold contempt. She has been coached by her late Aunt Marla [Dinah Manoff] to behave this way, and she remains true to it; she despises Christmas and values hardly anyone.

On Christmas Eve, just hours before her holiday special, Carol is haunted by the spirit of Aunt Marla, who is bound in golden chains forged by her misdeeds in life. Aunt Marla warns Carol of the mistakes she has made and the kind of fate that awaits her if she does not change. She cautions that Carol will be visited by three spirits who will show her her wrongs and try to steer her back toward goodness.

The Ghost of Christmas Past [Gary Coleman] begins the journey by taking Carol back through memories from childhood to adulthood, revealing how Aunt Marla helped shape the person she has become. The Ghost revisits moments such as Marla fighting for Carol to secure the lead in a Christmas play over another girl who deserved the part, Marla driving away Carol’s boyfriend, John Joyce [Jason Brooks], who proposed to her, and Marla pressuring her to advance her niece’s career to strengthen her own finances. The visits end at Aunt Marla’s sparsely attended funeral, a somber reminder of how the past can influence the present.

The Ghost of Christmas Present [William Shatner] then accompanies Carol to scenes showing how those around her will spend this Christmas. John Joyce [Jason Brooks] continues his charitable work feeding the homeless, while Carol’s sister Beth [Paula Trickey] and her husband read A Christmas Carol to their children. Roberta [Nina Siemaszko] and her circle are also part of the day: Roberta’s festivities with her daughter Lily [Holliston Coleman] and studio manager Jimmy [Michael Landes] are interrupted by the appearance of Roberta’s ex-husband and Lily’s father, Frank [David Chisum], who arrives with a custody showdown looming in the future. The present-day tensions—between Roberta and Frank, and the looming question of Lily’s future—highlight the strain between work, family, and personal happiness.

The Ghost of Christmas Future (a mute limo driver) offers a chilling glimpse of what lies ahead if Carol does not change. Carol walks off her show rather than do a segment that hits too close to home, and her studio boss sues her for breach of contract. Her career collapses, and she ends up penniless, making only low-profile community appearances. In a final vision, Carol watches her own funeral, attended by almost no one except Roberta and Jimmy, while Roberta hints that Lily is now married and living in Chicago, with the distance between mother and daughter deepened by Carol’s prioritization of work. Trapped in a coffin, Carol pleads for a second chance, but the Ghost shakes his head and closes the scene. She awakens in her dressing room, terrified but alive.

Moved by the revelations, Carol undergoes a dramatic transformation. She becomes warmer and more compassionate, vowing to repair the damage she has caused. Back on her show, she delivers a heartfelt message about the true meaning of Christmas and the importance of giving. She offers Roberta a raise and time for Lily, and she lends support to Roberta in facing the custody concerns raised by Frank. She also reconciles with John Joyce, who has long held feelings for her. The mood shifts from cynicism to generosity, and the audience sees a changed woman.

As the credits roll, the three Christmas Spirits reappear outside Beth’s house, reflecting on their work. They observe Beth’s son reciting the closing line of A Christmas Carol: “God bless us, every one!” The story closes on a note of hope, showing that true change can come from reflection, humility, and a renewed sense of connection with others.