TV Characters Notoriously Known for Their Dislike of Christmas: From ‘Big Bang Theory’ to ‘Seinfeld’

Being a Christmas grinch isn’t just reserved for movies — and some of your favorite TV shows have even had characters notorious for their dislike of all things Santa.

The Big Bang Theory introduced that through Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons), who had an experience that made him distrust the holiday season.

“You asked me what I wanted for Christmas, and I told you, ‘My Pop-Pop,’ because that was the year my grandfather died,” Cooper revealed on the hit CBS show while playing a Dungeon & Dragons game with a Santa character. “I missed him, and I wanted him back. Instead, I got Lincoln Logs.”

Viewers got more glimpses at Cooper’s origin story in the Young Sheldon prequel. The franchise has since expanded into Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage and the yet-to-be-released spinoff in the works at Max.

On Seinfeld, George (Jason Alexander) went out of his way to keep Festivus a secret from Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld), Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and Kramer (Michael Richards). The idea actually came from one of the show’s writers and went on to become a fan-favorite episode.

“That’s the thing with Seinfeld stories, the real ones are always the best ones. There’s a nuance to reality sometimes that is just perfect,” executive producer Jeff Schaffer told Uproxx in 2017. “We could have sat in a room for a billion years and we never would have made up Festivus. It’s crazy and hilarious and just so funny and so disturbing. It’s awesome.”

Keep scrolling for more TV characters who dislike Christmas:

Sheldon Cooper (‘The Big Bang Theory’)

According to Sheldon, his main issue wasn’t with Christmas but with Santa Claus. He met Santa as a child at the mall and when his wish wasn’t granted, Sheldon swore off the entire holiday.

Britta Perry (‘Community’)

In case anyone somehow forgot, Britta was incredibly outspoken about her dislike for Christmas — largely for religious reasons or a lack thereof on her part.

Adrian Monk (‘Monk’)

Tony Shalhoub‘s iconic character turned his back on Christmas after one holiday season he was gifted a singular walkie-talkie from his dad.

Frank Reynolds (‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’)

Dee and Dennis often didn’t get to enjoy Christmas because Frank would buy great gifts but would keep them for himself. If that isn’t a Scrooge then we don’t know what is.

Donna Noble (‘Doctor Who’)

After vanishing from her wedding day on Christmas Eve, Donna told the Tenth Doctor her dislike for the holiday. Donna even said that she would rather go to her honeymoon in Morocco than get into the cozy holiday season.

Perry Cox (‘Scrubs’)

J.D. (Zach Braff) found out that Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley) isn’t a fan of Christmas but no tangible reason was ever given.

Frank Costanza (‘Seinfeld’)

Not only did George’s dad Frank (Jerry Stiller) not support Christmas, he created Festivus instead so other like-minded people had a special day to celebrate their own beliefs.

Sue Sylvester (‘Glee’)

Once again viewers didn’t get a proper explanation for Sue’s Christmas aversion. Instead, several scenes throughout the years showed her going out of her way to make the holidays suck for everyone.