“Santa Who?” is a heartwarming Christmas comedy film that first aired in 2000 on ABC. Starring Leslie Nielsen as Santa Claus, the movie combines holiday magic, family-friendly humor, and a touching message about belief, kindness, and the spirit of giving.
Plot Summary:
The story begins in the busy city of St. Cloud, where Gordon McKendrick, a cynical TV news reporter, is ᴀssigned to cover a feel-good holiday story about a local mall Santa. Gordon, who is jaded and has long since lost his Christmas spirit due to a difficult childhood, is anything but thrilled.
Meanwhile, the real Santa Claus is making his rounds, preparing for Christmas. But during one of his stops in the city, Santa accidentally falls out of his sleigh and crashes onto the street below. He is found unconscious and taken to a hospital, where it’s discovered he has amnesia—he doesn’t remember who he is or where he came from. The hospital staff, unaware that he’s the real Santa, refer to him as “Nick.”
Gordon is sent to cover the story of the mysterious man in a Santa suit with no memory. As he investigates “Nick’s” idenтιтy, he reluctantly begins to spend more time with him—and with a kind-hearted woman named Claire, who works with troubled children and becomes a love interest for Gordon.
Despite his memory loss, “Nick” retains his warm heart and natural instinct to help others. He bonds with the children at Claire’s community center, brings joy to people around him, and displays uncanny knowledge about people’s wishes and needs. Slowly, his true idenтιтy becomes more and more obvious to everyone around him—except Gordon, who stubbornly refuses to believe.
Throughout the film, Gordon is challenged to rediscover the magic of Christmas. His time with Nick/Santa, Claire, and the children begins to melt his cold, skeptical heart. Eventually, after a series of touching and comical events, Nick’s memory returns just in time for Christmas Eve. With the help of a reindeer and a bit of Christmas magic, Santa returns to the North Pole to prepare for his big night. But not before he gives Gordon the greatest gift of all: a renewed sense of belief, wonder, and love.
While not a blockbuster or a critically acclaimed classic, “Santa Who?” has become a nostalgic holiday favorite for many viewers. Its cheerful tone, gentle humor, and message of hope make it a comforting Christmas tale for the whole family. Whether you’re watching it for the first time or revisiting it as part of a holiday tradition, Santa Who? offers a sweet reminder that the spirit of Christmas is always worth believing in.
