Top Elf is an American reality competition television program that aired on Nickelodeon from November 29, 2019 to December 17, 2020.

Top Elf
GenreReality competition
Created by
  • Mike Duffy
  • Tim Duffy
Directed by
  • Michael Pearlman (2019)
  • Gary Shaffer (2020)
Starring
  • Tommy Snider
  • Samantha Turret
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes10
Production
Executive producers
  • Mike Duffy
  • Tim Duffy
  • Jimmy Fox
  • Bob Schermerhorn (2019)
  • Lisa Fletcher
  • Paul J. Medford
  • Mandel Ilagan
  • Rob Bagshaw (2020)
  • Stacey Carr (2020)
Running time43–45 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkNickelodeon
ReleaseNovember 29, 2019 (2019-11-29) –
December 17, 2020 (2020-12-17)

Premise

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In Top Elf, Santa (Tommy Snider) and Ms. Jingles (Samantha Turret) invite seven civilian "Elf-testants" to the North Pole in a competition to test their skills in a series of holiday-themed challenges. Demonstrating the true spirit of the holidays, the Elf-testants compete to have their wish lists granted—not for themselves, but for someone in their community.

Production

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On August 28, 2019, it was announced that Nickelodeon ordered the series from Mike and Tim Duffy of Ugly Brother Studios.[1] On November 18, 2019, it was announced that the program would premiere on November 29, 2019, and would feature Frankie Grande, Amirah Kassem, Peyton List, Alex Wassabi and Pete Wentz as guest judges.[2]

On February 19, 2020, it was announced that Nickelodeon renewed the series for a second season.[3] On November 12, 2020, it was announced that the second season would premiere on November 19, 2020, and would feature Addison Rae, Jay Pharoah, Tori Kelly, Guava Juice and JoJo Siwa as guest judges.[4]

Episodes

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Series overview

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SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
15November 29, 2019 (2019-11-29)December 21, 2019 (2019-12-21)
25November 19, 2020 (2020-11-19)December 17, 2020 (2020-12-17)

Season 1 (2019)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
Title [5][6]Original air date [5][6]Prod.
code [5]
U.S. viewers
(millions)
11"Season's Greetings"November 29, 2019 (2019-11-29)1010.45[7]
22"Unwrapped"December 6, 2019 (2019-12-06)1020.60[8]
33"Teamwork Makes the Tree Work"December 13, 2019 (2019-12-13)1030.59[9]
44"Gingerbread House Party"December 20, 2019 (2019-12-20)1040.46[10]
55"The Grand Finale"December 21, 2019 (2019-12-21)1050.47[11]

Season 2 (2020)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
Title [5][12]Original air date [5][12]Prod.
code [5]
U.S. viewers
(millions)
61"'Tis the Season to Be Top Elf"November 19, 2020 (2020-11-19)2010.23[13]
72"Goody, Goody Gum Drops"November 26, 2020 (2020-11-26)2020.20[14]
83"Super Vest to Impress"December 3, 2020 (2020-12-03)2030.41[15]
94"Elfies and Selfies"December 10, 2020 (2020-12-10)2040.32[16]
105"Who Will Be Top Elf?"December 17, 2020 (2020-12-17)2050.32[17]

Ratings

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Viewership and ratings per season of Top Elf
Season Episodes First aired Last aired Avg. viewers
(millions)
Date Viewers
(millions)
Date Viewers
(millions)
1 5 November 29, 2019 (2019-11-29) 0.45[7] December 21, 2019 (2019-12-21) 0.47[11] 0.51
2 5 November 19, 2020 (2020-11-19) 0.23[13] December 17, 2020 (2020-12-17) 0.32[17] 0.29

References

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  1. ^ "Nickelodeon Greenlights Unscripted Holiday Series Top Elf; Orders Full Series Pickup of The Substitute" (Press release). Nickelodeon. August 28, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2022 – via The Futon Critic.
  2. ^ "Nickelodeon Celebrates the Holidays with Series Premiere of Top Elf, Friday, Nov. 29, at 8:00 P.M. (ET/PT)" (Press release). Nickelodeon. November 18, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2022 – via The Futon Critic.
  3. ^ "Nickelodeon Renews Some of Its Biggest Franchises and Hit Series for the 2020-21 Season" (Press release). Nickelodeon. February 19, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2022 – via The Futon Critic.
  4. ^ "Nickelodeon Celebrates Nickmas with Over 100 Hours of Seasonal Content, Featuring 21 Holly Jolly Premieres Beginning Thursday, Nov. 19" (Press release). Nickelodeon. November 12, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2022 – via The Futon Critic.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Top Elf Episode Listings". The Futon Critic.
  6. ^ a b "Top Elf Season 1 Episode Guide". Zap2it.
  7. ^ a b Mitch Metcalf (December 3, 2019). "Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.29.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  8. ^ Mitch Salem (December 9, 2019). "Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.6.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  9. ^ Mitch Metcalf (December 16, 2019). "Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.13.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  10. ^ Mitch Metcalf (December 23, 2019). "Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.20.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  11. ^ a b Mitch Metcalf (December 24, 2019). "Top 150 Saturday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.21.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  12. ^ a b "Top Elf Season 2 Episode Guide". Zap2it.
  13. ^ a b Mitch Metcalf (November 20, 2020). "Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.19.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  14. ^ Mitch Metcalf (December 1, 2020). "Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.26.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  15. ^ Mitch Metcalf (December 7, 2020). "Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.3.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  16. ^ Mitch Metcalf (December 11, 2020). "Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.10.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  17. ^ a b Mitch Metcalf (December 18, 2020). "Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.17.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
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