6. The original Yule Log was filmed in Gracie Mansion
WPIX, a television station associated with The CW, shot the original version of the television program The Yule Long in Gracie Mansion from 1966 to 1970. The station typically aired the footage on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning without any advertisements or interruptions. The footage was shot on 16-millimeter film that captured a fireplace in the house’s Peach Room.
In 1970, WPIX reshot the Yule Log footage on 35-millimeter film after the original film became worn down. However, this time around, to get the full effect of the fire, the crew removed the protective screen in front of the fireplace causing a stray spark to damage the antique rug in the room. Afterward, Mayor John Lindsay did not let WPIX come back and reshoot the footage. From then on, the Yule Log was shot in an identical fireplace in California.