Merry Christmas.
It’s another packed episode with all sorts of festive goodness.
First up we have a change from our regular quiz format. Our American-Scandinavian correspondent Benji Pearson has sent in a quiz about Christmas in Scandinavia and, spoiler alert, it’s a tricky one.
Then Bob Baker gives us a lovely suggestion on how to make the most of Christmas in July with it’s lovely summer Christmas music.
Then I have an interview with a friend of my family, Jade, who spent the first 14 years of her life in South Africa. She tells us about the differences between a South African Christmas and ones in her new home in the UK.
Then Bob returns and we discuss the use of the word ‘Brilliant’.
It’s…….
very good. (see what I did there).
This episode’s recommendation is Advent Calendar House Podcast with Mike Westfall.
All this month he’s been releasing his July episodes. Make the most of them because he won’t be back again until December.
Check it out:
https://adventcalendar.house/
Get in touch:
Email: totalchristmas@gmail.com
Web: totalchristmaspodcast.com
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/totalchristmas-scaled.jpg25602560e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2023-07-29 17:53:382023-07-31 05:54:16Episode 87 - Christmas in South Africa
We start the show with Bob Baker and Christmas Everyday and a wonderful idea for how you can have Christmas sweet dreams.
Then it’s the quiz, I got 7, what will you get.
This episode’s version of A Christmas Carol is an offering from British TV and radio star Kenny Everett. It’s from 1985 and is certainly of its time.
It’s certainly worth a look, if you fancy a laugh:
Then it’s Do You Hear What I Hear and Bob Baker is looking at what us Brits mean when we say ‘wee’.
Have a listen to Bob’s podcast, Festive Foreign Film Fans:
https://4fpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
Last episode we chatted to Matt Spaulding and he talked about being Santa, this week he talks to us about how he found out the truth about Santa.
Matt is the host of North Pole Radio Podcast, check it out here:
https://northpoleradio.buzzsprout.com/
This episode’s recommendation is I’m Not Complaining with Robin & Juno. The girls are about to hit their 100th episode, so have a listen and why not send in a short message congratulating them on this milestone.
Here’s their podcast:
anchor.fm/notcomplaing
Get in touch…
email: totalchristmas@gmail.com
website: totalchristmaspodcast.com
First up it’s the quiz, can you beat my score of 7 out of 10.
Then we have Do You Hear What I Hear and our resident podcast barman Bob Baker discusses the word Solictor.
Then we have interview with Matt Spaulding. Not only is he the host of the excellent North Pole Radio Podcast, but he’s also a real life Santa. We have a great chat about what it’s like donning the big red suit and being the man himself.
To listen to Matt’s podcast check it out here:
https://northpoleradio.buzzsprout.com/
Then Bob is back with a great idea for how to keep Christmas all through the year.
Check out Bob’s podcast, Festive Foreign Film Fans here:
https://4fpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
If you want to get in touch, I’d love to hear from you.
Email: totalchristmas@gmail.com
Website: totalchristmaspodcast.com
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/totalchristmas-scaled.jpg25602560e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2023-07-01 17:07:432023-07-03 06:08:47Episode 85 - Let's Talk To Santa
Hello you beautiful people.
It’s another jam packed episode with loads of Christmas for your lovely ears.
First up it’s The Quiz. 10 questions, 10 answers and we’re done.
Then Bob Baker our podcast barman talks about the word Lorry.
Try saying “Red Lorry, Yellow Lorry” 5 times fast.
Then we have another story from the life and times of the real St Nicholas expertly read by Scott Newman.
Check out Scott on Tinsel Tunes:
Then Bob is back with Christmas Everyday with an idea from Benji Pearson. Why not spread some festive cheer every 25th of the month on social media.
If you haven’t listened to Bob’s great podcast Festive Foreign Film Fans, you can check it out here:
https://4fpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
Then thanks to a suggestion from Ty Virgin we discuss Christmas drinks. I’m sure there will be one or two in here that you’re not familiar with. Why not give them a try to get some festive spirits in your belly.
This episode’s recommendation is from Benji Pearson. His son, Joseph, recorded a podcast episode as part of a school project. In the episode he talks about the Dolly Parton album 9 to 5. It’s really interesting and definitely worth your time,
Check it out here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1afhCwfa9GUNAsZkGotOJK
If you want to get in touch I’d love to hear from you.
We start the show with a pretty basic but thorough version of A Christmas Carol from Little Fox. It’s aimed at helping teach English as a second language and it actually covers most of the story despite being less than 20 minutes long.
Then Bob Baker our Podcast Barman discusses a rather rude English word that’s not quite so rude overseas.
After that we have the quiz. Try to beat my score.
Then we look at the Christmas Not So Classic of Santa Baked Potato. A charity single (and book) from Matt Lucas. It failed to make an impact at Christmas in 2020, but it’s harmless.
Check it out here:
Then Bob Baker is back with a suggestion from Ty Virgin about how to use alcohol to feel festive throughout the year.
This episode’s recommedation is actually from Bob Baker. It’s his new podcast: The Festive Foreign Film Fans. Each episode they discuss a foreign Christmas film, so there will be plenty of new films you’ve never heard of before.
Check it out here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/festive-foreign-film-fans/id1685586608
Get in touch.
Email: totalchristmas@gmail.com
Website: totalchristmaspodcast.com
It’s a brand spanking new episode of The Total Christmas Podcast.
First up it’s the Quiz. Can you beat my abysmal score of 5 out of 10?
Then Bob Baker is here with Do You Hear What I Hear and he’ll explain why we call a Pub a Pub, and out stateside friends call a Pub a Bar.
After that we have What The Dickens! and we look at some of the references to other people, be they historical or literary figures. You’ll even find out why horse shoes are lucky.
Thanks to a suggestion form Benji Pearson, Bob Baker has another great suggestion for how to keep that Christmas feeling going.
Next up we have a look at the first real life nativity, which was created by St Francis of Assisi .
We also talk about another nativity scene from 2004, when Madame Tussauds thought it would be a good idea to have Posh and Becks as Mary and Joseph. Spoiler alert, it was not a good idea.
This episode’s recommendation is a podcast called Under The Influence with Terry O’Reilly. It looks at stories behind marketing and advertising and is very good.
If you want to get in touch, I’d love to hear from you.
Email: totalchristmas@gmail.com
Website: totalchristmaspodcast.com
It’s episode 81 and it’s more Christmas than one person can handle.
First up we have the return of the Yule Log. This one is a bit different because the yule log itself is right on the periphery. It features Terry Crews, actor and former NFL player painting a lovely Christmas picture.
It’s worth a look:
Then Bob Baker is here with Do You Here What I Hear and Bob is very interested in ‘snogging’,
Then it’s this episode’s version of A Christmas Carol. This is an episode of Xena Warrior Princess called A Solstice Carol. Xena and her sidekick Gabrielle teach a mean old king the true meaning of Christmas.
Watch it here:
Then it’s Christmas Everyday and Bob suggests lotto scratch cards are the way to keep feeling festive all year long.
Next up is another story of the Real Life St Nicholas read by the host of Tinsel Tunes and Christmas Morning Podcast, Scott Newman.
Check out the latest episode of Tinsel Tunes:
tinseltunes.com
Then it’s the Quiz. See if you can beat my score of 8.
This episode’s recommendation is Excuse Me, That’s Illegal. It’s a true crime podcast that looks at some of the less severe crimes. It’s funny and worth a listen.
Check it out here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/excuse-me-thats-illegal/id1526994548
Get in touch.
Email: totalchristmas@gmail.com
Website: totalchristmaspodcast.com
First up Bob Baker is talking about why here in the UK we call a flat a flat.
Then we have a joke followed by the quiz.
This episode’s Christmas Not So Classic is Cherry Cherry Christmas by the legend that is Neil Diamond. It’s a bit of a gimmick song where he shoe horns as many titles of his classic songs in to the lyrics as he can. The song is catchy, the video is awful.
Check it out:
Then Bob Baker gives us another lovely idea to keep Christmas with you all through the year.
After that it’s another version of A Christmas Carol. This one is an episode of Highway to Heaven from 1984. It’s actually rather good so give it a watch:
I don’t have a recommendation this week, so if you have any podcasts you think other listeners would like, let me know and send them through.
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/totalchristmas-scaled.jpg25602560e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2023-04-22 17:20:582023-04-23 15:21:49Episode 80 - Highway to Heaven Christmas Carol
Merry Easter you beautiful people.
What better way to celebrate Easter than spending the best part of an hour talking about Christmas.
Friend of the show Geoff Malcolmson has created a short animation of his comic strip Santa & Ruudy. Have a look and share it with everyone you love: https://www.youtube.com/@SantaandRuudy
We have part 3 of our series about Christmas in the Netherlands. This time we discuss the wonderful tradition of Chocolate Letters. Yum.
Then we have the sad story of my wife’s friend’s daughter who’s favourite role model is Santa Claus. It’s a hearbreaker.
Then Bob Baker talks about how us Brits use the term ‘birds’, in this episodes Do You Hear What I Hear.
Next up is the quiz. Stop whinging at the back.
Then Bob Baker is back and thanks to Christy Easter we have a great suggestion for how to keep the Christmas spirit alive all year long.
The Christmas Not So Classic is Naughty Christmas by Fat Les. Hot on the heels of their massive chart success with Vindaloo, they returned with this awful attempt at a Christmas song that doesn’t mention Christmas at all.
It’s a bit of fun though, so have a look:
This episode the recommendation is… get some fresh air.
The winter is gone, so why not go outside and fill your lungs with the good stuff.
Get in touch:
Email: totalchristmas@gmail.com
Websire: totalchristmaspodcast.com
Merry Christmas.
Welcome to episode 78 of the TCP.
First up we have a delightful Christmas memory from our American Scandinavian correspondent Benji Pearson.
Then it’s Christmas Everyday and Bob Baker gives us a very sneaky suggestion of how to keep Christmas alive all year long.
This episode’s version of A Christmas Carol is one of the most accurate ones you will ever find. The dialogue isn’t quite there, but nearly all the scenes from the book are here. It’s an Australian production from Burbank films and if you want to give it a look it’s on YouTube:
Then our American correspondent Scott Newman tells us a story from the life and times of the real Saint Nicholas.
Scott is the host of Tinsel Tunes and you can check out the latest episode right here:
Next up it’s Do You Hear What I Hear and this time Bob Baker is explaining what us Brits mean when we say the word Cheeky.
Then it’s the quiz. Stop complaining.
This episode’s recommendation is Love Letters podcast. I’ve been enjoying it and you might too so give it a listen:
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/totalchristmas-scaled.jpg25602560e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2023-03-25 18:12:152023-03-27 06:14:47Episode 78 - The Most Accurate Christmas Carol Adaptation?
We have some exciting news!
Barry Grapefruit is organising a Total Christmas Podcast Convention, details are in the show.
Then we have a Christmas Not So Classic. This time we’re looking at another song by The Killers and it’s called Boots. It’s a great song, but not that festive.
Have a listen:
Next it’s Bob Baker who looks at what us Brits mean when we call someone a muppet.
Then it’s the quiz and you know you love it.
Did you know Mariah Carey was in an advert for Walkers Crisps? Well she was, and you won’t believe how much they paid her.
Then it’c Christmas Everyday and thanks to the lovely Shelli Arnold, Bob Baker has another idea about how to keep feeling festive all year long.
Last episode in Christmas All Over The World we looked at Sinterklass, now we’re looking at his politically incorrect side kick Zwarte Piet or Black Peter. It’s controversial stuff.
This episode’s recommendation is Office Ladies, hosted by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey (Pam and Angela). Each episode they look at an episode of The Officer and it’s just a great listen.
https://officeladies.com/
If you want to get in touch you can.
Email: totalchristmas@gmail.com
We start off with the Christmas Quiz and we have an extra question so I can shoehorn in a great joke.
Then our Self-Appointed Podcast Barman Bob Baker discusses the word Trolley.
This episode’s version of A Christmas Carol is ‘A Christmas Carol: Scrooge’s Ghostly Tale’ a naff computer animated version from 2006.
They stay reasonably close to the story and if you want to put yourself through it, here’s a link:
Then Bob returns with Christmas Everyday and gives us another suggestion on how to keep Christmas all year long.
Then we look at Sinterklaas. He’s the Dutch version of Santa Claus. You won’t see any reindeer, but you will see a white horse.
Our recommendation is All Your Christmases a podcast hosted by Calum Crosthwaite. Each episode he interviews a guest about their Christmas memories, covering many years and many countries it’s well worth a listen.
Here’s a link:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2092747
If you want to get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.
Email: totalchristmas@gmail.com
First up we have a story from our listener Travis who shares the tale of how he found out the truth about Santa Claus.
Next up Bob Baker discusses how us Brits use the word ‘Bloody’.
Then it’s the new slimmed down quiz. Ten questions, ten answers and then we can all get on with our lives.
Next up it’s the return of The Christmas Not So Classic Song. This one is an overlooked offering from The Killers, A Great Big Sled. It’s criminal this isn’t a classic cause it’s a blinder.
Have a listen:
Then it’s a hilarious Joke.
Next up Bob Baker is back with Christmas Everyday with another way to keep the Christmas spirit with you all year.
Then it’s What The Dickens and we have a look at Belle and Fred’s wife, and discuss a couple of things you may not have noticed before.
This episode’s recommendation is my favourite TV show, Curb Your Enthusiasm. The wife and I are watching series 11 at the time of recording and we love it.
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/totalchristmas-scaled.jpg25602560e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2023-02-11 17:59:022023-02-13 05:59:37Episode 75 - A Great Big Sled
We’re back baby and it’s a brand new year with the same old crap!
First up we have a lovely story from Tracy Dawson who shares the story of the year her daughter wanted Santa to bring a flying carpet.
Then Bob Baker teaches us all about the English rude word bollocks.
Next up it’s the quiz and joining us with all the answers is Brian Earl. Brian is the host of Christmas Past Podcast and also the author of the Christmas Past book.
Here’s a link:
Then Bob Baker is back with his second segment. This is a brand new segment called Christmas Everyday and in it Bob shares ideas on how to keep a glimmer of Christmas in your life all year long. If you have any suggestions email them in.
Then we look at A Christmas Carol from 1999 starring Patrick Stewart. It’s pretty good and if you want to watch it here’s a link:
Then we have the triumphant return of the yule log and this one features The Fraggles.
It’s okay I suppose.
Check it out here:
This episode’s recommendation is Rock, Paper, Swords a podcast that talks about historical fiction. Their Christmas episodes takes a look at the history of Christmas and it’s excellent.
Check it out here:
If you want to get in touch, here’s the email:
totalchristmas@gmail.com
or check out the website:
totalchristmaspodcast.com
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/totalchristmas-scaled.jpg25602560e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2023-01-28 17:04:592023-01-30 06:05:35Episode 74 - Patrick Stewart's Christmas Carol
You have no idea how much Christmas I have crammed into this episode.
First up there’s a quick recommendation of one of my favourite Christmas films.
It’s called Christmas, Again and I love it.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3894188/
Next up is a treat for any fans of A Charlie Brown Christmas.
Nate Hance has done a fantastic Jazz take on the Vince Guaraldi soundtrack.
Have a listen here:
https://natehance.bandcamp.com/album/a-charlie-brown-christmas-nhanced
Then it’s Do You Hear What I Hear with Bob Baker, and he’s wishing us a Happy or Merry Christmas.
Then, thanks to our listener Timothy Lewis, I have a listen to 5 Christmas songs from the US and say if I’ve ever heard them before.
Here they are:
Hard Candy Christmas – Dolly Parton https://youtu.be/GOzi-gD7-ts
Then we have Scott Newman reading another interesting story about the life of the real Saint Nicholas. Sounds like old Saint Nick had a bit of temper on him.
Next up we have, for the 3rd year in a row, the wonderful Shelli Arnold telling us all about her Christmas village. You have to check out the pictures on Facebook to truly appreciate it.
Then Natalie Bickel tells us the story of how she found out the truth about Santa when she was only 6!
Natalie is the author of The Christmas Clue a delightful children’s book that could be the perfect start to a yearly tradition.
Check it out here:
Then it’s one of the laziest versions of A Christmas Carol I’ve ever covered. It could’ve been so good, but instead was naff.
It’s A Sesame Street Christmas Carol, don’t watch it:
Then it’s the quiz and we have Adam Kennedy on to try his luck and he does okay.
Adam has a very funny Christmas album that you need to listen to:
https://adamkennedy.bandcamp.com/album/literally-shrunk-down-and-living-in-my-christmas-village
Then we have Bob Baker’s final Wonderful Christmastime of the year and he gives us 10 great suggestions for how to make the season bright.
This episode’s recommendation is I’m Not Complaining with Robin and Juno, a wonderful podcast hosted by the world’s youngest podcasters.
Have a listen:
The other recommendation is my book. Thursday Night’s Alright by Jack Andrews.
It’s great.
After the credits we have Between The Lights by E F Benson read by Tony Dixon.
Tony Dixon is the host of Happy Halloween podcast which is great:
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/totalchristmas-scaled.jpg25602560e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2022-12-17 17:45:242022-12-17 18:46:09Episode 72 - The Christmas Village
There’s no hiding from it…. Christmas Is Here! Hallelujah!
The show is packed.
First up why not have a listen to The Happy House Sessions Christmas Mash-Up from Steven Beech. It’s an hour of Christmas favourites all crammed together to get you in the spirit:
I’ve been inundated with requests from our US correspondent Scott Newman for the What The Dickens segment, so I do my best to cover all of them.
There’s a lot, but it’s interesting stuff.
This episodes Do You Hear What I Hear from our podcast barman Bob Baker discusses how us Brits can’t stop using the word ‘Cheers’.
Then it’s the quiz and Ed Daly, the author of the Christmas Book gives it his best.
Check out his book, it’s great:
Last year I played a few of Adam Kennedy’s Christmas songs, from his album Literally Shrunk Down and Living In My Christmas Village. Well this year I’ve got him on the show to talk to us about some more of his songs.
They are very funny and you need to give the album a listen:
https://adamkennedy.bandcamp.com/album/literally-shrunk-down-and-living-in-my-christmas-village
Then Bob Baker is back with Wonderful Christmas time. Learn about Christmas Haunted Houses, Christmas Castles and Surfing Santas.
This week’s recommendation is my book again. . . because last time I recommended it no on listened. Well not no one, but only 5 people, and bearing in mind this is the greatest work of literature ever written I think more people should give it a shot.
Here’s the link. If you buy it I’ll shut up about it:
Why not get in touch.
You can email:
totalchristmas@gmail.com
or have a look at the website:
totalchristmaspodcast.com
It’s December, that means it’s officially Christmas and you don’t have to be ashamed of listening to the podcast.
First up Bob Baker is explaining the term ‘Tuck in’.
Then we have an interview with Brian Earl of the Christmas Past podcast. He’s got a book out that is ideal for anyone who loves the interesting history of Christmas.
Here’s a link:
Then we have the quiz and you can compete with our US correspondent Scott Newman. He has two great Christmas podcasts, check them out…
https://www.christmasmorningpodcast.com/
Then Bob Baker gives us some more great Christmas activities going on in Wonderful Christmastime.
This week’s version of A Christmas Carol is an episode of WKRP in Cincinnati, called Bah Humbug. I’m joined by Ed Daly the author of The Christmas Book: The Ultimate Guide To Your Favourite Holiday.
Here’s a link to the episode:
And here’s a link to Ed’s book:
Last year I recommended some great little Christmas ghost story books from Biblioasis called Seth’s Christmas Ghost Stories. They’ve added even more books to the collection this year.
Check them out here:
http://biblioasis.com/product-category/fiction/seths-christmas-ghost-stories/
This episode’s recommendation is Thursday Night’s Alright by Jack Andrews. Just download it.
