We start the show with this episode’s version of A Christmas Carol. It’s a made for TV movie starring Tom Arnold and it’s an ‘interesting’ twist on the story. It’s called Chasing Christmas and you can watch it here:
Next up our resident barman Bob Baker looks at how us Brits say Aeroplane, or Airplane, in Do You Hear What I Hear.
Then I share a Christmas memory, about when my daughter Robin first understood about Father Christmas.
After the Joke, Bob returns with Where Are You Christmas? and this time Christmas is in Las Vegas.
Check out Bob’s podcast here: https://4fpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
Then it’s The Christmas Quiz and I scored 7, not my best, but let me know how you got on.
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/totalchristmas-scaled.jpg25602560e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2025-07-19 17:14:302025-07-21 07:15:10Episode 137 – Chasing A Christmas Carol
We start the show with a Christmas Not So Classic. The Pet Shop Boys were massive in the 80s and still going strong in the 90s. In 1995 they recorded a Christmas song just for their fanclub members. It’s call It Doesn’t Often Snow At Christmas, and it’s okay I suppose. Have a listen here:
Then it’s Where Are You Christmas? and Bob Baker tells us about a couple of places in Japan that celebrate Christmas all year long.
Next up is The Christmas Quiz, make sure to email me with your score.
Then Bob is back with Do Year Hear What I Hear and he’s looking at what us Brits mean by the word ‘Yonks’.
Check out Bob’s podcast here: https://4fpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
This episode I don’t have a version of A Christmas Carol, I’m looking at Mr Krueger’s Christmas. An interesting short film from 1980 starring Jimmy Stewart.
Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oonebld1IoE
This episode’s recommendation is my 2 daughters’ podcast; I’m Not Complaining with Robin & Juno. They’re just about to release their 200th episode so please send a message through so they can play it on their show.
We start the show with Christmas All Over The World and we take a look at the Yorkshire tradition of The Old Hoss. A bunch of people go round the pubs and one of them is dressed as a horse and they sing a poem… and I’m not making it up.
Next up Bob Baker has a look at what us Brits call ‘taps’ and those Yanks call ‘faucets’ in Do You Hear What I Hear.
After the joke it’s this episodes version of A Christmas Carol. It’s called Ebbie and it’s a modern day (90s) take with a female Scrooge. It’s actually alright. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTRm5gX6CXs
Then Bob is back with Where Are You Christmas? and he looks at some places here in the UK that (to my shame) I wasn’t aware of.
Check out Bob’s podcast here: https://4fpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
Then it’s The Quiz. I scored 8, make sure to email me with your score.
This episode’s recommendation is It’s A Fair Cop with Alfie Moore. It’s my latest favourite thing.
Here’s a link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/b060fj66
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/totalchristmas-scaled.jpg25602560e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2025-06-21 17:11:042025-06-23 06:11:32Episode 135 – An Old Horse, a Carol and a Quiz
We start the show with an old time radio version of A Christmas Carol. It’s an episode of western show The Six Shooter and it stars Jimmy Stewart. I enjoyed it, you can listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y917m6lGIY&t=141s
Bob Baker looks at Candy and Sweets in Do You Hear What I Hear?
Then it’s The Christmas Quiz. It’s a tricky one, but I scored 8. Make sure to let me know how you got on.
Next up Bob is back with Where Are You Christmas? and he looks at snow globes in Vienna.
Check out Bob’s podcast here: https://4fpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
Then it’s Christmas All Over The World, and we look at Plygian and Noson Gylfraith two traditions from Wales.
This episode’s recommendation is the audiobook Tune In: The Beatles: All These Years by Mark Lewisohn. It’s about 48 hours long and I’m loving it. If you’re a Beatles fan you should check it out.
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/totalchristmas-scaled.jpg25602560e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2025-05-24 17:22:332025-05-27 06:23:07Episode 133 – Jimmy Stewart’s Christmas Carol
We dedicate this episode to the delightful Chris Coon.
We commence the show with The Quiz. I scored 9, can you do any better?
Then it’s Do You Hear What I Hear, and Bob Baker looks at the word Constable to describe an officer of the law here in the UK.
We have the return of The Muppet Christmas Show and this time we look at the The Bear in the Big Blue House – A Berry Bear Christmas Parts 1 and 2.
You can watch them here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WBQ2zqrQvc
Then Bob returns with Where Are You Christmas, and this time he’s found it in South Korea.
Check out Bob’s podcast here: https://4fpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
In What The Dickens we take a look at a passage that describes Christmas Eve in London town and a few words and phrases you might not be familiar with. My particular favourite is the ‘Flaring Links’,
This episode’s recommendation is Desert Island Discs, I may have recommended it before, but who cares. There are over a thousand episodes to listen featuring all sorts of famous celebs so if you’re after a new listen check it out.
We start the show with The Quiz and I have a new book. Let me know how you get on.
Then Bob Baker, our self-appointed podcast barman, talks about the word Blimey, a classic British term that isn’t that popular overseas.
Next up we have some ideas for listener Rob Taylor on how he can raise some money for charity at Christmas. One suggestion is to try to break a world record and we take a look at some Christmas records that could be achievable.
Then Bob is back with Where Are You Christmas? and it turns out Christmas is in Bracebridge, Ontario in Canada. A delightful place that has been used as a filming location for a couple of Christmas films.
Check out Bob’s podcast here: https://4fpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
This episode’s version of A Christmas Carol is Scrooge: A Christmas Carol Podcast, from Hope Media. It stars Sean Astin and a bunch of other famous voices. There are a few changes from the source material, but it’s certainly worth a listen. You can check it out here: https://scroogepodcast.com/
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/totalchristmas-scaled.jpg25602560e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2025-04-26 17:58:192025-04-28 05:58:52Episode 131 – A New Christmas Quiz Book
We start the show with Do You Hear What I Hear, and our resident barman Bob Baker takes a look at Trainers (or Sneakers).
This episode’s version of A Christmas Carol is Ms Scrooge, starring Cecily Tyson as a female Scrooge set in modern day. Have a watch here:
Then we have a request from listener Rob Taylor. He’s keen to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK this Christmas and he’s hoping you might have some ideas for how to do it. Check out Rob’s Just Giving page here:
www.justgiving.com/page/robert-taylor-8
Last episode I used up all the questions in my quiz book, so before I start on my new book it’s the return of Santa Banter. My good friend Scott Newman has a go, and with a bit of help from me, he managed 9.
Then Bob is back with Where Are You Christmas and he has not one but two great places in Cleveland, Ohio where you can celebrate Christmas all year round. Check out Bob’s pod, Festive Foreign Film Fans, it’s great:
https://4fpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
Last episode I recommended Father Ted, well one of the stars, Frank Kelly, had a Christmas song he released in 1982. It’s a twisted take on The 12 Days of Christmas and is a bit of fun. Have a listen here:
This episode’s recommendation is Tinsel Tunes, they took a short break, but they’re back and better than ever so have a listen.
We start the show with a version of A Christmas Carol. This was produced by the BBC in 1977 and starts Michael Hordern as Scrooge. It stays very close to the book.
You can watch it here: https://odysee.com/@GaryPSmith:6/AChristmasCarol1977:a
Then we have Jack Ask, and it’s our second question from listener Travis. Is a maths question acceptable as a reindeer game?
In Do You Hear What I Hear, Bob Baker looks at the British use of the word Pratt.
Then it’s The Christmas Quiz. This is the last one from the book I’ve been using, but never fear, I have another book that I’ll be starting next week.
Next up Bob is back with Where Are You Christmas. This time he’s looking at Gremado in Brazil where it’s Christmas all year long.
Check out Bob’s podcast here: https://4fpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
Then in we take a look at some Guinness World Records about Christmas trees. There are some very interesting records and even one you could have a go at beating.
This episodes recommendation is the sit com Father Ted. It was made in the late 90s and is very funny, and has a classic Christmas episode. If you can find it, give it a watch.
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/totalchristmas-scaled.jpg25602560e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2025-03-29 18:43:212025-03-31 06:44:01Episode 129 – Christmas World Records
We start the show with the return of Jack Ask and my Canadian listener, Travis, wants to know what’s the best dessert to have after your Christmas dinner.
Then our podcast barman, Bob Baker, takes a look at the word Queue in Do You Hear What I Hear.
This episode’s version of A Christmas Carol is the Cbeebies Panto. It’s not too bad and you can watch it here:
Then it’s The Christmas Quiz. I scored 9, cause I’m clever. Email me with your score.
Next up Bob is back with Where Are You Christmas and this time it’s a village in North China that celebrates all year long.
This episode’s Christmas Not So Classic is Christmas Time by Bryan Adams. It gets airplay around the world, but never really made it here in the UK. Have a listen here:
We start the episode with a version of A Christmas Carol. This one is a Christmas special of the long running Canadian kids show The Buck Shot Show and it’s called Buckanezer Scrooge. It’s an interesting one.
Watch it here:
Then Bob Baker is here with Do You Hear What I Hear. Do you know the difference between an Estate and a Station Wagon? You’re about to find out.
Check out Bob’s pod, Festive Foreign Film Fans, here:
https://4fpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
After the joke it’s the Quiz. I scored 7, see if you can beat that.
Then Bob is back with Where Are You Christmas and it’s another place we should all visit.
This episode’s Christmas Not So Classic is called Father Christmas by The Kinks. It never hit the charts, but it still pops up in the odd film every now and then.
Have a look:
This episode’s recommendation is Elimation, a podcast where a dad and his two grown sons discuss what films, songs and sitcoms are the best. I’ve been enjoying it.
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/totalchristmas-scaled.jpg25602560e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2025-03-01 17:10:342025-03-03 06:11:55Episode 127 – Father Christmas Give Us Your Money
We start the show with a Chirstmas Not So Classic. It’s called Christmas Day and it’s by the British band Squeeze. Released at the height of their success it failed to even chart.
Have a listen here:
Next up it’s our podcast barman Bob Baker with Do You Hear What I Hear? and he’s talking to us about the word bonnet.
Then it’s the return of What The Dickens. I look at the village where Scrooge is taken by the Ghost of Christmas Past. It’s based on a town called Medway where Dickens spent much of his childhood.
After that it’s The Christmas Quiz. I scored a measily 6.5, why not let me know your score so I you get to hear your name in the next episode.
Then Bob is back with Where Are You Christmas and he takes us to the town of Drobak in Norway where it’s Christmas all year round.
Check out Bob’s podcast, Festive Foreign Film Fans here:
https://4fpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
It’s been a while, but it’s time for anther look at a Muppet Christmas Special and this time it’s Elmo’s World Happy Holidays. It might be aimed at pre-schoolers, but I watch it most years and love it.
First up it’s Christmas All Over The World and we take a look at the Catalonian tradition of El Caganer. A small figurine doing a poo in a nativity scene.
Next Bob Baker is here with Do You Hear What I Hear and he discusses the meaning of the word ‘Rubber’.
After the Joke, it’s the Quiz. Make sure you email me your score.
Then Bob is back with a brand new segment. It’s called Where Are You Christmas and in it, Bob looks for places around the world where Christmas is celebrated all year round.
Check out Bob’s Podcast, Festive Foreign Film Fans, here:
https://4fpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
This episodes version of A Christmas Carol is Bah Humbug! The Story of Charles Dickens Christmas Carol. It’s a live reading starring James Earl Jones as Scrooge and Martin Sheen as everyone else. It’s worth a look, so check it out here:
This episodes recommendation is The Detectorists, a delightful British sitcom starring Mackenzie Crook and Toby Jones. All the episodes are on YouTube and are easy to find.
This episodes version of A Christmas Carol is the Netflix original from 2022 called Scrooge: A Christmas Carol. It’s a sort of remake of the Albert Finney version from 1970 and it’s alright I suppose.
Then Bob Baker is back with Spread A Smile of Joy and he suggests some ways to get the little ones to spread some happiness.
Check out Bob’s podcast here:
https://4fpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
Last episode Jeannie Mulligan had a go at The Quiz and embarrassed herself, but this episode she redeems herself with her Christmas Sarnie Competition where she compares some of the festive sandwiches on offer.
Get in touch:
Email: totalchristmas@gmail.com
Website: totalchristmaspodcast.com
It’s a packed show so let’s not mess about.
First up it’s Santa Claus is NOT Coming to Town, and listener Timothy Dumont has shared the story of how he spoiled the myth of Santa to a bunch of teenagers.
Do you know the difference between a Sidewalk and Pavement? Well there isn’t one and, in Do You Hear What I Hear, Bob Baker explains it all.
Then it’s our yearly visit to Shelli and Frank Arnold’s Christmas village. It’s a true work of art and if you want to check it out I’ve put a bunch of pictures on Facebook.
Next up we chat to Steven A McKay. He’s a historical fiction writer and each year he writes a novella or short story featuring the characters from his Robin Hood series. This year’s book has two stories, The Heretic of Haltemprice Priory and The Winter Hunt.
If you want to check it out, here’s a link:
https://amzn.eu/d/b54tTF4
We also play Wassail The Night Away. A song written by Steven and his podcast co-host.
This episode’s version of A Christmas Carol is Blackadder’s Christmas Carol, but if you want to hear it you’ll have to go to The Advent Calendar House Podcast, where I chat about it with host Mike Westfall.
Here’s a link:
https://adventcalendar.house/episodes/blackadders-christmas-carol
Then Bob Baker is back with Spread a Smile of Joy. The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear, so why not go carol singing this year and spread some joy around your neighbourhood.
Check out Bob’s podcast here:
https://4fpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
Then Jeanie Mulligan is back to have another go at The Quiz.
See if you can beat her score (you shouldn’t find it too hard).
This episode’s recommendation is I’m Not Complaining with Robin and Juno. My two daughters are possibly the world’s youngest podcast hosts, and I think you’ll enjoy their show so have a listen:
anchor.fm/notcomplaining
I’m also plugging my stuff so if you want any merch here’s a link:
https://www.teepublic.com/user/the-total-christmas-podstore
And if you want to read my book (WARNING: it contains lots of rude words) here’s a link:
https://amzn.eu/d/5zZ6YE9
Get in touch:
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_xander2024-12-13 01:53:212024-12-13 08:53:58Episode 123 – Return to the Christmas Village
Merry Christmas!
It’s a packed show, and we start off with a not particularly good version of A Christmas Carol from 2001. It’s animated and has the voices of Kate Winslet, Simon Callow and Nic Cage as Jacon Marley.
You can watch here, or not, it’s your life:
Next up is A Story of Shame from our listener Nettie Tebeau.
Then it’s our yearly chat with Scott Newman of Tinsel Tunes. This time we look at the King of Christmas (at least in the UK), Cliff Richard. He’s been part of the Christmas number 1 four times and he’s also released a whole bunch of other Christmas songs (and 2 albums). We talk about 4 of his songs and you can check them out here:
Cliff Richard & The Shadows – I Love You https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNRDiVcTrPI
Last episode we talked about The Unofficial Elf Cookbook by Bryton Taylor, and this episode we doing the draw to see who the lucky winner is. The name is picked out by Robin, one of the hosts of I’m Not Complaining with Robin & Juno.
Check out their podcast here:
Then it’s the Quiz and you can test yourself against our guest Mike Westfall from The Advent Calendar House Podcast.
Check out his show here:
https://adventcalendar.house/
Get in touch:
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_xander2024-12-04 17:32:122024-12-05 06:32:50Episode 122 – The King of Christmas
First up it’s The Quiz, see if you can beat my score of 8.
Then Bob Baker explains the difference between University and College in Do You Hear What I Hear.
We’ve been sent another Worst Present Ever from Rob Taylor, and this one is a Festive Bounty.
After that, listener Benjamin Hall has sent us a definitive top 5 of the all time greatest US Christmas adverts. If you disagree you’re welcome to send me your top 5.
This episode we have another giveaway. If you’d like to win a copy of The Unofficial Elf Cookbook by Bryton Taylor, all you have to do is email me ‘Let’s ‘ave it’, and it could be yours.
Check out the book here:
https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/The-Unofficial-Elf-Cookbook
Then, thanks to a question in The Quiz, we look at who Kerstman is. It’s an interesting one.
It seems that in The Quiz last episode, Martin Goodman was the only listener who knew Showaddywaddy sung Hey Mr Christmas, well this episode we have a listen to it.
Check out the song here:
Then Bob Baker is back with Spread a Smile of Joy, and he looks at giving thanks as a way to spread the love.
Check out Bob’s pod, Festive Foreign Film Fans, it’s great:
https://4fpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
This episode’s version of A Christmas Carol is a Rude Retelling by Brian Harvey of East 17 fame. It’s not for the sensitive, but it’s a bit of fun if you don’t mind swearing.
Here’s a link:
This episode’s recommendation is a British sitcom called Miranda. Me and the wife have just rewatched all 20 episodes and I think you’ll enjoy it.
Not sure if it’s streaming where you live, but here’s a link:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1533435/
Get in touch:
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_xander2024-11-23 17:00:402024-11-24 18:01:55Episode 121 – A Quiz, A Carol, A Gift, A Book… the lot.
We start off with another tradition from Cornwall here in the UK. It’s called the Cornish Kissing Bunch and it’s a Christmas wreath but with a twist.
Then Bob Baker, our resident bar tender, looks at the British word ‘Git’ in Do You Hear What I Hear.
This episode’s version of A Christmas Carol is A Christmas Karen from 2022. It’s a modern twist on the classic tale and it ain’t that good.
You can watch it for free if you have Amazon Prime, and here’s a bit more info:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14219486/
Remember last episode we talked about Seth’s Christmas Ghost Stories and I gave you the opportunity to win 3 of them. Well we draw out the winner with our special guest star Juno from I’m Not Complaining Podcast.
Check out the lovely books here:
https://www.biblioasis.com/product-category/fiction/seths-christmas-ghost-stories/
and listen to Juno’s podcast here:
anchor.fm/notcomplaining
Next up Bob is back and he has another idea for how you can spread a bit of joy.
Check out Bob’s podcast here:
https://4fpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
Then it’s The Quiz, I scored 8. Make sure to send in your score so I can read it out in the next episode.
Then it’s the return of Santa Claus is NOT Coming To Town and we have the return of Jeannie Mulligan who tells us how she found the truth about Santa.
This episode’s recommendation is Christmas Clatter with Todd Killian.
It talks about Christmas, have a listen here:
https://www.christmasclatter.com/
Get in touch:
Email: totalchristmas@gmailc.om
Website: totalchristmaspodcast.com
