What’s up, dudes? Body swap films were huge back in the day. Did you know there’s even one set at Christmas starring Fred Svage and Judge Reinhold? Tim Williams from 80’s Flick Flashback and Nicholas Pepin of Pop Culture Roulette did, and they’re with me to talk about “Vice Versa!”

Upon returning from a buying trip abroad for the department store where he works, divorced executive Marshall finds that he is in possession of a strange ornamental skull. He is looking after his 11-year-old son Charlie for a few days. The skull has special powers, and when Marshall and Charlie simultaneously wish they were each other’s age, they switch bodies.

Now Charlie must go to work, and Marshall must go to school. Charlie must also deal with Marshall’s girlfriend Sam. Furthermore, a smuggling duo is in pursuit of the skull. Can the father/son combo switch back before the smugglers get to them? Will they save the day? Eventually, yes they will. Also, it’s a bit creepy that Charlie has kissed his dad’s girlfriend.

Ancient mystical artifact? Check. Bumbling antagonists? Of course. Impromptu proposal? Only if your spirit is in your dad’s body! So grab your magic skull, say, “I wish,” and jam out to this episode on “Vice Versa!”

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What’s up, dudes? Nicholas Pepin of Pop Culture Roulette and Jeremy Phelps the Alamo City Santa  to talk about the 2nd Christmas episode of Quantum Leap “Promised Land!” Do we talk physics? Not really, but we discuss Scott Bakula for sure!

“Promised Land” was the 11th episode in Season 5 of Quantum Leap, and the 86th overall series episode. Written by Gillian Horvath and Tommy Thompson, the episode, which was directed by Scott Bakula, first aired on NBC-TV on December 15, 1992. Sam leaps into Elk Ridge, Indiana on December 22, 1971 as “Willie” Walters, Jr., one of three brothers who are robbing the town bank. The bank loaned them an exorbitant amount of money, but with failing crop yields, they resort to robbery in order to pay it off.

Meanwhile, Sam struggles with his emotions of returning to his hometown and his relationship with his own father. Eventually, he manages to escape the bank and uncover the reason the bank lent money to these farmers who could not possibly pay it back. Sam confronts the swindler and  prevents the brothers from being killed when they try to escape. Joy to the world! Oh, and he runs into his dad and gets to say what he always wishes he had said.

Confusion and disorientation? Yep. Investigation? Got that too. Death prevention? As only Dr. Sam Beckett can! So put on your white body suit and time travel into this episode on Quantum Leap “Promised Land!”

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What’s up, dudes? You know “Last Christmas.” You’ve heard “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” and the “A Very Special Christmas” album. Did you know there is a plethora of Christmas albums and singles from the ‘80s? Vinnie Brezinsky from Huey and Bax and I dig into lesser known ‘80s Christmas songs!

From Lori Loughlin’s “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” to Buster Poindexter’s “‘Zat you, Santa Claus?”, we get into many overlooked gems. Chris Squire released “Run With the Fox,” a prog rock masterpiece of suspended chords and ostinato figures. Of course, George Thorogood brings boogie-woogie back to the ‘80s with “Rock and Roll Christmas” as well!

Meanwhile, our lists boast Jon Anderson singing “Three Ships” and the Dallas Cowboys getting in on the action with the charity hit “I Don’t Want To Be Home for Christmas.” We follow it with Cathy Harrington’s “Sha La La (Deck the Halls)” and Fishbone’s homage to a holiday staple “It’s a Wonderful Life (Gonna Have a Good Time)!” Robbie Robertson released “Christmas Must Be Tonight” for the Scrooged soundtrack, while Bonnie Tyler recorded “Merry Christmas” for Dial Code Santa Claus.

Weird Al? Of course! New Kids On The Block? Got them too. Fishbone? Fishbone?!?! So grab your guitar, put on a Santa hat, and get a new publicist as you listen to this episode on lesser known ‘80s Christmas songs!

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What’s up, dudes? Remember “Night Court?” Tim Williams from 80’s Flick Flashback and Robbie Sherman from Conversations with Robbie Sherman do, and they’re here to talk about the most iconic Christmas episode ‘Santa Goes Downtown!’

In its first Christmas episode, a defendant that identifies himself only as Santa Claus comes before the court. He’s before the court accused of trespassing. “Santa,” who is referred to as “John Doe”, seems to know everyone’s name and facts about their pasts. Soon after, two troubled teens that refuse to give their names appear before Judge Stone. The two runaway teens, named Marty McFly—I mean Eddie—and Mary, shoplifted items from a convenient store.

“Santa”, convinced he actually is St. Nicholas, tries hard to persuade the teens that he is in fact Santa Claus. Consequently, he helps the young runaways resolve their issues and offers Harry the opportunity to succeed him as the next Santa. While the “Santa” turns out to be a harmless escaped mental patient, there are distinct hints that he may in fact be the real thing. And thus, Magic and mystery become an established part of the “Night Court” universe.

Boozing Santa? Check. Angsty teens? Yep. Ambiguously magical mental patient Santa? Definitely! So grab your dingy Santa suit, booze up, and judge this episode on ‘Santa Goes Downtown!’

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What’s up, dudes? “Disney’s Sing-Along Songs” was a series of videos first released in October 1986! Disney connoisseurs Mike Westfall from Advent Calendar House and Charlie Ague from Closer to Christmas and Ague Designs are here with me to break down one of the releases: Disney’s Very Merry Christmas Songs!

Originally released Oct 4, 1988, Disney’s Very Merry Christmas Songs featured music from various Disney movies, shows, and theme park attractions. Lyrics for each song appeared onscreen, and a Mickey Mouse bouncing ball helped keep track of tempo. Unusually, the first few used theme songs with footage of Professor Owl. There were also a few with Ludwig von Drake and Jiminy Cricket as well. In this case, Jiminy takes center stage as narrator.

This was the 5th of 6 videos that make up part of the first series, using clips of various Disney animations. Pluto’s Christmas Tree, Donald’s Snow Fight, The Night Before Christmas, and Santa’s Workshop are just a few of the sequences. Also, each song was introduced with a splash page of the the score and title card written in neo-Victorian font. Andrew Belling used various synthesizers to compose transitions from musical piece to piece, including several distinct Roland and Yamaha machines. Phil Savenick and Harry Arends contributed additional lyrics.

Canon verses? Check. Color changing lyrics? Got ’em. Off beat claps from “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” spliced in? Definitely! So grab your songbook, put on an oversized coat, and sing along to this episode!

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What’s up, dudes? It’s December 6th, the Feast of St. Nicholas, so I’ve got Thom Crowe from ‘Tis the Podcast and Art Kilmer from A Cozy Christmas with me to talk about the straight-to-video special “Nicholas: The Boy Who Became Santa!”

Released in 1989, the special focuses on the charity and faith of a young Nicholas of Myra. Several vignettes and time jumps form the basis of the show, from fishing with the local Bishop to giving away his family’s wealth. Nicholas saves and befriends a boy named Adrian. Spoiler alert: Adrian eventually follows him.

Subsequently, a grown Nicholas saves a woodcutter’s daughters from slavery by throwing bags of gold into their house. Unfortunately, though, most of St. Nicholas’s famous miracles are not used in special. Rather, the thrust of it is his kindness and willingness to give. Of course, he is eventually imprisoned for being Christian, but is released after some time. In fact, he returns to his See to find it thriving because of his example.

The miracle of bringing children back to life? Nope. The miracle of his bilocation and calming a sea storm? Not that one either. The miracle of not mentioning any of his most popular miracles? Definitely! So give away your inheritance to the poor, forget most of what you know about the good Saint, and take a listen to this episode all about “Nicholas: The Boy Who Became Santa!”

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What’s up, dudes? I’ve got Anthony Caruso from ‘Tis the Podcast and Jeff Loftin from Lost Christmas with me to talk the greatness that is “The Year Without a Santa Claus” from Rankin Bass! Released in ‘74, it aired all throughout the ‘80s!

When Santa Claus wakes up with a mysterious magical illness that affects immortal beings, he decides to summon the elf doctor. This quack immediately tells Santa that kids don’t care about him, causing him to skip Christmas. Mrs. Claus sends elves Jingle and Jangle to Southtown, USA to gauge the local children’s belief in Santa. Unfortunately for them, a dog catcher nabs the reindeer Vixen who accompanied them. They approach the mayor to release Vixen, but he will only acquiesce if they can make it snow. Thus they take Mrs Claus with them to see the Miser Brothers who rule over the heat and cold.

Meanwhile, Santa goes to rescue Vixen and discovers kids still believe in him. He returns to the North Pole while Mrs. C and the elves visit Heat Miser and Snow Miser. When they refuse to cooperate, the trio ask another Nature to intervene. The snow in Southtown prompts the mayor to declare a holiday for Santa, and the children of the world write to him and send him presents. Moved by their love and generosity, Santa makes his Christmas Eve ride.

Reindeer with socks covering her ears? Yep. Children from the It’s a Small World ride? For sure. Personifications of summer and winter? Only if they’re petty sibling rivals! So put on your Santa suit, hop on your reindeer, and fly to negotiate with minor deities with this episode all about “The Year Without a Santa Claus!”

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What’s up, dudes? It’s the long awaited episode. We’ve teased it for years. That’s right! Scott Newman from Jingle Jank and Tinsel Tunes and Jeremy Phelps the Alamo City Santa join me to talk about “The Star Wars Holiday Special!” And yes, it’s as bad as everyone says it is!

Airing November 17, 1978, the special introduced us to Chewbacca’s family. It also gave us an entire Wookie dialogue with no subtitles! Han and Chewie are racing home so the latter can spend Life Day with his family. The holiday is a sacred day for all Wookiee, where they put on red robes and disappear into a star. Carrie Fisher sings too.

Unfortunately, the Imperial blockade is preventing the duo from arriving on time. Consequently, to kill time, Chewie’s family engages in a few variety show-style escapades. They watch a holographic circus, and reminisce about the time Chewie met Boba Fett. They even tune in to a mandatory viewing from Tatooine. Did I mention Bea Arthur’s in this? Well, she is. So is Harvey Korman!

Art Carney? Yep, as a trader sympathetic to the Rebellion. Dihann Carroll? Yep, as a quasi-inappropriate VR singer. Jefferson Starship?!?! Are they only in this because the word ‘starship’ is in their name? So grab your blaster, put on your Life Day robe, and sing along to this episode on “The Star Wars Holiday Special!”

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What’s up, dudes? Art Kilmer from A Cozy Christmas is with me to talk about the 1985 Hasbro sponsored Christmas special “The GLO Friends Save Christmas!” It’s insane, with Elder Wands, “Lost” smoke monsters, Care Bear stare-style glow, and Venus fly trap-esque ice flowers! What a trip!

The GLO Friends are celebrating Christmas Eve by ice skating, decorating the village, and making snowmen. Granny Bug is even baking pies. Meanwhile, Blanche, the Wicked Witch of the North Pole, is jealous of Santa. She follows him and sabotages his yearly flight. In fact, she imprisons him and his reindeer in an icy spike-lined cage on a raging river, so they cannot deliver their presents on Christmas Eve. Her timid sidekick, Moose (not a lot of though put into that name) tries to stop her, but she zaps him far away with her magic.

The GLO Friends find out what she’s done, and they set out to try and save Santa. They rescue Moose from a tree along the way and let him guide them to Santa’s location. Blanche tries to drown them in an icy deluge. Her scheme fails as they reach Santa despite her powers and rescue him with their soft, warm glow. Who knew that was more powerful against ice than a fire?

GLO Worm? Yep. Santa? Check. Unimaginatively named moose? Only if he’s played by Lorenzo Music! So grab your book of strange voices, head towards Santa, and listen to this episode on “The GLO Friends Save Christmas!”

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