What’s up, dudes? Attention, Kmart shoppers! Yes, we’re talking all about the home of the blue light special. It’s a Kmart Christmas! Vinnie Brezinsky from Huey and Bax and Nicholas Pepin of Pop Culture Roulette join me live to watch some ‘80s Kmart Christmas commercials!

The store that would become Kmart was founded by SS Kresge after he met Frank Woolworth. Inspired by his stores, Kresge invested in a five-and-dime which did well enough for him to open a store in Detroit. In 1912 he incorporated in Delaware with 85 stores.

In January 1962 he opened the first Kmart, and in 1981, the 2000th Kmart was open.

Subsequently, 1985 saw Kmart convert one of its in-store cafeterias into a Little Caesar’s. Throughout the ‘80s they were the 2nd largest retailer after Sears until 1990 when Walmart passed them.

These  commercials   show a variety of products from the ‘80s, including phones and clothes. There’s even an ad for Christmas portraits!

Catchy jingles? Check. Cheesy, saccharine messages? Of course.  Comic strip  shenanigans? Definitely! So wait for a blue light special and enjoy this episode on Kmart Christmas!

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What’s up, dudes? “Gremlins” is a classic holiday horror, made better by Jerry Goldsmith’s score and the killer hits of Michael Sembello and Peter Gabriel. Kevin Williams from ‘Tis the Soundtrack joins me to really dig into a couple of cues from the “Gremlins” score and dish about music theory of it all as well.

We first get into the mega madness with the Sembello track. Played during the bar scene, the uptempo dance song set the stage for the “Maniac”-like antics of the dancing green creature. The film also features a track by Quarterflash and Darlene Love’s epically classic “Christmas.”

Goldsmith’s penchant for atonality shines forth in the frantic cue ‘No Santa Claus.’ The Stravinsky-esque eighths are composed of dueling tritones E-Bb and D-Ab and immediately transition to alternating bars of 5/8 and 7/8. Subsequently, all this segues quite nicely into held sonorities overlaid with “Silent Night” as Kate begins her tale of holiday woe. Talk about harmonization!

Altered mystic chord? Check. Catchy mogwai theme? Got it. Synthesizer? Yes, but only if there’s 7 different types! So grab your Roland Jupiter-6, join the orchestra, and play along to this episode all about the “Gremlins” score and soundtrack!

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Nicolas Delage solving the mystery of Gizmo’s voice!

Be sure to check out the brilliant publication of Goldsmith’s work by Chris Siddall, which made this analysis possible.

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What’s up, dudes? Remember GI Joe? This real American hero was developed by Stan Weston and licensed and produced by Hasbro in 1963. They even coined the phrase “action figure” to help market the toys to boys. In 1966, the British toy company Palitoy licensed GI Joe and created their version: Action Man. Action Man was primarily developed with British military themes in mind. To set themselves apart, Palitoy even developed flocked hair and gripping hands, though of course they eventually crossed over to the GI Joe line.

Consequently, time kills most toy lines, and sales dwindled until GI Joe relaunched itself in 1982 with 3 ¾ inch figures to compete with Kenner’s Star Wars figures. To keep up, Palitoy rebranded Action Man as Action Force, a mixture of international soldiers and specialists from Britain, Germany, Australia, and, of course, America. In ‘83 they were given file cards and character profiles and even had their own comic strip, Battle Action Force! Action Force battled the terrorist organization Red Shadows led by Baron Ironblood.

Meanwhile, the Action Force toyline branched out into video games, audio stories on cassette tapes, stationery, and even toiletries. In ‘85, however, Alfred Pallett passed away, and Hasbro bought out Palitoy, including their factory, copyrights, and molds. Basically they just produced GI Joe figures under the Action Force name. In fact, Action Force even began fighting Cobra rather than Red Shadows. Even the cartoon was retitled and re-dubbed as Action Force with its own theme song!

In ‘86, the Battle Action Force comic strip was canceled, and Marvel UK began publishing a weekly comic in ‘87. Action Force #43 from Dec 26, 1987 includes a Christmas story entitled “Silent Night.” The snow may be deep and crisp and even inside the Norwegian arctic circle, but the Christmas celebrations turn a little sour for Footloose and Frostbite when a squad of Cobra snow serpents come visiting — and they aren’t there for a kiss under the mistletoe!

Explosions? Check. Harsh weather condition battles? Got ’em. Plum pudding MREs? Definitely! So grab your laser rifles, hop on your Snow Cat, and defeat Cobra with this episode!

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What’s up, dudes? It’s Candlemas! Yes, today we say goodbye to Christmastide. To celebrate, I’ve got Thom Crowe from ‘Tis the Podcast and Art Kilmer from A Cozy Christmas with to talk about the 1981 episode of SuperBook “The First Christmas!”

Once again, several Gospel pericopes are concatenated in this New Testament-inspired episode. While feeling nostalgic and missing his mother at Christmas, Chris, Joy, and his robot toy Gizmo find themselves transported by the mystical book. When the psychedelia settles, they stare up in awe at a vast dessert from another time!  Finding themselves in the 1st century BC Holy Land, the trio arrive during the time for Caesar Augustus’s decree.

Accordingly, St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary make the trek to Bethlehem, their ancestral home. Simultaneously the Magi follow a star to Bethlehem in search of a new king. The trio meet the Holy Family and journey with them to the same town. That night they see the Angel’s proclamation of great joy, and follow some shepherds to the inn where Jesus was born. They also foil Herod’s plot to have the Magi followed and the child killed. Having saved the day, they return to their time and celebrate Christmas properly.

An inn with no room? Check. Magi following a star? Got it. Adoring the Holy Family? Definitely! So grab your gold, frankincense, and myrrh, stay with your clockwork robot in a shepherd’s house, and head to Bethlehem with this episode! O come, let us adore him in SuperBook “The First Christmas!”

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What’s up, dudes? Peace on earth, goodwill towards men and women and chickens and bears… and Dizzy Gillespie! Yes, Mike Westfall of Advent Calendar House and Tim Babb from Can’t Wait for Christmas are with me to talk all about the 1979 special “John Denver & the Muppets: A Christmas Together!”

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John Denver & the Muppets: A Christmas Together (w/ Mike and Tim)

What’s up, dudes? CM Chuck from Just Another Friday Night and Jeff Loftin from Lost Christmas  join me to talk about an obscure Marvel Comic issue What The?! #10! Specifically, we’re digging into the short story “I’ll Be Doom for Christmas!”

Santa arrives at Doom’s castle on Christmas Eve, but is ensnared by one of Doom’s traps. The injured Santa convinces Doom to deliver the remaining presents by agreeing to give him his heart’s desire. Doom does so, but isn’t super stealthy at Avengers Mansion, waking several Avengers who tail him quietly.

Subsequently, he heads to the Baxter Building and is attacked by the Fantastic Four despite his protests of innocence. In fact, the Thing punches him and he flies several blocks. Finally fed up, he begins to defend himself against the heroes, and it’s revealed they’re battling in front of a hospital for sickly children. Of course, Doom tells a little girl the heroes are here to help him pass out toys, and he embraces her in a hug.

Weeks pass, and Santa is finally healed. As he leaves he tells Doom he’ll grant his wish, but Doom says it’s been taken care of. He’s cradling the teddy bear of the little girl from the hospital.

John Byrne art? Check. Scott Lobdell script? Got it. Heartwarming ending? Yeah, Doom’s a softy. So hitch up your snarky reindeer, put your Santa suit on over your armor, and ride out to this episode on “I’ll Be Doom for Christmas!”

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Merry Christmas, dudes! It’s Christmas Day, and it’s my 300th episode! Listen to me try to herd cats in this very special Chattin’ with the Littles episode! And my bodacious friends from the Christmas Podcast Network show up just to Hit and with a Toaster! Not much else to say except that I hope you have a totally rad Christmas and a dope New Year!

Christmas Podcast Network

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 What’s up, dudes? It’s 1988, and Jim Varney cashed in on his signature character from countless commercial! Laramy Wells from Moving Panels, DJ Chad Sheppard, and Robert Nicholas from Behind the Bells join me to talk all about “Ernest Saves Christmas!” What a wild ride!

Ernest P. Worell, a sweet but silly taxi driver who at times suffers delusions of grandeur, has just chauffeured a rather extraordinary fare: “His Great Red Oneness, the Claus” himself. Santa has neither the will nor magic for another Christmas season, and has come to Orlando, Florida for Joe Carruthers, whom he has chosen as his successor.

Things quickly begin to unravel, however, thanks to Joe’s meddling agent and Santa’s increasingly unreliable memory. Incredibly, dimwitted Ernest soon becomes Santa’s only hope! Joining forces with a young runaway named “Harmony Star,” Ernest rushes to save the holidays as we know them. Oh, and Joe does inherit the mantle of Santa. Consequently, Christmas is saved!

Disguises? Check. Quirky characters? Yep. Christmas magic? Definitely! So put on your cap and vest, hope in your have and drive into this episode on “Ernest Saves Christmas!” KnoWhutIMean?

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What’s up, dudes? Alvin, Simon…Theodore! Yes, it’s the Dave Seville (Ross Bagdasarian) musical rodent creation! Jeff Loftin from Lost Christmas and Jeremy Phelps the Alamo City Santa are with me to dig into the 1981 special  “A Chipmunk Christmas!”

Swept up in the Christmas spirit, Alvin gives away his cherished harmonica to a sick little boy. Meanwhile, Dave has booked Alvin to perform a harmonica solo at Carnegie Hall. Alvin keeps the loss of his harmonica a secret from Dave, and with the help of Simon and Theodore, he scrambles to earn enough money to buy another harmonica in time for his Carnegie Hall debut. Unfortunately, Dave mistakes his entrepreneurial endeavors for greed. Don’t worry, though: Mrs. Claus buys Alvin the harmonica and the concert goes on as scheduled, with Dave discovering his true motivations.

Along the way you’ll hear the Chipmunks getting ready for the big night, singing their own comical versions of holiday favorites like “Jingle Bells,” “Deck the Halls”, and their famous “Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)”. This heartwarming story, brimming with joyful music, makes “A Chipmunk Christmas” a great way to celebrate the holidays. Oh, and there was a soundtrack album released as well.

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