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What’s up, dudes? Duane and Scott from Tinsel Tunes and Randy Anthony from Hip Christmas are with me today to discuss the IRS Records 1987 promotional Christmas compilation and subsequent 1990 commercial release “Just in Time for Christmas.” Both albums are full of alternative artists with quirky, original Christmas songs. Some are very good. Others are great for background music at parties.

I.R.S. Records was a major American record label founded by Miles Copeland—brother of Police drummer Stewart Copeland—Jay Boberg, and Carl Grasso in 1979. I.R.S. produced some of the most popular bands of the 1980s, and in particular was known for college rock, new wave and alternative rock artists, including R.E.M., The Go-Go’s, Wall of Voodoo, and Fine Young Cannibals. Their catalog is pretty varied, and they used it to their advantage in 1987 for their “Just In Time For Christmas” promo album!

The album came with a gatefold cardboard sleeve so record executives could pen warm wishes and season’s greetings to each other. And, while the 1990 commercial reissue cassette and cd are readily available, the original ‘87 vinyl is pretty scarce. The album has 7 tracks: 6 originals and 1 contemporary cover of a classic hymn. The 1990 release has 13 tracks: that’s 8 originals and 3 contemporary covers of classic hymns.

TIMBUK3? Yep. Wall of Voodoo? They’re there too. Stewart Copeland? Well, only under the pseudonym Klark Kent!

Hip Christmas
FB: @HipChristmasMusic
IG: @hipchristmasmusic

Tinsel Tunes
FB: @tinseltunes
IG: @tinseltunespodcast
Twitter: @TinselTunesPod

Jingle Jank
FB: @jinglejankpodcast
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Twitter: @jinglejankpod

Christmas Morning
IG: @xmasmorningpod
Twitter: @xmasmorningpod

Townshend Lights

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Listen to this episode of Totally Rad Christmas
Author: Gerry D / Scott Newman, Duane Bailey, Randy Anthony
Title:

Just in Time for Christmas (w/ Scott, Duane & Randy)

What’s up, dudes? AA and CM Chuck from Just Another Friday Night join me to dive into 1989’s “Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket!” It’s the “Rogue One” of the One Year War, and it happens at Christmas!

In the final days of the One Year War of UC 0079, a young boy named Al who idolizes war and giant mech suits befriends Zeon special ops member Bernie.  Bernie is part of a cadre of terrorists who have been sent undercover to a neutral space colony to capture the Federation’s new Gundam “Alex”.  When Al finds the soldier and his robot hidden in the forest, the boy quickly agrees to help this new friend, not knowing the soldier is an enemy spy. Al and Bernie become friends with Christina, unaware she’s the pilot of the Earth Federation’s prototype. When Bernie’s mission fails, Zeon leaders plot to nuke the colony on Christmas Day. Not wishing for senseless death, Bernie tries one last ditch effort which results in a battle between his mobile suit and Christina’s. Tragedy follows, and Al is scarred for life.

Cool giant robot suits? Check. Espionage and black ops missions? Got ‘em. Blurred lines between good and evil? Definitely! So hop in your Gundam and fly into this episode about “Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket!”

Just Another Friday Night
YouTube: @JAFNpodcast
FB: @JAFNpodcast
Twitter: @JAFNpodcast
IG: @jafnpodcast

 

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Listen to this episode of Totally Rad Christmas
Author: Gerry D / AA, CM Chuck
Title: Mobile Suit Gundam: War in the Pocket (w/ AA and CM Chuck)

What’s up, dudes? What’s up, dudes? I’ve got Ken Kessler from Sounds of Christmas and Scott Leopold from Holly Jolly X’masu here to dive the weird and wonderful Christmas special from Max Headroom! Yes, we get into 1986’s “Max Headroom’s Giant Christmas Turkey” and it’s hit song Merry Christmas Santa Claus (You’re A Lovely Guy)!

Matt Frewer is Max Headroom, hosting his very own Christmas special. After his monologue, Max takes a carriage ride and interviews musician and producer Dave Edmunds. The Southwark Cathedral Choir sings a lovely carol, then Bob Geldof and Max perform an acoustic duet. Max appears on two screens and sings a duet with himself then teleconferences with comedian Robin Williams. There follows an editorial segment, a stop motion Santa, and an interview with Tina Turner! Finally Max sings the full version of Merry Christmas Santa Claus (You’re A Lovely Guy).

Glitches and pitch shifts? Check. Rankin Bass-style Santa? Yup. Culturally insensitive stereotype jokes? Well, it was the ‘80s… So grab your shades, hop in a horse-drawn carriage, and hum along to this episode on “Max Headroom’s Giant Christmas Turkey!”

Sounds of Christmas
FB: @SOCMusic
Twitter: @SOCMusic
IG: @socmusic

Holly Jolly X’masu
FB: @HollyJollyXmasu
Twitter: @HollyJollyXmasu
IG: @hollyjollyxmasu

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Listen to this episode of Totally Rad Christmas
Author: Gerry D / Ken Kessler, Scott Leopold
Title: Max Headroom (w/ Ken and Scott)

What’s up, dudes? Scott  from Jingle Jank and Tinsel Tunes is here with me to talk about the two part “Married…with Children” Christmas episode ‘It’s a Bundyful Life!’

In part one, Al tries to finally provide his family with the perfect Christmas through the use of his bank’s Christmas Club. He’s saved up enough to actually get them gifts! Unfortunately, while stuck at work, he arrives at the bank too late! Now penniless and giftless, he tries to scam a few bucks off some shopping mothers by watching their children. Typical Bundy disappointment ensues. Part two sees Al accidentally electrocute himself. His guardian angel Sam Kinison arrives and gives him the “It’s a Wonderful Life” treatment: Al was never born! Seeing his wife happily married to another man and his kids smart and successful reignites his desire to live. How dare they be happy! All’s well that ends well…or at least, that returns to the status quo.

Getting jumped by a group of Santas? Yep. Being tied up by angry moms? For sure. Seeing your drunk neighbor xerox her rear end then throw up in her own mailbox? Definitely! So grab your cough syrup, make some snow cones with real snow, and see an alternate reality with ‘It’s a Bundyful Life!’

Tinsel Tunes
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Twitter: @TinselTunesPod

Jingle Jank
FB: @jinglejankpodcast
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Twitter: @jinglejankpod

Christmas Morning
IG: @xmasmorningpod
Twitter: @xmasmorningpod

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Listen to this episode of Totally Rad Christmas
Author: Gerry D / Scott Newman
Title: Married…with Children “It’s A Bundyful Life” (w/ Scott Newman)

What’s up, dudes? What gift does Santa get? That question is answered in this Australian production. Bradley Lyndon from Million Monkey Theater joins me to talk the Louis Corbo book-turned-special “The Adventures of Candy Claus!”

A family decides to gift Santa two dolls from the children around the world. As Santa flies back the North Pole, the aerokinetic misanthrope Ohno opens the present and steals one of the dolls. As Santa wakes from his post-delivery nap, he finds the gift and his love brings the girl doll to life. The Clauses adopt Candy and she adjusts to her new life in Santa Town. Ohno, jealous that his own doll is not yet completely alive due to lack of love, sabotages all Candy’s endeavors. Despite being guided by the robotic Shad-O,  she tries to run away  due to her perceived clumsiness and uselessness. Santa rescues her, and Prof. Mustknow gives her a time travel bracelet so she can find her lost brother.

Council of elves? Check. Jimmy Stewart-sounding wisened, aged character? Uh huh. Marvel comics villain Whirlwind with a mustache? Well… So grab your time bangle, watch home videos, and take a sleigh into this episode all about Candy Claus!

Million Monkey Theater
FB: @MillionMonkeyTheater
IG: @millionmonkeytheater

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Listen to this episode of Totally Rad Christmas
Author: Gerry D / Bradley Lyndon
Title: The Adventures of Candy Claus (w/ Bradley Lyndon)

What’s up, dudes? In 1988, “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” was a huge hit, and introduced us to the titular character. Disney then thought it was a great idea to give him his own Disneyland show! I’ve got Tim Babb from Can’t Wait for Christmas with me to talk all about this bonkers Roger Rabbit Christmas stage show! Yes, it’s “Roger Rabbit and the Christmas Factory!”

It’s Christmas Eve, and Santa’s still looking to hire an elf to help him meet his quota before the big delivery. Subsequently Murray, the elf foreman, hires Roger Rabbit. Roger is in charge of using supercomputer MACS to produce toys. As he falls behind, he cranks up the speed and accidentally halts production. Attempting to fix MACS, Roger accidentally clones himself. After he completes his repairs, he begins to once again manufacture toys. Unfortunately he picks up speed and, in a moment of sheer desperation, hits the panic button. With the supercomputer down, and the Holiday Clock reminding him time is short, Roger must rely on Santa to fix the situation.

New York accented head elf? Got it. Toon Town stylized SkyNet AI? It’s in there. Anthropomorphic Christmas trees and computer manual “Manuel?” Well… So grab your elf hat, head to Disneyland, and enjoy this episode full of Roger Rabbit Christmas shenanigans!

Can’t Wait for Christmas
FB: @CantWaitForChristmasPod
IG: @cantwaitforchristmaspod
Twitter: @ChristmasPod

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Listen to this episode of Totally Rad Christmas
Author: Gerry D / Tim Babb
Title: Roger Rabbit and the Christmas Factory (w/ Tim Babb)

What’s up, dudes? It’s one of the greatest Christmas songs ever written and recorded, but most of us Americans have never heard of it! Adam Parker Sibun from Merry Britsmas is here with me to talk all about the Shakin’ Stevens classic “Merry Christmas, Everyone!”

In the summer of 1984, composer Bob Heatlie wrote and recorded his demo for the song in sweltering heat. The song was written specifically for Shakin’ Stevens whom Heatlie had worked with before. Heatlie told the Guardian that: “I wrote the song in summer, during a heatwave. It was so hot I was wearing shorts, dripping in sweat, standing there recording with jingling bells, thinking, ‘This is crazy!'”

In order to avoid competition for the coveted Christmas No. 1 position from Wham’s “Last Christmas” and Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas,” the decision was made to release the song in ’85, despite being completely recorded and produced the prior year. The gamble paid off, and the song reached #1.

The music video features a young girl catching a flight to Santaworld, where she meets Shakin’ Stevens in a now-famous red and black Christmas sweater. She’s also greeted in Lapland by a barbarous Santa, a shack-ful of kids breaking child labor laws, and a snowman. Merry Christmas, everyone indeed!

Early rock ‘n roll/rockabilly arrangement? Yep. Upbeat tempo? Of course! A very murderous looking Santa Claus? Why, indubitably! So grab your favorite Christmas sweater, have a party tonight, and share a kiss under the mistletoe to this episode!

Merry Britsmas
FB: @MerryBritsmas
Twitter: @MerryBritsmas
IG: @merry_britsmas

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Listen to this episode of Totally Rad Christmas
Author: Gerry D / Adam Parker Sibun
Title:

Shakin’ Stevens “Merry Christmas, Everyone” (w/ Adam Parker Sibun)

What’s up, dudes? Ed Daly, author of The Christmas Book: The Ultimate Guide to Your Favorite Holiday, and I take a dive into a Showtime TV show. It’s Gary Shandling’s Christmas Show!

After a brief monologue, Gary hosts a big Christmas party for his friends and family. His mother arrives and gifts him his father’s old pocket watch. One by one, guests begin to leave until Gary is left alone. As he cleans up, he discovers the watch is missing! In a panic, he heads to his sister’s place to confront her boyfriend about taking the watch. Of course, he vehemently denies taking it. On his way back home, he meets his mother who confesses to taking the watch back in a moment of weakness and sentimentality. Unfortunately, Santa Claus breaks up the emotional moment telling Gary that he slipped down his chimney and twisted his ankle. Gary wishes for a triumphant success of a Christmas party, which Santa obliges. Gary then offers to finish delivering presents.

Popcorn garland? Check. Skating snowman? Weird, but yes. Tom Petty in a Christmas sweater and part of a vocal ensemble? Only because Springsteen wouldn’t wear one! So grab your pocket watch, strap yourself into your chair, and turn the place upside down for this episode about Gary Shandling’s Christmas Show!

Get “The Christmas Book” at Amazon
Ed’s Website

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Listen to this episode of Totally Rad Christmas
Author: Gerry D / Ed Daly
Title: It’s Gary Shandling’s Christmas Show (w/ Ed Daly)

What’s up, dudes? I’ve got the amazing Thom Crowe from ‘Tis the Podcast with me to talk about the holiday classic “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” Shown throughout the ‘80s, the special was a staple during December, and has remained so.

In 1988, it was released on VHS, and according to the cover box:
“Dr. Seuss is back with his tongue-twisting verse and lighthearted music to delight children of every age. What holiday would be complete without this timeless tale of the mean-spirited Grinch and his feeble attempt to steal the Yuletide celebration of Whoville?

The crotchety Grinch with ‘termites in his smile’ and ‘garlic in his soul’ tries once again to wipe out Christmas for the cheerful Whos, only to discover the true spirit of the holiday season lies beyond his covetous grasp.

Narrated by the great Boris Karloff and featuring such musical favorites as ‘You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch’ and ‘Trim Up the Tree,’ Dr. Seuss’ ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ will warm the most miserly heart. Don’t miss this animated confection—it’s a perfect festival of fun for the entire family!”

Bingle balls? Check. Who flop fluff? Yep. Bizzle binks and wungs? Not sure what they are, but they’re here too! So grab your faithful sidekick pup, put on your Santy Claus costume, and sleigh right into this episode!

‘Tis the Podcast
FB: @tisthepodcast
Twitter: @tisthepod
IG: @tisthepodcast

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Listen to this episode of Totally Rad Christmas
Author: Gerry D / Thom Crowe
Title: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (w/ Thom Crowe)

What’s up, dudes? Shawn Robare from Cult Film Club, Crestwood House, and Plastic Rocket Pop and Chad Young from Horror Movie BBQ are with me to discuss “Kidd Video!” That’s right! We’re talking the long lost “Kidd Video Christmas Special!” It’s ‘80s cartoon awesomeness re-edited in ‘91 to fill a one hour time slot on WGN.

The special consists of 2 episodes of the show, ‘Double Trouble’ and ‘Master Blaster Brat.’ All the licensed Phil Collins, Stevie Wonder, etc., music was removed and replaced with generic Christmas songs.

In ‘Double Trouble,’ while exploring  the tunnels of South Plumbington, the band goes down a drain and is attacked by a giant plunger. They find a message in a bottle and decide to rescue the sender. When they go to free him, they find out that they have rescued Laster Blaster, Master Blaster’s identical twin brother. Master Blaster had imprisoned him so that he could take his place as treasurer of South Plumbington and get the town treasure. Master Blaster just needs to find the key to the vault. Once he does, Whiz forges a duplicate key, and Glitter switches them. Laster approaches the town to win his rightful place back as treasurer. Master and Laster’s mother shows up to determine who is who, and picks Master Blaster as her favorite rotten son. Master Blaster still steals the treasure, only to find out the treasure is shower heads!

The Copy Cats accidentally turn Master Blaster into a toddler. They wicked youths immediately transform nearly the entire town, including Whiz and Carla. While Glitter babysits, Kidd and Ash seek out the sorceress Xenia who possesses a magic aging ray. Eventually the duo overcome her fearsome creatures. After Ash does a Stomp-inspired performance, Kidd and Xenia have a sock hop and they duo takes her magic ray. Soon the townspeople are returned to normal.

Evil twins? Check. Dancing sorceress? Got it. Christmas songs edited over the band’s hit videos? Whoa, yeah! So grab your guitar, fix your hair, and jam out to this episode all about the “Kidd Video Christmas Special!”

Cult Film Club
FB: @CultFilmClub
Twitter: @CFCPod
IG: @cultfilmclub

Horror Movie BBQ
FB: @HorrorMovieBBQ
Twitter: @HorrorMovieBBQ
IG: @horrormoviebbq

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Listen to this episode of Totally Rad Christmas
Author: Gerry D / Shawn Robare, Chad Young
Title: Kidd Video Christmas Special (w/ Shawn and Chad)

What’s up, dudes?

The 61st Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was held on November 26, 1987, in New York City, and shown to viewers live on NBC and CBS that same day from 9 a.m. to 12 noon EST, with the NBC broadcast being hosted by Willard Scott and Mary Hart. The participating celebrities included the likes of Rita Coolidge, The Oak Ridge Boys, Bobby Vinton, Phylicia Rashad, Judy Kaye and Jill Schulz.

The weather for the 1987 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade proved to be picture perfect for the several thousand participants that brought the 61st “Holiday Treat for Children Everywhere” to life. The 2.1-million spectators that lined the streets took a course in balloon watching as 10 giant balloons flew above them, four of which were new – Spider-Man, Ronald McDonald, Snoopy, and Snuggle. The debutants joined the balloon versions of Garfield, Woody Woodpecker, Superman, and a myriad of other helium giants.

Following the Albertville High School Aggie Band‘s entrance into the concrete canyons was a cavalcade of merry marchers, fantasy floats and comical clowns. The hit musical, Les Misérables, performed a number for the NBC telecast, and Rita Coolidge sang “Your Love Is Lifting Me Higher” from high atop the Turkeyfloat. Jim Henson and Willard Scott were also honored with a Macy’s-sanctioned Rollie Award – Henson for 11 years of Muppet participation in the Parade, with Willard’s Rollie for seven years of Parade participation. Patrick Swayze trotted down Broadway on his very own Arabian stallion, and Bobby Vinton rode–or flew, rather–an airplane float from Trans World Airlines.

Capping off the morning of fantasy-filled fun was Santa Claus, as always, who wished everyone a happy holiday season from his snow goose sleigh to start the 1987 holiday season

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Listen to this episode of Totally Rad Christmas
Author: Gerry D / Anthony Caruso, Charlyn Lewis, Manny Torres
Title:

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade ’87 (w/ Anthony, Charlyn, and Manny)

What’s up, dudes? It’s the A-Team: four Vietnam vets, framed for a crime they didn’t commit who help the innocent while on the run from the military. I’ve got Laramy Wells from Moving Panels and Joe Fulton the Christmas Aficionado with me to talk all about the Thanksgiving episode “Family Reunion!”

On Thanksgiving, General Stockwell orders the A-Team to reunite a wanted criminal, A.J. Bancroft, with his daughter Ellen within 24 hours. In return, Bancroft will provide evidence that could bring down half the crooked politicians in Washington. Bancroft, who is terminally ill, has not seen his daughter in twenty years. However, Ellen knows all about his misdeeds from reading the papers. The old man has another reason to hire the A-Team specifically: he tells Murdock that Templeton Peck was born Richard Bancroft, his son. Bancroft’s former associates in crime don’t want their involvement to go public, so they send goons after Bancroft and his daughter. Can the A-Team intercept them and reunite the estranged family? Of course! That’s why they’re the A-Team! Unfortunately, not before Bancroft dies and misses the chance to tell Face that he’s his dad as well. Family, right?!

Explosions? Check. Tricking out the van? Got it. Family drama and character study? Definitely more than usual for this show! So grab your journal full of secrets, explode some fire extinguishers, and race into this Thanksgiving episode of the A-Team!

Moving Panels
FB : @MovingPanels
Twitter: @MovingPanels
IG: @movingpanels

Christmas Aficionado

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Listen to this episode of Totally Rad Christmas
Author: Gerry D / Laramy Wells, Joseph Fulton
Title: The A-Team “Family Reunion” (w/ Laramy and Joe)

What’s up, dudes? It’s a brand new Christmas album by Ralphie, Schwartz, and Flick called “You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out”, released through Outland Records! Talk about party to the max! Mike Patton from Snow in Southtown podcast joins me to talk his new concept alum all about the 1983 classic! Ralphie channels his inner Ramone and has some great tunes to jam to! Go dig it!

CD available now

Digital/Streaming Version

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Listen to this episode of Totally Rad Christmas
Author: Gerry D
Title:

Flashback Friday: Ralphie’s Red Ryders (w/ Mike Patton)

What’s up, dudes? I’ve got award winning singer Rehya Stevens here to talk about her brand new Christmas album “Santa’s Takin’ Over the Town!” From the acoustic ballad ‘Early Winter’ to the quasi-12 bar blues title track, each song is expertly crafted and orchestrated! And be sure to hit up ‘Be My Baby by Christmas Night!’ Its uptempo flair and catchy melody are sure to have you tappin’ your toes! This album’s guaranteed to fill your home with cozy Christmas feels and make you smile! The 6/8 orchestral ‘Christmas is Near’ immediately brings to mind Victorian carols and conjures images of Christmastide that are rich and vibrant! You gotta check it out!

Rehya Stevens
FB: @rehya.stevens
IG: @stevensrehya
Spotify: Rehya Stevens

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Listen to this episode of Totally Rad Christmas
Author: Gerry D / Rehya Stevens
Title: Rehya Stevens “Santa’s Takin’ Over the Town”

What’s up, dudes? I’ve got Christmas Clatter host Todd Killian here to discuss “Newhart” episode ‘Thanksgiving for the Memories!’ When some electrical work needs to be done at the inn, Dick and company go to the rich Vanderkellens for Thanksgiving, until a fight sends them to Larry, Daryl, and Daryl. Ludicrously rich relatives? Check. Groundhog stuffing? Yup. Carving knives that make Excalibur look like a butter knife? Definitely! So grab your clubs and play some indoor gold to this episode!

Christmas Clatter
FB: @christmasclatter
IG: @christmasclatter
Twitter: @XmasPod

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Listen to this episode of Totally Rad Christmas
Author: Gerry D / Todd Killian
Title: Flashback Friday: Newhart “Thanksgiving for the Memories” (w/ Todd Killian)

What’s up, dudes? When people talk about the classics of Thanksgiving television, they always talk about the WKRP in Cincinatti’s “Turkeys Away” episode! My bud Vinnie Brezinsky from Huey and Bax joins me to gab–or is it gobble?–about this classic turkey drop!

The station is running so smoothly that Carlson is feeling useless and left out. He pries into everyone else’s projects, angering and annoying them in the process. Consequently, he decides to take matters into his own hands. He clandestinely plans a secret Thanksgiving Day publicity stunt. During disc jockey Johnny Fever’s segment, on-the-scene reporter Les Nessman gives live commentary of the spectacle. Actually, debacle is the correct term, because the stunt involved Carlson and Herb throwing live turkeys into the unsuspecting crowd from a helicopter. People run from the turkey bombs just as Johnny cuts the feed. Finally, Carlson, Herb, and Les return to the station and detail the horrific affair.

Based on a true story, this episode has comedy in spades! Drug references? Yep. Absurd ideas from incompetent bosses? Check. Turkeys hitting the pavement like sacks of wet cement? Definitely! So grab your microphone, hop in your chopper, and fly off into this episode about the classic WKRP Turkey Drop!

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Listen to this episode of Totally Rad Christmas
Author: Gerry D / Vinnie Brezinsky
Title: WKRP in Cincinnati “Turkeys Away” (w/ Vinnie Brezinsky)

What’s up, dudes? It’s Christmas Podcast Day 2023! This year the Christmas Podcast Network is covering adaptations of “A Christmas Carol!” I’ve got Santa Ambassador Matt Spaulding from  North Pole Radio with me to talk about “The Real Ghostbusters” season 1 episode ‘Xmas Marks the Spot!’

The Ghostbusters are driving back from a bust when they inadvertently enter a rift in the space-time continuum. This time slip transports them back to London in 1837. They pick up massive readings in the PKE meter and follow them to their he house of Ebenezer Scrooge. Seeing ghosts, the boys take action and bust the spectral figures, not really they trapped the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. Scrooge is initially grateful, but quickly becomes flabbergasted when they demand payment.

When the ghostbusters return to the future, people are cruel and selfish, and it seems that Christmas has been eradicated. It turns out that Scrooge was so furious over having to pay for their services, that he wrote a book denigrating the holiday. The ghostbusters have no choice but to launch a counter operation on two fronts: Egon will go into the containment unit to retrieve the benevolent spirits, and Peter, Winston, and Ray will go back to the past and pretend to be the ghosts in order to scare Scrooge straight. Spoiler alert! They succeed.

Christmas carols? Check. Ebenezer Scrooge? Yep. Blonde wigs and pink tutus? Well…only if for pretending to be a ghost. So grab your proton pack, pick up your PKE meter, and hop in Ecto-1 to get to this episode all about “The Real Ghostbusters” ‘Xmas Marks the Spot!’

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Listen to this episode of Totally Rad Christmas
Author: Gerry D / Matt Spaulding
Title: The Real Ghostbusters “Xmas Marks the Spot” (w/ Matt Spaulding)

What’s up, dudes? Happy Halloween! Yes, it’s October 31, All Hallows Eve, and that means we’re talking about the Urtext of horror slashers, “Halloween” and its network television debut. There are frights and jumps, and many deaths from unsuspecting teenage babysitters. It’s such a monumental movie that it spawned a multiversal franchise spanning 45 years.

Halloween is an iconic slasher film written by John Carpenter and Debra Hill, and released on Oct 25, 1978. Starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasance, it introduced us to the Shape, Michael Audrey Myers, who was committed to a sanitarium for murdering his teenage sister on Halloween night when he was a child. Fifteen years later, he escaped and returned to his hometown, where he stalked teenager Laurie Strode and her friends. Michael’s psychiatrist Dr. Sam Loomis pursued him with the intention of ending the evil for good.

In 1980, NBC purchased the television rights to Halloween for about $3 million. “Halloween” aired on television for the first time in October 25, 1981. NBC’s Standards and Practices censored certain scenes, much to the chagrin of Carpenter and Hill. This unfortunately resulted in the movie being too short to fill the two-hour time slot, and so Carpenter filmed about twelve minutes of additional material while he was making “Halloween II.”

The newly filmed scenes include Dr. Loomis at a hospital board review of Michael Myers. Dr. Loomis also talks to a then-6-year-old catatonic Michael at Smith’s Grove. Loomis also examines Michael’s abandoned cell after his escape from the Smith’s Grove facility, seeing the word “Sister” scratched into the door. Finally, Carpenter added a scene in which Lynda comes over to Laurie’s house to borrow a silk blouse before Laurie leaves to babysit, just as Annie telephones asking to borrow the same blouse. Funnily enough, Laurie’s hair is hidden by a towel, since Curtis had a much shorter hairstyle than she had worn in 1978.

Halloween became the model for countless slasher films, and, while many have tried, none have quite captured its raw, thrilling perfection. Indeed, Michael Myers is one of cinema’s greatest villains! So grab your ghost costume, pack your revolver, and hunt down this episode on the “Halloween” NBC premiere!

Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Totally Rad Christmas Mall & Arcade, Teepublic.com, or TotallyRadChristmas.com! Later, dudes!

Listen to this episode of Totally Rad Christmas
Author: Gerry D
Title: Halloween ‘81 NBC premiere