Totally Rad Christmas!

What's up, dudes? Advent is here, and it’s time to prepare for Christmas! Fr. Thom Crowe from ‘Tis the Podcast is here with me to discuss the differences between Catholic and Orthodox Advent liturgies!

How long is each one? Which one omits parts of the Ordinary? Are they both strict fasts? We get into all of it! There are striking similarities and glaring differences. The sanctoral and temporal cycles overlap, and function as a weak analogy of the hydrostatic union.

The West has more structural variation and variable parts parts, but the East has the...

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 h...

What’s up, dudes? It’s the 40th anniversary of Santa Claus: The Movie! Pax Holley from Cult Film Club, Crestwood House, and I Read Movies is with me to talk all about the novelization!  

Santa Claus: The Movie was released in 1985, and it chronicled the origin of the Jill old elf himself. Eventually, it transitions into anDudley Moore vehicle as his elf character Patch takes center stage. Patch feels unappreciated and sets out into the world to prove himself. 

The novelization fills some plot points the movie left out due to time constraints. For exampl...

What’s up, dudes? There’s nothing like a Christmas jazz house song to kick off a party. I’ve got Steve Beech of Uplifting House Sessions with me to dive into the opening track of Winter Warnerland! Yes, we’re talking Jeff Lorber “God Rest the House!”

Jeff Lorber is an American keyboardist and composer specializing in jazz and fusion. After attending the Berklee College of Music, he played with Michael Brecker and John Scofield. Eventually he started Jeff Lorber Fusion and released his first album in 1977. He frequently played on Rhodes, Minimoog, and Prophet 5 keyboards. He subsequen...

What’s up, dudes? Joe Martinez from Now Watch This and Sean Sotka from the Christmas Podcasts Podcast are with me to talk Airwolf “Half-Pint!” Yes, it’s all about Hawke, Santini, and Archangel, but most importantly The Lady!

Archangel tells Stringfellow Hawke they have credible intel on Saint John’s son Le Van. String checks it out, and meets the boy’s foster father McBride. McBride actually knew Saint John in ‘Nam, working on covert special ops assignments together. He confirms Saint John’s death.

As String and Le Van bond, McBride and an enlisted drug de...

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 rep...

What’s up, dudes? I've got Anthony Caruso from ‘Tis the Podcast and Jeremy Phelps the Alamo City Santa with me to dig into Charles Schulz’s Peanuts. That’s right! It’s the classic “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving!” Will he ever kick the football?

Charlie Brown gets a phone call from Peppermint Patty, who invites herself, Marcie and Franklin  to  Chuck's house for dinner. As it turns out, he is not having dinner and can’t  cook anything. Consequently, Linus suggests that they prepare a meal for their friends before they go to grandma’s, and recruits Snoopy and W...

What’s up, dudes? We had a blast covering the last movie, so we’re doing another live commentary! It’s the 35th anniversary of Home Alone, so we’re celebrating! Yes, Home Alone is 35 years old today! CJ Bélanger from Rose Suchak Ladder and I have a blast with this watch along! 

Rose Suchak Ladder
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What’s up, dudes? Mike Westfall of Advent Calendar House and Tim Babb from Can’t Wait for Christmas are with me to talk all about the genius that is Al Yankovic! Even Caleb Cote from Insert Reference Here pops in to dive into Weird Al “Christmas at Ground Zero!”

The song is a throwback to the Phil Spector “wall of sound” era, full of bari sax and keyboard layers. Of course, in Al fashion, he copies the style to perfection. Harmonically, it’s a simple I-vi-ii-V chord progression reminiscent of the 1960s.

Lyrically, the song is awash...

What’s up, dudes? Remember looking in your stocking and finding a cool coloring book of your favorite characters? Charlie Ague from Closer to Christmas and Ague Designs and Alamo City Santa Jeremy Phelps  are here with me to break them down! Luckily, there’s a great website Retro Reprintswith hundreds of coloring and activity books to help with our quest. 

We look through several books by Random House and Golden published in the ‘80s. For example, the Snorks, or as some remember them, underwater Smurfs, engage in holiday activities throughout each page of their book. The Shirt Ta...

What’s up, dudes? Remember looking in your stocking and finding a cool coloring book of your favorite characters? Charlie Ague from Closer to Christmas and Ague Designs and Alamo City Santa Jeremy Phelps  are here with me to break them down! Luckily, there’s a great website Retro Reprints with hundreds of coloring and activity books to help with our quest.

We look through several books by Random House and Golden published in the ‘80s. For example, the Snorks, or as some remember them, underwater Smurfs, engage in holiday activities throughout each page of their book. The Shi...

What’s up, dudes? We had a blast covering the last movie, so we’re doing another live commentary! It’s A Christmas Story, and it’s awesome! Anthony Caruso from ‘Tis the Podcast, CJ Bélanger from Rose Suchak Ladder, and I have a blast with this watch along! 

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Rose Suchak Ladder
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What’s up, dudes? We had a blast covering the movie, now we’re doing a live commentary! It’s Planes, Trains and Automobiles, and it’s awesome! Anthony Caruso from ‘Tis the Podcast, CJ Bélanger from Rose Suchak Ladder, and I have a blast with this watch along! 

'Tis the Podcast
FB: @tisthepodcast
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Rose Suchak Ladder
IG: @rosesuchakladderpod

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What's up, dudes? Merry Christmas Podcast Day! Don’t touch that dial! Ken Kessler from Sounds of Christmas,   Scott Leopold from Holly Jolly X'masu, Jeff Loftin from Lost Christmas are here to talk SCTV “It’s a Wonderful Film!” It’s a wonderful amalgam of pastiche and homage of classic Christmas movies, and it’s fantastic!

Producer Marty Simmons is making a Christmas movie by classic film director Frank Bailey. Unfortunately, he decides that profit is more important than a making a quality movie. Marty fires Bailey and hires a teen sex comedy director in his place. As Marty driv...

What’s up, dudes? Jim Carrey’s not wearing a costume! Joe Martinez from Now Watch This and Tim Williams from 80’s Flick Flashback are with me to talk “Once Bitten!”

In this 1985 flick, Mark tries to score with his girlfriend Robin, who just isn’t ready yet. Frustrated, he goes to a bar and meets the Countess, a 400 year old vampire. Of course, she needs to drink the blood of a virgin three times before Halloween to retain her youth. Consequently, she bites Mark.

As he becomes a vampire, Robin and his friends sense his changing...

What’s up, dudes? Little #1 herself, Cecilia, and Art Kilmer from A Cozy Christmas join me to talk about the cat who hates Mondays: Garfield! That’s right! It’s “Garfield’s Halloween Adventure!”

Garfield wakes up to discover that it’s Halloween! Hearing about candy, he decides to go trick or treating. After scaring Jon, he drags Odie upstairs to try on some costumes. Ultimately, the duo decide on pirate costumes.

As the night passes, they fill their bags with candy until they run out of houses. Spotting more across a river, the duo traverse and f...

What’s up, dudes? They’re a legendary metal band whose songs were played all the time on MTV. Yes, we’re talking Stryper! I’ve got the incredible Michael Sweet with me to talk about their 1984 singles “Reason for the Season” and “Winter Wonderland!” We also dive into their new album The Greatest Gift of All available this year in November.

The boys lay down an eighth note riff in “Reason for the Season,” and modulate for the chorus. The song is full of their dual lead guitar, harmonized in 3rds for texture and interest. After coming to a rocked o...

What’s up, dudes? It’s the most low budget Christmas slasher  ever, and I’ve got Jeff and Jay from Horror for the Holidays with me to talk about it! Yes, we’re diving into 1983’s “Blood Beat!” 

Cathy sees visions. She paints what sees in a cabin in rural Wisconsin with her boyfriend Gary. When her son Ted brings his new girlfriend Sarah home for Christmas, strange things begin to happen. Of course, Cathy tells her son she’s seen Sarah before in her psychic visions.

Meanwhile, a glowing blue samurai ghost begins attacking and kill...

What’s up, dudes? It’s ‘80s Swedish metal, and it’s rad! Duane Bailey from Tinsel Tunes and Matt Wheeler from Resurrection Metal Radio join me to talk 220 Volt “Heavy Christmas!”

The song is almost thrash metal in delivery, with 16th note riffs alternate picked. Some syncopation adds interest to the main riff. In fact, F# minor pentatonic is embellished with chromaticism to add even more flare to the riff. Then, during the pre-chorus, a descending sixteenth line leads into the vocals, guitars doubling the vox to give it a huge sound.

Further, the band re-reco...

What’s up, dudes? I’ve got Mike Westfall from Advent Calendar House, Chad Young from Horror Movie BBQ, and Tommy Coombs the Pop Daddy here to talk about the Halloween episode of the 1990 syndicated show/game show “Video Power!” Hosted by Johnny Arcade, what began as a show of video game tips and cartoon intermissions morphed into players competing at video games for the opportunity to run through the maze to win ultimate prizes!

In this season 1 Halloween episode, Johnny opens the show dressed as the vampire Count Arcadula. He interviews some kids in the crowd to see w...

What’s up, dudes? Knock, knock, knockin' for a sweet surprise. It's a trick or treat! Chad Young from Horror Movie BBQ and Alamo City Santa Jeremy Phelps join me to talk the 1986 horror film “Trick or Treat!” 

Mega heavy metal rocker Sammi Curr died in a fire. His local DJ friend Nuke gifts Sammi’s biggest fan, outcast Eddie “Ragman” Weinbauer, an unreleased final album. Of course, per Sammi’s will, Nuke will play it on Halloween night. As Eddie’s bullying increases, he decides to play Sammi’s album backwards and release his vengeful spirit.

Consequently...

What’s up, dudes? It was a special based on a seminal album of the ‘80s holiday seasons! Yes, Ken Kessler from Sounds of Christmas and Scott Leopold from Holly Jolly X'masu are with me to talk “A Very Special Christmas Party." Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny DeVito, and more celebrate with Olympians.

Unfortunately, the beginning is cut off, so it's unclear how the special started. Arnold and some Olympians discuss his singing, and  Barbara Mandrell recounts playing soccer, talking to a 50m freestyle swimming gold medalist. Next, DeVito and Arnold work out with some athletes. Randy Travis then tells u...

What's up, dudes? I've got songwriter Chad Wonsik here to talk all about the 1985 horror comedy "Fright Night!" It's the ultimate '80s cheese, full of nonsensical shark-inspired vampire teeth and next-level bat special effects!

Charley Brewster is a typical teenage horror-film junkie trying to be more intimate with his girlfriend Amy. When a mysterious new neighbor named Jerry Dandridge moves next-door, strange events occur and disappearances abound. Charlie becomes increasingly convinced Jerry is a vampire. Nobody believes him, of course. Jerry, however, realizes Charlie is on to him, and brutally confronts him. He even transforms his...

What’s up, dudes? DuckTales! Woo-oo! It’s the theme song stuck in our heads for 30+ years! Yes, it’s Uncle Scrooge and the gang. Joe Martinez from Now Watch This and I dive into the DuckTales episode “Ducky Horror Picture Show!”

Scrooge has just succeeded in another business venture, showing monster movies in Duckburg’s newest theater. Consequently, he moves on to his next project, renovating a rundown convention center. Unbeknownst to him, a werewolf (wolfduck?) rents it out for his group of monsters, including Drakeula, Quackymodo, and Quackenstein. Scrooge has also unwittingly allowed them to stay in his...

What’s up, dudes? Remember MTV? Remember when hen it first started showing something other than videos? We do! I’ve got Ken Kessler from Sounds of Christmas, Scott Leopold from Holly Jolly X'masu, and Vinnie Brezinsky from Huey and Bax here to talk Remote Control Christmas! Ken Ober hosted this season 3 episode.

It’s the infamous Christmas episode, and the round begins with the magi competing. Of course, wise as they are, they aren’t too knowledgeable about classic sitcom television. Consequently, they get all the questions wrong except those about Laverne & Shirley. 

In round two...

What’s up, dudes? It's spooky season! So that means I've got Anthony Caruso from ‘Tis the Podcast with me to talk the Mistress of the Dark! That's right! This episode is all about Elvira! From MTV specials to comics to her own feature film, we get into all of it!

In "Elvira: Mistress of the Dark," the goth beauty inherits a decrepit New England mansion and a old recipe book. Spoilers: It's actually a spell book, and she's descended from a line of witches. There's an uptight Puritanical town, an evil warlock uncle, and a group of h...

What's up, dudes? Tag, you’re it! Kevin Williams from ‘Tis the Soundtrack joins me to talk about Lazer Tag Academy “The Olanga Story!” Yes, it’s a Lazer Tag Halloween time travel adventure with Jamie Jaren and her ancestors!

Draxon Drear has a diabolical plan to stop the birth of Professor Olanga, the Jarens’s greatest ally. He and his Skuggs find a map to an ancient city in 13th century Africa where Olanga’s ancestors lived. On Halloween, while trick-or-treating, Olanga informs the Jarens of Drear’s plan and teleports them to the desert.

After meeting...

What’s up, dudes? It’s a fun, light hearted episode today with special guests Anthony Caruso from ‘Tis the Podcast and CM Chuck from Just Another Friday Night! That’s right! We’re talking the General Mills monster cereals! Officially created in 1928, General Mills traces its history back to the 1860's.

Introduced in March of 1971, Count Chocula is a chocolate loving vampire designed by George Karn. His cereal, as his name suggests, was made of delicious whole grain corn chocolate flavor frosted cereal and marshmallow bits. His Bela Lugosi-inspired voice was provided by Larry Kenney for the commer...

What's up, dudes? It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s CM Chuck from Just Another Friday Night! He’s here with me to talk the Superboy “Young Dracula” episode and kick off spooky season!

A mysterious stranger, Dr. Byron Shelley, comes to town, and immediately has an effect on Lana Lang. After a brief encounter with Clark, Byron is attacked by an older vampire. Superboy saves him and Lana, and take whim to his apartment.

Subsequently, Byron tells Superboy he’s a half-vampire, and his father is looking for him. The older vampire was se...

What's up, dudes? Hey you! Michael May from After Lunch, Crestwood House, and Hellbent for Letterbox is with me to talk Robert Smith! Yes we’re digging into Christmas songs by The Cure!

On December 9, 1987, The Cure came out for a fourth encore and blasted through a cover of “Merry Christmas Everybody” by Slade. It was the final song on the third night at Wembley, the final show of The Kissing Tour.

Delving deeper, many of their songs allude to Christmas or romanticize Christmas as a state of happiness and content. For example, “Let’s Go to Bed...

What’s up, dudes? Author extraordinaire Alonso Duralde from the Linoleum Knife podcast and I dig deep I to the 2nd edition of his book Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas! There are updates galore, as movies like “Violent Night” are added to the lineup. It’s a great reference book, easy to read, witty and informative. So grab your copy and listen to this episode!

Linoleum Knife Podcast
The Wrap

Books:
Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas
I’ll Be Home for Christmas Movies

Twitter @ADuralde

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What’s up, dudes? It’s the M3gan before it was popular. Yes, it’s a Small Wonder Christmas as Caleb Cote from Insert Reference Here, Alamo City Santa Jeremy Phelps, and I talk about the robot girl! It’s the 1988 episode “Here Today, Gone Tomorrow!”

After Ted makes a comment that he's dead if his credit gets cut off after a few unpaid bills, Vicki types "Cut off credit - He's dead!" into his bank account information on the computer. Ted tries to correct it at the bank, but they still don't believe he's alive even when st...

What’s up, dudes? Happy Halloween! I’ve got Anthony Caruso from ‘Tis the Podcast here to dive into the 1981 TV movie “The Munsters’ Revenge!” 15 years after the show ended, the gang returned—with recast children—to clear their names! Doppelgängers of Herman and Grandpa are committing crimes because of Sid Caesar, and the Munsters are on the lam! Will they capture Dr. Diablo in time for Lily’s Halloween party? Hop in your Dragula, put on some surf music, and speed into this episode to find out!

‘Tis the Podcast

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What’s up, dudes? I've got Ken Kessler from Sounds of Christmas here with me to talk about the fever dream "A Rock 'N' Roll Christmas!" Yes, it's the love child of "It's a Wonderful Life" and 'Weekend Update'... and Christmas rock.

Dennis Miller hosts this event with interspersed segments of George Bailey trying to bring rock to Bedford Falls. Of course, in a show predicated on a pirate signal hacking a 'traditional' Christmas show, there has to be music. Subsequently, several bands provide holiday entertainment, including Eddie Money, Little Richards, and the Fabulous Thunderbirds!

In...

What's up, dudes? Work's taken its toll this week, so before I drop a new episode on Wednesday, here's a throwback to season 2!

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

What’s up, dudes? It’s a Peekskill miracle as Troy from Christmas Every Day joins me to talk all about the The Facts of Life “The Christmas Show" episode! It's a found family situation with Tootie, Natalie, Blair, Jo, and Mrs. Garrett. They learn about life and love and how to adult together, and we loved it!

It's Christmas, and Jo just found out her plans to spend it with her mom are bust due to her mom's work schedule. So Blair and Tootie cook up a fixed phony raffle to buy Jo a plane ticket to Mia...

What’s up, dudes? Thunder! Thunder! Thunder! ThunderCats Christmas! Hoooooo!!!! Nicholas Pepin of Pop Culture Roulette and Laramy Wells from Moving Panels join me to talk about the humanoid feline aliens! 

In the issue #41 story ‘Footprints’ from 1987, Cat’s Lair is directly in the path of a creature called the Metokangmi! King Hanuman of Hook Mountain warns the ThunderCats, describing the destruction and fear in the creature’s wake. Every Rammastide (the Third Earth equivalent of Christmas which commemorates the first defeat of Mumm-Ra) the inhabitants live in fear. Fortunately, this year Cat’s Lair reminds the Metokangmi of...

What's up dudes? Adam Pope from Wizards! The Podcast Guide to Comics and The Retro Network (Geekster) and William Bruce West from Remember That Show? and West Week Ever are here to talk “Rubik the Amazing Cube!” Yes, this 1983 show capitalized on the craze of the best selling puzzle toy!

In ‘Rubik’s First Christmas,’ the titular cube is traveling through Mexico for Christmas with the Rodriguezes. Their grandma, the town matriarch, is donating toys to all the children. Unfortunately, the truck is hijacked by two young hoodlums, who eventually give it to two thieving tomb raiders.

While...

 What’s up, dudes? I’m joined by Nick Bicât, the composer and arranger of the music from the 1984 movie “A Christmas Carol!” We really get into it! Find out about his compositional style  and the inspirations behind some of the musical selections and arrangements! We get it all straight from the man himself!  

 Nick Bicât has written over 150 scores and soundtracks for film, television, theater, festival events and concert performance. Winner of a BAFTA and twice nominated, his film and television scores include “A Christmas Carol”, “The Scarlet Pimpernel” , Wetherby, and The Reflecting Ski. He has composed for th...

What's up, dudes?  It’s one of the most depressing Christmas movies ever, and also a ripoff of “Pollyanna.” Yes, it’s “Prancer!” I've got Santa Ambassador Matt Spaulding from North Pole Radio, and Jeremy Phelps the Alamo City Santa here to discuss it.  

 In this 1989 film, 8yro Jessica Riggs believes in Santa Claus. Her father  and older brother  seem to believe she's too old to do so, and even her best friend Carol has long since given up believing. When Jessica discovers a wounded reindeer in the woods near her home of Three Oaks, Michigan, she's convinced it's Pr...