Totally Rad Christmas!

 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 the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre, written eleven musicals and an opera The Knife, with Sir David Hare, (best musical score, 1989 New York Drama Desk Awards). Other collaborators include Tony Bicât, Edward Bond, Adrian Mitchell Howard Brenton and Ted Hughes. 

Subsequently, he has composed songs for Deniece Williams and P.J. Harvey. His song Who Will Love Me Now?, sung by P.J. Harvey, was BBC Radio 1 top film song for 1998. Albums include Under the Eye of Heaven (Virgin Classics), with the London Chamber Orchestra. A choral work Beslan/Requiem, recorded by Andrew Parrott and the Taverner Consort, was released in 2014, and has been performed several times, recently at St George’s, Bristol by the Exultate Choir. His latest work Akathistos,  a processional cantata on the Siege of Constantinople of 626 AD, was premiered at St. Stephen Walbrook, London in January 2020. 

Catchy carols? Check. Spooky sonorities? Got ‘em. Tipsy choirs? Better grab some brandy! So grab your staff paper, put on the album, and visit the past with this episode! 

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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 Prancer, Santa's missing reindeer. Of course, she becomes determined to take Prancer to a local ridge so Santa can come and retrieve him. 

Eventually, she tells a mall Santa she has the reindeer, and her belief becomes a source of  inspiration for the town.  Unfortunately, her dad, facing hard times, sells the animal. As she tries to free it, Jessica falls and injures her head. Her recovery and naïveté move her father, and he helps her return the reindeer to Santa. 

Loud out of tune singing? Yup. Cantankerous reclusive widow? Got it. Ambiguous magical ending? Only with golden ‘80s special effects! So grab your copy of Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus, free Prancer, and lead him back to Santa with this episode! 

Alamo City Santa
IG: @alamocitysanta 

Etsy: North Pole General Store 

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IG: @northpole_generalstore 

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What’s up, dudes? If you need some cool Christmas swag, head to the North Pole General Store run by the Alamo City Santa himself, Jeremy Phelps! The North Pole General Store is your year-round destination for all things festive, where we treat every day like Christmas. You can find a cheerful array of Santa Claus T-shirts and a variety of holiday props, decorations, and unique gifts, ensuring your celebrations are always merry and bright! There are some dope designs. Check it out!

Etsy: North Pole General Store

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IG: @northpole_generalstore

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What’s up, dudes? In 1989, Milton Bradley released a fun Christmas themed board game. I’ve got Little #3 with me to talk all about it! Yes, it’s Santa’s Special Delivery, and we played a couple of games.

The goal of the game is to be the first player to distribute their inventory of gifts and return to their home space. Each player chooses four gift tokens and a sleigh pawn, which is placed on the designated home space of the corresponding color. At the beginning of their turn, a player spins the spinner which is illustrated with six colors and a cheerful portrait of Santa. Subsequently, the player moves their pawn along the path to the color indicated by the spinner.

There are four types of stops along the board. Landing on a blank space ends the player’s turn. If a player lands on a gift box space, he/she drops off a gift at the nearest house. A star space means that the player could give a gift token to an opponent who still had gift boxes of their own to deliver. Finally, an arrow space offers a shortcut that moves players to a gift box space where they can drop off a present to the nearest house.

Once a player had delivered all their gifts, they move to the star space closest to home. From the star space, opponents race to be the first player to spin their home color to win the game.

Spinner? Yep. Santa’s sleigh? Got it. Hours of fun? Definitely! So grab some Tato Skins, open an Ecto Cooler, and play a round of Santa’s Special Delivery to this episode!

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What’s up, dudes? In memory of Ozzy, Duane Bailey from Tinsel Tunes and Matt Wheeler from Resurrection Metal Radio join me to talk 1988 Headbangers Christmas! Yes, it’s Christmas Eve on MTV’s Headbangers Ball, and Ozzy Osbourne and Zakk Wylde are hosting the festivities.

We’re introduced to a slew of ‘80s metal bands, but kicking off the festivities is Ozzy himself with “Crazy Babies!” Poison, Judas Priest, Winger, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake, and Guns N’ Roses follow. Ozzy and Zakk have a great time introducing the videos. In fact, they even dress up in Santa hats. Ozzy even wears an odd mask  and a pirate hook. 

Next up are videos from KISS, Hurricane, Alice Cooper, RATT, Aerosmith, and Cinderella. Ozzy suddenly appears in a picturesque Christmas fireside, but now inexplicably has on caveman feet and a club. Subsequently, videos from Lita Ford, Anthrax, Bad News (with the only Christmas song), Def Leppard, and Iron Maiden air. Finally, Hear N’ Aid sang “Stars” and Headbangers Christmas concluded! Go get ‘em, boys!

AC/DC singing “That's The Way I Wanna Rock 'N' Roll?” Yep. Yngwie Malmsteen performing “You Don't Remember, I'll Never Forget?” Uh huh. Sam Kinison? Sam Kinison?!?! Only if he’s wailing on “Wild Thing!” So grab your axe, turn it up to 11, and rock out to this headbanging episode!

Tinsel Tunes
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IG: @tinseltunespodcast
Twitter: @TinselTunesPod

Townshend Lights

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What’s up, dudes? Kim Cooper from Planning for Christmas and Holiday Seasons is with me to dive into the Better Homes and Gardens Christmas issue from December 1985! It’s a Christmas across America, as the publication presents a treasury of Yuletide gifts, decorations, and traditions!

Founded in 1922, the magazine became known as one of the Seven Sisters, geared towards married women and homemakers. This issue focuses on stylings from New England, the Midwest, the South, and the Southwest. Page after page is dedicated to Nativity piñatas, table settings, crocheted Christmas signs and more!

Following that, all the food contest winners are announced one each category. Each contestant won a prize, with the winners hitting a $1000. In 1985 money, that’s quite a haul. Meanwhile, a ton of cigarette ads adorn the pages of the magazine. We also get a look at quite a few families who work to better their neighborhoods and cities! Joy to the world, indeed!

Recipes? Check. Grocery ads? Yep. Tips on keeping holiday weight off? Only if it’s got a drawing of a skinny Santa! So grab your M&Ms, craft your own decorations, and prep for a Better Homes and Gardens Christmas party with this episode!

Planning for Christmas
FB: @planningforchristmaspodcast
IG: @planningforchristmaspodcast

Holiday Seasons                                                     IG: @holidayseasonspodcast

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What’s up, dudes? Merry Christmas in July! He’s a Mr. Rogers colleague who went on to become a national treasure! Yes, it’s Ernie Coombs! CJ Bélanger from Rose Suchak Ladder joins me to talk about a Mr. Dressup Christmas!

In this 1989(?) episode, Hisani Clarke and Alyson Court join the titular host for a Christmas tree trimming party. Alyson goes to bake Christmas cookies while Hisani shovels snow. Meanwhile, the puppet Casey and Mr. Dressup sing O Christmas Tree and Deck the Hall. Following that, the puppets Aunt Bird and Alligator Al present their homemade ornaments of a snow heron and magic elf. 

Subsequently, Truffles and Dressup make a wonderful paper snowflake ornament. Finnegan is surprised when the magic elf ornament plays Jingle Bells. The lovable host reads a story of a little forest mouse who helps a lost elf and is rewarded by Santa. Once all the ornaments are complete and the tree fully adorned, they all sing We Wish You a Merry Christmas!

Nostalgic magic? Check. Creative crafts? Got ‘em. Argyle sweater vests? Only the best! So grab your scissors, make your own ornament, and trim the tree to this episode on Mr. Dressup Christmas!

Rose Suchak Ladder
IG: @rosesuchakladderpod

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What's up, dudes? We here at Totally Rad Christmas are saddened by the passing of metal legend Ozzy Osbourne. We already upcoming episodes featuring the icon on Headbangers Christmas and Trick or Treat scheduled this season, but now they'll be extra meaningful. Stay tuned for those. In the meantime, check out these Holiday IDs from Ozzy himself!

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What’s up, dudes? It's the gentleman thief...or at least his grandson! Yes, Robbie Sherman from Conversations with Robbie Sherman joins me to talk "Lupin III" Christmas episodes! Taken from part 2,  we meet Lupin and gang as they try to steal an important bottle of wine and rob Tiffany’s jewelry store on a dare.

In “The Sleight Before Christmas,” the last remaining bottle of Bordeaux from Napoleon for his wife will be given to the President on Christmas Eve. The team hides in wine barrels, and follows Zenigata to its location. Unfortunately, it was a trap, bud with Goemon’s sword, they escape. Of course, they sneak onto the plane, gas everyone, and get away with the wine. Oh, and there’s a bonjour/Bon Jovi joke.

In “Christmas at Tiffany’s,” the team is bribed by the owner of the jewelry store to attempt to rob it. The ratings of her show will skyrocket! Lupin refuses because he wants to relax, but Fujiko’s spending forces his hand. Naturally, hilarity ensues. Is there an old boat captain who invented a lightsaber? Yes. They get away, and leave the jewels on the Statue of Liberty, of course!

Blank check they can fill in? Check (no pun intended). A sword that cuts through buildings? Got it. A laser lasso gun? Now we’re getting into James Bond territory! So grab your Napoleonic bottle of wine, put on your disguise, and steal this episode on the “Lupin III” Christmas episodes!

Conversations with Robbie Sherman
Sherman Sux at Sonic

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What’s up, dudes? Come live your fantasy in Beverly Hills.Come on and make your dreams come true. William Bruce West from Remember That Show? and West Week Ever and Chad Young from Horror Movie BBQ are with me to do that, and talk about the 1987 cartoon Beverly Hills Teens Christmas episode "Miracle at the Teen Club!"

In this two-part episode from Dec. 17-18, 1987, Buck attempts to throw a big Christmas party. Unfortunately, Larke and Troy decide to go caroling and to give toys to needy children, making the party a bust. Only a few of the teens show up, and they all get snowed in at the Teen Club due a cheap snow machine. 

In order to pass the time, they tell Jillian and Chester their version of Dickens’s "A Christmas Carol.” Of course, they cast themselves as the characters, with Buck as Scrooge. Radley, Switchboard, and Nikki are the Ghosts, and they show Buck the errors of being über-wealthy. In true Scrooge fashion, he donates a huge sum of money to the orphanage.

Surfing ghosts? Check. Travel via landline? Got it. Bah, hummingbird? Bah, hummingbird?!?! So grab your checkbook, hop in your oversized limo, and carol along to this "Miracle at the Teen Club" episode of a Beverly Hills Teens Christmas! 

Horror Movie BBQ
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Twitter: @HorrorMovieBBQ
IG: @horrormoviebbq

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