Totally Rad Christmas!

What’s up, dudes? Did you know there are Christmas references in “Tron,” one of the most ‘80s things ever? Funny or Die even did a promo for a faux holiday special! I’ve got Scott Leopold from Holly Jolly X'masu and Robert Nicholas from Behind the Bells to talk about this 1982 cult classic!

Arcade owner and programmer Kevin Flynn is a former employee of the software corporation ENCOM. Flynn has been trying to hack into ENCOM's mainframe computer to find evidence that ENCOM's senior executive Ed Dillinger stole five video games he created. Unfortunately, Dillinger's supercomputer Master Control Program constantly foils Flynn's efforts and dictates and controls most of the computer systems. One night, Flynn's former girlfriend Lora Baines and ace computer programmer Alan Bradley help Flynn break into ENCOM to shut down the MCP with Alan's security program Tron. While at Lora’s ENCOM work station, the MCP uses Lora's matter transmission laser on Flynn. It digitizes him and transports him into the computer. Flynn finds himself in an electronic world ruled by the MCP and his evil chief henchman Sark. There low-level computer programs are the alter egos of their creators and are forced to compete in gladiatorial games. Flynn, as a User, is capable of fantastic feats within the computer world. With help from Tron, a heroic and fearless security program and his lover, Yori, Flynn sets out destroy the MCP and help Tron liberate the system from the MCP's control. Destroying the MCP is Flynn's only way of returning to the real world.

Oh, and let’s not forget Don Deluise, Burt Reynolds, and Santa! Merry Cyber-Christmas, Master Control Program!

Santa Claus reference? Check. Reindeer flotilla? Yep. Santa riding a Recognizer? Definitely! So grab your Identity Disc, hop on a Light Cycle, and ride into this episode!

Holly Jolly X'masu
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Behind the Bells
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What’s up, dudes? Bob Baker from Festive Foreign Film Fans and I talk all about the 1984 French film “J’ai Rencontré le Père Noël” (“I Believe in Santa Claus”)! It’s a bizarre tale with Santa, a fairy, an ogre, and warlords.

Simon is a young boy, bullied at school by peers and adults alike. His parents have been taken hostage in Africa, and the government has not responded to the ultimatum set by the warlord. While on a field trip to the local airport, Simon and his friend Élodie sneak onto a plane and fly to Rovaniemi to seek out Santa in Lapland. Simon wants to ask him to save his parents. 

The two children arrive safely to travel to Lapland where Santa saves them from being frozen to death. Santa and the fairy teleport to Africa near the village where the parents are being held.  The children, back at the North Pole, unfortunately wander into the forest and are taken by an ogre. After rescuing the parents, Santa and the fairy free the children. Finally the two children are returned home and rushed to the Christmas Midnight Mass.  No one seems really surprised at their reappearance after their prolonged absence. On Christmas morning, Simon is reunited with his folks!

Santa’s workshop? Check. Evil ogre? That’s in there. A Christmas fairy who’s secretly the children’s teacher? Only if it’s Karen Cheryl! So grab your magic wand. Hop on Santa’s sleigh, and fly home with this episode on “J’ai Rencontré le Père Noël” (“I Believe in Santa Claus”)!

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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
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Tinsel Tunes
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Jingle Jank
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Christmas Morning
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Townshend Lights

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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!”

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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
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Holly Jolly X'masu
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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!'

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Jingle Jank
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Christmas Morning
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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!

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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
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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
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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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