What’s up, dudes? It’s a Barry Levinson passion project, and it’s next level nuts! Yes, it’s the Robin Williams vehicle “Toys!” I’ve got Jeremy Phelps the Alamo City Santa and Sean Sotka from the Christmas Podcasts Podcast with me to talk all about the bonkers film.

Eccentric toymaker Kenneth Zevo passes away, and his last wish is that his brother the Lieutenant General take over the running of the business. Leland is a military man through and through, and sees little point in toy making. The business should really have been given to Kenneth’s son Leslie.

Controversially, the General begins making war toys against the company’s longstanding tradition and philosophy. Eventually, he begins making toys with live weaponry behind Leslie's back, and recruiting children to pilot his army. Leslie, his new girlfriend, and his family—including his robot sister—have to band together to put an end to Leland's tyranny. Oh, they do.

Elephant conveyor belt? Yep. Robin Wright? Uh huh. Mayonnaise sandwich? Ugh… So grab your wind up toys, put on a bowler hat, and fight the Ender’s Game scenario with this episode!

Christmas Podcasts Podcast
FB: @christmaspods
IG: @christmaspods
Twitter: @ChristmasPods

Alamo City Santa
IG: @alamocitysanta  

Give us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!

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

What’s up, dudes? Remember “Night Court?” Tim Williams from 80’s Flick Flashback and Robbie Sherman from Conversations with Robbie Sherman do, and they’re here to talk about the most iconic Christmas episode ‘Santa Goes Downtown!’

In its first Christmas episode, a defendant that identifies himself only as Santa Claus comes before the court. He’s before the court accused of trespassing. “Santa,” who is referred to as "John Doe", seems to know everyone's name and facts about their pasts. Soon after, two troubled teens that refuse to give their names appear before Judge Stone. The two runaway teens, named Marty McFly—I mean Eddie—and Mary, shoplifted items from a convenient store.

"Santa", convinced he actually is St. Nicholas, tries hard to persuade the teens that he is in fact Santa Claus. Consequently, he helps the young runaways resolve their issues and offers Harry the opportunity to succeed him as the next Santa. While the "Santa" turns out to be a harmless escaped mental patient, there are distinct hints that he may in fact be the real thing. And thus, Magic and mystery become an established part of the “Night Court” universe.

Boozing Santa? Check. Angsty teens? Yep. Ambiguously magical mental patient Santa? Definitely! So grab your dingy Santa suit, booze up, and judge this episode on ‘Santa Goes Downtown!’

80’s Flick Flashback
FB: @80’s Flick Flashback podcast
Twitter: @80_podcast
IG: @80sflickflashback

Conversations with Robbie Sherman
Sherman Sux at Sonic

Give us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!

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

What’s up, dudes? I've got Ken Kessler from Sounds of Christmas and Scott Leopold from Holly Jolly X'masu here to talk the folksy prog rock band Jethro Tull.  We break down two of the Christmas songs by Jethro Tull: “Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow” and “Another Christmas Song.”

The British rock band formed in Blackpool, Lancashire in 1967. Their music is marked by the initially soulful and bluesy, and later expressively idiosyncratic, vocal style and unique lead flute work of frontman Ian Anderson, and their notable guitarist Martin Barre. Of course, their songs feature unusual and often complex construction, incorporating elements of classical and celtic folk music, as well as art rock and alternative rock. They subsequently beat Metallica in the ‘89 Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Vocal or Instrumental in what was widely viewed as an upset over the favorite, Metallica's ...And Justice for All.

Ian Anderson composed “Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow,” and the band originally recorded it in ‘81 for the Broadsword and the Beast album (although it was left off). The 5/4 metered song is more folk rock-inspired with synthesizers. “Another Christmas Song” was also written by Ian Anderson. The band Included the song on the Rock Island album on side B, and eventually released it as a single on December 4, 1989.  

Flute? Yep. Folk and fantasy themes? Uh huh. Heavy metal and hard rock? Nope. Not at all. Sorry. So grab your flute, strike a flamingo pose, and listen to this episode on Jethro Tull “Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow!”

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

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

Give us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!

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

What’s up, dudes? “Disney’s Sing-Along Songs” was a series of videos first released in October 1986! Disney connoisseurs Mike Westfall from Advent Calendar House and Charlie Ague from Closer to Christmas and Ague Designs are here with me to break down one of the releases: Disney’s Very Merry Christmas Songs!

Originally released Oct 4, 1988, Disney’s Very Merry Christmas Songs featured music from various Disney movies, shows, and theme park attractions. Lyrics for each song appeared onscreen, and a Mickey Mouse bouncing ball helped keep track of tempo. Unusually, the first few used theme songs with footage of Professor Owl. There were also a few with Ludwig von Drake and Jiminy Cricket as well. In this case, Jiminy takes center stage as narrator.

This was the 5th of 6 videos that make up part of the first series, using clips of various Disney animations. Pluto's Christmas Tree, Donald's Snow Fight, The Night Before Christmas, and Santa's Workshop are just a few of the sequences. Also, each song was introduced with a splash page of the the score and title card written in neo-Victorian font. Andrew Belling used various synthesizers to compose transitions from musical piece to piece, including several distinct Roland and Yamaha machines. Phil Savenick and Harry Arends contributed additional lyrics. 

Canon verses? Check. Color changing lyrics? Got 'em. Off beat claps from "Mickey's Christmas Carol" spliced in? Definitely! So grab your songbook, put on an oversized coat, and sing along to this episode!

Advent Calendar House
FB: @adventcalendarhouse
Twitter: @adventcalhouse
IG: @adventcalendarhouse

Closer to Christmas
Twitter: @closertoxmas
IG: @closertoxmas

Ague Designs
IG: @aguedesigns

Give us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!

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

What's up, dudes? We’re  in the middle of the 12 days of Christmas, so that means time is precious. Also, I drove 10hrs to see my folks, and didn’t have a lot of time to get a new episode ready. So, here are a few holiday IDs from 1989 by the  entire Capitol family!

Give us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!

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

What’s up, dudes? I’m once again joined by my brother Danny to talk all about the sequel to one of the best Christmas movies ever! Yep, it’s “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York”! It was a blatant cash grab from the studio.  Of course, it has a phenomenal Christmas musical score, composed by the great John Williams! And who doesn’t love even more over-the-top Looney Tunes-style comedy? 

Kevin McCallister’s family is preparing to go to Florida for Christmas. When Buzz humiliates  precocious little Kevin at their Christmas concert, his acting out causes his parents to banish him to the attic. One little blackout and downed phone line later, and Kevin is almost left home alone again! Luckily, he makes it to the airport. Unfortunately, he gets on the wrong plane and lands in New York City!

Kevin checks into a hotel and lives it up on his dad’s credit cards. The plot really kicks into gear when the Wet—no, Sticky—Bandits escape from prison and plan to rob a local toy store. With all his cunning and ingenuity–and spunk–Kevin defends his uncle’s house with traps and snares, and ensures the capture of the rogues! And there’s a cool pigeon lady!

This one’s got it all, especially quotes! My brother and I can’t help ourselves! Paint cans? Check. Electrocution? Yup. Spending $967 on room service? Definitely! So grab your bricks, dip your rope in kerosene, and defend a toy store with this episode on “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York!” Dig it! 

Give us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!

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 December 6th, the Feast of St. Nicholas, so I’ve got Thom Crowe from ‘Tis the Podcast and Art Kilmer from A Cozy Christmas with me to talk about the straight-to-video special “Nicholas: The Boy Who Became Santa!”

Released in 1989, the special focuses on the charity and faith of a young Nicholas of Myra. Several vignettes and time jumps form the basis of the show, from fishing with the local Bishop to giving away his family’s wealth. Nicholas saves and befriends a boy named Adrian. Spoiler alert: Adrian eventually follows him.

Subsequently, a grown Nicholas saves a woodcutter’s daughters from slavery by throwing bags of gold into their house. Unfortunately, though, most of St. Nicholas’s famous miracles are not used in special. Rather, the thrust of it is his kindness and willingness to give. Of course, he is eventually imprisoned for being Christian, but is released after some time. In fact, he returns to his See to find it thriving because of his example.

The miracle of bringing children back to life? Nope. The miracle of his bilocation and calming a sea storm? Not that one either. The miracle of not mentioning any of his most popular miracles? Definitely! So give away your inheritance to the poor, forget most of what you know about the good Saint, and take a listen to this episode all about “Nicholas: The Boy Who Became Santa!”

'Tis the Podcast
FB: @tisthepodcast
Twitter: @tisthepod
IG: @tisthepodcast
FB Group: Tis the Podcast Group

A Cozy Christmas
FB: @cozychristmaspodcast
IG: @cozychristmaspodcast
Twitter: @CozyXmasPod

Give us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!

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

What’s up, dudes? Nicholas Pepin of Pop Culture Roulette, Jeff Loftin from Lost Christmas, and winner of the super secret listener contest Travis Van Hauen join me to talk about the early ‘80s fad Wacky Wall Walkers! Yes, we “Deck the Halls with Wacky Walls!”

When the King of the Wall Walkers discovers a new star, he sends his exploration team out to investigate. Arriving on Earth, they learn of Christmas, and set out to uncover its secrets and its meaning. By observing the inhabitants of the town, they subsequently begin to believe Christmas is about decorating and dinner. The octopodal aliens even sneak into a mall wearing Santa suits and out a mall Santa as a phony!

Meanwhile, a spoiled brat throws a fit and accidentally winds up with the leader of the group as a new present. He blackmails them into helping him earn money so he can buy a thousand dollar toy car. However, on the way back to the mall, the gang stops at an orphanage and learns the true meaning of Christmas. Consequently, the brat donates all the money and some of his old toys to the orphans, much to the delight of his exasperated parents. The Wall Walkers take Christmas back to their planet Kling-Kling.

Neon Nativity? Check. Interstellar travel? Yep. Tuna casserole? Oof! So grab your Santa suits and walk up the walls to this episode on "Deck the Halls with Wacky Walls!"

Pop Culture Roulette
FB: @PopCultureRoulette
Twitter: @popcultroulette
IG: @popcultroulette

Lost Christmas Podcast
FB: @LostChristmasPodcast
Twitter: @LostChristmasP1
IG: @lostchristmaspodcast 

Give us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!

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

What’s up, dudes? I've got Anthony Caruso from ‘Tis the Podcast and Jeff Loftin from Lost Christmas with me to talk the greatness that is “The Year Without a Santa Claus” from Rankin Bass! Released in ‘74, it aired all throughout the ‘80s!

When Santa Claus wakes up with a mysterious magical illness that affects immortal beings, he decides to summon the elf doctor. This quack immediately tells Santa that kids don’t care about him, causing him to skip Christmas. Mrs. Claus sends elves Jingle and Jangle to Southtown, USA to gauge the local children’s belief in Santa. Unfortunately for them, a dog catcher nabs the reindeer Vixen who accompanied them. They approach the mayor to release Vixen, but he will only acquiesce if they can make it snow. Thus they take Mrs Claus with them to see the Miser Brothers who rule over the heat and cold.

Meanwhile, Santa goes to rescue Vixen and discovers kids still believe in him. He returns to the North Pole while Mrs. C and the elves visit Heat Miser and Snow Miser. When they refuse to cooperate, the trio ask another Nature to intervene. The snow in Southtown prompts the mayor to declare a holiday for Santa, and the children of the world write to him and send him presents. Moved by their love and generosity, Santa makes his Christmas Eve ride.

Reindeer with socks covering her ears? Yep. Children from the It’s a Small World ride? For sure. Personifications of summer and winter? Only if they’re petty sibling rivals! So put on your Santa suit, hop on your reindeer, and fly to negotiate with minor deities with this episode all about “The Year Without a Santa Claus!”

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

Lost Christmas Podcast
FB: @LostChristmasPodcast
Twitter: @LostChristmasP1
IG: @lostchristmaspodcast 

Give us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!

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

What's up, dudes? Happy Christmas Podcast Day! I've got a whole parade of All-Stars here talking the 1989 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! Charlyn from Take a Chic Peek,  Manny from Feliz Christmas, Merry Navidad, and Jeremy Phelps the Alamo City Santa join me to reminisce about Marvel Comics, Garfield, Snoopy, and all the Super Bowl-style commercials of this Willard Scott hosted mega event! So baste your turkeys, head to grandma’s house, and dive into this episode!

Take a Chic Peek
FB: @takeachicpeek
Twitter: @TakeAChicPeek
IG: @takeachicpeek

Feliz  Christmas, Merry Navidad
FB: @FCMNPodcast
Twitter: @FCMNPodcast
IG: @fcmnpodcast

Alamo City Santa
IG: @alamocitysanta 

Give us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!

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