Claim OwnershipTotally Rad Christmas!
Subscribed: 89Played: 2,082
Subscribe
© 2025 Totally Rad Christmas!
Description
It's a show about the raddest time of year in the baddest decade ever! That's right! We talk all things Christmas in the '80s to the max! Toys, movies, specials, music, books, games, comics, decorations, food, fashion, and fads--if it was gnarly during Christmas in the '80s, we got it covered!
382 Episodes
Reverse
What’s up, dudes? Merry Christmas 2!! “Santa Claus: The Movie” is a fantastic origin story, made better by Henry Mancini's score and a killer song of Sheena Easton. Thus, Robert Nicholas from Behind the Bells joins me to really dig into a particular cue from the “Santa Claus: The Movie” score and dish about the Christmas carol medley of it all as well. First, we get into the nostalgic synths with "It's Christmas All Over the World". Played during the end credits, the mid-tempo song set the st...
What’s up, dudes? “Gremlins” is a classic holiday horror, made better by Jerry Goldsmith’s score and the killer hits of Michael Sembello and Peter Gabriel. Kevin Williams from ‘Tis the Soundtrack joins me to really dig into a couple of cues from the “Gremlins” score and dish about music theory of it all as well. We first get into the mega madness with the Sembello track. Played during the bar scene, the uptempo dance song set the stage for the “Maniac”-like antics of the dancing green creatur...
What's up, dudes? CM Chuck from Just Another Friday Night and Jeff Loftin from Lost Christmas join me to talk about '80s action cartoons we wish had Christmas episodes! From Transformers to GoBots, from Voltron to M.A.S.K., these cartoons delivered action and adventure to the max! Unfortunately, they also left out the holiday cheer. Many of these cartoons were epic, leaving us wondering why they didn't include a Christmas themed episode. In fact, a few even had comic Christm...
What's up, dudes? Remember GI Joe? This real American hero was developed by Stan Weston and licensed and produced by Hasbro in 1963. They even coined the phrase “action figure” to help market the toys to boys. In 1966, the British toy company Palitoy licensed GI Joe and created their version: Action Man. Action Man was primarily developed with British military themes in mind. To set themselves apart, Palitoy even developed flocked hair and gripping hands, though of course they eventually cros...
What's up, dudes? I need to release a new episode, but I only have a paperclip, some chewing gum, and a trash can. Guess I'll have to MacGyver it! Thank goodness I have Art from A Cozy Christmas and Joe from Now Watch This to help me! That's right! We're talking MacGyver! But wait! Christmas magic and miracles?!?! In a MacGyver episode?! Does he even come up with a cool hack? No. Is there at least a great version of a Christmas classic? You bet! So grab your pocket knife and an egg, hoo...
1What’s up, dudes? It’s Candlemas! Yes, today we say goodbye to Christmastide. To celebrate, I’ve got Thom Crowe from ‘Tis the Podcast and Art Kilmer from A Cozy Christmas with to talk about the 1981 episode of SuperBook “The First Christmas!” Once again, several Gospel pericopes are concatenated in this New Testament-inspired episode. While feeling nostalgic and missing his mother at Christmas, Chris, Joy, and his robot toy Gizmo find themselves transported by the mystical book. When the psy...
What’s up, dudes? My scheduled plans fell through, so here’s a fun little game my son and I played. Season finale next week! 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? Peace on earth, goodwill towards men and women and chickens and bears… and Dizzy Gillespie! Yes, Mike Westfall of Advent Calendar House and Tim Babb from Can’t Wait for Christmas are with me to talk all about the 1979 special “John Denver & the Muppets: A Christmas Together!” Advent Calendar House FB: @adventcalendarhouse Twitter: @adventcalhouse IG: @adventcalendarhouse Can’t Wait for Christmas FB: @CantWaitForChristmasPod IG: @cantwaitforchristmaspod Twitter: @Chr...
What’s up, dudes? Remember Band Aid and its mega-hit “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” It spun off countless relief efforts, including Carol Aid 1985. Ken Kessler from Sounds of Christmas introduced me to this concert, and he’s here to talk about its MTV and Music Box broadcast! Carol Aid was a famine relief concert held at the club Heaven in London. MTV and Music Box aired a cut down version, leaving out several acts. In fact, the likes of Magnum, Captain Sensible, and Miquel Brown (to name a ...
What’s up, dudes? CM Chuck from Just Another Friday Night and Jeff Loftin from Lost Christmas join me to talk about an obscure Marvel Comic issue What The?! #10! Specifically, we’re digging into the short story “I’ll Be Doom for Christmas!” Santa arrives at Doom’s castle on Christmas Eve, but is ensnared by one of Doom’s traps. The injured Santa convinces Doom to deliver the remaining presents by agreeing to give him his heart’s desire. Doom does so, but isn’t super stealthy at Avenger...
Merry Christmas, dudes! It’s Christmas Day, and it’s my 300th episode! Listen to me try to herd cats in this very special Chattin’ with the Littles episode! And my bodacious friends from the Christmas Podcast Network show up just to Hit and with a Toaster! Not much else to say except that I hope you have a totally rad Christmas and a dope New Year! Christmas Podcast Network Give us a buzz! Send a text, dudes! Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Totally Rad Christmas Mall & Arcad...
What’s up, dudes? It’s Christmas Eve! Yes, tonight we begin Christmastide, so I’ve got Thom Crowe from ‘Tis the Podcast and Art Kilmer from A Cozy Christmas with to talk about Hanna-Barbera! No, not Yogi or Fred Flintstone, it’s The Greatest Adventure: Stories from the Bible “The Nativity!” Several Gospel pericopes are concatenated in this 1987 straight-to-video animated feature. While surveying the sight of some ancient ruins, two young archaeologists, Derek and Margo, and their nomad frien...
What's up, dudes? It’s 1988, and Jim Varney cashed in on his signature character from countless commercial! Laramy Wells from Moving Panels, DJ Chad Sheppard, and Robert Nicholas from Behind the Bells join me to talk all about “Ernest Saves Christmas!” What a wild ride! Ernest P. Worell, a sweet but silly taxi driver who at times suffers delusions of grandeur, has just chauffeured a rather extraordinary fare: "His Great Red Oneness, the Claus" himself. Santa has neither the will ...
What’s up, dudes? Body swap films were huge back in the day. Did you know there’s even one set at Christmas starring Fred Svage and Judge Reinhold? Tim Williams from 80’s Flick Flashback and Nicholas Pepin of Pop Culture Roulette did, and they’re with me to talk about “Vice Versa!” Upon returning from a buying trip abroad for the department store where he works, divorced executive Marshall finds that he is in possession of a strange ornamental skull. He is looking after his 11-year-old son C...
What’s up, dudes? Alvin, Simon…Theodore! Yes, it’s the Dave Seville (Ross Bagdasarian) musical rodent creation! Jeff Loftin from Lost Christmas and Jeremy Phelps the Alamo City Santa are with me to dig into the 1981 special “A Chipmunk Christmas!” Swept up in the Christmas spirit, Alvin gives away his cherished harmonica to a sick little boy. Meanwhile, Dave has booked Alvin to perform a harmonica solo at Carnegie Hall. Alvin keeps the loss of his harmonica a secret from Dave, and wit...
What’s up, dudes? Nicholas Pepin of Pop Culture Roulette and Jeremy Phelps the Alamo City Santa to talk about the 2nd Christmas episode of Quantum Leap “Promised Land!” Do we talk physics? Not really, but we discuss Scott Bakula for sure! “Promised Land” was the 11th episode in Season 5 of Quantum Leap, and the 86th overall series episode. Written by Gillian Horvath and Tommy Thompson, the episode, which was directed by Scott Bakula, first aired on NBC-TV on December 15, 1992. Sam leap...
What’s up, dudes? Today we’re talking about the present Santa brought me for Christmas 1985. Yes, it's the Defender of the Universe itself: Voltron! Joining to dig into these Christmas wishbooks is my buddy Lucas Hinojosa and DJ Chad Sheppard! We dig into the history and awesomeness that is the mighty robot! It's a Voltron Christmas! From days of long ago, from uncharted regions of the universe, comes a legend, the legend of Voltron, Defender of the Universe. A mighty robot, loved by good, f...
What’s up, dudes? You know “Last Christmas.” You’ve heard “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” and the “A Very Special Christmas” album. Did you know there is a plethora of Christmas albums and singles from the ‘80s? Vinnie Brezinsky from Huey and Bax and I dig into lesser known ‘80s Christmas songs! From Lori Loughlin’s “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” to Buster Poindexter’s “‘Zat you, Santa Claus?”, we get into many overlooked gems. Chris Squire released “Run With the Fox,” a prog rock masterpie...
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. T...
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 ...
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 ...
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,...
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 pre...
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 n...
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 th...
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 a...
What’s up, dudes? It’s the long awaited episode. We’ve teased it for years. That’s right! Scott Newman from Jingle Jank and Tinsel Tunes and Jeremy Phelps the Alamo City Santa join me to talk about “The Star Wars Holiday Special!” And yes, it’s as bad as everyone says it is! Airing November 17, 1978, the special introduced us to Chewbacca’s family. It also gave us an entire Wookie dialogue with no subtitles! Han and Chewie are racing home so the latter can spend Life Day with his family. Th...
What’s up, dudes? remember Archie comics? Jeff Loftin from Lost Christmas does, and he’s here with me to talk Archie’s Christmas Stocking #500 from 1980! Laughs abound in this anthology of Yuletide tales with Betty, Veronica, and the gang! In “A Christmas Ditty,” Archie has no money to buy his girlfriend Veronica a present, so he decides to shovel snow. Eventually he earns enough to get her a slew of gifts, but he’s so tired from his work he crashes on her couch before the joyful exchange. O...
What's up, dudes? Art Kilmer from A Cozy Christmas is with me to talk about the 1985 Hasbro sponsored Christmas special "The GLO Friends Save Christmas!" It's insane, with Elder Wands, "Lost" smoke monsters, Care Bear stare-style glow, and Venus fly trap-esque ice flowers! What a trip! The GLO Friends are celebrating Christmas Eve by ice skating, decorating the village, and making snowmen. Granny Bug is even baking pies. Meanwhile, Blanche, the Wicked Witch of the North Pole, is jealous of ...
What's up, dudes? It’s a Siouxsie and the Banshees Christmas, as Rikki Meece from the Sleigh Bells and Mistletoe Podcast and I break down two songs from goth rock band! Yep, it’s “Israel” v ”Il Est Né Le Divin Enfant” in the Thunderdome! We talk the band’s catalogue, their Christmas music, their look and sound, and definitely their lyrics! In other words, we get into it all! Two songs enter, one song leaves! "Israel" was released as a stand-alone single in between the albums Kaleidoscope (198...
What's up dudes? Bionic, Bionic Six! The theme song is such an banger, and Adam Pope from Wizards! The Podcast Guide to Comics , The Retro Network (Geekster) Remember That Show? and I talk all about the toy and cartoon episode “Holidaze!” When Meg passes her math test, the family goes to Holiday World as a reward. Each member of the Bennett family visits a specific area of the holiday-inspired theme park. Unbeknownst to them, Dr. Scarab has launched a plot to take control of the biodro...
What's up, dudes? It’s Christmas Podcast Day 2024! Kevin Williams from ‘Tis the Soundtrack joins me to discuss the quirky yet wholesome Christmas special “Lollipop Dragon: The Great Christmas Race!” Brought to you by the Society for Visual Education, Inc., a division of the sewing company Singer, the special was part of a huge series of books, tapes, and other merchandise. The 1986 special sees Lolly and company hosting the big Christmas party in the land of Tum Tum where all the world’s lol...
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 ghost with the most, Beetlejuice! In the 1988 film, Adam and Barbara Maitland are newly deceased. When their idyllic home is suddenly invaded with artsy yuppies and their gothic daughter, they call on the moldy bio-exorcist. Consequently, Betelgeuse falls for Lydia and after supernatural shenanigans, tr...
What’s up, dudes? It’s a Sherman Hemsley vehicle about a small Philadelphia church. Yes, it’s an Amen Christmas, and Joe Fulton the Christmas Aficionado is with me to wax poetic about it! Well…or at least reminisce about watching it. From December 1986, it’s “Your Christmas Show of Shows!” It’s Christmas, and Philadelphia’s First Community Church is preparing a Nativity play. They’ve sent out invitations to local celebrities and politicians and one has finally responded positively! Unfortuna...
What's up, dudes? It’s a beloved holiday staple, and it’s turning 70 years old! Yes, the 1954 Bing Crosby/Danny Kaye classic “White Christmas,” first released on video in 1986! Ken Kessler from Sounds of Christmas, Scott Leopold from Holly Jolly X'masu, and Jeremy Phelps the Alamo City Santa join me to reminisce about the crooner and the comic and the song that gives all the Christmas feels! Private Davis saves Captain Wallace’s life in the war, and so they team up as a performing duo. As bi...
What’s up, dudes? La la la la la la! They’re three apples tall, and Jeff Loftin from Lost Christmas is here with me to talk all about their Christmas adventures! Yes, it’s “The Smurfs Christmas Special!” In this 1982 special, the Smurfs prepare their smurfberry pudding as they trim the tree. When Greedy eats the last walnut, they venture into the woods. Meanwhile, a grandfather is regaling his two grandchildren with tales of Santa Claus when their sleigh overturns. Of course, the children le...
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 mutant disco/no wave album “A Christmas Record!” From ZE Records, it was a triumph of experimental Christmas music. Founded in 1978 by Michael Zilkha and Michel Esteban, ZE was one of the most popular rated labels, capturing the emerging New York sound of the period. They gained exposure through a distribution deal with Island Records. In fact, before long they had signe...
What's up, dudes? I’ve got artist, author, and adventurer Ryan Estrada here to talk about his new book “No Rules Tonight” on Christmas in Korea in the ‘80s! Curfews and banned books and dance clubs! Oh my! It’s a fascinating look into true events! Kim Hyun Sook is in college, and she’s being eyed as the new leader of the Banned Book Club. To top it off, it’s Christmas Eve, so traditionally this is when the Dance Club heads up the mountain to par-tay! Speaking to the true story that in...
What's up, dudes? Jeremy Phelps the Alamo City Santa and Sean Sotka from the Christmas Podcasts Podcast join me to talk all about 1980’s “The Christmas Raccoons!” It’s an ”Inception”-like dream/reality hybrid of pink aardvarks lumber barons and talking raccoons. It’s also Canadian and narrated by Rich Little. The trees begin to disappear rapidly. Someone is cutting them down, and Ranger Dan has to solve the mystery. As he goes off into the wilderness leaving his poor children at home, some p...
What’s up, dudes? What if Kevin McCallister had a mullet and was super into Rambo? Now we’ve got “Dial Code Santa Claus” or “Deadly Games” or “Game Over” or “3615 code Père Noël”! Yes, this many-titled French film is bonkers, and I’ve got Jeff and Jay from Horror for the Holidays with me to talk about it! Thomas is an incredibly intelligent young boy whose mother is a wealthy store manager. On Christmas Eve, he makes contact with a vagrant (escaped mental patient?) through a pre-internet Min...
What’s up, dudes? They say the sequels are never as good as the first. I think The Empire Strikes Back proves them wrong…but Band Aid II doesn’t. I have music journalist Alex Rawls from The Twelve Songs of Christmas and My Spilt Milk with me to talk all about the second version of the charity song done in 1989! Spoilers: it’s not as good as the first, but it’s still fun! On Friday, December 1, 1989, Bob Geldof called Pete Waterman to ask if he would consider producing a new version of “Do Th...
What’s up, dudes? It’s a “Family Matters” Christmas with Matt Eurich from the TGI Podcast !” Yes, the show focuses on Harriette Winslow, elevator operator and head of security for Larry and Balki’s newspaper, and her family. Of course, it came to be known for breakout character and über-nerd Steve Urkel! In the season 2 episode Have Yourself A Merry Winslow Christmas, the Winslows are thrilled to learn the Urkels will be away for Christmas. Unfortunately, Steve ends up staying and annoying t...
What’s up, dudes? They’re heroes in a half shell, and they’re green! That means it’s the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! I’ve got Tim Williams from 80’s Flick Flashback, Nicholas Pepin of Pop Culture Roulette, and Laramy Wells from Moving Panels here to talk with me about the mutated ninja Michaelangelo. Yes, it’s his Christmas adventure “The Christmas Aliens!” In this one issue micro-series, Michaelangelo is exploring the streets of New York during the holiday season. He stumbles upon a stray...
What’s up, dudes? It’s time for another Christmas-adjacent episode! This time, I’ve got the Saturday Morning Mafia with me to talk about “The Princess Bride!” Yep, it’s Christmas time, and Columbo—erm, Peter Falk—reads his sick grandson a fantasy story. There’s fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles... in other words, it doesn't sound too bad. Westley the farm boy falls in love with Buttercup. When he goes off to seek fo...
What’s up, dudes? Merry Dinosaur Day! Shawn Robare from Cult Film Club, Crestwood House, and Plastic Rocket Pop and I talk the 1987 cartoon “Dinosaucers!” It’s good dinos versus evil tyrannos as two dinosaur alien factions fight for freedom! It’s Dinosaur Day on Reptilon, and the Dinosaucers are set to return to their home planet for the celebration. The Tyrannos decide to spoil it for Bonehead by telling him Stego-Claws isn’t real. Consequently, the dejected dino refuses to go back home for ...
What's up, dudes? There’s more than meets the eye here with illustrator and podcaster Jerzy Drozd as we talk all about Transformers UK comics Christmas issues! From Starscream to Optimus Prime, we get into all of it, and deck the halls with boughs of Hot Rod…waitasec…. Yes, it’s Transformers Christmas miracle edition! In Transformers #145 from 1987, Starscream feels homesick, which shows that even evil robots can get the Christmas blues. As he ponders his plight, a young boy trie...
What’s up, dudes? We interrupt your regularly scheduled summer day to bring you this special news bulletin! Yes, Mike Westfall of Advent Calendar House and Tim Babb from Can’t Wait for Christmas are one the scene with me to talk all about the 1989 “Sesame Street News Flash: Santa Claus” sketch! From episode 2592 of season 20, this three minute news flash sees ace reporter Kermit the Frog attempt to catch Santa in the act of delivering presents on Christmas Eve. The sketch was directed...
What’s up, dudes? It’s another entry in the Christmas Adjacent category! That’s right! We’re talking “The Last Starfighter” Tim Williams from 80’s Flick Flashback, Joe Fulton the Christmas Aficionado, and DJ Chad Sheppard. Alex Rogan is a regular kid from a trailer park. When he beats the high score on a starfighter arcade machine, an alien named Centauri recruits him to defend the frontier against Xur and the Ko-Dan armada. Centauri takes him to space where he meets his copilot Grig, but th...
What's up, dudes? Christmas is a time for feasting! I’ve got Glen Warren from Season’s Eatings here with me to discuss 1989’s The Treasury of Christmas Recipes from Your Favorite Brand Name Companies! What an interesting cookbook from a remarkable era! The entire project was published by Publications International, Ltd., founded in 1967 by Louis Weber. The company publishes books and educational products in many categories, including virtual reality and other interactive learning expe...
What’s up, dudes? Duane from Tinsel Tunes is here with me to talk about the 1984 Christmas mega hit “Last Christmas” by Wham! This catchy tune still holds a spot on most terrestrials radio playlists to this day! Wham! soared onto the charts in ‘84 with several memorable pop songs when George Michael dreamed about having a Christmas hit. One day, while watching football, the melody came to him. Of course, he ran upstairs to his room to record it his idea, and by the end of the night, he had w...
Comments
Top Podcasts
The Best New Comedy Podcast Right Now – June 2024The Best News Podcast Right Now – June 2024The Best New Business Podcast Right Now – June 2024The Best New Sports Podcast Right Now – June 2024The Best New True Crime Podcast Right Now – June 2024The Best New Joe Rogan Experience Podcast Right Now – June 20The Best New Dan Bongino Show Podcast Right Now – June 20The Best New Mark Levin Podcast – June 2024
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States