Episode 63 - How Poor Was Bob Cratchit?

I'm here, you're here, let's get started...

We begin with the joke, which is a first, usually it's in the middle of the show, so don't let it disorientate you, and we follow it up with The Quiz.

Then Bob is here with Do You Hear What I Hear and he's looking at why us Brits say Lift instead of Elevator (aside from the fact it saves us 3 syllables).

Next up is the return of What The Dickens, and I talk about why Scrooge is called Scrooge and Marley is called Marley, and also is it possible for the streets of London to be both frosty and foggy.

Then it's a look at A New York Christmas to Remember.  This was a televised Christmas carol church service in which Regis Philbin read out the nativity story accompanied by a load of puppets created by Jim Henson's workshop.  They're not muppets, but it's quite spellbinding.
You can watch it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRymdxIAWKg&t=2987s

After that, Bob is back with Spread A Smile of Joy, and this time he's recommending you have a listen to The Story Corps Podcast season 8 which shares a load of stories about people doing nice deeds.
Here's a link:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-comments/id250500859?i=1000559427740

Also check out Bob's podcast, Festive Foreign Film Fans:
https://4fpodcast.buzzsprout.com/

Then it's Christmas All Over The World and we look at the why it's a tradition to take a walk among the tombstones on Christmas Eve in Finland.

This episode's recommendation is Petty Crimes podcast, and it's lots of fun.
Why not have a listen:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/petty-crimes/id1612693094

If you want to get in touch I'd love to hear from you.
Email: totalchristmas@gmail.com
Website: totalchristmaspodcast.com

Merry Christmas!

Hello You Beautiful People.
It's another packed show and we start with the British tradition of taking a swim in the sea on Christmas day.  Rather you than me.

Then Bob Baker discusses the origins of the lovely curse word Bugger, in Do You Hear What I Hear.

Next up is the Quiz.  I scored 8, see if you can beat that.

Then Bob is back with another delightul idea of spreading joy to your fellow man.
Check out Bob's podcast here:
https://4fpodcast.buzzsprout.com/

This episode's version of A Christmas Carol is A Christmas Carol The Musical starring Kelsey Grammar.  I really enjoyed it and you can watch it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0nPSfXrxA8

The recommendation is the miniseries Artful Dodger which looks at the life of the Artful Dodger about 15 years after the events of the novel Oliver Twist.
Me and the wife enjoyed it so maybe give it a look.

Email: totalchristmas@gmail.com
Website: totalchristmaspodcast.com

Merry Christmas!

Hello you beautiful people.

It's a brand new year and the show is back.
First up it's the quiz and it's not easy, I scored a pitiful 5 and a half, see how much better you can do.

Then Bob Baker brings us Do You Hear What I Hear and he discusses the great English tradition of "whinging".

This episode's version of A Christmas Carol was suggested by listener Rob Davison.  It's an episode of Chucklevision called A Christmas Chuckle.  It's a very loose take on the story, but it has its moments.
You can watch it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvF1u2fnkJ8

Next up listener Alfred Perales shares how he broke the news to his son that ther is no Santa Claus.  

Then Bob Baker starts his brand new segment Spread A Smile Of Joy.  This is a wonderful idea and it's all about spreading goodwill to those around you.

If you want to get in touch we'd love to hear from you.

Email: totalchristmas@gmail.com
Web: totalchristmaspodcast.com

Merry Christmas.

It's Christmas Eve or Christmas Eve Eve depending on where you live.  Or it was Christmas if you're listening to it later.

We start with a lovely story from Jimmy 'Buffalo' Hall, telling about his parents' first Christmas tree as a married couple.

Then it's the quiz and to help with the answers we have Todd Killian from Christmas Clatter podcast.
Check out his pod here:
https://www.christmasclatter.com/

Then I recite from memory, How The Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr Seuss.  

Next up we have a song from Adam Kennedy's comedy album.
To hear the whole album check it out here:
https://adamkennedy.bandcamp.com/album/literally-shrunk-down-and-living-in-my-christmas-village

And then there's nothing left but to wish you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Get in touch:
Website:  totalchristmaspodcast.com
Email: totalchristmas@gmail.com

Hello you beautiful people.
It's a jam packed episode filled with festive joy.

First up it's Do You Hear What I Hear and Bob Baker talks about Father Christmas.  These days it's just another name for Santa, but his origins are very different.

Then it's Jack Ask and my self-appointed best friend Chris has a a question which isn't a dilemma, but I answer it anyway.

We haven't had a yule log for a while but we have one now.  This one is Fireplace for the Home Classic Edition on Netflix.  It's an hour of a real fire, with a very exciting highlight.
Well worth a look.

Then it's the quiz and to help answer the questions we have the return of Steven A McKay.  He's written some great Christmas short stories and he has a podcast. We also play his Christmas song.
Check out his stuff here:
https://stevenamckay.com/

Then it's another Jack Ask.  This one comes from Adam Parker from the Merry Britsmas Podcast.  Should he decorate his neighbours tree as a festive surprise?
Check out Merry Britsmas:
https://merrybritsmas.podbean.com/

Then it's some adverts for my merch.  If you want a T-Shirt or similar with the show logo on it, you can buy one here:
https://merrybritsmas.podbean.com/

Also why not read my book.  It's only for grown-ups but it might make you laugh:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thursday-Nights-Alright-Jack-Andrews-ebook/dp/B0BLW93NTK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=14R7H09V3H2PZ&keywords=thursday+nights+alright&qid=1702727270&s=books&sprefix=thursday+nights+alright%2Cstripbooks%2C93&sr=1-1

Then we have the triumphant return of Shelli Arnold and Frank the Tank.  They give us a guided tour of their wonderful Christmas village.
I've posted pictures on Facebook, you really should have a gander.

This episode version of A Christmas Carol is an old time radio show from 1949. It's an episode of Richard Diamond Private Detective and it's alright I suppose.
Have a listen:
https://www.oldtimeradiodownloads.com/crime/richard-diamond-private-detective/a-contemporary-christmas-carol-1949-12-24

Then we have another song from Adam Kennedy. This one is very funny.
Check out the full album here:
https://adamkennedy.bandcamp.com/album/literally-shrunk-down-and-living-in-my-christmas-village

Then Bob is back with Christmas Everyday.  
If you want to have a listen to his show Festive Foreign Film Fans, here it is:
https://4fpodcast.buzzsprout.com/

Then Ed Daly is back to tell us the story of how he found out about Santa.
Check out Ed's book, it's great:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Book-Ultimate-Favorite-Holiday/dp/B09HS14DFM

This episode I'm recommending I'm Not Complaining with Robin and Juno.
My two daughters, and possibly the world's youngest podcasters, host a weekly show where they talk about their lives.
Have a listen:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/notcomplaining

Get in touch:
Email:  totalchristmas@gmail.com
Website: totalchristmaspodcast.com

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas you beautiful people.

It's another packed show, and we start off with a Jack Ask.  Travis wants to know what the perfect Christmas morning beverage is...  and I tell him.

Then we have a christian propeganda version of A Christmas Carol. It's from 2001 and stars Dean Jones and it's called Scrooge & Marley.
You can watch it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUxo_WbtlQ8

Next up is the Christmas joke and the less said about that the better.

Then we play another song from Adam Kennedy.  It's possibly my favourite because I love the idea behind it.
Check out the full album here:
https://adamkennedy.bandcamp.com/album/literally-shrunk-down-and-living-in-my-christmas-village

Then we have an interview with historical fiction author Steven A McKay.  He's written some brilliant Christmas stories featuring characters from the Robin Hood legend.
You can check out his work and also his podcast, Rock Paper Swords here:
https://stevenamckay.com/

Next up it's the quiz and to give use the answers we have Duane and Scott from Tinsel Tunes.
Check out Tinsel Tunes here:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tinseltunes

If you want to buy some of my merch you can do so here, all profits go to Save the Children:
https://www.teepublic.com/user/the-total-christmas-podstore

Get in touch:
Email:  totalchristmas@gmail.com
Website: totalchristmaspodcast.com

Merry Christmas

It's a packed show for you boys and girls.

First up Bob Baker, our self-appointed podcast barman, looks at how us Brits use the word Diary.

Then it's the quiz, and this episode trying his arm at the questions we have Adam Kennedy.  Adam has a comedy Christmas album that is well worth a listen so check it out here:
https://adamkennedy.bandcamp.com/album/literally-shrunk-down-and-living-in-my-christmas-village

Next up it's Jack Ask and this time the question comes from our Scandinavian American correspondent Benji Pearson.

Then we have a joke from Benji.

After that we find out who won the 'A Ghost Story for Christmas' books by Biblioasis that we offered in the last episode.  Juno helps us pick the winner.
If you want to check them out, here's a link:
https://www.biblioasis.com/shop/fiction/short-fiction/christmas-ghost-stories-3-pack-2023/

and if you want to listen to Juno's podcast check it out here:
anchor.fm/notcomplaining

Then Bob is back with Christmas Everyday with a wonderful tradition you can keep on your shelf and did into for a bit of Christmas nostalgia.
Have a listen to Bob's podcast here:
https://4fpodcast.buzzsprout.com/

This episodes version of A Christmas Carol is an episode of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and, despite it being one of the loosest versions I've seen, it's brilliant.
Ed Daly comes on and helps me discuss it.
If you want to check out Ed's fantastic Christmas book, here's a link:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Book-Ultimate-Favorite-Holiday/dp/B09HS14DFM

If you want to get in touch, I'd love to hear from you.

email: totalchristmas@gmail.com
web: totalchristmaspodcast.com

Merry Christmas

It's episode 95 and it's a corker!

We begin by following up on last weeks episode when Benji Pearson mentioned an old long forgotten Christmas song about the 3 wise men.  He hasn't been able to find a recording so he's gone and done it himself.

Then it's Jack Ask and I sort out some Christmas conundrums for listener Travis.

Next up it's Bob Baker and Cav has suggested a high tech way of keeping it Christmas all year long.

Then it's The Christmas Quiz and we have Ed Daly on to see how well he can score.
Ed is the author of The Christmas Book: The ultimate guide to your favorite holiday.
Here's a link:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Book-Ultimate-Favorite-Holiday/dp/B09HS14DFM

For this episode's Do You Hear What I Hear, Bob looks at the word 'Corker'.
Check out Festive Foreign Film Fans here:
https://4fpodcast.buzzsprout.com/

Then it's our annual look at classic British Christmas songs that may or may not have made it across to the US.  And in this episode we also have a perspective from New Zealand, both Duane Bailey and Scott Newman from Tinsel Tunes have a listen and see if they know these 6 classics.
Have a listen to Tinsel Tunes here:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tinseltunes

A couple of episodes ago I had the competition to win some little spooky ghost stories for Christmas, and now I have 3 more to give away.
If you want to win them contact me with the following 4 words: "Yeah, I'll 'ave 'em" and they could be yours.
Check out these lovely little books from Biblioasis here:
https://www.biblioasis.com/shop/fiction/short-fiction/christmas-ghost-stories-3-pack-2023/

Get in touch:
email: totalchristmas@gmail.com
web: totalchristmaspodcast.com

Merry Christmas

It's episode 94 and you know what that means...
it's episode 94.

First up we talk about the exciting tradition of roller skating to Christmas mass in Venezuela.

Then Bob Baker discusses the difference between Gas and Petrol.

Then Duane Bailey from Tinsel Tunes podcast tells us his story of how he found out the truth about Santa Claus.

Next up I read out an email from Benji Pearson and he relates a couple of stories about Christmas.

In the quiz this week I managed 9 out of 10, see if you can do any better.

Then Bob is back and the suggestion for Christmas Everyday comes from my self-appointed best friend Cav.  He recommends going on this website for a dose of festive feelings:
https://mymerrychristmas.com/

This episode's version of A Christmas Carol is John Grin's Christmas starring Robert Guillaume, the star of Benson.  It's an updated version from 1986.
It's okay I suppose, have a watch here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qn35ur8Oj8c

This episode's recommendation is Tinsel Tunes because I'm on the latest episode.
If you're not listening already you should be.
Check it out:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tinseltunes

Get in touch.
Email:  totalchristmas@gmail.com

Web:  www.totalchristmaspodcast.com

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas you beautiful people!

It's another pam-jacked episode and we start off with another Jack Ask, but not only that, it has a fantastic new jingle.  Quite frankly it's the highlight of the show.

Then our Podcast Barman Bob Baker gives us another suggestion for how to keep it Christmassy all year, this one was sent in by Jennifer Kay and our podcast mascot Little Elmer.

Next up is the quiz.  I scored 7, see if you can beat that.

Then it's the joke.  The less said the better.

This episode we're giving away some lovely little books.  They're part of the 'Seth's Christmas Ghost Stories' series.  All you have to do is contact me with the four little words 'Yeah, I'll 'ave 'em' or if you're a bit more refined you might like to say 'Yes, I will have them.'
To learn more about the books here's a link:
https://www.biblioasis.com/shop/fiction/short-fiction/christmas-ghost-stories-3-pack-2022/

Then Bob is back and this week he's discussing how we described those gentlemen who collect your garbage or rubbish.

This episode's version is the not particularly outstanding version by Jetlag Productions.  There are one or two highlights but you can live without it.
Here's a link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5lpsKrv_Ew

This episode's recommendation is The Happy Halloween podcast from friend of the show Tony Dixon.  It looks at all things Halloween and is great for this time of year.
Check it out:
https://podcasts.apple.com/tr/podcast/the-happy-halloween-podcast/id1633589441

If you want to get in touch I'd love to hear from you.

Email:  totalchristmas@gmail.com
Websiter: totalchristmaspodcast.com

Merry Christmas.