The Holiday Specials We Love

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**The Holiday Specials We Love**

Welcome back, fellow Holiday fanatics, escapists, and nostalgics! It’s Season 4 of the newly rebranded The Holiday Specials We Love Podcast! Join us on a walk down memory lane as the HSWL hosts break down all your favorite specials, shows, and movies, covering all aspects of Holidays past and present. Our two-part mission is one: to keep the spirit alive by preserving and promoting these great works. Part two of our mission is to lengthen the spirit of joy and giving that we have all come to know this time of year. At HSWL, we do tons of work and research to prep for our shows, too. You can help support us and our mission by subscribing and giving us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. Comments? Suggestions? Text us at 351-251-2511 Tawk Shawtly!

Latest Episodes:

Year Without A Santa Claus Nov 29, 2023

Show notes

We're back!! This time we are diving into the 1974 classic 'A Year Without A Santa Clause'

We talk:

All the iconic songs
The weird stop-motion tears
Favorite scenes & more

Comments? Suggestions? Text Us: 351-251-2511

IG: @Christmasspecialswelove https://www.instagram.com/christmasspecialswelove

Email: Santa@thechristmasspecialswelove.com

Keven Undergaro

Regular Guy Friday Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heal-squad-x-maria-menounos/id1320060107?i=1000631977533

Christian Bladt

The Bladtcast:

https://on.soundcloud.com/hty23Cr4so5myD51A

The Alf Christmas Special Nov 27, 2023

Show notes

Based on a true story- find out why the Alf Christmas Special should be part of your holiday annual must sees- or not. Is it poignant or too dark? Our multi-gen panel is split! A brief history on the show, this episode and the cast. Does Alf help us to rediscover the meaning of Christmas? Why a one hundred year old article “Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” is still relevant today and the surprising faith based layers. We are anxious to hear your take so make sure to send us a text! Until then put one foot in front of the other toward the greatest holiday of the year!

Comments? Suggestions? Text Us: 351-251-2511

IG: @Christmasspecialswelove https://www.instagram.com/christmasspecialswelove

Email: Santa@thechristmasspecialswelove.com

Keven Undergaro

Regular Guy Friday Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heal-squad-x-maria-menounos/id1320060107?i=1000631977533

Christian Bladt

The Bladtcast:

https://on.soundcloud.com/hty23Cr4so5myD51A

Frosty The Snowman Nov 25, 2023

Show notes

Hiii Holiday Fanatics! Today we're jumping into the 1969 classic- Frosty the Snowman!

We talk:

The "controversy" of Frosty's friends wearing shorts

Thoughts on Professor Hinkle

The Frosty sequels & more!

Comments? Suggestions? Text Us: 351-251-2511

IG: @Christmasspecialswelove https://www.instagram.com/christmasspecialswelove

Email: Santa@thechristmasspecialswelove.com

Keven Undergaro

Regular Guy Friday Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heal-squad-x-maria-menounos/id1320060107?i=1000631977533

Christian Bladt

The Bladtcast:

https://on.soundcloud.com/hty23Cr4so5myD51A

Black Friday Nov 22, 2023

Show notes

In this Fireside Chat episode of CSWL, we dive into the history of Black Friday, a phenomenon synonymous with discounted prices, bustling crowds, massive sales, holiday shopping, and sadly crime. We uncover the mysteries surrounding its origin and the incredible journey it's taken over the years. Explore the uncertain beginnings of Black Friday possibly tied to 1950s worker absenteeism the day after Thanksgiving and the raucous Philadelphia Army-Navy game. Learn how retailers transformed and spun the term Black Friday to give it a new meaning to make it a major shopping extravaganza.

Travel through the decades with us, from the more modest Black Fridays of the 1960s and 1970s to the explosive growth of the 2000s and midnight openings, massive discounts, and major mayhem. Discover how the 2010s further witnessed the rise of online shopping, the emergence of Thanksgiving Day store openings, and the expansion of e-commerce. We explore how the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped Black Friday traditions and altered in-store shopping habits.

Black Friday puts the march to Christmas in full gear so make sure your sleigh seat belt is attached!

Comments? Suggestions? Text Us: 351-251-2511

IG: @Christmasspecialswelove https://www.instagram.com/christmasspecialswelove

Email: Santa@thechristmasspecialswelove.com

Keven Undergaro

Regular Guy Friday Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heal-squad-x-maria-menounos/id1320060107?i=1000631977533

Minisode- Macy's Underdog Balloon Nov 20, 2023

Show notes

Surprise!!! It's a special minisode today!! We are talking all about Underdog. How was his balloon created for the Macy's Day Parade? The Underdog special where he may or may not have saved the Parade. And mentions of Underdog in different beloved TV shows! A Thanksgiving present from us to you! Enjoy :)

Comments? Suggestions? Text Us: 351-251-2511

IG: @Christmasspecialswelove https://www.instagram.com/christmasspecialswelove

Email: Santa@thechristmasspecialswelove.com

Keven Undergaro

Regular Guy Friday Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heal-squad-x-maria-menounos/id1320060107?i=1000631977533

History of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Nov 17, 2023

Show notes

It's almost Thanksgiving so we thought... what's the most iconic Thanksgiving event? MACY'S DAY PARADE!! Today we are joined by Keven, Anne, Kelsey, Elain and the VERY SPECIAL Jeffery Graham. What are the routes of the parade and we discuss why we think the distance changed. The iconic balloons in the parade - Do Elain and Kelsey know who certain characters are? The horrific accidents that have happened during the parades. And do you think we made Jeff cry by the end of the episode?

Photos of Macy's Day Parade in the 20's: 20s macy's day parade

Comments? Suggestions? Text Us: 351-251-2511

IG: @Christmasspecialswelove https://www.instagram.com/christmasspecialswelove

Email: Santa@thechristmasspecialswelove.com

Keven Undergaro

Regular Guy Friday Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heal-squad-x-maria-menounos/id1320060107?i=1000631977533

Toys of the 1970's Nov 15, 2023

Show notes

The gang is back for another CSWL fireside chat. This week, the subject turns to toys of the 1970s. We poke through two 'Sears Christmas Wish Books' from the era while reminiscing about the importance and pivotal role of the Sears Catalogue with regard to Christmas. We also ponder if Christmas, toys, and presents are less appreciated by younger generations and why. We also go over the long list of games, toys, and habits of the day. Get ready for a walk down memory lane and or an educational one if this is before your time. The march to the greatest holiday of the year continues! Just put one foot in front of the other!

Comments? Suggestions? Text Us: 351-251-2511

IG: @Christmasspecialswelove https://www.instagram.com/christmasspecialswelove

Email: Santa@thechristmasspecialswelove.com

Keven Undergaro

Regular Guy Friday Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heal-squad-x-maria-menounos/id1320060107?i=1000631977533

Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Nov 13, 2023

Show notes

This week on The Christmas Specials We Love, our panel of 'blockheads' covers 'A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving'. Did Charlie Brown ever get to kick the football? Who really started the bullying between Lucy and Charlie. What drove Peppermint Patty? Woodstock's first appearance as well as Franklin's. Franklin's origins post the MLK assassination. These days, if the holiday season starts November 1st, when did it begin back in the day? Thanksgiving school crafting of yesterday and today. Does the special hold up today, favorite characters and more. These are The Christmas Specials We Love!

Comments? Suggestions? Text Us: 351-251-2511

IG: @Christmasspecialswelove https://www.instagram.com/christmasspecialswelove

Email: Santa@thechristmasspecialswelove.com

Keven Undergaro

Regular Guy Friday Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heal-squad-x-maria-menounos/id1320060107?i=1000631977533

Christian Bladt

The Bladtcast:

https://on.soundcloud.com/hty23Cr4so5myD51A

A Very Seinfeld Thanksgiving Nov 10, 2023

Show notes

Today we have a not-so Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving episode! Seinfeld is known for never celebrating or fully mentioning Thanksgiving, but this show is too iconic for us to pass up. What happened to the Mom and Pop Shop? Where did Jerry's sneakers go? Did George really buy Jon Voight's Volvo? The team shares their past Thanksgiving experiences. Kev teaches us an important lesson that we need to implement this holiday.

Comments? Suggestions? Text Us: 351-251-2511

IG: @Christmasspecialswelove https://www.instagram.com/christmasspecialswelove

Email: Santa@thechristmasspecialswelove.com

Keven Undergaro

Regular Guy Friday Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heal-squad-x-maria-menounos/id1320060107?i=1000631977533

Christian Bladt

The Bladtcast:

https://on.soundcloud.com/hty23Cr4so5myD51A

CSWL: WKRP Thanksgiving: Turkey's Away Nov 08, 2023

Show notes

Season’s Greetings, on this episode of CSWL, we cover the 1980's sitcom 'WKRP in Cincinnati 'and its famed Thanksgiving Day special. You don't need to be a WKRP fan or even have seen the episode in question. You just need to tolerate Kev hosting with Covid and brain fog. Still, we discuss everything from how this show and episode was based on true life and what life working at radio stations was like back in the day (and how that life no longer exists). We also cover how the Thanksgiving episode saved the fledgling series, why this episode frequently ranks in the all-time top 100 and how the one original line at the end created a saying we all use today. Gen Z surprisingly found little to be offended over, too, as the march to the greatest holiday continues!

Comments? Suggestions? Text us 351-251-2511

IG: @Christmasspecialswelove

https://www.instagram.com/christmasspecialswelove

The star power of Loni Anderson

The character of Herb (Frank Bonner): the precursor to Dwight (Rain Wilson) from 'The Office'?

A strange but true story (and alleged ghost story) involving murdered Sal Mineo and Gary Sandy aka Travis from WKRP

Richard Sanders aka Less Nessman studying news commentary from the Hindenburg crash to prep for the role.

Howard Hessman aka Johnny Fever as the perfect burnout DJ of the era.

Frank Bonner aka Herb's last-minute improv.

Gordon Jump as the Maytag man and the iconic line he took from his mother to end the episode that has become mainstream today.

Keven Undergaro

Regular Guy Friday Podcast