Topic: Christmas

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open the Christmas special from Texas and Northern Silicon Valley. They discuss the linguistic shift from "Merry Christmas" to "Happy Christmas" and "Merry Holidays," with Dvorak noting local liberals using the latter. The hosts mention a "best of" compilation prepared by Sir Donald Winkler and touch upon "surveillance pricing" as a reason to delay holiday shopping.

A host recounts traveling to the United Kingdom for a PodShow UK Christmas dinner involving 25 to 30 staff members. He describes receiving a last-minute invitation to a one-off Led Zeppelin reunion concert and party scheduled for the same night as the staff event. The segment includes a archival clip of a "pod-safe" Christmas song recording featuring Cece Chapman and Jawbone.

The hosts critique the tradition of the Queen's Christmas speech in the United Kingdom, which airs annually at 3:00 PM. They describe the address as cold and impersonal, noting the use of electronic news gathering footage showing Prince Charles and his sons visiting children in Africa. The commentary highlights the perceived irony of royals advising the public on fulfillment through service while living on tax money.

A report from ABC News features TSA employees singing Christmas carols at Los Angeles International Airport to reduce traveler stress. The hosts mock the segment as a "Ministry of Truth" production designed to humanize the agency. They compare the TSA uniforms to historical "brown shirts" and criticize the performative nature of the singing.

Herman Van Rompuy, former President of the European Council, delivers a Christmas message in the form of a Dutch haiku. The poem translates to themes of silence, happiness, and "hoping for hope" between Christmas and the New Year. The hosts find the message confusing and joke about the directive for citizens to be silent to achieve happiness.

The hosts compare the American tradition of reading *The Night Before Christmas* with a Swedish story about a troll who wants to become human. The Swedish tale involves the troll learning that helping others is the key to humanity, which the hosts liken to a mix of *The Grinch* and *Pinocchio*. Dvorak provides a satirical reading of the classic American poem interspersed with references to "brown shirts."

The hosts discuss holiday safety, specifically the risk of hoverboards catching fire when parked under Christmas trees. They also reference a news report from Seattle regarding the popularity of marijuana as a stocking stuffer, including an $80 "comically large joint" that has become a top seller at local dispensaries.

A PBS NewsHour segment reveals that Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" was originally written as a parody. The deleted opening verse described a person sitting by a pool in Beverly Hills among orange and palm trees, dreaming of a snowy northern Christmas. The song only became a sentimental classic in 1942 when it resonated with American military personnel serving overseas during World War II.

Adam Curry describes the Dutch tradition of Sinterklaas, noting the character's thin appearance and red robes compared to the American Santa Claus. He explains the custom of drawing names for a gift exchange where presents are hidden in elaborate "surprises" (such as boxes of wood chips) and accompanied by anonymous poems. The segment also touches on neighborhood "house wars" involving competitive Christmas light displays.

A host recounts visiting Disneyland on Christmas Day, noting that the park was at maximum capacity and required the fire marshal to restrict entry. They describe how rides like the Haunted Mansion and "It's a Small World" receive complete holiday overhauls with new storylines and music. Other attractions, such as Pirates of the Caribbean and the Jungle Cruise, are decorated with seasonal props and Santa suits for the animals.

A report examines the political divide over holiday greetings, citing a PRRI poll where 66% of Democrats prefer "Happy Holidays" while 67% of Republicans prefer "Merry Christmas." The segment notes that Donald Trump campaigned on bringing back "Merry Christmas," though clips show Barack Obama used the phrase frequently during his presidency. The hosts argue the choice of greeting has become a proxy for religious and political identity.

The hosts discuss "Hanukkah Harry," a Santa-like character created for Jewish children to provide a parallel to Christmas traditions. They debate whether the character is a legitimate cultural fixture or a fictional invention popularized by media like *Saturday Night Live*. The conversation touches on how Jewish families navigate the dominant Christmas culture in America.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces the cancellation of Christmas plans for millions in the UK due to a rapidly spreading new variant of the coronavirus. The restrictions, implemented with very short notice, triggered a mass exodus from London. The hosts criticize the move and play clips of WHO officials advising against hugging family members during the holiday season.

A parody song titled "COVID Christmas" satirizes the pandemic response, mentioning "fear porn," "Freedom Passes," and the mRNA vaccine. The lyrics target figures like Anthony Fauci and Bill Gates, suggesting that science is being used to ensure compliance. The song highlights the contrast between open big-box stores and closed small businesses.

A traditional Dutch Christmas song called "Flappy," originally by Joep van der Hecke, tells the story of a boy's pet rabbit that disappears on Christmas morning only to be served as dinner. The hosts express surprise that American musician Todd Rundgren covered the "creepy" and "sick" song. They describe the dark humor inherent in the Dutch holiday classic.

An Australian health expert calls for a "healthier representation" of Santa Claus, arguing that his obesity promotes unhealthy eating habits. The expert suggests that professional Santas should lose weight to avoid associating the holiday with overindulgence and heart risk. The hosts express exhaustion with the constant policing of holiday traditions.

John Dvorak details his family's Christmas meal plans, which include a three-rib roast and a cellar full of wine. He mentions that his daughter Mimi is snowed in in South Dakota and unable to attend. Adam Curry shares that his wife is cooking a ham and bacon sourced from Nolo Check Meats.

Adam Curry mentions making "Double Dip Depression Slave Stew," a show staple, for the day after Christmas. John Dvorak explains that his family traditionally celebrates on January 1st, a custom he traces back to the 15th and 16th-century Tudors. They discuss the various dates and traditions their families observe during the season.

A "Christmas miracle" story from Utah involves the recovery of a stolen 1995 Acura Integra. A local man, Travis Christensen, spotted the car behind a building and contacted the owners after seeing a news report. The hosts present this as a rare "good news" story to balance the more cynical segments of the special.

The show concludes with a "Twelve Days of No Agenda" song featuring show-specific memes like "12 years before extinction" and "5 emotional support goats." The hosts credit Sir Donald Winkler for producing the special and reiterate the "value-for-value" funding model. They sign off with a reminder of their next live broadcast on Sunday.