7/14/2008 11:08:21 PM

Who the heck suggested we want Christmas stories in July?

Gingaw

7/14/2008 11:47:10 PM

After years of listening exclusively to channel 164, I just realize that XM radfio has other channels!!
I am sooo tired of your "Chistmas in July" series (Jack Benny excluded).
See ya next Monday when you stop cramming your religious convictions down my throat. Gingaw

Gingaw

7/15/2008 1:24:03 AM

I look so forward to your "Christmas in July" week of Christmas themed programs. Im sorry that that some of your listeners are so opposed to this brief interlude of  peace,love,joy,wonder,hope and faith, especially at this time in our history when some people(not all,thankfully) have either forgotten or just given up on seeing this wonderful world for all that it could be. Christmas brings us together and for a brief time, at least, inspires us to believe that we can really work together to save the world. Thankyou for giving us this wonderful week of Christmas and all of the mystery and majesty it summons in the human heart and mind. J. Michaels

Jan Michaels

7/15/2008 3:15:40 AM

Greg,

Just wanted to say that (so far) I'm really enjoying my first "Christmas in July" with Radio Classics! I took a long lunch and listened to the back-to-back episodes of "Suspense" today -- both of which were new to me -- and I thoroughly enjoyed both episodes. Not your ordinary murder/death "Suspense" plots, to be sure. But so far I've not heard any signs of you "cramming your religious convictions down my throat," as Gingaw so delicately stated it. I must have missed that episode.

Anyway, keep up the great programming! I intend to enjoy this summertime holiday week to the fullest!

Thanks,
Kyle

PS - I was also very surprised to find how relevent the (non-Christmas) James Cagney episode of "Suspense" was this morning, almost sixty years after it first aired. I would venture to say that some high schools and other organizations would do well to play that episode to today's youths and young adults, just as Cagney suggested it be played back in '48.

Kyle Mc

7/15/2008 5:32:31 AM

THANK GOD IT'S CHRISTMAS IN JULY!!!

Our little christmas lights are set up on the side of the driveway. We got a turkey in the freezer WOOT!!

john

7/15/2008 7:11:05 AM

I look forward to your Christmas in July starting in February! Glad to hear it again this year!

Chris B

7/15/2008 6:35:30 PM

Wow, two shows actually brought tears to my eyes this week - STELLA DALLAS (thanks in part to Lou Silvers and "None But the Lonely Heart") and PHIL HARRIS - ALICE FAYE (when the real Santa "appears"). It was also great hearing Lillian Randolph sing on GILDY and Jim Jordan on FIBBER. Fibber does a beautiful rendition of "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" in HEAVENLY DAYS but I'd never heard him sing on the program before. Thanks as always!!

Ray Faiola

7/15/2008 7:26:23 PM

Normally I haven't been a fan of Christmas in July, however, after reading Gingaw's comments, I am now in FULL SUPPORT of it. Gingaw, I would suggest you toggle on over to 167 or the Daily Kos... you will be amongst your own there.

Jeff Foreman

7/15/2008 8:21:24 PM

Great balance of Christmas and non-Christmas shows this week, Greg. Your mention of new shows made me want to listen even more. I enjoy all the shows, but really like to hear new ones. One suggestion (for the whole year): could you color-code the schedule to indicate which shows are being aired for the first time on this channel? Again, thanks for the great job you do.

Terri

7/15/2008 8:44:30 PM

I have enjoyed, as usual, my first day of listening to the Christmas shows. With all due respect to Gingaw, that attitude is one of the reasons our entertainment industry is replete with the profane, anti-establishment, gutter material that plays to the audiences most base and crude instincts. This week and this channel has nothing to do with religion or bias, it has to do with respecting the art form of radio and appreciating the imagination of gifted writers, directors, sound effect technicians and outstanding actors who, for a short time, allow the listeners an opportunity to escape the trash of some of modern culture. Keep up the good work, Greg. Also, do you think the likes of Benjamin Kubelsky, Nathan Birnbaum, Mendel Berlinger, Fania Borach, Joseph Levitch or Julius Marx were "cramming" their religions down America's throat when they wished us all a "Merry Christmas"?

Frank

7/15/2008 10:27:50 PM

I listen to OTR 10 - 12 hours a day but can't take Chirstmas in July. I'll tune back in next week.

Chuck

7/16/2008 2:00:08 AM

i love christmas in july ty greg

no one is forceing anybody to listen to the xmas shows

that is why there are other xm channles

charles from new jersey

7/16/2008 2:29:52 AM

I think the Christmas shows are fun at any time. Thanks, Greg, for coming up with a reasonable compromise in the schedule. (And I'm glad you kept the "Christmasy" intros in the themed blocks. I love being startled by that when it's July! <G>) I'm enjoying all of the shows this week. Thanks again for such a great job!

G

7/16/2008 7:42:17 AM

The great thing about the Christmas shows is how they transcend the generations. My 7 and 4 year olds listened with us after dinner last night to the Jack Benny block, and nothing had to be explained. They get Christmas. Plus all of the shows are so much lighter...there's no rush to turn off the radio when Suspense comes on, because it's not going to be scary at Christmas.

I have to admit, though, my hubby and I had a hard time with the Elmer Fudd voice of Clarence in It's a Wonderful Life. I'll give it a few more chances this week, but the first time was pretty painful!

Kim

7/16/2008 8:03:14 AM

Greg I'm listening to the Jack Benny 2 hr block and it was great to hear Betty and Barney Rubble playing Mel and his wife in the first episode of the block. Enjoying the week so far. I get merrier everytime. Keep up the good work. Also like the mix, good choice that way everyone has something.

Glen

7/16/2008 5:49:18 PM

Greg, great balance of Christmas shows verse the regular programming. Cagney is great in Suspense. Vincent Price is awesome on Escape, and Barbara Stanwyck is as always a pleasure to hear on your station (I am in love with her). You are right in stating that if you skip this week, you will miss some excellent Non-Christmas programming. The weekly schedule would help people like Gingaw enjoy the Channel without having to hear…..How did she put it, OH YES: you stop cramming your religious convictions down my throat. I am sure she was just joking and just wanted some attention.

Your choice of Christmas shows this week has really filled me with the sprit. Like I have done the last 2 years, I am having a Bar-B-Q on Saturday with some Christmas lights up and OTR on my Radio for all to hear. I have gifted wrapped a present each for my wife, son, and daughter, and like good old Gildy, I have one wrapped for myself. Nowadays with prices going up on EVERYTHING, and saving for college for our kids or for some families just making enough to pay the monthly bill’s, we sometimes forget how good we really have it, and only recall it at Christmas time (or Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or what ever Holiday you celebrate at that time of year). For me, for this week, I am recalling it again because of OTR and you. What a Great Gift Greg.

So Greg, please feel free to cram your religious convictions down my throat.

Merry Christmas in July everyone

Bill

PS: When is the hour long Suspense episode: Earth Abides going to be played? This is a Radio Drama not to be missed Folks.

Bill

7/16/2008 6:25:54 PM

Great job on balancing the Christmas/ non-Christmas shows.. Even though I just don't care for the (usually syrupy) Christmas show format, I do not feel that playing such shows is trying to cram anything down my throat.. I do not believe that playing these shows is part of any political agenda.. If you don't like the shows simply change the channel.. You dont have to make silly accusations.. The Jack Benny's are so hysterical.. How is it that comedy that old can keep you laughing?? Great writing I guess.. Which is why this station is so important to us.. We get to hear great scripts with great actors..

Cheri

7/17/2008 12:34:07 PM

Ditto Ditto Ditto....
if you don't like it, head somewhere else on the dial!
Greg.... thank you. I wish we could have a full week of Christmas in July but the very few folks like 'Gingaw' are much more vocal than the rest of us. That's the only way they can affect society the way they do, regardless of the issue (hehe I'm tempted to think they just move from issue to issue since they don't really care what they protest just so they can protest something).

Anyway.. Christmas in July is awesome!!
I dont' think Chris B meant that he wants Christmas In July in February but rather that in February he starts looking forward TO Christmas in July..

Happy Christmas all!

John

john

7/17/2008 2:16:00 PM

I Guess no one has any ideas about how to correct this Gravatar icon issiue?

Bill

7/17/2008 11:45:29 PM

I listen to the Father Knows Best Christmas episode last night. I found it wonderfully sweet and a nice story anytime of the year. Keep you the great programming.
Jack Benny is always funny no matter what,so I just enjoyed hearing four in a row.

Patty

7/19/2008 5:16:00 AM

WOOT!!! Keep it up Greg

George

7/21/2008 6:09:06 AM

Greg,
As for myself and my family we LOVE Christmas in July. This year my wife found glee in telling me that it was "Christmas in July time again". I'm actually sad that it will be coming to an end soon. Just this morning she recited a few lines from a The Jack Benny show that i missed; something about jack inviting Mary under the mistletoe to find out if she had eaten' his candy cane?! She was laughing while telling me all about it, That kind of thing doesn't happen much with television episodes these days. Please continue the tradition for years to come, It's a little early taste of wonderful holiday.
Thanks again,
Jerry and Jennifer D.

Jerry D.

7/21/2008 11:49:56 AM

Hey, I resent that remark!

I'm a non-believer, a Daily Kos subscriber and an Air America listener and I loved the Christmas in July block. It didn't get too sappy and Greg's commentaries had no religious overtones that I could detect.

Christmas isn't just a Christian holiday any more, regardless of its original meanings - it's a holiday with a message that encompasses us secular humanists as well.

Great work on this block Greg - many laughs and a few "choked up a bit" moments as well.

Andy

Andy

7/22/2008 5:52:34 PM

Maybe, JUST MAYBE?? since this year we bowed to the naysayers, next year we can have a full week of Christmas in July??

john

7/23/2008 12:00:31 AM

Greg, no worries. I get your humor Although I did mean, I begin to look forward TO Christmas in July in Feb. Which is usually just about the time I begin to forget how much the previous Christmas wound up costing my wallet. All in all it was a great week of radio, and now I'm going to look forward to December. Cheers!

Chris B

11/20/2009 1:57:59 PM

Do you accept guest posts? I would love to write couple articles here.
I was wondering what is up with that weird gravatar??? I know 5am is early and I'm not looking my best at that hour, but I hope I don't look like this! I might however make that face if I'm asked to do 100 pushups. lol

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