It’s one of our favorite (holiday) episodes: Hip-hop legend Darryl “DMC” McDaniels riffs on his mega-hit “Christmas in Hollis”… TV’s “Naked Chef” Jamie Oliver injects some health into our holiday menu (okay, some butter remains)… Humorist Fran Lebowitz cuts through holiday sap with tart advice… Macklemore & Ryan Lewis craft a Yuletide playlist, featuring your crazy Uncle Larry… Plus, Santa’s whereabouts during the Iranian Revolution ,and re-remember holiday movies good and bad: “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and the infamous “Star Wars Holiday Special.”
A.C. Newman - 'Jedi Gifting'
A dad joke about "Star Wars'" most famous dad, from musician and New Pornographer (and dad) A. C. Newman.
Darryl 'DMC' McDaniels Riffs on 'Christmas in Hollis': 'We Had No Idea It Would Turn Into This'
Daryl McDaniels -- aka "D.M.C." of rap legends Run-D.M.C. -- is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, a comic book author, and most germane for our holiday show, he co-wrote his band's holiday hit "Christmas in Hollis." He recalls how the song came about and how it almost never came to be.
Maz Jobrani Tells a Tale of Two Holidays
Comic Maz Jobrani has performed on stages from the Middle East to the Middle West. His debut book is called, "I'm Not a Terrorist, but I've Played One on TV: Memoirs of a Middle Eastern Funny Man." The comedian looks back at a time when his Iranian parents had little patience for a chubby, red-suited, white-bearded man from the edge of the earth.
Jamie Oliver Injects Some Health Into Our Holiday Menu
Jamie Oliver started his career as a boyish chef who became an international star with a series of hit British cooking shows. He's got restaurants all over the world and has long led the campaign to make school lunches healthier. His new book, "Everyday Super Food," is full of quick, nutritious recipes. He looks back with Rico at the special that launched his career, then shares a few healthy, delicious holiday dishes... and one super unhealthy one.
Beverly D'Angelo Breaks Down Clark Griswold's Epic Meltdown in 'Christmas Vacation'
"National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" came out in 1989 and it's now considered a holiday classic. The movie follows the Griswold family as their patriarch Clark (played by Chevy Chase) tries to host the perfect Christmas, but is foiled by in-laws, mean bosses, and wild animals. Beverly shares a behind-the-scenes tale about one of the movie's most iconic moments.
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis Craft a Yuletide Playlist
Hip-hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis rode their smash hit “Thrift Shop” to the top of Billboard’s rap charts, their album The Heist has been one of the most popular in the country, and now, the ultimate honor: they tell our listeners what to listen to. The hip-hop hitmakers offer up a holiday soundtrack… featuring David Bowie’s "Labyrinth."
How Fran Lebowitz Saved Christmas!
Fran Lebowitz's sardonic wit first cropped up in columns for Andy Warhol's "Interview" magazine. Then she published the acclaimed essay collections "Social Studies" and "Metropolitan Life." Those books are compiled in a collection called "The Fran Lebowitz Reader," which is out now on audiobook. She answers listeners' etiquette questions on ugly holiday sweaters, annoying family gatherings, and more.
Bruce Vilanch Attempts to Defend the 'Star Wars Holiday Special'
Bruce Vilanch has had a storied career as a joke writer for performers from Bette Midler to Robin Williams and has six Emmys to his name. He also spent four years as a regular on "The Hollywood Squares" and appeared on Broadway in the musical "Hairspray". Listen as the comedian tries his best to shed light on the insane choices made to create what one critic has dubbed, "The worst two hours of television ever."
Laurie Anderson Brings Us Yuletide Cheer in the Form of a Rat Terrier
A few weeks back, Laurie Anderson told us about her film "Heart of A Dog." Which, among other things, is about her relationship with her late rat terrier, Lolabelle. The dog turned out to be musically gifted.
