Rhett Miller (Old 97s)

Rhett Miller of the Old 97s swaps Christmas songs with Arnie. Songs from The Ramones, Big Star and Toots and the Maytals. Creator and Host: Arnie Niekamp Follow him on Bluesky or Instagram or send an Email the show at [email protected]: Rhett MillerProducer and Editor: Garrett SchultzArtwork: Allard LabanOpening Theme Music: Andy PolandSong Playlists:Playlist of all the songs for this episode hereI Don't Know What Christmas Is (But Christmastime is Here) - Old 97sSeason's Greetings - Cix BitsFalalalalove Ya - Nikki LaneMerry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight) - RamonesHe's Stuck in the Chimney Again - Jon Rauhouse Orchestra, Rachel FlotardMake You Mine This Season (Happiest Season) - Tegan and SaraJesus Christ - Big StarHappy Christmas - Toots & The Maytals867-5309 / Jenny (Christmas Version) - Tommy TutoneMary Had a Baby - Bruce CockburnThe growing list of accepted Christmas songs hereChristmas-ellaneous: all the songs lovingly rejected so far hereVideos:I Don’t Know What Christmas Is (But Christmastime Is Here) from the Guardians of the Galaxy Christmas Special hereSupport No Skip Christmas with a tip of any size: Support Arnie Niekamp

Paul F Tompkins and Janet Varney swap Christmas songs with Arnie. Songs from T Rex, John Prine, the Everly Brothers and more. Also a Christmas mystery from Janet.Creator and Host: Arnie Niekamp Follow him on Bluesky or Instagram or send an Email the show at [email protected]:Paul F TompkinsMore info on seeing Paul live with Varietopia and other shows: http://paulftompkins.com/liveJanet VarneyGet more info on SF Sketchfest 2026: SF Sketchfest - The San Francisco Comedy FestivalCheck out Janet’s podcast E Pluribus Motto: E Pluribus Motto | Maximum FunProducer and Editor: Garrett SchultzArtwork: Allard LabanOpening Theme Music: Andy PolandSong Playlists:Playlist of all the songs for this episode hereChristmas Will Be Just Another Lonely Day - Brenda LeeChristmas Eve Can Kill You - The Everly Brothers2000 Miles - PretendersChristmas Bop - T. RexAin't No Chimneys in the Projects - Sharon Jones & The Dap-KingsChristmas in Prison - John PrineA Musical Christmas Card: O Christmas Tree/The Sleigh - Fred Waring & The PennsylvaniansGod Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen: Big Band Version - Jimmy SmithWinter Wonderland - Count Basie OrchestraThe growing list of accepted Christmas songs hereChristmas-ellaneous: all the songs lovingly rejected so far hereVideos:Silent Night by Janet and Paul (along with Jonathan Coulton and Eban Schletter): Silent NightJohn Gorka’s I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day: John Gorka - I Heard the Bells on Christmas DaySupport No Skip Christmas with a tip of any size: Support Arnie Niekamp

The hosts of the Eurovangelists podcast (Jeremy Bent, Oscar Montoya and Dimitry Pompée) swap Christmas songs with Arnie. Warning: This episode has an Explicit tag for strong language during the last two songs. That said, there is a warning in the episode when those songs come up.Creator and Host: Arnie Niekamp Follow him on Bluesky or Instagram or send an Email the show at [email protected]:Jeremy BentOscar MontoyaDimitry PompéeCheck out their great podcast Eurovangelists, covering Eurovision Song Contest developments present and past.The episode of Eurovangelists that Arnie guested on is here.Check out Jeremy’s podcast Mission to Zyxx, including the new prequel miniseries The Young Old Derf Chronicles.Producer and Editor: Garrett SchultzArtwork: Allard LabanOpening Theme Music: Andy PolandSong Playlists:Playlist of all the songs for this episode hereFeliz Navidad - José FelicianoBirthday Card at Christmas - Jethro TullMary’s Boy Child - Boney M.Back Door Santa - Clarance CarterSleigh Ride - The VenturesEl Burrito Sabanero - La RondallitaHaving Grandma Here for Christmas - SubwoolferDon’t Start Without Me (2019 Radio Edit) - The FizzChristmas Wrapping - The WaitressesA Christmas Duel - The Hives, Cyndi LauperHo Ho Ho - TEYA, SALENAI’m Growing a Beard Downstairs from Christmas (feat. The Beards) - Kate Miller-HeidkeThe growing list of accepted Christmas songs hereChristmas-ellaneous: all the songs lovingly rejected so far hereSupport No Skip Christmas with a tip of any size: Support Arnie Niekamp

Hrishikesh Hirway (Song Exploder) swaps Christmas songs with Arnie. Their lists are VERY different. Songs from the Vienna Boy’s Choir, Dr. Dog, a “witch house” band and more.Creator and Host: Arnie Niekamp Follow him on Bluesky or Instagram or send an Email the show at [email protected]: Hrishikesh HirwayHrishi's Home Cooking podcast with Samin NosratHrishi’s ep of Hello from the Magic TavernProducer and Editor: Garrett SchultzArtwork: Allard LabanOpening Theme Music: Andy PolandSong Playlists:Playlist of all the songs for this episode hereThe Little Drummerboy - Vienna Boys’ ChoirChristmas Cookies - George StraitHave Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Judy GarlandSweet Gingerbread Man - Sammy Davis Jr.King Night - SALEMPanpepato - Dr. DogMishima (Bob’s Burgers Arrangement) - Philip Glass, Bob’s Burgers, Courtney Swain, John Dylan KeithMiss Fogarty’s Christmas Cake - The Irish RoversO Holy Night (Arr. John Rutter) - Adolphe Adam, Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, Stephen CleoburyThe growing list of accepted Christmas songs hereChristmas-ellaneous: all the songs lovingly rejected so far hereYouTube videos:bobs burgers s13e10 full xmas xylophone songMuppet Songs: Sweet Gingerbread Man (Ed Sullivan)That cookie we mentioned at the end is apparently available hereSupport No Skip Christmas with a tip of any size: Support Arnie Niekamp

Musical improvisers Zach and Jess swap Christmas songs with Arnie. Songs from Justin Bieber, the Chieftains, Kermit the frog and more. Creator and Host: Arnie Niekamp Follow him on Bluesky or Instagram or send an Email the show at [email protected]: Jessica McKenna and Zach ReinoListen to Off Book: The Improvised Musical or check out thezachandthejess.com!Producer and Editor: Garrett SchultzArtwork: Allard LabanOpening Theme Music: Andy PolandSong Playlists:Playlist of all the songs for this episode hereWe Need a Little Christmas - The New Christy MinstrelsDrummer Boy - Justin Bieber, Busta RhymesSkating - Vince Guaraldi TrioDisco Santa Claus - The Rain DollsOne More Sleep ’til Christmas - KermitThe Boar’s Head - The ChieftainsChristmas at the Airport - Nick LoweCome on! Let’s Boogey to the Elf Dance! - Sufjan StevensDominick the Donkey (The Italian Christmas Donkey) - Lou MonteThe growing list of accepted Christmas songs hereChristmas-ellaneous: all the songs lovingly rejected so far hereSupport No Skip Christmas with a tip of any size: Support Arnie Niekamp

Rapper Mega Ran swaps Christmas songs with Arnie to see what makes his playlist. Songs from Outkast, Run DMC, Weird Al and more.Creator and Host: Arnie Niekamp Follow him on Bluesky or Instagram or send an Email the show at [email protected]: Mega RanProducer and Editor: Garrett SchultzArtwork: Allard LabanOpening Theme Music: Andy PolandSong Playlists:Playlist of all the songs for this episode hereSnow Business - Mega Ran, LeftyThe Nutcracker Suite (Remastered 1996) - Les Brown & His Band of RenownPlayer’s Ball (Christmas Radio Mix) - OutkastDon’t Believe in Christmas - The SonicsChristmas in Hollis - Run-D.M.C.Kissin’ By the Mistletoe - Aretha FranklinSilent Night - The TemptationsChristmas at Ground Zero - “Weird Al” YankovicThe growing list of accepted Christmas songs hereChristmas-ellaneous: all the songs lovingly rejected so far hereYouTube videos [this songs is currently unavailable on Spotify]:The Futureheads - Christmas Was Better In The 80sSupport No Skip Christmas with a tip of any size: Support Arnie Niekamp

Musicians Jonathan Coulton and Paul and Storm swap Christmas songs with Arnie to see what makes his playlist. Songs from Aimee Mann, Louis Armstrong, Eagles and more.Creator and Host: Arnie Niekamp Follow him on Bluesky or Instagram or send an Email the show at [email protected]: Jonathan Coulton and Paul and StormGet info and tickets for JoCo Cruise!Producer and Editor: Garrett SchultzArtwork: Allard LabanOpening Theme Music: Andy PolandSong Playlists:Playlist of all the songs for this episode hereWonderful Christmastime - Paul McCartneyYou’re a Mean Once Mr. Grinch - Aimee MannPlease Come Home from Christmas - EaglesI Believe in Father Christmas (Without Orchestra) - Emerson, Lake & PalmerNuttin’ for Christmas - Art Mooney, Barry GordonNuttin’ for Christmas - Smash Mouth, Rosie O’DonnellChristmas Night in Harlem (Single Version) - Louis Armstrong, Benny CarterSame Old Lang Syne - Dan FogelbergChristmas in Jail - The BobsSanta Claus is Comin’ to Town (Live at C.W. Post College, Greenvale, NY, December 1975) - Bruce SpringsteenSanta Claus is Coming to Town - Bobby RodriguezThe growing list of accepted Christmas songs hereChristmas-ellaneous: all the songs lovingly rejected so far hereYouTube videos [these songs are currently unavailable on Spotify]:Electronic Santa Claus by Blazer ForceWhat Do You Get a Wookie for Christmas (When He Already Owns a Comb?)Support No Skip Christmas with a tip of any size: Support Arnie Niekamp

Arnie and Helen Zaltzman (The Allusionist, Answer Me This) swap Christmas songs to see what does and doesn’t go on their Christmas playlists. We discuss how American and UK Christmas music is different. And at least one of Arnie’s song choices makes Helen say, “Why?”Creator and Host: Arnie Niekamp Follow him on Bluesky or Instagram or send an Email the show at [email protected]: Helen ZaltzmanCheck out The Allusionist and Answer Me ThisProducer and Editor: Garrett SchultzArtwork: Allard LabanOpening Theme Music: Andy PolandSong Playlists:Playlist of all the songs for this episode here(Everybody’s Waitin’ For) The Man with the Bag (Remastered 1996) - Kay StarrI Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - WizzardLonely This Christmas - MudThe Christmas - Donny HathawayOnly You - The Flying PicketsStop the Cavalry - Joan LewieStay Another Day - East 17Santa’s Comic’ In a Whirly Bird - Gene AutryChristmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End) - The DarknessMerry Christmas Everyone - Shakin’ StevensChristmas Trumpets/We Wish You a Very Merry Christmas (1996 Remaster)- Ray AnthonyThe growing list of accepted Christmas songs hereChristmas-ellaneous: all the songs lovingly rejected so far hereYouTube Videos:Wizzard - I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every DayMud - Lonely This ChristmasFlying Picket - Only You (on Top of the Pops)Jona Lewie - Stop the CavalryEast 17 - Stay Another DayThe Darkness - Don’t Let the Bells EndAdditional Materials:A playlist of Allusionist Christmas episodesA recent Answer Me This Christmas episodeSupport No Skip Christmas with a tip of any size: Support Arnie Niekamp

Arnie and Justin McElroy (My Brother My Brother & Me, The Adventure Zone) swap Christmas songs to see what does and doesn’t go on their Christmas playlists. Songs from Pearl Baily, Ariana Grande, Bill Murray and more.Creator and Host: Arnie Niekamp Follow him on Bluesky or Instagram or send an Email the show at [email protected]: Justin McElroyProducer and Editor: Garrett SchultzArtwork: Allard LabanOpening Theme Music: Andy PolandSong Playlists:Playlist of all the songs for this episode hereA Holly Jolly Christmas - Burl IvesFive Pound Box of Money - Pearl BaileyJust Like Christmas - LowSanta Tell Me - Ariana GrandeDear Santa (Bring Me a Man This Christmas) [Pt.1] - The Weather GirlsWinter Man - Clarence ReidDecember (Based on “September”) - Earth, Wind & FireAlone on Christmas Day - Phoenix, Bill Murray, Buster Poindexter, Jason Schwartzmann, Paul ShafferO Holy Night - Barenaked LadiesThe growing list of accepted Christmas songs hereChristmas-ellaneous: all the songs lovingly rejected so far hereAdditional Materials:Demi Adejuyigbe’s September videos playlistSupport No Skip Christmas with a tip of any size: Support Arnie Niekamp