What’s the history of Black Friday?

Hmm, where should we hang the garland? What do you think, Ryan Perez, Million Bazillion's host extraordinaire? Well, Joy Dolo, legendary host of forever ago, what if we put it over the window? Or we could hang it in the doorway. Excellent idea, Bridget Bodner, Million Bazillion's other equally fantastic host. Hi, Joy. Hi, Ryan. Hi, Bridget. Hey!

petra my latest superstar co-host of forever ago perfect timing would you mind helping me joy dolo irreplaceable host of forever ago and ryan perez and bridget bodner uber talented hosts of million bazillion hang up this Garland? Sure, I'll help you, but why are you saying their names like that? With titles and everything. We all know each other. We literally all just had Thanksgiving dinner together.

I know, but us hosts have to get into the festive spirit and prepare for the next big holiday. Here, take this garland. This is just a long extension cord with a bunch of microphones dangling on it. Exactly. Could you pass me the tape, please? Sure thing. Here you go. Why are you decorating? What holiday is next? Only the best holiday around. Diwali? Nope. Hanukkah?

Guess again. Christmas? Not quite. It's almost podcast host appreciation day. A special day where podcast hosts finally get to be the center of attention. Finally? You are literally the stars of your own shows. But I guess that explains the microphone, Garland. What else do you do on Podcast Host Appreciation Day?

Oh, all sorts of riveting podcast things. Instead of singing carols, we do vocal exercises like this. The tip of the tongue, the teeth, the lips. Eight gray geese in a greenfield grazing. Grab the groundhog from the glazed grass. We play pin the headphones on the producer. They love that.

And my favorite part of Podcast Host Appreciation Day is the game Mysterious Microphone. It's when everyone draws a random podcast host and you have to get them a gift like Secret Santa, but for extremely charming podcast hosts. That's fun. Who did you get for Mysterious Microphone this year? Well, if I told you, it wouldn't be very mysterious now, would it? Yeah, I couldn't possibly say. I got Ryan. Shh, don't tell him.

Joy, did you say something? Oh, nothing. If you say so, let's just say the person who receives my mysterious microphone gift is very lucky because I'm an excellent gift giver. Right, Bridget? It's true. Ryan got me a custom can opener last year, and it nearly moved me to tears. I'll cherish it forever. And that can opener was half off. I'm great at finding gifts and deals.

Speaking of gifts, I still need to get my mysterious microphone gift. There's only one solution to them all. Let's go. See you later, million bazillion hosts Bridget and Ryan. Later. Toodles. Hi, I'm Joy Dolo, here with my co-host Petra from Hollywood, Maryland. Hi, Joy. Today is extra special. That's right, because it's the great forever ago and million bazillion crossover from APM Studios and Marketplace.

The first half of this episode will be Forever Ago, the history show where we explore the four. And the second half will catch up with Bridget and Ryan from Million Bazillion, the show that helps dollars make more sense.

But first, we have very important business. We have to find the perfect mysterious microphone gift for Ryan. And we came to the only place you can get gifts, a rolling suitcase, chili cheese fries, and orthopedic shoes in one trip. The mall. Lucky for us, there are tons of sales going on. It's almost Black Friday. Black Friday is the big shopping day that happens every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

There are always lots of big sales and deals on Black Friday. And tons of people shop on this day to get gifts for upcoming holiday seasons. To get the absolute best deals, some people line up hours before stores open and some stores see huge crowds. Petra, have you ever gone shopping on Black Friday? So my mom really likes to get the best deals on the internet but I haven't really gone.

To the store on Black Friday. Oh, do you think you ever would? Would you be one of those people that got there super early and camped out? I don't think so. Are you a morning person? No, I am not a morning person. And especially after you have like a whole bunch of turkey and stuff like the day before, then you're going to wake up or like stay awake. Like, I don't know if it's worth it for like a TV or something. Do you like to shop at all?

I do like to shop, but my mom says that we can always get the better deals online. You know, me and your mom have a lot in common. I do that too. But if money wasn't an object, if you were... 30 years old and you hosted a podcast and you had all the money you wanted. Would you shop all the time? Definitely. Is there something that you like to shop for?

I really like shopping for toys and Christmas presents. I just want to get everything. So if you, I mean, if you felt like your mom, like what kind of deals would it take for you to get up at the crack of dawn to go wait in line for something? Uh, maybe like if it was like a book series that was like new and there were new books that were coming out in the book series and you could get the whole book series for the price of like two or three books.

That is a I would do that as well. Oh, my gosh. I remember doing that when I was younger. And like I would go and like wait in line for like the Harry Potter books and stuff when they were coming out. And I was like, that's cool. Yeah. Yeah. Because it was like you wanted to be the first one because people read it and then they.

talk about it and you don't want to like, you don't want them to ruin it for you, you know? So you got to get there, but I agree with you. Crack of dawn for a book. I'm there with you.

Do you know like what the best gift that you've ever given and the best gift that you've ever received? for the best gift i've ever received i really like panda stuff and like all my friends and family and my family friends they know that i like panda stuff so for my birthday and for christmas they just give me panda stuff so panda

pajamas, panda purses, panda bags, panda stuffed animals, panda crafts, like everything. Panda pajamas. That's amazing. Yeah. And then for the best gift I've ever given. So I like to make homemade stuff for presents and last year I bought these like snow globes And I made snow globes with, like, glitter. I didn't add water, though, because that would be too much. But, like, I made, like, little felt sculptures inside the snow globe. Oh, my goodness. And then I put, like...

I put glitter inside them. Well, that's pretty cool. I'd love to get a snow globe. Oh, Ryan would love a snow globe of his own. That'd be so cool. I'll take that into consideration while I'm looking for Ryan's gift. Speaking of, do you think this rubber chicken says, Ryan, you're a great podcast host? Uh, maybe not. Ah, you're right. That's really more of a 50-year anniversary gift. I'll keep my eyes peeled. Joy, I'm...

I'm curious, do you know why we call it Black Friday? Like, where did this mega shopping day even come from? That's a great question. For well over a hundred years, the weeks following Thanksgiving have been popular times for holiday shopping. in the U.S. Lots of folks flocked to stores to get gifts for friends and family. That makes sense. There are so many holidays in December.

But the name Black Friday actually started in Philadelphia many decades ago. Here, Petra, let's put on these headphones and I'll show you what I mean. Wow, they're hot pink and have rhinestones? Are we about to listen to a podcast? Even better, if you can believe it. These aren't just any headphones. They're time-traveling headphones. Let's go!

Welcome to the 1950s. Black and white televisions are in most people's homes in America. A new theme park called Disneyland has just opened, and rock and roll music is taking over from coast to coast, including here in Philadelphia. Wow, Philly is full of traffic today. Is there a big event or something? Is Elvis in town? Did somebody say Elvis? Oh my gosh! Wow, it's like a Swifty from the 50s.

Totally. And sorry, Elvis is not in town. Common misunderstanding. What do you mean there's no Elvis? You cruising for a bruising, Buster? All right, all right. Move along, buddy boy. And you too with the pink headphones. Keep moving. Come on, shoot. Keep moving. Excuse me, officer, but we're here to observe history. Oh, sorry. Well, in that case, I guess you can stay. In the name of history.

As I was saying, there are so many people visiting Philadelphia not because of Elvis, but because there's a big football game tomorrow. That's right. Every year, people come to Philly to watch the Army-Navy football game. On the Saturday following Thanksgiving, a team of U.S. Army members play against a team from the U.S. Navy. It draws big crowds to the city. Especially on the Friday before the game.

Every year. It's pure chaos. All us cops in Philly have to work extra long hours that day. And no officer is allowed to take that day off. That sounds exhausting. It is. That's why we started calling it Black Friday. It's a dark day full of tourists, loud football fans, and team spirit just everywhere. So that's where the name Black Friday came from. It was a nickname police gave the very hectic day before the big football game. But what does that have to do with shopping?

Even though Black Friday was an awful work day for the police, it was a really popular day for shopping. That's because all of the people visiting town for the game would end up buying things for the upcoming holiday season. Think about it. already in the big city for the football game, and you need gifts. So why not hit up some stores, too? Hey, watch it! We've got some people observing history over here! I am so sorry. Please continue.

Maybe we should go. I agree. It's been fun, Philly, in the 50s. Past Adelphia. Bygone city of brotherly love. But we got some shopping to do. Catch you on the flippy sidey flip flip.

And just like that, we're back in the present and back at the mall. That was fun, so the name Black Friday came from the Philadelphia police in the 1950s. Who knew? Random right? And even though this was a successful day for store owners, some people didn't like the name. They worried people still associated it with chaos and negativity. I mean, it even just sounds menacing. Black Friday.

That makes sense. It's how the Philly cops thought of it. Exactly. So some store owners tried to change the name to Big Friday, but it never stuck. The shopping holiday didn't catch on until almost 40 years later, when more stores... across the country started using the name Black Friday to have huge sales of their own. Now Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

It's true. There are also tons of online deals and sales around this time of year too. But lots of people still do their Black Friday shopping in person. And over the years, as the deals got better, people got more and more competitive about selling. snagging the best ones. Right that's how you end up with long lines outside stores before they even open. People want to grab the best deals before they're sold out. The pros bring folding chairs to sit on and food to snack on while they wait.

Yeah, like over there. Just look at that line at the Monster Truck fan club store. It stretches all the way to the food court. And the store isn't even open until tomorrow morning. Shucks! Ryan Perez, co-host of Million Bazillion, really loves monster trucks. But there's no way I'm waiting in that line until tomorrow morning. Hmm, what to do? Think, Joy Dolo, host of Forever Ago. Think!

What if we shared a comically large pretzel and brainstormed? That's a deal, especially if we have some mustard. And for you listening at home, the show will be back with more from Million Bazillion right after this. Brains on Universe is a family of podcasts for kids and their adults. Since you're a fan of Forever Ago, we know you'll love the other shows in our universe. Come on, let's explore. Forever ago, I'm their biggest fan. I also love brains on.

A fun science podcast for kids. Listen, I will play you brains on. You will love. Today we're going to turn our attention to bloodsuckers that do exist. Some of them you've probably heard of, like mosquitoes, ticks, and lice. But others might surprise you. Like, did you know that some... Birds drink blood? Zork! Where did the signal go? Must find Brains On now! Listen to Brains On wherever you get your podcasts.

Bridget! Bridget! What's that knocking? Who's that knocking at my door? Ryan? It's 1am. What are you doing here? Bridget! We gotta get in line for the Black Friday deal so we can win this competition! What? Remember the Podcast Host Appreciation Day competition, where we randomly select the name of another podcast host and give that person a present. I randomly selected Joy Dolo, the host of Forever Ago. I have to get her a very good gift. We have to win Podcast Host Appreciation Day.

Association day. Million bazillion is going to look unprofessional if we fumble this. So put on your coat. We're getting in line early for the sales. Okay. Well, first of all, it's the night of Thanksgiving. I was in the middle of a nice turkey-induced sleep. My whole family's here. They're staying overnight. Bridget, it's time you wake up and get with the program and put work before family. No one has ever regretted doing that.

Okay, I'm pretty sure that is the thing people regret most in life. And also, these sort of gift exchanges are just like fun things for people in offices to do. It's not a competition. This is a holiday weekend.

I just want to be with the people I love, eat some good food, maybe catch up on some sleep. That's not what the holidays are about. They're about fighting and winning at the store where you're buying presents. Grab your coat. I'll be waiting in the car. He's not going to leave unless I go with him. Okay, let's do it. Hey kids, welcome to the great Million Bazillion and Forever Ago crossover episode! We're the Million Bazillion hosts, I'm Ryan.

And I'm Bridget, and we help dollars make more sense. Bridget, it's Black Friday, the official kickoff of the holiday shopping season. The time of year some stores make their biggest profits. Put some enthusiasm into it. Here, have a coffee, or two, or three. Hey, I'm... brought a big carafe for the whole line. Oh, whoops. Sorry, I already drank it all by myself. Anyway, we're waiting here in line or online.

Inline? Online? How do you say it? Sound off in the comments. I don't even know. Anyway, we're here in line outside Save Mart Superstore for their annual Black Friday sale. When the doors open at 4 a.m., we'll be the first to go through and scoop up incredible deals and fabulous sales on the hottest electronics. toys, kitchenware, and home decor. Ryan, I really think you should just buy Joy a small and thoughtful gift for like...

like a framed photo of her pet elephant Hermie or a podcasting charm for her charm bracelet. I honestly think it'll be awkward if you give her something super expensive.

Agree to disagree, Bridget. Boy, isn't it so nice of these stores to discount all this stuff just in time for the holiday season? Well, I mean, stores aren't offering these discounts out of the kindness of their retail hearts. Wait a minute. They're not? What are you saying?

Well, there are a lot of reasons people start shopping in November and December for gifts. Christmas, Hanukkah, obviously podcast host appreciation day. And stores know this, so they put on big sales trying to draw customers in and get those customer dollars. that's created a bunch of traditions around how we shop this time of year, including on Black Friday. Okay, everybody, doors are open. All right, out of my way!

Come on, come on. Let me in there. Go straight to the TVs. All right, let's run in. Hurry, hurry, hurry. Ryan, stop. Breathe. Slow down. Slow down. But I want to get in there right away and start buying as soon as possible. Haven't you seen the 1996 cinematic masterpiece Jingle All the Way starring Arnold Schwarzenegger? I don't want to get caught fighting over the last turbo man on the shelf. Of course.

But this isn't jingle all the way. There isn't a Turbo Man-like toy flying off the shelves. There's no need to rush. You need to control your behavior. Breathe. We're going to walk around the store, we're going to look at what they have, and we're going to make good, smart, calm decisions. Special deals? We'll see about that.

It's my favorite consumer advocate, Brenda Hammer from Scam Slammers. What are you doing here? I thought you only covered scams and flams and shams. I'm here because wherever there are deals and steals, there are going to be some deals that are not such a steal. for the consumer oh yeah i guess that makes sense it rhymes too that's a plus

Also, it's my tradition. I've covered Black Friday for the last 40 years. Every year, I wake up before dawn to get B-roll of busy shoppers for my evening report. Can't you just use the same B-roll from last year? No. That would be a sham. See, the shoppers may be showing up for deals, but those deals aren't the whole story. They're not? No. retailers put a lot of thought into their holiday sales. And as savvy consumers, we got to understand that game. Well, I'm ready to learn more, Brenda.

Bridget, this is exactly how we win the mysterious microphone portion of Podcast Host Appreciation Day. Shopping savvy. It's not a competition. So first of all, the biggest deal of the store is going to be something big and flashy. Something retailers know shoppers can't resist. Something like a fancy computer or TV on deep, deep sale. Ooh, they've got a TV deal going right now. Tell me more. That's what's called a loss leader, meaning...

The store might actually lose money on this item, but they don't care. It's all part of their plan to get you into the store. They just want to get you here feeling ready to shop. The TV is like the worm on the hook. It's bait. Ew, what? Are we the fish? Blub blub. Yes, you are.

Once you're in the store loading up on your half-priced TV, the retailer knows you're going to be looking around at what other holiday shopping needs you can cross off your list. So you look around and you think, my Aunt Marina's going to love this vacuum cleaner. I'm here. here and I'll get it. It doesn't matter that it's not on sale at all. And boom, it worked. Fish on a hook. The store's initial loss has led to a profit.

Loss leader. Oh, yeah, a loss leader. I've heard that's what every single streaming service is. Speaking of streaming, you should also be on the lookout for something I like to call bundling. Bundling. Bundling is when stores put one item on sale knowing that when you get into the store, they're going to show you how great this one item looks as a set. Like, look over there at that rolly suitcase those two grown men in pajamas are fighting over.

Give me the suitcase. I call dibs. But I touched it first. Tag beats dibs. Ooh, that's embarrassing for them. I know. Who wears bunny slippers out of the house? The store is hoping that when you see the discounted suitcase next to the matching backpack and carry-on luggage, you're going to say to yourself, yeah, Uncle Joe is going to think I'm a real swell kid for getting him the whole set.

I'm already saving so much money on the suitcase, the rest are practically paid for. Joy seems like the kind of person who would enjoy a matching luggage set. Maybe I should try to get it. Hey, guys, I'll arm wrestle you for it. And boom, fish on a hook. oh and by the way some of these sales are on stuff the store couldn't sell at full price earlier in the year stuff no one really wanted to buy

Now they've got a golden opportunity to unload. They call it a door buster. And boom, fish on the hook. Brenda, what if the store runs out of good deals? How much should I be panicking right now that I'll miss the best deal in the store because we're standing here chatting? Look, Ryan. I can promise you this, the store will run out of good deals before the end of the holiday shopping season. But as the mellifluous Doris Day once crooned, Que sera, sera!

Now's not the time for your fancy French phrases, Brenda. It means what will be, will be. The stores know as much as anyone that some of us like to shop early. Get the deals and the steals, then spend the rest of the holidays drinking hot cocoa with extra many marshmallows. They're going to tempt those folks into the stores with the biggest deals earlier in the season. But for those lagged Lenny's out there, shopping on that last week...

before Christmas when the stakes are high and the deals are pretty much gonna be gone. The stores know you can't come home empty-handed. You'll be paying full price for whatever you pick out for your cousin Betty. Well, that's not gonna be us. Thanks for all your help, Brenda. I've got a podcasting colleague to shop for now. Oh yeah, and good luck with your reporting. I don't need luck. I've got decades of experience and an exit plan for every room I enter.

Stay smart, you two. Thanks, Brenda. You know what, Ryan? I think we need to take a little pause and make a game plan ourselves, but for all this holiday shopping we need to do. I have a plan, Bridget. It's to buy Joy the most fabulous, expensive thing I can, and if I need to... Max out my credit card to do that, I will. So help me, I will. No, Ryan. Pull yourself together. Look.

The first step is awareness. Don't get caught up in the excitement. Take your time. Let's just remember that everything the stores are doing is about convincing us to spend more of our money with them. Right, right. This intense urge to buy Joy a mini-fridge she can keep at her desk is all just a twisted plot on behalf of Save Mart. Okay, number two.

We are going to make a plan or a budget for how much we're going to spend. Figure out who you're buying for and then an idea of what you want to get for them. We don't want to get caught up in like the holiday spirit in the store and get FOMO and make a bunch of rash buying decisions.

Cash ointment, 60% off. Possible gift for joy. We probably should have started this part before Black Friday, but it's always good to do some research so you're smart about what's a good price and quality. Oh, sure. I'll keep that in mind for next year. But for this year, what about we...

Yeah, Joey, a gold bar. I bet she'd like that. She's a history buff. Actually, Ryan, that's my last point. Before you think about deals and sales, think about what's important to the person you're buying for. What do they value? Maybe they'd really like to spend more time with you, or they'd really treasure something handmade. Think about all this before you go into the store. Maybe you're right, Bridget. These all sound like great ideas. What?

There's a sale on a 4K Viewmore supersonic smart TV for $1,358. It usually goes for $4,000. Okay, I don't think you need to get, Joy, a $4,000 TV. It's not a $4,000 TV. It's a one. $1,358 TV. Yeah, but I don't think you need to buy a TV. Either way is my point. Let me just put it in the cart. I'm going to put it in the cart and we can decide later, okay? Okay.

And while we're here, I might as well get these stocking stuffers for my beloved cat, Skimbleshanks. Oh boy, these kitty boots aren't cheap, but I'm already here at the store and... Yeah, let's do it. He's going to love him. Oh, boy. The lost leader strikes again.

And here we are back in the studio. I've called an emergency meeting at the office to exchange our gifts. This feels like the longest I have ever been awake. I can't wait to go home, put on my pajamas, maybe put on the rest of Jingle All the Way and just fall asleep to it.

But first, we're going to do the thing you've all been waiting for, the big meetup with the Forever Ago team to see who will win Podcast Host Appreciation Day. It's not a competition, Ryan. I know, I know. Hey, look, Joy's here. Time to see who got the better gift. Hi, Bridget and Ryan. Happy Thanksgiving weekend. Hi, Petra. Hey, Joy. Good to see you. How are the rest of your Thanksgiving celebrations?

Oh, so fun. First, we went to the mall. Then we put on time-traveling headphones and almost got into a scuffle over Elvis. But in the end, we learned that the name Black Friday started thanks to a football game. Then we ate our weight and food and or food related. substances from the restaurants at the mall. It was awesome. Joy, I'm gonna cut to the chase here, get to the brass tacks. In this year's Podcast Appreciation Day gift-buying competition, I got you...

An 83-inch 4K Viewmore supersonic smart TV retail value $4,000, but I got it at the jaw-dropping price of $1,395 after tax. You're welcome. Wow, that's a very nice gift, Ryan. You really shouldn't have. Thank you. So I think you're saying we officially won.

It's clear a million bazillion won this crossover episode. And yes, Bridget, I understand it wasn't a competition, but still, I think we should all take note of how good my gift was. Right, right, right, right. Yes, it's an amazing gift. I guess I should give you my gift. I know you like monster trucks, but the monster truck fan club store was so packed. So Petra and I bought a paint set instead and made you this masterpiece. It's an oil painting of a monster truck. And look, you're driving it.

Wow, that's so thoughtful. Yeah. I mean, this is incredibly thoughtful. No one's ever painted me a picture of a truck before. But just to be clear, the TV was a superior gift. I mean, we're all in agreement that the TV that I bought was better, right, than the drawing? Sure. Yeah, yeah. I mean, I guess, like, the drawing is great, too. Just, it's really special, Joy. Thanks. It was fun to draw. Hey, Petra, who did you pull for Podcast Host Appreciation Day? Oh, I got Bridget. Ta-da!

I got you this attractive, practical, and appropriately priced thermos. Aw, thanks. I love it. It's the perfect gift. And I would know because I got you an attractive, practical, and appropriately priced thermos too. Great minds. Okay, okay, okay. So as the winner of the podcast host appreciation day mystery microphone competition, I get to be the one that asks, what did we learn from this episode?

Well, I think we learned that Black Friday may be a big part of our holiday and shopping tradition today, but it sprung from, of all things, a big football game in Philadelphia years ago. Yeah, so many people came to see the game that the city was extra crowded and extra chaotic. People started calling it Black Friday. But for stores, all those people meant a chance to make big sales. So Black Friday slowly changed into a big day for shopping.

It's a tradition that's changed over time. The money we spend at the holidays is still pretty important for the stores. And a lot of customers do like the excitement on Black Friday and the whole holiday shopping season. So whether you love it or hate it, it's probably going to be around for a while.

And I learned that retailers today have a lot of ways to convince us shoppers to spend our money with them, especially at the holidays. Those deep discounts aren't just out of the kindness of their hearts. But with a little pre-planning and thoughtful spending, you can still win at the holiday shopping season, if that's what's important to you. You can also just draw pictures and give those out as gifts. That can be nice too. Maybe even more thoughtful, whatever, I don't know.

Well said. Happy Podcast Host Appreciation Day, everyone. Cheers!

This episode was written by Bridget Bodner, Ruby Guthrie, Ryan Perez, and Nico Gonzalez-Whistler. It was hosted by me, Joy Dolo, our co-host, Petra, Bridget Bodner, and Ryan Perez. Special thanks to the smart people who helped us really understand Black Friday. Professor of Marketing Barbara Kahn at Wharton and Professor of Marketing Franklin Shaddy at UCLA and Catherine Cullen at the National Retail Federation.

And special thanks to Lisa Weist and Ron Woldeslassi. The additional voices you heard in part two of this episode include Andy Corbin, Maria Hahnhorst, Chris Julen, Francesca Levy, Sean McHenry, Michelle Mencio, Dylan Miettinen, and Jay Sebald. Million Bazillion is brought to you by Marketplace and Forever Ago is brought to you by APM Studios, both from American Public Media. Our editors were Shayla Farzan, Jasmine Romero, and Zandon Totten.

This episode was produced by Courtney Bergseeker, Marissa Cabrera, Nico Gonzalez-Whistler, and Ruby Guthrie. Engineering help from Alex Simpson and Alyssa Castles with sound design by Becca Weinman and Mark Sanchez. Wonderly created the theme music for Million Bazillion. Mark Sanchez composed the theme music for Forever Ago. Bridget Bodner is the director of...

Podcasts at Marketplace. Francesca Levy is the Executive Director of Digital. Neil Scarborough is the VP and General Manager. Beth Perlman is Forever Ago's Executive Producer, and the executives in charge of APM Studios are Chandra Kavati and Joanne Griffith. And if you want access to ad-free episodes and special bonus content, subscribe to our Smarty Pass. Join us next week for an episode all about Sesame Street. Thanks for listening!