Hey CSWL FANS! A lot of laughs and quite a bit of nostalgia as we watch some of the most iconic Easter Commercials of the 70s & 80s. How Easter was WAY bigger then and why we never hear Easter Carols. How Dudley of ‘Shake and Egg’ fame was the poster child for all things Easter. How the Cadbury Cream Egg commercials were the BEST, but, how they as a candy were ‘just a bit much’. Would helicopter Moms of today drain the yellow and white filling for their kids? Are Pretzel & Peanut Butter ...
Apr 12, 2025•55 min•Season 4Ep. 46
Hey CSWL FANS! Well well well – after much back and forth over if we should or should not- we did it- join us for this fun ride as we discuss The Berenstain Bears Easter Surprise Special. While there was some debate that the CSWL research team got the spelling incorrect- it is indeed, according to sources including Wikipedia, The Berenstain Bears, while some still refer to it Berenstein- Berenstain it is! Could THIS fact lead to a future episode covering the Bears? We think not, as an official a...
Apr 07, 2025•44 min•Season 4Ep. 45
Hey CSWL on this CWSL Chat edition, we went deeper into the meaning of Easter and the Easter season. Warning: this isn’t a discussion on baskets and bunnies but the emotional and spiritual meanings. Seeing homes with Christmas lights still up and illuminated? Think there’s meaning? Kev has been seeing many. What does AI have to say about the meaning behind that? How AI can really offer insight into dream analysis and our unconscious selves. What our Shadow Self reveals and how some say: “There a...
Apr 02, 2025•18 min
Hey CSWL FANS! This one had us feeling all the feels as we cover this 5 Easter Basket (Candycanes? Carrots? Bunnies?) Special: The Davey & Goliath Easter Special “Happy Easter” yes- the one where Davey’s grandmother dies. We of course digress to issue a CSWL legal statement and apologies to the Cadbury Egg Community as well as the Berenstain Bear Community. Does D& G as a series need to be revisited? Modernized? How D&G are similar to Roblox and will the Peppa Pig Community also be o...
Mar 31, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 4Ep. 42
Hey CSWL FANS! Hold on to your Easter Bonnet and snuggle into your leisure suit as we talk most things Here Comes Peter Cottontail. How close was this to our beloved Santa Claus is Coming to Town? Was the interstitial 2D animation a cost cutting measure or for story telling? Was Peter just feeling FOMO when he was ‘overserved’ the night before the biggest day of his life? How Danny Kaye doesn’t “have people”, why we may need to find a new world leading expert on Milk Duds and how so often people...
Mar 26, 2025•1 hr•Season 4Ep. 2
Hey CSWL FANS! Happy Easter SEASON and Happy CSWL Season 4 Kickoff! We talk all things Easter past and a bit of present, the Berenstain Bears and Cadbury Egg ‘Communities,’ how Lent and Easter are a time for transformation. From Tony Robbins to the OG Hawaii 5-0 and, should the leisure suit (an Easter Suit staple) or the male jumpsuit make a comeback? The days of receiving baby chicks on Easters of the past and how baskets of yesteryear differ from those of today. Should we cover more Easter Spe...
Mar 22, 2025•58 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Christmas Eve Traditions Hey CSWL FANS! Merry Christmas Eve! We MADE IT! The CSWL 12 Days of Christmas! We talk all things Christmas Eve past and present, John Denver, why one celebrity hires Catholics and how late night AM Radio on Xmas Eve is go to for Holiday Insomniacs. Northeast folk and Hollywood execs who “don’t disagree.” What do Catholics and the Baby Bear's bed have in common and the true meaning of Boston Strong. Frosty’s airing removes the words 'Christopher Columbus'. How 20 miles a...
Dec 24, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 3Ep. 40
40 Beloved Christmas Specials of the 70s Part Two Hey CSWL FANS! We’re doing our best to save Christmas by diving into fan-shared Things Boomers Like: 40 Beloved Christmas Specials of the 70s. In part two, Lawernce Welk’s “too much cheesecake”, Marie Osmond’s hair, Byron Allen's Real People and more as we continue our 12 days of Christmas episode drop. Also, Frosty’s Winter Wonderland and Andy Griffith's A Face in the Crowd. And let’s settle it: Is Rhoda officially cooler than Mary Tyler Moore? ...
Dec 23, 2024•51 min•Season 3Ep. 39
40 Beloved Christmas Specials of the 70s Part One Hey CSWL FANS! We’re doing our best to save Christmas by diving into fan-shared Things Boomers Like: 40 Beloved Christmas Specials of the 70s. In part one we tackle the first 20. From Bob Hope’s holiday specials to Cher’s star power and Rich Little’s impressions. Funny how The Glenn Cambell Christmas special led us to discuss how comedy changed with disruptors like Woody Allen and David Letterman, why slapstick like pie-in-the-face humor might’ve...
Dec 22, 2024•47 min•Season 3Ep. 38
Alt Christmas Movie Picks Part 2 Hey CSWL Fans! We’re back with Part 2 of the Alt Christmas Movie Picks. We’re diving into the genius of Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds, why a 100-year-old’s advice still hits hard, and how Christmas is the season to embrace love and connection. Dickens's own story of writing A Christmas Carol may be more moving than the story itself. We talk Spirited, The Man Who Invented Christmas, and the criminally underrated 29th Street. We’re breaking it all down, including ...
Dec 21, 2024•38 min•Season 3Ep. 12
Alt Christmas Movie Picks Part One Hey CSWL Fans! We’re diving into Part One of the must-see Alt Holiday Specials, and – we may have digressed-just a little. Just like "The Little Drummer Boy," we’re giving our all to save Christmas. Ever thought about what "Revenge of the Nerds" and *The Little Drummer Boy* have in common? Discover why "Fat Man" is your gateway to "Violent Night" and why the latter should be retitled to "Santa’s Last Stand.” Is there a love for all things *A Christmas Carol*? B...
Dec 20, 2024•39 min•Season 3Ep. 36
Rankin Bass Twas the Night Before Christmas Hey CSWL Fans! We're back with a semi-deep dive into the 1974 Rankin/Bass classic, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, awarding it a solid 4½ Candy Canes. Is this special a counterpunch to Hanna-Barbera's The Thanksgiving That Almost Wasn't? What was this time period's obsession with mice and mice living in walls with archway openings in the baseboard? Does Albert the Mouse from this special mirror today's youth? Star Trek's notion regarding intelligence...
Dec 18, 2024•32 min•Season 3Ep. 35
Hey CSWL Fans! We're back covering Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol, giving it a solid 3½ Candy Canes. This 1962 classic was the first-ever animated Christmas special produced specifically for television as Mr. Magoo takes on the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, bringing his brilliance to the Dickens masterpiece. We discuss the brilliance of the writers, portraying Magoo as the star of a Broadway show. And all things “Magoo”: how funny the show really was, political incorrecttions that have muted the TV ser...
Dec 18, 2024•51 min•Season 3Ep. 34
Christmas Happenings Chat Hey CSWL Fans! It's a CSWL 'Chat Edition' featuring hosts Kev and Anne. Kev shares his experience on Connecticut's famous Polar Express train ride. He also talks about Christmas outdoor decoration innovations - how Walmart inexpensive indoor trees can be used outdoors as well as the magic and history of Santa's actual home - in Finland! Back in Florida- Anne talks holiday boat shows and golf cart Christmas parades before diving into Kev’s Annual 'New Friends' Christmas ...
Dec 16, 2024•30 min•Season 3Ep. 33
Rankin Bass Rankings Being that the Rankin and Bass holiday specials are the reason we started the CSWL, we decided to take an episode to do some R and B Rankings, Superlatives, Favs and Not So Favs. Kev shares more 'inside baseball' with some behind the scenes gossip, and insight into why Santa Claus is Coming to Town is his own personal Dianetics plus Anne's fave R and B character that was her unlikely childhood crush. We go over top characters in order of greatness as well as the top specials...
Dec 15, 2024•40 min•Season 3Ep. 32
Hey CSWL Fans! Its A Festivus for the Rest of Us, celebrating one of the most iconic moments in Seinfeld history. Inspired by Daniel O’Keefe and brought to life by Jerry Stiller’s unforgettable Frank Costanza, this offbeat holiday gave us feats of strength, airing of grievances, and the iconic Festivus pole. We explore behind-the-scenes insights, including its creation, the IP mystery, and how it became a global phenomenon. Plus, we tackle the big holiday question: Why does Love Actually still t...
Dec 14, 2024•33 min•Season 3Ep. 31
Happy Thanksgiving, CSWL Fans! This week, we’re diving into The SimpsonsSeason 2, Episode 7: Bart vs. Thanksgiving.This newly crowned classic earns a perfect 5 Candy Canes as we discuss the ep and what exactly makesThe Simpsons timeless. We also share some fun reflections on Thanksgiving traditions and dish out kitchen advice—stick to the classics, no improvising! Plus, let’s revive words like “delight”, “splendid” and “grand” this season. As always, we'd love your support! Drop us 5-star review...
Nov 28, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 3Ep. 30
Black Friday means the Christmas season is officially here, CSWL Fans! This week, we’re diving into the iconic 2013 South Park Black Friday trilogy. These episodes are a masterclass in satire, weaving together Game of Thrones references, anime-inspired visuals, and a hilarious take on the madness of holiday shopping. We break down the biting commentary on consumer culture and eerily accurate predictions about today’s societal trends, We also douses why this 5 Candy Canes trilogy remains a holida...
Nov 25, 2024•56 min•Season 3Ep. 29
The pre-season winds down, ending on Thanksgiving Day. And as always the CSWL pays respects to Turkey Day, this time covering the 1972 animated Hannah Barbera animated special: The Thanksgiving That Almost Wasn't. This 'non-classic' is a non-classic for a reason. Whether you have seen this special or not, you most likely do remember the Hannah Barbera cartoons of the 1960's, 1970's, and 1980's. That's all the viewing you need to appreciate this episode of CSWL. Besides covering some of the stere...
Nov 22, 2024•31 min•Season 3Ep. 28
This is America Charlie Brown- Mayflower Voyagers Nothing says Thanksgiving TV Special like Charlie Brown! But this time, we’re not talking about A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (check out previous CSWL seasons for that). Instead, we’re diving into a lesser-known gem: This is America, Charlie Brown – The Mayflower Voyagers. In this educational special, the Peanuts gang joins the Pilgrims on their 1620 voyage to America, re-enacting key moments in history while blending entertainment with a touch of...
Nov 21, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 27
CSWL: Season Premiere! Yes, we are late this season. But yes, if anything can save Christmas, it's the Christmas Specials We Love podcast! Kev and Anne give us a preview of what specials and movies they hope to cover this season until they 'digress' The duo also covers Santa's Village in Jefferson, New Hampshire vs. Candy Cane Lane in Woodland Hills, CA. Vintage bubble lights and the messiness and flammability of real Christmas trees. Is there such a thing as Christmas Porn and would it call for...
Nov 16, 2024•44 min•Season 3Ep. 26
The Gang is Back to talk all things The Easter Bunny is Coming to Town! Did this Easter classic hold true to Rankin & Bass standards? The decline of the Easter Bunny believers today. Could this special have stopped the spiral - and why it failed to. Why is this R&B animation special not an annual viewing tradition like the others? Why did it miss and how could it have been saved? Kev’s mini film class provides some screenwriting 101 as well as some answers. We talk R & B's continued ...
Mar 27, 2024•1 hr 26 min•Season 2Ep. 24
With so many requests- we would be remiss if we didn’t cover the Christmas Holiday Favorite How the Grinch Stole Christmas Our multi-generational panel is once again split on if it’s a must-see or a not so much…The team digresses listing their personal holiday favs and must-sees- Shout outs to Eugene Levy and of course Star Wars Christmas gets a mention. Kev bids an early ado – so the Junior Varsity does Production Notes Lite- same basic coverage with a little less takeaway. Final thoughts and s...
Dec 23, 2023•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 23
Hey Holiday Fanatics, welcome back for this season one rewind -part 2 of Rudolph, the Red-Nose Reindeer!! In Part Two We talk: Scene breakdowns. Controversy surrounding the special and how the multi-gen crew really feels about Rudolph Santa and all of the other misfits! All this and more as our march to the holiday continues! Talk SHAWTLY. Remember- Bumbles Bounce! Comments? Suggestions? Text Us: 351-251-2511 IG: @Christmasspecialswelove https://www.instagram.com/christmasspecialswelove Email: S...
Dec 22, 2023•48 min•Season 2Ep. 22
In this season one rewind, we talk multi-gen initial thoughts- how Millennials and Gen Y are ready to cancel Rudolph! Production notes and the start of scene by scene. Mean Santa- Did the coach have a name and why was the doll even on the land of the misfit toys…? All of this and more and the march to the greatest holiday of the year is HEATING UP! Talk SHAWTLY and Remember- Bumbles Bounce! Comments? Suggestions? Text Us: 351-251-2511 IG: @Christmasspecialswelove https://www.instagram.com/christ...
Dec 20, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 21
By popular demand, our multi-generational panel breaks down the controversial special. Taken off the air for a period, what were the MANY triggers for BOTH Gen X and Gen Y? Were the songs up to Rankin Bass standards? Why are there two different narrators? Why is the antagonist in this the most empathetic? The beauty and meaning underneath the darkness. Why kids of yesteryear could see the violence and why it's understandably too much for kids today. How everything today is compared to Star Wars ...
Dec 18, 2023•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 20
Welcome back to part 2 of A Charlie Brown Christmas!! We dive into a scene by scene breakdown of the special and all our thoughts along the way! Merry Christmas & enjoy the holidays! :) Talk SHAWTLY and Remember- Bumbles Bounce! Comments? Suggestions? Text Us: 351-251-2511 IG: @Christmasspecialswelove https://www.instagram.com/christmasspecialswelove Email: Santa@thechristmasspecialswelove.com Keven Undergaro Regular Guy Friday Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heal-squad-x-maria...
Dec 13, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 19
We're back- and discussing the ultimate classic A Charlie Brown Christmas!! We talk: Everyone's take on the special All about Charles Schulz (aka Sparky) All the nitty-gritty details on how A Charlie Brown Christmas was made. Stay tuned for part two! Talk SHAWTLY and Remember- Bumbles Bounce! Comments? Suggestions? Text Us: 351-251-2511 IG: @Christmasspecialswelove https://www.instagram.com/christmasspecialswelove Email: Santa@thechristmasspecialswelove.com Keven Undergaro Regular Guy Friday Pod...
Dec 11, 2023•39 min•Season 2Ep. 19
We talk Gen X and Gen Y general thoughts- how these deflated Kev into not wanting to go on. Going scene by scene uncovers some beautiful moments- but also some hidden triggers, cancelations and more. How tipping the dishwasher is a good thing. Our march to the holidays- and to us each being World Leading Experts at …? Continues! Talk SHAWTLY and Remember- Bumbles Bounce! Comments? Suggestions? Text Us: 351-251-2511 IG: @Christmasspecialswelove https://www.instagram.com/christmasspecialswelove Em...
Dec 06, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Season 2Ep. 18
We talk production notes, the song track, modern day triggers and a few surprises along the way! Plus Tune in to learn what Milk Duds and Holiday Throw Blankets have to do with this favorite Rankin and Bass classic! How Fred Astaire learned to skateboard in his 70's and married a Sports Illustrated model in his 80's. Kev's talk with Mickey Rooney about this special. How One Foot in Front of the Other- Is both Iconic AND insightful. Modern Triggers by several “IMPORTANT” sources And more…. Rememb...
Dec 04, 2023•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 17
