12/3/2009 1:41:28 AM

It seems it's that time again when we're faced with either listening to all those early Christmas programs or turning off our paid subscription. I'm not a Scrooge, really I'm not (big fan of Alistar Sims' rendition) but Christmas programming once a year is MORE than enough -- except that we're forced to face it again in July. If you're a fan of keeping Christmas programming pinned to one week in December, PLEASE CHIME IN! I know I'm not the only one. This really is getting monotonous and just a tad annoying.

Margo Lane

12/3/2009 10:36:18 AM

Sorry to hear your not happy Margo. But you know what, in this great country of ours you can always cancel your subscription or turn off your radio. In times like these I for one am grateful for any break from the gloom and doom. Cheer up Margo and enjoy the Christmas season.

Phil Tomasino

12/3/2009 11:06:13 AM

Yes Indeed Margo..December is the Christmas season..Lets enjoy it..I have no problem with Christmas programming after Thanksgiving..Besides it isnt like we are yet wall to wall Christmas..

Tim Lones

12/3/2009 11:07:37 AM

BTW, Happy Thanksgiving eyeryone!!

Tim Lones

12/3/2009 11:08:31 AM

Greg, At this time of the year when we are to be thankful, I think I can speak for many of your fans in voicing our thanks for all you do to bring us a high level of entertainment on Old Time Radio. As I have mentioned to you previously, I appreciate the tireless research you conduct to provide us with all the interesting back stories of the actors and programming and the personal responses to questions. THANKS!

Cary Hill

12/3/2009 11:24:52 AM

Certainly listeners opinions are important but I think that Gregg Bell's input into the programming is equally important. Without his dedicated contribution we all would be listening to standard OTR fare. Greg's touch gives us tidbits of trivia about the people and programming of the golden days of radio. I would not want to overlook the enjoyment that he has in putting together the programming that we all enjoy.

My personal observation about Christmas programming: I wish Christmas lasted longer. It's a time of year that I really associate with Peace and Love. Just as I find in any other programs, there are some that are good and some not so good. I can always change channels and when I do I have almost always discovered something enjoyable. My other altnerative has been to record the programs that I really like and listen to them when Radio Classics is broadcasting some of the less enjoyable programs like "Vic and Sade".

DJ

12/3/2009 11:26:42 AM

Hi Greg.
Just a comment on a comment made by on of your subscribers. It's a take off of an old saying: You can please most of the people some of the time, but you cannot please all of the people all of the time, and thats's their problem. Radio classics and 50's music are the only reason I have Sirius Radio. Keep up the good work Buddy. I'm listening.
Ray

Ray Little

12/3/2009 1:41:21 PM

Hey Greg,

I've been a listener for five going on six years, since long before the blog. One of the first shows I heard after I got my car with its three-months-free xm subscription was a Christmas-themed Great Gildersleeve. I knew about Gildy from Radio Spirits cassettes and CDs that I'd got over the years, but the idea that I could pick up shows from the air, just like the old days (though with much different technology!) blew me away. That episode alone may have been what made me a satellite subscriber from then till now.

Of course it's time to start broadcasting Christmas shows! This is the season! And here's one more vote in favor of Christmas in July, too. I've loved that since I first heard it five years ago... it's just one week out of the whole rest of the year, and it's great fun.

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!

PS. I'm a fan of Vic and Sade too... an odd show, but when you've heard several of them, and get to know the characters, it grows on you. There really is a smart sense of humor underlying the slow and repetitive chatter the characters indulge in!

Doug Evans

12/3/2009 1:52:43 PM

sorry, but Christmas in july is too much for me, like another of the posters xm for me is oldies radio and 50's music. so in july the 50's rule. rest of the year it's greg bell and co. thanx greg for all you do.

allen miller

12/3/2009 2:16:23 PM

Enjoy some of the Xmas OTR shows, the usual ones mostly. When not there, it's the 50's Rock & Roll. Can't miss some of the talk shows too. Hey, I'm real easy to please.

Sevenshooter

12/3/2009 11:28:07 PM

To Ray Little,

You can please all of the people all of the time...it's called alternating to ensure you respect everyone's like and dislikes. For instance, one year Greg could have Christmas in July and the next year he doesn't have to. That's called catering to everyone's tastes, not just the majority.

By mixing things up, you keep everyone happy. And that's what you do if you truly care about all of your listeners.

Margo Lane

12/4/2009 12:19:02 AM

In "The Ghost Building" episode of The Shadow, a young man named "Mike" says a few lines and falls to his death. I think the actor was the young Jim Backus.

For me, Vic & Sade a the tops.

I love Jack Benny, especially the post-1945 shows which are much better than the prior ones. I can't stand, the turkey jury dream episodes (done more than once). Seem just too lame.

When Christmas in July rolls around I just listen to more baseball...every team, every game.

Don

12/4/2009 4:21:12 AM

Margo...You must have one of those new radios that won't allow you to select different channels!

MAC

12/4/2009 6:17:28 AM

God bless poor Margo what a dismal life she must lead if Christmas stories of hope and joy are such a bane to her. Merry Christmas Margo

Jacquelyn

12/4/2009 8:30:30 AM

Hey Bell-bloggers,

Seems like some people are getting upset. Let us keep our family together. If you like the Christmas shows, great. If not, turn the channel. Even a favorite music channel does not play your own personal favs 24/7. Its life.

Glad to hear from you again, Margo.

Lana

12/4/2009 10:12:10 AM

BLESS YOU LANA for not calling me sad or lonely or dismal for expressing an opinion,

Guess I touched a nerve for some overly sensitive people who feel sarcasm and nasty remarks are necessary. I JUST LOVE CHRISTMAS, but in the right season and in the correct doses. There's hope and joy and then there's just sap and for some of these shows, it's a fine line.

For those bloggers who feel they need to attack me personally instead of voice their opinion in support of their own views (as we're encouraged to do here in the spirit of friendship and goodwill -- hhmmm, sounds like Christmas to me), I offer and wish you more of the very hope and joy you've been speaking about.

Margo Lane

12/4/2009 2:51:22 PM

Hi, Gang! To the Lovely Margo Lane - I disagree with you but I also understand from where you are coming. I could get annoyed at "Christmas in July" because, it seems, Christmas comes earlier and earlier. But Greg chooses such terrific shows for CIJ that I really don't mind. Besides, where I live, it can get brutally HOT and any Ho-Ho-Ho is fine-fine-fine with me.
This weeks's ched (actually, the week of 11/22-11/28) has been terrific - with the 2 2-hour specials dedicated to Elliott Lewis, the 2-hour John Dehner special and the presentation of "The Count of Monte Cristo."

Rosemary

12/4/2009 5:04:38 PM

Margo:
I do hope my comment didnt come across as smug or harsh..That's not the way I try to be..You do have a right to your opinion and to express it..

Tim Lones

12/5/2009 12:23:02 PM

Hi Tim,

Your comment was perfect! An opinion voiced admirably.

HELLO ROSEMARY! Missed your sweet messages. Glad to hear you're working and still listening. I love the fact that we can joyfully agree to disagree and still feel great about each other.

Really enjoyed Johnny Dollar and my sidekick this week!

Margo Lane

12/5/2009 12:41:27 PM

For me Christmas really begins the day after Thanksgiving. I am looking forward to decorating my house to some really good Christmas radio shows! I have my regular favorites and dislikes, but I find even listening to Vic and Sade (one show I just can not get into)is still so much better than anything TV has to offer.
Thanks Greg for all your hard work and your wonderful comments.

Patty

12/7/2009 4:00:22 AM

I'm in the car for about 3 hours a day. If I don't like what is on 164 I go the 163 Book Radio or a comedy channel or sports. In fact 163 is doing Shawshank Redemption. As long as I can can get some westerns, sci-fi and decective stories for a few hours a week I am good.

What I do wish is that XM had a way to record one show (in the car) when I am listening to another. Maybe they do I never look. I also have the best of Sirius package that makes life easier too. I don't do Sterns but I like the NFL channel.

Michael

12/7/2009 4:22:56 AM

Margo,

I must concur with your sentiments towards too much Christmas exposure, especially if one has differing religious leanings or social connections to the popular holiday. But Greg has been mixing in a lot of the things that *I* love (mystery and suspense themed shows) so it is not a completely Christmas dominated channel. I'm glad to know Phil is "grateful" during this time of year. He must have a lot of ashes from burning yule logs and needs those grates. It can get cold in Kentucky! Sorry to hear the personal attacks from Jacquelyn et.al., perhaps we can send her some punctuation this season to cheer her up and help make her her posts a bit more legible...

Yes, yes... all in jest! Having some fun with everyone. Many of us have posted things (I ought to know) only to regret that our comments came off too harsh or not always as intended. What I do when I have the desire to write something is first put it on a notepad, walk away for a spell, and read your post again. If you still feel like posting it before hitting the "save comment" button, you will often find that you will tone it down some, or not post it at all.

Warm regards.

Dave

12/7/2009 6:12:51 AM

Hi Dave,

This is such a great community, isn't it?! But then we have a great product to rave about. And what a wonderfully crafted comment! I enjoyed your sentiments immensely. Teasing is fun when it's obvious that that's all it is.

I just wish I had some of the channels that you do. A Canadian subsription does not include as many channels as an American one. I'd love to have 163 as an alternate to 164. Usually I just try and find a good hockey game to listen to.

Michael,

If you have a receiver unit at home and a second one for the car, you should be able to set your home unit to record while you're away. I do this when my favorites are on at 3am and I know I wont be able to catch them during the week. Can you imagine??!!...work gets in the way!! ;o) My XM units is about 4 years old and is a "MiFi" (I think). It has a record function. I hope yours does too. Check out your instruction booklet -- that's the best place to start.

Cheers all!

Margo Lane

12/7/2009 6:53:16 AM

With all this talk about Christmas, no one mentioned the great photo's of Edgar Bergen and Charlie Mc Carthy. Thanks for the photo's Greg, and Merry Christmas!

Bob Conrad

12/7/2009 11:25:08 PM

I wrote a comment yesterday, but it does not appear here. I wonder what happened to it. Anyway, I just wanted to say that I am glad everything was ironed out between our bloggers. Sometimes things can be misunderstood especially when they are written and not spoken. I know one thing that everyone will agree with, and we have discussed before, is the fact that we cannot get some of our favorite shows on the air any longer. It still gripes me.

I enjoyed the Whistler episode called "The Wall". The Whistler stories always have unexpected endings but this story was exceptional. Hope you all take a listen to it.

Lana

12/8/2009 4:01:55 AM

I do notice that server traffic at my place during lunch may cause a post to drop. It's kind of like that Snickers commercial where they ask 'where does the huger go?' and some old guy somewhere screams about always being hungry....

Hey Greg: You never did answer my question about teh Richard Diamond episode with the trumpet player? What was his nickname in the episode?

Michael

12/8/2009 10:41:47 AM

Hi Greg,

Is there any chance in the future that you will get more of the show "Night Beat" and also do you know how many were made. That is one of my favorite shows to listen too. Keep up the good work, love the channel.

Eric Boll

12/8/2009 6:56:57 PM

I am not a christian but the X-Mas shows don't bother me at all, I really enjoy them even in July. My question is why is a show only retired for 1 year and not more? Everything I listened to this morning had been played before and even if it is a year I still remember the ending. Why can't we have new programing and only repeat every few years? There must be enough and for the $25 a month I pay for my 2 radios I think I deserve less repeats. And don't tell me to change the channel because I only subscribe because of OTR and can get other genres on another source.

Will

12/8/2009 7:00:41 PM

Greg....that is correct. I found an ad that said the Richard Diamond TV show is on DVD. I am trying to land that collection.

You went to Illinois and didn't stop in? I hope you did not drive but if you did you went right by....

Thanks again...

Michael

12/8/2009 9:22:18 PM

Hi Will,

Don't change that channel!!!

I know what you mean about repeats. It is like reading a book twice, not something that I practice. Hope Greg can get us new stuff, but in the meantime, I try to find other types of shows that I have not listened to before. Every once in a while a repeat is good though.

Mike, You are right, I was blogging around the noon time hour. Thanks for the comment.

I have been seeing TV commercials about changes coming to Serius/XM. Does anyone know what they are????

Lana

12/8/2009 9:30:19 PM

That's it....Oh man have I been banging my head on that one. Does the show list who actually did the trumpet tracks? I have a love for jazz trumpet....

Thanks again!!!!!!!!

Michael

12/9/2009 3:26:43 AM

Loving this week's schedule! Can't go wrong with Johnny Dollars and the rest. Loved the Christmas Johhny. I can't remember ever hearing it before. Fun Jack Benny, too. He would just drive me crazy Christmas shopping! It makes me crazy just listening! Poor guy!

Mandy

12/31/2009 11:52:31 AM

Aw, this was a really quality post. In theory I'd like to write like this too - taking time and real effort to make a good article... but what can I say... I procrastinate alot and never seem to get something done.

Shaun Edwards

12/31/2009 4:41:34 PM

very nice, I saw it on TV not long ago.

Modern paintings

12/31/2009 6:37:18 PM

Aw, this was a really quality post. In theory I'd like to write like this too - taking time and real effort to make a good article... but what can I say... I procrastinate alot and never seem to get something done.

Corbin

12/31/2009 11:39:58 PM

You made fantastic nice points here. I performed a search on the issue and discovered almost all peoples will agree with your blog.

Julian

12/31/2009 11:40:00 PM

You made numerous nice ideas there. I done a search on the issue and learnt nearly all peoples will agree with your blog.

Hector

1/1/2010 1:51:08 AM

Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more information? It is extremely helpful for me.

gumball machine

1/1/2010 2:01:26 AM

Thanks Funny enough, I actually had this on my mind a few days ago

Pierre Baraban

1/1/2010 3:11:23 AM

I admire the valuable information you offer in your articles. I will bookmark your blog and have my children check up here often. I am quite sure they will learn lots of new stuff here than anybody else!

adwords

1/1/2010 3:58:14 AM

There are certainly a lot of details like that to take into consideration. That is a great point to bring up. I offer the thoughts above as general inspiration but clearly there are questions like the one you bring up where the most important thing will be working in honest good faith. I don?t know if best practices have emerged around things like that, but I am sure that your job is clearly identified as a fair game.

adwords consultants

1/1/2010 12:55:43 PM

Me and my friend were arguing about an issue similar to this! Now I know that I was right. lol! Thanks for the information you post.

natural dog food

1/1/2010 5:55:55 PM

Nice to be visiting your blog again, it has been months for me. Well this article that i've been waited for so long. I need this article to complete my assignment in the college, and it has same topic with your article. Thanks, great share.

Homeowners insurance

1/1/2010 6:41:05 PM

I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post

lose belly flab

1/2/2010 10:44:08 AM

I admire the valuable information you offer in your articles. I will bookmark your blog and have my children check up here often. I am quite sure they will learn lots of new stuff here than anybody else!

Emanuel

1/3/2010 7:28:08 PM

Easily, the article is really the best on this worthy topic. I harmonise with your conclusions and will thirstily look forward to your forthcoming updates. Saying thanks will not just be adequate, for the extraordinary lucidity in your writing. I will at once grab your rss feed to stay privy of any updates. Authentic work and much success in your business enterprize!

Julio Yaden

1/3/2010 7:48:52 PM

It appears that you have placed a lot of effort into your article and I require more of these on the net these days. I sincerely got a kick out of your post. I don't really have much to say in response, I only wanted to comment to reply wonderful work.

Johnathon Pierfax

1/4/2010 3:51:38 PM

This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I enjoy seeing websites that understand the value of providing a prime resource for free. I truly loved reading your post. Thanks!

Shana Quine

1/4/2010 5:54:42 PM

You made some good points there. I did a search on the topic and found most people will agree with your blog.

Lindsay Roston

1/4/2010 6:52:44 PM

Well, this is my first visit to your blog! We are a group of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have done a marvellous job!

Best Registry Cleaner

1/4/2010 7:05:40 PM

Hey - nice blog, just looking around some blogs, seems a pretty nice platform you are using. I'm currently using Wordpress for a few of my sites but looking to change one of them over to a platform similar to yours as a trial run. Anything in particular you would recommend about it?

Cheapest Student Health Insurance

3/7/2010 7:43:04 AM

I just hope to have understood this the way it was meant

Colon cleansing

3/7/2010 4:26:19 PM

Great Post. I would love to read more in future. keep up the good work. Yearly hosting http://www.intelweb.biz

Peter

3/7/2010 6:56:06 PM

Your blog seems interesting.Regards,Kevin.

designer handbags

3/7/2010 10:23:52 PM

Great Post. I would love to read more in future. keep up the good work. Yearly hosting http://www.intelweb.biz

Peter

3/7/2010 10:58:03 PM

We see more kitchen hoods here.

range hood

3/9/2010 6:56:37 AM

Great Post. I would love to read more in future. keep up the good work. Yearly hosting http://www.intelweb.biz

Peter

3/9/2010 1:00:03 PM

This is just the information I am finding everywhere. Thanks for your blog, I just subscribe your blog. This is a nice blog.

designer bags

3/9/2010 1:24:03 PM

Hey - nice blog, just looking around some blogs, seems a pretty nice platform you are using. I'm currently using Wordpress for a few of my sites but looking to change one of them over to a platform similar to yours as a trial run. Anything in particular you would recommend about it?

cheap supplements

3/9/2010 3:21:17 PM

Coming across this site, I was astounded by the quality of info anyone would discover it very to be of benefit also, I will be spreading the word. Thanks

Josefine Boisse

3/9/2010 3:45:57 PM

I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it. I have you bookmarked your site to check out the latest stuff you post.

Wood Wall Clocks

3/9/2010 4:37:36 PM

Great Post. I would love to read more in future. keep up the good work. Yearly hosting http://www.intelweb.biz

Linette Pegeron

3/10/2010 9:42:25 PM

Hey, guy, your blog is nice. It can bring me many useful information.

cheap shoes wholesale

3/10/2010 9:42:32 PM

Hey, guy, your blog is nice. It can bring me many useful information.

nike shox

3/10/2010 9:54:55 PM

What a great info, thank you for sharing. this will help me so much in my learning.

lebron james shoes

3/10/2010 10:32:00 PM

Excellent read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing a little research on that. And he actually bought me lunch because I found it for him smile So let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch!

watch the office season 5

3/11/2010 5:35:49 AM

Nice information, many thanks to the author. It is incomprehensible to me now, but in general, the usefulness and significance is overwhelming. Thanks again and good luck!

seo link building

3/11/2010 5:49:24 AM

I find your blog in google. And I will be back next time, thanks.

kobe shoes sale

3/11/2010 6:29:22 AM

Yeah, you are right, I agree with you.

discount handbags sale

3/11/2010 6:40:28 AM

Substantially, the article is in reality the sweetest on this precious topic. I harmonise with your conclusions and will thirstily look forward to your upcoming updates. Saying thanks will not just be sufficient, for the phenomenal clarity in your writing. I will directly grab your rss feed to stay abreast of any updates. Pleasant work and much success in your business efforts!

china shoes

3/11/2010 6:52:57 AM

I was thinking of using BlogEngine but then I saw that most of the sites I looked either had comments full of spam or they had simply closed the comments altogether. I hope that you have been able to combat the spam because at the moment it is something that is making me stay away from BE.

cheap air max

3/11/2010 8:08:05 AM

reality the sweetest on this precious topic. I harmonise with your conclusions and will thirstily look forward to your upcoming updates. Saying thanks will not just be sufficient, for the phenomenal clarity in your writing. I will directly grab your rss feed to stay abreast

cheap mbt shoes

3/11/2010 8:49:28 AM

This is just the information I am finding everywhere. Thanks for your blog, I just subscribe your blog. This is a nice blog.

basketball shoes sale

3/11/2010 9:01:31 AM

Hey, guy, your blog is nice. It can bring me many useful information.

discount bags

3/11/2010 12:25:59 PM

There are certainly a lot of details like that to take into consideration. That is a great point to bring up. I offer the thoughts above as general inspiration but clearly there are questions like the one you bring up where the most important thing will be working in honest good faith. I don?t know if best practices have emerged around things like that, but I am sure that your job is clearly identified as a fair game.

lebron james shoes

3/11/2010 11:18:01 PM

Funny, I actually had this on my mind a few days ago and now I come across your blog.

worldwide wholesale shoes

3/12/2010 1:30:59 AM

Lots of specialists argue that <a href="lowest-rate-loans.com">loans</a> help people to live their own way, because they are able to feel free to buy needed stuff. Moreover, various banks offer college loan for different persons.

loan

3/12/2010 4:44:08 PM

I find your blog in google. And I will be back next time, thanks.

chinese shoes

3/12/2010 5:30:12 PM

That is an awfully high quality editorial you've put up there http://www.atvcentral.info

dave