🎄 This episode is stuffed with surprises, so get your propeller spinning and take off back to 1987 as we nosedive into the history of Santabear, a Midwest Christmas tradition we wish found a place to land elsewhere.
At press time, you can find “Santabear’s High Flying Adventure” on the Internet Archive, or a recording with the original commercials on YouTube.
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🎙 Guests:
Ethan (The Hungry Reader, A Special Presentation or ALF Will Not Be Seen Tonight)
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💬 Topics & Tangents:
Mike on “Special Presentation…” for “Poochie” and “The Hugga Bunch Movie.”
“Santabear’s First Christmas,” the original book and the 1986 special.
IMDb claims Dennis Hopper is in this, but I didn’t hear him.
Antarctica’s Christmas Traditions, including a “Race Around the World.”
The Odd Case of Dennis the Menace.
Today’s TV Trope: Spot the Imposter.
What is the history behind the Dayton's Santa Bear? (WCCO-TV, 2022).
An official list of every Santa Bear made, 1985–2007 (WDIV-TV, 2023).
The Dayton’s Project’s 2024 Santa Bear.
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📼 Commercials:
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Christmas Commercial and Santabear Sweepstakes (1987)
Oreos for Santa (1986)
Holiday M&M’s (1987)
Wild Puffalumps (1987)
Doublemint Gum (1987)
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“Santabear’s High Flying Adventure” © 1987 Dayton Hudson Corporation.
Theme song by Bronwen’s Ghost.
Full show notes and social links at adventcalendar.house.
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