Show LXVI

Show LXVI of *It's All Been Done Radio Hour* was performed on Zoom, streamed live on YouTube, on Saturday, December 12th, 2020 at 5PM. It was written by Jerome Wetzel and directed by Chase McCants. The third commercial was arranged by Jerome from writings by Virginia O’Hanlon, Francis Pharcellus Church, and excerpts from scientology.org.

This show was a return to the holiday-themed installment that was less prevalent last year. *Itsahlbend Theatre* opened the show with a twist on the classic poem "A Visit from Saint Nicholas." This was followed by *The Topnotch Tangler*, whose current story continuity sets the episode in July, but a pair of Christmas-y villains return and try to force the holiday early. *Morning Show* was set on Christmas Eve. Two of the three commercials were also Christmas-themed, with a pair of elves and a play on "Yes, Virginia" that conflated Santa with Scientology.

Only the first commercial and *Universe Journey* didn't mention the holiday, though the latter was a sweet story had a tone that vaguely resembled the emotional tenor of many holiday specials, albeit with a darker ending. It also tied together a song that had run throughout 2020 episodes of the segment, ending a subtle arc with the death of a lead and the return of a seasons-long villain.

Kristin Green helped Jerome figure out the ending of *Morning Show*, contributing dialogue for the last scene, and arranged and performed two versions of "When I'm Gone" for *Universe Journey.* Jerome created a slideshow for "Welcome to Our Show" featuring images from the previous five December live shows.

With the completion of *Daniel Kravitz* Volume 3 the month prior, troupe member Wendy Parks began a semi-hiatus, appearing sparingly until that segment returned.

The only guest stars this month were Megan Overholt and the customary December encore from former troupe member Virgil Von Hartzel. Virgil did the intro to the show. Brendan Michna continued his run as foley artist.

## **Segments**

* *Itsahlbend Theatre* "A Visit from Saint Nicholas"
* Commercial *The Nubes* "Itsahlbend Theatre"
* *The Topnotch Tangler* "Christmas in July"
* Commercial "Elves Seeking Work"
* *Morning Show* "Merry F\*\*\*ing Christmas"
* Commercial "Yes, Virginia"
* *Universe Journey* "When I'm Gone"

## **Performers**

The show was narrated by Darren Esler.Brendan Michna served as foley artist.

Absent troupe members: Wendy Parks

## **Guest Stars**

* Megan Overholt played Norton in *Universe Journey,* Mother in *Itsahlbend Theatre,* and Megan in *The Nubes* commercial. She was the sixty-ninth guest star and this was her fifth appearance.
* Virgil Von Hartzel reprised his role as Evil Santa in *The Topnotch Tangler* and played the new role of Mouse in *Itsahlbend Theatre*, as well as doing the introduction to the show. He was the third guest star and this was his sixth appearance since resigning from the troupe.

## **Trivia**

* Originally, *Itsahlbend Theatre* was not scheduled for this show, and there would have been two episodes of *The Topnotch Tangler*, the second set in Sentry City and with The Pall's theme song. However, cast member Joe Morales was not able to attend, so that second installment was bumped to January and written without the holiday theme. Then, because of the pandemic, Joe became available again, but only after the script was finished, hence his sparse appearance in this show, Joe only playing small parts that would have gone to other cast members had he been absent.
* The mouse in *Itsahlbend Theatre* originally only had one line. However, Jerome forgot to write that he exited stage, and Virgil's camera stayed on during rehearsal. His visual reactions prompted Jerome to add more lines and make the mouse a more integral part of the story.