No Skip Christmas
Building the perfect Christmas playlist episode by episode. Musicians, comedians and podcasters recommend songs and Arnie Niekamp (Hello from the Magic Tavern, Jackbox Games) decides if they're added to his ever-growing Christmas music playlist or not.
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art19.com/shows/no-skip-christmasEpisodes
Rhett Miller (Old 97s)
Rhett Miller of the Old 97s swaps Christmas songs with Arnie. Songs from The Ramones, Big Star and Toots and the Maytals.
Creator and Host: Arnie Niekamp
Follow him on Bluesky or Instagram or send an Email the show at [email protected]
Guest: Rhett Miller
Producer and Editor: Garrett Schultz
Artwork: Allard Laban
Opening Theme Music: Andy Poland
Song Playlists:
Playlist of all the songs for this episode here
I Don't Know What Christmas Is (But Christmastime is Here) - Old 97s
Season's Greetings - Cix Bits
Falalalalove Ya - Nikki Lane
Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight) - Ramones
He's Stuck in the Chimney Again - Jon Rauhouse Orchestra, Rachel Flotard
Make You Mine This Season (Happiest Season) - Tegan and Sara
Jesus Christ - Big Star
Happy Christmas - Toots & The Maytals
867-5309 / Jenny (Christmas Version) - Tommy Tutone
Mary Had a Baby - Bruce Cockburn
The growing list of accepted Christmas songs here
Christmas-ellaneous: all the songs lovingly rejected so far here
Videos:
I Don?t Know What Christmas Is (But Christmastime Is Here) from the Guardians of the Galaxy Christmas Special here
Support No Skip Christmas with a tip of any size: Support Arnie Niekamp
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Paul F Tompkins and Janet Varney
Paul F Tompkins and Janet Varney swap Christmas songs with Arnie. Songs from T Rex, John Prine, the Everly Brothers and more. Also a Christmas mystery from Janet.
Creator and Host: Arnie Niekamp
Follow him on Bluesky or Instagram or send an Email the show at [email protected]
Guests:
More info on seeing Paul live with Varietopia and other shows: http://paulftompkins.com/live
Get more info on SF Sketchfest 2026: SF Sketchfest - The San Francisco Comedy Festival
Check out Janet?s podcast E Pluribus Motto: E Pluribus Motto | Maximum Fun
Producer and Editor: Garrett Schultz
Artwork: Allard Laban
Opening Theme Music: Andy Poland
Song Playlists:
Playlist of all the songs for this episode here
Christmas Will Be Just Another Lonely Day - Brenda Lee
Christmas Eve Can Kill You - The Everly Brothers
2000 Miles - Pretenders
Christmas Bop - T. Rex
Ain't No Chimneys in the Projects - Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
Christmas in Prison - John Prine
A Musical Christmas Card: O Christmas Tree/The Sleigh - Fred Waring & The Pennsylvanians
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen: Big Band Version - Jimmy Smith
Winter Wonderland - Count Basie Orchestra
The growing list of accepted Christmas songs here
Christmas-ellaneous: all the songs lovingly rejected so far here
Videos:
Silent Night by Janet and Paul (along with Jonathan Coulton and Eban Schletter): Silent Night
John Gorka?s I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day: John Gorka - I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Support No Skip Christmas with a tip of any size: Support Arnie Niekamp
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Eurovangelists (Jeremy Bent, Oscar Montoya and Dimitry Pompée)
The hosts of the Eurovangelists podcast (Jeremy Bent, Oscar Montoya and Dimitry Pompée) swap Christmas songs with Arnie.
Warning: This episode has an Explicit tag for strong language during the last two songs. That said, there is a warning in the episode when those songs come up.
Creator and Host: Arnie Niekamp
Follow him on Bluesky or Instagram or send an Email the show at [email protected]
Guests:
Check out their great podcast Eurovangelists, covering Eurovision Song Contest developments present and past.
The episode of Eurovangelists that Arnie guested on is here.
Check out Jeremy?s podcast Mission to Zyxx, including the new prequel miniseries The Young Old Derf Chronicles.
Producer and Editor: Garrett Schultz
Artwork: Allard Laban
Opening Theme Music: Andy Poland
Song Playlists:
Playlist of all the songs for this episode here
Feliz Navidad - José Feliciano
Birthday Card at Christmas - Jethro Tull
Mary?s Boy Child - Boney M.
Back Door Santa - Clarance Carter
Sleigh Ride - The Ventures
El Burrito Sabanero - La Rondallita
Having Grandma Here for Christmas - Subwoolfer
Don?t Start Without Me (2019 Radio Edit) - The Fizz
Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses
A Christmas Duel - The Hives, Cyndi Lauper
Ho Ho Ho - TEYA, SALENA
I?m Growing a Beard Downstairs from Christmas (feat. The Beards) - Kate Miller-Heidke
The growing list of accepted Christmas songs here
Christmas-ellaneous: all the songs lovingly rejected so far here
Support No Skip Christmas with a tip of any size: Support Arnie Niekamp
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Hrishikesh Hirway (from Song Exploder)
Hrishikesh Hirway (Song Exploder) swaps Christmas songs with Arnie. Their lists are VERY different. Songs from the Vienna Boy?s Choir, Dr. Dog, a ?witch house? band and more.
Creator and Host: Arnie Niekamp
Follow him on Bluesky or Instagram or send an Email the show at [email protected]
Guest: Hrishikesh Hirway
Hrishi's Home Cooking podcast with Samin Nosrat
Hrishi?s ep of Hello from the Magic Tavern
Producer and Editor: Garrett Schultz
Artwork: Allard Laban
Opening Theme Music: Andy Poland
Song Playlists:
Playlist of all the songs for this episode here
The Little Drummerboy - Vienna Boys? Choir
Christmas Cookies - George Strait
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Judy Garland
Sweet Gingerbread Man - Sammy Davis Jr.
King Night - SALEM
Panpepato - Dr. Dog
Mishima (Bob?s Burgers Arrangement) - Philip Glass, Bob?s Burgers, Courtney Swain, John Dylan Keith
Miss Fogarty?s Christmas Cake - The Irish Rovers
O Holy Night (Arr. John Rutter) - Adolphe Adam, Choir of King?s College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury
The growing list of accepted Christmas songs here
Christmas-ellaneous: all the songs lovingly rejected so far here
YouTube videos:
bobs burgers s13e10 full xmas xylophone song
Muppet Songs: Sweet Gingerbread Man (Ed Sullivan)
That cookie we mentioned at the end is apparently available here
Support No Skip Christmas with a tip of any size: Support Arnie Niekamp
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Zach Reino and Jess McKenna (from Off Book: The Improvised Musical)
Musical improvisers Zach and Jess swap Christmas songs with Arnie. Songs from Justin Bieber, the Chieftains, Kermit the frog and more.
Creator and Host: Arnie Niekamp
Follow him on Bluesky or Instagram or send an Email the show at [email protected]
Guests: Jessica McKenna and Zach Reino
Listen to Off Book: The Improvised Musical or check out thezachandthejess.com!
Producer and Editor: Garrett Schultz
Artwork: Allard Laban
Opening Theme Music: Andy Poland
Song Playlists:
Playlist of all the songs for this episode here
We Need a Little Christmas - The New Christy Minstrels
Drummer Boy - Justin Bieber, Busta Rhymes
Skating - Vince Guaraldi Trio
Disco Santa Claus - The Rain Dolls
One More Sleep ?til Christmas - Kermit
The Boar?s Head - The Chieftains
Christmas at the Airport - Nick Lowe
Come on! Let?s Boogey to the Elf Dance! - Sufjan Stevens
Dominick the Donkey (The Italian Christmas Donkey) - Lou Monte
The growing list of accepted Christmas songs here
Christmas-ellaneous: all the songs lovingly rejected so far here
Support No Skip Christmas with a tip of any size: Support Arnie Niekamp
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Mega Ran
Rapper Mega Ran swaps Christmas songs with Arnie to see what makes his playlist. Songs from Outkast, Run DMC, Weird Al and more.
Creator and Host: Arnie Niekamp
Follow him on Bluesky or Instagram or send an Email the show at [email protected]
Guest: Mega Ran
Producer and Editor: Garrett Schultz
Artwork: Allard Laban
Opening Theme Music: Andy Poland
Song Playlists:
Playlist of all the songs for this episode here
Snow Business - Mega Ran, Lefty
The Nutcracker Suite (Remastered 1996) - Les Brown & His Band of Renown
Player?s Ball (Christmas Radio Mix) - Outkast
Don?t Believe in Christmas - The Sonics
Christmas in Hollis - Run-D.M.C.
Kissin? By the Mistletoe - Aretha Franklin
Silent Night - The Temptations
Christmas at Ground Zero - ?Weird Al? Yankovic
The growing list of accepted Christmas songs here
Christmas-ellaneous: all the songs lovingly rejected so far here
YouTube videos [this songs is currently unavailable on Spotify]:
The Futureheads - Christmas Was Better In The 80s
Support No Skip Christmas with a tip of any size: Support Arnie Niekamp
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Jonathan Coulton and Paul and Storm
Musicians Jonathan Coulton and Paul and Storm swap Christmas songs with Arnie to see what makes his playlist. Songs from Aimee Mann, Louis Armstrong, Eagles and more.
Creator and Host: Arnie Niekamp
Follow him on Bluesky or Instagram or send an Email the show at [email protected]
Guests: Jonathan Coulton and Paul and Storm
Get info and tickets for JoCo Cruise!
Producer and Editor: Garrett Schultz
Artwork: Allard Laban
Opening Theme Music: Andy Poland
Song Playlists:
Playlist of all the songs for this episode here
Wonderful Christmastime - Paul McCartney
You?re a Mean Once Mr. Grinch - Aimee Mann
Please Come Home from Christmas - Eagles
I Believe in Father Christmas (Without Orchestra) - Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Nuttin? for Christmas - Art Mooney, Barry Gordon
Nuttin? for Christmas - Smash Mouth, Rosie O?Donnell
Christmas Night in Harlem (Single Version) - Louis Armstrong, Benny Carter
Same Old Lang Syne - Dan Fogelberg
Christmas in Jail - The Bobs
Santa Claus is Comin? to Town (Live at C.W. Post College, Greenvale, NY, December 1975) - Bruce Springsteen
Santa Claus is Coming to Town - Bobby Rodriguez
The growing list of accepted Christmas songs here
Christmas-ellaneous: all the songs lovingly rejected so far here
YouTube videos [these songs are currently unavailable on Spotify]:
Electronic Santa Claus by Blazer Force
What Do You Get a Wookie for Christmas (When He Already Owns a Comb?)
Support No Skip Christmas with a tip of any size: Support Arnie Niekamp
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Helen Zaltzman
Arnie and Helen Zaltzman (The Allusionist, Answer Me This) swap Christmas songs to see what does and doesn?t go on their Christmas playlists. We discuss how American and UK Christmas music is different. And at least one of Arnie?s song choices makes Helen say, ?Why??
Creator and Host: Arnie Niekamp
Follow him on Bluesky or Instagram or send an Email the show at [email protected]
Guest: Helen Zaltzman
Check out The Allusionist and Answer Me This
Producer and Editor: Garrett Schultz
Artwork: Allard Laban
Opening Theme Music: Andy Poland
Song Playlists:
Playlist of all the songs for this episode here
(Everybody?s Waitin? For) The Man with the Bag (Remastered 1996) - Kay Starr
I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - Wizzard
Lonely This Christmas - Mud
The Christmas - Donny Hathaway
Only You - The Flying Pickets
Stop the Cavalry - Joan Lewie
Stay Another Day - East 17
Santa?s Comic? In a Whirly Bird - Gene Autry
Christmas Time (Don?t Let the Bells End) - The Darkness
Merry Christmas Everyone - Shakin? Stevens
Christmas Trumpets/We Wish You a Very Merry Christmas (1996 Remaster)- Ray Anthony
The growing list of accepted Christmas songs here
Christmas-ellaneous: all the songs lovingly rejected so far here
YouTube Videos:
Wizzard - I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day
Flying Picket - Only You (on Top of the Pops)
The Darkness - Don?t Let the Bells End
Additional Materials:
A playlist of Allusionist Christmas episodes
A recent Answer Me This Christmas episode
Support No Skip Christmas with a tip of any size: Support Arnie Niekamp
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Justin McElroy
Arnie and Justin McElroy (My Brother My Brother & Me, The Adventure Zone) swap Christmas songs to see what does and doesn?t go on their Christmas playlists. Songs from Pearl Baily, Ariana Grande, Bill Murray and more.
Creator and Host: Arnie Niekamp
Follow him on Bluesky or Instagram or send an Email the show at [email protected]
Guest: Justin McElroy
Producer and Editor: Garrett Schultz
Artwork: Allard Laban
Opening Theme Music: Andy Poland
Song Playlists:
Playlist of all the songs for this episode here
A Holly Jolly Christmas - Burl Ives
Five Pound Box of Money - Pearl Bailey
Just Like Christmas - Low
Santa Tell Me - Ariana Grande
Dear Santa (Bring Me a Man This Christmas) [Pt.1] - The Weather Girls
Winter Man - Clarence Reid
December (Based on ?September?) - Earth, Wind & Fire
Alone on Christmas Day - Phoenix, Bill Murray, Buster Poindexter, Jason Schwartzmann, Paul Shaffer
O Holy Night - Barenaked Ladies
The growing list of accepted Christmas songs here
Christmas-ellaneous: all the songs lovingly rejected so far here
Additional Materials:
Demi Adejuyigbe?s September videos playlist
Support No Skip Christmas with a tip of any size: Support Arnie Niekamp
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Link to episode