A Radio Christmas Sampler, Vol. 5
Season 13, Episode 12
December 15, 2025
Our fifth sampling of radio holiday programs
As we do each year, Re-Imagined Radio samples Christmas episodes from a variety of radio programs. This year's "A Radio Christmas Sampler, Vol. 5" samples three interesting Christmas programs. First, a Christmas 1942 wartime message from Edward R. Murrow who encourages us to keep hope alive.
Second "Christmas Party for Hubert Smith," an episode of Truth or Consequences where radio connects a wounded Navy sailor in California with his family and hometown in Tennessee.
And third, "The Plot to Overthrow Christmas" by Irwin Corwin, told in rhyming verse, from Columbia Workshop. Enjoy listening.
Access the episode script
Background
This is the fifth year Re-Imagined Radio has offered a holiday sampler. The theme for this sampler is "Hope," and we have three radio stories we hope you will enjoy.
We begin with Edward R. Murrow, and his "Message of Hope to America, Christmas Eve, 1942." Broadcasting via shortwave radio from London, Murrow, as always, is a reliable commentator of what he sees and hears. Murrow begins with his trademark opening, his baritone voice entolling "This is London," and then describes the hopeful sights and events he has observed while walking about London.
Murrow concludes his remarks saying, "I should like to add my small voice to give my own Christmas greetings to friends and colleagues at home. A Merry Christmas. So long, and good luck."
SEE "Proximity Effect" for examples of Murrow's reporting of the London Blitz during World War II.
Our second sample, "Christmas Party for Hubert Smith," comes from the radio program Truth or Consequences. Created by Ralph Edwards, Truth or Consequences opened on four CBS stations March 23, 1940. Soon, it was carried by stations nationwide, and quickly established itself as the most sensational of all radio quiz shows then available, and the greatest success story of the 1940 radio season.
In this sample, from the December 20, 1947 episode, "Christmas Party for Hubert Smith," Edwards directs a transcontinental radio and telephone hook up between Tennessee and California, to provide a hopeful Christmas for a wounded Navy war veteran. And facilitate radio storytelling.
The episode of Truth or Consequences is an interesting experiment in broadcasting from remote locations. It worked very well, connecting different places in Tennessee and California. Kudos to all the producers and sound engineers who coordinated the live feeds at just the right moments to carry the story forward. I'd say Hubert "H.C." Smith was very surprised.
Our final sample is "The Plot To Overthrow Christmas," written and directed by Norman Corwin and broadcast by Columbia Workshop, Christmas Eve 1945.
For this sample, all the actors and sound engineers are gathered in the same CBS New York studio. So the experiment is not with remote broadcasting. Rather, it's how the actors speak their lines. They all use rhyming verse, as the bad guys of history all gather in hell and hatch a plot to overthrow Christmas.
Production
Contents
"A Christmas Message to America" by Edward R. Murrow, December 24, 1942
"Christmas Party for Hubert Smith" from Truth or Consequences, December 20, 1947
"The Plot To Overthrow Christmas" by Norman Corwin from Columbia Workshop, December 24, 1945
Credits
Written, Produced, Hosted by John F. Barber
Post production, original music, sound design by Marc Rose
Graphics by Holly Slocum
Social Media strategies by Caitlyn Kruger-Lesperance
YouTube strategies and announcing by Rylan Eisenhauer
Significance
Three experiments in radio storytelling, each focused on a Christmas message. To these, Re-Imagined
Radio adds it own best wishes and encouragement to keep hope alive.
— John F. Barber
Promotion
Press
Graphics
