What happens
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello prepare for Christmas Eve in this holiday broadcast of their radio show, which airs on ABC in 1947. Costello bungles his shopping, misreads gift lists and gets into trouble dressing as Santa Claus for a charity event. Abbott tries to keep order as their mix-ups pile up, and the pair argue over gifts, decorations and the household chores. Guests arrive and the night builds toward a party at Costello's home, with Susan Miller and Connie Haines among the regulars joining the fun. The program is built around sketch comedy, with plenty of wordplay and mishaps throughout.
Hollywood, California, at Christmas time, including Costello's home and the shops and streets around it
Characters: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Susan Miller, Connie Haines
Listen for: Costello's mangled shopping errands and the misunderstandings over Christmas gifts and decorations
Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.