- Playing
- Cell Phone Santa
- From
- Scott Gurian
Last Christmas, my father decided to send presents to needy children living in the Bronx, but he made the mistake of putting his cell number on the Fedex box. At first, he started getting voicemail messages politely thanking him for the gifts, but the calls became more angry and demanding as time went on.
More from Scott Gurian
Immigration Law Affects Oklahoma City Hispanic Community
(04:16)
From: Scott Gurian
Business owners in OKC's Hispanic neighborhood describe the impact of strict, new measures cracking down on illegal immigration
Catfish Noodling in Oklahoma
(06:08)
From: Scott Gurian
An introduction to the tradition of noodling, the sport of catching giant catfish with your bare hands
The Balloon Hat Experience
(06:10)
From: Scott Gurian
Addi Somekh has traveled around the world making balloon hats for people
The Allure of Karaoke Singing
(04:31)
From: Scott Gurian
Regular singers describe what attracts them to karaoke
Christmas in the Trenches
(05:51)
From: Scott Gurian
Folksinger John McCutcheon describes a lesser-known chapter in world history, a 1914 Christmas Eve truce between British and German soldiers in the midst of World War I.
The Liar's Table
(06:50)
From: Scott Gurian
Fishermen in the tiny village of Jonesport, Maine gather every morning to swap tall tales about fish and just about everything else.
The Stories of September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows
(54:57)
From: Scott Gurian
A powerful, documentary collage of relatives of September 11th victims describing what they remember from the day of the terrorist attacks and how they came to work for peace.
Piece Description
Last Christmas, my father decided to send presents to needy children living in the Bronx, but he made the mistake of putting his cell number on the Fedex box. At first, he started getting voicemail messages politely thanking him for the gifts, but the calls became more angry and demanding as time went on.
Broadcast History
Produced for B-Side Radio (http://www.bsideradio.org). Will air on NPR's Day to Day 12/21/07.
Timing and Cues
Suggested host lede: "For many people, the holidays are a time for reflecting on how much they have and remembering the less fortunate people in their midst. The father of reporter Scott Gurian likes to think of himself as a charitable person, but last Christmas he got a bit more than he bargained for. Scott has this story."
Suggested back-announce: "Scott Gurian is the News Director at public radio station KGOU in Norman, Oklahoma. He spoke with his father, Randy Gurian."
Also, it would be perfect to play "Father Christmas" by The Kinks coming out of this piece!
Musical Works
| Title | Artist | Album | Label | Year | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jingle Bells of the Ages | The Three Weissmen | Blame It on Christmas Vol. I. | Schoolkids' Records | 1995 | 00:33 |
| Schlepp the Halls with Loaves of Hallah | The Three Weissmen | Blame It on Christmas Vol. I. | Schoolkids' Records | 1995 | 01:39 |






