Playful World presents Guess Who's Coming for Christmas Podcast

Playful World Ministries

Just for the holidays – from Playful World Ministries! The Story: What begins as a typical, predictable... okay - boring Christmas for Gary and Caroline Harbin is utterly shattered by a surprise visit from Gary's long lost mother, Maddie, who's been AWOL for six years! Needless to say, she's traveling with more than a little baggage! But it gets worse! She's accompanied by her friend Morey Greene - a Las Vegas comedian! But it gets worse! Turns out Morey is much more than a friend! Could it get any worse? Gary wants answers! What's his mother doing - chumming around with a Las Vegas, eh, comedian? And how could Morey actually know more about Christmas than they do? Is this some kind of joke? And why is Gary's mom happier than she's ever been? Plus: We've added some behind the scenes interviews with Sandy Brownlee, writer and creator of this, eh, "unorthodox" Christmas caper! Throw in a little food for thought from the Brownlees - and we pray your holidays will be a bit more meaningful! AND: Find out how you can become part of our Playful World Ministries! "Guess Who's Coming for Christmas" was written by Sandy Brownlee. Originally produced for the Family Life Network: Kevin Van Buren, producer. Directed by Darren Litz. Copyright 2004. Podcast produced by Playful World Ministries - Denny Brownlee, producer. Copyright 2022. Cast of Characters: Gary Harbin – played by Charles M. Rizzo. Caroline Harbin – played by Janice Slocum. Maddie Greene – played by Sandy Brownlee. Morey Greene – played by Jim Custer. Uncle Ray – played by Denny Brownlee. Waiter – played by Dave Strobolakos. Narrations by David Stobolakos, Jr. read less

ComedyComedy

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Episode 5: “There Was This Baby in a Manger, But it Got Worse!”

Episode 5: “There Was This Baby in a Manger, But it Got Worse!”

After speaking plain truth to Gary, Morey give a perspective on Christmas that only he can – bringing about a final showdown between Gary and his mother!We hope you’re enjoying our podcast! Please consider supporting Playful World Ministries and help us ensure we can continue to bless future listeners - and thank you! https://actintl.givingfuel.com/brownlee0:22 – as we bring this 5 part story to its conclusion – Sandy ponders a burning question – and Denny gives it a stupid answer.1:55 - Morey shows his serious side and talks turkey to Gary – but it’s the turkey that feels the burn.4:58 – According to Morey – you can’t mess up Christmas – because it started messed up! 8:13 – Where’s Maddie? As Gary finds her – they begin to unpack her bags – and a lot of baggage!11:22 – Oh that Ray! Denny and Sandy bring our 5-episode podcast to a close with the assurances of the birth of a Savior, and how we can follow God’s lead in bringing our families together. 15:42 – Let us tell you more!

Episodes

Episode 5: “There Was This Baby in a Manger, But it Got Worse!”

Episode 5: “There Was This Baby in a Manger, But it Got Worse!”

After speaking plain truth to Gary, Morey give a perspective on Christmas that only he can – bringing about a final showdown between Gary and his mother!We hope you’re enjoying our podcast! Please consider supporting Playful World Ministries and help us ensure we can continue to bless future listeners - and thank you! https://actintl.givingfuel.com/brownlee0:22 – as we bring this 5 part story to its conclusion – Sandy ponders a burning question – and Denny gives it a stupid answer.1:55 - Morey shows his serious side and talks turkey to Gary – but it’s the turkey that feels the burn.4:58 – According to Morey – you can’t mess up Christmas – because it started messed up! 8:13 – Where’s Maddie? As Gary finds her – they begin to unpack her bags – and a lot of baggage!11:22 – Oh that Ray! Denny and Sandy bring our 5-episode podcast to a close with the assurances of the birth of a Savior, and how we can follow God’s lead in bringing our families together. 15:42 – Let us tell you more!

Episode 4: “We’ll Go Shopping, See, It’ll Be Like Old Times, See…”

Episode 4: “We’ll Go Shopping, See, It’ll Be Like Old Times, See…”

It’s the storm before the calm… as a family trip to the mall buys Gary even more frustration, while Maddie relives the past, and makes peace with an old love.We hope you’re enjoying our podcast! Please consider supporting Playful World Ministries and help us ensure we can continue to bless future listeners - and thank you! https://actintl.givingfuel.com/brownlee0:25 – Sandy and Denny’s completely cheesy intro.1:16 – Shopping time, shopping time - everyone in tow; but where in the world did our silly uncle go-OH?4:25 – While the weather outside is frigid, Gary’s gotten much more rigid; and as Maddie sure lets him know – time to go! Where’d she go? …Way ta go! 7:42 – Away to a graveside, to deal with the past, the Prodigal mother seeks freedom at last. Too late to solve stuff from back then, face-to-face. The prodigal mother finds loving embrace.10:57 – With Morey’s help, Sandy and Denny join the faith of the past with the faith of the present that brings hope for the future!16:59 – Sandy’s confession.

Episode 3: “The Kitchen, the Bedroom and …Back to the Kitchen?”

Episode 3: “The Kitchen, the Bedroom and …Back to the Kitchen?”

Morey spices things up in the kitchen, issues with sleeping arrangements are put to bed, and as a result - Gary doesn’t sleep a wink!We hope you’re enjoying our podcast! Please consider supporting Playful World Ministries and help us ensure we can continue to bless future listeners - and thank you! https://actintl.givingfuel.com/brownlee0:19 – Denny and Sandy regale us with their vast knowledge of comedy – or at least the wisdom of finding talented actors who can pull off the funny! Sandy give Denny an insecurity complex.... and they dive in to the dynamics of family dysfunction. 6:34 – Morey’s in the kitchen with Caroline – and adds a startling ingredient to the family mix. Bake at 350, then allow to cool….9:46 – Morey and Maddie put their fears to bed over a midnight snack, while Gary says goodbye to sleep.12:51 – For breakfast Gary serves up a generous portion of eggs, coffee and sleep deprived grouchiness. 15:57 – Denny and Sandy explain their love of doing comedy – and we find out that, given the family in which he grew up – he can’t help the way he is. 17:55 - Laughter is from God - and Denny and Sandy explain why they are the way they are. And it may involve duct tape. 21:54 – Your chance to “slash Brownlee” – in ways they won’t mind at all!

Episode 2: “There Were These Two Moony-Eyed Senior Citizens, See…”

Episode 2: “There Were These Two Moony-Eyed Senior Citizens, See…”

As Maddie and Morey share the story of their blissful romance, her son Gary becomes more and more miserable! Then a shopping trip with Maddie gives Gary more than he bargained for!We hope you’re enjoying our podcast! And we ask you to please consider supporting Playful World Ministries and help us ensure we can continue to bless future listeners - and thank you! https://actintl.givingfuel.com/brownlee0:17 – greeting from Sandy and Denny – and a look at the characters that make up this fictional - yet so realistic dysfunctional family!5:21 – Part I - A Match Made in Vegas - Maddie and Morey share in a meal, then share their love story – what’s the big deal?8:38 – Part II – If Momma is Happy… Maddie’s bliss seems to be Gary’s misery11:48 – Part III – You’ve Become a What? – How much has mother Maddie been influenced by Morey’s beliefs?14:59 - What is this thing called "reconciliation?" And what's it to me?

Episode 1: “There Was This Phone, a Doorbell, and a Comedian…”

Episode 1: “There Was This Phone, a Doorbell, and a Comedian…”

Gary and Caroline Harbin’s plans to celebrate a perfectly normal, perfectly boring Christmas are abruptly and completely destroyed by a phone call… a visit by Gary’s long lost mother Maddie… and her very special friend, Morey!We hope you enjoy our podcast! And we ask you to please consider supporting Playful World Ministries and help us ensure we can continue to bless future listeners - and thank you! https://actintl.givingfuel.com/brownlee0:00 – 3:04 Intro: Our hosts, Denny and Sandy Brownlee, struggle with their own attention spans as they invite you into this Christmas tale, originally performed as a radio drama where they had a talented troupe of actors at their disposal (actually, they were at their studio… no one ended up at their disposal…euww.)3:05 - Denny & Sandy explain the origins of this original radio comedy/drama5:43 - Part I: For Whom the Phone Rings – and more importantly – from whom it rings!9:02 – Part II: She'll Be Home For Christmas??? Gary’s long lost mother returns… but she doesn't come home alone!11:50 – Part III: That's uh Morey... Seems Morey Greene is more than Maddie’s friend; he's too old to be a boyfriend – and too much for Gary!15:02 - Spit takes all around - and special gifts for everyone! 19:00 – A different meaning to “gift giving.” And an opportunity for you to share your gifts!