Nexstar Media Group Inc.

12/07/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/07/2021 11:01

WGN Radio’s Special Holiday Programming on Christmas And New Year’s Eve Includes Steve and Johnnie; “WGN Radio Theatre with Carl Amari” Returns

Beginning December 12, "WGN Radio Theatre with Carl Amari" returns to Sunday nights, 7pm-9pm

CHICAGO (December 7, 2021) - WGN Radio will broadcast special holiday programming on Christmas with 27-hours of "Christmas Radio Theatre" hosted by Carl Amari and a New Year's Eve Extravaganza with hosts Steve and Johnnie and John Landecker.

"Christmas Radio Theatre" airs Friday, December 24 at 7pm through Saturday, December 25 at 10pm. Host Carl Amari has curated half-hour holiday themed selections from old-time radio programs including Miracle on 34th Street, A Christmas Carol, The Bing Crosby Show, The Burns & Allen Show, Gunsmoke, Our Miss Brooks, The Great Gildersleeve, Sherlock Holmes, Nero Wolfe, and more.

In addition to the 27-hour marathon, WGN Radio has added "WGN Radio Theatre with Carl Amari" to its weekend program schedule, airing Sundays 7pm to 9pm beginning December 12. The show will feature programs from radio's golden age. In the first few weeks, episodes from The Jack Benny Program, Gunsmoke, My Favorite Husband starring Lucille Ball, Suspense, and Fibber McGee and Molly will be featured.

"I'm so excited to be back in a regular time slot and airing two episodes from radio's golden age on WGN Radio Theatre on Sunday nights," said host Carl Amari.

Amari has spent decades licensing and preserving classic radio broadcasts from the 1930s, 40s and 50s, is the curator of the Classic Radio Club, and board member of the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago.

On Friday, December 31, WGN Radio's New Year's Eve Extravaganza features Steve Putman and Johnnie King hosting from 3pm to 7pm, followed by John Landecker who will lead the countdown to 2022.

Steve and Johnnie were heard overnights on WGN Radio for 27 years. As Chicago's #1 overnight radio show before they signed off in 2011, the husband-and-wife hosting duo featured subjects from the whimsical to the serious and often spotlighted musicians and music. Guitar legend Les Paul was a longtime friend and frequent on-air guest.

John Landecker can currently be heard Mondays through Thursdays, 7pm to 10pm, on WGN Radio.

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WGN RADIO
For nearly 100 years, WGN Radio AM 720, a Nexstar Inc. station, has been dedicated to being the #1 source of Chicagoland news, information, entertainment, and sports. WGN Radio is the official broadcast home of the Chicago Blackhawks and Northwestern University. Listen at AM 720, online at wgnradio.com, on your WGN Radio app, smart speakers, or TuneIn. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wgnradio and follow us on Twitter @WGNRadio and Instagram @wgnradio.

Contact: Sara Tieman | 312.222.5098 | [email protected]

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