Culinary Christmas - December 8: You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch

Culinary Christmas - December 8: You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch

Featured Foods: Banana, garlic, tomato, 3-decker sauerkraut & toadstool sandwich with arsenic sauce

I'm a big fan of PBS. I believe that we still need a non-profit television network in this country. After all, would a commercial television network give us a theme song as cool as this?

Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? was a game show on PBS that ran from 1991-1996 that produced 296 episodes. It was based on a popular computer game series from Brøderbund Software that taught geography. The original prompted many spinoffs, including Where in the USA…, Where in Europe…, and Where in Time…. As the son of a librarian, I played these games a lot on those Apple II computers. The formula was eventually ported to television in the hopes of improving education of geography to a mass audience. I loved the show!

One of the distinctive elements of the game show was the "in house band", performed by a cappella group Rockapella, who performed "clues" for the contestants, as well as belted out the show's catchy theme song. We revisit the same group as they perform their own rendition of You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.

The original version of this song was performed by voice talent legend Thurl Ravenscroft — and we featured it during the 2002 edition of Steve's 25 Days of Christmas Music. Among other things, Ravenscroft was the voice of Tony the Tiger, and a Disney legend, performing many roles, including the lead vocal on the theme song Grim Grinning Ghosts in the Haunted Mansion.

This Rockapella version adds a nice multi-layered element, some humor, and a nice modern touch. It also features quite a bit of food items, which is why we're including it with our Culinary Christmas theme. I mean, where else are you going to find reference to a "3-decker sauerkraut & toadstool sandwich with arsenic sauce"?

Speaking of disgusting food, don't forget to check out my beverage review of Jones Bacon Soda on BevReview.com, a limited edition holiday flavor of epic grossness!

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From the Archives: December 8

What's This All About?
New to Steve's 25 Days of Christmas Music? Take some time to read the explanation and introduction!