Tosh Show Episode Summary: "My Santa!!! - TJ Jones"

Release Date: December 17, 2024

In this festive episode of the Tosh Show, host Daniel Tosh delves deep into the enchanting world of Santa Claus with special guest T.J. Jones, a seasoned Santa professional. The conversation weaves through personal anecdotes, the intricacies of being Santa, and the magic that keeps the spirit of Christmas alive. Below is a comprehensive summary of the episode, highlighting key discussions, insights, and memorable moments.

1. Embracing Christmas Traditions

Daniel Tosh kicks off the episode by reminiscing about his cherished Christmas traditions. He shares humorous stories about past white elephant gift exchanges, emphasizing the fun and occasional chaos that comes with them.

• Daniel Tosh [03:08]: "For our Christmas episode, my son, I saved one of his bedtime stories from when he was three that we used to air at the end of every episode."

He discusses memorable gifts exchanged over the years, highlighting the playful competitiveness that often arises, especially among family members.

• Daniel Tosh [04:01]: "I always go for gifts that people are gonna wanna steal right away and get angry about."

2. The Journey to Becoming Santa: T.J.'s Story

The spotlight shifts to T.J. Jones, a dedicated Santa Claus, as Daniel introduces him to the audience.

• Daniel Tosh [06:47]: "Now, you won't believe who we got as a guest. Enjoy. Enjoy."

T.J. shares his inspiration behind embodying Santa, detailing how his daughter’s dance teacher "voluntold" him to take on the role, leading him to meticulously prepare for his first Santa gig.

• Eddie [12:16]: "My daughter, who was an Irish dancer, she's just a general dancer, if you will. Now her dance teacher, Maggie Cleary from Cleary Irish Dance, told me, TJ, you're going to be our Santa this year."

3. The Art of Being Santa: Santa Schools and Standards

A significant portion of the conversation revolves around the professional training required to be a credible Santa Claus. T.J. discusses attending Santa schools, the costs involved, and the essential skills taught, such as perfecting the classic "ho ho ho" and maintaining the authentic Santa persona.

• Eddie [13:32]: "It's two to four days. Okay, but I mean, you go over, they teach you some sign language and they teach you how to do a proper ho, ho, ho."

Daniel inquires about inclusivity within the Santa community, leading to insights on the presence of female and diverse Santas.

• Daniel Tosh [13:50]: "Any black Santas there?"

• Eddie [13:55]: "Yes. There are at least three that I know here in Southern California."

4. Navigating Santa Gigs and Experiences

T.J. elaborates on the various types of Santa gigs, from mall appearances to private parties and even specialized roles like Golfing Santa. He shares anecdotes from his diverse experiences, including unique challenges and the joy of spreading Christmas cheer.

• Eddie [23:57]: "The season can be anywhere from November 1st to about November 15th to January 1st."

Daniel humorously probes into the financial aspects of being Santa, revealing that top-tier Santas can earn substantial incomes from their roles.

• Eddie [24:17]: "I made over 75 an hour."

5. Behind the Scenes: Life as Santa

The duo delves into the personal life of a professional Santa. T.J. discusses maintaining the Santa illusion, handling the physical demands of the role, and balancing it with his career as a voice actor and scuba equipment salesman.

• Eddie [38:12]: "I'm a voice actor and I work at Trident Dive Equipment. We sell wholesale scuba gear."

Daniel shares his own familial experiences with Santa, highlighting the emotional connections children develop with the figure.

• Daniel Tosh [20:45]: "The ability to grow facial hair does not make you a Santa."

6. The Magical Conversation with Santa

In a heartwarming and whimsical segment, Daniel engages in a fictional conversation with Santa, portrayed by T.J. This playful interaction bridges the gap between the fictional magic of Santa and the authentic experiences shared by T.J.

• Santa (Eddie) [42:08]: "Hello, young Daniel."

• Daniel Tosh [43:00]: "I can't imagine having to drink a glass of milk just over and over. They have that milk gallon challenge. If you can drink a gallon of milk without throwing up, it's impossible."

Santa imparts moral lessons and festive advice, reinforcing the importance of kindness and good hygiene during the holiday season.

• Santa (Eddie) [44:54]: "Be kind. Be kind to everyone, even if you don't feel like being kind. Kindness goes so far and is in such short supply."

7. Concluding Christmas Wishes and Gifts

As the episode wraps up, Daniel and T.J. exchange gifts, symbolizing the spirit of giving that epitomizes Christmas. Daniel reflects on his son's reaction to the gifts, blending humor with heartfelt appreciation.

• Daniel Tosh [45:43]: "Santa, thank you so much. You got me a mug. It takes me so long. North Pole hot chocolate. Santa Claus approved. Well, that's really sweet of you."

Both hosts extend warm Christmas wishes to the audience, closing the episode on a festive and joyful note.

• Eddie [47:42]: "Merry Christmas."

• Daniel Tosh [47:43]: "Merry Christmas."

Notable Quotes

• Daniel Tosh [05:14]: "What age do you notice some kids stop believing?"

• Eddie [19:45]: "It's your turn."

• Santa (Eddie) [43:05]: "I get quite a bit of exercise. You gotta remember I'm going up and down chimneys all night long."

• Daniel Tosh [32:17]: "My daughter looked like Ed Asner for, like, the first eight months of her life. I found it very disturbing every time I looked at her."

• Santa (Eddie) [44:26]: "No. Just be kind."

Conclusion

This episode of Tosh Show offers a delightful exploration into the life of Santa Claus through the eyes of T.J. Jones. Daniel Tosh’s engaging host manner, coupled with T.J.'s insightful experiences, provides listeners with an authentic and entertaining glimpse into the world of holiday traditions and the magic that sustains them. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the show, this episode encapsulates the warmth, humor, and heart that define the Christmas season.