♪ Jingle bells, boughs of holly ♪
♪ And the people full of cheer ♪
♪ All for Christmas, nothing else will do ♪
♪ All I want for Christmas is you ♪
Well folks, it's about that time!
Actually, it's past that time.
Most of you have gone home already for Christmas.
You're making gingerbread and explaining
to your Dad that that C in Econ is just a typo.
We're gonna be off the air until school resumes in January.
But for those of you who are still on campus,
here's some packing music.
They're calling for a pretty big storm
so be careful on that drive home.
This is Mitch O'Grady, Merry Christmas,
and see you next year!
♪ So it's Christmas time, here it is again ♪
Hey, Ashley, what's up?
What do you mean you're leaving now?!
I can't, I'm still at work, I haven't even packed yet.
The storm?
It's just a little snow.
No Ashley please don't do this.
Ugh, okay, yeah, right.
Merry Christmas.
♪ Give love this Christmas ♪
Maggie, what's up.
Umm.
It's ah, well that was my ride, she's ditching me
and leaving early 'cause of the storm.
It's not even snowing yet.
I don't really blame her,
there's supposed to be a really big blizzard coming in.
Where do you live?
Harrison.
It's like four hour...
Four hours north!
I know Harrison.
I'm from Parkwood.
That's right on my way I can give you a ride if you like.
Really?
Yeah.
It wouldn't be asking too much?
No not at all.
Thank you so much.
Yeah why don't you grab your stuff
and we'll meet back here at I don't know, one o'clock?
Okay!
Oh and don't worry about that, we'll do that stuff next year.
Okay.
Well um thank you so much.
I will pay you for gas or...
It's no problem, I know how important
it is to get home for Christmas.
I'll see you at one.
Yeah.
♪ That's what it's all about ♪
Maggie Chalke!
You ready to go?
Oh yeah.
Alright.
I will take this.
Oh um the passenger door doesn't work
so you have to climb in here.
Oh okay.
Sorry.
Ah.
Okay.
You okay?
Yep.
Yeah?
Mhm.
Alright let's just put this back in here.
Okay.
So.
It is 1:15, we're gonna have you home by dinner, easy.
Oh speaking of dinner, have a cheese puff.
It'll tide you over.
Thanks.
♪ Snow is falling down just a little bit ♪
♪ The world's so quiet and still ♪
Well it looks like this drive
is gonna take a lot longer than usual.
So, what's your major?
Journalism.
Ah cool.
TV news reporter right?
Oh, no.
I want to be a newspaper writer.
Real journalism.
You're pretty enough to be on TV.
That's why I thought that.
Oh.
Thanks.
No ah writing is all I can imagine myself doing.
For a paper like New York Times.
Wow.
I'm gonna do it too.
What about you?
Ah well, what you see is what you get.
DJ, or, I dunno work in a gas station, I guess.
What?
You're way too good a DJ.
Thank you.
You're gonna do great.
Man you know, we have not moved an inch.
Yeah, what is going on up there?
Radio: Temperatures are dropping and the snowstorm
has I-72 closed indefinitely between Brookfield and Macon.
Black ice folks, stay inside!
We're gonna miss Christmas.
My family's gonna have to decorate the tree without me.
Well I guess I'll have to give you you're present early then.
You got me a present?
Of course I got you a present it's Christmas.
What?
Look I hate to see you so upset.
So, I have decided my present to you
is to give you the best Christmas ever.
Right here, right now, what do you say?
Right now?
Yes, right now.
We're getting off at the next interchange.
What are you doing?
For the first day of Christmas, my good friend did with me...
Come on, don't leave me hanging here.
Uh.
Snow angels under a tree.
Yes, you got it.
Come on get down here.
My mom and I used to do this together.
Well, still do, that and caroling and volunteering
at the soup kitchen, my mother
is the single most Christmas-y person you could ever meet.
She even has this collection of Christmas stars,
you know, tree toppers and ornaments, the works.
I get this whole Christmas thing from her.
Thank you Mitch for trying to do this for me.
What do you mean, trying?
This is happening alright and it's just the start.
Best Christmas ever.
Guaranteed.
See there you go, that's what I wanted to see.
I betcha that smile lights up a room
better than any Christmas tree could.
Now are you ready for the second day of Christmas?
Absolutely.
Good let's do it.
Where did you get a sled?
It's a toboggan.
And you don't want to know how many bags
of cheese puffs I had to trade those kids for it.
Second day of Christmas?
Second day of Christmas.
Okay here we go, here we go.
Whoa, whoa, whoa
And there he is.
That is the snowman.
There he exists.
That is the best snowman I've ever seen.
Okay we have to get a picture.
Yes yes please.
Okay ready?
Whoa.
One.
Two.
Three.
Snowman.
Wait one more, one more.
Me and you, Come on.
Ready?
Yeah.
You got it?
Yeah.
Well, end of the line.
I told ya I'd get ya here for Christmas.
Yes you did.
Thank you so much, Mitch.
That was, I don't remember the last time I had that much fun.
And now you know the difference between a toboggan and a sled.
I don't know how I got this far without knowing that.
Me neither.
That one's for free.
Do you um wanna come in and meet my family?
You know I'd love to but ah the clock's ticking for me.
My mom's got this whole schedule planned.
Dinner, presents, caroling, it's not to be tampered with.
Sounds like it.
Well, drive safe.
See you in January.
Merry Christmas.
Hey Maggie.
Yeah?
As far as I'm concerned, this was the best Christmas ever.
See ya.
Bye.
Alan: I know you've all heard rumblings
and the rumors are true.
Effective at the start of the New Year,
the Harrison Gazette will be joining
the Wrightsbridge family of publications.
Family?
Is that what they're calling it?
Folks, things are changing.
People are getting their news from the Internet.
Social networks.
Costs are up, subscriptions are down.
We had to do this or die.
This all happens in two weeks?
It's already a done deal.
The legal stuff doesn't kick in until January first.
Alan, what does that mean?
Are our jobs safe?
There's possibility for promotions.
Wrightsbridge owns a lot bigger papers than the Gazette.
So you're saying earn the jobs we already have.
Look I know what you're all capable of,
now you just need to show the Wrightsbridge people.
Good morning, Harrison.
My name is Mitch O'Grady, and I am your new morning show host.
You're listening to "Good Morning With Mitch" on WCNQ...
"Good Morning With Mitch"
...Your holiday alternative.
Now for those of you who don't know me,
let me explain to you what that means.
It means I won't be assaulting your ears
with any more Christmas music.
"Assault"?
Because frankly, you hear enough of that stuff, at the mall,
at the post office, at the dentist's office.
Heck, the assault starts the day after Halloween.
Well I'm happy to say, it stops with me.
I won't be playing on The Twelfth Day of Christmas
or any of the rest of that junk,
however, there will be some awesome drummers drumming
right after these messages.
Once again, I'm Mitch O'Grady fresh from the West Coast,
and happy to be here in Harrison,
this is "Good Morning With Mitch", we'll be right back.
"Good morning with Grinch."
Mitch O'Grady?
The Mitch O'Grady?
Mhm.
Are you sure it's him?
I didn't believe it either, but I checked WCNQ's website.
It's him.
Wow.
How do you feel?
It made me feel...
Happy?
No.
Oh.
Shock?
I never wanted to see anybody so much when I went back to school.
And now if he's here,
I don't know if I want to see him or not.
Why not?
This is your chance to find out what happened.
You should call in.
Make a request.
Oh he does not wanna play what I want to hear this time of year.
He banned Christmas music.
Woah?!
Oh yeah, this coming from Mr. Christmas.
I don't know, you know, it's in the past.
People change.
Look I'm a different person now.
Oh I'm not buying that.
He's here!
Who?
Mitch!
What?
Where?
Is that him?
Wow he is really cute.
Mitch!
No, no, no.
Hey, Mitch, come here.
Oh my god.
Over here!
Remind me to kill you later.
Hi.
Hey.
Have we met?
But we've met right?
Yeah.
This is Maggie.
You guys had a Christmas adventure together.
Yeah that's right ah, Maggie, Chalke?
Yeah.
Hi.
I'm her sister, Grace, and ah god, look at the time!
I gotta go.
You should stay!
You can take my seat.
No, Grace...
Wow, Maggie.
You look great.
So do you.
I'll see you later.
Mmmhmm.
It was really nice meeting you!
You, too, yeah.
Bye.
Mitch: So you're back here now?
Yeah, I moved back after college to write for the Gazette.
Oh, you're working for a newspaper.
That's great.
I mean, The Harrison Gazette isn't exactly
the New York Times, but, you gotta start somewhere, right?
Yeah.
My problem is I'm still where I started.
And where do you wanna to go?
Oh gosh.
Anywhere to advance my career and get ahead.
Ah Chicago, Boston, New York, L.A.?
I've been there, that's definitely where you want to be.
Hmm.
So how did you end up in Harrison?
I'm sorry.
That came out wrong.
No, no, no, no it's fine, it's fine.
Um, well, things were good I was doing my show
"Good Morning With Mitch" in Duluth.
In Boulder.
Then Dallas.
And then finally L.A.
the big one.
And then Harrison?
Yeah well, nobody told me that career paths
can also go in this direction.
So I was in L.A.
and I was on fire everything was great
and then our station got bought out by this big company
and they changed the format to all news
and fired all the music jocks, it's happening everywhere.
I know, some big company just bought my paper.
Really?
Well I hope it works out better for you then it did me.
Anyway ah, I got some job offers, some late night stuff
but it's not really my thing right,
I'm "Good Morning With Mitch,"
so when the morning guy here left...
Mac.
Yeah.
Yeah Mac was here a long time.
I liked him.
Mac is good, that's why he's in Atlanta now and I'm here trying
to make my career path go in this direction again.
Well you came at the right time.
Harrison is beautiful at Christmas.
Yeah, you know, I'm not really much
of a Christmas person these days.
I heard that on the radio.
What's going on?
You loved Christmas.
You said your mom covered the entire house in tinsel.
Yeah, I don't know.
Things change.
Anyway I ah, I should go.
But ah it was great seeing you again.
Yeah, ah it was good to see you too Mitch.
And ah you know maybe I'll see you around.
Mitch O'Grady?
Yeah.
You're the new radio guy.
I thought that was your voice.
Hi.
I'm Brianna Parker.
I own the yoga studio here in town.
Hi, nice to meet you.
Welcome to Harrison.
Thanks.
That's a, that's quite a greeting you have there.
Oh, we're a friendly town.
Not that friendly.
Ah so, the morning guy is usually quite
the celebrity in these parts.
But I mean you, from Los Angeles, here?
It's so exciting.
Well, thank you.
You know you and your friend should take
a free introductory class.
Oh, thanks, but I'm not...
Oh that's okay then just Mitch.
You know, I'm not really much of a yoga person.
Everyone says that at first, but ah once I get my hands on you,
you'll be a believer.
Sure.
Anyway, um I'm just gonna go grab a coffee
and then I'm off to teach.
See you again, I hope.
Sure.
Here's my card.
Thank you.
See?
Your first Harrison Christmas miracle.
Free yoga.
I don't believe in Christmas miracles.
I'll see you around.
Sounds good.
So, what happened with Mitch?
Was it amazing to see him again?
It was, interesting.
That's it?
You didn't ask him why he disappeared back in college?
No.
He's definitely not the same guy, though.
Honestly, he loved Christmas so much.
I don't get it.
How do you lose that?
I can't imagine.
That's really sad.
Yeah, it is.
I wish there was something I could do for him.
I got it!
♪ Who put mistletoe on the tree? ♪
♪ Santa baby got a gift for me ♪
♪ Got a long way to go on his sleigh, ♪
♪ but he's comin' tonight ♪
♪ The kids all know him wherever he goes ♪
♪ With a big round belly and a bright red nose ♪
♪ Got a lot of presents and away he goes ♪
Are we having construction paper for dinner?
What?
Oh right, dinner!
I was supposed to be making us dinner.
I'm so sorry, Grace, I completely forgot.
I see that.
What are you doing?
I'm gonna be Mitch's Secret Santa.
What?
Mhmm.
He once gave me one of the most magical Christmas's of my life
when I almost missed it.
So I thought, that I would add a little magic to his Christmas.
Pay him back.
Okay.
Just a few small gifts.
Seriously.
It'll be inspired by the 12 days of Christmas.
12 Secret Santa gifts.
What kind of gifts?
Okay well the first one I've got figured out.
A snowman like the one we built.
It was the first thing that we did together
that made me forget I was missing Christmas at home.
Don't you think he's gonna figure out it's you?
I mean you're the only person in town that he knows.
Oh yeah.
He may.
You know, so what, it's still a nice thing to do.
And it's a fun reminder of what Christmas was,
is and still can be.
And this is all just to pay him back right?
Okay, come on was it nice to see him?
Yes.
Have I thought about him all these years?
Yes.
Do I wanna know why he never came back to college?
Yes.
Did the woman in the coffee shop who was flirting with him
'cause he's on the radio bother me?
Maybe a little.
Oh, the truth comes out.
Is it the right thing to do for the right reason?
Yes.
Come on in.
You wanted to see me, Alan?
Yes I did.
Maggie Chalke, this is Ryan Gallagher.
SVP of marketing at Writsbridge.
Nice to meet you.
You as well.
You know I was just telling Alan that we've done studies
on what keeps people reading our papers.
Personally I'd like to believe that it's for the news,
but in fact, it's for the human-interest stories.
I'm not surprised.
It's what I like to read first.
And I've read your work, you're very good in that area.
Thank you.
And we think that if you can create a human-interest story
this Christmas that really, you know,
just captures the public's imagination,
we promote it with social media,
I think we'll be able to lock in a brand new readership
for the Gazette.
Create?
Like make one up?
I don't do that.
We don't do that.
We're not asking you to make anything up Maggie.
Find one.
Be more of a Wrightsbridge kind of reporter.
In that case, I will do my best.
I would love to keep my job.
We're gonna do our best to make sure that happens.
You know what, Alan?
I'd like you guys to join us
for the Wrightsbridge annual Christmas party.
It's this weekend.
Let's get to know each other better, shall we?
We'd love that, Isn't that right, Maggie?
You bet.
Thank you, Mr. Gallagher.
This is Mitch in the morning WCNQ,
we'll be taking all your non-Christmas requests
right after a word from our sponsors.
What's up?
Only a couple of weeks here, and you are already getting mail.
Mail?
Really?
Yeah, open it.
Come on, come on.
On the first day of Christmas, your Secret Santa gives to thee,
Not of steel, nor straw, nor wood is he made.
Build him now before he fades.
Merry Christmas, your Secret Santa.
Somebody put a lot of time into making this.
Why would somebody send me this?
Obviously inspired by your upbeat and delightful demeanor.
Or maybe they have too much time on their hands.
Come on.
Oh this is cute.
Snowman eyes.
Yeah, yeah it's really cute.
I'm back in twenty.
Did he say anything about the first one?
To me?
No.
On air?
I haven't heard anything.
You could just tell him how you feel.
I don't really know how I feel.
Uh-huh.
Okay, let's go.
There's more stores I wanna hit.
Looks like your Secret Santa isn't a one-trick pony.
Really?
Okay.
On the second day of Christmas, your Secret Santa gives to thee.
To lift your spirits all the way,
take a ride in a horse drawn sleigh.
Merry Christmas, your Secret Santa.
Okay.
That's cute.
She wants you to go on a carriage ride.
How do you know it's a she?
Of course it's a she.
And she wants you to go build a snowman.
that was the first one, right?
Oh please.
You should do it.
We could do a remote
and make it part of the show.
For Christmas.
I'll bet she's sending you twelve of them, too.
Christmas is not my thing remember.
Mitch, people would love this.
I hired you because you were a big-time L.A. jock
who connected with his audience.
You need to do that here.
And I will.
Once Christmas is over, we'll do a New Year's thing, alright.
We're not waiting until New Year's.
Hi could you get me the Harrison Gazette.
Thanks.
Alan Kramer's office, please.
Mitch: Oh yeah reliving caller Sabrina's senior prom
with that one.
This is "Good Morning With Mitch."
We're taking requests.
Caller 19, you're on the air.
Hi, this is Dawn from Harrison.
I was gonna put my request on the website,
but then I had to call.
Because you were missing my cheerful, upbeat,
demeanor weren't you?
No, I just wondered if you had any idea
who your Secret Santa is.
Mitch: H-how'd you know about that?
It's on the website.
It is?
Don't you want to know?
I'd want to know.
Do you have a request, Dawn?
They put my Secret Santa gifts on the website!
You put my Secret Santa stuff on the website?!
Why?
Because I'm the program director here and call me crazy,
I would actually like people to listen to your show.
But that's my own personal property.
Mmm, technically speaking, once you threw it
into a company trash can, it became company property.
I saw that on Law and Order once.
Really?
You're gonna pull that on me?
Mitch, you didn't come with your own fan base.
So we need to build you a new one.
I'm just kick-starting it a little bit.
Look, I'm grateful, really I am, but I'd prefer not
to talk about that stuff on the air.
Sorry just finish your show and we'll talk about it later.
I don't, so weird.
This is Mitch and we're back taking your calls
at the top of the hour.
Maggie: You want me to do what?
I want you to write a story about that new L.A. DJ.
And work in the whole Secret Santa thing.
It's human interest, right?
Mitch?
Yeah, Mitch O'Leary.
O'Grady.
Right.
I know he's new, I'm just not really seeing...
WCNQ is a bronze-level advertiser with us.
Rita wants the press, and you're gonna give it to her.
And you don't even have to "create" the story.
But there's no story.
It's just two Secret Santa gifts.
What's the big deal?
We do Secret Santa here every year.
Look, this is a small town.
You present this right, all the women in town
will be looking at each other wondering, "Is she the one?"
That's what we want.
Hey, it may even turn romantic
when we finally find out who she is.
Yes, but...
No buts.
I already spoke to Ryan on the phone about this
and he loves it.
Shiny new morning DJ in town from the big city already
has a Secret Santa for Christmas.
Hmm.
Do I have to write it for you?
No.
No, no, no you don't.
If you and Ryan want this, I will do my best.
Maggie, I want you to knock this outta the park, alright?
We need to impress Wrightsbridge, okay?
Absolutely.
So, now Alan wants you to write
about your Secret Santa gifts as a story.
Isn't that against some kinda code?
If you mean that it profoundly jeopardizes
my journalistic integrity, then yes.
So you said no, right?
How do I do that?
If I don't write this story, I might not keep my job.
Yeah but this was never about work.
No, exactly, it was only about helping Mitch.
It still is.
You're sending all 12 aren't you?
What could go wrong?
♪ Baby ♪
♪ Cast your spell on me ♪
Way tooi Christmas-y so just see,
you know I'll probably say no.
And this one too, I can't stand that one.
Hey!
Hey.
Mitch: Ah, thanks.
What are you doing here?
My newspaper wants me to do a story on you.
The shiny new big time DJ in the small town,
and ah well some gifts that you got maybe.
Ah I don't believe it.
Ah, this is Rita's doing.
Look no offense but I, I, I don't think so.
She may have talked to my boss.
Yeah I guess I could use the publicity, but really?
Hey, it's your choice.
I can't make you do it.
Do you wanna get a coffee?
Yeah, sure.
I'll get my coat.
Thank you.
Do you think the wires would pick it up?
I didn't think you were interested.
Humor me.
I doubt it.
Nothing personal, but it's a small regional story.
Still, there's no such thing as bad publicity, right?
Of course there is.
It's just that, part of a DJ's value to a station
is their brand awareness in the marketplace.
I'm thinking I need to build
the "Good Morning With Mitch" brand here,
like I did everywhere else.
Plus it might be good for me.
Well, yes...
I mean if there are already people commenting on
the station's website after just these first two things
then who am I to stand in the way of a good story?
Maybe Rita's right.
Maybe I should just do what this Secret Santa wants.
You can write it.
The first thing was what?
Build a snowman I mean that's that's pretty simple.
Let's do it.
I can't believe I'm doing this.
It was your idea.
Yeah, yeah.
Actually, would you like to do the honors?
No, I'm a journalist.
I'm not supposed to be part of the story.
Really?
Yeah.
What about helping out a friend?
It's really pretty simple,
you just put them right there and there.
Okay.
And there he is.
There he is.
Okay stay right there.
No, no, no, no.
You have to be in the picture too.
Oh well I have to document your creation for the story so.
We'll take a selfie.
Come on.
Are you ready?
Yep.
Here we go.
Nice.
I got it.
One more, me and you.
You got it?
That's pretty good.
Yeah.
Shall we go?
Yeah.
How interested are you in finding out the identity
of your Secret Santa?
I'm not really.
I mean I kinda feel bad for this woman to be honest.
Rita's pretty sure it's a woman.
Oh yeah.
I think it's a woman too.
I mean here she is putting all this time
and effort into these really wonderful gifts
and all I'm doing is just using them to promote my show.
Well at least you're thinking about her feelings.
Yeah.
I mean who knows, she could turn out to be my soul mate.
Do you believe in soul mates?
Why not?
Don't you?
I believe that anything can happen at Christmas time.
Yeah.
That's the problem, isn't it?
Tomorrow's edition.
Your article looks good.
Need more pictures.
Alan said the same thing.
He and Ryan wanna make it a series through Christmas.
You should be happy.
Looks like you'll be keeping your job after all.
Grace: Oh yeah, what could go wrong?
I don't know what to do.
Well you can't turn them down.
No, it has been strongly hinted
that I would lose my job if I did.
Then tell the truth.
Then I would lose my job for sure.
Stop sending gifts?
Well then I wouldn't be able to...
Don't say it.
You have feelings for him again, don't you?
You don't have to answer that.
"His deep resonating voice pours out of the radio,
welcoming you to his world."
That's true.
He has a terrific voice.
Uh-huh.
"And though he doesn't know the identity
of his Secret Santa, the handsome DJ
is ready to jump in the snow and fulfill her request."
He is handsome.
That is just good reporting.
Well, you can't argue with that.
Okay so Santa Claus he's got those elves is he paying them,
do they have some sort of a minimum wage?
The reindeer I mean these poor guys are flying around
the planet carrying him and the man is not exactly svelte.
You have two dozen new fan letters today.
Really?
Count 'em.
Rita I gotta ask you and don't get offended but, is it you?
Are you sending me these gifts?
It is brilliant and I wish that I could take credit for it
but no, I am not your Secret Santa.
Well I just I had to ask
because you're using them very effectively.
Well it's my job and it's working.
It's like its Christmas in here all of a sudden.
And actually it is Christmas in here
so maybe you could start playing some Christmas music.
Enough with the Grinch stuff already.
Fine.
So, a carriage ride.
There is one guy in town who rents a horse
and carriage ride in the park.
Last time I was around a horse was at camp.
And the horse hated me.
What do you mean he hated you?
He tried to bit me every chance he could.
And just me, nobody else.
Well I'm sure it's not the same horse, but I will protect you.
Promise?
Mhm.
So I think I've figured out who the "Secret Santa" is.
Who?
Well technically it could be anyone in town even you right,
but that would be crazy.
Right.
It's Brianna, the yoga instructor.
She hinted at it on the stations website.
What did she say?
Just hints you know,
"If I told you, it wouldn't be a secret anymore,"
that kinda thing.
Huh.
She really said that?
Anyway there's only one way to find out.
Brianna, hey it's Mitch.
No, no yoga, but are you free tomorrow?
Well I'm wondering if you'd like to take a carriage ride with me.
Thank you for coming.
Thank you.
Wow.
Sorry we're late.
Brianna: You weren't kidding.
Nope.
This is so lovely.
I'm just so honored that you wanted
to share this with me Mitch.
Sure.
Hey, Brianna, do you mind if I talk to Mitch for a second?
Ah no.
So did you know that all of your adoring fans would be here?
Um no, well Rita did say something
about putting it on the website but ah.
Well you are "Good Morning With Mitch."
Mitch: Yeah, yeah.
The small time big time radio jock.
I mean I used to get pretty decent crowds at events in L.A.
but it's a start.
Oh and the ratings are up so that's good.
That's great.
Yeah.
Um okay well how bout we start with some photos.
Sure.
Okay.
Brie, we're gonna do some photos for the story.
Oh sure.
Happy to.
Such a cute little story to be a part of.
And Maggie, you're gonna mention my studio,
because that would be so great, really.
I could give you some free lessons.
Oh that wont be necessary.
Okay.
You know we're actually gonna be going around
the park a couple of times, it might be pretty time consuming
are you sure you're up for this Brianna?
Of course.
Anything for Mitch.
Okay.
Grace: I cannot believe you did this.
What?
The picture caption.
Of Mitch and Brianna.
Mitch O'Grady with unidentified female.
Oh I can't imagine how that happened.
Hmm.
Mitch wind in his hair and fallowing to the letter
the request of his Secret Santa circled the park in a carriage.
Reminiscent of his days as a prominent Los Angles morning DJ,
the assembled crowd cheered him on.
Will these mysterious Christmas gifts
and Harrisons indomitable Christmas spirit be enough
to reawaken his?
How could he think that it's Brianna?
Because you haven't told him it's you.
She doesn't seem like his type.
Okay.
You keep telling yourself that.
Maggie!
I just got off the phone with Ryan at Wrightsbridge.
He loves the Secret Santa stories.
Really?
Yeah.
And we're getting a lot of social media comments.
Thanks.
They're noticing at Wrightsbridge.
Keep it up.
Mitch: 20 percent chance of flurries this evening.
Get the electric blankets out folks.
Grab a coffee...
And that is the weather in Harrison.
Well look at that the phone lines are lighting up
with 11 callers all who are wondering
who my secret Santa is.
But the mystery will have to wait until tomorrow
because we are out of time.
This has been "Good Morning With Mitch."
I'm Mitch, good morning and good bye.
Look at these comments.
This is exactly what we needed.
And there's another gift.
Well, save it for tomorrow's show.
I gotta meet Maggie in ten minutes.
You're welcome.
Hey.
Hey!
Thanks for meeting me.
I wanted to spend some time with you that wasn't
on the record if that's okay?
Are you kidding it's great.
So another gift came.
Really?
Did you look at it?
No, I'm saving the unveiling for tomorrow's show.
Oh so you're saving it like a Christmas gift.
You never give up, do you?
Maggie: Not about Christmas.
Well as far as I'm concerned Christmas is fine without me.
Wow.
Look at that.
What, the bike?
When I was a kid
that was the only Christmas gift I ever wanted.
Stay right there.
What are you doing?
Thanks, I'll bring it right back.
How old were you when you had one?
I-I never got one.
I'm sorry.
I mean, Mom tried, but, yeah...
We don't always get what we want
in life, do we?
Come check it out.
Okay.
Look at that.
It's just for me, not for the paper.
It's okay.
Hop on.
Alright.
Oh yeah.
Folks, I've been getting some heat
about not acknowledging Christmas on my show.
Right now, that ends.
Yesterday I was taken down memory lane by an old friend.
Right to that one Christmas gift I always wanted as a kid
but never got.
So, in the spirit of Christmas, I'm gonna open up
the phone lines so you can tell me what gift you always wanted
but never got.
First up, we have Katelynn.
Katelynn, give me your best shot.
I never got to meet the D.J.
who's been getting my Secret Santa gifts.
Wow, this is...
This is quite a surprise.
Thank you very much Katelynn, for coming forward.
You know, I have one of the gifts you sent right here
in my hands but before I open it,
why don't you tell my listeners what it is.
No no, that would, um, ruin the surprise.
Mhm.
The surprise is you calling in in the first place.
Come on, tell us what amazing and special gift you've sent?
Um, well you know.
it's...
Oh no, my boss is coming.
I'll have to call you back.
Mitch: Okay.
I look forward to it.
We're going to be taking more of your calls
after a full half-hour of uninterrupted music.
This is WCNQ - enjoy, Harrison.
♪ Don't forget about me this Christmas ♪
♪ Whatever you do ♪
Hey.
Did you hear that?
Yeah.
You handled that well.
Thanks.
So, did you look at your new gift yet?
Nope, not yet.
I'll get to it.
Timing is everything.
Yes, it is.
Hey.
Hey!
What are you doing?
I just had dinner at the diner.
Ooh!
I shoulda warned you about that.
Yeah, I wish you had.
Where you coming from?
Oh, I was just out on a run.
Look at all these lights!
It's so beautiful.
Didn't you say way back when that your mom collected
Christmas star ornaments?
You should get one for her.
Maggie...
My mom died.
Oh, Mitch I'm...
I'm so sorry.
Yeah.
When did that happen?
Uh, that night that I dropped you off.
At Christmas?
That's why you didn't come back to school.
It's why I didn't do a lot of things.
She uh...
She was sick for a long time
but she didn't want to worry me.
So she kept it from me.
No wonder you don't celebrate Christmas.
For my dad and I, the holiday doesn't mean very much.
Do you think that's what your mom would want?
Christmas was really her thing,
now that she's gone December twenty-fifth
is just another day.
Then why go through with the secret Santa?
It's good publicity.
I don't feel alone in it.
You mean all your listeners?
No.
You.
I should go.
Got an early morning, Good Morning with Mitch.
Right.
Good night.
Good night, Mitch.
♪ Joyful this Christmas for everyone ♪
Maggie, check your inbox.
You think it's too late to bring a date?
In my book it's never too late to bring a date.
Mitch: Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls,
the time has come to unveil the latest Secret Santa gift.
Hang on...
And Katelynn...
if you're listening, nice try.
Alright.
Let me describe it to you.
It's of Santa Claus.
He's got a big bag of toys and ruby red eyes.
Let's have a look inside.
Aww, look at that.
It's a lovely stocking.
Let's have a read.
On the third day of Christmas,
your Secret Santa gives to thee.
To complete your Christmas with childlike awe,
take a pic with Santa Claus.
Once a boy, but now a man, what you can't do, his magic can.
Merry Christmas, your Secret Santa.
Now I'd love to know why my secret Santa is doing this
but hey, who am I to question a direct order?
So Santa, if you're listening, look out because here I come.
Looks like we're gonna go see Santa.
Yeah, yeah.
You know, it's a good question.
Why...
Why is she having him do these things?
What's motivating her?
Are you working that angle?
Maybe she likes...
his voice, and is trying to get his attention.
C'mon Maggie, be a reporter.
She could hang outside the station and do that.
I want you to find out who she is and why she's doing this.
And I want an exclusive.
And it's not too late to bring a date unless you want
to end up getting stuck with me.
Okay.
Maggie: Are you aflutter with excitement?
Not really.
This is a little weird.
Weird?
Yeah.
You know people do this to experience the season.
Yes, I know.
I can't help thinking though that...
What?
I think my mom would be a little disappointed
if she knew I was just...
Going through the motions?
Mitch: Yeah, something like that.
You could enjoy it for real?
Wow, you really go for the jugular, don't you?
How come you don't have a kid with you?
Uh, I don't need a kid because I'm immature all by myself.
Hey, Mitch are you doing anything tonight?
I'm supposed to see Brianna.
She keeps texting me, sorry.
Oh, Brianna.
Yeah.
So you guys like...
hang out?
We're gonna go to this party that I'm DJing at in the city.
I totally would have invited you,
but I thought it would be a good chance
to find out whether she's my Secret Santa or not.
Oh yeah, no I totally understand.
It's not by chance
the Wrightsbridge company Christmas party, is it?
Yeah!
How'd you know about that?
I'm uh...
I'm going.
Wrightsbridge is buying the Gazette, so I guess technically,
I work for them.
Cool, so you'll be there.
Yeah.
Well then I'll know two people at the party.
Rita strikes again.
I guess that means it's my turn.
I guess so.
No, no, no.
If I have to do this, you have to do it too, come on.
Let's go.
How you doing?
So, what are we saying?
Christmas?
Christmas.
1, 2, 3...
All: Christmas!
You know, that actually wasn't as bad
as I thought it was gonna be.
Did you know that the elves were gonna usher you to a table
to sign autographs?
No, I didn't but I used to do that kinda stuff in L.A.
It was pretty fun.
Christmas fun?
Ugh, I give up, okay!
It was Christmas fun.
Yes!
Yes.
You are so going to love Christmas again like that guy
who made sure I made it home for the holidays.
It wasn't a big deal.
It was for me.
Okay.
Which one?
Since when do you care this much about what you wear?
I don't.
I just, I really need your help.
I don't even know what I'm wearing.
You weren't exactly the date I was hoping for.
Well, thanks.
How could he ask Brianna?
Hmm, a cute yoga instructor.
I don't know, it's a mystery to me.
No, no, no, my point is, Mitch still thinks
that Brianna could be his Secret Santa.
She hasn't denied it.
She is interested.
It's not a huge leap.
You are not helping.
The red?
Definitely.
Okay.
Hello, everyone!
I'm Mitch O'Grady from WCNQ Mitch in the Morning,
I hope everyone's having a good time tonight.
Uh, here we are at Wrightsbridge.
They decide what news you get.
Who becomes famous.
Who doesn't become famous.
Just for the record O'Grady is spelled O, apostrophe,
G-R-A-D-Y.
I'll leave the rest of the headline up to you.
Anyway, um, enjoy the party and Merry Christmas.
Great party.
Ryan: Thanks Al, I think it's also quite the opportunity
for some cross-promotion.
You wanna keep that story going, Maggie, am I right?
If you say so.
Hi.
Hi!
Wow, you...
You look fabulous.
Oh, uh thanks.
So do you.
Thanks.
You were great.
I was very impressed.
Oh.
Yeah, me too.
Mitch, you are the Secret Santa DJ, right?
Yes, yes I am.
It's one of my proudest accomplishments.
Ryan: Brianna?
You must be our potential Secret Santa, am I right?
Well, um...
Come on, this is the perfect place to admit it.
A beautiful Christmas party.
If you want we could do the interview right here,
take a couple of pictures...
Maggie are you okay with that?
We could...
You should!
Okay.
You guys are really putting me on the spot, here.
Hi everyone.
I'm Brianna.
I have a yoga place in Harrison but I also do personal training
and private consults.
Mention tonight's party and you will get
a twenty-five per cent discount off any booking.
Well, no angle there.
Not so fast.
Brianna, are you Mitch's Secret Santa?
I think it's a rather simple question,
I'm pretty sure everyone here
doesn't want to be left in suspense.
It's time for me to confess...
...that I am Mitch's...
...not-so-Secret Santa!
There... I said it!
Uh, I don't think that was an answer.
Was that an answer at all?
Well, I mean it's no secret that I like you.
I have from the moment that I heard your voice.
Sorry, um I'm still confused.
Does that mean you are my Secret Santa
or you're not my Secret Santa?
Well, no.
but what does that matter now?
And besides, I would have sent you mistletoe, not buttons.
Mistletoe is technically a parasitic plant.
I just said that out loud didn't I?
I'm gonna...
...Get a drink.
I'll go with you.
Well, that was quite an evening.
It was great.
Where's Brianna?
Oh, you know, working the room.
Ahh.
Well, you'll be happy to know that my bosses were relieved
that it was not her.
They'd kinda like to milk this as much as they can.
Although, they may have been a little overzealous in there.
Nah, no, whatever sells, right?
That's the job.
Mitch, about the Secret Santa gifts...
What about 'em?
What if they stopped coming?
Well that would be too bad.
I know you want the publicity,
but if you just put that aside for a moment.
It's not just that, I like getting them.
Christmas hasn't been so fun for me lately,
this has made it fun.
Besides, the person doing it
has been putting a lot of work into it.
I'd still love to know why.
Maybe she just wants to bring Christmas back for you.
Then she'd be a lot like you, wouldn't she?
Yes, she would.
Mitch you ready to go?
Yeah.
Bye, Maggie.
Good night.
Night.
Let's go home.
Good morning, Harrison.
This is Mitch O'Grady and I've got mail.
Yes that's right, another Secret Santa gift has come in
so let's get right to it, shall we?
Well, it's in the shape of a turkey
and what do we got inside?
Oh, looks like a ladle.
Interesting.
Let's read it.
On the fourth day of Christmas,
your Secret Santa gives to thee.
Receiving gifts is fine and well,
giving oneself rings a bell.
Give an angel wings to fly,
that tiny smile will make you cry.
Merry Christmas, your Secret Santa.
Huh.
Now the phone lines are lighting up like...
yes, I'll say it - a Christmas tree,
but I've got a better idea.
I'm gonna call my Christmas coach.
Hi, Mitch.
Maggie Chalke of the Harrison Gazette.
Did you hear the message?
Um, yeah, I did.
Okay, so turkey, giving oneself, tiny smile.
Tiny smile, um...
A child maybe?
Makes sense.
Uh, let's see if I can put these clues into a question.
How do you give of oneself with a turkey to make a child smile?
I got it!
Volunteering at a soup kitchen.
When I was a kid, my mom used to take me every Christmas
to volunteer at a soup kitchen.
That's nice.
That's really nice.
I like that a lot.
Let's do that.
Thank you Secret Santa.
You're welcome.
Here you go.
Merry Christmas.
Hello.
My mom said you're on the radio.
She did?
Well, she's right, I am.
We saw your picture in the newspaper with Santa.
Really?
Well you see this lady right here?
She wrote that story and she's going to write more.
It was funny.
You're too big to sit in Santa's lap.
I know, that's why I stood next to him.
Sweetie, what did you ask Santa for this year?
A job for my mom and...
Groceries, too.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas.
I felt like my mom was there today.
Really?
She used to say that giving of oneself was
the true spirit of Christmas.
She was a pretty smart lady.
Yes, she was.
Thank you for letting me share this with you.
It was nice.
Christmas nice?
Yes, it was Christmas nice.
Stand right there.
I wanna remember this day.
You ready?
Here we go.
Ugh, is it that bad?
I take terrible photos.
No, you're...
It's beautiful.
Here, I'll take one of you.
Hey.
Look at that.
That could be her.
Maybe.
Um, we should get going.
I've got an article to write.
And we're back.
This is WCNQ...
"Good Morning With Mitch."
I'd like to take this moment to thank you, the listeners.
I can't tell you what it means to me that you've responded
to my request in the way that you have.
I got a call from The Harrison Food Bank today
and they said they've been overwhelmed with donations.
So from the bottom of my rapidly thawing Scrooge-like heart,
thank you.
And to top it all off, I've received a new gift
from my Secret Santa.
Let's have a look.
It's in the shape of a beautiful snow angel and inside we have...
A lovely snowflake Christmas ornament.
Let's see what it says.
On the fifth day of Christmas,
your Secret Santa gives to thee...
Maggie: Lie in the snow and spread your arms.
it's bound to bring many charms.
Celebrate Christmas far and wide.
there's nothing like a bobsled ride.
The colors of Christmas are oh so bright,
but nothing beats the black and white.
Sing your joy, sing to thee...
How we love the caroling!
Merry Christmas, your Secret Santa.
Maggie Chalke.
Hi.
Well, yes, I would definitely be interested in talking.
Tomorrow.
That soon?
Okay.
Thank you, sir.
Bye.
Everything okay?
Yeah.
Uh, great.
Just putting the finishing touches
on the latest Christmas gift story.
Great.
We've had your job application for a while now.
Two years at least.
Some of my staff has been following your
DJ-Secret Santa saga and think you write pretty well.
I agree.
Thank you.
You have no idea what that means to me.
Which is why I brought you in here.
Our lead human-interest writer went on maternity leave
and she's now informed us she's not returning.
And you're thinking of me?
I don't think I'd ask you up here
to tell you we weren't hiring you.
I can't believe it.
I...
The Telegraph-Standard is one of the oldest
and most respected papers in the country.
Is that a yes?
Oh, yes.
Yes.
I am so happy for you.
Thanks.
What's wrong?
It's like fate put Mitch and me back together
and now it's...
Taking you out of the equation?
Yeah, I guess.
I've dreamed my whole life about writing
for a paper like the Telegraph-Standard.
It's...
An amazing Christmas gift.
It's what you have always wanted.
I am just going to miss seeing you everyday.
I am only gonna be two hours away.
It's not the end of the world.
When do you start again?
The first of the year.
I have to go to the city right after Christmas
to find a place to live.
When are you going to tell Mitch?
I guess right away.
It's only fair.
The Telegraph-Standard.
Wow, that's a big deal.
Yeah, it is.
And I'm telling you before I tell them at work.
Um, I start first of the year.
I can't believe this is happening to me.
That soon?
Yeah, they said they want to capitalize on the momentum
of the Mitch and Secret Santa story
when introducing me to their readers.
I guess you kinda helped make it happen.
Yeah, I guess.
It's just um...
What?
Well, I'm not gonna lie.
I'm really gonna miss you.
I'm really gonna miss you too.
But I mean, I'm only gonna be a couple hours away.
It's Chicago, there's no way I can compete with that.
Do you want to compete with that?
I want you to have what you worked for,
what you've dreamed about.
Well yeah I mean, I want that for you, too.
No, no, this is not about me.
For once.
Brianna.
Hmm, she get you to do yoga yet?
No, no not yet but I may have to start.
Now that you're leaving, who am I gonna hang out with?
Right.
Look, I'm really happy for you.
Honestly I am.
It's great.
Thanks.
You know, I got things I gotta do.
Yeah, me too.
But um, let's have dinner before you go or something.
Yeah, I would love that.
Good.
On the tenth day of Christmas,
your Secret Santa gives to thee...
Throw away your worries, leave behind your cares,
bring along a friend and throw snowflakes in the air.
Merry Christmas, your Secret Santa.
Snowball fight.
You're good.
Mitch?
Well that's me, Harrison.
I'm Mitch, good morning and good bye.
Maggie, uh, can we meet on your lunch break
for one last hot chocolate before you go?
Uh, sure.
I'll see ya in a couple hours.
What's going on?
It's Maggie, Rita.
What?
Maggie is my Secret Santa.
No, the reporter?
Yes.
Are you sure?
I saw this glitter on her jacket
and it was the same glitter that I saw on the gift.
What glitter, what are you talking about?
I don't know how I didn't see this before,
it's like she had me dazzled or something.
She did it to advance her career,
she got herself a job at the Telegraph-Standard.
We've gotta get out in front of this.
No, no, no, I need to confront her.
This is my mess, I'll clean it up.
Okay.
But let me know if I need to do some damage control.
Yeah.
Hey.
I'm glad you called.
Are you okay?
No, I'm not.
I'm not either, if you...
I know that you're my Secret Santa.
Okay, Mitch, let me explain.
Did you realize when you did this
it would get you all the way to the Telegraph-Standard?
Of course not...
Was I just an opportune target?
No.
No, no, no.
It just happened.
Look, when all of this started,
I was just trying to pay you back...
I just want you to know that I know.
Mitch...
You just need to talk to him.
Try explaining things to him again.
It's too late.
He thinks that I used him to further my career.
Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of year.
I just made a big mess of it.
I'm so sorry.
It could have worked out.
I had a plan.
I suggest you follow it through.
What?
Carry it through.
Implement the rest of the plan.
It can't get any worse.
No...
It can't.
Is Mitch here?
He took a personal day.
Can you give this to him?
Seriously?
Please?
Thank you.
I get it, by the way.
It was a great story.
I heard it worked out for you.
Too bad about Mitch though.
I-I never meant to hurt Mitch.
Just the opposite.
And I never cared about it working out for me either.
These will explain everything.
Can you please just make sure he gets them?
Merry Christmas.
Hello.
When you told me you had an exclusive,
this really wasn't what I had in mind.
According to what you've written here,
you've broken every journalistic rule in the book,
and some that haven't even been written yet.
I'm sorry, Alan.
Are you kidding?
You have nothing to be sorry about.
You realize this comes at a time when subscriptions are up,
we're getting huge hits on the website
and Twitter and advertising revenues even turning around.
This article is only gonna make things better around here.
It's you I'm worried about.
Has the Telegraph-Standard seen this yet?
I sent them a draft too, along with my regretful resignation.
I figured I would try and keep my dignity while I could.
Ah, Maggie.
It was the right thing to do.
Thank you for everything that you've done for me, Alan.
Is that goodbye?
Like you said.
I broke every journalistic rule there is.
No, you're crazy if you think I'd let you go after this.
I expect you back bright and early after Christmas.
Really?
Yeah!
Really!
Thank you.
♪ Oh hear the angels voices ♪
♪ Oh night, divine ♪
♪ Oh night, when Christ was born ♪
♪ Oh night divine ♪
♪ Oh night, night divine ♪
Good morning, Harrison, or should I say,
Merry Christmas Eve?
Well, it looks like the phone lines are lighting up
with Christmas requests,
we're gonna get to a few of those in a moment.
I haven't been the biggest fan
of Christmas these last few years, but that doesn't mean
our listeners can't get into the spirit.
This is "Good Morning With Mitch" on WCNQ.
♪ Here we are, arms around each other ♪
♪ The quiet scene, pretty lights all over ♪
♪ Snow is falling on everyone ♪
Hey!
Maggie: On the eleventh day of Christmas,
your Secret Santa gives to thee...
No matter the road, no matter the ride,
the past becomes a present with me at your side.
I'm sorry, Mitch.
Maggie.
Your not-so-secret Santa.
Ten years ago I was a shy, homesick freshman in college
and a blizzard stood between me and Christmas.
Mitch O'Grady delivered me home.
In my time of need, Mitch was there for me for no other reason
than it being the right thing to do.
So when I learned how Christmas has tarnished for him,
I wanted to make it shine again.
My plan was to send him twelve gifts for each
of the twelve days of Chrismas but I fell short by one.
And while this article has no rhyme,
or glitter it has the one gift I never enclosed...
My heart.
It's the best I can do.
Merry Christmas, Mitch.
Grace: Hey!
Are you out of eggnogg?
Mitch: Best of the twelve gifts of Christmas, Maggie,
was the gift of Christmas.
I thought I'd lost it forever.
And for that, I will always love you.
Here's to many more.
Mitch.
Where are you going?!
To go find him.
I thought you'd never open that door.
You read my story.
Yes, I did.
And I got your final Secret Santa gift.
Well, not quite.
Hang on.
How did you know I'd come back?
I didn't.
But I believe in Christmas miracles, remember?
I love that bike and what it means, but...
I already got the Christmas gift always wanted.
It's you.