The Trial of Santa Claus: a new festive podcast that puts Saint Nick in the dock

For millions of children across the world, Santa Claus is a hero - but in our new podcast Father Christmas has been branded a villain.

The Trial of Santa Claus, a Laudable production, puts Saint Nick in the dock, charged with the crime of Christmas.

In each episode, the prosecution and the defence will argue for the innocence or the guilt of the accused. And by Christmas Eve, the court will determine Santa’s salvation or incarceration.

Over 12 days in the Christmas court, the prosecution and defence will scrutinise a Christmas tradition, song, or film. And the festive podcast is appointing its listeners as members of the jury.

From Whamaggedon to the race for Christmas Number One, cheesy cracker jokes to whether Die Hard is actually a Christmas film, listeners will be able to vote on the outcome of each day. After each episode airs, you will be asked to vote in a Twitter poll @LaudablePods.

Dan McLaughlin, a podcast producer who will be leading the defence, calls Laudable’s first Christmas podcast “a bit of festive fun, and a well-needed laugh”.

He said: “I am a huge fan of Christmas, and I hope my defence of Santa Claus will help put me on the nice list this year.

“The Trial of Santa Claus is a very silly, tongue-in-cheek podcast, and it has been a hoot to record with my colleagues, Kelly Crichton and Matt Millard.

“I don’t think the prosecution, led by Kelly and Matt, are quite the Scrooges that they make out in the podcast - but they have put forward some very convincing arguments that have almost swayed me at times!”

Laudable is a podcast collaboration between newsrooms at Reach and JPI Media, creating audio journalism for all audiences. You can hear other festive offerings this Christmas in their Brummie Mummies, The Northern Agenda, and Scran podcasts.

The Trial of Santa Claus is available on all major podcasting platforms, including Apple and Spotify. The first episode aired on December 12, and it will run until Christmas Eve where the listeners will decide the fate of Christmas.

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