Mad Dog McGillicuddy and his Rabid Band of Howler Monkeys

The Bible doesn't mention a shoot-out between a gaucho named El Maco and Santa Claus in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve, but it doesn't say it didn't happen, so this Episode could in fact be both historically and spiritually accurate. The basic idea behind this Episode is that Maccas brought back the El Maco for December (last year it was the McRib... happier times...), I ate one, and declared the line uttered by Santa in the final frame. What a disappointment. There are other contributing influences on this Episode, the first of which is one of my all-time favourite Christmas songs, Don't Shoot Me Santa by The Killers, which reinvents Santa as a vengeful gunfighter. The other major influence (on this entire endeavour, actually) is Christopher Hastings' Dr McNinja, the printed omnibus I was lucky to pick up on a recent trip to Melbourne. Gordito must have seeped permanently into my brain. Trivia: This is the first conventional, full A4 Episode since Episode 157 - The Howler Monkeys in 'A Very Sharknado Christmas' (2013's Christmas Episode), published SIX YEARS AGO. Sombre note: RIP the following (direct and indirect) influences on me and my work: Dick Miller, Bob Einstein, Albert Finney, Scott Walker, Luke Perry, Keith Flint, Peter Mayhew, John Singleton, Doris Day, Peggy Lipton, Rutger Hauer, Rip Torn, Peter Fonda, Toni Morrison, Ric Ocasek, Kim Shattuck, John Witherspoon, Clive James, Sam Watson, Carroll Spinney, Greedy Smith, Marie Fredriksson, Bob Hawke, Chris Wilson. 2019, despite its highs (I wrote and directed a stage musical, dontcha know), has been an absolute bin fire. Ever the optimist, I believe 2020 will be one of my best years yet. I hope it is for you too. Merry Christmas! Brodie