Before I get to all the downfall and tragedy, I’d like to ask a favor. For whatever reason, most people aren’t able to post to the Facebook page, but a few of you can. And because the missus and I are both administrators, we can’t see the page like a regular viewer and thus can’t really troubleshoot. So if any of you are able to post to the page, could you do so and include a screenshot of where you see the option to post? It’ll help me show others how they might be able to do it.

Thanks in advance!

OK, enough about my problems. Let’s talk about me—and the fact that Mrs. LDBC and I both got zapped by Bing and Bowie this afternoon. Yes, all we wanted was a couple bunches of asparagus and a dozen or so Cosmic Crisp apples (a favorite of mine). But apparently, loving fresh-grown goodness was enough of a transgression for The Boy to decide we deserved to go.

Hey, it happens. Just as it’s now happened to more than 300 of you who’ve filled out the form, along with those of you who haven’t. (And if you haven’t, please do so we can properly memorialize you at the end of this Thing of Ours.)

As I keep saying, ’tis a brutal game we play.

But it’s one that brings us together in our anxiety and suffering year after year and brings out the best in generous LDBCers such as Thom Downing, who has once again put together a new LDBC-safe Spotify playlist this year. Thom and others do this regularly, and you can find the results of their efforts on our LDBC-Safe Media List.

A week to go, people. If you’re still in it, look lively, be careful, and make those of us who’ve stopped running proud. (And check below for the latest batch of Elfies from some of us.)

Ever vigilant.

For Bill!

Feast of the Fallen: a Remembrance of The Boy’s Victims

Only 10 days in, and we’re 161 LDBCers down. My advanced math skills tell me that’s just over 16 a day, on average. Which is, as noted philosopher and Dethklok lead singer Nathan Explosion would say, brutal.

We’ve also gathered an impressive array of LDBC-elfies (or Elfies, when my typing fingers get lazy) to honor. They are our fallen compadres. And yet, amidst the pain of their defeat, they had the wherewithal to capture the moment in pixels and send it our way.

Some housekeeping things first, though. A reminder to please fill out the reporting form if you zig when you should’ve zagged, and please share your own Elfie via the Facebook page or by tagging us on Bluesky.

Also, two notes of caution. Stay away from episode 7 (“Ghosts”) of The Beast in Me as well as that misbegotten Etsy ad that’s making the rounds. Those two already have a lot of blood on their hands. (The former is included on our list of deadly media, which helps warn you off some of the rocks waiting just below the surface.)

And helpful LDBCer Claudia Ceva was noble enough to let us know about the “cute” video that took her out on Instagram. If you see the screenshot to the right, with doggos and a deer, do not click.

The Boy’s deadly enough on his own, people. Let’s not give him any assistance if we can help it.

Ever vigilant.

For Bill!

Directory of The Departed: a Remembrance of The Boy’s Victims

My calendar, Gmail mailbox, texts, TV, radio, news, and all media in existence tell me it’s Black Friday. Something about a sale or two going on.

But that’s not important right now. What matters is, it’s time to once again take on that rotten Kid who insists that everything in life is better when accompanied by a rhythm—one banged out on a drum as loudly as possible. (Yes, I just used an em-dash. And no, that doesn’t mean AI wrote this. I did. Been using those things for years, and you’ll pry my preferred punctuation from my cold, dead hands.)

Let’s get this little bastard. Or, more accurately, let’s frustrate and evade him.

Do it in the name of 2025’s First Fallen, the unfortunate Bill S. We don’t know the circumstances of Bill’s demise, but he reported in at just shy of 9:21 am this morning.

So let’s dance: Bone up on the rules (bit.ly/LDBCrules). Fill out the form (bit.ly/ldbcform) if you’re done in to earn yourself a spot on the Wall at the end o’ the game.

Also, take an LDBC-elfie of yourself at the moment of your loss and add it to a comment on our Facebook page or via Bluesky (be sure to tag @littledrummerboychallenge.com there). And feel free to check out the gallery at the bottom of last year’s roundup for inspiration.

Also, also, review our list of deadly TV shows and movies (bit.ly/LDBCtoxic), but be aware that it is not the end-all-be-all. There’s a link there to an IMDb page that’ll give you much more.

OK, two more things. To make life a bit easier and more pleasant, take a look at our handy list of LDB-free media, which includes LDBC-safe online channels and a whole host of LDBC-er playlists. (As always, though, check those carefully before playing. Mistakes have been made, and people have perished in the past.)

Hold fast and keep a stiff upper lip, people. This year is your time.

For Bill!

At the time of this typing, we’re just three shy of 300 down, folks, which means it really will be an unlucky day for the poor soul to hit that number on the reporting form. We’ve been averaging more than 20 takedowns a day, which means even Jason himself is but a dabbler when compared with the dreaded Boy.

Of course, the rotten kid’s had plenty of help from his quisling pals, as He usually does. The Black Doves folks are rookie villains this year, hiding the Johnny Cash version in the opening of the Netflix show’s episode four (“Go Bang Time”), which boasts a number of notches on its gun already despite our attempt to warn everyone via social media. (In fact, I’d avoid the trailer for that one, too. I had it muted because Mrs. LDBC and I are still in, but it looked suspicious as well.)

Another newbie that’s taken LDBCer Dana Hudson Kragick and others down is The Holderness Family‘s “Merry Perimenopause” video, which includes a fatal dose of LDB. Ditto a viral video called “When Your Parents Leave You in Charge of the Christmas Playlist” and its parody version. Meanwhile, a veteran of the scene, Grace Jones‘s now-classic tour de force on Pee-wee’s Playhouse, has always been problematic. But this year it’s reemerged with a vengeance for whatever reason, as you’ll see if you check out the LDBC-elfie gallery below.

No one’s coming to save us, people. We’re staring down the barrel of a drumstick at if-it’s-to-be-it’s-up-to-me time. Check our Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky accounts for warnings, which depend on you guys for timeliness (and thank you to everyone who’s submitted). Peruse our list of toxic media and, even further, check the IMDb page we link to from there for a giant list of things to avoid.

And please, if you are taken from us before your time, do not post a video of the moment that includes the tune playing in the background. Just today I had to delete someone’s post for that very reason, and I was lucky I was quick with the mute button and saved myself.

Now, about those beloved LDBC-elfies (or Elfies, which is a lot easier to type and say). I’ve gotten a few questions about how to get them to us. Just attach them to a comment on one of our Facebook posts, or tag us on Instagram or Bluesky. Unfortunately, a recent yearly tradition is that I can’t tell you how to post directly to the Facebook page on your own, though several people have managed. It’s not obvious, as I’ve received more than one complaint about it, and I can’t find a setting to make it easier. Honestly, I just chalk it up to Zuck‘s enshittification of the platform.

Otherwise, remain ever-vigilant, and let’s be careful out there, people.

For Mike!

And just like that, we’ve hit 100 LDBCers down, folks. Scott G. was “lucky” enough to report in as the magic number.

It’s been fairly brutal thus far, I must say. We didn’t hit 100 until day five last year, so the pace of defeat is a little faster in 2024. For King and Country has claimed their share in theater previews around the country. Disney didn’t help. Folks continue to get ambushed in cars. It’s the usual cavalcade o’ mayhem.

So I thought I’d share some of the LDBC-elfies that folks have generously and hilariously shared already, just to keep you in the spirit of things.

I also figured I’d remind you to please fill out the reporting form should you encounter the wrong end of the sticks. (It’s just fun to have a record.) And by all means, should you meet with an ill end, please share you own elfie by commenting on the Facebook page or tagging us on Instagram or Bluesky.

And, hey—let’s be careful out there.

For Mike!

Feast of The Fallen: An LDBC Gallery o’ Victims

Here we go again, people. I mean, it’s like this kid shows up every year, isn’t it?

He does.

And this year, we stand strong.

Well, except for poor Mike M., who is our First Fallen this year. (He reported in at a little after 7 am. Ouch. Did he have a Boy alarm clock or something?) And you know what that means. We play for Mike in 2024.

You also know the drill: Bone up on the rules (bit.ly/LDBCrules). Fill out the newly simplified form (bit.ly/ldbcform) if you’re done in to earn yourself a spot on the Wall at the end o’ the game.

Also, take an LDBC-elfie of yourself at the moment of your loss and add it to a comment on our Facebook page or via Bluesky (be sure to tag @littledrummerboychallenge.com there). And feel free to check out the gallery at the bottom of last year’s roundup for inspiration.

Thought we were finished? Almost. To quote noted philosopher Frank Columbo (yes, it’s Frank), just one more thing. Go over our list of deadly TV shows and movies (bit.ly/LDBCtoxic), but be aware that it is not exhaustive. There’s a link there to an IMDb page that’ll give you much more.

OK, two more things. To make life a bit easier and more pleasant, take a look at our handy list of LDB-free media, which includes the new AccuRadio channels and a whole host of LDBC-er playlists.

Stand strong and stay frosty, folks. We got this.

For Mike!

Everybody plays this Thing of Ours differently (within the confines of the rules, of course). Some eschew helmets and pads to take their chances without any precautions at all. Others don earbuds and listen only to carefully culled playlists. Both are viable options, but this one’s for those of you in the latter group.

Our new friends at AccuRadio have created not one, not five, but seven—count ’em, seven!—online radio channels where you won’t hear the Boy anywhere. So if you’re looking to play with your seatbelt fastened (again, nothing wrong with that!), take a look at their LDB-free offerings.

(Also note another opportunity to do some good if you’re of the mind. See their Season of Sharing page to vote for the charities that’ll receive a piece of their $25,000 pot. And, of course, you can always send something to Americares, which is our charity of choice again this year.)

I’m also adding that to our LDBC-safe media page, which includes links to a heapin’ helpin’ of hospitable playlists created by generous LDBCers.

And while you’re at it, peruse our list of deadly movies and TV so you know what to avoid once the game starts on Black Friday. (Please note, though: as that page says, it’s not even close to being a comprehensive list. But you’ll find a link there to an IMDb page that’s far more thorough.)

Apologies for going more than two weeks without an update, fellow LDBCers, but life got in the way. (Stupid life. Everybody tells you to get one, and now look.)

A few things to talk about here.

First off, I finally got my act together and created a page for LDBC-safe playlists created by several of our generous fellow strugglers. (And let’s give them a hearty “thank you,” shall we?) So now you’ve got hours and hours of rounded-corners listening, though I highly recommend checking each list before you actually play it. Everyone’s trying to do the right thing, but mistakes will be made.

Secondly, I realized I haven’t yet plugged this year’s charity, which is once again Americares. (Hey, they do good work, so why change?) My pitch is always the same: holiday time pinches many a wallet, so please don’t feel bad if you don’t make a donation. Should you be so inclined, though, please donate here.

Now, on to the carnage.

‘Tis another bloody year this year. (Is there any other kind?) Folks have been laid low by The Holdovers, even though it was added good and early to our toxic list. A Flo Rida mashup has been doing some damage, as has a Tom Mabe prank video of some young carolers singing the dread tune.

A first this year, however, is the downfall of poor Tricia Abel. To date, we’ve had videos of people’s reactions after being taken out, but Trish, who was shooting one of her delightful “Trish Makes a Dish” TikTok videos, recorded her demise in real time. There she is, happily getting into her routine, when she catches herself singing to the tune and realizes what’s playing. (Note that her picture and the link point to her overall TikTok presence. Do not watch the video of her being taken down while you’re still in the game because you can hear it playing, and you’ll be gone as well.)

And that’s the quick update on what’s happening in This Thing of Ours, people. As always, be ever vigilant. If you do take a tumble and The Boy finds you, please fill out the reporting form (https://bit.ly/LDBCform) so that you’re included in the game-end stats. And if you want to join in on the LDBC-elfie fun, tag us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter with a reaction shot.

Otherwise, try to be what the immortal Fred Rogers called a helper and be good to one another this holiday season, and enjoy this gallery of those who’ve been less fortunate thus far, yours truly included.

For Stephen!

LDBC-Elfies: a Visual Chronicle of the Fallen