Tis the Podcast

Keeping the Christmas spirit alive 365 days a year.

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157: Snow Em Gee! (Northpole: Open for Christmas)

This week, join Julia, Thom, and Anthony as they travel back to a horrific-looking, CGI-North Pole as they discuss the 2015, Hallmark Original Christmas movie sequel, Northpole: Open for Christmas! As expected, Anthony goes scorched earth over this Bailee Madison film, but does Thom have enough holiday-spirit in his heart to love this one as much as he did the original? And does Cutey McCute-Face, Dylan McDermott, provide enough substance to this movie for Julia to give it a good ranking? You'll have to listen to find out! Also talked about this episode, answers to a Question of the Week as provided by WoahWatchItBuddy on Reddit: "If you could combine 3 Christmas movie plots into one MEGA MOVIE, which 3 movies would you pick?" And stay tuned midway through the Outro. Music for another Tis the Podcast blooper! Blast that air-conditioning so it feels like you're smack-dab in the middle of the "-Ber Months", settle back with your favorite holiday drink, and enjoy this fun episode! 

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156: The Notion Of Picking One Time Of Year To Be Decent To Other People Is Obscene Because It's Actually Validating The Notion Of Being Miserable Wretches The Rest Of The Year. (House M.D.)

After a contentious episode last week, Julia, Thom, and Anthony are all smiles and laughs this week, finding themselves in full and total agreement when it comes to discussing the Christmas episodes of the hit American television drama, House M.D. (Fun fact - while Anthony and Julia were fans of the show as it was airing, this is Thom's first time ever seeing an episode!) If you want to follow along at home, the three episodes discussed are:

  • Season 3 - Episode 10 - Merry Little Christmas
  • Season 4 - Episode 10 - It's a Wonderful Lie
  • Season 5 - Episode 11 - Joy to the World

Even the curmudgeonly and grinchy Dr. House can't bring down the Christmas spirit this week! Join the elves as they discuss how the staff of Princeton Plainsboro Teaching Hospital celebrates the holidays in an episode full of quotes and laughs, and listen to them talk about which celebrities they'd like to see cohost an episode of Tis the Podcast, what three Disney films (post The Little Mermaid) are the best in their opinions, and much, much, more! This is one fun episode you want to be sure not to miss, so settle in and enjoy! 

 

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155: Merry Christmas! (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight!) (Better Watch Out)

War! What is it good for? That's something the elves have to find out for themselves this week as Anthony, Thom, and Julia head into battle and discuss the 2016 horror film, Better Watch Out. Not since the debate over Jim Carrey's How the Grinch Stole Christmas has Anthony been forced to suffer such a brutal attack, as Thom and Julia double-team him and do their best to squash out that spark of enjoyment he receives from a movie that he actually liked. It's not all a fight though - in fact, there are hilarious laughs a plenty in this episode, which sees Thom and Anthony becoming oddly reminiscent of Dwight and Andy when they first met on The Office (or, if y'all prefer a Christmas reference, Anthony and Thom revert back to their Snow Miser and Heat Miser roles, while Julia tries to placate them as Mother Nature). In addition to the film, this week sees Thom give advice to our listeners about working remote; the hosts discuss which wild animals they would like to own as pets; binge-worthy television is talked about; and a game involving Christmas movie "teams", which was brought to the show's attention by listener GaryBlauman, is played. Also - dueling banjos! A line has been drawn in the snow - so choose your side, settle in, and enjoy this amusing episode! 

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154: Next Year All Our Troubles Will Be Miles Away. (Meet Me in St. Louis)

Happy Monday, Christmas fanatics! Can you believe it's already the last week of April! We are less than eight-months away from Christmas, officially! This week, join Julia, Thom, and Anthony as they journey into the past to review the 1944 classic film, Meet Me in St. Louis. In what is sure to be an episode that is as controversial as their A Christmas Story and It's a Wonderful Life ones, listen as the elves debate whether or not this is actually a holiday film, discuss which character from a film they've already reviewed they would be, and much, much more! So settle in with your favorite holiday beverage and enjoy this episode, which is appropriately named for the hard times that we're all going through at the moment, and remember - by Christmas, this will all be part of the story! 

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153: That Naughty-Nice List That You Got? There's No Naughty Kids, Nick. They're All Good Kids. (Fred Claus)

This week, the elves travel to the North Pole with Vince Vaughn to cover the 2007 holiday film, Fred Claus - which features one of the worst Santa's on film ever! Does this tale about St. Nick's family warm the hearts of Julia, Thom, and Anthony, or does it leave them feeling as cold as the Conglomerate that's trying to shut down the North Pole in this movie? Also featured this episode: the return of the question of the week, in addition to tons of listener feedback, and the beginning of a brand new Tis the Podcast giveaway! So settle in and enjoy because this episode is sure to be one that y'all don't want to miss! 

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152: There's No Way I'm Doing Christmas Without My Michael's Turkey.(Gavin & Stacey)

Happy Easter Monday, all! We hope you enjoyed our bonus Easter episodes! If you haven't had a chance to listen, one should be in your regular feed and one is now live on Patreon, for those of you who are patrons. This week, the elves take a quick hop across the pond to cover the Gavin & Stacey Christmas Specials! Reddit listener Disco54 suggested this show, and Anthony introduced it to Julia and Thom. Join us as we talk about the episodes, our Easter festivities, quarantine life, and more. Also, reach out to us to give us your suggestions for our Question of the Week segment!

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148: But That Was Different. That Was Halloween. This Is Easter. (It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown!)

Happy Passover to those who celebrate it! With Spring in full swing, and quarantine-life driving everybody stir-crazy, we here at Tis the Podcast wanted to show our appreciation for you by sharing a very special Easter episode of the show, in which Julia, Thom, and Anthony cover the 1974 classic, It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown! Enjoy as the three hosts discuss this not-as-well remembered holiday-themed, Peanuts special (with one host in particular acting quite Grinch-y and claiming it's merely a rehash of A Charlie Brown Christmas and It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown), share their favorite quotes, and refute Todd Killian's (of "Christmas Clatter Podcast") re-casting of the iconic 1994 film, The Santa Clause by recasting it themselves! This is one fun episode you definitely do not want to miss, so settle in with your chocolate bunnies after you hide those Easter eggs, enjoy, and have a very Happy Easter! And for those of you who are Patrons of the show, keep an eye out for another Patreon-exclusive bonus episode dropping on Easter Sunday itself, in which the elves cover the 1977, Rankin/Bass special, The Easter Bunny is Comin' to Town!

Show notes

151: Ears, Nestor. (Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey)

This week, Julia, Thom, and Anthony travel all the way back to Bethlehem, courtesy of Rankin/Bass' 1977 classic, Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey! This Christmas special also marks the elves' second foray into the niche genre of films that cover the Nativity Story from the point of view of an animal who was there. So is this another typical Rankin/Bass episode with Anthony on one side of the fence, and Thom and Julia on the other side? Or can little Nestor, with his long ears and gentle eyes, convince one of the Tulsans to enjoy a Rankin/Bass classic? Settle in with your favorite holiday drink, relax, and find out!

Show notes

146: A Very Meta, And Very Christmassy, Tis The Podcast April Fool's Day!

Happy April 1st (and April Fool's Day!), Y'all! In the most meta episode of Tis the Podcast yet, Julia, Thom, and Anthony - in more biting moods than they've ever been before - cover the 2017, six-and-a-half-minute short-film, Christmas Spirit. (Which can be found on YouTube Watch on YouTube.) What do the elves think of this student project, created by second year students of Canterbury Christ Church University? And why are they so feisty this week? Settle in with your favorite holiday beverages, relax, and find out! And a very special "Thank you!" to listeners April Ryley, Gerry Davila, and Todd Killian for all the help they gave us during the production of this very unique episode! 

Show notes

150: I Hope To Give Everyone A Little Light This Christmas. (The Christmas Candle)

This is an exciting week (and an extra-long episode - our longest to date!) as we're joined by Patron, Joshua Bruce, who picked The Christmas Candle, the 2013 movie based on the book of the same name, written by Max Lucado. Joshua joins the elves in hopes of seeing "Angry Anthony" - is he holding the right candle for that wish to come true? Tune in to see and get an update from the elves about living in quarantine, listen to them speak about their favorite musicians, and hear the elves reveal their wedding songs. It's a fun episode so settle in, relax, and share the warmth of the Christmas candle with us.

Show notes

149: You Messed With The Wrong Sisters. (Black Christmas [2019])

This week, Julia, Thom, and Anthony discuss the 2019 (2nd) remake of the 1974 cult-classic, Black Christmas. Is this modern reimagining a more feminist take on the source material, or does it somehow manage to make the original film look like a masterpiece? Spoiler Alert - all of the elves are united in their hatred of this film, but that doesn't stop them from having fun and a lot of laughs tearing it to shreds. Also discussed this episode - Coronavirus and an update on the hosts' Quarantined lives; the show's ranking system; and much, much more. So settle back with your favorite holiday beverage and enjoy an episode that is far superior than the movie it covers! 

*Please Note - This episode touches on some serious topics that could be triggering to some, and that may be inappropriate for younger listeners. (Including the Outro Music.) Please be advised in advanced. (There was no avoiding this, as they were plot points in the movie.* 

Show notes

147: Ferb, I Know What Else We're Gonna Do Today. (Phineas and Ferb)

Happy Monday, Christmas fanatics! This week, Julia, Thom, and Anthony bring all of the holiday cheer and Christmas feels to discuss the two Christmas episodes of Disney's hit animated show, Phineas and Ferb! For those who want to follow along at home, they are:

  • Season 2 - Episode 21 - Christmas Vacation!
  • Season 3 - Episode 14 - A Phineas and Ferb Family Christmas

Not only is this one of the most fun, laugh out loud, and quotable episodes of 2020, but it may be one of the most enjoyable episodes to date of "Tis the Podcast". Trust us when we say that this is definitely one you do not want to miss! (Complete with 3 whole songs throughout, in addition to our Intro. music!) So settle back with your favorite holiday-themed beverage and enjoy!

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145: A True Selfless Act Always Sparks Another. (Klaus)

Happy Monday! Join the elves this week as they cover the 2019 Netflix original movie Klaus. Join our little podcast family as we delve into what makes (or doesn't make) a good origin story for the big man in red, share a few rants, and embrace a few awkward moments. We also talk briefly about the new Artemis Fowl movie coming out. So relax, and welcome in those wonderful Christmas feelings.

Show notes

144: Last Christmas, I Gave You My Heart (Last Christmas)

This week, the elves cover the 2019, theatrical film, Last Christmas - based on the Wham! song of the same name. If you've yet to see this film but plan to at some point, we urge you to pause this episode, go watch, and come back to finish the episode, because this is one movie you want to go into blind if at all possible! In a rare occurrence, Thom and Anthony find their opinions in sync when it comes to this very literal film adaptation of a song they love, while Julia stands on an island alone. As for how they feel about it, however? You'll have to listen to find out! Also discussed this episode: Coronavirus, Disney's upcoming Honey I Shrunk the Kids sequel, the soon-to-be-released Hocus Pocus board game, a possible new ranking system for the movies we cover, and the hosts' favorite Christmas things - from smells, to tastes. So settle in, relax, and enjoy! 

Show notes

143: I Like To Say That It's The Joy Of Christmas That Reminds Us Of The Faith We Need To Sustain Us Throughout The Year, You Know? (The Knight Before Christmas)

This week, the elves cover the 2019, Netflix Original Movie, The Knight Before Christmas! How does this fare against the streaming service's other original holiday fare, specifically A Christmas Prince 3: The Royal Baby? Well, the elves don't exactly agree on that matter, and leave it up to the listeners to decide. Also discussed this week are the hosts preferences for Time Travel films, amongst other things! So settle back and enjoy this fun episode! 

Show notes