Tis the Podcast

Keeping the Christmas spirit alive 365 days a year.

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Episodes

82: And The Grinch Raised His Glass, And Led The Whos In A Toast, "To Kindness And Love, The Things We Need Most!" (Dr. Seuss' The Grinch [2018])

This week, Julia, Thom, and Anthony return to Whoville for the first time in over a year in order to talk about the 2018 animated film, Dr. Seuss' The Grinch." All Out War" broke out amongst the hosts the last time they talked about the Grinch and his dog, Max - will they be more in sync while discussing this remake of one of their favorite Christmas tales? (A remake that all three were wary about upon it being announced!) The less you know about where they stand on this film going in, the better, but we can promise you that this is an extremely fun episode that will not only make you want to whip up a cup of your favorite holiday drink, but which will also put you right back into the Christmas spirit! 

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This week, the elves tackle their eighth iteration of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol - the 2004, made-for-TV musical, A Christmas Carol: The Musical! This specific version stars an all star cast of some of the most popular television actors from the late '90s and early 2000s, and what can go wrong when you combine Dr. Frasier Crane, George Costanza, Jenna Maroney, The Flash's inevitable father-in-law, and the Ghost Whisperer into a flashy musical version of a perennial holiday classic? In addition to a fun discussion about Scrooge and his otherworldly friends, this episode also includes a lesson about how to properly pronounce the name "Anastasia" from the "worst" host, as well as Julia's quick thoughts about the 2018, Supernatural-horror film, Hereditary.This is one episode you don't want to miss, especially if you're still suffering from those post Christmas blues! 

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80: You'll Always Be Fat To Me, Chris. (Just Friends)

This week the elves tackle the 2005 questionably holiday movie Just Friends. Tune in as we discuss the film, the acting prowess of both Ryan Reynolds and Anna Faris, which co-host is the worst, our early memories of R-rated movies, and more.

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79: Six Bucks And My Right Nut Says We're Not Landing In Chicago. (Planes, Trains and Automobiles)

Julia, Thom, and Anthony kick off 2019 this week by covering John Hughes' beloved 1987 comedy, Planes, Trains and Automobiles. While definitely a holiday film, is it actually a Christmas film? Also discussed this episode, which of the elves would be Steve Martin's Neal Page in real life to John Candy's Del, whom the other two embody? (Spoiler Alert: Neither of these questions are hard to answer!) Enjoy - and don't despair, because while Christmas is still 50 Fridays away, we'll be here throughout the year helping to keep the spirit alive for all of you! 

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77: Christmas Eve 2018 Story - O. Henry's 'The Gift of the Magi'

Merry Christmas, everyone! We hope that Santa was good to you, and hope you have a wonderful day celebrating with your family and friends. Our little gift to you this year is a special, mini, bonus episode in which the elves read one of their favorite holiday short stories: O. Henry's The Gift of the Magi. We hope you like it, and enjoy the story as much as we do.  *Note* - Sorry for the bad audio during Thom's portion. We tried to clean it up the best we could, but that's the best we could get it to sound!

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76: You'll Shoot Your Eye Out, Kid! (A Christmas Story)

Merry Christmas Eve, everyone! This week, just in time for TBS' annual 24-hour-marathon, the elves discuss the much beloved, 1983, quintessentially American holiday Classic, A Christmas Story. But while many people have fond memories of this film, there is no unanimous praise for little Ralphie Parker or his quest for a Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun on this episode, as a battle so fierce that it rivals that of the Old Man and his wife over his infamous Leg Lamp breaks out over the movie's merits amongst the three hosts - with Julia and Thom on one side, and Anthony on the other. Not since 2017's infamous Grinch episode have the three been so divided over such a well-known and oft-played movie, but it makes for a fun (and nowhere near as contentious!) discussion, in which the elves' giddiness over Santa's impending visit tonight is palpable the entire time. Also discussed this episode are the gifts from childhood, which were never received, that Scott Calvin's Santa Claus would drop down from his sleigh to Julia, Thom, and Anthony if he flew by on Christmas Eve. So as you're doing last minute prep work for your Christmas Eve and Day celebrations, wrapping the last of your gifts, taking a break from the yearly TBS marathon of this film, or simply spending a relaxing day as you wait for Santa to come down your chimney tonight, make sure to tune in to this fun episode full of holiday cheer! 

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75: Now, All Those Within The Sound Of My Voice, And All Those On This Earth Everywhere, Know That Henceforth You Will Be Called 'Santa Claus'. (Santa Claus: The Movie)

This week, one week out from Christmas(! Can you believe it?!), the elves discuss the cult classic, criminally underrated, 1985 holiday film, Santa Claus: The Movie. While a formative film in the childhoods of both Julia and Anthony, Thom is going in completely fresh, and the discussion yields some interesting differences in how he views certain aspects of the story compared to how his two cohosts do. One thing becomes evident though the longer the in-depth conversation goes on: David Huddleston is Santa Claus, and the superhero-like mythology built around the Christmas figure in this movie has shaped countless personal and pop-culture perceptions as to who exactly Santa is, and what his world should look like. Also discussed in this episode is new Christmas music that have made our playlists this holiday season! So settle back with a cup of hot cocoa, put those carols on the radio, and enjoy, because not only is this a fun episode you don't want to miss, but Christmas is nearly upon us - make sure to savor every last second of this upcoming week. 

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74: He Is For All Mankind. (The Nativity Story)

Happy Monday, Christmas Fanatics! This week, the elves are changing pace ever-so-slightly by diving headfirst into their first religious Christmas film in a while, 2006's "The Nativity Story", an adaptation of The Christmas Story - a.k.a., the greatest story ever told. How does it rank on list that also includes films such as Daddy's Home 2? You'll have to tune in and listen into the episode to find out! Also of note, this episode features a surprise debate about the Linus Test, and what exactly Linus moments should consist of! So settle in with your favorite holiday drink, enjoy the show, and bask in the exciting fact that we are now only two weeks away from Christmas! 

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72: Frosty The Snowman Is A Fairy Tale They Say, He Was Made Of Snow, But The Children Know How He Came To Life One Day. (Frosty the Snowman/Frosty's Winter Wonderland)

Happy December, Christmas Fanatics! This week, to kick off Christmas month - and our second month of undisputed holiday classics (whether you love them or not) - the elves discuss a beloved animated fairy tale, Rankin/Bass' Frosty the Snowman and its lesser-known sequel, Frosty's Winter Wonderland. In addition to talking about the lovable, endearing snowman, Roald Dahl, Artemis Fowl, Disney, Hallmark Christmas movies, the Rockettes, and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular are also discussed, and the winner of our Christmas ornament giveaway is finally announced! This is a lively, fun episode you definitely don't want to miss! So make a cup of your favorite holiday beverage, grab today's piece of chocolate from the Advent Calendar, settle in, and enjoy! 

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73: The Christmas Chronicles (2018)

Happy Sunday afternoon, Christmas fanatics! While we'll be in your feed once again tomorrow morning with our regular episode, today - as an end of the weekend treat - we decided to drop a very special bonus episode on Netflix's brand new original holiday movie, The Christmas Chronicles. While critics think it's a mess, albeit a fun one, people on the internet seem to be going crazy for it. As for where the elves fall? Well, while all three enjoyed it and would recommend watching it, two absolutely loved it while one thinks a lot of the praise going around is hyperbolic. Settle back with a cup of hot chocolate and settle back to listen to this enjoyable episode and find out their reasons why!

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71: Santa Claus Does Exist, And He Exists In The Person Of Kris Kringle. (Miracle on 34th Street [1994])

Happy last week of November, Christmas fanatics! We hope you all had wonderful Thanksgiving weekends! This week, to help ease you back into a full week of work, the elves discuss the beloved 1994 Christmas Classic, Miracle on 34th Street. Join Julia, Thom, and Anthony as they make a return trip to New York at Christmas and gush over Richard Attenborough's portrayal of Kris Kringle, who definitely has one of the best Santa scenes in cinematic history. So settle in with your favorite holiday beverage to listen to this fun, wide-ranging discussion, which also includes the debut of "The Laws of Tis the Podcast", as written by Reddit User Disco54. For those of you who normally listen with small kids, though, be warned! Some harsh truths about jolly old Saint Nicholas are brought up in this conversation, so you may want to wait until you're alone to tune in! 

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69: It's Turbo Time! (Jingle All the Way)

We're sticking with our "Christmas Classics" this week as the elves discuss the 1996 Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, Jingle All the Way. Julia, Anthony, and Thom discuss this movie, Sinbad the Entertainer, Black Friday mayhem, what they miss from bygone Christmases, and much more. Cozy in up in that favorite chair, next to your tree, which is now doubt lit already, and enjoy!

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68: Merry Christmas, Ya Filthy Animal! (Home Alone 2: Lost in New York)

Our two months of "Christmas Classics" continues this week, as the elves revisit the Home Alone franchise (for the first time since the podcast's third episode!) and cover Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. Julia, Thom, and Anthony join Kevin McCallister as he takes a holiday journey into the New York City of Christmases past - back when airline travel was still lax, the World Trade Center was still standing, Manhattan was much scarier in the dead of night, and before Donald Trump moved into the White House and owned The Plaza instead. The hosts are absolutely giddy in this episode as they discuss this quintessential holiday romp and it shows in their wide-ranging conversation, which includes some hilarious impressions and a plethora of favorite quotes and scenes (more than we've had in a long time!) amongst many other things. In addition, quirky, odd, and weird things that remind us of the holiday season are discussed! With the weather outside getting frightful, and the fire inside being so delightful, settle down in front of it with your favorite Christmas beverage, relax, and enjoy - trust us when we say, this is an episode you do not want to miss! 

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