Tis the Podcast

In The Words Of The Immortal Saint, Frosty The Snowman, "God Bless Us, Everyone". (ALF)

Happy Monday, Christmas fanatics! We hope you had an incredible Easter weekend and the Easter Bunny was good to you all! This week, the elves gather to discuss the two Christmas episodes of the hit 80's show, "ALF"! For those of you who want to watch along at home, the episodes discussed are:
Season 1, Episode 12 - Oh, Tannerbaum 
Season 2, Episodes 11 and 12 - ALF's Special Christmas
When it comes to the infamous Season 2 holiday special in particular, the elves take a pretty deep, extensive dive into the history of this baffling episode, which left all three quite depressed and confused, and allows Julia to go on a disappointed rant for the first time in a long time. While there's plenty of love and nostalgia for "ALF" the show and ALF the character - especially on the parts of Thom and Anthony - is it enough to rank both of these episodes high? Or does the true story that inspired the second episode, in addition to its overly saccharine and contrived nature, bog it down?
Also discussed in this episode: the elves talk about the results of the Round 1 voting for the Tis the Podcast March Madness bracket to determine the Ultimate Christmas movie; the trailer for James Gunn's The Suicide Squad; Anthony teases the newest tattoo he's getting; listener answers to the Question of the Week are read; and much, much, much more.
So settle in and relax with your leftover Easter Chocolate, open those windows and allow that cool Spring breeze inside, allow the elves to take you back in time to the 80's on a trip to Melmac, and enjoy this fun episode! And get excited because, now that we are post-Easter, we are one major holiday closer to Christmas! 
Also - make sure to keep your eyes on your podcast feeds this upcoming Thursday for the next chapter (Chapter Ten!) of Another Christmas Story as read to you by our very own Anthony Caruso! 
 
*Note: The deep dive article into "ALF's Special Christmas" that the elves repeatedly refer to in this episode can be found at the following link.* 

The Easter Bunny Is Comin' To Town

Happy Easter, Christmas Fanatics! With the weather outside finally warming up, signaling the arrival of Spring, 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 1977, Rankin/Bass stop-motion-animation special, "The Easter Bunny is Comin' to Town" - the quasi-sequel to 1970's Christmas classic, "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town"!  This once Patreon-exclusive episode is a blast from the past, so travel back one year ago as the three hosts discuss this not-very-original holiday special, and listen as Thom does an impression of one of the characters that ranks up there as the best impression ever heard on "Tis the Podcast"! Enjoy! And Patrons - make sure to check your Patreon feeds today in which you'll find a new Patreon-exclusive Easter episode, in which the elves cover the 1976 traditionally animated Rankin/Bass special, "The First Easter Rabbit"! 

"Another Christmas Story" - Chapter Nine - A New York Christmas - As Read By Ron Hogan Of "Film Strip Podcast"

Happy Thursday, Christmas fanatics! Welcome to the tenth official installment of "Another Christmas Story"!
This week, Ron Hogan - a.k.a. President Hotdog - of the always hilarious "Film Strip Podcast", will read to all of you Chapter Nine of our tale, entitled "A New York Christmas". Within this chapter, we switch back to Joey's point of view as he arrives in New York City to spend the holiday. It's honestly the perfect episode to drop on April Fool's Day, just for the mere fact that Ron does one of the most offensively hilarious New York accents I've ever heard.
We hope you like it! If you do, make sure to share this episode and our website, upon which the text of this installment is posted, to get it in front of as many eyes as possible! Make sure to check your podcast feeds for your regular weekly episode on Monday, in which the elves will cover the two Christmas episodes of "ALF", and next Thursday for the eleventh official chapter of this story - "Chapter Ten: Carol of the Bells", which the writer of the story - Anthony Caruso, himself - will be reading to you!
Enjoy, y'all!

Shaddap You Face!

Happy April 1st (and April Fool's Day!), y'all! This week, in this short, foolish episode, Gerry, Thom, and Julia's discussion gets cut short when an unwanted intruder joins their Zoom meeting unexpectedly. Enjoy! And don't forget to check your feeds for the other episode of Tis the Podcast that dropped today, in which Ron Hogan of Film Strip podcast - a.k.a. President Hotdog - reads to y'all Chapter 9 of Another Christmas Story! 

I Remember My First Christmas Rebellion. I Was So Mad. My Parents Went Out And Bought An Artificial Tree. The Whole Christmas I Refused To Sing 'Oh, Tannenbaum'. (Home Improvement)

Happy Monday, Christmas fanatics! This week, the elves once again gather at the North Pole to discuss the second batch of Christmas episodes that the classic 90's television comedy, Home Improvement, produced! For those of you who want to join along and watch at home, the episodes we talk about are the following:
Season 3, Episode 12 - 'Twas the Blight Before Christmas 
Season 4, Episode 11 - Some Like it Hot Rod 
Season 4, Episode 12 - 'Twas the Night Before Chaos
How do these Christmas episodes compare to the first batch Home Improvement released? Are they as atmospheric and effective? Also discussed: Julia's upcoming Easter feast, progress Anthony's making with raising his new puppy, Larry, and Anthony gets on his soapbox to rant about toxic fandom and how geeks tend to be their own worst enemies nowadays. In addition, Thom officially announces "Tis the Podcast's Ultimate Christmas Movie March Madness Bracket" and explains how you can participate to win some cool new "Tis the Pod" merchandise! So, enjoy, and make sure to keep your eyes on your podcast feeds this upcoming Thursday for the next chapter of Another Christmas Story as read to you by the beloved Ron Hogan (a.k.a. President Hotdog) of Film Strip podcast! 

"Another Christmas Story" - Chapter Eight - It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas - As Read By Craig Brewer Of "Weird Christmas"

Happy Thursday, Christmas fanatics! Welcome to the ninth official installment of "Another Christmas Story"!
This week, Craig Brewer, of the always fascinating "Weird Christmas", will read to all of you Chapter Eight of our tale, entitled "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas". Within this chapter, you'll meet the character of Hudson Jackson, an employee of Animal Control Services of New York, and his beloved mother, Violet.
We hope you like it! If you do, make sure to share this episode and our website, upon which the text of this installment is posted, to get it in front of as many eyes as possible! Make sure to check your podcast feeds for your regular weekly episode on Monday, in which the elves will cover the second batch of "Home Improvement" Christmas episodes, and next Thursday for the tenth official chapter of this story - "Chapter Nine: A New York Christmas", which friend of the podcast, Ron Hogan - a.k.a. President Hotdog - of Film Strip Podcast will be reading to y'all!
Enjoy, y'all!

Topanga's Going To Be Staying Here For Christmas. Overnight. Could We Please Not Run Naked Down The Halls Singing "We Wish You A Merry Christmas"? I'm Looking At You. (Boy Meets World)

This week, Julia, Thom, and Anthony are joined by Matt Eurich (A.K.A. Mr. GaryBlauman) to talk about the (4) Christmas episodes of the beloved 90's show, Boy Meets World! For those of you who want to watch along at home, the installments discussed are:
Season 1, Episode 10 - Santa's Little Helper
Season 4, Episode 12 - Easy Street
Season 5, Episode 11 - A Very Topanga Christmas
Season 6, Episode 11 - Santa's Little Helpers
Settle back, relax, and listen as they discuss their storied histories with this show, the universal love for Mr. Feeny, how warm, Christmassy, and full of Linus moments these episodes are, favorite moments from the show overall, how much the show holds up to this day, and favorite quotes galore amongst much, much more. Also featured in this episode - the return of the question of the week, courtesy of Mr. Eurich himself!
So, enjoy this laugh-a-minute, extraordinarily fun episode, and make sure to keep your eyes on your podcast feeds this upcoming Thursday for the next chapter of Another Christmas Story as read to you by Craig Brewer of Weird Christmas podcast! 

"Another Christmas Story" - Chapter Seven - Step Into Christmas - As Read By Todd Killian Of "Christmas Clatter"

Happy Thursday, Christmas fanatics! Welcome to the eighth official installment of Another Christmas Story!
This week, Todd Killian, of the always excellent Christmas Clatter, will read to all of you Chapter Seven of our tale, entitled "Step Into Christmas". Within this chapter, you'll meet two longtime partners in the NYPD, Seamus Dwyer and Andrew Lee, as well as their beleaguered boss, Lindsey Pendleton. 
We hope you like it! If you do, make sure to share this episode and our website, upon which the text of this installment is posted, to get it in front of as many eyes as possible!
Make sure to check your podcast feeds for your regular weekly episode on Monday, in which the elves will be joined by Matt Eurich of TGI Podcast to cover the four Christmas episodes of Boy Meets World, and next Thursday for the ninth official chapter of this story - "Chapter Eight: It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas", which friend of the podcast, Craig Brewer of Weird Christmas Podcast will be reading to y'all! 
Enjoy, y'all! 

Ah, But Tim, The Spirit Of Santa Lives On! He Lives In All Of Us! (Home Improvement)

Happy Monday, Christmas fanatics! This week, the elves gather at the North Pole to discuss the first three Christmas episodes of the classic 90's television comedy, Home Improvement! For those of you who want to join along and watch at home, the episodes we talk about are the following:
Season 1, Episode 12 - Yule Better Watch Out
Season 2, Episode 12 - I'm Scheming of a White Christmas 
Season 3, Episode 10 - A Frozen Moment
Listen as the elves talk histories and reminisce fondly about the show that was a staple in all of their households growing up. Does it hold up to a critical lens, however? Find out in this fun, quote-filled, nostalgic episode that is sure to transport you directly into the Taylor's living room! And don't worry - the rest of the Christmas episodes of Home Improvement will be covered in the coming weeks! So, enjoy, and make sure to keep your eyes on your podcast feeds this upcoming Thursday for the next chapter of Another Christmas Story as read to you by the beloved Todd Killian of Christmas Clatter podcast! 

"Another Christmas Story" - Chapter Six - White Christmas - As Read By April Ryley

Happy Thursday, Christmas fanatics! Welcome to the seventh official installment of Another Christmas Story!
This week, the always hilarious and effervescent April Ryley will read to all of you Chapter Six of our tale, entitled "White Christmas". Within this chapter, you'll meet NYU journalism students, Elizabeth Meyer and Noah Clarke! 
We hope you like it! If you do, make sure to share this episode and our website, upon which the text of this installment is posted, to get it in front of as many eyes as possible!
Make sure to check your podcast feeds for your regular weekly episode on Monday, in which the elves will cover the first three Christmas episodes of Home Improvement, and next Thursday for the seventh official chapter of this story - "Chapter Seven: Step Into Christmas", which friend of the podcast and frequent guest, Todd Killian of Christmas Clatter will be reading to y'all! 
Enjoy, y'all!