Tis the Podcast

The Great Halloween Crossover: Tis the Podcast Meets Christmas Past

This very special episode is 1/2 of a Christmas crossover partnership with our friends at Christmas Past. In this episode, the elves are visited by Dr. Tara Aveilhe to discuss the history of Christmas ghost stories and the inspiration behind Charles Dickens' iconic novella, A Christmas Carol. Be sure to check out the very special episode of Christmas Past and hear Julia and Anthony talk about the Geroge C Scott film adaptation of A Christmas Carol.
 
Happy Halloween!

You Fudging Touch Me Again, I'll Fudging Kill Ya! (Supernatural: A Very Supernatural Christmas)

Happy Halloween, Christmas fanatics! Spooky month draws to a close this week, as the elves discuss Season 3, Episode 8 of the television show, Supernatural, entitled "A Very Supernatural Christmas"! Joining their conversation is special guest Joanna Wilson, of ChristmasTVHistory.com amongst many other things. Much like the Winchesters' classic 1967 Chevy Impala takes them to many unexpected places, talking about the brothers' hunt for an "Anti-Claus" this week steers the discussion to down many different, lively avenues as well - from The X-Files to Fruitcake to The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy to Rankin/Bass' different versions of Santa Claus. Also revealed this week are the foreign Christmas traditions that the elves would like to see make their way over to America. So settle in with your favorite holiday beverage, relax, and enjoy this episode; it's definitely one you do not want to miss! Also, get excited, because next week we kick off two straight months of Christmas Classics! 

Look Mister, There Are Some Rules That You've Got To Follow. (Gremlins)

This week, the elves are back talking about the 1984 cult classic, Gremlins. Set at Christmas time, is this movie a Christmas movie or does it fall short? Get some intense Gremlins history, learn about it's connection to other 80's films, and find a hidden Christmas movie alum hidden in the film.
In additon,we continue our countdown to Christmas, discuss where the ghosts of Christmas past and future would take us, and start chatting about Christmas music. Light up the fireplace, put on some cozy socks, and let us take you to happy holiday place.

The Snowman (1982)

This week, Julia, Thom, and Anthony discuss the iconic, 1982 cartoon "The Snowman", based on Raymond Briggs' children's book of the same name. While beloved by many, especially in the UK where it is to Christmas what classic holiday specials like Charlie Brown and Rankin/Bass are to those Stateside, how will it hold up when it comes under scrutiny from the elves? Is it even a Christmas movie? In additon, this episode featues a discussion about the trailer for Kurt Russell's new, Netflix original movie, "The Christmas Chronicles", and the return of the "Question of the Week"! So make yourself a cup of hot cocoa, sit back, relax, and enjoy! 

Black Christmas (1974)

It's October which means it's time for our annual Spooky Month here at Tis the Podcast. This week, the elves cover 1974's cult classic "Black Christmas". During the episode, they discuss the horror genre, movies they loved, ones they didn't, tropes found in horror films, and the impact of this film on the future of cinema. Turn out the lights, set the alarm, and sit back for another dose of Christmas cheer.

I Wish It Was Christmas Every Day. (Christmas Every Day)

Happy October, Christmas Fanatics! And welcome to the start of "Spooky Season"! To kick things off this week, Julia, Thom, and Anthony cover ABC Family's 1996 original movie, "Christmas Every Day" which has one foot in spooky month, and one foot in literary month, as it is loosely based on William Dean Howells' 1892 short story of the same name. So settle in, let that cool autumn breeze wash over you, and enjoy as you listen to our discussion about this holiday-themed groundhog day that would be a dream come true to most of us!

Listen, Scrooge! If Men Were Measured By Kindness, You'd Be No Bigger Than A Speck Of Dust! (Mickey's Christmas Carol)

This week, Tim Babb of "Can't Wait For Christmas" podcast joins Julia, Thom, and Anthony to discuss the 1983 Disney classic, Mickey's Christmas Carol! Amid all of the laughs and behind-the-scenes trivia in this episode, there's a lot of love for this film to go around amongst all of the hosts, but is it enough to shake up the top of our Christmas Canon List? Throw open the windows and let in that Fall breeze (we're officially there!), settle in with a cup of hot chocolate, and enjoy! 

Nobody's Elving Mom! (The Christmas Project)

Literary Month continues this week as Julia, Thom, and Anthony discuss the 2016 movie, The Christmas Project, based on Matthew Buckley's books Chickens in the Headlights and Bullies in the Headlights. Is this movie anything more than a weak attempt at trying to replicate what A Christmas Story did in 1983 in a much more juvenile fashion, or is there actually merit to this 80's set story about "elving"? Settle in with a steaming cup of hot chocolate and find out, and get excited because we are officially less than 100 days until Christmas!

There's Something About A Train. (The Christmas Train)

Literary month continues this episode, as the elves board another train - though sadly, this one isn't taking them to the North Pole or to Hogwarts; this week, Julia, Thom, and Anthony discuss the 2017 film The Christmas Train, based on the David Baldacci book of the same name. How does the movie compare to the novel? Where does it rank next to other Hallmark movies we've covered thus far, and against Christmas with the Kranks/Skipping Christmas? Sit back and relax with a cup of hot cocoa and find out! You're sure to enjoy this episode because, after all, "there's just something about a train"! 

Skipping Christmas With The Kranks (Christmas with the Kranks)

This week, the elves kick off Tis the Podcast's inaugural Literary Month with 2004's Christmas with the Kranks, based on the 2001 John Grisham best-seller, Skipping Christmas. We discuss several Christmas themes, including the idea of skipping Christmas altogether (spoiler alert: all the elves think this is a terrible idea). Grab your favorite Yuletide drink, turn the A/C way up, and ring in the Ber months with your favorite elves.