Tis the Podcast

Happy Tuesday, Christmas Fanatics! Apologies we're a day late with this one, but life got in the way! We hope you all had a great weekend and had a wonderful Mother's Day! This week, Julia, Thom, and Anthony sat down to discuss the 1990, Christmas special, "Barney: Waiting for Santa". Anthony grew up on this one and has a lot of nostalgia wrapped up in it, but how does it hold up for him now as a thirty-six year old man? And how does it hold up for Thom and Julia who have no nostalgia for the iconic, giant purple dinosaur? You'll just have to tune in to find out! But one thing's for certain: this is one, festive episode you want to be sure not to miss! So settle back, relax, and enjoy! And, as always, thanks for your love and support, y'all! 🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

Happy Monday, Christmas Fanatics! And Happy May! This week, all three elves reunite to discuss the 2024, Robert Zemeckis film, "Here", starring Tom Hanks and Robin Wright! While there are more than a handful of beautiful Christmas scenes throughout the film, is this actually a holiday movie? You'll just have to tune in to find out what the elves think! Regardless of their answer, though, it certainly feels like the type of cozy film TNT or USA would play around Thanksgiving!  So settle back, relax, and enjoy this episode which is the perfect way to kick off your week! As always, thanks for your love and support, y'all! 🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

Happy Monday, Christmas Fanatics! Can you believe we've already reached our last episode of April 2026? We sure can't! This year is flying by! This week, Julia and Anthony sit down to discuss 2002's "The Mothman Prophecies"! Is this a Christmas film or a film merely set at Christmas? You'll have to tune in to find out! Besides the legend of Mothman, the two catch up on what's been going on in their lives as well as discuss all of the many recent movies that Anthony has seen! Trust us when we say this is one episode you want to make sure not to miss! So settle back, relax, and enjoy! And, as always, thanks for your love and support, y'all! 🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

Happy Monday, Christmas Fanatics! And Happy Easter season! The elves are back together at last, reunited and basking in the Christmas spirit after a brief hiatus, and this week all three of them are here: Julia, Anthony, and your guest host for the evening, Thom! Before diving into the main event, the crew catches up on all things post-Easter, including the Artemis mission, “Project Hail Mary's” pop culture moment, the upcoming Stephen Colbert ”Lord of the Rings” project, therapy rabbits at the Easter egg hunt, the Flemish Giant bunnies that stole the show, and a spirited debate about Chuck E. Cheese tokens on eBay. Anthony has, as always, been to the movies constantly. And somehow, the elves manage to discover that one of them has never once set foot inside a Chuck E. Cheese. Then it's time for the main event: the 2025 Chuck E. Cheese Christmas special on Amazon! Not to be confused with the one from the 80s. It's 50 minutes of familiar late-90s/early-2000s animation style, a Tolkien-referencing villain, a surprisingly chic Mrs. Claus, a surprise party for Santa, and a dog who is surprisingly well-connected (but not that well-connected). Will this long-dormant franchise's animated holiday outing earn a spot in your seasonal rotation? The elves have thoughts. Some of them are generous. So settle back, relax, and enjoy this festive reunion episode that is the perfect way to kick off your week! And get excited: there are only eight months until Christmas. As always, thanks for your love and support, y'all! 🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

Happy Monday, Christmas Fanatics! We hope you all had a wonderful Easter and hope the Easter Bunny was great to you all! This week, after talking in-depth about "Project Hail Mary", HBO's upcoming "Harry Potter" series, and other films Julia and Anthony have seen recently, the duo dive in to discuss the 2025, Amazon Prime Original Christmas Film "Merv"! Can a movie about a depressed dog who can't handle his owners' break-up put you into the holiday spirit? You'll just have to tune in to find out! Either way, this is one festive episode that's sure to put you in good spirits to start the week! So settle back, enjoy, and get excited - we're another major holiday down on our countdown to Christmas 2026! 

Happy Monday, Christmas Fanatics! It’s been a hectic start to the year here at "Tis the Podcast" Headquarters—between kids, work, home life, accidents, and everything in between—so episodes have been a bit inconsistent this first quarter. Not wanting to miss another week, though, Anthony (sadly flying solo without Thom and Julia) invited Santa Matt from "North Pole Radio" and Ashley from "The Christmas Chapters Podcast" to join him for a special episode that, while a little light on Christmas, dives into something many of you care about: "Harry Potter". That’s right! This week, the trio sits down to break down HBO Max’s first teaser trailer for "Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone"—the upcoming television adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s beloved story about the boy wizard and his magical journey at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Tune in as they tackle the controversies surrounding the series—from Rowling’s personal views to the race-swapping of certain characters and everything in between—while also debating whether this adaptation is even necessary. They share their reactions to this first official look and go shot-by-shot through the trailer, comparing what’s shown to both the original novel and the 2001 film. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this fun, geeky episode! And be sure to let us know your thoughts on this new take on Harry Potter and his world. One thing’s for sure: we here at "Tis the Podcast" are hyped. With a Christmas 2026 premiere on the horizon, it’s only making us even more excited for the most wonderful time of the year! As always, thank you all for your love and support! 🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️ 👓 🧹 🪄 🏰 ❤️ 📺

🎵 Da-da-da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da-da-da, da-da! 🎵 Julia! 🎵 Da-da-da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da-da-da, da-da! 🎵 Anthony! 🎵 Da-da-da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da-da-da, da-da! 🎵 Bluey! That's right, folks! Julia and Anthony are sans Thom this week, but despite his absence, their spirits are buoyed due to the fact that they are covering the Christmas episodes and shorts of the hit children's show, "Bluey"! For those following along at home, the episodes in question are: Season 1 - Episode 52 - Verandah Santa Season 2 - Episode 51 - Christmas Swim Christmas Short 1 - Crazy Christmas Lights Christmas Short 2 - Silent Night Christmas Short 3 - Jingle Bells There's lots of fun to be had in this episode as the two discuss one of the best children's shows in recent years - one that can be enjoyed by adults as well, regardless of whether or not they have kids!  So settle back, relax, and enjoy this fun, festive episode that's sure to help your week start off on the right foot! As always, thanks for your love and support, y'all! 🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️ 

Happy Monday, Christmas Fanatics!   This week, Julia, Thom, and Anthony sit down to discuss the only Christmas episode of "St. Denis Medical" to date — Season 1, Episode 6: “Ho-Ho-Hollo!"   What do they think of this new comedy that feels reminiscent of "The Office"? You’ll have to tune in to find out! But spoiler alert: there are plenty of laughs and some truly quotable lines in this one. Trust us when we say this is an episode you don’t want to miss — it’s the festive start to your Monday that you need!   So settle back, relax, and enjoy! And as always, thank you for your love and support, y’all! 🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

Happy Monday Christmas fanatics! Can you believe this is our last episode of February 2026? We sure can't! This year is flying! This week, Julia and Anthony return to Woodstone Manor to discuss the 2025, two part Christmas episode of CBS' "Ghosts": "It's a Wonderful Christmas Carol, Parts One and Two"! Per usual when we discuss this show, there are plenty of laughs and festive cheer to go around, so trust us when we say this is one you don't want to miss! So grab a cup of hot chocolate, settle back, relax, and enjoy this little dose of holiday cheer which is guaranteed to jumpstart your week the right way! As always thanks for your love and support y'all! 🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

Happy Monday, Christmas Fanatics! We hope our U.S. listeners had an amazing Super Bowl weekend! This week, Julia, Thom, and Anthony got together to dive into another take on Charles Dickens’ timeless classic, "A Christmas Carol" — but one unlike any version they’ve covered before. They’re talking about 2025’s "Christmas Karma", a genre-blending Bollywood-style holiday film packed with music, comedy, drama, and modern flair. It’s a bold reimagining of Scrooge and the spirits that brings something completely new to the table. Is different a bad thing? Not at all — but it definitely gives the hosts plenty to unpack, debate, and celebrate in a lively, funny, and festive conversation. So grab some cocoa, get cozy, and enjoy this cheerful burst of Christmas spirit to start your week. As always, we truly appreciate your continued love and support! 🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

Happy Monday, Christmas fanatics — and welcome to the first week of February! This year is already flying by! We’re back! Did you miss us? As usual, the post-Christmas season brought a whirlwind of real-life busyness, but don’t worry — your elves are back on schedule and will be with you every Monday for the rest of the year, just as promised. After a bit of catching up — including on a few of the movies Anthony recently watched — your hosts dive into the 2025 Hallmark Original holiday film "Holiday Touchdown: A Bill’s Love Story". You may remember that all three elves absolutely loved "Holiday Touchdown: A Chief’s Love Story". Does this new installment deliver the same charm and magic? You’ll have to listen to find out. Spoiler alert: the runtime of this episode might offer a clue! (And if the conversation feels a little uneven at times, blame the camera-free recording due to internet issues — it definitely makes discussion trickier. Thanks for your patience!) No matter where we land on the film, this is still a fun and festive episode to start your week. So sit back, relax, and enjoy — and as always, thank you all for the continued love and support! 🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

Happy New Year, Christmas Fanatics! We’re back with our first full episode of 2026! We hope everyone had a fantastic holiday season and squeezed every last bit of joy out of it because wow, did it fly by!   In this episode, Julia and Anthony are flying without Thom. After catching up on the holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and the movies they’ve watched lately, they reluctantly dive into 2025’s "A Winnie the Pooh Christmas". Just how bad can a "Winnie the Pooh" holiday special be? Unfortunately pretty rough. So rough, in fact, that discussion about it doesn't even take up half of the episode.   To cleanse the palate with something they actually love, Julia and Anthony then spend the bulk of this one breaking down and reacting to the "Stranger Things" finale! Fair warning: spoilers abound, so proceed with caution if you’re not caught up!   So get comfy, unwind, and let us bring a little extra holiday cheer to your Monday to help chase away those post-holiday blues. And don’t worry—we’ll be right here with you all year long, counting down the days to Christmas 2026. Trust us, it’ll be here before you know it.   As always, thank you all so much for the love and support! We couldn’t do this without you! 🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

Merry Christmas Eve, Christmas Fanatics! We made it! Can you believe it? Somehow, Christmas Eve is already here! This year absolutely flew by! As tradition dictates, we’re thrilled to bring you our annual Christmas Eve story, lovingly recorded by the elves just for you. This year’s tale is an original piece written by our very own Anthony, titled “’Twas the Night Before ’Tis-Mas”—a festive celebration of "Tis the Podcast", all the Christmas movies we adore, as well as the ones we love to roast. So put the finishing touches on your wrapping, cozy up beside the Christmas tree with your favorite holiday beverage, sit back, and enjoy. Thank you, as always, for the love and support! And thanks for counting down to Christmas 2025 with us! We can’t wait to spend the year ahead counting down to Christmas 2026 right alongside you!  Merry Christmas! 🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

Happy Monday, Christmas Fanatics! Can you believe we’re just three days away from Christmas? Neither can we! This year absolutely flew by. To celebrate the moment, Julia, Thom, and Anthony come together to break down Amazon Prime’s 2025 original holiday film, "Oh. What. Fun." Does the movie live up to its clever premise and stacked cast, or does it fall completely flat? Let’s just say the elves are not exactly in agreement. (What else is new?) Along the way, the elves also dives into the Colburn Advent Activities, the Crowe family’s ongoing plumbing saga, the latest movies Anthony’s watched since the last episode, Steven Beech’s spicy Christmas movie opinions, films that may have climbed onto—or slipped off of—our personal Top Ten lists, STDs vs. STIs, and much, much more. Take our word for it: this is a festive, fun-filled, and tangent-fueled episode you won’t want to miss. So grab your favorite holiday drink, soak up the glow of your Christmas trees while you still can, and settle in for a good time. As always, thank you all so much for the love and support! We truly appreciate it! And make sure to check your podcast feeds on the 24th for your annual Christmas Eve story! 🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

Happy Monday, Christmas Fanatics! Julia, Thom, and Anthony were supposed to record 2025's "Jingle Bell Heist" this week, but as happens sometimes - especially during this busy time of the year - life got in the way and they couldn't get their schedules to align. Not wanting to leave you hanging during the height of the Christmas season, however, please enjoy this very special episode that came together super last minute in which Anthony interviewed two good friends of the show: Brendan Low, of "Real Fans 4 Real Movies" and "Holy Batcast", and Matt Spaulding of "North Pole Radio" and "Two Broke Geeks".  Both are professional Santas and both have written and self-published books about Santa Claus ("The Boy Who Became Santa" and "Santa In His Own Words", respectively) , so they came on to tell their stories, plug their businesses, talk their books, etc. This is a fun, festive episode you want to be sure not to miss out on! And, like all "Tis the Podcast" episodes, there's a bit of pop-culture talk thrown in there as well, as the three guys react to the first "Supergirl" trailer. What do they think of the first official look at DC's follow-up to the smash-hit that was "Superman"? Well, let's just say, in true "Tis the Podcast" fashion, Anthony is once again a man on an island. So settle in with your favorite holiday drink beside your Christmas tree, relax, and enjoy! And make sure to follow these gents on social media for a healthy dose of Santa content year-round, as well as nerd content, and purchase their excellent books as well! As always, thanks for your love and support, y'all! 🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

Happy Monday, Christmas Fanatics! This week, Julia, Thom, and Anthony gather to discuss the long-awaited return of Wayne and Lanny in the brand new, 2025, Disney Plus original Christmas Special, "Prep & Landing: The Snowball Protocol".  Opinions are all over the place with this one. One elf absolutely loved it, one liked it well enough, and one is a complete curmudgeon about this one (three guesses who) - but that just makes for fun conversation!  So settle in with your favorite holiday drink beside the Christmas tree, relax, and enjoy this festive episode that we guarantee is the perfect way to kick off your week!  As always, thanks for your love and support, y'all! 🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

Happy Monday, Christmas Fanatics! And Happy December! Can you believe we're here already? Buckle-up, because the days until Christmas 2025 are going to be flying by from here! To mark the start of the final month of the year, Thom, Julia, and Anthony gathered to discuss Netflix's 2025 Original Holiday Movie, "A Merry Little Ex-Mas"!  To date, Netflix's Christmas movies have been pretty hit-or-miss for the elves. How does this one, filled with nineties superstars, fare? Can it compete with Hallmark in terms of story and atmosphere? Or is it another dud? You'll have to tune in to find out! But spoiler alert: whatever our hosts think of this one, we guarantee it's a jolly, festive time you're sure to enjoy! So settle back and relax with your favorite holiday drink beside your Christmas tree, and enjoy this newest episode! As always, thanks for your love and support, y'all! 🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

Happy Thursday, Christmas Fanatics! And Happy Thanksgiving to all of our American listeners! We hope you all have a great day filled with family, friends, loved ones, food, drinks, parades, and football! We are so thankful for the love and support you show us all year long! To show our thanks, please enjoy this special Thanksgiving Day bonus episode, in which Anthony and Julia (sans Thom, who couldn't make his schedule work) sit down to discuss Disney's 1998 television special, "A Winnie the Pooh Thanksgiving"!  So after your Thanksgiving feasts, when you're stuffed full of turkey and basking in the glow of your Christmas tree, settle back, relax, and enjoy this special treat! And get excited, because the countdown to Christmas is well and truly on now! Once again, Happy Thanksgiving! And, as always, thanks for your love and support! ❤️🍂🦃🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️ 

Happy Monday, Christmas Fanatics! Grab your eggnog and settle in as all three elves—Julia, Thom, and Anthony—return to break down the brand new holiday release, "A Very Jonas Christmas Movie"! Was this one a festive treat or a yuletide disaster? Let's just say opinions were... strong. From magical mishaps and celebrity cameos to two plane explosions and a holiday dash across Europe, not even the Jonas Brothers themselves can save the holiday for our hosts this time around! Expect plenty of laughs, savage hot takes, and nostalgic tangents as the elves debate brotherly love, Hallmark-level Christmas vibes, and what makes a truly great Linus moment. Are you a ride-or-die Jonas Brothers fan? This is the episode for you! Not so much? Well, Julia, Thom, and Anthony have got you covered with all the snark, holiday chaos, and—of course—a little Thanksgiving gratitude. So pull up a chair, get comfy, and join the fun as we continue our countdown to Christmas! As always, thanks for your love and support, y'all! 🎅🏻🎄🎁🦌⛄️🔔

Happy Monday, Christmas Fanatics! We are back after a few week long hiatus due to busy schedules and sickness! And this time, all three elves are here to get back into covering Christmas films! To kick off the official 2025 season, a little later than we'd have liked, join Julia, Thom, and Anthony as they gather to discuss this year's Indie-Dramedy, "The Baltimorons"! Opinions range across the spectrum with this one, but one things for sure, the discussion is a fun, festive one you want to be sure not to miss!  So settle back, relax, and enjoy! As always, thanks for your love and support, y'all! 🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

Happy Monday, Christmas Fanatics! And Happy Halloween week!! Can you believe we've already reached the end of 2025's Spooky Season? We sure can't! To mark the occasion, the elves of "Tis the Podcast" are joined by two prolific horror aficionados to round out October by discussing 2022's franchise finale, "Halloween Ends"! The two in question? Mr. Phil Walsh, of "Phil at the Movies", and Mr. Ron Hogan - a.k.a. President Hotdog himself! - of "Film Strip Podcast"! Both huge fans of the "Halloween" franchise, does this controversial trilogy capper work for them or does their opinion align with the masses who were disappointed by it? And what do Julia, Thom, and Anthony think of Michael and Laurie's final confrontation being more focused on young Corey Cunningham? You'll just have to tune in to find out! So settle back with your Pumpkin Spice Lattes, relax, and enjoy this final Spooky Season episode of the year! And get excited because next week, we officially enter the Christmas season, and as such, the podcast will be returning with its regularly scheduled Christmas programming! As always, thanks for your love and support, y'all! ❤️ 🍂 🎃👻🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🔔🚂 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

Happy Monday, Christmas Fanatics! This week, Julia and Anthony (once again, sans Thom) are joined by Kendall Farrae of "Two Girls, One Crypt" and Matt Spaulding of "North Pole Radio" to talk the 2007 cult classic, "Trick 'r Treat"! Written and directed by the mastermind behind "Krampus", how does this one compare to the cautionary Christmas tale? You'll have to tune in to find out! But let's just say there's a lot of gushing and praise to go around this episode! So settle in with your Pumpkin Spice Lattes, relax, and enjoy this fun, festive episode!  As always, thanks for your love and support, y'all! ❤️ 🍂 🎃👻🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🔔🚂 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

Happy Thursday, Christmas fanatics!  You've heard us refer to it a few times already in other episodes, but it's finally here: The 2025 "Tis the Podcast" Ultimate Horror Movie Bracket! In this special, annual episode, Anthony is joined by a whole slew of special guests and self-labeled horror aficionados to determine the best horror movie amongst those listed on this year's bracket, March Madness style! The guests include: Ron Hogan and Jay Skipworth of "Film Strip Podcast"  Kendal Farrae and Misty Hovsepian of "Two Girls One Crypt"  Matt Spaulding of "North Pole Radio" Listen as they debate and argue in real time to determine which horror movies advance through this NCAA-esque scary movie bracket as iconic films are pitted against one another in four different "divisions" for a chance to be named the best horror movie! This is an extraordinarily fun episode full of quotes, impressions, trivia, nostalgia, serenading, and laughs. This is one you definitely do not want to miss - even if it'll take you a few sittings to finish it given its length. (That's What She Said.) But that's what happens when you get a bunch of scary movie buffs onto a recording together - there's a lot of passionate gushing and vigorous debate going on here in an episode that took three recordings and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to finish. So settle in with your Pumpkin Spice Lattes, relax, and enjoy! And make sure to let us known on social media what your hosts got right, what they got wrong, and which horror movie you think should have come out on top this year! As always, thanks for your love and support, y'all! ❤️ 🍂 🎃👻🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🔔🚂 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

Happy Monday, Christmas Fanatics!  Once again, Thom is M.I.A. (because "life - uh - gets in the way"), and Kendall and Misty of "Two Girls, One Crypt" step in to join Julia and Anthony for this very special spooky edition of "Tis the Podcast". This week, they're traveling back in time to the seventies to discuss the 2023 hit, "Late Night with the Devil"!  So settle back with your Pumpkin Spice Lattes, relax, and enjoy this fun episode filled with talk about late night, possession, real life cults, and much, much more! As always, thanks for your love and support, y'all! ❤️ 🍂 🎃👻🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🔔🚂 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

Happy Monday, Christmas Fanatics! And Happy October!  This week, Thom, Julia, and Anthony continue their journey through Spooky Season to discuss one of the biggest hits of 2025: Zach Cregger's "Weapons"! Those who know Cregger's work from "Barbarian" know that he's a master of balancing scares with humor, and comes up with some out there and wild set pieces and twists; does "Weapons" live up to the standards he set in his freshman debut? And does it live up to the hype that its minimalist trailers generated earlier this year? You'll have to tune in to find out! One thing's for sure though: this is one fun, seasonally appropriate episode that's sure to put you into the Halloween spirit! So settle back with your pumpkin spice lattes, relax, and enjoy! As always, thanks for your love and support y'all! 🍂🎃👻🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

Happy Monday, Christas Fanatics! Can you believe we've reached the final episode of September 2025 already? We sure can't! And boy howdy, do we have a special surprise in store for you this week! Not only does Thom grace Julia and Anthony with his presence for the first time in a while, but the three elves are also joined by the legendary Mike Westfall of "Advent Calendar House Podcast" to discuss the 2017 Halloween special, "The Scariest Story Ever: A Mickey Mouse Halloween Spooktacular!" How does the rougher animation style work for your hosts? And does this one have enough Spooky Season feels to make it into their annual Halloween season rotation? Well, you'll just have to tune in to find out! So settle in with your pumpkin spice lattes, relax, and enjoy! And, as always, thanks for your love and support, y'all! 🍂🎃👻🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

Happy Monday, Christmas Fanatics! And Happy First *official* day of Fall!  This week, Anthony and Julia continue their journey through Spooky Season, but they are not alone! They are joined by two very special guests - Kendall Farrae and Misty Hovsepian of "Two Girls, One Crypt" - to talk Robert Eggers' 2024 masterpiece, "Nosferatu"! There's a lot to dig into with this powerful film, and your four hosts have a blast diving deep into it! And even though Thom is missing once again, and is missed, trust us when we say, this is one episode you want to be sure not to miss! So, settle in with your pumpkin spice lattes, relax, and enjoy! As always, thanks for your love and support, y'all! 🍂🎃👻🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️ *Side Note: You may want to listen to this one without the young children around, as there's some questionable language used within when quoting the film!* 

🎃🧙‍♀️ This week on Tis the Podcast, Thom, Julia, and Anthony descend into the magical (and divisive) world of Return to Halloweentown! Was the franchise’s final entry a treat or a trick? The hosts break down everything from recasting controversy, missing “Halloweentown vibes,” awkward production choices, the infamous Dominion cult plotline, and why the iconic Cromwell magic just didn’t sparkle this time around. Plus: nostalgia debates, tales from Oklahoma, theme park Halloween makeovers, and the movies and shows on our radar for the 2027 slate. It’s a full house of hot takes, “wait, what?” moments, and listener feedback—including that infamous recasting drama. Settle in as the crew reviews one of Disney Channel’s most controversial sequels and look ahead to next week, where they promise… something with a lot more magic. Don’t miss your weekly fix of festive fumbles and Christmas cheer—all year long!

Happy Monday, Christmas Fanatics! This week, Julia and Anthony (sans Thom because life sometimes gets in the way!) are joined by Kendall Farrae of "Two Girls, One Crypt" and Jay Skipworth of "Film Strip Podcast" to discuss the legacy sequel, "Scream 5"! (Otherwise known as "5cream"; Otherwise known as "Scream"; Otherwise known as "The One Where Ghostface Has An Oscar"!)  Everyone knows Anthony is in the bag for this franchise, but where do our two horror guests stand? And does this one work better for Julia, who loved the original film but was disappointed by the previous three sequels? Well, you'll just have to tune in to find out! But one thing we can guarantee: this is one fun episode you don't want to miss, filled with plenty of movie recommendations and film trivia!  So settle back with your pumpkin spice lattes, relax, and enjoy! And, as always, thanks for your love and support, y'all! 🍂🎃👻🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️ *Side Note: You may want to listen to this one without the young children around, as there's some questionable language used within when quoting the film!* 

Happy September, Christmas Fanatics! And Happy Labor Day! We made it to the most wonderful time of the year! The Ber Months have arrived, and with it, the official start of Spooky Season! To kick things off, Julia, Thom, and Anthony gather to discuss the 1968, George Romero classic, "Night of the Living Dead"! There's no overplaying how important this film in the pantheon of horror cinema and cinema in general, but how does it play for our three elves? You'll just have to tune in to find out! So settle back with your Pumpkin Spice Lattes, relax, and enjoy!  As always, thanks for your love and support, y'all! 🍂🎃👻🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

Happy Monday, everyone! And Happy August! This is it! The final stretch before the Ber Months! We are officially on the cusp of the most wonderful time of the year! How exciting is that? To mark the occasion, and kick off the week the right way, Julia, Thom, and Anthony gather to discuss the five Disney shorts that make up 2023's "Mickey's Christmas Tales"! Spoiler alert: not much can top when Disney tackles Christmas, and we guarantee this is a fun, festive discussion that's sure to brighten your day! So settle back, relax, and enjoy! And, as always, thanks for your love and support, y'all! 

Happy Thursday, Christmas Fanatics! And Merry Christmas in July! Can you believe we're a mere month away from the Ber months? A mere five months away from the best day of the year? Where has the time gone? To celebrate the occasion, Julia, Thom, and Anthony gather for a very special bonus episode in which they travel to the Isle of New Berk at Christmastime - or should we say Snoggletog time? - to cover the 2019 animated Christmas special, "How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming"! Listen as they discuss their histories with this franchise, gush over the animation style, revel in how warm and cozy this special is, and fawn over Toothless! It's the perfect, festive stocking-stuffer to end your week with and celebrate this merry summer day! So settle back, relax, and enjoy! And, as always, thanks for your love and support, y'all! 🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

Happy Monday, Christmas Fanatics! And Happy Christmas in July week! This week, the elves gather to discuss the one Christmas episode of the early aughts sitcom, "Grounded for Life": Season 2's Episode 7, "I Saw Daddy Hitting Santa Claus"!  Also discussed: recent movies Anthony's seen, Thom's new job and upcoming priestly vows, Julia's recent mini-vacation, and first photos from the production of HBO's "Harry Potter" reboot!  Trust us when we say that this is one fun, festive episode you don't want to miss! So settle back, relax, and enjoy! And make sure to keep an eye on your podcast feeds for a special Christmas in July bonus episode later this week! As always, thanks for your love and support, y'all! 🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

It’s July, it’s hot, and the elves are back together to keep the Christmas spirit alive—even if the only snow in sight is digital! This week, Anthony, Julia, and Thom wrangle some nostalgia and take on 2015's "Jurassic World" to answer the most important question: does a single Christmas song and a December setting make this dino-blockbuster a holiday film, or is it just a T-Rex-sized summer popcorn flick with a festive aftertaste? Pour yourself a glass of eggnog (or a margarita, Jimmy Buffett-style) and join us as we: Reminisce about our first "Jurassic Park" theater experiences and why that original movie still gives us chills (and maybe a few nightmares). Break down the plot, the characters, and the sheer spectacle of "Jurassic World"—from Chris Pratt’s raptor whispering to Bryce Dallas Howard’s high-heeled heroics. Debate the movie’s “Christmas credentials”—from the opening scene’s holiday music to the glaring lack of decorations in the park. (Seriously, where are the lights? Where’s the tree? Universal, call us!) Laugh about the best cameos, the most over-the-top dino moments, and why theme parks never learn their lesson. Share our signature ratings and decide if "Jurassic World" deserves a spot on your Christmas watchlist, or if it’s best saved for a heatwave movie marathon. As always, expect plenty of tangents, pop culture references, and a healthy dose of snark. Whether you’re here for the dinosaurs, the nostalgia, or the ongoing “is it a Christmas movie?” debate, we’ve got you covered. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, join our Facebook group to share your thoughts (and your favorite "Jurassic Park" moments), and keep the conversation going on Twitter and Instagram. And don’t forget—Christmas is never more than a podcast episode away!

This week on “Tis the Podcast”, Julia, Anthony, and Thom bravely (or foolishly) tackle Hallmark's "Hall Out the Holly: Lit Up." Was this sequel as cheery and charming as the original? Or was it, as some might say, a piece of "hot garbage?" Before diving into the HOA drama and Christmas light competitions, the elves talk "Megan 2.0”, upcoming movie plans, and time spent in urgent care. Plus, they discuss the new “Winnie the Pooh” Christmas movie coming to Amazon! So grab some cocoa and tune in for a brutally honest (and hilarious) review of a Hallmark holiday misfire!  As always, thanks for your love and support, y’all! ❤️ 🎅🏻 🎄 🎁 

Happy Wednesday, Christmas Fanatics! And Happy Leon Day! That's right! As of today, we are *officially* halfway to Christmas 2025!  To celebrate the occasion, Julia, Thom, and Anthony gather to discuss fifteen of their favorite Christmas commercials from the eighties! Done "Round Robin" style, allowing each elf to discuss the five that they picked, this is one festive and warm conversation filled with holiday cheer - and tons of eighties throwbacks! - that's sure to put you in the Christmas mood on this hot June day! So settle back, blast that air conditioning to simulate winter, and enjoy! And get excited because as of tomorrow, we are *officially* closer to this upcoming Christmas than we are last Christmas!  As always, thanks for your love and support, y'all! 🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

"Reunited and it feels so good!"  That's right, all three elves are back this week after most of the month of June spent apart! To celebrate the occasion, they sit down, travel to Boston, and discuss the "Frasier" revival's second Christmas episode (and, as it turns out, series finale!): Season 2, Episode 10's: "Father Christmas"! We can guarantee this is one fun, laugh-filled discussion because even a lesser episode of "Frasier" is still better than a lot of content out there!  So settle back, relax, enjoy, and get excited because this week marks the officially halfway point to Christmas 2025!  As always, thanks for your love and support, y'all! 🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

Deck the halls with chaos, cutaways, and cranberry sauce! This week, Thom and Anthony dive deep into five more uproarious "Family Guy" Christmas episodes, from Dickensian parodies to Meg’s mall-Santa trauma, and Lois’s Grinch-worthy meltdowns. With Julia taking a festive hiatus, the guys hold down the fort with unfiltered banter, personal holiday horror stories, and their signature spicy takes. Inside this episode: 🎁 "Don’t Be a Dickens at Christmas" (S16E9): Peter’s Scrooge moment, Patrick Swayze’s ghostly pottery lessons, and why Dog Farts haunt the afterlife. 🎁 "Christmas is Coming" (S18E9): Meg’s very awkward Santa encounter (Anthony’s 7/10 vs. Thom’s 4/10—yikes!). 🎁 "The First No L" (S19E9): Lois rage-quits Christmas, the Griffins craft a tear-jerking gift, and a Muslim neighbor takes the blame. 🎁 "Christmas Crime" (S20E10): Brian cancels Christmas (and crashes a nativity), Mayor West’s villain era, and the dark truth about "Asking Panda." 🎁 "Return of the King of Queens" (S22E9): Kevin James crashes Quahog! A sitcom star fights irrelevance (and network TV’s demise) in the least Christmassy ep yet. Plus: 🍸 Thom’s church bee-pocalypse vs. Anthony’s Disney meetup with Julia Gulia! 🎤 Their "Family Guy" musical hot takes (RIP, Carrie Fisher’s Angela!). 📺 A HUGE MILESTONE: After 8 years, they’ve covered every "Family Guy" Christmas episode! 💌 Feedback? tisthepodcast.com/Linktree (We read it on air!) So settle back and enjoy! Next week, we'll be covering the "Frasier" revival’s Christmas finale!  

Happy Monday, Christmas Fanatics! While Julia enjoys Disney World with her family, Thom and Anthony soldier on by tackling something Julia has successfully avoided for years - “Family Guy”! In this episode, the guys review six of Seth MacFarlane's Christmas specials, from the classic "A Very Special Family Guy Freakin' Christmas" to "How the Griffin Stole Christmas." Which episodes capture genuine holiday spirit? Which ones rely too heavily on failed attempts at humor? And which ones earn a perfect ten on the “Family Guy” scale? Thom and Anthony don't always agree in their ratings (what else is new?), but you can rest assured that they share plenty of memorable quotes and scenes along the way in this festive episode! Additionally, they discuss the new “Harry Potter” HBO casting, complain about the cost of Disney World, and count down the days to Christmas! Listen now and join us next week for Part Two of our “Family Guy” Christmas marathon! Don't forget to leave us a review - they're the best Christmas-in-June gift you could give us! As always, thanks for your love and support, y’all! 🎁  

Happy Monday, Christmas Fanatics! This episode was recorded pre-Memorial Day, but due to life, didn't get edited until this past weekend! Better late than never though, right? Kick off your week the right way by joining Julia, Thom, and Anthony as they gather to discuss the one Christmas episode of the comedy, "Last Man on Earth"! For those following along at home, the episode in question is Season 2, Episode 10: "Secret Santa"!  Regardless of the elves' opinions on the episode, and the show in general, we guarantee this is one festive, fun episode that's sure to inject some holiday spirit into your Monday morning! So settle back, relax, and enjoy! And, as always, thanks for your love and support, y'all! 🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

This week on "Tis the Podcast", the elves are back to keep the Christmas spirit alive all summer long! Thom, Julia, and Anthony dive into the final three festive episodes of "Last Man Standing", sharing laughs, hot takes, and a few heartfelt moments along the way. First, the crew unpacks “The Gift of the Wise Man,” where Mike Baxter’s attempt to delegate Christmas duties goes hilariously off the rails. Then, they tackle “My Name is Rob,” an episode that brings Eve home from the Air Force Academy with her new boyfriend, Rob.  And finally, the team reviews “The Gift of the Mike Guy,” highlighting cast changes, the bittersweet humor of naming streets after the living, and the heartwarming tradition of decorating the family tree—even if the new Mandy’s energy just isn’t quite the same. Along the way, there’s talk of summer reading by the pool, the latest "Superman" trailer, and the eternal debate over the best hot cocoa recipe. We'd love to hear from you and have share your own holiday drink secrets! (But be warned: Swiss Miss fans need not apply). Tune in for a blend of nostalgia, critique, and Christmas cheer - we guarantee you it's the perfect dose holiday magic to get you through the long, hot week! Enjoy! And, as always, thanks for your love and support, y'all! 

Happy Wednesday, Christmas Fanatics! We're a few days late with this one, but better late than never, right? Join Thom, Julia, and Anthony as they gather to discuss the first four episodes of Tim Allen's comedy series, "Last Man Standing"! For those following along at home, the episodes in question are: Season 1 - Episode 10 - Last Christmas Standing Season 2 - Episode 7 - Putting a Hit on Christmas Season 3 - Episode 11 - Elfie Season 4 - Episode 11 - Wedding Planning As they often are when we cover television shows, this is one hilarious and festive episode that's sure to brighten your week! So settle back, relax, and enjoy! And makes sure to tune in Monday for the episode in which we cover the remaining Christmas episodes of the show! As always, thanks for your love and support, y'all! 🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

Happy Tuesday, Christmas Fanatics! What's this? A second episode drop this week? That's right! While we may have been slacking with editing lately, we haven't been slacking with recording! So since we missed releasing a new episode last week, you get to enjoy two this week! 🎵What Can We Say Except "You're Welcome"?🎵 Join Thom, Julia, and Anthony in an episode that will make you feel like you're traveling back in time, as this was supposed to release chronologically before our episode on "Kelly Clarkson Presents: When Christmas Comes Around"! Listen as they discuss the 2007, ABC Family Original Holiday Movie, "Holidays in Handcuffs"! Not to spoil the surprise, but Thom is actually the most well researched and prepared for this one! Shocking, we know!  How does this fare against other ABC Family/Freeform, Hallmark, Lifetime, Netflix, and other "Made for TV" holiday content? You'll have to tune in to find out! One thing we can guarantee, however, is that this is one festive episode that's sure to help you start off your Tuesday on the right foot! So, settle back, relax, and enjoy! As always, thanks for your support, y'all! 🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

Happy Monday, Christmas Fanatics! Can you believe it's already the last Monday of April? We sure can't! This week, Julia and Anthony sit down to discuss NBC's 2021 Holiday variety special, "Kelly Clarkson Presents: When Christmas Comes Around", which was timed to coincide with the release of the pop star's alum of the same name! Featuring big names like Ariana Grande and Amy Poehler amongst others, how does this one compare to other Christmas variety specials for the elves? You'll just have to tune in to find out! Trust us when we say, though: this is one festive episode that'll definitely put you in the Christmas spirit! So settle back, relax, and enjoy! As always, thanks for your love and support, y'all! 🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

Happy Monday, Christmas Fanatics! Can you believe that we're already less than a week out from Easter? We sure can't! This year is flying!  This week, Julia and Anthony are sans Thom and - after catching up on recent movie releases - dive into the 2024 holiday-slasher film, "The Naughty List of Mr. Scrooge". Is this one of those B-movie schlockfests that's so bad it's good, à la "The Mean One"? Or is this merely a bad Lifetime movie of the week dressed up like a Christmas horror film? You'll just have to tune in to find out! So settle back, relax, and enjoy this fun and festive episode, which is the perfect way to kickstart your week! As always, thanks for your love and support, y'all! 🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

Happy Monday, Christmas Fanatics! This week, the elves gather to discuss the 2024, Netflix original holiday film, "The Merry Gentlemen"! Does this slightly more risqué version of a Hallmark movie have enough heart to give your hosts all of the Christmas feels? Is there a difference between a strip club and a male revue? And will this film enter anyone's holiday canon? You'll just have to tune in to find out! So sit back, relax, and enjoy this festive episode that we guarantee is the perfect way to kickstart your week! Enjoy! As always, thanks for your love and support, y'all! 🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

Get ready for a cozy catch-up! After some time apart, the "Tis the Podcast" crew is BACK and brimming with stories from the past few weeks – family visits, movie marathons, and everything in between. But the real action starts when we dive headfirst into the surprisingly delightful world of Hallmark's Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story! Yes, you heard that right. Will the elves actually enjoy a Hallmark movie about a Kansas City Chiefs-obsessed family? You'll just have to tune in to find out! Join us as we break down the plot, gush over Hunter King and Tyler Haynes, and dissect the importance of a very lucky Chiefs hat. Enjoy this festive treat and, as always, thanks for your love and support, y'all! 

Happy Monday, Christmas Fanatics! And Happy St. Patrick's Day! This week, Thom and Anthony gather - sans Julia, due to family commitments - to discuss the 2024, Netflix variety special, "A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter"! And in honor of Disney's live-action "Snow White" opening this week, we only have one question to ask y'all: "Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, which of our male elves is perviest of them all?" If the answer isn't obvious to you already, it will be after this episode! Because spoiler alert: one elf loved this innuendo-laden Christmas show, while one elf hated it! So settle back, relax, and enjoy this festive, laugh-a-minute episode in which the men of "Tis the Podcast" discuss this very nonsense holiday special featuring superstar, Sabrina Carpenter!  As always, thanks for your love and support, y'all! 🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️

Happy Monday, Christmas Fanatics! And Happy March! Can you believe we're already two months into the year already? We sure can't! we're moving right along! This week, Julia and Anthony are on their own once again - or are they? Regardless, the elves gather to discuss the 2024, Netflix original, holiday-action film, "Carry-On"! Is this a movie worthy of the "Die Hard" comparisons? Is it a Christmas movie or a movie set at Christmas? You'll just have to tune in to find out! So, settle back, relax, and enjoy this festive episode, which - in all honestly - is probably way more festive than the film in question itself! Enjoy! Thanks for your love and support, y'all! 🎅🏻🎄🎁 🦌🦉⛄️🚂🔔 🤶🏻 🎀 ❄️