How Did This Get Made?
Episode: Last Looks: Merry Kissmas
Hosts: Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, Jason Mantzoukas
Date: December 19, 2025
Overview
This “Last Looks” mini-episode celebrates the listeners’ input on the deeply questionable Lifetime-esque Christmas movie Merry Kissmas. The hosts revisit leftover mysteries and mistakes from their full review, respond to voicemails and Discord discussions, and update fans on their latest streaming obsessions and recommendations. The tone is as irreverent and self-referential as ever, taking deep dives into absurd holiday cinematic universes, behind-the-scenes trivia, and holiday media rituals.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Corrections and Omissions: Listener Feedback on Merry Kissmas
(04:46 – 15:00)
- Tagline Suggestion: Discord user Corgiherder’s brutal tagline:
“In an elevator, no one can hear you decline an unwanted sexual advance.”
(02:24, Paul Scheer) - Apartment Building Logic:
- Listeners question why supposedly able-bodied apartment residents refuse to use stairs when the elevator is stuck for 30 minutes — theorizing they’re just waiting to experience their own "Kissmas Miracle."
- Paul: “People are lazy, and this movie isn’t afraid to show it.”
- Listeners question why supposedly able-bodied apartment residents refuse to use stairs when the elevator is stuck for 30 minutes — theorizing they’re just waiting to experience their own "Kissmas Miracle."
- Rolling Pin on Flour:
- Discord’s Lee Black spots a “baking” scene where an actor uses a rolling pin on plain flour, not dough.
- Paul: “That is just… there’s no. Nothing underneath it. It is just a rolling pin on flour and that ain’t going to turn into dough.”
- Discord’s Lee Black spots a “baking” scene where an actor uses a rolling pin on plain flour, not dough.
- Filming Location Inconsistencies:
- Listeners note obvious signs the movie was shot in Riverside, CA, not Palo Alto (T-shirts, 4th of July decorations, county insignia).
- Paul on the director’s laziness: “He aggressively didn’t give a shit.”
- Cinematic Universe Theory:
- Caller Beverly suggests Merry Kissmas and 12 Pups of Christmas are in the same universe due to shared elements (awkward elevator kisses, irresponsible dog adoptions, Silicon Valley settings).
- Paul: “I believe there is a 12 Pups of Christmas connection… I’d like there to be an ION original universe.” (08:17)
- Caller Beverly suggests Merry Kissmas and 12 Pups of Christmas are in the same universe due to shared elements (awkward elevator kisses, irresponsible dog adoptions, Silicon Valley settings).
- Nutcracker Choreography Explanation:
- Caller Stoddard explains the "George Balanchine’s Nutcracker" reference, noting its influence and the Macaulay Culkin 90s film.
- Paul: “You are absolutely right… Carlton must be way bigger.” (10:06)
- The Leo Diamond Origin:
- Ashley from Ohio (former Kay Jewelers HQ employee) clarifies: The "Leo Diamond" is a proprietary cut exclusively for Kay/Jared, produced by Leo Schachter.
- Paul: “That’s what we want, we want him to cut our diamond… And yeah, Kay Jewelers, pay your workers.” (11:48)
- The Merry Kissmas/Elevator Kiss Trilogy:
- Anonymous caller connects A Christmas Kiss, Another Christmas Kiss, and Merry Kissmas—all tied by elevator/mistletoe kisses and recurring relationship infidelity/workaholic tropes.
- “A quick rundown on the bizarre trilogy of elevator kissing adultery movies.”*
- Paul: “All this makes me want to do is watch more Christmas films.” (14:34)
- Minor Grievances:
- Absurd hotel Christmas room decor
- Why “Love In An Elevator” wasn’t referenced in the episode
- The precise source of a bell sound in a key caroling scene
- Winner of Best Correction/Omission:
- Anonymous “trilogy expert” wins for watching all the elevator-kissing movies.
2. Holiday Media & Pop Culture Recap: Just Chat
(22:50 – 51:57)
Family In-Jokes & Recurring Bits
- Pervert Bear (Taskmaster, Season 19):
- Jason’s offhand “pervert bear” label for a bear-costumed character has become a Scheer family joke.
- Paul: “This has become a rallying cry in the house… No one understands exactly what it means.”
- Jason’s offhand “pervert bear” label for a bear-costumed character has become a Scheer family joke.
- Calculator for Christmas (SNL sketch):
- Paul’s kids incessantly reference an old SNL bit, confusing outsiders.
- Paul: “Do they want a calculator? No, they’re just doing Fred Armisen.”
- Paul’s kids incessantly reference an old SNL bit, confusing outsiders.
Advent Calendar Gifting
- Taskmaster and Gilmore Girls Advent Calendars
- Jason: “You gave me an incredible present which was the Gilmore Girls Advent calendar. …Such a big hit.”
Spotify Wrapped Oddities
- Paul’s #1: Teddy Swims
- Paul: “I can’t tell you I know a single song of his…How did that become my number one?” (28:43)
- Jason, feigning clueless-old-man: “What happened to Led Zeppelin?”
TV Recommendations and Media Rabbit Holes
- Netflix’s Death by Lightning (on President Garfield’s assassination, with Nick Offerman)
- Australian comedy recommendations:
- Fisk ("fantastic … great, hard funny jokes, comedy sitcom")
- Colin From Accounts
- Cult Series Obsession: Landman
- Jason: “Landman is the best, the greatest show of our time.” (31:49)
- Paul: “His [Billy Bob Thornton’s] performance has such an ease…”
- Both dissect outlandish plot turns, monologuing characters
Billy Bob Thornton On-Set Story
- Paul reminisces about working with Billy Bob on School for Scoundrels., including a story where Billy Bob invited the cast to a party but rescinded when no one immediately accepted:
“He’s like…‘Ah, fuck it, nah…I’m not inviting any of you!’”
(36:54, Paul Scheer)
Documentary & Media Recommendations
- Corey Feldman Vs. the World (documentary about Feldman's viral Today Show performance and ensuing tour)
- Hobby (documentary on the tabletop gaming explosion)
- Land of Giants (extreme skiing doc—"great have-a-gummy-late-at-night viewing")
- Audiobooks:
- Ileana Douglas's I Blame Dennis Hopper
- Jason: “Her voice, her vocal performance is fantastic… such a hilarious writing style.” (47:09)
- William Friedkin, Warren Littlefield, and Walter Murch books receive a shout.
- Ileana Douglas's I Blame Dennis Hopper
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Hobtown Mysteries series ("What if David Lynch wrote Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys books?")
- Batman: The Bat-Man (Matt Fraction’s new run: “great book…love his Batman”)
- Bowling with Corpses (Mike Mignola)
- Music
- New albums by Snow Caps, Bill Fox, Tortoise, Mary Lattimore and Juliana Barwick recommended
- Paul jokes: “And again, Teddy Swims, make sure you’re listening. Just like me.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Lazy Film-Making
"This fucking movie was lazy. I mean, so lazy. Again, thanks to Brandt, we know why this director did not give a shit...he aggressively didn’t give a shit."
— Paul Scheer (06:32) -
On Holiday Movie Cinematic Universes
“I would like there to be an Ion original universe, and we should start having these characters bump into each other.”
— Paul Scheer (08:17) -
Reflections on Family Media In-Jokes
“My kids are just doing Fred Armisen. I sent it to Fred…They don’t even know what a Texas Instruments calculator is, but absolutely, they certainly don’t.”
— Paul Scheer (24:07) -
Landman Fandom
“Landman is the best, the greatest show of our time.”
— Jason Mantzoukas (31:49) -
On Billy Bob’s Invite
“Like, no one just like jumped in. Like, ‘yeah, great idea.’ He’s like, ‘ah, fuck it, nah…I’m not inviting any of you… I’m not having it now.’”
— Paul Scheer (36:54) -
On Taskmaster Pervert Bear Running Gag
“Even you saying ‘pervert Bear’ to me, like, as if I was going to be like, ‘well of course, Pervert Bear’...I had to be like, wait a minute...oh, I remember…”
— Jason Mantzoukas (25:53)
Timestamps for Important Segments
| Time | Segment/Topic | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------| | 02:24 | Alt Movie Tagline from Discord | | 04:46 | Corrections & Omissions Begins | | 07:33 | Cinematic Universe & 12 Pups of Christmas caller | | 10:06 | Nutcracker Choreography and Highlander facts | | 11:48 | Kay Jewelers, Leo Diamond inside scoop | | 14:34 | Anonymous caller: Elevator Kiss Adultery Trilogy | | 22:50 | Just Chat: TV, Advent Calendars | | 28:43 | Paul’s Spotify Wrapped, Teddy Swims confusion | | 31:49 | Landman superfan segment | | 36:54 | Billy Bob Thornton “open house” story | | 40:14 | Corey Feldman vs. the World doc recommendation | | 41:52 | Tabletop gaming doc Hobby, board game questions | | 47:09 | Audiobook: I Blame Dennis Hopper | | 50:06 | Comics & gift suggestions | | 51:57 | Set-up for next week’s movie: My Secret Santa | | 52:35 | Jason describes plot of My Secret Santa |
“Deleted Scene” and Next Episode Announcement
(51:58 – End)
- Next week’s film: My Secret Santa (2025 Netflix Rom Com)
- Jason’s pitch: “It’s a kind of reverse Mrs. Doubtfire where a single mom dresses up as Santa Claus and falls for the ski resort owner…they become bros, he thinks she’s a man.” (52:43, Mantzoukas)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 77% fresh.
- Ripped directly from the wildest Hallmark concepts.
Closing Notes
This “Last Looks” offers the usual chaotic blend of nitpicking, pop culture tangents, and personal storytelling. The hosts enthusiastically champion obscure TV, music, and books, turning throwaway moments from bad Christmas movies into long-running show gags and even accidental family traditions.
Best for listeners who love:
- Deep cuts in holiday movie trash
- Community engagement and running in-jokes
- Off-the-wall media recommendations
- Irreverent but affectionate film criticism
Final Quote:
“All this makes me want to do is watch more Christmas films. And guess what? If you want to do that with us, you’re in luck.”
— Paul Scheer (14:34)