Podcast Summary: Last Podcast On The Left – Side Stories: Christmas Movie Stories
Release Date: December 25, 2024
Hosts: Henry Zabrowski, Ed Larson, Jackie Zebrowski
Produced by: The Last Podcast Network
Introduction
In the December 25, 2024 episode of Last Podcast on the Left, hosts Henry Zabrowski, Ed Larson, and Jackie Zebrowski delve into the world of Christmas movies. Transitioning from their usual horror and side stories, the trio offers a candid and humorous exploration of their favorite and least favorite Christmas films, sharing personal anecdotes and strong opinions throughout the discussion.
Favorite Christmas Movies
Scrooged vs. Muppet Christmas Carol
The conversation begins with a passionate debate between Henry and Ed about classic Christmas films. Henry places Scrooged among his top five Christmas movies, praising Bill Murray's heartfelt ending monologue despite his personal reservations about the actor.
- Henry Zabrowski [07:07]: "I think Scrooged is probably top five. One of my top ten movies."
- Ed Larson [07:14]: "All the other Scrooge movies... can't we just burn the books of Charles Dickens instead?"
Jackie counters by highlighting Muppet Christmas Carol as superior to Scrooged, especially when including the song "When Love is Gone," which she believes is essential to the film's emotional impact.
- Jackie Zebrowski [09:50]: "I dare say that I would choose Scrooge if we're talking about Muppet Christmas Carol without 'When Love is Gone.' But with it, I feel that Muppet Christmas Carol is... a better film."
The hosts agree that both films, despite their differences, hold a special place in their holiday viewing traditions.
Least Favorite Christmas Movies
Christmas with the Cranks
Henry vehemently criticizes Christmas with the Cranks, citing its message of conformity and lack of genuine holiday spirit. He expresses frustration with the film's portrayal of resisting family traditions.
- Henry Zabrowski [14:01]: "It's literally about conforming and coming home to a family that you don't want to go to... and it makes me angry."
Saving Christmas and Jack Frost
Jackie joins in by denouncing Saving Christmas and Michael Keaton's Jack Frost, the latter of which she finds particularly frustrating due to its handling of sensitive subjects and character development.
- Jackie Zebrowski [23:42]: "And that is starry. And I'm not talking about the horrible one. I'm talking about the Michael Keaton one. It's bad and it is..."
- Ed Larson [23:51]: "Is on my list as well."
Discussions on Modern Christmas Films
The hosts touch upon the challenges modern Christmas movies face in finding their footing, often becoming repetitive or failing to capture the magic of classics like Gremlins. They lament the oversaturation of Christmas-themed films in recent years, making it harder to establish new classics.
- Ed Larson [32:04]: "They used to come out, like, once every three years. Now there's like 10 a year."
Dashed Hopes for New Classics
Henry reflects on the difficulty of creating new Christmas classics that resonate emotionally without becoming overworked or losing their intended charm.
- Henry Zabrowski [35:12]: "I can't get through 30 minutes. It did not hold up."
Personal Anecdotes and Experiences
Traumatic Viewing Experiences
Ed shares a particularly negative experience associated with watching the first Harry Potter movie during his time working at Garfield's in a mall. The chaos and long waits left a lasting impression, contributing to his aversion to the series as a Christmas staple.
- Ed Larson [38:27]: "That's where my hatred for Harry Potter comes from. But it's... because of the trauma of that day."
Rediscovering Gremlins
Henry discusses his renewed appreciation for Gremlins after distancing himself from it for a decade, now considering it one of his favorite Christmas movies due to its blend of horror and holiday themes.
- Henry Zabrowski [39:08]: "It might be one of my favorite Christmas movies."
Embracing Diverse Christmas Films
Support for Unique and Cult Favorites
The hosts advocate for exploring a variety of Christmas movies beyond mainstream offerings. They recommend titles like Rare Exports and Black Christmas for their unique takes on holiday horror.
- Henry Zabrowski [49:01]: "It's a wonderful movie. And it was just 9%. It's one of the better horror Christmas horrors."
Appreciation for Classic Comedies
Despite their critiques, the hosts also acknowledge and appreciate classic Christmas comedies like Mixed Nuts and Family Stone, albeit with reservations about certain aspects.
- Jackie Zebrowski [47:12]: "It's about a suicide hotline, but also, I love Julie Hagerty. She's perfect."
Modern Musical Elements in Christmas Films
Critique of Contemporary Musicals
The conversation shifts to the incorporation of musical elements in modern Christmas films, with the hosts expressing skepticism about the effectiveness of flash mobs and pop singers writing songs for musicals.
- Henry Zabrowski [35:38]: "I don't know why. Just hire pop singers to write the songs."
Appreciation for Gay Men's Choir Performances
Contrasting their critiques, Henry praises the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles for their emotive and powerful performances, emphasizing the impact of quality musical arrangements.
- Henry Zabrowski [33:28]: "If you get a chance to see the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles, you should go. They're great."
Wrapping Up: Final Thoughts on Christmas Movies
Balancing Tradition and Personal Preference
As the episode concludes, the hosts reflect on the balance between adhering to traditional Christmas movie choices and exploring personal preferences. They encourage listeners to embrace what resonates with them while acknowledging the diversity of holiday film experiences.
- Henry Zabrowski [63:35]: "But you know, you... sometimes those some of that got to go do their own thing and you let them go do their own thing."
Recommendations and Future Episodes
The hosts hint at upcoming episodes and continue to recommend a mix of classic and unconventional Christmas movies, fostering a space for honest and unfiltered discussions about holiday cinema.
Notable Quotes
- Henry Zabrowski [07:07]: "I think Scrooged is probably top five. One of my top ten movies."
- Jackie Zebrowski [09:50]: "I dare say that I would choose Scrooge if we're talking about Muppet Christmas Carol without 'When Love is Gone.' But with it, I feel that Muppet Christmas Carol is... a better film."
- Henry Zabrowski [14:01]: "It's literally about conforming and coming home to a family that you don't want to go to... and it makes me angry."
- Ed Larson [38:27]: "That's where my hatred for Harry Potter comes from. But it's... because of the trauma of that day."
- Henry Zabrowski [39:08]: "It might be one of my favorite Christmas movies."
Conclusion
This episode of Last Podcast on the Left offers an engaging and honest exploration of Christmas movies through the eyes of Henry, Ed, and Jackie. Their lively debate, personal stories, and unabashed opinions provide listeners with a multifaceted perspective on holiday cinema, encouraging both reflection and laughter during the festive season.