Pop Culture Happy Hour: 2024 Holiday Movie Guide Summary

Release Date: December 5, 2024 | Host: NPR's Aisha Harris and Linda Holmes

As the holiday season approaches, NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour dedicates its latest episode to guiding listeners through the bustling landscape of 2024’s holiday movie releases. Hosted by Aisha Harris and Linda Holmes, the episode delves into a curated selection of festive films across various streaming platforms, offering insightful commentary, personal opinions, and memorable quotes to help viewers choose their perfect holiday watch. Here's a detailed breakdown of the episode's key discussions and insights.

Introduction to the Holiday Movie Season ([04:13] - [04:22])

Aisha Harris opens the segment by highlighting the plethora of holiday movies debuting this year. She emphasizes the challenge viewers face in selecting memorable films amidst the abundance of offerings from networks like Hallmark, Lifetime, BET, UPTV, and streaming giants like Netflix.

Aisha Harris [04:13]:
"It's that time of year again, holiday movie season. And as ever, there are so many new movies to choose from. And of course, some are more memorable than others. So where do you start? We've got you covered this year."

Featured Holiday Movies

1. Hot Frosty ([02:02] - [05:08])

Platform: Netflix
Stars: Lacey Chabert, Craig Robinson, Joe Littrulo

Linda Holmes introduces “Hot Frosty,” a standout film this holiday season, noting its unique blend of traditional holiday magic with contemporary humor.

Linda Holmes [02:02]:
"We've got the return of Lindsay Lohan, a shirtless Chad Michael Murray, and a cameo from Travis Kelce's mom. And those are, by the way, in three different movies."

Aisha Harris [05:08]:
"It's very cute. And that's the Netflix movie starring Lacey Chabert as a woman who suddenly falls in love with Frosty the Snowman, who turns into a real man. A hot Frosty, as they would say."

Linda appreciates the film’s comedic elements, particularly the inclusion of Craig Robinson and Joe Littrulo, which adds a layer of conventional humor to the magical storyline.

2. Our Little Secret ([05:41] - [09:37])

Platform: Netflix
Star: Lindsay Lohan
Notable Cast: Kristin Chenoweth, Ian Harding, Tim Meadows, Judy Reyes

“Our Little Secret” marks Lindsay Lohan’s return to holiday rom-coms. Linda Holmes provides an in-depth review, highlighting the film’s intricate plot involving family secrets and romantic entanglements.

Linda Holmes [05:52]:
"She plays a woman named Avery who's engaged to this very nice guy named Cameron. She goes home for Christmas with him and she runs into both his terrifying mother, played by Kristin Chenoweth, who is having the time of her life, and her ex, Logan, who is played by Ian Harding."

Aisha Harris praises the film for expanding the traditional rom-com formula by introducing complex relationships and humorous scenarios, such as an accidental high moment in church.

Aisha Harris [07:08]:
"The rom-com genre, and specifically the holiday rom-com genre, has had to expand its purview and not just do the simple, like, girl goes back home to her small town after making it big in the city and then falling in love with the hot farmer. This one just has that extra oomph."

Linda notes Lindsay Lohan’s distinctive presence, appreciating her authentic portrayal that diverges from her previous roles where she often played more overtly flawed characters.

Linda Holmes [09:20]:
"In this one, she's gone a little bit back to, like, okay, I don't have to do that all the time. Yeah, I can play a regular person. And I liked seeing her do that, and I thought this was cute."

3. Meet Me Next Christmas ([09:37] - [13:57])

Platform: Netflix
Star: Christina Milian
Guest Features: Pentatonix

“Meet Me Next Christmas” features Christina Milian as Layla, a Pentatonix superfan determined to secure last-minute tickets to their sold-out Christmas concert. Aisha Harris and Linda Holmes discuss the film’s vibrant portrayal of fandom and romantic pursuit.

Aisha Harris [10:05]:
"Layla's determined to get her hands on these last-minute tickets to their sold-out Christmas Eve concert because who wouldn't be? She hopes to reconnect there with a guy she had a meet cute with a year earlier."

Linda Holmes expresses initial reservations about the portrayal of Pentatonix but acknowledges the film’s charm and the chemistry between the leads.

Linda Holmes [12:46]:
"I think you'd enjoy it. I just have not gotten to it yet. But this one is streaming on Netflix also."

The episode underscores the movie’s balance between romantic endeavors and musical performances, making it a delightful watch for fans of both genres.

4. Holiday Touchdown, A Chief's Love Story ([13:57] - [18:50])

Platform: Hallmark
Star: Hunter King, Tyler Hines
Notable Appearances: Kansas City Chiefs mascots and staff

“Holiday Touchdown, A Chief's Love Story” is a Hallmark production that intertwines family sports fanaticism with a romantic narrative. Linda Holmes provides a comprehensive overview, highlighting the film’s integration of the Kansas City Chiefs’ branding and the authentic portrayal of a sports-obsessed family.

Linda Holmes [14:24]:
"It's about a woman named Alana, who's played by Hunter King, whose whole family is Chiefs fanatics, including her grandfather, played by Ed Begley Jr. They end up as finalists in the team's fan of the year contest."

The hosts discuss the film’s appeal to NFL fans and families with strong sports traditions, noting the strategic branding partnership with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Aisha Harris [16:46]:
"It sounds kind of like that movie 80 for Brady, where it's just like, oh yes, we're gonna incorporate as much of this home team's paraphernalia and whatever in there."

Linda appreciates the authentic cameos and the nods to local sports culture, despite acknowledging the heavy branding presence.

Linda Holmes [17:46]:
"There are some players who have cameos. There’s Travis Kelce's mom, but no Taylor is there."

5. Merry Gentleman ([18:50] - [23:30])

Platform: Netflix
Star: Brit Robertson, Chad Michael Murray
Notable Cast: Maxwell Caulfield

“Merry Gentleman” blends dance and romance as Brit Robertson’s character, Ashley, attempts to save her family’s bar by organizing a male revue. Linda Holmes critiques the film’s execution, particularly the portrayal of dance sequences and character chemistry.

Aisha Harris [19:15]:
"Brit Robertson plays Ashley, a professional dancer in a Rockette style troupe who's fired for being too old."

Linda critiques the movie’s aesthetics and the believability of the romantic subplot, though she praises the inclusion of familiar faces like Maxwell Caulfield.

Linda Holmes [20:17]:
"I thought the love story fell a little flat for me in this one."

Aisha Harris counters by highlighting the genuine chemistry between the leads and the realistic portrayal of non-professional dancers participating in the revue.

Aisha Harris [22:00]:
"It felt convincing for a small town, and it also felt convincing that the women in that small town would be going crazy for it because it didn't seem like much else was happening in that town."

Despite some reservations, both hosts acknowledge the film’s charm and its place within the holiday rom-com genre.

Conclusion and Additional Resources ([23:30] - [24:07])

Aisha Harris wraps up the episode by directing listeners to their comprehensive holiday movie guide available at over@npr.org. She encourages audience engagement by inviting listeners to share their thoughts on the featured films and their own holiday viewing plans via social media.

Aisha Harris [23:30]:
"You should definitely let us know what you think about this year's holiday movies and what you're watching this holiday season. Find us@facebook.com PCHH."

Linda Holmes expresses gratitude for the collaborative discussion, reinforcing the episode's friendly and informative tone.

Linda Holmes [24:07]:
"There’s no one I would rather talk about this with more than you. Thank you."

Final Remarks

Produced by Hafsa Fatima and Lennon Sherburne, and edited by Jessica Reedy and Mike Katzen, this episode of Pop Culture Happy Hour serves as a valuable resource for holiday movie enthusiasts seeking thoughtful recommendations and critiques. Hosts Aisha Harris and Linda Holmes effectively blend personal insights with broader cultural observations, making the episode both engaging and informative for listeners preparing for the festive season.

For more details and the complete holiday movie guide, visit over@npr.org.