‘Tis The Grinch Holiday Podcast – “Down Under! with 5SOS” | Episode 10

Host: The Grinch (voiced by James Austin Johnson)
Guests: 5 Seconds of Summer (Calum, Luke, Michael, Ashton), Cindy Lou Who
Release Date: December 22, 2025

Episode Overview

In this lively season finale, the ever-curmudgeonly Grinch juggles plotting his over-the-top “Grinch-a-palooza” festival and sparring with both his trusted producer Cindy Lou Who and a special guest, the globally acclaimed Aussie pop-punk band 5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS). The episode features Grinch’s signature holiday hot takes, banter with 5SOS—including playful digs at pop culture, the band’s career, and the prospect of a Christmas album—and culminates with a comedic-yet-heartwarming clash between his ego-driven event and Cindy’s more traditional Whoville tree-lighting. Ultimately, Grinch is compelled to rediscover the spirit of friendship and community, turning a night of petty competition into Whoville unity.

Key Segments and Insights

1. Opening Antics & Grinch’a-palooza Pitch

Timestamps: 00:00–03:37

• Grinch mistakes 5SOS for his delivery people, then tries to strong-arm the band into headlining his hastily-organized “Grinch-a-palooza.”
• He cheekily asks them about green face paint and changing their band name to “Insane Grinch Posse.”
  • 5SOS reacts with classic Aussie understatement:

    “Yeah, we usually have a couple, like, band, like, meetings and calls about that kind of stuff.”

• Grinch riffs on Australian pop culture, jokingly compares 5SOS to The Wiggles:
  • “Fruit salad actually is. Fruit salad is a banger.” —5SOS
  • “I used to love Hot Potato. But fruit salad has more depth, you know?” —5SOS

2. Holiday Hot Takes with The Grinch

Timestamps: 03:37–08:42

• Snowmen Fashion:

  “We need a queer eye for the snow guy. Am I right?” —The Grinch [04:12]

• Fit Santas in Media:

  “There’s no way the real Santa is lifting weights. The man can’t even see his toes.” [04:36]

• Thanksgiving Music Supremacy:

  “Christmas music ripped off Thanksgiving music... The 12 days of Turkey, or I’m Dreaming of a Beige Thanksgiving. Those are the originals.” [05:49]

• Gift Giving Snark:

  “Given the gift of a candle is the international symbol for ‘I don’t like you.’” [06:46]

• Cindy Lou Who repeatedly calls out Grinch’s grumpiness but can’t help being amused:

  “Even though those lines of yours were, like, totally zingtastic.” —Cindy Lou Who [07:50]

3. Cindy Lou Who’s Great Whoville Bake-Off Prep

Timestamps: 08:42–12:09

• Cindy tests her holiday treats on the Grinch—cardamom muffins (“Yuck. Who in the who would use a cardigan in a muffin recipe?”), gingerbread, baklava (“maybe try adding a side of raw chicken juice to dip it in”—classic Grinch!), and almond croissants.
• Grinch offers his own family recipe—an absurd concoction involving green eggs, idolized salt, ooze, and a “delightfully potent aroma” topping:

  “Burning your taste buds is the hallmark of all Grinch family cuisine.” [11:52]

4. 5 Seconds of Summer Interview

Timestamps: 12:09–22:47

• Grinch’s “Court-Ordered” Talk Show:

  “A judge basically made me do this because... I stole Christmas.” [12:20]

• Knocking Taylor Swift From #1:
  Grinch frames it as a win, band downplays rivalry—

  “That’s a Grinch narrative for sure.” —5SOS

• Inclusivity in Music:

  “We’re trying to be an inclusive band, Grinch”—Ashton [13:59]
  Tongue-in-cheek about releasing an alt vinyl, “Everyone’s a Dud,” just for Whoville.

• On Boy Band Perception & Songwriting Angst:

  “That word... we thought it was a dirty word. Being able to take back the power, you know, steal the power back.” —Michael [16:59]

• Green Hair vs. Pink Hair:

  “Green doesn’t work for everyone. I actually got called Grinch a few times... my green hair was called my Grinch era.” —Michael [17:55]

• Christmas Album Debate:
  5SOS admits they’d create a holiday album and try to rope the Grinch into a feature, leading to rare sentimental moments—Grinch almost moved by the idea of community and togetherness.

  “Ah, my heart’s growing. How did you do this?” —The Grinch [20:47] Calum is pressed to “snap [Grinch] out of it,” in a humorous skit.

• Aussie Marsupial Pouch Question:
  The band gamely invents a shrink ray, sedan, and unshrinking ray as their pouch essentials. Lots of witty wordplay and surreal logic.

5. The Great Grinch & Cindy Showdown

Timestamps: 22:47–29:00

• Dueling Christmas Eve events: Grinch’s festival draws the town’s attention, leaving Cindy’s event empty.
• Grinch is uncharacteristically stricken by guilt:

  “What is this feeling?... I’m feeling a crippling sense of guilt for selling out my best friend.” [25:24]

• Resolution requires dramatic action—a helicopter, patched-up feelings, and whimsical improvised logistics (“strap those military grade hooks to the tree!” [28:38]).

6. Friendship & Community Wins

Timestamps: 29:00–31:54

• Grinch and Cindy unite for the Whoville tree lighting, sacrificing selfish ambitions.

  “Cindy, you did it.” —The Grinch
  “No, we did it.” —Cindy Lou Who [30:33]

• Grinch receives a pre-stretched belly t-shirt for the occasion, and the classic theme (“stink, stank, stunk”) returns for a humorous, affectionate send-off.
• The theme throughout: reconciliation, moving beyond ego, and the joy of coming together.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Can we get a little more creative than a scarf and a top hat? It’s a snowman, not a thrift store mannequin.” —The Grinch [04:08]
• “If Santa or your parents give you a learning toy for Christmas, you should be able to subtract school time for every hour you play with it. It’s only fair.” —The Grinch [08:13]
• “Looks gross. Pass. Now let’s move on to something more appetizing...” —The Grinch, on Cindy’s baking [10:35]
• “Do not wait for it to cool down. Burning your taste buds is the hallmark of all Grinch family cuisine.” —The Grinch [11:52]
• “I don’t use a lawn mower. I use a weed whacker... It’s called a Whippersnipper in Australia.” —The Grinch [15:49]
• [On friendship]: “But more than your help, I could have used your friendship. I’m sorry I didn’t give you this before, but here. Your very own tree lighting t-shirt.” —Cindy Lou Who [28:01]
• “Give me a hug, you little rascal. The friendship is just our very boy. Merry Christmas palooza, everyone.” —The Grinch [30:36]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00—Grinch meets (and conscripts) 5SOS
• 03:37—Holiday Hot Takes
• 08:42—Cindy’s Bake-off Tryouts; Grinch’s infamous family recipe
• 12:09—Introduction to 5SOS and band interview
• 22:47—Holiday event battle: Grinch vs. Cindy
• 25:24—Grinch’s guilt and change of heart
• 28:38—Reunion and the Whoville tree lighting
• 30:36—Reconciliation and dual celebration

Summary & Recommendation

This finale encapsulates all the zany, subversive fun fans expect from the ‘Tis the Grinch Holiday Podcast. It’s a send-up of holiday traditions, band interviews, and holiday competition tropes, all buoyed by rapid banter, satiric wit, and a big Grinchy heart (almost literally swelling). The episode merges irreverent humor (Grinch’s anti-holiday “hot takes”) with sweetness (his eventual rescue and reconciliation with Cindy), and 5SOS’s presence brings a fresh, playful dynamic, including meta-commentary about fame, music, and the oddities of holiday culture.

Listen for:

• The Grinch’s savage but hilarious hot takes on holiday staples
• Candid, playful exchanges with 5SOS
• A surprisingly touching resolution that still delivers plenty of absurdity and laughs

Fans of Grinch, pop culture parody, and inventive holiday storytelling will find this a worthy, festive listen—especially for anyone feeling both “stink, stank, stunk” and ready for a little Whoville warmth.

End of Summary