Down Under! with 5SOS | 10

Summary

‘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

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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.

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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.

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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]

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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

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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.

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End of Summary

Transcript

[The Grinch]

Wondery subscribers can listen to TIS the Grinch holiday podcast ad free. Join Wondery plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts. All right, doing one push up but saying the number 99. All right, do one push up this year. Check. I have got to change that buzzer. I told you guys I wanted it to play La Cucaracha. Hi, this must be Gary, my local hoops driver. Dude, just leave whatever you're delivering at the gate. I don't have time for small talk. All right, I'm about to be in nine hours of hair and makeup for Gretchapalooza. This is actually five Seconds of Summer. We're here for the podcast. Oh. Five Seconds of Summer. The chart topping global sensation Aussie power pop punk quartet. 5 Seconds of Summer at the bottom of my mountain home recording studio, evil lair. Wait, you have an evil lair up here? Yeah, Well, I would call it an evil lair. It's an evil home. But. Look, I know we don't know each other, but I have a huge favor to ask. Will you guys headline my music festival grievance event, AKA Grinchapalooza? I know it's last minute, but are you guys free Principalooza? Yeah. What's the lineup looking like? Yeah, here we go. I mean, you guys are it and it's happening right after this interview. Also, how comfortable are you with green face paint? And would you mind changing your band name to Insane Grinch Posse? Oh, okay. Yeah, we usually have a couple, like, band, like, meetings and calls kind of about that kind of stuff. Yes, right. When it comes to, like, changing names. And is it about, like, super Christmas spirit? Like, very, like, happy Christmas spirit Tinsel, like, celebrating presents and, like, cheery. Yeah, that sounds nice. Like, really cheery and happy. Right? I love that. I mean, honestly, I'm actually a bit frazzled because when Cindy Lou, who mentioned that the biggest, baddest, most successful quartet of Aussie rockers was coming on the show, I just assumed she meant the Wiggles. Oh, yeah. Do you guys cover any Wiggle songs? You know, fruit Salad is a banger. Fruit salad actually is. Fruit salad is a banger. Fruit Bell is a banger. I'm actually a big fan of Hot Potato. Hot Potato's a good one. You know, I used to love Hot Potato. And just as the years have gone on, I just really think that fruit salad has more depth, you know? Hey, you boys cool to just hang tight at the bottom of the mountain in the bitter cold wilderness for a beat? Okay, Cool, cool, cool. I'll Send down some snacks. Hope you guys like coffee grounds and a collection of excess taco meat that fell out of the last three tacos I've eaten and landed in my chest hair. All right, see you in a couple hours. All right, thanks, Grinch. From Wondry and Dr. Seuss, broadcasting from Mount Crumpet Studios, where the toilet paper might as well be sandpaper. Ouch. It's the season finale of Tis the Grinch Holiday Podcast. As always, the Grinch is joined by the one who makes it all happen around here except for soft toilet paper. It's Cindy Lou who?

[Cindy Lou Who]

Just a few days left till Christmas.

[The Grinch]

And just like his owner, he eats off the ground and licks his own tuckers. It's Max the dog. Now here's your host. He's been deemed a medical anomaly by 10 out of 10 doctors. It's the Grinch. Okay, that is definitely a HIPAA violation. But I don't even care because it's the season finale. Which means we are mere moments away from my biggest and baddest vanity project slash holiday hoodwink of all time, Grinch palooza. But first, we have to get through this fakacta talk show. Cindy, crank up the AC because it's about to get real sweaty up in here. That's right. It's time for a Tis the Grinch holiday podcast tradition. Holiday Hot take.

[Cindy Lou Who]

The following statements are the opinions of a miserable green grump and do not represent the views of Wondery Audible Amazon, Dr. Seuss Enterprises, Cindy Lou who Or Max the dog.

[The Grinch]

Boring. Let's get into it. First up, hot take. You know who needs a glow up this time of year? Snowmen. Button nose, two eyes made of coal, corn cob pipe. These poor snow dudes are walking around with a face full of garbage. Can we get a little more creative than a scarf and a top hat? It's a snowman, not a thrift store mannequin. I mean, the least she could do is buy them a fun wig. Or spring for a blazer. I mean, for Christmas sake, we need a queer eye for the snow guy. Am I right? Hot take. Enough with all these hot jacked actors playing Santas in movies. I know the real Santa, and he does not look like Kurt Russell. He does not have a six pack like J.K. simmons. There's no way the real Santa is lifting weights. The man can't even see his toes. I'm officially starting the campaign to normalize realistic Santas and movies. Hot take. Thanksgiving music is better than Christmas music. All you Christmas apologists are missing out on the real holiday hits. I'm talking about the sweet, gurgly sounds of being miserably full. In fact, did you know Christmas music ripped off Thanksgiving music?

[Cindy Lou Who]

Mr. Grinch, I don't think that's true.

[The Grinch]

Au contraire, Cindy. Ever heard of the 12 days of Turkey? Or I'm Dreaming of a Beige Thanksgiving? Those are the originals. Stolen and made worse by Big Christmas. Hot take. All restaurants and businesses should be open on Christmas. What if Max wants to get a haircut at Good Boy Cuts? What if I want to get a haircut at Good Boy Cuts? Yes, we go to the same groomer. And what if it's December 25th and I suddenly have the urge to buy a tuxedo at Men's who House? Or eat an obscene amount of greasy onion rings from Ruby who's days I should be able to do the things I want when I won, Even on Christmas.

[Cindy Lou Who]

You've never worn a tuxedo. You said they make people look like stuck up skunks. And you aren't allowed within 50ft of a Ruby who's Days after the lobster carbonara incident.

[The Grinch]

Big deal. I let six lobsters out of the tank and I'm banned for life. Make it make sense. Yeesh. Hot take. Given the gift of a candle is the international symbol for I don't like you. Hey, thanks a lot for this portable fire that stinks like cheap perfume. Nothing says Happy holidays like the gift of a fire hazard. Hot take. Making children unwrap gifts on Christmas should be illegal. Just give them the present. Don't make them work for it. Ugh, it's the worst when there's all these intricately tied ribbons and bows. And then it's taped up so tight you gotta get the scissors out. And then there's a box within a box within a box within a box. What's with all this high level security wrapping? It's a dollhouse, not the nucle. Clear Codes. Pass. Hot take. The most fun part about ice skating isn't the outfit's tricks or hot chocolate afterwards. It's heckling the Zamboni driver when he comes out to smooth the ice. Have you seen how slow this guy drives? I mean, it's like, hey, my grandma drives faster than you on the little chair that takes her up the stairs. Or how about this burn? Is that all you do? Drive around in circles slowly? What is this, reverse NASCAR? Feel the heat, Zamboni drivers.

[Cindy Lou Who]

Mr. Grinch, I just wanted to point out it really isn't nice to hackle someone, Especially at their place of business. Even though those lines of yours were, like, totally zingtastic.

[The Grinch]

Point taken, Cindy. But what you just did was technically a heck all. And at my place of business, too. Albeit a softer, more constructive and incredibly accurate one. So I'll let it slide. Hot take. 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. I mean, I get why they're important tools for childhood development that make learning fun, but, like, boring. I mean, the only thing I've ever learned from playing with a kid's toy is how much peanut butter is needed to get a tub full of slime out of my fur. You made Grinch. That really took it out of me. So much to be ungrateful for.

[Cindy Lou Who]

Sounds like you worked up an appetite. Which is perfect, because I need your help.

[The Grinch]

I don't help you, you help me.

[Cindy Lou Who]

Even if I needed your help taste testing delicious treats.

[The Grinch]

Fine, I'll help you. I'm so selfless.

[Cindy Lou Who]

I'm applying for the Great Whoville Bake off holiday edition, and I can't decide which treat to bake for the judges, so I thought I'd test drive all my special recipes here today.

[The Grinch]

That's a lot of treats you got in there. Good thing I haven't eaten in the last five minutes. I got plenty of room in the old belly. Oh, that one looks decent. I'll try that first.

[Cindy Lou Who]

Great choice. That's my take on a classic cardamom muffin.

[The Grinch]

Yuck. Who in the who would use a cardigan in a muffin recipe?

[Cindy Lou Who]

No, it's cardamom, not a cardigan.

[The Grinch]

Cindy, it's supposed to be a pastry, not a Taylor Swift song. Next. Okay, now, this one is good. I'm tasting hints of robber with. I want to say tar.

[Cindy Lou Who]

Not what I was going for with my gingerbread biscuits. I guess I didn't chill the molasses enough, so that one's a no go for my Bake off application. Here, try this one.

[The Grinch]

I see blueberries, and you know I don't eat healthy fruit of any kind. I'm deathly allergic. Are you trying to kill me?

[Cindy Lou Who]

Sorry, Mr. Grinch. How about this baklava?

[The Grinch]

Baklava sounds like something I would like. As long as the lava isn't too hot. Snarf, snarf. Okay, not bad. But it's missing something. Maybe try adding a side of raw chicken juice to dip it in. What's next?

[Cindy Lou Who]

How about my almond croissant?

[The Grinch]

Hmm. I usually don't eat anything I can't spell. Let's see. Croissant, Q, U. Can you use it in a sentence, please?

[Cindy Lou Who]

I made you this almond croissant.

[The Grinch]

Looks gross. Pass. Now let's move on to something more appetizing. Because it's the finale and I'm feeling generous. I'm gonna share an old family recipe with you. No one outside of the Grinch family has ever attempted it, but if you follow the instructions exactly, you'll make it onto the Great Whoville Bake off, guaranteed.

[Cindy Lou Who]

Wow. Thank you, Mr. Grinch. I don't know what to say.

[The Grinch]

Okay, here it is. My great, great, great Grinch Ma's recipe for the perfect morning cake. First, preheat the oven to 650 degrees. Beat two green eggs, punching them over and over until they're unconscious. Add a teaspoon of idolized salt. Not iodized, idolized. So before you mix it in, you have to bow down to it. Then if you can source it, try to get your hands on some ooze to mix in. It doesn't matter what kind. Could be slime, could be sludge. Call me old fashioned, I prefer bodily, but any ooze will do. Then, using a classic grater or a rusty nail, cut up the insole of an old chew and sprinkle it on top. This doesn't really add any flavor, but it adds delightfully potent aroma. Watch. The batter is heavily curdled. Lightly grease a cake pan with synthetic motor oil and pour it in. Bake for 90 minutes or until ashy. As soon as you pull it out of the oven, sprinkle some tow hair on it and serve immediately. This part is very important. Do not wait for it to cool down. Burning your taste buds is the hallmark of all Grinch family cuisine.

[Cindy Lou Who]

Wow, that sounds Interesting. Thanks, Mr. Grinch.

[The Grinch]

Just saved me a bite. And good luck with whatever your thing was. You're a monster, Mr. Grinch. Your heart's an a empty hole. Your brain is full of spiders. You got garlic in your soul, Mr. Grinch. I wouldn't touch you with a 39 and a half foot pole. My guests tonight are the coolest cats to come out of Australia since the marsupial lion. But unlike those feisty felines, these cats aren't exactly stink baby. No, no, no, no, no, no. These boys are thriving. They just became the first band in the history of the aria Australian music charts to reach number one with their first six studio albums. Thanks to their latest collection of bangers, everyone's a star They've sold more than 10 million albums and their songs have garnered over 7 billion streams. Most of which is thanks to Cindy Lou, who's quirky obsession with Aussie pop punk. Please welcome Calum, Luke, Michael and Ashton. Five Seconds of Summer. Oh my gosh. How you guys doing? Feeling good, Ye, really good. I just. If you don't mind. What got you into journalism? It was court ordered. A judge basically made me do this because I don't know if you know that much about my history, but I kind of stole Christmas and it's kind of a punishment that I start kind of a late night show style podcast. You know, I don't need to explain myself to you, it's just that I stole Christmas. It's like everybody does that all the time, so like, whatever, you know. Yeah, I don't know anyone else who's done that, but that's fair. Yeah, I think it's just more of a you thing. More of a who thing. Hey, you know what, let's start with the big news. Your latest album, Everyone's a Star just knocked Taylor Swift's Life of a Showgirl out of the top spot on the Aussie music chart. How does it feel to finally knock Tay Tay down a peg? That must be delicious. I don't love that narrative to be honest. Yeah, that's a Grinch narrative for sure. Yeah, her album's been out for like months and then, you know. Yeah, we finally got an album, you know, that eventually knocked her off number one for this week and then next week she'll probably be back up. Hey, speaking of your latest album, I don't know that I agree with the title. Everyone, Everyone's a Star. Everyone's a star. I mean everyone. Have you been down to Whoville? Not exactly a town full of star potential. It's Dudsville down there. I mean, we're trying to spread some Christmas spirit perhaps, you know, get everyone involved. Uh huh. Everyone has their own un. Uniqueness, things that they need to celebrate about themselves. We're trying to be an inclusive band. Grinch. Yeah. But with that being said, we also did release a vinyl variant called Everyone's a Dud. Oh. That you can pick up at all of the local Whoville shops. Is that like a record store day type thing? You know what I'm talking about? Kind of. It's just for you and the who's. All right, well, I mean, look, Everyone's a Star thing. Just keep that idea to yourselves, please. I mean, the last thing I need is Max the dog thinking He's a bigger star than me now. Phallus, we have to talk about your single boy band. The lyrics are so angsty. Boy in a band, make that monkey dance or. Where's all this angst coming from? Well, you know, we started pretty young as a band, and sometimes in the industries, you know, like, you can feel a bit. Bit hard done by. And so it's kind of talking about our experience as a. As a young teen band coming jaded, as you might know. I mean, I think it's gotta be hard to be out there on the stage and you just got a little bit of hair on your chinny chin chin. I've been very hairy from the moment I was born. And as such, I was just considered a man from a very young age. Yep. I looked 40 at 10. Oh, wow. What's your shade routine? You got the lawnmower. You get those RG ads. I don't use a lawn mower. I use a weed whacker. Weed whackers. You know, so I just sort of. I just flip a weed whacker over and I let it spin. It's actually called a Whippersnipper in Australia. Yeah. I was gonna ask if it has some crazy nickname that Americans would find very funny, that would be actually very commonplace and normal in an Australian milieu. They're quite the vernacular. I'm a worldly and well read individual. You know, I've been to Australia a couple times. You know, it was refreshing, you know. Cause when it gets really cold up here, I just hop on a plane, you know, I'm on the plane for what, three, four days. I finally get there and it's Christmas. Okay, phone's off. All right. No phones in the studio. All right. I can barely tolerate Callum's iced coffee maraca that he keeps shaking in my microphone. I'm so sorry, Grinch. Does anybody else want a nice coffee? I mean, I could probably go get some snow outside. I didn't know you Whipper snippet inside your ears as well. You got great hearing. Yeah, I've got pretty good. I mean, if I'm in a crowded restaurant and Both Sides now comes on. I mean, I'm listening no matter how loud the din of the conversation is. I mean, I'm tuned in. You're talking about Joni Mitchell. I didn't pick you as a Joni Mitchell fan, Grinch. Oh, I love Joni Mitchell. I mean, it's a better song and recording music than Both Sides Now. I mean, both Sides Now. Actually, I can see you Liking that. Both sides now. Wow. We're seeing a different side to the Grinch today. You're seeing a softer side. Moans and jaws and fairy's wheels and does he dancing when you feel as every fairy tale comes real yeah, I've looked at love that way, Chachi. Yeah, I've looked at it that way. Now, getting back to boy band, I mean, would you say this song is your version of me stealing Christmas? Just your way of telling society to kick rocks? Oh, my God. Yes. That's how we're gonna explain it to you from now on. You know, that word was. We thought it was a dirty word. Boy band being called that for a long time. So being able to take back the power, you know, steal the power back. Yeah. Like Luke said, we've sort of, like, grown up, you know, doing this for a while. We've had a really good career. We're sort of like, Wait. Boy band can actually be like. Like a compliment. I got a question for Michael. Michael, direct question for you. Cause it's possible you and I have major beef. I noticed you've moved away from your green hair and really focused on the reds and pinks lately. What's your problem with green hair, huh? Huh? Not cool enough for you? You know, I. Green doesn't work for everyone. And I actually got called Grinch a few times. People called it Grinch hair. Wow. Like, my green hair was called my Grinch era. And were you embarrassed by that, or did you more accurately and more rightly respond, well, thank you for comparing me to an icon. Yeah, I think I'm gonna plead the fifth on that one. Okay, cool. All right. You guys are six albums in, tons of global success. Tons of global success. I gotta imagine at some point, some dweeb at the label suggested you guys make a Christmas album. Am I right? I mean, please tell me you guys would never. Or are you fellas a bunch of Christmas crazies, too? I mean, I love Christmas. I think Christmas, like, one of the best times of the year. So I think we would make a Christmas album, honestly. Probably. Would you feature on it? Yeah, you should be on it. Would I feature on it? What are you talking about? Yeah, what are you talking about? Just like, you know, a happy song about getting together with your mates and just like, you know, singing Christmas songs, opening presents, getting together. What are you talking about? You into that? You into all that stuff? I mean, you guys are rockers. Oh, yeah. Get friends over. It's a great time. You should really involve yourself, get involved. I can't Believe that this rocker is telling me that even he, with his rock and roll lifestyle of drinking Red Bull all night and slamming the axe, drumming the drums and slapping the bass, that even he is into just. What? Just inviting people over. And then they bring trains of catering trays of various meats and savory baked goods. That does sound really good. That sounds so good. Everybody's just there to hang out. There's no judgment. It's just people you love most. Ah, my heart's growing. How did you do this? Calum, what's wrong with you? Are you okay? I just need. Calum, I just need you to grab my face and your hands, okay? And say, snap out of it. Okay. Snap out of it. Say it again. Snap out of it. Louder. Snap out of it. I think that worked. That's really beautiful. I think I'll do something off. Well, you know, now that this thing has fully gone off the rails, Callum, I appreciate your feelings about Christmas. I don't know, maybe I'll invite friends to come hang out up here. I don't know. We'll see. We'll see. We'll see who's available. All right. All right. Well, last question. If any one of you had a marsupial pouch like a kangaroo, what are three rando items you would carry around inside of it? And listen, I know that Australia is just more than home to the most diverse set of marsupial animals in the globe. You seem very interested in marsupials. Well, the show is for children, and children are interested in pouch based mammals. First, I would shrink Michael into the size of a little Joey, and then I'd keep Michael in there. Well, should your first item be shrink ray? Oh, shrink ray. Shrink ray is a good move because now you can shrink down anything. Okay, you get a shrink ray, you put all of your favorite items into like a sedan, into like a four door car. You shrink the car, put the car in the pouch, pull it out whenever you want. So I guess. I guess this is what it is. It's a shrink ray. It's a sedan full of all of your favorite stuff. And then an unshrinker ray. Yes, that's the third item is to unshrink everything. Yeah, 100% perfect. Yeah, we need a shrink ray, an unshrinked ray and a four door sedan is what you're saying. That's a great answer. I mean, the world's your oyster, babe. Hey, five seconds. Thanks for coming on the show, guys. Big fan, Grinch. Big fan. Now I gotta go get ready for Grinchapalooza. I mean. And I'll see you guys there, right? I mean, you're not gonna like, last minute pull out and leave me in the lurch, are you? Can we go home now? Okay, great. Now I gotta find somebody else. It's time now to return to our Countdown to Christmas featurette. It's Cindy versus the Grinch in dueling holiday events on the same day. And that day is today. Last time Cindy and Grinch put their friendship on ice.

[Cindy Lou Who]

You're a slouch, Mr. Grinch.

[The Grinch]

Then I declare our friendship frozen. Will this dynamic duo forgive and forget? Or is this friendship terminato? Let's find out. Who's ready to rock.

[Cindy Lou Who]

Hey, Branch, Amazing festival.

[The Grinch]

Can you get a selfie bodyguard? People can't get enough of me. It's exhausting. I need a breather. Time for a quick break in my trailer. Oh, Max. As is it Gretchapalooza. Perfect. I'm the belle of the ball. I'm having a blast. Things really couldn't be better. Nothing is missing. Nothing whatsoever. Huh? You're right. That will make me feel better seeing what kind of disaster is happening over at Cindy street lighting ceremony. Let me check the livestream. Yikes. It's literal crickets down there. There's only like four people and two of them are asleep. Oh, look, there's Cindy taking the stage.

[Cindy Lou Who]

Citizens of Whoville, Mr. And Mrs. Klein and mom and dad, thank you for being here. Some quick announcements. The kids choir we had booked are stuck in Grinchapalooza traffic, so they won't be joining us.

[The Grinch]

Ugh, that's rough.

[Cindy Lou Who]

And there will be no sleigh scoot. Grinchapalooza rented all the available sleighs to shuttle DJs between VIP tents.

[The Grinch]

She's so defeated. I should be ecstatic, but yet I'm My chest, it's pounding. What is happening?

[Cindy Lou Who]

Lastly, I regret to inform you there is no power to actually light the tree this year again due to the competing festival on Mount Crumpet.

[The Grinch]

Yeah, that didn't help at all. Max, what is this? What is this feeling? I'm feeling a crippling sense of guilt for selling out my best friend and failing to come to terms with myself for being a horrible person. No, that can't be it. Who am I kidding? Of course that's it. Max, I can't believe I'm saying this, but. But yeah, I think we have to save the tree lighting ceremony. But first I gotta figure out how to get out of this spandex suit. I'm coming, Cindy. Scratch that. Yeesh. There's no way I can make it down there in time. Those 14 peppermint funnel kegs I had earlier are really coming back to haunt me. Wait a second. Deadly wormhole. Is that you up there in your helicopter? How dare you come to my festival. You stole all my money. And banished. I'm a changed man, mage. I went to a yoga retreat. I turned over newly. Wait, do you have my money? No. Yoga retreats are expensive. But anything else you need, I got you. Dudley, I'm commandeering your helicopter.

[Cindy Lou Who]

Maybe if we close our eyes, we can all just imagine the sight of the tree illuminating with thousands of Christmas lights. Mr. Grinch, what are you doing here?

[The Grinch]

There's no time for filler, dialogue and exposition. Strap these chairs to the bottom of your train.

[Cindy Lou Who]

Are you serious? First you drained all the power from my event, and now you're trying to steal my tree? Haven't you taken enough already?

[The Grinch]

Gah. Look, Cindy Lou who? I'm sorry. I only put together Grinchapalooza because I was hurt. You got a gig producing one of the town's most prestigious events, and I thought, hey, that's my producer. And of course you're getting other gangs. You're freaking awesome. And it just gave me a glimpse of the day you might leave me for good.

[Cindy Lou Who]

I'm sorry too. It's just that this was an opportunity to show my skills in a new arena all on my own. In truth, I could have used your help. There were a lot of phone calls, people asking questions of me. I wish you were there to handle them.

[The Grinch]

Hello. Kindly please hold forever. Easy as pie. You really should pay more attention to how I navigate the world.

[Cindy Lou Who]

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.

[The Grinch]

You even pre stretched the belly. Oh, Sandy, it's beautiful.

[Cindy Lou Who]

Are you two just gonna rehearse a scene from a Christmas rom com, or will there be an actual tree lighting?

[The Grinch]

Yes, yes, there will be. A Whoville tree lighting. The best wine ever at Grinch a Palooza.

[Cindy Lou Who]

Really? You sacrificed your event for me? Wait. Omg. Can we rename it Christmas Palooza?

[The Grinch]

Little late for a name change legally, let alone all the merch I had printed, but yeah. Now strap those military great hooks to the tree and let's get Christmasing. Ready when you are, mate.

[Cindy Lou Who]

Wait, Dudley stuck?

[The Grinch]

I'm a change? Yeah, he is. I know this 11th hour character turn feels a little unearned. But I'm rolling with it.

[Cindy Lou Who]

I can't believe this is really happening.

[The Grinch]

Hey, nerds. Who went to this instead of my thing? I know I'm green and weird and smell like a root vegetable left on a radiator, but we still have some seats left in here. Pop in, Dudley. When we get to Mount Crumpet, drop this sucker right onto the maid stage. Next, the ghost doing reverse air guitar.

[Cindy Lou Who]

Is that where there's just a guitar and no person?

[The Grinch]

You're darn right it is.

[Cindy Lou Who]

Christmas stuff.

[The Grinch]

All right, you hooligans, I'm back. Change of plan. Cindy and I are here to give the people of Whoville what they really want. A tree lighting. Animal security, plug this sucker in.

[Cindy Lou Who]

Can I get a countdown, people?

[The Grinch]

Three, two, one. It's beautiful. Look at that, people. I can't believe this word is even in my vocabulary, but this tree is splendiferous. Oh, my. Oh, my. My heart is swelling. Yeah. Down, boy. Down, boy.

[Cindy Lou Who]

Sorry about the heart.

[The Grinch]

Swell.

[Cindy Lou Who]

Do you need your medicine?

[The Grinch]

No, I'm just gonna ride this one out. Cindy, you did it.

[Cindy Lou Who]

No, we did it.

[The Grinch]

Give me a hug, you little rascal. The friendship is just our very boy. Merry Christmas palooza, everyone. Okay, so the I'll take my meds now. You're a foul one, Mr. Grinch. You're a nasty quasty skunk. Your heart is full of unwise. Your soul is full of gunk, Mr. Grinch. The three words that best describe you are as follows, and I quote, stink, stank, stunk.

[Cindy Lou Who]

Tis. The Grinch Holiday Podcast is a production of Wondery and Dr. Seuss Enterprises, starring James Austin Johnson as the Grinch, with Anjulika Nubeneny as Cindy Lou who? And Anthony Atamanick as the announcer. This episode was written by our lead writer, Dan Cronin and Joe Redlingshafer. Our sound designer is Jamie Cooper. Music supervision by Scott Velasquez for Frison Sync. Senior producers are Adam Azeroff, Jennifer Klein Walker and Brian Taylor White. Our associate producer is Kim Baekema. Sarah Mathis is our managing producer and Callum Plews is our senior managing producer. Carlos Hernandez is our audio engineer and Adrian Tapia is our studio manager. Theme music arrangement by Scott Velasquez of Frison Sync and Kevin Hutchins, with vocals from James Austin Johnson. Consultants are Sam Wiles, Zach Pugh and Greg Iwinski. Special thanks to Joey Yale for Dr. Seuss Enterprises, Adam Belfer for Cartoona, LLC, and our marketing team, Alison Vermeulen and Nat Burke. Executive produced by Susan Brandt for Dr. Seuss Enterprises. Executive producers are Andrew Goldstein and Marcia Louie. For Wondry.

[The Grinch]

Follow Tis the Grinch Holiday Podcast on the Wondery App, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to Tis the Grinch Holiday Podcast ad free by joining Wondery plus and the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Before you go, tell us about yourself by completing a short [e-mail] survey if you have a tip about a story you think we should investigate, please write to [e-mail] tips.