'Tis The Grinch Holiday Podcast: Episode 8 - "Playin’ Smooth, Smooth Jazz! with Nick Kroll"

Release Date: December 16, 2024
Host: James Austin Johnson as The Grinch
Guest: Nick Kroll
Produced by: Wondery

Introduction

In the festive yet mischievous ambiance of Whoville, The Grinch welcomes acclaimed comedian and actor Nick Kroll to the "'Tis The Grinch Holiday Podcast." The episode seamlessly blends celebrity interviews with an ongoing Christmas mystery, maintaining the show's signature charm and wit.

Pre-Interview Banter

The episode kicks off with The Grinch engaging in a playful pre-interview session with Nick Kroll, setting a light-hearted tone.

• Grinch: "Do you swear to tell the whole truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truest of the truth Truth?" [00:48]
• Nick Kroll: "True." [00:52]
• Grinch: "If you saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus, why would..." [01:01]
• Nick Kroll: "I would wish them the best. I want everyone to just be able to find love." [01:04]

This segment showcases the chemistry between the host and guest, filled with humorous exchanges and teasing.

Interview with Nick Kroll

The heart of the episode focuses on Nick Kroll's latest project, the Christmas blockbuster Red One, and his vibrant career.

Discussion on "Red One":

• Grinch: "Red One is actually about the kidnapping of Santa Claus. Is that true?" [12:35]
• Kroll: "It is, very much. That's why I wanted to come on here. I felt like you would be a really receptive audience to this." [12:47]
• Grinch: "If J.K. Simmons were Santa, I kind of am wondering what that would sound like. And I'm thinking, yeah, that it would sound a little bit like this..." [13:15]

Nick elaborates on his role in Red One, portraying a gripping narrative where Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson leads Santa's Secret Service against rising threats to Christmas.

Big Mouth Insights:

• Grinch: "You have a very inappropriate Netflix series called Big Mouth that is heading into its Eighth and final season." [14:36]
• Kroll: "We did call you, but your agents said you were always too busy being, frankly, a Grinch." [15:08]
• Grinch: "I want to be asked. I want to drag it to the trash can." [15:20]

They delve into Nick's extensive work on Big Mouth, discussing his extensive voice acting and the show's cultural impact.

Emotional Exchange:

A heartfelt moment arises as The Grinch and Nick discuss personal struggles and the essence of love during the holidays.

• Grinch: "Maybe I take it for granted, you know? Maybe this Christmas stuff, there's parts of it that are good..." [19:20]
• Kroll: "Yeah. You're angry with your chiropractor and you're transferring it to Christmas." [19:35]
• Grinch: "Dear Santa, this is the Grinch. I'm interviewing the guy who was 19th on the call sheet for Red One, and he said that I should ask for a hug for Christmas..." [20:28]
• Kroll: "I think that's what we need around the holidays, especially after the year we've had and, yeah, everything that's gone down. I think what we need is love." [21:02]

This segment highlights the underlying themes of redemption and the importance of love, aligning with the festive spirit.

The Grinch's Investigation: Journey to the North Pole

Transitioning from the interview, the podcast returns to its primary narrative—the mystery of the missing letters to Santa.

Accusations and Investigation:

• Grinch: "Your boy Grinchy has been accused of murder. Well, the attempted murder of Christmas, that is. They say I stole Santa's letters." [22:04]
• Narration: The Grinch and his loyal dog Max venture to the North Pole, disguised as a nutcracker and a reindeer in training, respectively.

Encounter with Vika Ortiz:

At the North Pole Post Office, The Grinch confronts Vika Ortiz, the Postmaster General, uncovering deep-seated resentment.

• Grinch: "I came up here because I'm just dying to know the ins and outs of how the WHO United States Postal Service works. Would you indulge my dog and I?" [25:04]
• Vika Ortiz: "We keep a very organized tracking system of all letters to Santa that come in... Boring and uneventful, and certainly not entertaining for your little DIY Podcast." [26:06]
• Grinch: "If you oversee how letters get into the North Pole, who's in charge of how they get mailed out?" [26:30]
• Vika Ortiz: "Same process, but reversed... It's a tough job, but it's my honorable duty to the residents of Whoville." [26:51]

Revelation and Confrontation:

Vika Ortiz's demeanor shifts as she reveals her true identity and motive.

• Vika Ortiz: "It's me, little Gretchen Glee, who dreamed of being a ballerina, only to have her ballerina music box destroyed by a belligerent green man in a Santa outfit." [28:08]
• Grinch: "Grinch. It's Grinch. Literally nobody else has this name or looks like me." [25:16]
• Vika Ortiz: "After that fateful night, I didn't want to be a ballerina anymore. I made it my mission to give myself the greatest Christmas gift of revenge on you, Mr. Grinch." [28:34]

This confrontation unveils the antagonist behind the missing letters, adding depth to the ongoing mystery.

Conclusion and Escape

With Vika Ortiz’s true intentions unveiled, chaos ensues.

• Grinch: "Attention, gingerbread security force. We need all rounded cookie hands on deck. We have cold gumdrop. Repeat code Gumdrop." [29:22]
• Grinch: "Come on, Max, let's get out of here." [29:30]

The Grinch and Max narrowly escape the North Pole, setting the stage for future episodes where listeners can aid in solving the Christmas caper.

Notable Quotes

• Grinch on Warm Weather Christmas:
  "Warm weather Christmas is weird. Christmas lights on palm trees, Santa in a tank top. Ho ho ho." [03:57]

• Nick Kroll on Christmas Music Repetition:
  "All of a sudden, around Christmas time, you can't go into a public space without hearing Ella Fitzgerald or Louis Armstrong. It feels like it takes away the thing that is special to me." [17:05]

• Emotional Appeal:
  "I think what we need is love." [21:02]

Final Thoughts

Episode 8 masterfully intertwines celebrity insights with the whimsical and mysterious world of Whoville. Nick Kroll's appearance not only promotes his latest ventures but also enriches the narrative, highlighting themes of redemption, love, and the true spirit of Christmas. As The Grinch delves deeper into the mystery of the missing letters to Santa, listeners are left eagerly anticipating the next installment in this enchanting holiday saga.

Stay Tuned:
For those eager to unravel the full mystery, subscribe to Wondery+ and join Cindy Lou and Max in their exclusive Christmas investigations. Don’t miss out on additional ad-free content by visiting the Wondery App or your preferred podcast platform.