'Tis The Grinch Holiday Podcast: Episode 6 - Reading Your Scathing Reviews! with Tori Kelly

Release Date: December 9, 2024

Wondery's "'Tis The Grinch Holiday Podcast" brings listeners another festive and entertaining episode featuring a special guest, Grammy-winning singer Tori Kelly. Hosted by James Austin Johnson as The Grinch, this episode masterfully blends humor, celebrity interviews, and an ongoing Christmas-themed mystery, all while maintaining the show's signature charm.

1. Welcoming Tori Kelly

The episode kicks off with The Grinch humorously navigating through a series of fictional paperwork required for his guests ([00:48]). This playful opening sets the tone for the episode, showcasing The Grinch's sarcastic and whimsical nature.

Notable Quote:

• The Grinch: "Before I forget, I have some quick paperwork we need you to fill out for the show." ([00:58])

2. Reading and Reacting to Listener Reviews

Producer Cindy Lou Who introduces a new segment where The Grinch reads and reacts to listener reviews of the podcast. This segment highlights both positive feedback and constructive criticism, adding a layer of interaction with the audience.

Notable Quotes:

• Reviewer: "5 stars. My 9 year old and I have been listening to this podcast together. It's such good family fun." ([06:08])
• Reviewer Evie: "Hi, I'm Evie. I love your podcast. Cut the Grinch. Give me a shout, please, Please with a Z." ([07:16])
• The Grinch: "Why are you pushing Christmas all the time?" ([14:18])

3. In-Depth Interview with Tori Kelly

The heart of the episode is an engaging interview between The Grinch and Tori Kelly, delving into Tori's musical influences, creative process, and personal anecdotes.

Topics Covered:

• Musical Influences and Style:

  • Tori discusses the 90s and early 2000s influences on her latest album, highlighting a nostalgic Y2K aesthetic.

  Quote:

  • Tori Kelly: "Yeah, the 90s played a big part in this latest album. 90s and like early 2000s. That Y2K, that's my era." ([10:32])

• Humorous Banter on Fashion and Pop Culture:

  • The Grinch and Tori engage in light-hearted discussions about fashion trends like bucket hats and pop culture references, including playful jabs at fellow celebrities.

  Quote:

  • The Grinch: "Big jeans, bucket hats." ([10:53])

• Dog Names and Personal Stories:

  • Tori shares the names and personalities of her dogs, Frodo and Dobby, leading to a funny exchange about the appropriateness of their names.

  Quote:

  • The Grinch: "If you're gonna have a dog and you're gonna name it after a Lord of the Rings character, it's gotta be a homebody is all I'm saying." ([17:44])

• Holiday Sentiments:

  • The conversation touches upon Tori's love for Christmas, contrasted with The Grinch's grinchy demeanor, culminating in a humorous bonding moment over shared annoyances like crowded shopping.

  Quote:

  • The Grinch: "But is there anything about Christmas that makes you feel grinchy?" ([14:37])

4. The Ongoing Christmas Mystery: Missing Letters to Santa

Interwoven with the interview is the central mystery of the podcast—the missing letters to Santa. The Grinch embarks on an investigation, suspecting the mischievous Houdini Twins.

Key Events:

• Confrontation with the Houdini Twins:

  • The Grinch tracks down and confronts the Houdini Twins, who deny involvement and present an alibi backed by video evidence of their volunteer work.

  Quote:

  • Houdini Twin: "We were doing volunteer magic shows at the Hooville Correctional Facility." ([23:37])

• Plot Twist:

  • In a surprising turn, The Grinch discovers one of the stolen letters hidden in his cereal box, suggesting his inadvertent connection to the mystery.

  Quote:

  • The Grinch: "It's a letter. And not just any letter. It's one of the stolen letters to Santa." ([25:43])

• Cliffhanger Ending:

  • The episode concludes with The Grinch still under suspicion and the mystery unresolved, setting the stage for future episodes.

5. Humorous and Light-Hearted Moments

Throughout the episode, The Grinch and Tori Kelly engage in witty banter and playful exchanges, keeping the atmosphere light despite the ongoing mystery.

Notable Moments:

• Dog Antics: Max and Gingerbread engaging in amusing behavior, prompting The Grinch's displeasure.
• Shared Frustrations: Both hosts express their dislikes in a humorous manner, strengthening their on-air chemistry.

6. Closing Remarks and Production Credits

The episode wraps up with The Grinch making a light-hearted comment about his laundry and acknowledging the production team, giving listeners a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes efforts.

Key Takeaways:

• Engaging Content: The episode effectively balances celebrity interviews with ongoing narrative elements, maintaining listener interest.
• Humorous Tone: The Grinch's sarcastic humor and playful interactions with Tori Kelly create an entertaining listening experience.
• Listener Interaction: Reading and reacting to listener reviews fosters a sense of community and engagement.
• Mystery Element: The unresolved Christmas mystery adds suspense and encourages listeners to return for future episodes.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• The Grinch: "Everyone's got an opinion about everything, and they want you to hear it 24 7." ([04:20])
• Tori Kelly: "Yeah, the 90s played a big part in this latest album." ([10:32])
• The Grinch: "What am I supposed to do with that?" ([05:00])
• The Grinch: "Plot twist. You're a vile one, Mr. Grinch." ([25:43])
• Cindy Lou Who: "We'll make this a holiday tradition." ([06:08])

Conclusion

Episode 6 of "'Tis The Grinch Holiday Podcast" delivers a delightful mix of humor, insightful conversation, and festive mystery. With The Grinch's unique hosting style and Tori Kelly's engaging presence, listeners are treated to an episode that's both entertaining and heartwarming, perfect for the holiday season.

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