Ep. 168: The Merry Mayhem of Holiday Movies aka: How We Talk Doug Into Watching Corny Christmas Movies
EQ: What makes holiday films a timeless and cherished part of the festive season, and how do they capture the essence of joy, tradition, and universal themes that resonate across generations?
In this episode, we try our darndest to convince Doug to watch at least one of these iconic (read: corny and sweet) Hallmark-esque Christmas movies. Send us your reactions, responses, and recommendations!
Related Articles:
The Onion: American Answer Whether Die Hard is a Christmas Movie
Paige Harbison series of “Hallmark Christmas Movies” in One Minute
Films We Referenced:
Ep. 117: Vaccines and Vacays
Essential Question: How can you “protect your peace” during this first post-vaccine covid holiday season?
Megan and Hope meander through ideas about how to navigate the holiday season and all it’s madness. They also share listener recommendations for cookies, favorite movies, and how to maintain you peace and joy at this time of year.
PS folks should listen to previous holiday episodes:
Ep. 60: It's the Most Wonderful Time To Reignite the War on Christmas
EQ: How should we handle holidays in the classroom, are they uniquely special abroad, and what do we have to be thankful for this year?
We review our generally warm feelings about this time of the year, but acknowledge our very Christian upbringings. We delve into why it’s not okay to force Christmas imagery in the classroom even if you are “properly teaching it” or trying to be “exclusive”. We blame Tom Rademacher for restarting the war on Christmas (aka white middle class women) with this tweet:
If you don’t get the reference, check out this article from Snopes on the history of the struggle.
Annie and I reflect on why so many Americans “need” to compare everything to Christmas (Christian) traditions. Go read Stop Calling Hanukah the Jewish Christmas. Finally we toast (pass out hypothetical cookies) to our dear friends and family. We are free with the goal for all the shady folks making the holidays about consumerism and Elf on a Shelf.
Do Your Fudging Homework:
Hope: Teaching Tolerance series : anti-bias guide to the holidays
Annie: make your New Years’ Resolution outwardly focused this year and consider what you can do to make the world a better place. List your favorite social justice causes and dedicate extra attention to them this year.
Ep. 35: Brickettes, Bags, and Dump Trucks of Coal
EQ: Who in White America deserves lumps of coal this year?
We are lucky to be joined by Katy Evans, Assistant Executive Director @ Grand Cinema and most importantly, the Holiday Hero. Katy was a recent guest on NerdFarm Ep 49: It’s Cuffing Season
In this episode, three interchangeable brown-haired, white women discuss the joys of the Christmas season. We make recommendations for seasonal music, foods, and most importantly, we dissect weird Holiday traditions such as Krampus and Black Pete (it’s as racist as it sounds!). Lastly, we help Santa out by distributing varying amounts of coal to crappy, hateful and all-around awful people.
To begin, check out these links guaranteed to bring more joy to your life this season:
Katy’s favorite songs: Holiday Hero Xmas 2018, John Legend Holiday Album, Sia “Everyday is Christmas”; Ariana Grande's holiday EP, Penatonixs, Big Freedia “A Very Big Freedia Christmazz”
Katy’s Christmas Move Recs: Holiday Classics--Bell Book and Candle, Desk Set; Hannah, Carol, Tangerine, Gridlock, Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas, In Bruges, Rare Exports, Terry Pratchett’s Hogswatch, 30 days of Night, The Thing, Fargo, Snowpiercer, A Diva’s Christmas Carol, Trading Places
Then, follow up on these Christmas traditions:
Krampus Tradition
Who the hell is Black Pete? Yo, if the UN tells you to stop, you should.
If you want something warm and fuzzy consider buying your friend this cute book Santa’s Husband, Dave
Finally, we dole out coal one brickette at a time. Santa really should hire us.
Lena Dunham
Yanny or Laurel argument
People who voted No on 1631
Using mayonaise instead of Miracle Whip (apparently, there’s a division even in the studio. Oh, hwhite people)
Whoever runs the City Club Twitter account
News Tribune Editorial Board (they’re out of touch critique of Tacoma Against Nazis which we won’t even bother to link to here)
How many piles of coal does Quentin Tarantino deserve for being a perv?
White women voting for candidates who don’t have their best interests at heart.
ALL the white people who called on Black people living their lives this year. There should be cost to white people for calling on Black folks
The ladies from Idaho School who dressed like a border wall and Mexicans for Halloween.
Border Patrol condoning the use of tear gas against children and babies.
There are faaaaaaaaaar more people who deserve to be buried under truckloads of coal, but we ran out of time!
Guilty Favesies:
Hope: Horrifically corny holiday movies--but not about animals!
Annie: Vegan egg nog w/ bananas
Katy: Nora Ephron and favorite films like Sleepless in Seattle, While You Were Sleeping. Add to your must-watch list The Holiday Calendar, Bad Moms Christmas
Do Your Fudging Homework:
Annie: non-consumer holiday activities
Katy: Adopt of a family; not spend money on your own nonsense; Jeanette Winterson’s short stories Christmas Days: 12 Stories & 12 Feasts for 12 Days