Need A Podcast for Christmas?

I don’t know about you, but for me, this season is basically one long Hallmark Christmas movie. It’s a genre of cinema that has received decidedly little critical attention… until now. Film reviewer and Media Studies academic Angela Harmon (see thenitpic.com) and cultural critic Michael Fisher (professor at Holy Family University and Rowan University) discuss Hallmark Christmas movies in their seasonal project, A Podcast for Christmas. The sometime Phindie writers take a lighthearted but serious look at these masterpieces of holiday cheer. We talked to them about the new podcast.

Phindie: Um, how did you come up with this idea?
Angela Harmon & Michael Fisher: The nugget of the idea came around last Christmas when we caught ourselves talking for hours and in great detail about a Hulu Christmas movie like it was a Palme d’Or winner. It was mostly a joke until this year, when on one particularly dour quarantine day in October one of us said, “We should just do that Hallmark Christmas movie podcast.” We broke out some mics and made some tea and started talking.

Phindie: Would you say you’re Christmas people?
Angela & Mike: At the risk of betraying our highbrow, academic-leaning tendencies that would generally frown upon corniness, yes. We are absolutely Christmas people in the secular, commercial way. It’s not a holiday more than a collective shift in consciousness that happens at the same time every year. Christmas triumphantly claims every aspect of our culture for almost two months and (other than spending money) its main goal is to force us to acknowledge warm and fuzzy feelings about the people we love. It’s wonderful.

Is this a photo of Angela and Mike, or a couple from a Hallmark Christmas movie?

Phindie: Had you seen many Hallmark Christmas movies before embarking on this project?
Angela & Mike: We had seen exactly three of these kinds of movies, one on Hallmark and two on Hulu, before starting the podcast. The Hallmark one was a hotel room watch when there was little else on and what started out as an exercise in irony became something like a puzzle we were trying to solve. The main complaint we’ve heard that people have about these movies is that they’re “too predictable” but if you accept that predictability as part of this genre’s canon, you’ll find there’s much to enjoy about how the filmmakers choose to create something usually very watchable within tight parameters.

Phindie: They make new ones every year?
Angela & Mike: Apparently there have been a total of 82 original Christmas movies made this year, 40 of which are Hallmark’s alone. FORTY.

Phindie: What do these movies represent for you? I’m thinking, like, they capture something essential about Christmas. Something saccharine or commercial. Bon hominy and all that?
Angela & Mike: We think they represent everything we as Americans want Christmas to be: just commercial enough, earnest love that doesn’t work too hard, Christmas decor in every room you’re ever in, very minimal conflict, and everyone has a huge mansion for a house. (Truly, everyone has a huge house no matter what their profession in these movies. It’s been the most unexpected find for us.) These movies are McDonald’s. They’re not good for you, but that’s not the point. They make you feel good.

Phindie: How does this fit into your academic and other critical work? How do you approach the movies?
Angela & Mike: What makes this project fun for us is that we can’t help but approach these movies the same way we approach every other movie. We watch it to see how it works in its own right when considering character and plot development, narrative novelty, and the like, but we’re also keeping notes about how these movies function on a larger sociological level. This genre of film fits in pretty neatly with our other work, which makes a habit of picking apart popular culture to figure out what makes it work and also what it says about all of us as a culture. For the sake of the podcast we’re keeping it light but it’s impossible to deny that there are certain problematic aspects of these movies that point out some pretty bleak priorities.

Phindie: Um, this is something I can listen to without watching the movies, right?
Angela & Mike: Absolutely. We do a pretty comprehensive, and hopefully entertaining, recap at the top of each episode.

Phindie: Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?
Angela & Mike: Any movie is a Christmas movie if you just believe.

Check the podcast at apodcastforchristmas.com or listen on Apple Podcasts.

4 Replies to “Need A Podcast for Christmas?”
  1. What a delightful concept for a podcast! Hallmark Christmas movies definitely have a special charm that many people adore, often invoking nostalgia and holiday spirit. It’s great to see Angela Harmon and Michael Fisher diving into this genre with a blend of lightheartedness and seriousness. These films may not receive the critical acclaim they deserve, yet they play a significant role in holiday traditions for many. I’m curious to hear their insights on why these films resonate with audiences and how they reflect broader cultural themes. Looking forward to tuning in and exploring the magic of Hallmark Christmas movies through their discussions!

  2. Looking for the perfect podcast to get into the holiday spirit? Christmas podcasts are a great way to spread cheer, get inspired, or simply unwind with festive stories and music. Whether you’re interested in holiday traditions, Christmas-themed true crime, or cozy storytelling, there’s something for everyone this season. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

    1. **Christmas Past** – This podcast delves into the history of Christmas, exploring old-timey traditions and the evolution of the holiday. Perfect for those who enjoy the nostalgia of Christmases gone by.

    2. **The Christmas Show** – A family-friendly podcast offering holiday stories, music, and traditions from around the world. Great for all ages!

    3. **The Moth Presents: Holiday Stories** – This podcast features personal stories told live, with some touching holiday narratives thrown in. Listen for touching, funny, and heartwarming accounts of Christmas memories.

    4. **Christmas 24/7** – For those who simply want a soundtrack to their holiday season, Christmas 24/7 delivers non-stop holiday music and some seasonal banter.

    Whatever your vibe is this holiday season, there’s a podcast to bring joy and warmth into your life. Happy listening!

  3. It’s so fun to see how Angela and Mike turned their holiday movie discussions into a podcast idea! It’s true that Hallmark Christmas movies, despite their predictability, have a special charm. There’s something comforting about knowing what to expect—warm and fuzzy moments, happily-ever-afters, and plenty of festive cheer.

    I love how they embrace the holiday spirit with a blend of humor and genuine affection for the genre, even while acknowledging its sometimes kitschy nature. The fact that Hallmark alone released 40 new movies this year just shows how beloved this tradition is. For fans of holiday films, it’s a yearly treat that adds to the magic of the season.

    Have you ever gotten so engrossed in a genre or movie to the point where it becomes a fun puzzle to analyze?

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