Take a break from gift shopping with ‘Tis The Grinch Holiday Podcast
This inventive Christmas comedy for your ears is an enjoyable sequel to the original movie
‘Tis The Grinch Holiday Podcast comedically reinvents the classic Dr. Seuss Christmas tale. (Nyamat Singh)
Since its debut in 1966, Dr. Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas! remains one of the most classic animated films to have warmed our homes and hearts with its touching message about the holidays.
This timeless story has had several remakes, but if you’re a big fan of the Grinch like I am and want something refreshing, I invite you to check out the ‘Tis The Grinch Holiday Podcast.
Created by Saturday Night Live‘s James Austin Johnson, the story follows the Grinch who’s forced to host a radio show at his home in Mount Crumpit to make amends for stealing all the presents from Whoville when he tried to ruin Christmas. Helping him endure this punishment is his dog Max while his producer Cindy Lou Who keeps him in check and on schedule.
Season 2 premiered on Nov. 25, and much like Season 1, continues the Grinch’s usual banter with Lou Who, celebrity interviews, and, of course, his resentment towards Christmas. However, this time around, the Grinch must balance hosting his radio show with being framed for the theft of the Whoville kids’ letters to Santa Claus.
The podcast greets you with everything a radio show has while also elevating the Grinch’s ego, including his jazzy theme song and charismatic intro announcer opening each episode. From that point on, you’re immediately thrown into the world of the Grinch.
The Grinch’s comedy bits capture his personality perfectly, from prank phone calls to overdramatic callbacks to the original animation. The Grinch not only pokes fun at Santa Claus, but mercilessly mocks other holidays, food, pets, and the movies of his guests. The podcast provides diverse satire as the Grinch gets irritated with Christmas and trivial subjects.
Johnson as the Grinch continues to be hilarious from expertly voicing the green urchin of Christmas with loud-mouth jokes, obnoxious laughter, and belligerent spiels about the holidays. The Grinch’s childish attitude creates a delightful dynamic with the more wholesome and adorable Lou Who.
As for the Santa letters plot, Season 2 does a decent job at pivoting to the Grinch’s true crime side of his radio show. Listening to the Grinch playing detective with Max and Lou Who provides comedic intrigue as he uses humour and brains to follow clues, theories, and leads. Who knew the Grinch would go from being a thief to the Sherlock Holmes of Christmas?
The Grinch’s investigation of the theft does feel like a subplot, though, as it’s saved for the end of every episode and could’ve been the main topic of discussion instead. Having said that, this segment is still an amusing holiday crime-noir take on the Dr. Seuss character.
Johnson’s audio series, ‘Tis The Grinch Holiday Podcast, is a highly imaginative comedy for your Christmas celebrations. With Johnson’s vocal performance as the Grinch, this podcast continues to be an enjoyable adventure with your favourite green menace.
What are you waiting for? Get listening and enjoy your holidays in Whoville.
‘Tis The Grinch Holiday Podcast is available on Wondery, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
