Pop Culture Happy Hour The Worst Christmas Movies
8 snips
Dec 9, 2025 
Waylon Wong, co-host of NPR's Indicator from Planet Money, joins to debate the worst Christmas movies ever. The panel dives into the flaws of classics like 'Love Actually,' where Waylon argues its rom-com merits crumble under problematic plotlines. Aisha critiques 'I Believe in Santa' for its troubling messages, while Stephen laments 'Jingle All the Way' for celebrating commercialism. Glen highlights the campy charm of 'Scrooge & Marley,' showcasing the sincerity among its imperfections. The discussion wraps up with a lively vote for the worst!
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Satire Undermined By Commercialization
- Jingle All the Way satirizes commercialism while fully embracing it, making its critique hollow.
- Stephen Thompson argues that padding a thin premise into 90 minutes ruins the film's potential.
A Netflix Rom‑Com That Feels Off
- Aisha Harris recounts watching the 2022 Netflix rom-com I Believe in Santa and finding it uncomfortably creepy.
- She describes the lead couple's lack of chemistry and the film's odd defense of belief in Santa.
Belief Framed Like Religion
- The film frames belief in Santa as a near-religious stance and treats dissent as a crisis of faith.
- Aisha highlights the movie's awkward attempt to equate tolerant relationships with accepting this belief.
