Overview of Last Looks: The Christmas Tree
This episode of Last Looks (How Did This Get Made’s short-form series) is a corrections-and-omissions + chat installment built around listener feedback on the bizarre holiday special The Christmas Tree. Paul Scheer hosts with Jason Mantzoukas (June Diane Raphael was absent on tour). The episode includes: reader/listener theories and nitpicks about the film, host recollections from recent live shows and tours, a music guest segment with former HDTGM engineer/musician Devin Bryant (new album Blame It on My Zodiac), and many viewing recommendations. The show also plugs upcoming live streams (holiday special), the next movie pick (Merry Kissmas), and multiple sponsor reads.
Corrections & Omissions — Listener Takeaways on The Christmas Tree
- Major listener theories and notes discussed:
- Hive-mind theory: several listeners argued the orphans act in unison as if connected (thralls to the tree; Borg analogy). This was praised as a strong interpretive theory.
- Animation mistakes: visible animation rig/stand and off-center cells — listeners pointed out sloppy animation artifacts that made frames feel unpolished.
- Chainsaw inconsistency: Mrs. Mavilda says “get your electric chainsaw” but a gas-powered chainsaw appears — discussed as character sloppiness/drunkenness vs. production oversight.
- Framing the girl Judy: viewers criticized the plausibility of sliding valuable items into her purse in the shabby apartment shown — implies plot convenience or corrupt local policing.
- Public funding/record-keeping point: a listener (self-identified nerd) argued if the orphanage took public grants (CDBG) there should be accounting — raised as an institutional plot hole (also debated whether the film’s setting is U.S.-based).
- Ending ambiguity: the final line (“you only win if you’re good”) was interpreted as either hopeful rehabilitation from gambling or ominous signaling that Mrs. Mavilda will exploit a new loophole—listeners offered both truther and truther-adjacent readings.
- Favorite quoted moment shared by a listener: “Santa's not going to hear you. Nobody's going to hear you. Miracles don't happen.” — highlighted as emblematic of the film’s bleak tone and memorable for its odd bluntness.
- Episode runtime note: listeners observed the podcast episode (~80 minutes) is much longer than the original movie (~42 minutes); staff confirmed some past episodes have similarly exceeded their source films.
Host Conversation — Tour, Live Shows, and Recommendations
- Tour & live-show notes:
- Paul and Jason recapped shows in New York and Philadelphia, special guests, and live-recording anecdotes.
- Announcement: upcoming global live-streamed holiday event (December); also a How Did This Get Made Christmas special film pick (Merry Kissmas, 2015) for the livestream.
- Blank Check crossover: the hosts recorded a long Blank Check episode (Coen Brothers series) with Griffin Newman and David Sims — listeners enjoyed the extended deep-dive.
- Film/TV/music recommendations and quick takes:
- Rewatch endorsement: 21 Jump Street — hosts praised its tight comedy and suggested studio comedies of that era are missed.
- Project Hail Mary — trailer praised; Paul previewed an early effects-light cut and was enthusiastic.
- Taskmaster (season 20 on YouTube) — recommended; Jason joked about his season being superior.
- Bunheads (Amy Sherman-Palladino) — recommended for Gilmore Girls fans; Sutton Foster praise.
- Chair Company, Landman, The Last Frontier, Goliath — various genre recommendations (crime, drama, action).
- The Lowdown (Sterlin Harjo, Ethan Hawke) — called one of Jason’s favorites of the year; “Tulsa Noir” vibe, standout music (Ken Pomeroy).
- Live comedy specials & albums noted: Ian Edwards, Frankie Quinonez (directed by Ali Wong), Jeff Buckley documentary (highly recommended).
- Other shoutouts: Rob Riggle’s book Grit, Spit, and Never Quit; Wolves of Glendale (musical comedy series), Natalie Palamides’ Weir stage show.
Music Guest — Devin Bryant (Blame It on My Zodiac)
- Who: Devin Bryant (former HDTGM audio engineer; previously released music under Painkiller the Pigeon).
- Album: Blame It on My Zodiac (influences: late-60s/early-70s — chamber pop, orchestral pop, vintage production; multiple EPs and a large body of work behind the distilled double-album).
- Release details:
- 42 tracks recorded during sessions; the main album is being distributed digitally and on CD.
- Pricing: digital ~$15; limited-edition CD with poster/lyric booklet ~$20 (affordable pricing by design).
- Availability: streaming services + Bandcamp (painkillerthepigeon.bandcamp.com). Bandcamp Friday recommended (full artist payout).
- Performance clip: the hosts played a snippet of the single “Mistaken.” Hosts urged listeners to buy/stream and support Bandcamp Friday artists.
Sponsors & Promos Mentioned
- Ads and promos throughout the episode (summary of brands read by hosts):
- Oh What Fun (Michelle Pfeiffer holiday movie — Prime Video)
- Alienware (Cyber Monday hardware deals)
- Sonos (home audio)
- Squarespace (website builder; promo code bonkers)
- Mint Mobile (wireless plans)
- Aura Frames (digital photo frame; code bonkers)
- eBay (vintage/collectibles)
- 1-800-Flowers (holiday bouquets)
- Babbel (language learning app; discount link)
- Bandcamp (not an official sponsor, but promoted for artist support)
- Note: multiple reads were woven into conversation with personal anecdotes from the hosts.
Logistics, Next Episode & How To Participate
- Next movie pick: Merry Kissmas (2015) — hosts will cover it on the December live-stream holiday special; streaming/rental availability includes Hoopla, Prime, YouTube, Apple TV, Google Play.
- How to contribute:
- Submit alt-movie taglines and short songs (15–20 seconds) at hdtgm.com (front-page “submit a song” button).
- Join the HDTGM Discord to send corrections/omissions or topic ideas.
- Call-in: Paul reads listener calls; phone number read in show (Paul’s call line).
- Merch & live events:
- Re-release of original HDTGM shirts and tour merch available via hdtgm.com / Pod Swag store.
- Live-streamed holiday show details: in-studio with Paul, Jason, June, Jess; ticketed via veeps.com/hdtgm (time-limited viewing window).
Key Takeaways
- The episode is a deep, listener-driven dissection of a baffling holiday special (The Christmas Tree) that leans into theory, production goofs, and tonal weirdness.
- Fans delivered high-value interpretations (tree-as-matriarch/thrall theory), technical callouts (visible animation stands), and memorable one-liners from the film.
- The hosts used the episode to promote live events, a music release (Devin Bryant), and to recommend a broad watchlist: comedies (21 Jump Street), new series (The Lowdown), and hidden gems (Bunheads).
- Actionable items: watch Merry Kissmas before the holiday livestream, buy Devin Bryant’s album on Bandcamp (Bandcamp Friday if possible), and submit taglines/songs via hdtgm.com or join the Discord to be part of future episodes.