How Did This Get Made?

Last Looks: Merry Kissmas

December 19, 2025

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • Listeners provided numerous corrections and omissions regarding continuity errors in *Merry Kissmas*, such as filming location inconsistencies and illogical character behavior regarding the elevator. 
  • The episode featured extensive recommendations from Paul and Jason across TV, documentaries, audiobooks, comics, and music, including *Landman* and *Corey Feldman vs the World*. 
  • The next movie to be covered on *How Did This Get Made?* will be the Netflix rom-com *My Secret Santa*, which Jason is reportedly obsessed with due to its bizarre premise involving a single mom posing as Santa Claus. 

Segments

Corrections and Omissions Opening
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(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The ‘Last Looks’ segment begins with listener feedback on Merry Kissmas and theme song acknowledgments.
  • Summary: The episode opens with advertisements before transitioning into the ‘Last Looks’ segment dedicated to listener feedback on Merry Kissmas. Listeners are encouraged to submit alt movie taglines via Discord and theme songs via the website. The segment structure involves reviewing listener corrections before moving to recommendations and the next movie announcement.
Listener Feedback on Elevator Trilogy
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(00:01:23)
  • Key Takeaway: A listener noted that residents waited 30 minutes for a broken elevator despite being mobile enough to use the stairs.
  • Summary: One listener pointed out that residents in the lobby waited for a broken elevator for 30 minutes, suggesting illogical behavior given their mobility. Another correction highlighted that a character was rolling a pin on flour instead of dough, indicating a prop error. Furthermore, the filming location was identified as Riverside, not Palo Alto, evidenced by local service logos and summer-themed decorations visible in winter scenes.
Cinematic Universe Theory
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(00:07:16)
  • Key Takeaway: A caller proposed that Merry Kissmas and 12 Cups of Christmas exist within the same Ion original cinematic universe.
  • Summary: A caller suggested a shared universe between Merry Kissmas and 12 Cups of Christmas based on shared settings (Silicon Valley), awkward elevator meet-cutes, and irresponsible dog adoptions. Paul agreed with the theory, expressing a desire for more crossover events within the Ion original movie landscape. The segment also included a correction about the significance of the Nutcracker choreography being based on George Balanchine’s Americanized version.
K-Jewelers Diamond Fact
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(00:10:42)
  • Key Takeaway: The Leo Diamond is a specific cut only sold in the U.S. at K-Jewelers and Jared locations.
  • Summary: A former K-Jewelers employee clarified that the Leo Diamond is a proprietary cut made by Leo Schachter. The caller expressed frustration that the company funded the ‘shitty movie’ instead of increasing employee wages. The segment concluded with an anonymous caller detailing the bizarre trilogy connection between A Christmas Kiss, A Christmas Kiss 2, and Merry Kissmas, noting recurring themes like mistletoe in elevators and workaholic female leads.
Recommendations: TV, Docs, Audiobooks
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(00:03:39)
  • Key Takeaway: Paul and Jason shared current media recommendations, including the TV show Landman and the documentary Corey Feldman vs the World.
  • Summary: Paul and Jason listed their current recommendations, which included TV shows like Death By Lightning and Landman, and documentaries such as It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley. Audiobook recommendations featured memoirs by Illeana Douglas and William Friedkin, alongside Walter Murch’s technical work. Jason also recommended specific comic books, including Hobtown Mystery Stories Vol. 3.
Personal Media Consumption Chat
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(00:20:38)
  • Key Takeaway: Paul’s top Spotify artist was Teddy Swims, while Jason’s children referenced an SNL calculator sketch and a Taskmaster ‘pervert bear’ moment.
  • Summary: Paul revealed his surprise at having Teddy Swims as his top Spotify artist, contrasting with Jason’s family’s obsession with niche references like the SNL calculator sketch and a Taskmaster moment. They praised the Australian sitcom Fisk and highly recommended the drama Landman for its monologues and performances by Billy Bob Thornton and Ethan Hawke. Jason shared an anecdote about Billy Bob Thornton retracting a party invitation on the set of School for Scoundrels.
Next Movie Announcement
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(00:48:34)
  • Key Takeaway: The next movie for How Did This Get Made? is the Netflix rom-com My Secret Santa, featuring a plot where a single mom dresses as Santa and falls for the ski resort owner.
  • Summary: The next film is My Secret Santa, starring Alexandra Breckinridge and Ryan Eggold, chosen due to Jason’s insistence after the live stream. The plot involves a single mother passing herself off as Santa Claus, becoming ‘bros’ with the ski resort owner she has a crush on. The movie holds a 77% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, described as a ’laughable Netflix ripping off the Hallmark movie.’