How Did This Get Made?

Last Looks: The Christmas Tree

December 5, 2025

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • Paul Scheer strongly defends his insistence that listeners watch *The Christmas Tree*, comparing its disturbing impact to that of *Peanut Butter Solution*. 
  • The 'Corrections & Omissions' segment for *The Christmas Tree* included listener theories suggesting the orphans share a hive mind controlled by Miss Hopewell, and a potential explanation for Mrs. Mavilda's full name being 'Bovilda Mavilda'. 
  • Jason and Paul shared extensive recommendations, including *Blank Check*'s episode on *The Ballad of Buster Scruggs*, and welcomed former engineer Devin Bryant to promote his new album, *Blame It On My Zodiac*. 
  • The movie discussed in the 'Last Looks' segment, which is available for streaming on platforms like Hoopla, Tubi, and Amazon Prime Video, is titled 'Merry Christmas'. 
  • The hosts of 'How Did This Get Made?' requested listeners to rate, review, follow, and turn on automatic downloads on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to support the show. 
  • The episode concludes with acknowledgments for the production team, including producer Scott Saney, engineer Casey Holford, and social media manager Zoe Applebaum, and announces the next week's movie will also be 'Merry Christmas'. 

Segments

Show Opening and Recommendations
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(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The episode begins with extensive recommendations from Paul and Jason, including the Blank Check episode on The Ballad of Buster Scruggs and Rob Riggle’s audiobook.
  • Summary: The show opens with numerous recommendations from Paul and Jason, covering podcasts, stand-up specials, and TV shows like The Diplomat and Bunheads. Paul Scheer mentions his book, Joyful Recollections of Trauma, and promotes the upcoming virtual livestream on December 10th. The theme song by Rob from Long Island is played, marking the transition to the main content.
Corrections and Omissions on The Christmas Tree
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(00:07:07)
  • Key Takeaway: A listener proposed that the orphans in The Christmas Tree share a single hive mind, potentially controlled by Miss Hopewell through parasitic spores or ancient magic.
  • Summary: Listeners provided corrections regarding the chainsaw type used and animation errors, such as seeing the camera rig stand in one shot. One theory suggested Mrs. Mavilda’s specific request for an electric chainsaw, despite the man using a gas-powered one, was due to her inattention. John Steele won the segment by suggesting Mrs. Mavilda’s full name might be ‘Bovilda Mavilda,’ based on how other characters referred to her.
Paul and Jason’s Media Catch-Up
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(00:20:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Jason highly praised the 2012 film 21 Jump Street as a nearly perfect comedy and noted that the run of successful studio comedies around that time seems to mark an end for that genre.
  • Summary: Paul and Jason catch up on recent media, with Jason recommending a rewatch of 21 Jump Street for its surprising humor. They also praised the Blank Check episode on The Ballad of Buster Scruggs and noted the recent success of Lou Diamond Phillips in The Chair Company and Goliath. Paul also strongly recommended the Ethan Hawke show The Lowdown.
Devin Bryant Interview and Music Promotion
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(00:44:38)
  • Key Takeaway: Former engineer Devin Bryant returned to promote his new, vintage-inspired double album, Blame It On My Zodiac, which he created entirely by himself.
  • Summary: Devin Bryant, former engineer for the podcast, discussed his new album under the moniker Ping Killer the Pigeon, which draws inspiration from 1968-1972 music. He noted the album is a double LP, and encouraged listeners to purchase it on Bandcamp on Bandcamp Friday for maximum artist support. Devin played a clip of his second single from the album, titled ‘Mistaken’.
Next Movie Announcement and Wrap-Up
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(00:54:13)
  • Key Takeaway: The next movie to be covered on How Did This Get Made? will be the 2015 romantic comedy Merry Christmas, which will be the subject of the December 10th holiday livestream.
  • Summary: The next movie announced is Merry Christmas (2015), summarized as a story where a magical kiss leaves a woman torn between two men. The hosts noted that the film lacks sufficient Rotten Tomatoes scores, relying instead on a Letterboxd review suggesting the characters with the most chemistry played cousins. Viewers can stream Merry Christmas on services like Hoopla and Tubi.
Movie Streaming Availability
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(00:56:21)
  • Key Takeaway: The movie ‘Merry Christmas’ is available for streaming on Hoopla, Tubi, Amazon Prime Video, Pluto TV, Fossum, and Fandango at Home.
  • Summary: The movie ‘Merry Christmas’ can be streamed on Hoopla, Tubi, Amazon Prime Video, Pluto TV, Fossum, and Fandango at Home. Rental options are available through YouTube, Apple TV, or Google Play. Additionally, Canopy and Libby, digital services offered by local public libraries, provide free access to movies, TV, music, and other media.
Listener Engagement and Support
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(00:56:45)
  • Key Takeaway: Listeners are encouraged to rate, review, follow, and enable automatic downloads on podcast platforms to support the show.
  • Summary: Listeners using Apple Podcasts or Spotify are asked to rate and review the show. Ensuring automatic downloads are turned on helps the show’s performance. Listeners can connect with the show via social media at HDTGM.
Production Credits and Next Episode
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(00:56:58)
  • Key Takeaway: The episode credits include Scott Saney as producer, Casey Holford as engineer, and Zoe Applebaum as social media manager.
  • Summary: The production team acknowledged includes producer Scott Saney, engineer Casey Holford, and social media manager Zoe Applebaum, along with intern Quinn Jennings. The hosts also paid tribute to Averill Halley. The movie announced for the following week’s episode is ‘Merry Christmas’.
DSW Holiday PSA
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(00:57:15)
  • Key Takeaway: DSW promotes shoes as literal gifts for various occasions, available both in-store and online at DSW.com.
  • Summary: DSW delivered a holiday public service announcement emphasizing that shoes are literal gifts suitable for adventures, relaxation, or joy. The advertisement encourages customers to find shoes that fit their needs and budget at DSW Stores or DSW.com.
Ted Danson Podcast Promotion
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(00:57:45)
  • Key Takeaway: Ted Danson is promoting an episode of his podcast, ‘Where Everybody Knows Your Name,’ featuring an interview with Carol Burnett.
  • Summary: Ted Danson is promoting a special episode of ‘Where Everybody Knows Your Name’ where he interviews his hero, Carol Burnett. The discussion covers Burnett’s start in showbiz, ‘Pom Royale’ season two, and navigating fame. The episode is available wherever podcasts are found.