‘Tis the season for holiday movies. This hour, we look at this year's offerings from Netflix and Hallmark, discuss what makes a good holiday movie, and get some ideas for what to watch this holiday season.

GUESTS: 
Laura Bradley: Entertainment and features reporter
Amanda Hess: Critic at large for The New York Times

&lsquo;Tis the season for holiday movies. This hour, we look at this year's offerings from Netflix and Hallmark, discuss what makes a good holiday movie, and get some ideas for what to watch this holiday season.
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Laura Bradley: Entertainment and features reporter</li>
<li>Amanda Hess: Critic at large for The New York Times</li>
</ul>

The Colin McEnroe Show is public radio’s most eclectic, eccentric weekday program. The best way to understand us is through the subjects we tackle: Neanderthals, tambourines, handshakes, the Iliad, snacks, ringtones, punk rock, Occam’s razor, Rasputin, houseflies, zippers. Are you sensing a pattern? If so, you should probably be in treatment. On Fridays, we try to stop thinking about what kind of ringtones Neanderthals would want to have and convene a panel called The Nose for an informal roundtable about the week in culture.

<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/the-colin-mcenroe-show/about">The Colin McEnroe Show</a> is public radio’s most eclectic, eccentric weekday program. The best way to understand us is through the subjects we tackle: Neanderthals, tambourines, handshakes, the Iliad, snacks, ringtones, punk rock, Occam’s razor, Rasputin, houseflies, zippers. Are you sensing a pattern? If so, you should probably be in treatment. On Fridays, we try to stop thinking about what kind of ringtones Neanderthals would want to have and convene a panel called <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/tags/the-nose">The Nose</a> for an informal roundtable about the week in culture.

The Colin McEnroe Show

The joy of Christmas movies, from the classics to the NFL and ‘Hot Frosty’

The Night Manager is a British spy thriller TV series based on the novel by John le Carré and adapted by David Farr. The first season aired in 2016. And the second season, which premiered nearly 10 years later in early 2026, is expected to conclude this weekend. The Night Manager stars Tom Hiddleston, Hugh Laurie, and Olivia Colman.

And: Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! is a two-part HBO docuseries directed by Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio. It’s the third two-part HBO docuseries directed by Apator and Bonfiglio, after The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling and George Carlin’s American Dream. According to HBO, Mel Brooks “explores the life and nearly century-long career of one of Hollywood’s most daring satirists.” It includes the final onscreen interviews with Rob Reiner and David Lynch.

GUESTS:
Shawn Murray: A stand-up comedian, writer, and the host of the Fantasy Filmball podcast
Carolyn Paine: An actress and comedian; she’s the founder and director of CONNetic Dance and the creative producer and choreographer for The Bushnell’s Digital Institute
Irene Papoulis: Taught writing for a long time at Trinity College
Bill Yousman: Professor of media studies at Sacred Heart University

MUSIC FEATURED (in order):
Spies Like Us – Paul McCartney
The Night Manager Main Titles – Victor Reyes
Springtime for Hitler – Mel Brooks, John Morris
SpaceBalls – John Morris, The Spinners
See You On The Radio – Grayson Hugh

The Night Manager&nbsp;is a British spy thriller TV series based on the novel by John le Carr&eacute; and adapted by David Farr. The first season aired in 2016. And the second season, which premiered nearly 10 years later in early 2026, is expected to conclude this weekend.&nbsp;The Night Manager&nbsp;stars Tom Hiddleston, Hugh Laurie, and Olivia Colman.
And:&nbsp;Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!&nbsp;is a two-part HBO docuseries directed by Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio. It&rsquo;s the third two-part HBO docuseries directed by Apator and Bonfiglio, after&nbsp;The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/the-colin-mcenroe-show/2022-05-27/the-nose-looks-at-george-carlins-american-dream-and-brigsby-bear">George Carlin&rsquo;s American Dream</a>. According to HBO,&nbsp;Mel Brooks&nbsp;&ldquo;explores the life and nearly century-long career of one of Hollywood&rsquo;s most daring satirists.&rdquo; It includes the final onscreen interviews with Rob Reiner and David Lynch.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Shawn Murray:&nbsp;A stand-up comedian, writer, and the host of the&nbsp;Fantasy Filmball&nbsp;podcast</li>
<li>Carolyn Paine:&nbsp;An actress and comedian; she&rsquo;s the founder and director of CONNetic Dance and the creative producer and choreographer for The Bushnell&rsquo;s Digital Institute</li>
<li>Irene Papoulis:&nbsp;Taught writing for a long time at Trinity College</li>
<li>Bill Yousman:&nbsp;Professor of media studies at Sacred Heart University</li>
</ul>
MUSIC FEATURED (in order):
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht0XM4Z9CXs">Spies Like Us</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Paul McCartney</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpPrlubDGaI">The Night Manager Main Titles</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Victor Reyes</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca7063tXIP4">Springtime for Hitler</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Mel Brooks, John Morris</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hekqzcveud4.">SpaceBalls</a>&nbsp;&ndash; John Morris, The Spinners</li>
<li><a href="https://soundcloud.com/swampman-1/ill-see-you-on-the-radio">See You On The Radio</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Grayson Hugh</li>
</ul>

The Nose looks at ‘The Night Manager’ and ‘Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!’

Earlier this month, Yale historian Joanne Freeman began a nightly video series called "A Few Thoughts for Those Who Can't Sleep." Most nights she goes live on YouTube and talks about the news of the day, historical context for it, and the value of building community, as the comments swell in around her. This hour, Freeman joins us to share a few thoughts about the latest news, empathy, history, and America 250.

GUEST:


Joanne Freeman: Alan Boles, Class of 1929 Professor of History at Yale University. Her most recent book is “The Field of Blood: Violence in Congress and the Road to Civil War”

Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show.

The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.

Colin McEnroe and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show.

Our programming is made possible thanks to listeners like you. Please consider supporting this show and Connecticut Public with a donation today by visiting ctpublic.org/donate.

Earlier this month, Yale historian Joanne Freeman began a nightly video series called "A Few Thoughts for Those Who Can't Sleep." Most nights she goes live on YouTube and talks about the news of the day, historical context for it, and the value of building community, as the comments swell in around her. This hour, Freeman joins us to share a few thoughts about the latest news, empathy, history, and America 250.
GUEST:
<ul>
<li>
Joanne Freeman: Alan Boles, Class of 1929 Professor of History at Yale University. Her most recent book is &ldquo;The Field of Blood: Violence in Congress and the Road to Civil War&rdquo;
</li>
</ul>
Join the conversation on&nbsp;<a href="https://facebook.com/ColinMcShow">Facebook</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/colinmcshow">Twitter</a>.
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/newsletters">Subscribe to The Noseletter</a>, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show.
The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-colin-mcenroe-show/id714179884">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0AXtqrzWounIoJyIqz003p">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9b6b3cee-f69b-4729-a78b-181f851d80e8/the-colin-mcenroe-show">Amazon Music</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/The-Colin-McEnroe-Show-p1208473/">TuneIn</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-colin-mcenroe-show-connecticut-public-lXR08dxQSM5/">Listen Notes</a>, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.
Colin McEnroe and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show.
Our programming is made possible thanks to listeners like you. Please consider supporting this show and Connecticut Public with a donation today by visiting&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/donate">ctpublic.org/donate</a>.

Historian Joanne Freeman on reckoning with where we are and where we want to be

Protest music is taking over TikTok. This hour we look at what's going on, and we hear from an artist about why she writes and performs protest songs. Plus, a discussion about what counts as a protest song and a brief look through the history of the genre, from "Strange Fruit" and "This Land is Your Land" to today.

GUESTS:
Renee Koma: A musician who goes by Renee Christine. Her latest album is “Appalachia"
Isabella Gomez Sarmiento: A reporter with NPR Music
Dorian Lynskey: Journalist and author of multiple books, including "33 Revolutions Per Minute: A History of Protest Songs, from Billie Holiday to Green Day". His most recent is “Everything Must Go: The Stories We Tell About the End of the World”. He is also co-host of the "Origin Story" podcast

MUSIC FEATURED (in order):
Tudo O Que Você Podia Se – Milton Nascimento
Lehigh Valley – Renee Christine
The Bomb – Renee Christine
Turtle Island – Renee Christine
No Kings – Earth to Eve
Heavy Foot – Mon Rovia
War isn’t Murder – Jesse Welles
Tonada Por Ella – Rawayana
Kalaallit Nunaat, Kalaallit Pigaat – Kalaallit
Strange Fruit – Nina Simone
Ohio – Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young
This Land Is Your Land – Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
Say Her Name (Hell You Talmbout) – Janelle Monae

Protest music is taking over TikTok. This hour we look at what's going on, and we hear from an artist about why she writes and performs protest songs. Plus, a discussion about what counts as a protest song and a brief look through the history of the genre, from "Strange Fruit" and "This Land is Your Land" to today.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Renee Koma:&nbsp;A musician who goes by Renee Christine. Her latest album is &ldquo;<a href="https://reneechristine.ffm.to/appalachiaep">Appalachia</a>"</li>
<li>Isabella Gomez Sarmiento:&nbsp;A reporter with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/people/766798576/isabella-gomez-sarmiento">NPR Music</a></li>
<li>Dorian Lynskey:&nbsp;Journalist and author of multiple books, including "<a href="https://www.dorianlynskey.com/33revolutions">33 Revolutions Per Minute: A History of Protest Songs, from Billie Holiday to Green Day</a>". His most recent is &ldquo;<a href="https://www.dorianlynskey.com/">Everything Must Go: The Stories We Tell About the End of the World</a>&rdquo;. He is also co-host of the "<a href="https://www.dorianlynskey.com/origin-story">Origin Story</a>" podcast</li>
</ul>
MUSIC FEATURED (in order):
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v43du81eZHw">Tudo O Que Voc&ecirc; Podia Se</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Milton Nascimento</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i06CpH8bQ-0">Lehigh Valley</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Renee Christine</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xs9o3IYJig8">The Bomb</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Renee Christine</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hi65yThohsM">Turtle Island</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Renee Christine</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZx5gWj5g7Q">No Kings</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Earth to Eve</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyXccqTlhoI">Heavy Foot</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Mon Rovia</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8E9l_i6HPYM">War isn&rsquo;t Murder</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Jesse Welles</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3kp1zDKoJk">Tonada Por Ella</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Rawayana</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuYsBgVBXPA">Kalaallit Nunaat, Kalaallit Pigaat</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Kalaallit</li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/Bn6DKuEleUg">Strange Fruit</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Nina Simone</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FpakQiF2Jk">Ohio</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Crosby, Stills, Nash, &amp; Young</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH3pAuGYZBs">This Land Is Your Land</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings</li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/kQbeUN-IfyQ">Say Her Name (Hell You Talmbout)</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Janelle Monae</li>
</ul>

The joy of Christmas movies, from the classics to the NFL and ‘Hot Frosty’

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