The Christmas Tree (1991)
How Did This Get Made?
11/28/25
•72m
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Is this the worst animated holiday special of all time? Paul, Jason, and June brave the longest 43 minutes of their lives to find out! This week we're talkin' 1991's The Christmas Tree, a direct-to-video holiday cartoon about an orphanage owner with a gambling problem and a tree named Mrs. Hopewell. They discuss the bizarre narration, the kids who seem to be drugged with Benadryl, the Mayor's job responsibilities, Judy caring more about a tree than her missing daughter, what drives Mrs. Mavilda, Santa Claus' lightning powers, and so much more. Plus, Paul drops new childhood stories about his dryland mushing hobby and more!
Watch The Christmas Tree for free on Tubi.
The Deep Dive Christmas Spectacular streams live on Dec 5th! Get tix here and use code HOWDIE for $5 off.
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Previous Episode
Doug Benson (Doug Loves Movies) joins Paul, Jason and guest co-host Jessica St. Clair to discuss the 2017 sci-fi flick Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. LIVE from the Theatre at Ace Hotel for Pee Cast Blast ’17, they cover everything from Rihanna as Bubble, to a shapeshifting alien entertainer, to the movie resetting itself every 15 minutes. (Ep. #237 Originally Released 04/09/2020)
• Join our Vulture Movies Fantasy League at vulture.com/hdtgm
• Go to hdtgm.com for tour dates, merch, FAQs, and more
• Leave us a voicemail at speakpipe.com/hdtgm
• Submit your Last Looks theme song here
• Join our Discord at discord.gg/hdtgm
• Buy merch at howdidthisgetmade.dashery.com/
• Order Paul’s book about his childhood: Joyful Recollections of Trauma
• Shop our new hat collection at podswag.com
• Paul’s Discord: discord.gg/paulscheer
• Paul’s YouTube page: youtube.com/paulscheer
• Follow Paul on Letterboxd: letterboxd.com/paulscheer
• Subscribe The Dark Web w/ Paul & Rob Huebel: youtube.com/@enterthedarkweb
• Listen to Unspooled with Paul & Amy Nicholson: unspooledpodcast.com
• Listen to The Deep Dive with June & Jessica St. Clair: thedeepdiveacademy.com/podcast
• Instagram: @hdtgm, @paulscheer, & @junediane
• Twitter: @hdtgm, @paulscheer
• Jason is not on social media
• Episode transcripts available at how-did-this-get-made.simplecast.com/episodes
Get access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using the link: siriusxm.com/hdtgm
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Next Episode
Reindeer Games w/ Howard Kremer (Classic)
December 2, 2025
•62m
It's a HDTGM all-time classic! Howard Kremer (Who Charted?) joins Paul, June, and Jason to break down the 2000 holiday crime-thriller Reindeer Games. They sound off on Ben Affleck’s love of pecan pie, the terrible open-mouth kissing, and the bonkers Ashton Kutcher cameo. Plus, a revelation about the character names blows everyone's minds and we learn about Paul’s intimate relationship history with his mom. (Ep. #52 Originally Released 12/25/2012)
• Join our Vulture Movies Fantasy League at vulture.com/hdtgm
• Go to hdtgm.com for tour dates, merch, FAQs, and more
• Leave us a voicemail at speakpipe.com/hdtgm
• Submit your Last Looks theme song here
• Join our Discord at discord.gg/hdtgm
• Buy merch at howdidthisgetmade.dashery.com/
• Order Paul’s book about his childhood: Joyful Recollections of Trauma
• Shop our new hat collection at podswag.com
• Paul’s Discord: discord.gg/paulscheer
• Paul’s YouTube page: youtube.com/paulscheer
• Follow Paul on Letterboxd: letterboxd.com/paulscheer
• Subscribe The Dark Web w/ Paul & Rob Huebel: youtube.com/@enterthedarkweb
• Listen to Unspooled with Paul & Amy Nicholson: unspooledpodcast.com
• Listen to The Deep Dive with June & Jessica St. Clair: thedeepdiveacademy.com/podcast
• Instagram: @hdtgm, @paulscheer, & @junediane
• Twitter: @hdtgm, @paulscheer
• Jason is not on social media
• Episode transcripts available at how-did-this-get-made.simplecast.com/episodes
Get access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using the link: siriusxm.com/hdtgm
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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