Most holiday pop songs tend to be joyful, energetic, or heartwarming, summoning nostalgia for the season and evoking what top scientists have defined as “feeling that gingerbread feeling.” But the holiday music canon is also peppered with bizarre little tunes that play up the ridiculous traditions we largely take for granted, or mock the treacly emotionalism of Christmas. While we have covered many of the more serious songs in the Christmas canon, this year the Great Pop Culture Debate is turning its attention to the intentionally absurd, the deliberately offputting as it debates the Best Novelty or Parody Holiday Song.

Songs discussed: “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas,” “The Chipmunk Song,” “The Chanukah Song,” “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” “Dominick the Donkey,” “The 12 Pains of Christmas,” “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” “Nuttin’ for Christmas,” “All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth,” “Christmas at Ground Zero,” “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” etc.

Join host Eric Rezsnyak and GPCD panelists Andrea Guerrero, Derek Mekita, and Jonny Minogue as they discuss 16 of the silliest holiday songs of all time.

Play along at home by finding the listener bracket here. Make a copy for yourself, fill it out, and see if your picks match up with ours!

For more exclusive content, including the warm-up in which we discuss additional parody and novelty songs we were bummed didn’t make the bracket, become a Patreon supporter of the podcast today.

Download the Listener Bracket and see if your picks match up with ours!

Subscribe to find out what’s new in pop culture each week right in your inbox!

Check out our Open Polls. Your votes determine our future debates!

Then, vote in our Future Topic Polls to have a say in what episodes we tackle next.

Host: Eric Rezsnyak

Panel: Andrea Guerrero, Derek Mekita, Jonny Minogue

Producer: Curtis Creekmore

Editor: Eric Rezsnyak

Theme Music: “Dance to My Tune” by Marc Torch

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Great Pop Culture Debate host Eric Rezsnyak explains how we created the bracket for our 2024 Holiday Special devoted to the best novelty or parody songs about the end-of-the-year holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chanukah, etc.), as well as walk you through the Round 1 match-ups. The main episode will release on Tuesday, December 10, wherever you listen to podcasts.

Make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss any upcoming episodes:

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CREDITS:

Intro/outro music: "Dance to My Tune" by Marc Torch

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2024 marks the 35th Anniversary of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, the third installment in Chevy Chase’s Lampoon films. While the film was initially met with mixed reviews when it was released in December 1989, it has gone on to be considered a holiday classic, delighting audiences from multiple generations. A big part of the appeal is the laugh-a-minute script by 80s cinema icon John Hughes, who managed to wring biting sarcasm and genuine emotion out of the Griswold family’s Christmas from hell. So join the Great Pop Culture Debate players as they refill their eggnog, take an imaginary dip in an inground pool, and bring out the rubber sheets and gerbils while reenacting the debating the Best Quote from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

Join host Eric Rezsnyak and GPCD panelists Karissa Kloss, Michael Schwarz, and Zack Derby as they check their shitters, and then debate 16 of the most iconic quotes from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

Play along at home by finding the listener bracket here. Make a copy for yourself, fill it out, and see if your picks match up with ours!

For more exclusive content, including warm-up in which we discuss the quotes the panelists think SHOULD have made the bracket, become a Patreon supporter of the podcast today.

Download the Listener Bracket and see if your picks match up with ours!

Subscribe to find out what’s new in pop culture each week right in your inbox!

Check out our Open Polls. Your votes determine our future debates!

Then, vote in our Future Topic Polls to have a say in what episodes we tackle next.

Host: Eric Rezsnyak

Panel: Karissa Kloss, Michael Schwarz, Zack Derby

Producer: Bob Erlenback

Editor: Bob Erlenback

Theme Music: “Dance to My Tune” by Marc Torch

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Great Pop Culture Debate host Eric Rezsnyak explains how we created the bracket for our 2024 Holiday Special devoted to the best quote from 1989's National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and walks you through the Round 1 match-ups. The main episode will release on Tuesday, December 3, wherever you listen to podcasts.

Make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss any upcoming episodes:

https://www.greatpopculturedebate.com/subscribe

And if you love pop culture, sign up for our weekly newsletter to keep up on all the new movies, music, and TV shows dropping every week!

EPISODE CREDITS:

Intro Music: "Dance to My Tune" by Marc Torch

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Bluey, the lovable animated series that debuted in 2018, has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide with its charming characters, heartfelt storytelling, and delightful humor. Recently, the Australian import went on a hiatus of undetermined length, but Bluey fans of all ages are waiting excitedly for the show’s inevitable return. While we wait for new episodes, the Great Pop Culture Debate wanted to bring together both adults AND kids to discuss the best Bluey episodes.

Episodes discussed include “Granny Mobile,” “Keepy Uppy,” “Pass the Parcel,” “Baby Race,” “Grannies,” “Curry Quest,” “Mini Bluey,” “Hammerbarn,” “The Sign,” “Double Babysitter,” “Dance Moder,” “Unicorse,” “Faceytalk,” “Dunny,” “Takeaway,” “Sleepytime.”

Join host Eric Rezsnyak, GPCD panelists Amma Marfo, Brendan Hay, Courtney Fay, Jennifer Chen, Jim Czadzeck, and Joelle Boedecker, and our special-guest kid panelists as they debate 16 of the most beloved Bluey episodes from Seasons 1-3.

Download the Listener Bracket and see if your picks match up with ours!

Subscribe to find out what’s new in pop culture each week right in your inbox!

Check out our Open Polls. Your votes determine our future debates!

Then, vote in our Future Topic Polls to have a say in what episodes we tackle next.

Host: Eric Rezsnyak

Panel: Amma Marfo, Brendan Hay, Courtney Fay-Czadzeck, Jennifer Chen, Jim Czadzeck, Joelle Boedecker

Special Guests: Chloe, Clark, Colin Czadzeck, Elliot Czadzeck, Ian Czadzeck

Producer: Bob Erlenback

Editor: Bob Erlenback

Theme Music: “Dance to My Tune” by Marc Torch

#bluey #blueyepisodes #blueypodcast #blueycartoon #cartoons #podcast

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Great Pop Culture Debate host Eric Rezsnyak explains how we created the bracket for our Season 10 episode devoted to the best Bluey episode, and walks you through the Round 1 match-ups. The main episode will release on Tuesday, November 26, wherever you listen to podcasts.

Make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss any upcoming episodes:

https://www.greatpopculturedebate.com/subscribe

And if you love pop culture, sign up for our weekly newsletter to keep up on all the new movies, music, and TV shows dropping every week!

EPISODE CREDITS:

Intro Music: "Dance to My Tune" by Marc Torch

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Since Super Smash Bros. first released in 1999 on the Nintendo 64 system, it has become one of the most-played fighting games of all time, appealing to both hardcore gamers and casual fans alike. Over five installments and six consoles, the crossover series has featured 80+ playable fighters from a host of Nintendo-owned properties, and iconic third-party publisher games as well. Now 25 years into the franchise, the Great Pop Culture Debate wants to determine: who is the best Super Smash Bros. fighter of all time?

Smash Bros. fighters discussed: Kirby, Villager, Mega Man, Duck Hunt, Donkey Kong, Wii Fit Trainer, Mr. Game & Watch, Jigglypuff, Link, Ike, Samus, Bowser, Pikachu, Captain Falcon, Ice Climbers, Zelda.

Join host Eric Rezsnyak and GPCD panelists Andrea Guerrero, Curtis Creekmore, and Gary Jackson as they debate 16 of the smashiest Smash Bros. fighters of all time.

Play along at home by finding the listener bracket here. Make a copy for yourself, fill it out, and see if your picks match up with ours!

For more exclusive content, including warm-up in which we discuss the Smash fighters we think SHOULD have made the bracket, become a Patreon supporter of the podcast today.

Download the Listener Bracket and see if your picks match up with ours!

Subscribe to find out what’s new in pop culture each week right in your inbox!

Check out our Open Polls. Your votes determine our future debates!

Then, vote in our Future Topic Polls to have a say in what episodes we tackle next.

Host: Eric Rezsnyak

Panel: Andrea Guerrero, Curtis Creekmore, Gary Jackson

Producer: Bob Erlenback

Editor:  Eric Rezsnyak

Theme Music: “Dance to My Tune” by Marc Torch

#smashbros #supersmashbros #nintendo #videogames #fightinggames #smashfighters #smashultimate

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Great Pop Culture Debate host Eric Rezsnyak explains how we created the bracket for our Season 10 episode devoted to the best playable fighters from Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. game franchise, and walks you through the Round 1 match-ups. The main episode will release on Tuesday, November 19, wherever you listen to podcasts.

Make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss any upcoming episodes:

https://www.greatpopculturedebate.com/subscribe

And if you love pop culture, sign up for our weekly newsletter to keep up on all the new movies, music, and TV shows dropping every week!

EPISODE CREDITS:

Intro Music: "Dance to My Tune" by Marc Torch

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Since 1960, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences has presented the Best New Artist Grammy to celebrate up-and-coming performers with a bright future in the music industry. Over the intervening 64 years, many of those winners have indeed become superstars in their own right, and on occasion, the award has gone to never-weres, has-beens, and in one notable instance, a pair of total frauds. Crank up the gramophone as the Great Pop Culture Debate seeks to determine the best Best New Artist Grammy Winner of all time. Artists discussed: The Beatles, Olivia Rodrigo, The Carpenters, Sheryl Crow, Cyndi Lauper, Christina Aguilera, Tracy Chapman, Amy Winehouse, Mariah Carey, Megan Thee Stallion, Carly Simon, John Legend, Adele, Alicia Keys, Bette Midler, Billie Eilish.

Join host Eric Rezsnyak and GPCD panelists Andrea Guerrero, Gary Jackson, and Kevin Dillon as they discuss 16 of the most iconic Best New Artists of all time.

For more exclusive content, including warm-up in which we discuss the Best New Artist winners we were bummed didn’t make the bracket, become a Patreon supporter of the podcast today.

Download the Listener Bracket and see if your picks match up with ours!

Subscribe to find out what’s new in pop culture each week right in your inbox!

Check out our Open Polls. Your votes determine our future debates!

Then, vote in our Future Topic Polls to have a say in what episodes we tackle next.

Host: Eric Rezsnyak

Panel: Andrea Guerrero, Gary Jackson, Kevin Dillon

Producer: Curtis Creekmore

Editor: Eric Rezsnyak

Theme Music: “Dance to My Tune” by Marc Torch

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Great Pop Culture Debate host Eric Rezsnyak explains how we created the bracket for our Season 10 episode devoted to the best winner of the Grammy Award for Best New Artist, and walks you through the Round 1 match-ups. The main episode will release on Tuesday, November 12, wherever you listen to podcasts.

Make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss any upcoming episodes:

https://www.greatpopculturedebate.com/subscribe

And if you love pop culture, sign up for our weekly newsletter to keep up on all the new movies, music, and TV shows dropping every week!

EPISODE CREDITS:

Intro Music: "Dance to My Tune" by Marc Torch

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices