The Winter Holiday Season used to be the make-or-break month for holiday blockbusters and critically-acclaimed awards contenders. Washington Chief Film Critic Ann Hornaday joins host Gil Gross for a look at how Hollywood approaches the season as the industry copes in the post-pandemic world of video streaming and reviews some of the best movies of Christmastime. Gil does a deep dive into the origin of Rudolph the Red-Nosed reindeer, an underdog who not only guided Santa’s sleigh but also dominated books, movies, television, and music. The Brandeis University Professor Jonathan Sarna chronicles the transformation of Hanukkah from obscure Jewish Holy Day to one of the most public and widely celebrated Hebrew holidays. And CBS Sunday Morning host Jane Pauley tells the story of the most famous Letter to the Editor ever written, which asks the question, “Is there a Santa Claus?”

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices