Is “The Santa Clause” Actually Good? A Deep Dive Into 90s Holiday Cinema

This week, Jon and Donald unwrap The Santa Clause and everything that makes it a quintessential (and unexpectedly weird) 90s Christmas movie. From Tim Allen’s smooth-brain dad energy to the surprisingly dark early script drafts, the guys break down what still works, what doesn’t, and why this movie feels completely different when you watch it as a parent.

They analyze the film’s timeline problem, the custody battle dynamics, the underrated brilliance of Bernard the Elf, and how Disney almost made Santa get shot off the roof. Yes, really.

If you love holiday movies, 90s nostalgia, or chaotic tangents involving Winnie the Pooh, pyromaniac Christmas tree bonfires, and Neil’s therapeutic sweaters, this episode is your Christmas gift.

Key Takeaways

• The Santa Clause hits different when you watch it as a dad.
• The timeline makes no sense… at all. One week? One year? Who knows.
• Bernard deserved more screen time.
• Early drafts were shockingly dark. Santa originally got shot.
• Judge Reinhold plays the most “well-meaning but annoying” stepdad ever.
• The North Pole set design still holds up surprisingly well.
• The movie is fun, nostalgic, simple — and that’s exactly why people revisit it.

Timestamps

00:00 – Cold open: crying at Christmas movies
00:45 – Introducing The Santa Clause
02:30 – Ranking Christmas classics
04:00 – Ryan Reynolds, The Rock, and chaotic tangents
06:00 – Winnie the Pooh and modern dad podcast ideas
09:00 – Dad energy, nostalgia, and childhood memories
14:00 – The Tim Allen smooth-brain joke spiral
17:00 – 25 Days of Christmas nostalgia
18:00 – Breaking down the Santa roof scene
20:00 – Denny’s sponsorship, hot chocolate culture, and childhood hangout spots
23:00 – The North Pole introduction
29:00 – Timeline issues: is this a week? A year?
31:00 – The custody storyline and Scott’s transformation
33:00 – Kidnapping Santa + ELF squad rescue
36:00 – Real vs fake Christmas trees (and burning them)
38:00 – The ending and sequel talk
42:00 – The dark version of this movie that almost existed
46:00 – Does the movie even need Neil & Laura?
49:00 – Shutter Island Santa: the fan theory
54:00 – Disney trivia + behind-the-scenes production
59:00 – CGI, animatronics, fat suits, and prosthetics
1:04:00 – Hidden elves throughout the movie
1:08:00 – Home Improvement easter eggs
1:09:00 – Box office breakdown
1:10:00 – Wrapping up + next week’s holiday special teaser

Memorable Quote

“This whole movie takes place over a year, but it feels like a week. I wish adulthood worked like that.”

If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a 5-star rating and drop a comment on Spotify.
Tell us your Santa Clause hot take — is it a 10/10? A smooth-brain 6? Let us know.

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