Episode 405: Controversies over Christmas “Classics”

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss controversies over Christmas “classics.”

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

• Beloved Christmas songs and movies, like so many cultural products, have come under new scrutiny recently. Neil’s Atlantic essay about Christmas controversies informed our whole conversation. We drew on this Atlantic essay that began the backlash against the film Love Actually, and Natalia referenced this interview with its director. Niki referred to this Variety essay about “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.”

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia, Neil, and Niki reflected on eight years of making the show together and announced both Niki’s departure and Past Present’s first hiatus. Thank you, Niki. And listeners, see you in the spring!