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The Rewatchables ·

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

year 1989decade 80sdirector Jeremiah Chechikgenre Comedy
host Bill Simmonshost Chris Ryanhost Sean Fennesseyhost Van Lathanproducer Craig Horlbeck
All 30 categories

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award · 56:25

Best third installment

Among the late 1980s sequel boom, Christmas Vacation may have the longest cultural life and be a best third installment. Return of the King, Return of the Jedi, Lethal Weapon 3, Godfather III, an unidentified title in the transcript and Avengers: Infinity War compete; whether Avengers counts is disputed. Back to the Future III is rejected.

Chris Ryan: A dark Speak No Evil theory imagines the Griswolds continually replacing and renaming their children.

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson · 1:30:26

Holidays are hard

No holiday is easy; avoid inviting relatives; let the dog finish are separate lessons, the last a gag.

The film

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)

Directed by Jeremiah Chechik · Comedy

97 minutes

IMDb Letterboxd Find on JustWatch Rotten Tomatoes
Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Chevy Chase Clark Griswold
Beverly D'Angelo Ellen Griswold
Randy Quaid Eddie
Miriam Flynn Cathrine
William Hickey Uncle Lewis
Mae Questel Aunt Bethany
Diane Ladd Nora Griswold
John Randolph Clark Griswold Sr.
Doris Roberts Francis
Juliette Lewis Audrey Griswold
Johnny Galecki Rusty Griswold

Everything from the episode

In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.

4:05

Mount Rushmore for Christmas Movies

Christmas Vacation; Die Hard; Home Alone; Four Christmases

Christmas Vacation; Die Hard; Home Alone; Four Christmases

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:04:05Read transcript
  • A four-film Christmas Mount Rushmore is offered: Christmas Vacation, Die Hard, Home Alone and Four Christmases. Die Hard’s classification as a Christmas movie is disputed in the preceding exchange; this is an individual list rather than a settled panel ranking.
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6:30

What’s Aged the Best?

Brisk absurdity and sincerity; Chase’s physical comedy; yuppies; cast; sap; memes; enduring holiday status; cat gag

Brisk absurdity and sincerity; Chase’s physical comedy; yuppies; cast; sap; memes; enduring holiday status; cat gag

In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 00:06:30Read transcript
  • The brisk, joke-dense film balances absurdity with sincerity. Staying home supplies a coherent Christmas goal rather than the earlier sequels’ episodic travel.
  • Chase’s attic and ladder work recalls Keaton-era physical comedy, now partly displaced by real Jackass stunts; childhood exposure to those films becomes a parenting joke.
  • Chase combines frustration, physical precision, offhand sarcasm and leading-man looks; Martin, Ferrell, Sandler and Vaughn are comparisons, but no current equivalent is found. His long run ended without Murray-like dramatic reinvention.
  • Louis-Dreyfus and the tormented yuppies remain funny; Juliette Lewis’s annoyed but tender Audrey is considered the best version, and Diane Ladd’s mother is praised.
  • D’Angelo’s appeal and straight-woman performance remain strong.
  • The sap gag, Shitter’s full meme, franchise callbacks and the film’s unexpected generational Christmas status endure.
  • Discovering one’s father had a sexual life is a recognizable theme; Van recalls his father encountering an old college acquaintance who taught him science. — Van Lathan
  • The electrocuted-cat gag reportedly survived a proposed cut because test audiences liked it.
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13:42

Half-Assed Internet Research

Hughes/Chechik careers; disputed light-display influence; budget/gross; casting and production anecdotes

Hughes/Chechik careers; disputed light-display influence; budget/gross; casting and production anecdotes

In the discussion (10)
Approx. transcript time · 00:13:42Read transcript
  • Hughes’s productive run and Chechik’s divergent later directing career are reviewed. Bill recalls The Bronx Is Burning’s compressed production schedule. — Bill Simmons
  • A claim that the movie popularized extravagant house lights is relayed but explicitly doubted. — Bill Simmons
  • Pre-film memories of neighborhood light displays challenge the claim that this movie originated the trend; amplification remains possible but unproved.
  • A 25.5 million budget and 73.3 million gross are cited. — Bill Simmons
  • Ruby Sue’s performer previously played the child in Fatal Attraction. — Bill Simmons
  • Scorsese is said not to be related to Martin; a photograph links her with a young Sean Penn, without fuller career findings. — Sean Fennessey
  • Randolph’s blacklist period, refusal to testify and comeback in Frankenheimer’s Seconds are recounted. — Sean Fennessey
  • The opening pickup reportedly also appeared in Overboard and They Live; Chase allegedly broke a finger punching Santa and continued by kicking props. — Bill Simmons
  • Eddie’s shoes recall the original Vacation gift; Holiday Road is absent, a limited unofficial soundtrack exists, Mavis Staples sings the theme and Badalamenti scored the film. — Bill Simmons
  • D’Angelo reportedly improvised grabbing Chase during the SWAT raid; the hosts joke that she wanted more adult material. — Bill Simmons
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26:20

Roger Ebert's review
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:26:20Read transcript
  • Ebert gave two stars, judging the comic setups stronger than their payoffs; the panel strongly disagrees. No denominator is spoken. — Bill Simmons
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30:47

Most Rewatchable Scene

Bonus meltdown; Eddie’s arrival; shopping; dinner; tree trip; store flirtation

Bonus meltdown; Eddie’s arrival; shopping; dinner; tree trip; store flirtation

In the discussion (11)
Approx. transcript time · 00:30:47Read transcript
  • The opening road confrontation and tree trip stack jokes: driving under a truck, frozen Audrey, Clark’s frozen tongue and forgetting the saw.
  • The parents arrive already arguing and oversharing bodily ailments, prompting family and aging-politician jokes.
  • Clark’s grand 25,000-light presentation repeatedly fails despite his confident dedication and requested drumroll.
  • The lights finally work through the overloaded extension-cord setup, and Eddie’s surprise arrival escalates the scene with Ruby Sue’s crossed-eye story, Rocky’s fungus and Snot’s ailments. — Bill Simmons
  • Eddie silently loading dog food into the shopping cart while Clark pays is a favorite visual gag.
  • Clark and Eddie’s living-room talk combines the odd sweater/turtleneck outfit, dog-humping advice and Clark’s offer to abandon him; the absurd lubricant sledding sequence remains enjoyable. — Bill Simmons
  • Eddie’s replaced head plate and live-bait-business talk add to his bizarre character. Quaid’s later public behavior is debated as either harmful knowledge or an uncanny extension.
  • Eddie’s missing money, preacher/hockey-player reference and misunderstanding about buying his children gifts are admired.
  • The dry-turkey Christmas dinner, continued chewing and the gelatin mishap supply favorite food gags. — Bill Simmons
  • Clark’s lost-bonus rant wins Sean’s vote and is called Chase’s best film moment. Stories of improvisation with cue-word cards are relayed as rumor.
  • The shared nominee list is supplemented by Clark’s fumbling sexual attraction at the lingerie/perfume counter, observed by Rusty.
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31:46

The Den of Thieves Benihana Award for Scene-Stealing Location

Snowy Christmas-tree landscape

Snowy Christmas-tree landscape

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:31:46Read transcript
  • The snowy Christmas-tree landscape is nominated.
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32:11

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Uprooted tree; missing sequels; Todd and Margo’s marriage

Uprooted tree; missing sequels; Todd and Margo’s marriage

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:32:11Read transcript
  • How the family uproots the tree without a saw is left unexplained.
  • More frequent Griswold holiday films seem possible; Chase’s difficult working reputation is offered as the explanation for the series’ gaps.
  • Todd and Margo are predicted to divorce. Whether Todd failed to defend their home or reasonably feared Clark’s chainsaw is disputed.
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32:52

Picking Nits

Tree scale; leaving Clark; full moons; Illinois mountains; hidden squirrel

Tree scale; leaving Clark; full moons; Illinois mountains; hidden squirrel

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:32:52Read transcript
  • The tree changes size and initially could not fit in the house, accepted as holiday-comedy license. — Bill Simmons
  • The family should not leave for breakfast without Clark; repeated full moons and Illinois mountains are questioned, with Colorado filming explaining the landscape. — Bill Simmons
  • Uprooting a frozen tree and the squirrel staying hidden through its move are implausible; the exaggerated sled ride is acknowledged but largely excused as comedy.
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47:50

The Big Kahuna Burger Award for Best Use of Food and Drink

Overcooked turkey; eggnog

Overcooked turkey; eggnog

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:47:50Read transcript
  • The overcooked turkey competes with eggnog, with the gelatin mishap also discussed. — Bill Simmons
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49:53

The Neil McCauley “A Book about Metals” Award for Best Line from the Movie

“Wasn’t talking to you”; Christmas means resolving differences

“Wasn’t talking to you”; Christmas means resolving differences

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:49:53Read transcript
  • Clark’s bend-over retort to the neighbors, followed by wasn’t talking to you, is a favorite line; his hidden nastiness makes it work. — Van Lathan
  • Christmas as resolving differences and seeing past petty problems is selected. — Bill Simmons
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52:32

The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film

Underused Ellen; recast children aging backwards

Underused Ellen; recast children aging backwards

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:52:32Read transcript
  • Beverly D’Angelo is an excellent straight woman but underused; an independent shopping/flirtation scene would give her more agency, as Vegas Vacation later does.
  • The children’s backwards aging and recasting are questioned. — Chris Ryan
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56:25

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Best third installment; replaced-children theory; Chase’s best dramatic performance

Best third installment; replaced-children theory; Chase’s best dramatic performance

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:56:25Read transcript
  • Among the late 1980s sequel boom, Christmas Vacation may have the longest cultural life and be a best third installment. Return of the King, Return of the Jedi, Lethal Weapon 3, Godfather III, an unidentified title in the transcript and Avengers: Infinity War compete; whether Avengers counts is disputed. Back to the Future III is rejected.
  • A dark Speak No Evil theory imagines the Griswolds continually replacing and renaming their children. — Chris Ryan
  • This may be Chase’s best dramatic performance: the bonus disappointment and inability to afford helping Eddie’s children expose a touching family-provider crisis.
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59:57

The Slow Ride / Kid Cudi – Pursuit of Happiness Award for Best Needle Drop

Here Comes Santa Claus; Mele Kalikimaka

Here Comes Santa Claus; Mele Kalikimaka

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:59:57Read transcript
  • Here Comes Santa Claus with the SWAT team and Mele Kalikimaka are separate choices.
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1:00:27

The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot

Boss at the conference table; final Clark-and-Snot reveal

Boss at the conference table; final Clark-and-Snot reveal

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:00:27Read transcript
  • The distant boss at the conference table evokes Network; the lingering final Clark shot reveals Snot beside his crotch. — Bill Simmons
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1:01:07

Mallory Rubin Award: Did This Movie Need a Better Sex Scene?

Yes

Yes

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:01:07Read transcript
  • Yes, especially for D’Angelo, with a Sea of Love-style scene imagined.
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1:03:34

What’s Aged the Worst?

Quaid’s later behavior; TV sequel; Wonderful Life’s diminished reach; Clark’s finances

Quaid’s later behavior; TV sequel; Wonderful Life’s diminished reach; Clark’s finances

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:03:34Read transcript
  • Quaid’s later behavior and the 2003 Eddie-centered television sequel are cited; the original Audrey’s return and supporting cast surprise the panel. — Bill Simmons
  • It’s a Wonderful Life may no longer dominate shared Christmas viewing. Its artistic power is defended while distance from 1946 and abundant private viewing choices explain diminished cultural centrality; Elf may now fill that role.
  • Clark’s financial overextension and dependence on an uncertain bonus are criticized; kidnapping bosses is an unexpectedly recurring franchise device. — Chris Ryan
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1:08:10

Is There a Better Title for This Movie?

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:08:10Read transcript
  • Keep National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, though the shorter form is commonly used. — Bill Simmons
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1:10:10

Casting What-Ifs

Chris Columbus left; Home Alone followed

Chris Columbus left; Home Alone followed

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:10:10Read transcript
  • Chris Columbus left the directing job after a personality clash with Chase and subsequently made Hughes’s Home Alone; Hughes reportedly felt the series had become a Chase vehicle.
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1:11:30

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

Sam McMurray; Nicholas Guest

Sam McMurray; Nicholas Guest

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:11:30Read transcript
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1:12:54

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

Julia Louis-Dreyfus; Cousin Eddie disputed

Julia Louis-Dreyfus; Cousin Eddie disputed

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:12:54Read transcript
  • Cousin Eddie is nominated but disputed as too substantial a role; Julia Louis-Dreyfus is preferred. Nicolette Scorsese and John Randolph also receive attention. — Sean Fennessey
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1:14:36

Recasting Couch

Ferrell; Chappelle; Reynolds; Hamm; Affleck; Gosling; Evans; Sterling K. Brown

Ferrell; Chappelle; Reynolds; Hamm; Affleck; Gosling; Evans; Sterling K. Brown

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:36Read transcript
  • Contemporary Clark options include Ferrell, Chappelle, Reynolds, Hamm, Affleck, Gosling, Evans and Sterling K. Brown. Age, goofiness, physique and lack of ordinary-guy quality complicate choices; Brown’s American Fiction comedy is particularly praised.
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1:19:14

Apex Mountain

Jelly-of-the-month club; Christmas lights; street septic dumping; Christmas films, personally

Jelly-of-the-month club; Christmas lights; street septic dumping; Christmas films, personally

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:19:14Read transcript
  • The cast is collectively rejected. Being trapped in an attic and the jelly-of-the-month club are proposed as unsurpassed, Christmas lights explicitly affirmed, and Christmas in suburban Chicago considered before the city’s 1985–86 peak is favored. Emptying septic tanks into the street receives a definite yes.
  • Christmas movies remains a personal yes despite growing competition from A Christmas Story and other titles. — Van Lathan
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1:24:46

Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake

Madea’s Christmas Bonus; Blair Underwood as Clark

Madea’s Christmas Bonus; Blair Underwood as Clark

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:24:46Read transcript
  • Madea’s Christmas Bonus with Blair Underwood as Clark is proposed.
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1:25:01

Is This Movie Better With…?

Wayne Jenkins

Wayne Jenkins

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:25:01Read transcript
  • Wayne Jenkins leads the SWAT arrival, threatening Clark over the kidnapping and mocking the elderly family. — Chris Ryan
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1:26:03

Just One Oscar

Chevy Chase

Chevy Chase

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:26:03Read transcript
  • Chevy is chosen; Quaid gets a supporting nomination case but beating Washington’s Glory performance would be absurd. The 1989 Oscar field and Pfeiffer’s loss prompt a broader tangent.
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1:29:33

Best Double Feature

Vacation; Home Alone; Four Christmases
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Vacation
Home Alone
Four Christmases
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:29:33Read transcript
  • The original Vacation, Home Alone and Four Christmases are selections. — Bill Simmons
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1:29:49

The Andy and Red – Zihuatanejo Award for What Happens the Next Day?

Pool built; bonus reinstatement faces financial objections

Pool built; bonus reinstatement faces financial objections

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:29:49Read transcript
  • Clark probably builds the pool, but reinstating companywide bonuses could face a CFO objection and cost millions.
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1:30:10

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

Lubricated sled; Bears hat; novelty mugs; Blackhawks jersey

Lubricated sled; Bears hat; novelty mugs; Blackhawks jersey

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:30:10Read transcript
  • The lubricated sled, Bears hat, Tasmanian Devil mug, Wally World mug and Blackhawks jersey are choices.
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1:30:26

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson

Holidays are hard; limit guests; let the dog finish

Holidays are hard; limit guests; let the dog finish

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:30:26Read transcript
  • No holiday is easy; avoid inviting relatives; let the dog finish are separate lessons, the last a gag.
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1:31:19

Who Won the Movie?

Chevy Chase

Chevy Chase

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:31:19Read transcript
  • Chevy is the unanimous winner, explicitly summarized as across the board. — Bill Simmons
Podcast choices
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More from the conversation

Julia Roberts’s interview, Charles’s move to Los Angeles and Van’s growing friend group lead into a Draymond/European Vacation joke.
Approx. transcript time · 00:01:42Read transcript
Competing Christmas favorites include this film, Die Hard, Home Alone, Four Christmases, It’s a Wonderful Life and Elf. Die Hard’s holiday status is disputed; Surviving Christmas and 12 Dates of Christmas are defended, and holiday advertising marks the season.
Approx. transcript time · 00:04:05Read transcript
Clark’s childhood nostalgia and desire for family togetherness humanize his holiday fixation. Repeated disappointments, stalled middle-management work and a withheld bonus supply darker Hughes themes, compared with Planes, Trains and Automobiles.
Approx. transcript time · 00:07:54Read transcript
Bill recalls calling his uncle’s traveling family the Griswolds.
Approx. transcript time · 00:08:24Read transcript
The hosts joke about forgetting which films they have already covered, including Planes, Trains and Automobiles and Terminator 2.
Approx. transcript time · 00:10:55Read transcript
Chevy’s nine-film 1980 srun is reviewed; Funny Farm is defended as subtler than its marketing, while Fletch Lives is rejected. Christmas Vacation marks the run’s endpoint.
Approx. transcript time · 00:11:45Read transcript
Different household roles in decorating lead to fake-versus-real-tree debate; a father’s conversion to low-maintenance artificial trees feels like betrayal before winning sympathy.
Approx. transcript time · 00:16:04Read transcript
Second Christmas in January and a Super Bowl holiday are proposed. Families keep trees too long from inertia or attachment; decorations symbolize joy, life and loss.
Approx. transcript time · 00:18:44Read transcript
Children renew holiday wonder, with giant presents, Elf on the Shelf and gift obligations recalled. Van’s every-other-year gifts and growing friend group become jokes.
Approx. transcript time · 00:21:27Read transcript
The modern holiday-film boom contrasts with older classics. Black Christmas and its remakes are discussed; Almost Christmas is preferred to This Christmas, while The Best Man Holiday is especially praised.
Approx. transcript time · 00:24:15Read transcript
The franchise ranking is disputed: Christmas Vacation ranges from first to third, with the original, European and Vegas competing. European’s Rusty is criticized, while its sexual impact and Heckerling’s style help explain affection.
Approx. transcript time · 00:26:56Read transcript
Byron Mayo’s growing popularity leads to an Officer and a Gentleman/Loggia tangent.
Approx. transcript time · 00:28:40Read transcript
Nothing but Trouble is loved despite its oddness, Another 48 Hrs divides the group, and a generational comedy shift from Chase/Murray/Martin/Murphy to Carrey and others is traced.
Approx. transcript time · 00:37:08Read transcript
The four 1980 scomic leads are compared through persona and film libraries. Murphy is Van’s favorite, Murray’s films compete with Chase’s consistency, and Seems Like Old Times is praised as an unrealized leading-man path.
Approx. transcript time · 00:39:24Read transcript
Goldie Hawn admiration leads to possible future coverage of Wildcats, Shampoo and Overboard. Private Benjamin’s popularity versus Full Metal Jacket reopens the distinction between contemporary Apex and later artistic standing. No currentGoldieHawntheme.
Approx. transcript time · 00:41:04Read transcript
Audreys rank Juliette Lewis first, Dana Barron second and European’s performer third. Rusties start with Anthony Michael Hall, then Galecki, with Jason Lively last and Ethan Embry proposed third.
Approx. transcript time · 01:02:40Read transcript
Stewart’s Tonight Show dog poem is recommended, Cast Away’s Christmas status renews the Die Hard dispute, and Elf is proposed for future coverage.
Approx. transcript time · 01:06:08Read transcript
The uncertain last-minute corporate Christmas bonus seems unlike modern contractual compensation.
Approx. transcript time · 01:09:55Read transcript
Pacific Heights and Flight are suggested for future coverage.
Approx. transcript time · 01:18:47Read transcript
A proposed Tyler Perry adaptation exercise turns into Basic Instinct/Madea casting jokes and praise for the existing Basic Instinct podcast.
Approx. transcript time · 01:21:18Read transcript
A Blake Lively photograph inspires a callback to The Town’s Boston dialogue.
Approx. transcript time · 01:23:17Read transcript
Craig is absent, so no review is supplied or inferred; a full-name funeral-title joke follows before holiday farewells.
Approx. transcript time · 01:31:19Read transcript