'A Merry Little Ex-mas' Kicks Off Our Christmas Reviews
We’re officially in Christmas mode, team. Alice James is back and we’re diving straight into Netflix’s newest holiday movie, A Merry Little Ex-mas.
This week we break down the Alicia Silverstone and Oliver Hudson flick using our very scientific Hopeless Romantics scoring matrix. We talk daddy energy, vegan treacle tarts, snowstorms that don’t quite hit the mark, and the surprisingly relatable heartbreak of divorced parents trying to keep the peace at Christmas. Plus we unpack the chaos of their side characters, the lack of magic, and why Jameela Jamil’s character had us both yelling at the screen.
Stick around for our final score, what made us laugh out loud, and the big celebrity comeback energy that carried the whole thing. And yes, we manifest a Hilary Duff x Chad Michael Murray Christmas movie because the world deserves nice things.
LINKS:
Follow Alice on tikok
Follow Ash on tikok and instagram
Follow the podcast on instagram
Order Ash's debut novel Love on the Air
CREDITS
Host: Ash London
Producer: Ash London
Social Producer: Lily Gichard
Executive Producer: Anna Henvest
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29:20
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29:20
Nobody Wants This Season 2: Love, Ick and Lost Riz
Alice James is back (now with added newborn!) to debrief season two, and honestly… we have a lot of feelings. We still loved the show, but the spark wasn’t quite sparking, and both of us found ourselves grieving the loss of Noah’s Seth Cohen energy. WHERE DID THE RIZ GO?
We get into it all: the muddled editing, the sudden plot jumps, the confusing ex-girlfriend coffee, the necklace disaster, and the supporting characters who should’ve carried the whole season. Sasha’s glow-up, Esther’s softer edges, Morgan’s chaos… all the good stuff was right there, but so much of it felt under-used.
If you watched season two and felt both loyal and sliiiiiiiightly disappointed, you’re very much not alone.
LINKS:
Follow Ash on tikok and instagram
Follow the podcast on instagram
Order Ash's debut novel Love on the Air
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26:23
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26:23
Christmas Movies...Love, Loneliness, and Holiday Magic!
We’re officially in Christmas movie season and honestly, we could not be happier. Emma’s back with us this week and we fall headfirst into the festive films that shape our Decembers. From unrequited love and forbidden crushes to the heartbreakers that remind us death comes for us all, we realised Christmas movies are basically a mirror for every messy emotion we carry into the holidays.
We chat Love Actually, The Holiday, Happiest Season, While You Were Sleeping, The Family Stone, Little Women, Last Holiday and a whole lot more. There’s yearning, there’s awkward family energy, there’s loneliness, and there’s the full hero’s-journey chaos of trying to make Christmas perfect for the people we love.
If you’re building your December watchlist, or you just want to feel seen in your festive feelings, this episode is a warm, cosy hang with two people who love Christmas movies almost too much.
LINKS:
Follow Ash at @ash_london
See more from Hopeless Romantics at @hopelessromantics_xo
Order Ash's debut novel Love on the Air
Find your next favourite show and see more behind the scenes content on rova’s Instagram @rova.nz
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35:21
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35:21
Quickie: Do we all hate this male character in Emily in Paris?
With the return of Emily in Paris slated for December 10, we're looking back at this moment from our season 4 episode with the ever hilarious Alice James. How is it possible that such a promising lead male could turn into such a flop? Do you agree? #TeamAlfie for life, yo!
LINKS:
Follow Ash on tikok and instagram
Follow Alice on tikok
Follow the podcast on instagram
Order Ash's debut novel Love on the Air
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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6:33
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6:33
Matt Hansen, the troubadour with 4 million followers and a whole lotta love.
If you know Matt's music, you'll know that he is undoubtedly a hopeless romantic, so of COURSE I jumped at the chance to interview him during his recent Aus/NZ tour. We reflect on heartbreak, loving someone long distance and turning pain into art.
Love you, more than a friend x
LINKS:
Follow Matt on instagram and TikTok
Follow me on tikok and instagram
Follow the podcast on instagram
Order my debut novel Love on the Air
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The podcast for everyone who loves love. Join Ash London as she navigates the worlds of real-life relationships, relishes in her favourite romantic stories, and ultimately attempts to better understand the human heart in all its glory.
Australia