Advertise on podcast: Sam Pancake Presents the Monday Afternoon Movie

Apparently, Stephen King wasn't particularly fond of Stanley Kubrick's version of The Shining. So naturally, he decided to make his own. And this time, he had six hours of network television to work with. This week on Sam Pancake Presents the Monday Afternoon Movie, Sam welcomes actor, filmmaker, and musician Thomas Dekker (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Heroes, The Secret Circle) to discuss the 1997 television miniseries The Shining. Written by Stephen King and directed by Mick Garris, this three-part ABC adaptation stars Steven Weber as Jack Torrance, Rebecca De Mornay as Wendy, Courtland Mead as Danny, and Melvin Van Peebles as Dick Hallorann. The story follows the Torrance family as they spend a winter looking after the isolated Overlook Hotel. Jack hopes to get some writing done and put his troubled past behind him, but the hotel has other plans. Between Danny's psychic abilities, the ghosts roaming the halls, and Jack's increasingly questionable behavior, things go downhill pretty quickly. Filmed at Colorado's Stanley Hotel, which inspired King's original novel, this version stays much closer to the book than Kubrick's 1980 film. Join Sam and Thomas as they revisit this wonderfully excessive piece of '90s television horror. Haunted hotels, questionable CGI, and enough family dysfunction to fill three nights of primetime television. Love what you hear? Want to show your support for Sam Pancake & The Monday Afternoon Movie? Join us on Patreon for exclusive monthly bonus episodes, watch-alongs, and plenty more with Sam. Every bit of support helps keep the show going! Show Links: Sam Pancake Instagram Linktree Cameo Thomas Dekker Instagram Patreon Art Website IMDb Monday Afternoon Movie Patreon This episode was engineered & produced by: MEIKA GRIMM Website Instagram

Introducing Vinh Giang: How to Communicate So People Actually Listen to You from On Purpose with Jay Shetty. Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay Shetty Communication expert Vinh Giang joins Jay to share practical tools from his first book, Before We Forget How to Connect, to help you become a more confident communicator and build deeper, more meaningful connections. Vinh explains how to become a better listener, avoid common communication mistakes, and speak so people actually pay attention. From sounding confident when you're nervous to speaking up in meetings, navigating difficult conversations, and making a great first impression, Vinh shares simple techniques to help you communicate more effectively and connect with people in every area of your life. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty Instagram Teen Accounts: Built-in protections for teens. JAY'S DAILY WISDOM DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX Join 900,000+ readers discovering how small daily shifts create big life change with my free newsletter. Subscribe here: https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast What We Discuss: 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Before We Forget How To Connect 01:52 The High-Low Buffalo Icebreaker 02:45 Sharing Personal Highs 05:15 Sharing Personal Lows 11:40 Sharing Personal Buffalos 13:40 Escaping Small Talk 16:10 Overcoming Self-Judgment 17:58 Sharing Wins Without Sounding Arrogant 19:50 Communication Beyond The Script 20:40 Gen Z's Communication Struggles 23:20 Last Word, Last Letter Game 27:20 The Four Modalities Of Listening 29:50 The Three Follow-Up Questions Rule 35:50 How Do You Make A Great First Impression? 40:10 Reading the Room, Not Formulas 44:10 Finding Your Unique Voice 49:00 Life As A Book: New Chapters 50:40 Building Executive Presence 53:20 Fix Your Resting Blank Face 58:30 Filming Yourself For Self-Awareness 01:02:20 When Your Mind Goes Blank 01:06:10 The Power Of The Pause 01:09:30 How Can You Sound Confident When You’re Nervous? 01:14:40 From Texting Chemistry to Real-Life Connection 01:18:40 How to Communicate Better During Arguments 01:20:20 Learning to Speak Up In Meetings 01:25:45 How to Join a Conversation Without Feeling Awkward 01:28:20 Leaving A Conversation Gracefully 01:31:4 Embracing Vulnerability Episode Resources: Book | https://vinhgiang.com/before-we-forget-how-to-connect Website | https://vinhgiang.com/ YouTube | https://youtube.com/@askvinh Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/share/1CCPX1ChrP/?mibextid=wwXIfr LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinhgiang Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

Welcome back to Monday Afternoon Movie! This week, Sam is joined by comedian, writer, and actor Solomon Georgio for a trip to the sun-baked, scandal-soaked raisin capital of the world: FRESNO! Originally airing on CBS over five nights in 1986, Fresno is a gloriously ridiculous send-up of prime-time soaps like Dallas, Dynasty, and Falcon Crest. Carol Burnett stars as Charlotte Kensington, the grand dame of a struggling raisin empire locked in a bitter battle with rival raisin tycoon Tyler Cane, played by Dabney Coleman. And because this is Fresno, control of the raisin business naturally involves blackmail, murder, forbidden romance, family secrets, water rights, courtroom drama, enormous Bob Mackie gowns, and Gregory Harrison wandering around as a mysterious ranch hand named Torch who seems deeply opposed to wearing shirts. The cast is kind of insane: Carol Burnett, Dabney Coleman, Teri Garr, Charles Grodin, Gregory Harrison, Valerie Mahaffey, Anthony Heald, Bill Paxton, Jerry Van Dyke, Michael Richards and more. It's six hours of people treating raisins with the gravity normally reserved for oil empires and international espionage. Sam and Solomon head into the vineyards to talk about the Kensingtons, the Canes, the costumes, the melodrama, the surprisingly complicated politics of raisin production, and a miniseries that somehow asks the question: What if Dynasty… but dried fruit? Pour yourself something strong, grab a tiny red box of Sun-Maid, and join us in Fresno. Follow Solomon Georgio: Instagram | IMDb Follow Sam Pancake: Instagram Want even more Monday Afternoon Movie? Join Sam on Patreon for bonus episodes, watch-alongs, and more! Your support there helps keep this show going and is truly appreciated. This episode was engineered & produced by Meika Grimm.

***Editors Note: This episode contains topics of sexual assault. Please be advised*** This week on Sam Pancake Presents the Monday Afternoon Movie, Sam welcomes actor, comedian, writer, director, Oscar winner, and Greendale Community College's most fashion-forward administrator, Jim Rash, for a watch-along of the deliciously unhinged 1993 TV movie A Stranger in the Mirror. You probably know Jim best as the gloriously inappropriate Dean Craig Pelton on Community, but he's also an Academy Award-winning screenwriter, having won Best Adapted Screenplay for The Descendants alongside Nat Faxon and Alexander Payne. Jim and Nat also wrote and directed The Way, Way Back, starring Sam Rockwell, Toni Collette, Allison Janney and Steve Carell. So yes, an actual Oscar-winning screenwriter has agreed to spend his afternoon watching THIS with Sam. We couldn't be happier. A STRANGER IN THE MIRROR (1993) Originally aired: October 24, 1993 (ABC) Directed by Charles Jarrott Based on the novel by Sidney Sheldon Starring Perry King, Lori Loughlin, Christopher Plummer, Juliet Mills and Geordie Johnson Perry King stars as Toby Temple, an ambitious comedian who claws his way to superstardom and develops an ego roughly the size of Southern California. Lori Loughlin is Jill Castle, an aspiring actress whose own pursuit of Hollywood fame puts her directly into Toby's orbit. Add Christopher Plummer, showbiz scheming, sex, betrayal, revenge and enough melodrama to power several weeks of daytime television, and we've got ourselves a classic recipe for an ABC Movie of the Week. Love what you hear? Want to show your support for Sam Pancake & The Monday Afternoon Movie? Make sure to follow the official Patreon page and pledge a few bucks if you are able! You'll get access to a new bonus episode every month, four behind-the-scenes exclusive videos, as well as all past episodes and content for hours upon hours of Pancake action. Sam's Patreon Page SHOW LINKS: Sam Pancake's Instagram Sam Pancake's Linktree Jim Rash's IMDb This episode was engineered & produced by Meika Grimm.

*This week's show contains topics regarding eating disorders. Please be advised.* Our movie of the week for this episode is Kate's Secret, orignally released in 1986. Joining Sam in studio today is Margee Magee. She has been a TV writer since 2010, working in all formats (multi-cam, single cam, animation, hybrid,… even muppets!) on all platforms (network, cable, and streaming). She has been staffed on numerous series, and has also sold, developed, and produced original projects, as well as series adapted from I.P. Prior to her TV writing career, Margee received her BFA in Musical Theater from The University of Michigan and went on to brief stints as a Radio City Rockette, an End-of-Life Doula, and proprietor of a bakery called hello cupcake! Continuing along that super linear career path, Margee became a member of The Groundlings, where she still teaches and performs. Kate's Secret (1986) is a made-for-TV drama that tackled eating disorders long before they were widely discussed. Directed by Arthur Allan Seidelman, produced by Stephanie Austin and Robert A. Papazian, written by Susan Seeger and Denise DeGarmo, with music by J. Peter Robinson, the film stars Meredith Baxter, Ben Masters, Edward Asner, Tracy Nelson, Shari Belafonte, Georgann Johnson, Leslie Bevis, and Mackenzie Phillips. Kate appears to have the perfect suburban life, but she's secretly struggling with bulimia. As hiding her illness becomes harder, the cracks in her carefully crafted image begin to show, forcing her family to face a problem they've never seen coming. The film focuses on the emotional toll of the disorder and Kate's difficult journey toward recovery. Filmed in Southern California, the movie used its suburban locations to reinforce the illusion of a picture-perfect family. Meredith Baxter's performance was widely praised, and the film was considered unusually honest for network television in the 1980s, helping bring attention to eating disorders years before they became common subjects in film and TV. Love what you hear? Want to show your support for Sam Pancake & The Monday Afternoon Movie? Make sure to follow on the official Patreon page and pledge a few bucks if you are able, and get access to a new bonus episode every month, 4 behind-the-scenes exclusive videos, as well as all past episodes and content for hours upon hours of Pancake action. Sam's Patreon Page Show Links: Sam Pancake's Instagram Sam Pancake's Linktree Margee Magee's Instagram Margee Magee's dog's TikTok This episode was engineered & produced by Meika Grimm.

This week on Monday Afternoon Movie, Sam Pancake is joined by the hilarious Michael Cyril Creighton. Michael is an award-winning actor, writer, and comedian best known for playing the lovable Howard Morris on Only Murders in the Building. Raised on Long Island and based in New York, he first gained attention with his Writers Guild Award-winning web series Jack in a Box before appearing in acclaimed projects including Spotlight, High Maintenance, American Fiction, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Together, they revisit the 1992 made-for-TV thriller A Woman Scorned. They will most certainly come to the conclusion that revenge is a dish best served cold.. and on network television. A Woman Scorned (1990) is a tense made-for-television thriller directed by Conrad Janis and written by Philip Rosenberg, with a suspenseful score by Dana Kaproff. The film stars Shannon Tweed, Andrew Stevens, Kim Morgan Greene, and Robin Strasser. After a seemingly perfect marriage begins to unravel, a woman pushed to her emotional limits finds herself caught in a dangerous spiral of betrayal, obsession, and revenge. As secrets surface and tensions boil over, the conflict escalates into a high-stakes game of survival where the winner takes all.. and the loser just might be dead. Love what you hear? Want to show your support for Sam Pancake & The Monday Afternoon Movie? Make sure to follow on the official Patreon page and pledge a few bucks if you are able, and get access to a new bonus episode every month, 4 behind-the-scenes exclusive videos, as well as all past episodes and content for hours upon hours of Pancake action. Sam's Patreon Page Show Links: Sam Pancake's Instagram Sam Pancake's Linktree Michael Cyril Creighton's Instagram This episode was engineered & produced by Meika Grimm.

Note to isteners: this episode covers topics of sexual assualt and abuse. Discretion is advised.  Joining Sam Pancake today is Katie O'Brien, an actress, writer, producer, and showrunner. With her comedy group, The Katydids, she co-created, wrote, executive-produced, and starred in TV Land's hit comedy Teachers, which ran for three seasons and fifty episodes. She went on to write and co-executive produce Disney+'s The Santa Clauses, starring Tim Allen. Most recently, she was the creator and showrunner of Tubi's first original scripted series, The Z-Suite, starring Lauren Graham and Nico Santos. Based on the award-winning novel by Richard Peck, Are You in the House Alone? is a 1978 made-for-television thriller directed by Walter Grauman and adapted for the screen by writer Judith Parker. The film centers on Gail Osborne, played by Kathleen Beller, a bright and artistic high school student whose ordinary suburban life spirals into terror after she begins receiving anonymous threats from a mysterious stalker. What begins as unsettling notes in her locker and disturbing phone calls soon escalates into psychological torment, leaving Gail isolated and increasingly fearful that no place — not even her own home — is truly safe. Her parents, portrayed by Blythe Danner and Tony Bill, struggle to understand the growing horror surrounding their daughter as suspicion falls on several young men in her life, including a volatile character played by a young Dennis Quaid. Unlike many sensationalized thrillers of the era, the film approaches its subject matter from a very grounded place, focusing less on graphic violence and more on the emotional devastation caused by fear and victimization. Director Walter Grauman, known for his work in television suspense dramas, gives the movie a stark realism that makes its moments of terror feel disturbingly plausible. The haunting score by composer Charles Bernstein — who would later score A Nightmare on Elm Street — heightens the atmosphere with an uneasy orchestra that underlines Gail's growing paranoia and helplessness. Produced for CBS during the height of late-1970s psychological thrillers, Are You in the House Alone? was filmed in several California locations, including the historic Ahmanson Mansion in Hancock Park, Los Angeles, scenes around Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, and John Burroughs Middle School in Los Angeles, which doubled as the movie's high school campus.  Love what you hear? Want to show your support for Sam Pancake & The Monday Afternoon Movie? Make sure to follow on the official Patreon page and pledge a few bucks if you are able, and get access to a new bonus episode every month, 4 behind-the-scenes exclusive videos, as well as all past episodes and content for hours upon hours of Pancake action. Sam's Patreon Page Show Links: Sam Pancake's Instagram Sam Pancake's Linktree Katie O'Brien's Instagram Teachers on Paramount+ This episode was engineered & produced by Meika Grimm.

Due to the success of the MONDAY AFTERNOON MOVIE Patreon Bonus Series SAM & SARAH WATCH A BONKERS MOVIES, Sam Pancake and Sarah Burns are coming out from behind the MAM Paywall and launching a new scary funny weekly podcast in the same vein as SASWABM called "OH, THE HORROR! with Sam & Sarah" that starts on Friday June 5! They will cover a different theatrically released horror movie every week, from the classics to the stinkers, from the early days of cinema to current favorites, in their own hilarious style AND they will be performing scenes from these movies every week too! Stay tuned for more info and get ready to listen on Friday June 5, 2026! YEEEHAWWWW!!

Our April Monday Afternoon Movie is taking us on a trip to the early 1990's and it sure is loaded with some big, dangerous names.   Joining Sam Pancake today is fellow creator and podcast host, Stuart Ross. Stuart hosts Another Gay Podcast, and runs the Gay Horror Club. Directed by Tobe Hooper and inspired by a story by Cornell Woolrich, I'm Dangerous Tonight (1990) is a supernatural horror thriller starring Mädchen Amick, Corey Parker, Anthony Perkins, R. Lee Ermey, and Dee Wallace. Originally produced as a made-for-television film for the USA Network, it centers on a cursed ceremonial cloak discovered inside an ancient altar, a garment said to awaken the darkest instincts in anyone who wears it. College student Amy O'Neill, already burdened by family responsibilities and caring for her elderly grandmother, unknowingly brings the evil into her life after purchasing a trunk from an estate sale connected to the artifact. Drawn to the blood-red fabric hidden inside, she transforms the mysterious cloak into a glamorous dress for a school dance. The moment it is worn, jealousy, desire, and violence begin to spread through everyone it touches. Love what you hear? Want to show your support for Sam Pancake & The Monday Afternoon Movie? Make sure to follow on the official Patreon page and pledge a few bucks if you are able, and get access to a new bonus episode every month, 4 behind-the-scenes exclusive videos, as well as all past episodes and content for hours upon hours of Pancake action. Sam's Patreon Page Show Links: Sam Pancake's Instagram Sam Pancake's Linktree Stuart's Podcast Instagram Stuart's Gay Horror Club Instagram Stuart's Patreon Page for Another Gay Horror Podcast This episode was engineered & produced by Meika Grimm.

Another bonus episode of Sam and Sarah watch a Bonkers Movie for all of you Monday Afternooners! If you've never had the pleasure of watching the 1976 film The Food of the Gods, Sam and Sarah will be happy to walk you through the madness of this Canadian tale of oversized out of control critters. When a weird suggestive looking bubbling goo comes out of the ground, Mr. and Mrs. Skinner consider it to be a gift from the Gods, and proceed to feed it to their chickens, causing them to grow to unusual sizes. Other animals and insects begin to feed on the weird ooze as well, and begin to feed on and attack any and all humans in their paths, causing an entire island of creatures of large and terrifying sizes. All new main feed episode of Monday Afternoon Movie in a few weeks. Happy Monday everyone! Sam Pancake's X (Formerly known as Twitter) Sam Pancake's Instagram Sarah Burns' Instagram Sarah Burns' Linktree Get a custom Cameo video from Sarah! Visit the Monday Afternoon Movie website Facebook / X / Spotify / Google Play / Apple Podcasts This podcast was edited by Meika Grimm. Follow her on Instagram, or hire her for your audio/video/web needs. 😊

It's a rare treat for the main podcast feed: A watch-along movie adventure! Heads up, there's a showdown at the ol' spooky corral coming your way. We're headed to the old west with this one, so put on your chaps and spurs and let Sam Pancake is take you along for the ride.  *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:72c2d2fe-e0cd-4c98-988e-a9823486b9cb-1" data-testid= "conversation-turn-4" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> Black Noon (1971), directed by Bernard L. Kowalski and starring Roy Thinnes, Yvette Mimieux, Ray Milland, Lynn Loring, and Gloria Grahame, is a haunting Western horror tale set in the classic backdrop of the desert frontier. The story follows Reverend John Keyes (Thinnes), a struggling preacher, and his devoted wife Lorna (Mimieux), as they journey west in search of a new start. When their wagon breaks down, they are rescued by the residents of an isolated settlement known as San Melas. Welcomed with unexpected generosity, the couple finds temporary refuge among the town's inhabitants, including the quiet but alluring Deliverance (Loring) and the imposing patriarch Joseph (Milland). As John begins preaching to the townspeople, his sermons are met with extreme enthusiasm, seemingly revitalizing both his faith and his sense of purpose. However, Lorna's health begins to mysteriously deteriorate, and subtle signs of unease creep into their new surroundings. Strange rituals and an almost hypnotic devotion among the townsfolk suggest that something far more sinister lies beneath their hospitality. Love what you hear? Want to show your support for Sam Pancake & The Monday Afternoon Movie? Make sure to follow on the official Patreon page and pledge a few bucks if you are able, and get access to a new bonus episode every month, 4 behind-the-scenes exclusive videos, as well as all past episodes and content for hours upon hours of Pancake action. Sam's Patreon Page Show Links: Watch today's film: Black Noon Sam Pancake's Instagram Sam Pancake's Linktree This episode was engineered & produced by Meika Grimm.

Your ol' pal Sam Pancake has started a brand new show for you to take into your earballs: Sam and Sarah Watch a BONKERS Movie. This time, he's bringing along a co-host: actor Sarah Burns! The chemistry in these Patreon-only recordings was too hot to be contained there, so he's bringing it to the main feed for you to enjoy. The film selection rules are a little looser in this one, so Sam and Sarah will be covering classics from multiple decades and release formats.  Today's focus on this new foray is The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane, a 1976 theatrical release starring Jodie Foster, Martin Sheen, and Alexis Smith. In a quiet New England town, a secretive young girl draws the inquisition of a local woman when she starts to realize that she might be hiding a very dark secret. She is soon hounded by a creepy pervert, the town cop, and more as her carefully plotted plan starts to unravel. Hope everyone has a great rest of your week! Sam Pancake's X (Formerly known as Twitter) Sam Pancake's Instagram Sarah Burns' Instagram Sarah Burns' Linktree Get a custom Cameo video from Sarah! Visit the Monday Afternoon Movie website Facebook / X / Spotify / Google Play / Apple Podcasts This podcast was edited by Meika Grimm. Follow her on Instagram, or hire her for your audio/video/web needs. 😊

Just when you thought that Sam had covered all the troubled teen and young adult made-for-TV dramas, he comes at you with this ace up his sleeve about the dangers of gambling. Don't ask him to actually play any casino games though, as the only Kings and Queens he knows are the ones in drag. Joining Sam Pancake today is Tipper Newton, an actor, filmmaker, and musician. She is best known for her roles in The Mindy Project, The Guest Book, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. She most recently starred in the clever film F**k Your Son!, and plays shows with her band Color TV. Links below to dive deeper. The Seduction of Gina (1984) is a made-for-TV drama directed by Jerrold Freedman that explores how a moment of innocent fun spirals into a life-altering obsession. In the film, Valerie Bertinelli stars as Gina Breslin, a young, recently married woman feeling restless and unfulfilled while her husband is occuppied with his demanding medical internship. Seeking excitement and a way to break up the monotony, Gina agrees to try her luck at the blackjack tables during a trip to Lake Tahoe. What starts as beginner's luck quickly turns into a dangerous compulsion as the thrill of gambling consumes her. As Gina's wagering escalates, so do the stakes in her personal life. She begins to gamble away her trust fund, strains her marriage to David Breslin (played by Fredric Lehne), and entangles herself with Keith Sindell (portrayed by Michael Brandon), a smooth casino associate whose intentions are ambiguous at best. Along the way, supporting performances from Ed Lauter as Carl and Dinah Manoff as Mary help paint a fuller picture of Gina's unraveling world. Love what you hear? Want to show your support for Sam Pancake & The Monday Afternoon Movie? Make sure to follow on the official Patreon page and pledge a few bucks if you are able, and get access to a new bonus episode every month, 4 behind-the-scenes exclusive videos, as well as all past episodes and content for hours upon hours of Pancake action. Sam's Patreon Page Show Links: Watch today's film: The Seduction of Gina Sam Pancake's Instagram Sam Pancake's Linktree Tipper Newton's Important Links Tipper's Band: Color TV Brandon Johnston's Instagram This episode was engineered & produced by Meika Grimm.

Welcome to 2026! The Monday Afternoon Movie's latest season continues. Our featured film today stars a couple of legendary icons of the screen, big and small. It's also completely wacky and an all over the place bargain bin James Bond clone.  The 1972 film, starring Bette Davis and Robert Wagner, centers on Madame Sin, a wealthy, brilliant, and deeply manipulative woman who runs a private organization that trains people to be elite criminals. She recruits individuals with specialized skills—pilots, scientists, strategists—and molds them into a secret force she can control. Her operation is polished and almost glamorous, but underneath it's all about power and domination.  A former British intelligence officer (Wagner) who's been burned by the system, is lured into Madame Sin's world. At first, the offer looks tempting: money, prestige, and a chance to use his talents again. But he soon realizes that Madame Sin's ambitions go far beyond crime for profit. She wants leverage over governments and plans a massive, high-stakes scheme that could destabilize international politics. Joining Sam Pancake today is actor, writer, and 90-second historian Brandon Johnston. Follow him on Tik Tok and Instagram (linked below) to check out his Hollywood History series.  Love what you hear? Want to show your support for Sam Pancake & The Monday Afternoon Movie? Make sure to follow on the official Patreon page and pledge a few bucks if you are able, and get access to a new bonus episode every month, 4 behind-the-scenes exclusive videos, as well as all past episodes and content for hours upon hours of Pancake action. Sam's Patreon Page Show Links: Watch today's film: Madame Sin Sam Pancake's Instagram Sam Pancake's Linktree Brandon Johnston's Hollywood History Tik Tok Brandon Johnston's Instagram This episode was engineered & produced by Meika Grimm.

Do you hear the bells and festive music? Feel that cold weather nipping at your toes? Smell the gingerbread and peppermint? I guess that means only one thing: Meika, cue up the Ed Asner clips because the yearly Sam Pancake Holiday Special is upon us once more and we're all out of Paul Lynde specials to cover. Today's episode takes us on a sentimental and heartwarming journey through ABC's 1977 Hanna-Barbera produced made-for-tv film The Gathering, starring legendary actors Ed Asner and Maureen Stapleton. Also of note, the movie was written by Academy Award winner James Poe, who gave us the screenplays for Around the World in 80 Days and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Ed Asner plays a grumpy and blunt middle-aged executive who finds himself facing a terminal illness diagnosis. He is forced to confront the prospect of leaving behind the life that he has built and the family he loves but has often taken for granted. In the end, The Gathering becomes more than just a family reunion. It's a cathartic and emotional journey, one that teaches the importance of love, forgiveness, and the fleeting nature of time. With his characteristic stubbornness and unflinching honesty, he shows his family the value of coming together when it matters most, even as he faces his own mortality. From everyone at Sam Pancake Presents: The Monday Afternoon Movie, we'd like to wish you all a very merry holiday season. May it be filled with all of the things you love and cherish.  Love what you hear? Want to show your support for Sam Pancake & The Monday Afternoon Movie? Make sure to follow on the official Patreon page and pledge a few bucks if you are able, and get access to a new bonus episode every month, 4 behind-the-scenes exclusive videos, as well as all past episodes and content for hours upon hours of Pancake action. Sam's Patreon Page Show Links: Watch today's film: The Gathering Sam Pancake's Instagram Sam Pancake's Linktree Alonso Duralde's Instagram Alonso's Patreon page: Linoleum Knife Check out Alonso's book, Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas Alonso's previous episode on Monday Afternoon Movie: Horror at 37,000 Feet This episode was engineered & produced by Meika Grimm.