All language subtitles for Road to Christmas. 2018. A Hallmark movie_track3_eng

[♪♪♪]

[an instrumental version
of "Deck the Halls" plays]

[♪♪♪]

[woman]: Hi, Maggie!

-And a Merry Christmas party
to you.

Here.

I spent far too long
on the eggnog,

but it's even better
than last year.

-Wait, you're producing a live
televised Christmas Special

in less than a week.

When does a head producer
find time to make eggnog?

-Hey, you want something done,
you ask a busy person.

-It tastes like
a Christmas tree.

[Lucy]: -Maggie!

Thank you for
inviting us to this.

I knew a Julia Wise
office Christmas party

would be amazing,

but I wasn't prepared.

She has a Christmas tree
in her office!

-Now don't you wish
you had one, too?

-A little, yes.

-Here.

This is Stacy,
our Associate Producer.

And this is Lucy Grace.

She and her crew
are doing a story

based on the new
Christmas special format.

-I watch your show
every week.

-Thank you!

Oh, and Maggie,

thank you so much
for the sit-down with Julia.

It went great.

-I was lucky I could even
get you one.

It's hard pulling her away
from her employees

at a Christmas party--

-Because I don't
think of them as employees.

We're more of a family.

Lucy, I forgot to give
this to you.

-Oh... Oh, my gosh.

I love your cookbooks.

My mom's going
to be so jealous.

We watch your Christmas Special
together every year.

Never miss it.

Again, doing it live

and in your own farmhouse
in Vermont?

That's a bold choice.

-It is, and it was
Maggie's idea.

First year
as our Head Producer--

-I have been following
Julia's lead for five years now.

The idea was already there,
I'm just helping it along.

-Would you mind if we shoot
some office-party B-roll?

-Oh, of course,

and please stick around,
the party goes all day.

-Wouldn't miss it.

There you go.

Listen, swing by my office
after the production meeting.

I have something
I want to run by you.

-Will do.

-Everything okay?

-Yeah, it's fine.

Come on.

The special's in five days,

we still have so much to do.

[cell phone rings]

Oh, wait.

Just...

Hey, Mom.

-Merry Christmas!

Well, a few days early.

Honey, hold on a second,
your dad's right here

He wants to say hi, too.

-Hi, honey!

-Hi, Dad.

Let me guess.

It's December 20th,

so you guys are almost done
making the Christmas cookies?

[chuckling]

[Mr. Baker]: -Twice as many
as usual this year.

-I'm giving them away
at the White Elephant.

Don't tell your sister.

Honey, you know that

no matter how much we miss

having you home
for Christmas this year,

we are so very proud of you.

-I do.

And I miss you guys, too.

-We tell everyone who asks
what you're doing.

We can't wait to watch!

[Julie promo commercial plays]:
-...As promise

we are bringing you

the Julia Wise
Christmas Special

live this year,

but fear not, because--

-Hey, just
make sure to call me

during the White Elephant
exchange, okay?

I love hearing
how loud it can get.

[laughing]

-We'll do that.

Merry Christmas, honey.

-Merry Christmas, babe.

-Merry Christmas.

-Hey.

-It seems like
a pretty serious HR problem

to have mistletoe around.

-Oh... [scoffs]

we get a lot of emails
about mistletoe policy, yeah,

but not one problem.

We're very proud of that.

-You carry around
a coach's whistle?

-Oh... [chuckles] yeah,

it's a Christmas present
from my dad.

He was a football coach,

so when I moved here to L.A.

he wanted me to have
something for luck.

-Does it work?

-Oh, yeah,
it's super loud.

[laughs] -No, I mean
does it bring you luck?

-I knew what you meant,

and... yeah.

-So, what brings you here

to Julia Wise Lifestyle
Headquarters?

-I have a meeting with
the lady herself.

About her Christmas special.

She asked me to wait.

-Well, I work
on the Christmas special.

Is there anything--

-I hear they're doing it
live this year.

-Oh, yeah, changing
up the format,

getting a little more
adventurous.

-Non-traditional.

You know, like a traditional
Christmas special

traditionally is?

-Well, no, not on my watch.

Year after year
of the same exact thing?

No.

No, thank you.

I'm sorry, what did you say
your name was again?

[cell phone chimes]

-Sorry.

-Oh.

The boss.

-Good luck.

[knock on door]

-Come in.

-Julia, are you...

Are you okay?

-I'm great.

Just a little
Christmas inspiration.

Please, have a seat.

-Is this about
the Teleprompter?

[Julia]: -No, I'm thrilled
about the Teleprompter.

As hard as I've tried,

I just cannot memorize
that much.

-Well, just personally,
I think you should just wing it.

Just shoot from the hip.

You are so great at that--

-Maggie--

-And maybe next year, when
we do it, it can be more of a--

-This has nothing to do with
the Teleprompter.

-I had dinner last night
with the network President,

and he has expressed some
concern about the live show.

-Concern doesn't...
sound good.

-There's more
competition this year.

Ratings need to go up.

He just thinks
it's too big of a risk.

Maybe just too big of a change.

-I mean, it's bold,
I'll say that,

but all the more reason
to change it up.

-And I agree.

It's just...

Okay...

You know that right after
my husband passed,

my son, Danny, produced
the Christmas special

for the first two years.

-Yes, the mysterious
Danny Wise years.

I started
right after he left.

-Well, after
last night's meeting,

I put a call in to Danny,

I just wanted some advice.

-Oh.

Well, you know, it's always
great to have new ideas.

I mean, if you even want me
to talk to him,

I'd be more than happy
to do that.

-That's good news.

Because I have asked Danny
to come back

and work with you
for this last week.

It is not a demotion.

Co-Producers.

I'm just a little worried with
this whole network pressure,

and I would feel better if--

-No, Julia, don't even
think twice, okay?

It is going to work best
if you are comfortable.

-Thank you for understanding.

I know how last minute this is.

-Maggie...

this is my son,

Danny.

-You're... Danny Wise.

-And you're the famous
Maggie Baker.

-[Maggie]: I am.

I'm not famous.

But yes Baker. Maggie.
Maggie Baker.

Am.

-Maggie came up with
the live show idea,

and Danny has some great ideas

about, uh, bringing in the more
traditional Christmas element.

-Right.

Mom and I discussed this idea

about having
a few pre-recorded segments.

-Pre-recorded,
in a live TV show.

-Well, we shoot some segments
in advance.

It allows us to cut away
to something exciting.

-More exciting
than live television?

-Maggie, I know
this is not in the planning,

but I do not see that
we have another choice.

-Well, then,

if this is what we're doing,
then let's...

let's make it great.

I mean, am I crazy?

It feels like Julia
doesn't believe in me.

-Of course,
she believes in you.

She's just worried
about the show.

-I'm worried about the show.

I mean, have you ever actually
seen a problem be solved

by adding more people to it?

-Tug-of-war.

-What?

-Elections?

Oh, like, when you're
in the line at the bank,

and more tellers show up?

-Okay, look, I just...

I agree.

It'll be great for Julia
to have her son there,

and it'll be good
for the show.

But it's just,
it's late in the game.

I mean, and do we even know
it's gonna work?

-Okay, you're spinning.

-Come on.

[♪♪♪]

♪ -Christmas time ♪

♪ Pour me
a hot mulled wine... ♪

-Also, didn't Danny Wise

produce the first
two years of specials

when he was like 22,

and then run off to go make
some nature films or something?

-Documentaries.

-Okay...

if we're going
to work together,

I think it's best that we avoid
sneaking up on each other.

I tend to think out loud.

-That's pretty obvious.

-[Maggie sighs]

-Okay, look...

we can use these segments
to focus on tradition.

People love that.

The same pie recipe every year,

the Christmas ornament
we all remember.

-Yes, and I agree that
those things are very important,

but we are also on-air
in under a week, and--

-[interrupting] D-d-d-d-d...

When you were an intern
at "Good Morning, Omaha,"

you produced 10 Christmas carol
sing-alongs in three days.

-Yes.

But I had an editor--

-You also managed
to get backstage

at the Radio City
Christmas Show,

interviewing none other than--

-Okay, so you did
your research...

But I guarantee you,
I didn't get any of that done

by following "ye old
traditional rule book."

-Touché.

Okay, what's your idea?

-Well, off the top
of my head--

[tapping glass]

-Everyone!

Can I have your attention?

-When I first started
this company,

I always said I was going to
run it like a family.

And what our Christmas Specials
have done over the years

is bring people that perfect
Christmas feeling.

For me,

my perfect Christmas
has always been my family,

and that's what we bring
to our audience.

Now, this year,

we are doing things
a little differently,

and by doing this show live,

I do know that several of you

will not able to spend
Christmas with your family.

But you'll be with us,

your work family,

and that's why
it is so important

that you really hear this.

Thank you.

All of you.

Now, can we eat, please?

[laughter]

-Merry Christmas.

[everyone]: -Merry Christmas.

[applause]

[Julia]:
-I'll see you all in Vermont.

-"A Cross-Country Christmas."

-Hmm?

-That's the idea.

These pre-recorded segments

should be about places
across the country.

So the biggest family-owned
Christmas Tree farm,

for example.

We find unique,
interesting places

that are doing cool
Christmas things.

-Sure, if there was time.

-Well, we can have time
if I start,

and you handle
all the different--

-Honestly,
it's a great idea.

-[Maggie]: Thank you.

-I'd also suggest

that more people would watch

if you had, say,

a celebrity host?

-Exactly.

Blend the new live show
with the, you know,

traditional.

-Let's look into it.

-All right, Stacy and I
will look into locations,

and you can find the crew?

-Deal.

[♪♪♪]

-Okay.

I brought you three

of the biggest family-owned
Christmas tree farms

between here and Vermont.

Also, some Santa villages,

and a couple bake-offs...

Are bake-offs getting old?

-Okay, so here's
what's going to happen.

I need you to help me find
Julia's sons, Derek and David.

-Wait, I don't understand.

Why?

-You heard Julia.

Her perfect Christmas
is having her family there.

What if
I could convince them

to surprise her?

You've seen how hard
Julia works, right?

Yes, we have to make
sacrifices for this job.

I haven't had a date in a year,

and I'm tired all the time,

but can you imagine
what it's like for Julia?

She shouldn't have to
sacrifice her family

for this show, too.

-So you came up with a plan
to go cross-country

and collect them?

-Mm-hmm.
-Why not just call them?

-Because this should be done
in person.

Plus, if I can convince
her sons to come along,

everybody wins.

-And you're not going
to tell Danny?

-No. He's not an issue.

He'll be in Vermont.

If I told him,
he would just cause problems.

-Okay.

I'm in.

Just promise me that when
you're Julia Wise one day,

I get to be your Maggie Baker.

-Oh, that has always
been true.

Okay, good.

Now, you find where they live,

and I will plan
the first shoot in...

-...Fort Collins, Colorado.

The Gateway Pines
Christmas Tree Farm.

It's the third largest

family-owned
Christmas tree farm

in the country.

We already reached out
to the owners,

and they seem
more than happy to have us.

-Why not the largest
Christmas Tree Farm?

-Because if we go too large,

we lose the idea
of something family-run.

-Right.

-Right, that...

That's what I was
going to say.

-Okay, and you both think
this is the right thing to do?

-I do.

It's a good idea.

-Okay, well, I'll be on a plane
in the morning with the crew,

everything will be handled
when I get there--

-You know,
I have a lot of experience

getting segments
like this, Mom--

-I agree, yeah.
Let's send Danny.

-Actually, I would like
to supervise.

I'd like to make sure
that these segments

are still in keeping
in the spirit of the live show.

-While still having
a traditional Christmas feel,

of course.

-Yes, but I am
more than confident

that Stacy here

can keep me posted from Vermont

while you all get settled.

-All right.

Go.

Take a day or two,
make something great.

Work as a team,

and then I will see you
at the Christmas tree lighting,

because that is our tradition.

-Will do.

-Go. Make it happen.

-Travel safe, Mom.

-So, pack your bags...

-And a jacket--
-And a very thick coat--

-The less we do of that--

-The better, yeah.

[♪♪♪]

-All right, so I did some
recon work with the owners

on the phone earlier,

which are adorable,
by the way.

They said that we can shoot
in the field,

but I'm thinking
that we should also--

-Definitely want get shots
of this barn.

-Yeah.

[Lucy arrives, coughing]
-Oh, hey, guys!

[clearing throat]

Oh, hold on.

[sneezes]

-Oh, don't come close.

I'm very sick.

It came on suddenly...

[sneezes]

-Oh.

-Okay, she gets credit
for being professional, but--

-But we all might catch
a terrible flu.

[Danny grumbles]

-We should warn the crew.

-No need.
I am the crew.

-Wait, what?
Just you?

-Just wait till you see
how fast I work

before you go and start
passing judgement.

-Lucy, do you need any tea,
or can we get you something?

-I'm okay, I think.

It's just
a really high fever, and...

-Whoa, whoa,
hey, all right.

-Let's go sit down.

-[Maggie]: Feel better.

-[Danny]: Well, we just lost
your celebrity host.

Scrap that idea.

Head to Vermont
and let's shoot some segments.

-Wait, we don't need a host.

There are plenty of ways
we could still get it.

-You want to shoot
a series of Christmas events

across the country

without a host?

-Yeah.

-Point a camera at things
and hope for the best?

-Wow. Danny, I think I know
what I'm doing.

I've been doing this job
for the last five years

after you quit

and ran away to go make
PSAs for bears, or whatever.

-Documentary nature shorts.

-Okay, look.

Let me know
what decision you come to.

I will be by the car,
calling around for hosts

who can work
this close to Christmas.

[cell phone rings]

-Hey, Stacy, how are you?

How is it going over there?

-The crew and everyone
made it to Vermont,

and it's gorgeous here.

We're having rehearsal
in a little bit,

and Julia's making hot cocoa
to welcome us.

How are things going
on your end?

-Oh, you know,
we lost Lucy Grace,

Danny's being unreasonable,

and if we don't get
the shoot started soon,

I'm not going to have
enough time

to talk to
the first Wise brother,

but other than that, fine.

-Whoa, Maggie!

Okay, take a breath.

[exhales]

-I know.I just, I nk

what would Julia do
in this situation.

-Maybe just consider
what Maggie Baker would do.

-Let them tell their story.

-You know what, you're right.

I think I do know
what Maggie Baker would do.

Thanks, Stace.

I'll talk to you soon.

-Hey.

Okay, so...

maybe we got off
on the wrong foot,

but if you give me a minute,

I think I have an idea
that will work.

-I have a feeling there's
going to be a lot of these.

-Okay, the sooner
you choose to trust me,

the more you'll find

I'm actually
kind of fun to work with.

Come on.

-Come on.

So, you're the oldest
Wise brother?

-Oldest brother,
second to be adopted.

Man, it's getting chilly.

-Uh, you and your brothers

don't spend Christmas
together normally, right?

-Well, just diving into
the personal questions.

-I don't mean to pry.

Your mom, she--

-She's the master
of Christmas decoration

and baked goods, yeah.

-Yes, actually.

-Stupid zipper...

Look, we just like
our Christmases

the old-fashioned way,

and by that I mean
not around all the show biz.

I like stockings
hung by the fire,

picking out a Christmas tree
on a certain day...

-And what's wrong with that?

-Nothing!

I mean, nothing's
wrong with that.

It's just if you adhere
too closely,

where's the room
for adventure?

Christmas doesn't need
to happen

on a particular schedule

in order for it to be
a good one.

-And that's why you're here
shooting a Christmas special

instead of being
with your family?

-Yeah, kind of.

-The first year
the Christmas special came out,

which...

you produced it--

quite well, actually--

-Thank you.

-My family had two girls
in college,

and there wasn't
a lot of money to fly home,

so I spent it in the dorms
with some other people,

and on Christmas Eve,

the Julia Wise
Christmas Special came on,

kept us all company.

That was a really
powerful thing,

so when I graduated,
I went to work for your mom.

I think that what she does
is really important.

It helps people.

-Welcome to Gateway Pines,

and a Merry Christmas
to you both.

Hi. I'm Claire Matthews.

-Oh, hi!

I'm Maggie Baker.

We spoke on the phone.

-Yes!

So how's the television magic
going out there?

-We were wondering

if you would be interested
in doing an interview

for our segment,

seeing that
it's a family-owned farm.

-Oh, no, that's
not really what our--

-Now, Claire,
let's not be hasty.

[chuckling]

-My husband does one production
of "The Music Man"

at community theatre--

-I was good!
-And suddenly.

-Yeah, you were.
He was really good.

[giggling]

-That coat isn't
heavy enough, son.

-That is what I said.
I told you to pack warmer.

[laughing]

-Come on, let's get
you folks a tree.

[Danny]: -Let me grab my gear.

[clears throat]

[whispering]
-Interviewed by whom?

We don't have a host.

-You said you've watched
my segments from the past.

You did your research, right?

-Yeah, there's a lot of 'em.

So?

-Did you ever once
hear my voice?

Or see me in any of them?

Exactly.

You get people talking enough,

the segments
just sort of host themselves.

You'll see.

[Matt]: -You ever cut
your own tree?

[Maggie]:
-I've done it with my folks,

but never on my own.

-What about you,
young man?

[Danny]: -Uh, no, sir.

I'm usually traveling
for Christmas.

-His mom does miraculous
things with trees, though.

I mean, her trees
were in magazines

before she even owned
her own magazine.

-How long have you two
been married?

[chuckles]

-No, no...

-Oh, and you're not dating?

-No, ma'am...

-Now, what you wanna know
about looking for a tree--

Now, don't shake the tree,

needles will always fall off
if you do that.

You want to put your hand
on a branch,

and give it a glide.

If needles come off,
then move on.

Now, I hope you measured
your house.

That's a problem we get...

[quietly] -How long
have you guys been out here?

-Uh, the farm's been
in Matt's family

all his life,

and I married in
about 25 years ago.

Since then, we've been
partners in business

as well as in life.

-Now, Maggie,
come over here.

-You want...

I mean, I don't...

I don't know about this.

[laughing] Wow.

-It's easier
than it looks.

-Now, when you swing the axe,

you want to make sure that
nobody's arms are near you.

-That makes sense.

-Yeah, that sounds about right.
-Good tip.

[laughing]

-Okay, Matt,
stop torturing these people.

[laughs]
-I'm just kidding.

We don't use axes anymore.

But you're
a really good sport.

Most people just panic

when I tell them
to swing an axe.

[starts chainsaw]

-Oh, wait!

Oh, no, you didn't...

you didn't have to cut it.

Sorry, I should have been
more clear.

We have a rental car,

so we can't
bring a tree with us.

-You see the sign?

-Huh.

Okay. [claps]

I guess we got ourselves
a Christmas tree.

-Ho, ho, ho.

-Thank you.

-You're very welcome, son.
-You too.

-I just got some great
extra footage of those two.

-Yeah?
-So sweet.

-You need some help?

-What, it doesn't look
like I have it?

[spluttering]

-You got it?

-[Maggie]:
Hey, we gotta get going,

so if you don't mind not doing

one of your
carefully planned set-ups

that slows us down so much?

-As long as
you keep it spontaneous

by suddenly throwing
two old sweet people

into the mix.

-You're welcome for that,
by the way.

-Thank you.

-I mean it.

They were great.

It's gonna be a good segment.

You were right.

-You're welcome.

I just...

I want your mom
to have a great show,

and I want the audience
to love it, and I want--

-The same things that I want.

-So we both want
what's best for your mom.

-Truce?

-Truce.

-All right,
we gotta get going.

-To the airport?

I'm pretty sure we're still
ahead of schedule.

-Well, extra shots.

You know, snow, mountain,

majesty.

[starts engine]

[♪♪♪]

-Finished.

Perfect timing.

I'll upload it
when we get to the airport.

Wait a second.

I know this place.

-Yeah?

Strange.

-Hi. Excuse me,

I was wondering
if you could help me find--

-Derek?

-Danny?

What are you--
What are you doing here?

[laughing in delight]

-I have no idea.

-You're Derek Wise.

-Third born.
Third adopted.

-Yeah, best hair, best smile.

[Danny]: -Ow!

-I'm sorry, what?

-Nah, it's a joke
my brothers do.

-What's going on?

-I'm Maggie Baker.

I'm producing your mom's
Christmas special this year.

I was wondering if you would--

-Wait, you planned this?

-I can explain.

I now have two
of the three Wise Men.

I wanted to extend
an invite for you

to come
to your mom's show this--

[hastily] -No.

Thanks, but very much
not interested.

Sorry.

-Hungry?

-And your plan was to...

-Look, I can explain.

Just let's get
through dinner.

I'm buying--

-No--
-Steak?

-Fine.
-Okay.

[♪♪♪]

-And you didn't think to ask
anybody in advance?

-All right, the first rule
of getting things done is

it's easier to ask for
forgiveness than permission.

-Why don't you guys want
to spend Christmas

with each other?

-You don't give up
easily, do you?

-[Maggie]: Never once, no.

Never do.

-My brothers have been upset
by the Christmas special

since the first year
of the show.

We get along fine
all year long,

but then Christmas comes along,
and things take a turn.

We just don't
spend it together.

Okay, here we go.

Maybe I still have this...

Yup.

-[young Derek singing off-key]
♪ I saw three ships ♪

♪ Come sailing in ♪

♪ On Christmas day
on Christmas day... ♪

-Oh...

Wow.

-Yeah.

He was 16.

He wanted to sing
on the first year of mom's show,

which I was producing,

and I said no.

As you can imagine,
that didn't go well.

-Yeah, I can imagine.

-I hurt his feelings.

Since then,
neither one of my brothers

wants anything to do
with the Special.

I was just trying
to protect him.

-Well, have you told him that?

-No.

We don't... we don't talk
about that stuff.

Brothers just...

don't talk about feelings.

-Okay.

-And what about you, huh?

I don't see you spending
Christmas with the Bakers.

Where are they?

-Hitchens, Nebraska.

And my family is crazy
about Christmas.

I mean, they do it great.

But, um, they understand
that I'm working.

-Um, excuse me,
what's happening out there?

-Ah, that's the resort's
annual snowman relay.

-Really?

Have you guys considered
ever filming it

for, say,
a Christmas special segment?

[clears throat]
-Wait, wait, wait, wait.

No, no, no, we've got
to hit the road.

And a snowman relay?

What-what even is that?

-Well...

-You build a snowman
in one place,

and then you roll each piece
over to the next place.

In teams.

-What does the winner get?

-The satisfaction of
a well-built snowman.

-Okay.

But I need you to get
permission--

-Yup! Doing it.

-Okay, I didn't mean
to be rude before.

I'm sorry, it's just
my last day before vacation,

and I didn't expect
to see Danny here--

-No, no, no, I'm sorry,
I was being pushy.

And, you know, we were just
passing through...

Okay, I... orchestrated us
passing through.

There's no way
you'll come with us?

-So we started
having this relay

as a way to keep
the kids entertained.

From there,
we just kept it going

-That was... everything
we needed, Erin.

Thank you, that was perfect.

-No problem.

-Let me say goodbye to Derek,
and we'll get on the road.

-I thought you were
forming a team.

You have to choose
a team name.

-Yes.

-What? No...

No, no, thank you, but--

-[Maggie]: We will do...

"Thumpity Thump Thump."

-That's a good one.

-What are the other names?

No, I mean....

We don't have time for this.

-Well, no, you do need
a third person

in order to form your own team.

-We have a third person.

-We do?

-I just finished my last shift
before break, anyway.

[Maggie]: -Okay, don't get mad,
but Derek and I made a bet

that if I could get you
to participate

in the snowman relay,

he will come with us.

-Yeah, but we also have to win.

-There is that, too.

-So...

-Okay...

When I say go,

you will all build your snowman.

Once it's complete,
raise your hands.

and I'll bring you a carrot,

and then disassemble
your snowman,

and roll it,

one piece at time,

over to these targets.

The first two teams

to put their snowman
back together

advance to the next round.

Okay?

[cheering] -Yes!

-[Erin]: You ready?

Three, two, one!

Go!

-You get a small...
Roll it in a small--

-There's not
going to be enough--

-And then it gets bigger--

-No, first, you--
Whoa!

-How did you do that?

-I just did it,

instead of arguing
about how to do it.

Have you guys
tried that maybe?

-Okay, well...

I'll get this snow.

-You know, this is
a lot of effort

just to impress a girl.

-Hey, cool it, all right?

We just work together.

-Oh, really,
because your hair looks good,

and... [sniffs]
you're wearing cologne.

Don't think I can't smell it.

[Danny]: -Don't smell me--

-It smells good, though.
[laughing]

Look, I know
this Christmas special

has always been
a thing for us, okay,

and I know you spend
the holidays with David, so--

-Okay, can we not talk
about this right now?

Please?

[Maggie]: -Okay, guys,
ready, ready?

Carrot! Carrot!

[Erin]: -Another team ready?

[Maggie]: -Carrot...

[Danny]: -All right.

[Maggie]: -Take it!

Roll it to the other side.
Go, go, go, go, go!

-Go, Danny, go!

Why is this
so important to you?

[Maggie]: -Because your mom
has been so good to me.

And she works every Christmas,
and she gives it her all.

Doesn't she deserve
a good Christmas, too?

She really wants to see you.

-Right, go, go!

[Maggie]:
-Go, go, go, go!

-Maggie, I really appreciate
everything you're trying to do,

but my family doesn't like
surprises, okay?

[Derek]: -Okay, final piece!
Final piece!

-Wow, you are so much
quicker than Danny.

-You gotta go!
-Maggie, go!

-Yeah, okay, okay!

-Push, push!

[Derek]: -More.
[Danny]: -It's all you!

[Danny]: -Take us home!

[Derek]: -Less leg!

[Maggie]: -A little help, guys?

-Ah, should we help?
I'll go help.

Okay, come on!

[Danny]: -Scarf!
Scarf, scarf, scarf, scarf...

[Maggie]: -Scarf, scarf,
scarf, scarf, scarf!

-Yeah!

[all cheering]

[crowd applauds]

Well, good effort, guys.

But...

a deal is a deal.

-Actually...

I didn't really care
if we won or not.

I just kind of wanted
to see Danny

get his hands dirty,

ruffle up his hair a bit,
with his cologne...

-You little--

[laughing]

-Plus...

I'm pretty sure
if Dad was still here,

he'd tell us
to get over ourselves

and go see Mom.

-I'm sure you're right
about that.

-Yeah, well...

you're not going to convince
David to come, but...

Well, it might not matter.

They're definitely closing
the airports tonight.

-How do you know that?

-I've seen it before.

You can try to book a ticket,

or we can stay
ahead of the storm

by driving east
to the next major airport.

It'd take all night,
but it's Omaha.

-That's the plan.

-Wait, but it's six hours away.

-And your point?

-My point is... let's go.

[♪♪♪]

-I'll pay any price

to the first person

that brings me
a bucket of coffee.

Where are we?

-Good morning, sleepyhead!

-What?

-Maggie!

-Mom?

-How are you here?

-I... honestly have no idea.

-We outran the storm...

...then we saw Hitchens,

and we thought, "Hmm, man,

if her family
is that into Christmas,

we have just got
to see it ourselves."

-And you guys didn't
wake me up to ask?

-How does that go, uh...

it's better to ask forgiveness
rather than permission.

Mom, Dad!

-Sweetheart, don't slip.

-How is that you're here?

-Seriously, again,
I have no idea.

[laughing]

-Hi!

Oh, I missed you!

-Hi. Danny Wise.

-[Dad]: Nice to meet you.
-This is my brother, Derek.

-Hi. Merry Christmas.

-[Derek]: Nice to meet you.
Derek. Hi.

-[Danny]: I work with Maggie.

-I'm Kate,
Maggie's sister.

Mom, these are
Julia Wise's sons.

-Okay, guys, let's not make
a big deal about it.

-It turns out that

Maggie loves surprising people
with family,

so we thought
we'd return the favor.

-Well, you're just in time
for the White Elephant.

-White Elephant?

[Kate]: -It's a gift exchange
party game,

and nobody does it better
than our parents.

-Has anyone ever filmed it?

-You brought a tree?

[Maggie]: -Oh, that, uh...

Yes!

That is for you guys.

-That's our Maggie,
keeping us on our toes!

-Come on in.

-You hungry?

-Yeah, starving.

-There's tons of food,
come in.

[Derek]: -Hey.
[Kate]: -Hi.

-This is an ambush.

-So my family is fair game,
but yours is off-limits?

-[Maggie]: That is different.

Are you seriously thinking about
recording the White Elephant?

-I do think it could make
a good segment.

-Danny, my family,
they're not--

-[Danny]:
Your family loves Christmas.

Look, I won't film them
if you don't want me to.

But look at this.

This warmth and tradition,

you can't fake it on TV.

If it were this easy to make,

I never would have
left this show.

-Why did you quit the show?

-Hey... Are you coming in?

'Cause your family is
starting that gift thing,

and it's really intense
in there.

[Kate calling]:
-Look who's here, everyone!

-Merry Christmas!

-Aunt Maggie!

-Ah!

Oh, my gosh, you are so big!

You got so tall!

-Now I wish
we brought presents.

-Oh! Derek, right?
Yeah.

-Come with me.

[Maggie]: -Go with my mom.
She's got you covered.

-Hi. Derek.
Hi. Nice to meet you.

-Hi!

Oh, I didn't think I was gonna
get to see you guys!

Oh, Lois Baker's famous
emergency present cabinet.

[Lois]: -I don't know
exactly what is what,

but one of these
is a manicure kit...

-Ooh.

-...There is a, uh, amaryllis
that you grow from a bulb.

This is just a gigantic
box of candy,

which, trust me,
will be the most popular.

-Okay, you just keep
wrapped presents

for emergencies?

-Well, moms have to plan.

I mean, what if
something breaks,

or somebody brings a friend.

Or a vegetarian.

You know what's
the most important

is something that
your mom says every year

on her Christmas special,

"Let's just enjoy
each other's enjoyment," right?

That's what makes Christmas
the most special.

-Yeah.

-[Mom]: Who has an empty hand?

Can you take these over?
Sally decorated those.

-Great. Whoa...

-This is bacon-wrapped dates.

Here is some salami
on spiced onions,

which is incredible,
you should taste that.

-I'm a vegetarian.
[chuckles awkwardly]

-Well, then for you,
I have some veggies and dip.

-The Bakers are pretty good
at this Christmas thing, huh?

-Yeah, we're pretty lucky
like that.

-Okay, let's do this.

Okay, I'm going
to need your help

getting all
the presents ready.

setting up
for White Elephant.

-Yes...

-Okay, bring 'em on.
[clapping] Pile 'em up!

[Sally]: -I think I'll get
the White Elephant.

[Maggie]: -You're gonna get it?

[Sally]: -I-I hope.

-Okay, hey, everybody,
can I just...

can I just take a minute
to say that...

I am so glad

that I got to see you all

a few days
before Christmas.

-It's good to see
you, too, honey.

-And...

I can't believe
I'm going to say this.

I was wondering if you all

would want to be part
of Julia Wise's Christmas--

[hastily] -Yes!
Definitely, yes.

[scattered snorts of laughter]

[more casually]
-I mean... sure,

if you want.

Just let us brush our hair
out first, and...

-Go do your hair, Kate.

-Okay.
[laughter]

-Okay, act natural,
you guys, come on.

Okay, get set up,

and don't get too much
of my Aunt because she's got--

-Hey, don't worry.

I'm not going
to embarrass anyone.

Scout's honor.

-You were a scout?

-I'm thinking about joining.

-Huh.

Okay.

[laughs]

[Kate]: -Okay,
remember the rules,

you can either take a gift
from the pile

or steal a gift.

Now, if your gift is stolen,
you get the next turn,

but every gift can be stolen
how many times

before it is safe?

[all shouting] -Two times!
-Two times!

-Two, I think.
-[Kate]: -Correct.

-Now, there are 17 people
and 17 gifts,

and, yes,

one of them
is the famous white elephant.

Dad over here--

-I got it last year!

[laughter]

-Did you autograph it?

-I'm gonna break with tradition?
Of course, I did!

[Kate]: -Okay.

Now, does everyone
have a number?

[everyone shouts] -Yes!

-All right,
let's get started.

-Okay. Well, curiously,
I have number one.

[everyone gasps]

-♪ Rockin' around
the Christmas tree... ♪

-I'll go with that one.
-No, no, no. That one.

-♪ ...At the Christmas
party hop... ♪

♪ Mistletoe hung
where you can see ♪

♪ Every couple tries to stop ♪

♪ Rockin' around
the Christmas tree ♪

♪ Let the Christmas spirit
ring ♪

♪ Later, we'll have
some pumpkin pie ♪

♪ And we'll do
some caroling... ♪

-I want that.

♪ -...You will get
a sentimental feeling ♪

♪ When you hear ♪

♪ Voices singing
let's be jolly ♪

-♪ Deck the halls... ♪
-Okay, okay, okay!

-♪ ...With boughs of holly ♪

♪ Rockin' around
the Christmas tree ♪

♪ Have a happy holiday ♪

♪ Everyone dancing merrily ♪

♪ In the new
old-fashioned way... ♪

-Number 10.

Who's 10?

-Um...

-Oh, uh...
D-d-d-d-doo...

that's me.

-Here, yup.

[Kate]: -Now, you can either
steal a gift

or pick one from the pile.

♪ ...In the new
old-fashioned way ♪

-Going for the gold!

[everyone cheering]

[applause and cheers]

-Very good.

[laughter and clapping]

-The elusive White Elephant.

[laughter]

In his natural habitat.

Look at the prestige on him.

[laughter]

-That means you get to keep it
for a year

and bring it next year.

-Huh?

Oh, does that mean
I'm invited back?

-Potentially.

[laughter]

-Oh, Dad, here,
let me help you.

I'll get more firewood.

[Lois]: -I think
that brings us to 11?

[Sally]: -Ooh, getting closer
to the end.

-You remember how to--

-I know, yeah.

Dad taught me.

-You just point it--

-Yeah.

[Kate]: -My turn.

[Derek]: -Okay, superstar.

[Kate]: -Let's do it.

[chuckling]

-Whew!

Ah, hey!
Come on, let me help you out.

[chuckling awkwardly]

-Your family, they are, uh...

[laughs]

They're great.

-Yeah.

I guess I've always known
how lucky I am

having grown up
with Christmases like this,

but somehow, it's even nicer

getting to see it
through someone else's eyes.

It kind of reminds me why--

-Why you went to work
for my mom, hmm?

Mrs. Christmas.

-Yeah.

I get to share
some of what I had

with people that maybe didn't.

You should always
get to spend Christmas

surrounded by people
that you love.

-You should.

[♪♪♪]

[incoming video chat chimes]

-Yup.

-Oh.

-Hey, Mom.

-Julia.

-Hey, we just watched

the Christmas tree
farm segment.

It's great!

[Danny]: -Yeah?

-I uploaded the segment
to Vermont

from the last resort.

-Well, you two are doing
amazing work, really.

I'd actually like to add
more of those segments

if you can get them.

-Are you sure?

Uh, I mean, you guys are
already rehearsing.

The plan...
it'd be hard to change.

-No, no, no, no, no.

Maggie gave us
really good instructions,

so, you know,
rehearsals are a breeze.

Live show is great,

but I just think if we add

more of these
traditional segments,

everybody at the network
will be more comfortable,

and honestly,

I'll feel a lot better, too.

-Well, Julia, you are in luck.

We are about to send you
another segment.

It is Christmas party games
for families.

-Ooh!

That sounds good.

Just make sure
you're back tomorrow

for the tree lighting.

Great job, you two.

Bye!

[Stacy]: -Bye!

-Thanks, Mom.

-Well, it looks like
the storm is catching up to us,

and if you want to try
and pop in on David,

we should probably--

-Look, I know that this show
is changing a lot...

-No, it's fine.

Really.

It's okay.

-Mag--

[♪♪♪]

-Maggie!

-Hey.

-Here.

Extra cookies.

Don't tell Dad.
I took his stash.

-Aw, you swindled
that sweet old man for me.

That means so much.

-Everything okay, by the way?

[sighs]

-You know when you work
really hard for something,

and you get so close,

and then it's just...

slowly pulled out
from under you?

And you just start
to doubt yourself?

-Not me.

Everything I try
goes perfectly.

[laughs]

-Maggie, I teach high school,

and I had to keep
their attention all last week

before they went
on Christmas break.

So, yes, I'm familiar with
doubting my abilities at work.

But I also happen to know

the Baker sisters have
an uncanny knack

for getting right back up.

-You're the best.

[Kate]: -Love you.

-I love you, too.

-I love you!

-We'll be watching
the special, kiddo.

-You better.

-Oh, Merry Christmas.

-I love you.

[all shouting]
-Merry Christmas! Bye!

-Safe travels!
-Safe travels!

[♪♪♪]

-Thanks.

-Why not just ask him?

You know, say,
"Hey, free trip to Vermont,

and all the free baked goods
you could possibly eat--"

-And that is the fastest way
to get him to say no.

-Yeah.
David's tricky.

-I am very persuasive.

-Yeah, she is.

-If you want to get him
to come with us,

let us do the talking.

-Trust us.

-...With that winter storm

that has already
blown through the Midwest.

For more on that--

-Thank you. Charles.

Rob McPherson here...

-Hi.

-Hi. How can I help y--

Oh, wow.

-Surprise!

-Well, if it isn't Derek.

-Good to see you.

-Whoa, what's going on?

-Hey, look at this guy!

How you doing, bud?

-Good.

-Hey, bro.
-Hi.

-Maggie, I'd like you to meet
our brother, David.

-First adopted.
Second-oldest.

-Oh, by far the smartest.

-And unquestionably
kindest to animals.

-Handsomest.

I've said it for years.

-Eh, top three, for sure.

[laughing]

Hi. I'm David.

-Hi.

-And this is Bradley.

-Hi. David and I
own this place together.

-Hi, Bradley, I'm Danny.

-So nice to meet you both.

David, I work with your mom.

-Oh.

-And your brothers and I

have been on
quite the adventure so far.

[whistles]

They've even agreed to come--

-We've agreed to make
some videos

for the upcoming
Christmas special this year.

-Doesn't Mom's show air
on Christmas Eve?

That's in, like, two days.

-Yes, and one of the things
that we're doing this year--

-We're traveling the country,

seeing different
Christmas traditions,

and, uh... [snaps fingers]
you see, Derek, he told us

about your annual puppy party...

-[chuckles]

-...and we thought
it'd be a good opportunity

to make a video about it.

-Tell me more
about this puppy party.

-We throw a Christmas party
for the rescue animals

every year,

and we have a great time.

-Okay.

But I don't want to be
the one on camera.

[Derek]: -No, yeah, obviously--

-Can't put that mug
on camera, come on--

-Would you want to?

-Uh, well...

it'd put that
theatre degree to good use.

-I agree, let's do it.

-Oh, yeah, he agrees, too.
What's his name?

-Murray.

-Murray.
Okay, puppy party, Murray.

Puppy party! Bark, bark, bark!

Let's go!

[laughing]
-Puppy party for Murray!

[♪♪♪]

-Okay, looks like we've got
everything we wanted.

Uh...

any last tips
you want to give us?

-If you're trying to get
a good photo,

where your pup makes that cute
sideways face they do,

remember, a favorite
or familiar toy

is your best bet.

The squeakier the better.

[squeaks toy]

[gasps]

[chuckling]

[chuckles]

-That's good.

-Thanks again
for letting us film this.

Your mom talks about you
all the time.

-I know.
I watch the special.

[chuckles]

It's just a little too much.

[Maggie]: -I get it.

Traditions.

It's always nice
to make new ones.

Like, your mom, for instance,

she's doing the show
live this year,

and your brothers have
agreed to come set.

-Wait, was this a set-up?

-A very well-intentioned one.

-Uh-huh, and-and did they
convince you to help?

-Hey, I love spending
Christmas here, David.

I love all our traditions
that we have on our own.

Like, uh, walking the dogs
on Christmas Eve,

and the puppy party,

and when Bradley and your
friends make that feast--

-Well, that's the plan.

That's the tradition
you and I have made.

-I just figured
maybe it was time

we thought more about
what Mom wants on Christmas

than what we want.

Plus...

I miss spending it with Danny.

-You guys have
your own tradition.

I get why...
the way mom celebrates,

it isn't the way
that you want to.

I get it, and I would
join you, I would,

I would, but that would mean--

-Yeah, we know.

-Mom would be alone
on Christmas

while the three of us
were together.

That's not right.

-Look, Danny, I know
that we didn't ask you--

-Hey, hey, David, David...

Let's not rehash it.

We're good.

We got the footage we need.

It's pretty simple.

Come with us if you want.

We leave for Vermont
in the morning.

-I'll get some dinner started
for the dogs.

-I get that Mom's show

is a big part of Christmas
for some people.

I love that about her.

-Then come to Vermont with us.

-After our dad died,

this is how
my mom processed it.

With work.

It's not like we felt ignored.

Not once, ever, but...

Christmas can be hard.

You know, that's how
she gets through.

This is how I do it.

Here.

-Do you know why,
in the Christmas story,

they call them wise men?

-Because they know
what Myrrh was?

And where to find gold?

-And yes, and they were
crazy for frankincense.

No...

No, it's because
they changed their plans.

They had been told

to basically go spy
on this homeless family,

and that was their plan,

until an angel visits them
and says, "Hey,

what do you guys think
you're doin'?"

And they realized that
they could change their plans.

They were called wise

because they made
the better choice.

They sheltered a family
away to safety.

I'm just saying...

plans can change.

-Yeah, I, uh...

I think that, uh...

[door opens]

[kittens mewing]

Special delivery.

A good Samaritan
found them in the park.

-Well...

[mewing]

-I'm sorry, Maggie.

I belong here.

[kittens mewing]

-Look at these guys.

-Yeah, there's four of them.

-Better get to work then.

-Yup.

[news report]:
-...An unprecedented,

fast-moving storm

that's going to give
a lot of New Englanders

that White Christmas
they dreamed of,

rolling over the North East

and bringing
airport closures with it...

-You know, you two
work well together,

you and Danny.

-Yeah, well,
we've learned from the best.

Your mom is very generous
with praise.

It is easy to learn that way.

-Yeah, my brothers
picked that up.

The generosity?

Yeah, David takes care
of the animals.

And Danny...

did you know that he sends me
a box of food every month?

He says he doesn't
want me to starve,

and I tell him,
"Danny, I'm doing fine,"

and he's like,
"Hey, it doesn't matter,

you're my little brother,

here's a jar of peanut butter."

[laughs] -Do you eat it?

-[Derek]: Oh, always.

All of it, every month.

-That's sweet.

[Danny]:
-All right, bad news,

the airport's closed.

Good news,

I got us tickets on a train
they think will get through.

It leaves in a couple hours,
but we gotta go now.

-What, do you mean, like--

[together]: -Right now?

-No, I reject this alliance.

-It seems so urgent.

-Super serious.
-Are you okay?

[horn honks]
-Oh, that's us! Okay!

Yeah! Us! Thank you! Sorry.

-You know,
for what it's worth,

my mom's going to be really
excited to see Derek tomorrow.

-I hope so.

[police siren wails]

-Okay.

And on that note...

[Derek]: -Come on,
let's go, let's go!

[♪♪♪]

-All passengers,
your attention, please.

The train will be delayed
until further notice.

-All right,
well, the conductor says

that they're still clearing
the snow off the tracks

Should we rent a car,

try and get a cab?

-How far are we again?

-I still don't have any service.

-Derek, what are you doing?

-Well, even if we don't
make it to the tree lighting,

we'll still make it to the show.

Let's shoot something.

-Are you sure?

Asking people
delayed from travel

is a huge risk.

Watch.

Hi, ma'am, how do you feel
about holiday travel?

-Anytime it snows
near Christmas,

we should all just stay home
and eat whatever we can find.

-[Danny]: Good advice.

-Merry Christmas.

[Maggie]: -Merry Christmas.
[Derek]: -Thank you.

-Okay, I was trying
to use her as an example,

but that was great,
and I wish you were filming it.

-Yeah, me too.
[laughs]

-Let's try that again.

-Yeah?

Come on.

-Excuse me.
Can I get your names?

-Uh... I'm Marissa,
this is Joey.

-Hi.

-Hi. Would you guys mind
talking to us

for our Christmas TV special?

-Uh... sure.

-Great.

Where are you folks headed?

-Well, we were
going to Vermont.

-This train
isn't usually as packed,

but the storm has
everything all messed up.

We just bought the last ticket.

One ticket, two people.

-Three if you count
this little guy.

I say we'll be fine.

Christmas is a time
for miracles.

-You don't seem
so worried, though.

-Everyone says
Christmas travel and delays

are this huge hassle.

But look around.

It's beautiful out.

It's magic this time of year.

-We are now ready
to board passengers

at this time.

Please have your tickets ready
and begin boarding,

thank you.

-You folks
have a good Christmas.

-Is there anything
we can do to help?

-No, it's all right.

We'll figure it out.

-Merry Christmas.

[together]: -Merry Christmas.

-Maggie, I'll get them
to sign waivers.

-[Maggie]: Great.

-I feel so bad...

-Are you sure?

Oh, my gosh, thank you!

[Derek]: -Merry Christmas.

[Marissa]: -Merry Christmas!
Thank you!

Thank you!

-Merry Christmas.

-Merry Christmas.
-Merry Christmas.

[Derek]: -So...

I did something.

-What did you do?

-I gave that couple my ticket.

-What about
the tree-lighting ceremony?

Your mom?

-Yeah, Mom will be fine.

She won't know
she's missing me

any more than usual.

Just...
Just don't tell her.

Now, will you guys
all get on the train?

-You Wise men...

you're a complicated bunch.

-You...

-Me?
-You...

-I'm proud of you.

-[Derek]: All right.

-Now, eat something, will you?

-[Derek[: Yeah, I know, I know.

-I snuck some peanut butter
in your bag.

-[Derek]: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[♪♪♪]

-[Danny]:
Mom's house is over that ridge.

It's too far to walk.

-Stacy says our ride
is here, but--

-No.

-You gotta be kidding me.

[text message chimes]

[laughs]
-We're taking the sleigh.

-You know,

the storm wasn't so bad.

It was sort of fun.

-Yeah.

It was.

And I learned some things.

You're kind of
good at your job.

-Even if I'm too traditional?

-I could use a little
more traditional in my life.

We make a good team.

-I called around.

You know that
any of the volunteers and I

would be happy to help out

if you want to go be
with your Mom

and your brothers.

-Merry Christmas.

-Wh--?

[♪♪♪]

-Wow.
-Okay.

[doorbell rings]

[squeals of joy]

-You made it!

Oh...

-How are you?

How are rehearsals going?

-Rehearsals are good!

Yeah, the only thing
that we didn't rehearse

was cooking the Christmas goose
on live TV.

But hey, what could go wrong?

-We could pre-cook the goose.

-No, I'm fine.
I'm kidding.

Jitters.

I have faith in all of us.

And... I have one of my boys
with me for Christmas.

So, come on,
we have a tree to light,

and I also saved you
some ornaments to put on it.

-Hey.

We made it.

-Yeah.

[♪♪♪]

-Wow.

-What a tree, huh?
-Right?

-Whoa...

[laughs]

-I made that.

Mm-hmm.

Fourth grade.

-Oh... wow.

This explains our performance
in the relay.

-Ouch.

-Can I ask you something?

-I saved these for you.

Thank you.

-What are they?

-Your dad's
favorite decorations.

-What?

-I put them away
so many years ago,

but having you back, Danny,

I figured
I'd bring them out again.

Oh, my goodness.

I keep meaning
to send that to Derek.

[exhales]

-Their father would
sing Christmas carols

and play that ukulele
all Christmas Eve.

[plucking string]

-He always said

it didn't matter
if you could sing or not

because Christmas carols
were for everybody.

[timer dings]

-My pies.

-There you are.

We should load your segments
into the server

sooner rather than later.

-Right.
-Yeah.

-I'm on it.

-And your room
is in the guesthouse,

and there's still
a few things to go over.

-Do you want to do that now?

-Yeah, if that's cool.

-Yeah.

-Julia's a natural
with the Teleprompter...

but I think next year,

we should convince her
to just wing it.

She's more fun that way.

-And the crew is happy?

-Are you kidding?

Maggie, when Julia says
we're a family,

she means it.

We went sledding
and ice skating.

This place is like a...

It's like
a Christmas theme park.

-Yeah.

And all the while,

her real family
couldn't make it.

-Yeah.

What happened with that?

-They've just, they've got
so much history

surrounding Christmas,

and I just stuck my nose
right in there, and...

I don't know,

I can't help wonder
if I made things worse.

-I'm sure you did fine.

You tried,

that's the important thing.

-Mm-hmm.

-[Stacy]: Come on.

Let's go get you
settled in the guest house.

-Ooh...
-Guest house.

-All right,
gather around, everyone.

I think it's time

we light up this
Christmas tree, don't you?

-Hey-oo...

[Julia]: -But first,
a Christmas toast.

To those gathered with us,

and to those
gathered without us.

To those less fortunate,

and those with
the wisdom to help.

Here's to the light
in each and every one of us.

Merry Christmas!

[everyone]:
-Merry Christmas!

[awestruck gasps]

[♪♪♪]

-How you doing?

-Oh, you know,

finally decided
to shake off my mood.

We always have next year

to convince your brothers.

[murmurs of concern]

-Okay, it's...

It's okay.

It's all good,

I've got this.

-Um, remind me...

to order some generators.

I mean, if this were to...

if this were to happen
during the show...

[crew cheers]

[everyone applauding]
-[Julia]: Ta-dah!

-Generators it is.

-Yeah.

[♪♪♪]

Hey.

I'm sorry.

I thought everybody
went to bed.

-Oh, no, I think
that they did.

This is just
the first quiet in a few days.

-I'm just doing
a last-minute edit or two.

-It's coming down.

[sighs]

-What's that?

-Oh, uh,

it's just a collection
of clips that I'm not using,

so...

you know, sometimes,
I like to cut them together,

make smaller videos.

-Well, let's see 'em.

-They're not really--

-Let's see them.

[Lois]: -Thank you
for bringing Maggie home.

[Derek]: -Oh,
it's the least we can do.

I mean, your daughter
spends Christmas

pulled into our mom's show--

[Lois]: -My daughter never
gets pulled into anything.

Maggie is always exactly who

and exactly where
she's supposed to be.

-And how.

[Lois sighs fondly]

-Look at her,

I am so proud of her.

Boy, you must be
proud of your mom, too.

[Derek]: -Yeah, I am.

It's just...

Well, sometimes,
I wish that our family

could find room for a Christmas
like this, you know?

For all of us.

-Just remember...

it's a two-way street.

-Danny, this is...

...really great.

-Oh!

-I'm sorry, I thought
everyone had gone to bed.

-Uh, Mom, you know,
we're just, um--

-Some edits...

But we have a show tomorrow,
so I'm gonna get to bed.

-No, no, actually,
I-I'm the one

who should
go and get some rest--

-We should all get some rest.

-Yeah.

-But... after this show
is said and done,

I already want to talk
about next year,

because the behind-the-scenes
segments that your son did

are exactly the feel
that we want

for next year's show.

[sighs in relief] -Well,
I cannot wait to see them.

Although we are going
to have to start thinking

about getting a crew, then,
for next year.

-Why?
We've got Danny.

-Well, no, Danny's not
going to be here next year,

so we are going to need
to look for--

I thought you knew.

-I agreed that this would be
a one-time thing.

I have other jobs lined up.

-No, I didn't know that.

[Julia]: -Well, I should have
been a lot more clear.

The network wanted
what worked before,

and of course,
I wanted to see Danny--

-Right, no, I mean,
that makes complete sense.

[tersely] I'm gonna head to bed.

So have a good night,
everybody,

and Merry Christmas.

[sighs]

[Danny shouts] -Maggie!

Wait!

Look, I'm sorry
I didn't tell you!

-Really, there's no point.

-Look, this is a good thing,
ultimately.

-What?

-You won't have to deal with
somebody getting in your way.

It gives you the opportunity

to do what you want to do
with the show.

-[Maggie]: An opportunity?

I've been doing this for years.

It's not an opportunity, Danny,
it's my job.

-You know
that's not what I meant--

-[Maggie]: You know, a job
that I was doing pretty well

until you decided to swoop in
and change things up,

and you don't...

I just...

I started thinking
that maybe this was...

a new way of working,

a better way of working.

-Maggie, this week
has been incredible.

Everything,

the road trip,

you and me...

I like working with you.

A lot.

-Me too.

You know, I don't mean
to be all...

It's just that, you know,

people tell me all the time
how independent I am,

and I really like that
about myself,

but...

I also like you.

-Maggie--

-You know what, Danny, it's...

We have a job to do.

Good night.

-Man...

[♪♪♪]

[rotary telephone rings]

-Merry Christmas!

-How did you know it was me?

That phone is ancient.

-I didn't.

I've just always liked the way
Mom answers the phone,

"Merry Christmas!"

And at this time of year,
I picked it up myself.

-Hmm.

-Well... what are you up to?

-Mom asked the kids
to come over last night,

so I'm here making breakfast.

What's going on?

Is it that handsome camera dude
you rode through here with?

-How did you know?

-I have eyes.

And I was waiting for you
to say something

before I asked.

-Kate...

I let myself like someone
that I shouldn't have.

-Why?

Because you work together?

-I thought that was it.

And now I find out

he's not going to be
working with me much longer.

But...

I was sort of into the idea.

And... now he's just
another guy that works in TV.

You know, another guy that has
an erratic work schedule

and travels constantly.

-And is fiercely independent?

I don't know anyone
who's compatible for that.

At least not anyone
who is also my sister.

-Maggie, when I met my husband,
what did you tell me?

-I know what I said.

But that doesn't--

-You said, "If you like him,
go ahead and like him.

Work it out later."

-Right, but that's not--

-That's advice
for everyone else,

but not for you?

-Yes?

-Well, then may I suggest
you start taking advice

from my sister, Maggie.

She's really smart.

-I'll consider it.

-That's all I ask.

Go get him, Mags.

-Merry Christmas.

-Merry Christmas.

[sighs]

♪ -Deck the halls
with boughs of holly ♪

♪ Fa-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-- ♪

Hey!

Merry Christmas Eve!

-Wow, is there a tour group,

or a fleet of sailors,

or maybe little mini elves
coming that I don't know about?

-Yeah, well, this is what I do
when I'm nervous.

I just wanted to start early

on the crew meal,

and, you know,
go over my lines.

-Well, you will have
the Teleprompter,

and it takes you through
the entire show,

from cooking of the goose
to the end.

-Good. Because wow,
I cannot memorize a thing.

-I know.

-Merry Christmas Eve,
everyone.

[awkwardly] -Back atcha.

Um, I have some things
that I need to re-check, so...

-Yeah, I, uh...

I downloaded all the videos
so we can throw to them.

-Great. And the Teleprompter
is loaded,

so we can check that--

-Good, why don't you two

take this conversation
maybe somewhere else?

-I'm sorry, are we
making you nervous, Mom?

-Yeah. Yup.

-Why don't-
why don't we help?

All of us.

[Danny]:
-That's not a bad idea.

We'll all pitch in, you know?

Take the edge off.

[doubtfully] -Mm-hmm.

-Stacy, can you help me
over here, please?

-I've, um...

got some rosemary
if you want it.

-No, the recipe doesn't
call for it.

-Okay.

-Here.

-What's that?

-It's the behind-the-scenes
clips that you liked.

I thought I'd make
a copy for you.

-Oh.

Thank you.

-I left the show
because of my brothers.

To answer your question.

-When my dad died,

my mom poured herself
into her work.

I mean, she was heartbroken,
you know?

And she hired me
right out of college

to produce the first special.

I did it,

for two years.

It was great, but...

it made my brothers feel
left out.

Eventually,
I started to notice

that they were spending
Christmas in one place,

and Mom and I were
spending it another.

I quit because...

it wasn't fair.

I mean, if I wanted to spend
Christmas with my brothers,

then that would mean

that my mom would be alone
on Christmas,

and that wasn't fair to her.

It was a no-win situation.

-You spend Christmas alone?

-I travel.

I work.

Christmas in Iceland

is a lot more impressive
than you'd think.

-I know it doesn't
call for it, but...

trust me.

[groans jokingly] -Aw!

Pushy...

you just have to have your hands
in everything, don't you?

[Maggie]: -When you know
something works,

you just gotta trust me.

[♪♪♪]

[satellite whirring]

-Thank you for joining us.

I'm Julia Wise.

Have a Merry Christmas.

All right, everyone,
that's the last rehearsal!

[all cheering and clapping]

[Maggie]: -All right, everybody,
take a bite of your cookie,

take a sip of your coffee,

and prepare yourselves!

We're about to go live.

-But please save room
for the crew meal after?

[Maggie]: -All right,
let's get set to go.

-Oh, thank you.

-Looks good--

[everyone gasps]

-What?

[Maggie]: -Wait, no,
wait for it, don't freak out.

[sighs nervously]

[generator cranking up]

[sighs]

[Maggie]: -And the generators
are up and running,

nothing to see here, folks,

just a little
pre-show excitement.

-All right, that's
30 seconds, everyone!

-[Stacy]: Um, Danny?

-What's happening?

[Stacy]: -Uh, does anyone see
the segments on the server?

-What's going on, gang?

We're airing in 30 seconds.

-No, no, no, no...

-What? What?
What's wrong?

-I think there was a surge
when the power came back on.

We can broadcast live,

but it is going
to take a while

for these servers
to boot back up.

-Wait, so we don't have
the segments?

-Whoa, wait a minute,

we're doing
the whole show live?

-No, no-- Maybe.

I just, I don't know yet.

-Okay, five seconds, everyone.

-Julia, you okay with this?

-Yeah, yeah,
I'll have the Teleprompter.

-The-the prompter
is booting up, too.

-Okay, you're on in three...

[whispering] -Julia?

[whispering] -Julia!

-Hello.

Merry Christmas.

As promised,

we are bring you The Julia Wise
Christmas Special live

this year,

but fear not!

Because
we have thick sweaters,

we have plenty of food,

and have a show
full of Christmas cheer.

But first...

At the end of
"A Christmas Carol,"

Dickens writes
of the Cratchits' meal,

"There never was such a goose.

"Its flavor, tenderness,
size, and value,

were the themes
of universal admiration."

So tonight,
I'm going to show you

how to make the perfect
Christmas goose.

-Is this in the script?

-No. She's winging it.

It's great.
-...As always in cooking...

-Right.
-...you want to make sure

that you cut yourself
a little slack.

If you've invited people
into your home,

well, you have to remember,

that they probably
love you enough

to forgive you
any kind of kitchen mistake.

-Right, how are
the segments coming?

She's going to run out
of things to say.

-Not good.
They're big files.

-Keep her going,

get the prompter running,

and I'll be right back.

-Whoa, whoa, whoa,
where are you going?

-Trust me.

[distant hoofbeats
and sleigh bells]

-Derek?

-Told you
I'd figure it out.

-David! You came!

-[David]: This was not easy.

I don't like trains,
I can't feel my toes,

and my face is freezing,

but then this nice driver
gave us hot cider,

and drove us here
in a one-horse open sleigh,

and-and I'm pumped!

I feel like George Bailey
in "It's A Wonderful Life!"

Merry Christmas,
you old farmhouse!

-[Maggie]: Shh, shh, shh!

David, we're filming.

[whispering] -Sorry.

-Actually,
I have the best idea.

-Now, let's start that
goose stuffing, shall we?

You're going go take
four tablespoons of butter,

and you will add that
to your large skillet.

At this point,

we'll pick up
the five cooking apples

that we discussed earlier,

that are now cored, peeled...

-Prompter's back up.

The videos are still going to
be a little bit though.

-Danny...

-You want to use this?

-Yes, they're perfect.

They're smaller files,

we could plug it
right into the live feed.

-These are really rough.

I don't know,
I'm not sure about this--

-I am.

I'm sure.

[Julia]: -...And make sure

you go back
and stir occasionally

to avoid
any kind of scorching...

[bangs bowl sharply]

-We wanted to bring you
something new this year.

We're going to bring
a little bit

of holiday celebrations
right where you are

in a series that we call
"Cross-Country Christmas."

Take a look.

-And we're clear to video.

-Yeah!

[Matt]: -Our first Christmas,
we were--

-We were living
in your parents' basement!

-We had just gotten married
and moved to the farm...

-So natural.
Did you hire them?

Are they actors?

-No.

Getting them to host themselves
was all Maggie's idea.

-Oh, but the edit
was all Danny.

-...'Cause here,

Christmas is about
bringing together the town.

They all come,
they get a cup of hot cider,

and a Christmas tree.

What's better than that?

-This is a great addition.

-All right,
we're coming back live

in a few seconds.

-Follow me.

-Okay, you're on in three...

-And now, onto side dishes.

We've put together
a few recipes

that are sure to light up
your little reindeer noses.

-Where are we going?

-Shh!

[gasping, speechless]

[laughs]

-You guys made it!

[Derek]: -Wouldn't miss it.

-Ah, and being
the family Scrooge

isn't a good look on anyone.

-Mom's going to be so excited
to see you guys after the show.

-Wait, Maggie has
a better idea.

[Julia]: -The secret
to any good holiday party

is to make sure
that you have--

[knock on door]

-Making sure that
you have plenty of--

[persistent knocking]

-Well, I don't know
who that could be,

but we are going
to find out together.

[whispering]
-Go follow her.

You guys, come with me.

Shh...

[singing] ♪ -We wish you
a Merry Christmas ♪

♪ We wish you
a Merry Christmas ♪

♪ We wish you a Merry
Christmas ♪

♪ And a happy new year! ♪

[laughing in delight]

-Hi, Mama.

-Oh, Derek!

-David...

Oh...

-Merry Christmas, Mom.

[tearfully] -Oh...

Oh!

[crew laughs warmly]

I am...

These are...

I had no idea that this was
gonna happen, I swear.

Boys, this the, uh,
this is the viewing audience.

Audience...

these are
my three Wise men.

[laughs]

[all clapping]

-Now, I really need to go

and give my boys a proper hug
and catch up,

so why don't you
take a look at another one

of our Cross-Country
Christmas segments,

and we'll be right back.

-And we're clear to video!

[Julia squeals]

-Maggie, the Internet
is going nuts for this.

They love it!

[Julia]: -How?

How did this happen?

What?

-Oh, Maggie.

-All right, let's not get
ahead of ourselves.

We still have a show to finish.

Cameras back to one,
everybody get back to work.

[murmuring quietly]

-All right,
we're almost there, gang.

-Awesome.

-This is all I've wanted,

so thank you
for finding the time.

-Well, we talked
about it, and--

-Yeah, well, we just
had to grow up some,

you know, think about you
more than we were.

-This...
This was my dad's.

Where did you find this?

-Your mom found it.

So we're going to cue you in,

and we need you to start
"Have--"

-Wait, wait, wait,
You know I can't sing, right?

-Yeah, but you play beautifully.

I've watched all of your videos.

-You start, and we'll join in.

-Danny, you can't sing either.

-Sadly, that's true, but
it's never stopped me before.

-No, and it never stopped Dad.

-I don't know--

-Buddy, buddy, we can't argue
about how great you are.

Now, get in there and warm up,
and get started!

-Okay, okay.
-Come on.

[chuckling]

-Oh, Maggie...

Thank you.

-Thank you.

For this, for...
everything.

-Hey.

We did it together,

Danny Wise.

-You know,

if you do need someone
next year

to help you with the segments,

who, you know, trusts you
from the very get-go...

-Mm-hmm.

You're hired.

-Yeah?
-Yeah.

[director]: -Okay, people,

let's get back to this,
all right?

In five, four, three...

two...

[Derek strumming ukulele]

[♪♪♪]

♪ -Have yourself
a merry little Christmas ♪

♪ Let your heart be light ♪

♪ From now on, your troubles
will be out of sight... ♪

[Julia]: -Oh, everybody!

Go and eat something nice,

invite your neighbors over,

look through
your old photo albums,

and tell your friends
and family

how much you love them...

and have yourself
a Merry Christmas!

♪ -Through the years
we all will be together ♪

♪ If the fates allow ♪

♪ Hang a shining star ♪

♪ Upon the highest bough ♪

♪ And have yourself
a merry little Christmas ♪

♪ Have yourself ♪

♪ A merry little Christmas ♪

♪ Have yourself ♪

♪ A merry little Christmas ♪

♪ Now... ♪

[cheering and applause]

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]