This story was created in paid partnership with Wondery

“It’s very important that you wake up on the wrong side of the bed,” says James Austin Johnson about his role as one of Dr. Suess’ most iconic characters in the hit Wondery podcast ‘Tis The Grinch Holiday Podcast.

In the show, the Whoville Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has forced the Grinch to become a podcaster as part of his community service — and the public loves him. With Cindy Lou and Max by his side, he rails against the joys of Christmas to his adoring fans. 

Johnson, who you know and love from Saturday Night Live, says he was particularly drawn to the show because he can reach an entirely new audience. “I do political comedy, and I do voices on Adult Swim shows,” he says. “But there’s not a whole lot I do that really speaks to young kids and families, even though that’s a huge part of my personal life.”

And when it comes to the show’s structure, Johnson is right at home. Each episode is structured like a late-night show, he says, with a monologue up top, then a scripted sketch, then an interview with celebrities like comedian Nick Kroll, skateboarder Tony Hawk, Hamilton alum Renée Elise Goldsberry, actor John Hamm, and so many more!

In this new season, the Grinch is even called on to solve a mystery when all of the children of Whoville’s letters to Santa disappear. It’s a spoof of the true crime genre, says Johnson, who offers a recommendation: “You should listen to this whole thing in one go,” he says. “Sit down with a big jug of whole milk and listen to every episode in a row.”