Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, recently revealed during an episode of the "New Heights" podcast, co-hosted with his brother Jason Kelce, that he has never seen the iconic Christmas film, Love Actually. This revelation sparked an engaging discussion when Kylie Kelce, Jason’s wife, called in to encourage the brothers to review the movie for their Film Club series. She emphasized that the film is a festive classic perfect for the holiday season, suggesting that it would be a great excuse for Travis to finally watch it, especially considering that he has turned down previous offers from significant others to do so. However, the brothers were quick to dismiss the idea with Jason firmly stating that they “are not doing Love Actually,” a sentiment Travis echoed, subtly criticizing the beloved film.
Travis then expressed his willingness to engage with other Christmas movies, indicating his disinterest in reviewing Love Actually. The conversation humorously continued as the podcast intern chimed in, prompting Jason to suggest that Kylie could instead cover the film in her own podcast, "Not Gonna Lie." This led to Jason offering to co-host with Kylie, providing Travis with an opportunity to avoid the much-anticipated Holiday film altogether. The playful banter continued as Travis humorously communicated his reluctance to endure the task while declaring himself as an “innocent bystander” in the whole situation. The brothers reflected on the film’s cast—specifically the cameo from Mr. Bean, played by Rowan Atkinson, and wondered if Liam Neeson’s involvement could be a fun nod to his role in the Taken film series.
The banter took a more personal turn as Jason asked whether having met Hugh Grant, who plays the Prime Minister in Love Actually, would affect Travis’s perception of the film. Travis confirmed that knowing Grant had indeed given him a deeper appreciation for works featuring the actor, citing a few movies he had already watched with Grant and expressing his admiration for them. Despite his affection for both Grant and his body of work, Travis reiterated that he wasn’t keen on reviewing this particular holiday classic, essentially making it clear that he would prefer the company of different holiday films.
As the discussion unfolded, Travis hinted at his reluctance yet again, but Jason remained adamant. Ultimately, Jason proclaimed, “We’re gonna do Love Actually,” suggesting that the film would indeed make its way into their podcast lineup despite Travis’s objections. This declaration reflects the nature of their podcast and how they often engage with various prompts from listeners, family, and guests. It’s a playful testament to their dynamic and how they often keep the conversation lively with humor and friendly disagreements.
Interestingly, while Travis has never owned a viewing of Love Actually, Taylor Swift, Travis’s girlfriend, has publicly declared it as her favorite film during a Vogue interview back in 2016. Swift expressed her long-standing admiration for Hugh Grant, which further intertwines her relationship with both the film and Travis. Grant himself showed recognition of Swift’s impressive Eras Tour show earlier this year, using social media to express his gratitude, and Swift responded by sharing how impactful his praise was to her. This connection between Travis, Swift, and the movie creates an intriguing triangle of interests and opinions about a holiday staple that seems to be running low on enthusiasm among the Kelce brothers.
The playful discourse that unfolded during this podcast episode speaks volumes about the light-hearted nature of the “New Heights” series and the personalities of its hosts. The podcast showcases not only the brothers’ shared experiences and camaraderie but also highlights differing tastes and preferences in entertainment. Despite the tease and apparent consensus against watching a film paraded as a classic, the episode provides insight into the personalities behind the microphones and their humorous approach to suggestions, especially ones that stem from family. As the holiday season approaches, it would be interesting to see if the Kelce brothers come around to reviewing Love Actually or if they find yet another way to sidestep this prominent holiday film.
