Robert Rodriguez

The 12 Days of Chris-Mas, Explained

It's the most wonderful time of the year... for people who like celebrities named Chris!

Dec. 14, 2018

The Chris Rankings are a fairly recent development in the course of human history, a ridiculously silly but obviously very important cultural pastime that sprung up after Chris Pratt got jacked and joined Chrises Evans and Hemsworth on-screen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe -- all while Chris Pine stepped into the role of the totally-not-doomed Steve Trevor in DC's Wonder Woman. (He's back for the sequel!) What's ultimately remarkable about the Chris Rankings and the men "fighting" for the honor of being crowned Best Chris, however, is the fact the four Chrises most people talk about with regard to the rankings -- Evans, Hemsworth, Pine and Pratt -- are all conventionally attractive, nondescript white guys most people can't tell apart. Pine even sang a song about how they're essentially indistinguishable from one another on Saturday Night Live, a program that both Hemsworth and Pratt have also hosted. (Evans says he sweats "just thinking about" hosting, and we respect him both for being honest and for finally revealing that there is a limit to the Chrises' sameness.)

But even so, we must also acknowledge the truth that there are actually more than four men named Chris in Hollywood, and many of them don't fall into the typical Hollywood Chris mold. Basically, it's time to expand the definition of a Chris. So gather your family members close this holiday season and enjoy the 12 Days of Chris-Mas, a celebration of everything a Chris can be.

Although the true 12 days of Christmas begin Dec. 25 and continue until Jan. 6, TV Guide's 12 Days of Chris-Mas countdown begins Dec. 14 and concludes Dec. 25. We will honor a single Chris every day with his own essay, counting down from 12 to one. You can follow along with the 12 Days of Chris-Mas below, and check back daily to get the latest updates!