Episode 197 - GHOST WORLD

Whether you're an alienated teenage misfit or a dorky, obsessive adult, Ghost World has you covered with humor and feels that cut to the bone. We talk to our cool counterparts from the Sexy Books Podcast - Blythe Rudloff and Claire Holland - about a cult classic that hits different but never stops being relatable.

Ghost World (2001)
Directed by Terry Zwigoff
Written by Daniel Clowes and Terry Zwigoff
Based on the graphic novel by Daniel Clowes
Starring Thora Birch, Scarlett Johannson, Steve Buscemi, Brad Renfroe, Bob Balaban, Teri Garr, and Illeana Douglas 

Episode 96 - SCREAM

What's your favorite serio-comic deconstruction of the horror genre? For many, there is no better answer than the prescient Scream series, which combined trendy self-awareness with old-school storytelling chops. The instantly iconic (and oddly bumbling) Ghostface villain not only breathed life back into slasher movies, but also inspired the trick-or-treating costumes of countless lazy teenagers for decades to come.

Daren Sprawls joins us in celebration of the Halloween season as we soak in the details of the classic bloody whodunit, and indulge in listing our favorite scary movies.

Scream (1996)
Directed by Wes Craven
Produced by Cathy Conrad and Cary Woods
Written by Kevin Williamson
Starring Neve Campbell, Drew Barrymore, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Skeet Ulrich, Matthew Lillard, Rose McGowan, Jaime Kennedy, and Henry Winkler

Episode 38 - GOOSEBUMPS

The plot twist is a fascinating element in storytelling.  Respectable fiction uses it as a garnish, part of a wide variety of ingredients that add spice to a narrative.  But a twist can be just as great when it's telegraphed or underlined.  It can enthrall an audience and keep them on edge, just waiting for the other shoe to drop.  And boy oh boy, were people ever entranced by Goosebumps and its never-ending supply of ironic and unexpected finales.

In this Halloween special, we examine the many facets of R. L. Stine's media empire, from the books and their awesome cover art to the Twilight Zone-lite children's TV series. And though we somehow forgot to address it in the episode, that bumpin' theme song is one of the all time greats. Listener, beware, you're in for a scare!

Goosebumps (1995-1998)
Created by R. L. Stine

"Attack of the Jack-O'-Lanterns"
Aired October 26, 1996

"A Shocker on Shock Street"
Aired September 6, 1997