DEADBEATS

Danielle Kotch Takes Us Behind the Scenes of Crystal LakeWhat’s it like to join the Friday the 13th universe before the world has seen a single episode? Actor Danielle Kotch returns to Dead Beats to take us inside Crystal Lake—from the audition that had her convinced she’d booked the role, to the surprises and creative breakthroughs of playing Claudette.Will and JT catch up with Danielle about filming a major horror series, the pressure of joining a beloved franchise, and what she learned from working alongside Linda Cardellini. Danielle also shares how she grew more confident bringing ideas to the set, why Claudette will always be part of her, and what it was like to wrap a project she wasn’t quite ready to leave.There are early call times, changing schedules, plenty of horror-fan excitement—and a story about the Crystal Lake wardrobe piece Danielle tried to take home. Expect a fun, candid conversation with behind-the-scenes details, big Friday the 13th energy, and the kind of banter only Will, JT, and Danielle can bring.Whether you’re a longtime horror fan or getting ready to meet Claudette, consider this your backstage pass to Crystal Lake.We hope you enjoy!-The Deadbeats

Danielle Kotch Takes Us Behind the Scenes of Crystal Lake

What’s it like to join the Friday the 13th universe before the world has seen a single episode? Actor Danielle Kotch returns to Dead Beats to take us inside Crystal Lake—from the audition that had her convinced she’d booked the role, to the surprises and creative breakthroughs of playing Claudette.

Will and JT catch up with Danielle about filming a major horror series, the pressure of joining a beloved franchise, and what she learned from working alongside Linda Cardellini. Danielle also shares how she grew more confident bringing ideas to the set, why Claudette will always be part of her, and what it was like to wrap a project she wasn’t quite ready to leave.

There are early call times, changing schedules, plenty of horror-fan excitement—and a story about the Crystal Lake wardrobe piece Danielle tried to take home. Expect a fun, candid conversation with behind-the-scenes details, big Friday the 13th energy, and the kind of banter only Will, JT, and Danielle can bring.

Whether you’re a longtime horror fan or getting ready to meet Claudette, consider this your backstage pass to Crystal Lake!

We hope you Enjoy!

-The Deadbeats

Episode DescriptionIs Evil Dead 2 the greatest horror sequel ever made, or a gloriously chaotic fever dream with a chainsaw? Will and JT put Sam Raimi’s manic masterpiece to the test, unpacking Ash Williams’ transformation from terrified survivor to the iconic “groovy” badass fans know and love.JT brings lifelong Evil Dead devotion, deep franchise knowledge, and an unapologetic defense of the film’s practical effects, surreal comedy, physical performances, and unforgettable cabin chaos.

Will comes in as the skeptical first-time viewer, questioning the movie’s stop-motion, camp, continuity, and medieval cliffhanger before discovering why Evil Dead 2 is so difficult to hate.You’ll hear:

• Why Evil Dead 2 is both a sequel and a partial recreation of the original
• The two competing ways to watch the first two films, according to Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell
• How Bruce Campbell’s physical comedy turns Ash’s possessed hand into one of horror’s wildest scenes
• Why the cabin itself deserves co-star status
• The film’s practical effects, deadites, gore, stop-motion, tree attacks, and bizarre sense of humor
• How Ash finally becomes Ash Williams, complete with chainsaw, shotgun, and that legendary “groovy” moment
• What the ending means for Army of Darkness, and why Will is already nervous about the next chapter

Before the movie discussion, things go completely off the rails with outrageous “top three” confessions, childhood horror memories, JT’s dramatic one-man castle play, a surprise attempt to contact Sam Raimi, zombie-apocalypse survival plans, celebrity connections, and the debut of Deadbeats in Memoriam.If you love The Evil Dead, Sam Raimi, Bruce Campbell, practical horror effects, or movies that somehow turn terror into slapstick without losing their bite, grab your boomstick and press play.

-Deadbeats

The boys are back in town!! Did you miss us??

Will and JT play catch up and discuss some of the movies they loved during their hiatus....then they dive into something...EVIL.

Sam Raimi's Evil Dead is more than a cult horror classic - it's a masterclass in how to turn a tiny budget, wild ambition, and pure filmmaking chaos into something unforgettable. Deadbeats breaks down why this movie still hits so hard, why Ash Williams became an icon, and how the cabin, the camera, and the Deadites all feel like characters of their own.

JT and Will dig into the movie's brutal practical effects, the nightmare logic of the forest, and the infamous scenes that made Evil Dead feel ferocious, funny, and strangely beautiful all at once. They also get into what makes Sam Raimi's style so distinct, why Bruce Campbell's physical performance changed everything, and how the original film sets the tone for an entire franchise that keeps mutating in bold new directions.You'll hear them compare the first film to Evil Dead 2, Army of Darkness, and the 2013 reboot, while also debating what actually makes a horror remake or recasting feel fresh instead of copied.

Along the way, they touch on cult horror marketing, Stephen King's legendary endorsement, the Deadites' brutal endurance, and why this movie still feels like a danger zone even decades later.If you love horror, practical effects, Raimi's camera tricks, or just hearing two friends passionately obsess over a movie that deserves its flowers, this one belongs in your queue. Essential listening for Evil Dead fans, Sam Raimi fans, and anyone who wants the full case for why this is still one of the most original horror films ever made.

We hope you enjoy!

Shoot us a follow everywhere!

-Deadbeats

Today The Deadbeats come together to review CrankedUpTV's Wormtown!

A small twon develops a disease where if youre infected wroms inhabit your entire body! Go out in the sun, and they need to escape, leving your body as a bloody heap behind!

This was an interesting one for sure, see what Will and JT think in this episode! Subscribe to CrankedUpTV!

And dont forget to shoot us a follow!

-Deadbeats

🚨 NEW EPISODE 🚨

This week on The Deadbeats Podcast, we dive into the horror classic “The Thing.” It’s one of JT’s all-time favorite movies… but Will had never seen it before. So naturally, we sat down and dissected the paranoia, the practical effects, the insanity of the story, and whether it still holds up today. JT brings the superfan energy while Will experiences the chaos for the first time.

Did it live up to the hype? Who actually knew what was going on? And most importantly… who would survive if we were stuck at that Antarctic base?

Tune in to hear our full breakdown, favorite moments, and a lot of classic Deadbeats chaos along the way.

👇 While you’re at it:
• Follow the You Run Podcast Network
• Check out the True Crime podcast on the network
• Grab some Frankenfuel through our link on Instagram to support the show
• And make sure you’re following The Deadbeats Podcast on Instagram so you never miss out on Will and JT's Shenanigans!

New episodes every week! And remember, if you love horror, and you love funny, you'll love us! 🎙️

In this episode of the Deadbeats Podcast,

Will and JT dive deep into their frustrations and critiques of Scream 7. They discuss their initial reactions to the film, the opening scene, character development, and the impact of Ghostface's phone calls....or lack thereof.

The conversation evolves into a critique of the predictability of character survival and the nostalgia tied to the franchise. They express disappointment with the reveal of Ghostface and the overall execution of the film, leading to a discussion on the future of the Scream franchise and their final ratings.

We hope you enjoy!

Remember, if you love horror, and you love funny, shoot us a follow!

-Deadbeats

The Deadbeats are back… and Ghostface is still living rent free in our heads. 🔪

This week, Will and JT dive back into the Scream chaos as we gear up for the release of Scream 7. We’re breaking down our wild (and probably unhinged) predictions — who’s surviving, who’s definitely not making it past Act 2, surprise returns, plot twists, secret killers, and the one theory that might actually make sense.

Will swears he’s cracked the code.
JT thinks everyone is Ghostface.
Nobody is safe.

If you love the Scream franchise as much as we do, this episode is packed with laughs, hot takes, and questionable logic that would make even Ghostface roll his eyes.

Hit play, lock your doors, and let’s get into it.

🎙 Follow The Deadbeats on all platforms so you don’t miss an episode — especially when we come back to see how wrong (or right) we were.

In preparation for Scream 7 release, the Deadbeats LOOSELY discuss The original Scream!

In this episode of the Deadbeats Podcast, hosts Will and JT dive into the world of horror films, specifically focusing on the Scream franchise. They discuss the technical difficulties they faced while recording, the importance of their guest episodes, and the anticipation surrounding the upcoming Scream 7. The conversation highlights Drew Barrymore's significant impact on the first Scream film, the character dynamics, and the cultural implications of the franchise. The hosts also share their personal experiences and reactions to the films, making for a lively and humorous discussion.

We hope you enjoy, and dont forget to follow us!

-Deadbeats

In this episode, the Will and JT welcome Meredith and Tony, who share their deep-rooted love for horror and the journey that led them to create the horror trivia game show, 'Better Luck Than Chuck.' They discuss their early influences, the creative process behind their characters, and the production insights that shaped the show.

The conversation highlights the importance of nostalgia in horror, the challenges of production design, and the excitement of engaging with the horror community through their innovative game show concept.Meredith and Tony discuss their innovative horror trivia game show, 'Better Luck Than Chuck,' exploring the creative inspirations behind it, the challenges of licensing, and their aspirations for future seasons.

They emphasize the importance of community engagement and the impact of micro episodes in building a fanbase. The duo reflects on the significance of the horror community, and the fun of participating in a trivia challenge that highlights iconic horror characters.

At the end, Will and JT put Tony and Meredith in the HOT SEAT for their version of a game show called "Better Luck Than JT"!We hope you enjoy and PLEASE check out Better Luck Than Chuck on YouTube!!

-The Deadbeats

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