Midnight Mass

The buzz is back! This week, Peaches and Michael are grabbing some barbecue and steering clear of the backroads as they celebrate 1986's THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2! In addition to discussing the film's radical usage of dark comedy, our hosts explore this sequel's journey to becoming a separate cult sensation from its legendary predecessor. Joining the conversation are two of CHAINSAW 2's iconic stars, Caroline Williams and Bill Moseley, aka "Stretch" and "Choptop," who share thoughtful insight on the movie's longevity, as well as stories of their unique journey(s) with it, which include tales of screaming auditions, wicked manicures, and much, much more. From Tobe Hooper to Leatherface reciting soliloquies, this episode has it all! Go! 

All revved up and ready to go! This week, Peaches and Michael are dodging the hall monitors and dancing in the gym as they celebrate 1979's ROCK 'N' ROLL HIGH SCHOOL! In addition to discussing the film's intersection of rock rebellion and teen comedy, our hosts explore the importance of the punk ethos in the cult canon. Joining the conversation is drag legend Heklina, who shares stories of how her love of The Ramones led to a lifetime of transgressive anarchy. Then, award-winning author Michelle Tea stops by to talk about how the film's lead, Riff Randell, is an unquestionable queer icon. From the majesty of Mary Woronov to the draginess of Joey Ramone, this episode has it all! Go!  

First they greet you, then they eat you! This week, Peaches and Michael have cooked up a delicious dish in celebration of 1987's BLOOD DINER! In addition to discussing the film's brand of unhinged comedy, our hosts explore the trailblazing importance of the woman behind the camera who dared to deliver one of cult's goriest romps. Joining the conversation is the legendary director of BLOOD DINER herself, Jackie Kong, who shares stories of committing to a singular vision and making the movie her way. Then, Matt Desiderio, publisher of BLOOD VIDEO, stops by to talk about his truly fan-tastic journey with this cannibalistic caper. From brains in jars to Franken-goddesses, this episode has it all! Go! 

Everyone's entitled to one good scare! This week, Peaches and Michael are staring into the mouth of madness as they celebrate the horror master himself: John Carpenter! In addition to discussing Carpenter's genre-defining filmography, our hosts dig into the legendary auteur's flair for atmosphere and thoughtful curation of gender politics. Joining the conversation is iconic actor, musician, and filmmaker Thomas Dekker, who starred in Carpenter's VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED, and subsequently grew up with an obsessive admiration of Carpenter's legacy. From the demon engine of CHRISTINE to the bubble gum ass-kicking of THEY LIVE, this discussion is a full-fledged Idol Worship of the man who shaped modern fright to what it is today. Escape from New York and listen! 

Don’t feed the plants! This week, Peaches and Michael are taking an interest in bloodthirsty botany as they celebrate 1986’s LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS! In addition to discussing the film’s show-stopping musical numbers and monstrous alternate ending, our hosts delve into why this story of a killer plant is some of cult cinema’s finest social commentary. Joining the conversation is the legendary Bob the Drag Queen, who shares memories of a lifetime of LITTLE SHOP love, as well as thoughts on why the story is a perfect Shakespearean allegory. Then, fandom superstar Clarke Wolfe stops by to talk about the delicate balance of horror and comedy, and why there’s a little Oz in Audrey 2’s story. From Ellen Greene to muthas that are mean & green, this episode has it all! Go! 

You've gotta have a gimmick! To mark the first ever "Idol Worship" installment of the show, Peaches and Michael are feeling a certain tingle as they celebrate the legacy of foundational filmmaker William Castle! In addition to discussing Castle's staggering filmography (THE HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL, THIRTEEN GHOSTS, HOMICIDAL, to name a few), our hosts dig into this legendary auteur's flair for showmanship that inspired a whole generation of monster kids. Joining the conversation is famed producer and William Castle's daughter, Terry Castle, as well as her son, filmmaker Kyle Newell, who share stories of what it's like to grow up in a family whose lineage is committed to fright. Then, acclaimed director Chelsea Stardust stops by to talk about the profound impact Castle has had on her own work...and how his influence continues to be felt in the horror films of today. From Joan Crawford to electrified seats, this episode has it all! Go! 

Tell your mother! This week, Peaches and Michael are stewing up a vat of rat poison to celebrate John Waters’s 1977 cult classic DESPERATE LIVING! In addition to discussing the film’s disdain for the suburbs and parallels to the WIZARD OF OZ, our hosts dig into why Mortville is ultimately a place of chosen family. Joining the conversation is verified cult legend and the star of DESPERATE LIVING herself, Mink Stole, who shares memories of her time making this classic, as well as stories of her life in Dreamland. Then, punk rock party promoter Seth Shubin and iconic drag king Fudgie Frottage stop by to talk about the film’s ongoing transgressive legacy in queer spaces and how John Waters changed their lives. From broken vases to leather bear armies, this episode has it all! Go! 

Siempre Viva! This week, Peaches and Michael debate taking the potion of eternal youth as they celebrate 1992’s DEATH BECOMES HER! In addition to discussing the film’s gothic roots and classic Hollywood homages, our hosts dig into why we find Meryl and Goldie at war so damn delicious.  Joining the conversation are legendary drag icons Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme, who not only reminisce about their time performing in Peaches’ parody stage show DRAG BECOMES HER, but dig into why this film has such a queer resonance. Then, Fayna Sanchez, star of ONYX EQUINOX and CREEPSHOW, stops by to peel back the layers of what DEATH BECOMES HER reveals about how the film industry treats women. From Isabella Rossellini's knowing camp to the disappearing Tracey Ullman, this episode has it all! Go! 

It’s a subhumanoid meltdown! This week, Peaches and Michael rally for “reel” independence as they celebrate Troma Entertainment, the legendary studio that has built a bonafide cult thanks to decades of subversive cinema. In addition to discussing such Tromatic films as THE TOXIC AVENGER and CLASS OF NUKE ‘EM HIGH, our hosts explore the notion of what it means to curate a film landscape that constantly bucks the mainstream. Joining the discussion is the legendary co-founder of Troma himself, Lloyd Kaufman, who shares a bit of his history going against the grain. Then, genre icon Tiffany Shepis stops by to discuss her TROMEO beginnings and what lessons from those punk rock cinema days she still carries with her.  From Toxie to filmmaking moxy, this episode has it all! Go! 

We killed the teen dream! This week, Peaches and Michael take a slo-mo strut down the hallway as they celebrate 1999's JAWBREAKER! In addition to discussing the film's Rocky Horror roots and impeccably curated punk rock queerness, our hosts explore the holy triumvirate of "teen bitches" that changed the way we view high school films forever. Joining the discussion is the legendary writer & director of JAWBREAKER itself, Darren Stein, who shares his insight on what happens when cult fandom claims a movie as their own. Then, Eve Lindley, acclaimed star of DISPATCHES FROM ELSEWHERE, stops by to discuss how her JAWBREAKER obsession has been a lifelong odyssey...and how, in many ways, the movie's characters reflect her own growth. From Pam Grier to the girl every teen fears, this episode's got it all!