MONSTER PARTY TRAVELS THROUGH TIME… HOPEFULLY WITH NO PARADOXES.

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD throw a party for some of the greatest horror favorites in film history. So put on your party horns and grab a slice of devil's food cake, because we're… CELEBRATING HORROR OLD & NEW!!!

A staple of MONSTER PARTY is the ritual of simply sitting around and having a rich (and occasionally contentious) conversation about the horror films we love. So, sit back and enjoy this giddily garrulous gab fest, where we salute modern horror films that have managed to captivate mainstream audiences, and classics that have stood the test of time. Okay, and maybe a few that didn't.

And just for fun, we also chat a bit about a few sci-fi films that, for many of us, have undergone a critical reassessment. Is the time just right for Larry Strothe to launch his re-make of STARCRASH? And who's going to fill Caroline Munro's leather… well… everything?

If that weren't enough, we managed to get a behind-the-scenes look at how some of these sinister cinema sausages were made! How did we manage this, you may ask? By having on our show two men who are not only industry professionals, but fellow podcasters as well!

First, we've got an actor and voice artist who has lent his talents to CHICAGO PD, PERSON OF INTEREST, NOW YOU SEE ME, GUIDING LIGHT, and numerous stage productions, including the role of Merrick in THE ELEPHANT MAN. Sharing the MONSTER PARTY stage is a celebrated SFX makeup artist who has worked on such genre projects as WEAPONS, ANNABELLE, THE WALKING DEAD, WISHMASTER, FROM DUSK TILL DAWN, and so many more that IMDb just said, "STOP!"

Together, they are the co-hosts of the mega-popular podcast… THE HEAD, THE TAIL, THE WHOLE DAMN THING! And guess what? They're also brothers! And even weirder… they actually like each other.

Making their MONSTER PARTY debut… MIKE D McCARTY and JAMES KNIGHT!

PLUS, THIS WEEK'S MYSTERY: WHAT IS "BREAD TONGUE"?

BY THE POWER OF MOLD SKULL!!!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD return yet again to the topic that keeps giving birth to more topics. Get ready to cuddle up to this litter of learned levity as MONSTER PARTY presents… TOPIC FREE-FOR-ALL: SKULLABALOO!

You know the story, Monster Partiers! For years, MONSTER PARTY has been doing episodes where we place slips of paper with mini-topics written on them into a plastic Halloween candy skull, pull one out at random, discuss said topic, and repeat. All was going well until the skull suffered some water damage, causing many of the topic slips to become moldy. But hey, we took it in stride, and after the skull went through a thorough mitigation process, we gradually added fresh topics to the pile. And over time, it almost became a badge of honor to get a moldy oldie.

But alas, all mold things must come to an end. If strictly for health reasons.

This installment of TOPIC FREE-FOR-ALL features the last moldy topic placed in the skull so many years ago. It's the end of a chapter, but also the beginning of an exciting new era! This episode features lively and, dare we say, even heated discussions about the future of A.I., sci-fi franchise burnout, extraterrestrial odds, questionable Christopher Lee performances, the narrative logic of Weapons, Masters of the Universe hate watching, dream tattoos, candy symbolism, and so very much more!

Joining us once again is a stalwart MONSTER PARTY pal, and Matt Weinhold's answer to Florence Nightingale. He's an immensely talented actor, writer, and artist, not to mention the boy who brought us all the Shamrock Shake! Please welcome back the effortlessly irresistible… KEN DALY! (HANGING WITH DOCTOR Z, NERD POCKER, STAN AGAINST EVIL, THE SUPER ADVENTURE TEAM, THE KARATE KID, THE USUAL SUSPECTS, QUINCY M.E., DUCK DODGERS)

MONSTER PARTY HAS GUTS!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD rush all of you to our audio E.R. for a pulse-pounding procedure. Get ready for some monstrous malpractice as we present you with… ORGANS GONE BAD!!!

After Matt Weinhold's recent brush with mortality involving the unexpected removal of his appendix, the hosts of MONSTER PARTY thought it timely and appropriate to investigate troublesome parts of the human anatomy in genre films. Whether it's Tillinghast's pernicious pineal gland in FROM BEYOND, the internal oddities of FANTASTIC VOYAGE, the unauthorized organ harvesting in COMA, or the stool pigeon beating of THE TELL-TALE HEART, it's never been more important to have top-notch medical insurance!

MONSTER PARTY WISHES ALL OUR LISTENERS THE BEST OF HEALTH! AND IF ONE OF YOUR ORGANS GOES BAD… TRY TURNING YOUR RESONATOR OFF!

THIRD TIME'S THE CHARM FOR MONSTERPALOOZA!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD give the last day of their favorite convention all they've got! Can your meaty minds manage the monumental majesty of... MONSTERPALOOZA 2026: PART 3?!!!

MONSTER PARTY would like to express our eternal thanks to all the folks who stopped by our booth on Friday and Saturday. Luckily, Sunday proved to be just as successful. Aside from visits from friends, fans, and cosplayers, we managed to score some monstrously mesmerizing interviews with such diverse talents as comedian BOBBY SLAYTON (THE PITBULL OF COMEDY), artist/sculptor/makeup FX wizard MARK TAVARES (DON POST, KNB STUDIOS), producer/entertainer JOE MOE (2001 MANIACS: BEHIND THE SCREAMS, RED VELVET), author/actor/wrestler RONNIE ANGEL (SLASHED DREAMS: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SLASHER MOVIES PT. 1–2), actor MARK KELLY (BLOOD AND RUST, FEAR THE WALKING DEAD), podcasters MIKE D McCARTY and JAMES KNIGHT (THE HEAD, THE TAIL, THE WHOLE DAMNED THING), Emmy Award-winning, self-titled stuttering director/editor/producer ALLAN HOLZMAN (BATTLE BEYOND THE STARS, FORBIDDEN WORLD), and MORE!

And as if the monster kid gods were smiling down on us, we were also granted a brief but incredible audience with musical legend and horror rock trailblazer... ALICE COOPER! Can someone wake up Matt? He just fainted again.

Once again, we urge everyone out there to start making preparations for MONSTERPALOOZA 2027. We guarantee you'll have a memorable experience, and we can't wait to meet all you listeners in person. You are the ones who put a spring in our step and make this podcast possible. Thanks again, Monster Partiers!

DON'T JUST LOVE MONSTER PARTY... LOVE IT TO DEATH!

After a scarily successful Friday night, JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD return to the Pasadena Convention Center for another day of horror-themed hijinks! If it's Saturday, it's... MONSTERPALOOZA 2026 PART 2!!!

The second day of this epic show provided us with another diabolical dollop of vendors, artists, celebrities, panels, cosplayers, SFX makeup demonstrations, and more! And by more, we mean a dazzling array of on-the-spot interviews at the MONSTER PARTY booth!

Joining us that afternoon were a tsunami of exciting guests, including SPOOKYWORLD theme park founder DAVID BERTOLINO, writer/director/producer DANNY WOLF, sci-fi film director GARO SETIAN (SPACE WARS: QUEST FOR THE DEEPSTAR, AUTOMATION), trailer director HUNTER SETIAN, actor and film soundtrack journalist DANIEL SCHWEIGER (PHANTASM: RAVAGER, JOHN DIES AT THE END), magazine editor/journalist/film director DAVID WEINER (IN SEARCH OF DARKNESS), HORROR NERDS COMEDY PODCAST hosts SAMANTHA HALE and BONNIE MARIE WILLIAMS, 2 BLACK GUYS TALK GODZILLA PODCAST host AARON NEUWIRTH, author/comedian/Jumbo Machinder collector TOM FRANCK (JUMBO TITAN X), fantasy illustrator MIRANDA FRANCK, and legendary horror host MR. LOBO (CINEMA INSOMNIA, OSI). Whew!

Of course, what would a day of MONSTERPALOOZA be without visits from fans, friends, and family, including a visit from Larry's niece, who gave us all a schooling on PROJECT HAIL MARY. Did she make some good points? Yes. Did she change any minds? What do you think?

LISTEN NOW TO WHAT YOU MISSED THIS LAST MAY, AND START MAKING PLANS TO ATTEND MONSTERPALOOZA IN 2027. MONSTER PARTY WILL BE WAITING TO GREEEEET YOU!

MONSTER PARTY RETURNS TO MONSTROUSLY UNCONVENTIONAL CONVENTION!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD storm the gates of the Pasadena Convention Center to once again hold court at their favorite horror expo! Dust off your hockey mask and apply a fresh coat of Art the Clown makeup, as MONSTER PARTY presents: MONSTERPALOOZA 2026: PART 1!!!

After the laughter, bickering, and power trips that go hand in hand with building the MONSTER PARTY booth, the gang kicks off the first day of MONSTERPALOOZA with a shriek! Friday night yielded a dazzling combination of new friends and old, as well as some much-needed in-person catching up with your beloved, Rondo Award-winning hosts. We've got interviews with comedian BORIS HAMILTON, monster actor GENE LeBROCK, game designer and MP pal SCOTT ROGERS, Culture Crypt film critic IAN SEDENSKY, author/journalist/media historian PAT JANKIEWICZ, and 3-D guru ERIC KURLAND!

But what would a MONSTERPALOOZA show (or any MP show) be without the usual assortment of delightful banter, film criticism, personal attacks, gift favoritism, free goodies for the kids, vodka-fueled Godzilla-themed energy drinks, and a host, for no apparent reason, pretending to be surprised by guests we've obviously lined up? It's a dance we do every year for the benefit of our listeners, where anyone can virtually cut in!

I know we say this every year, but if you've never attended a MONSTERPALOOZA convention, it should definitely be one of your bucket-list destinations. This event always delivers a tantalizing treasure trove of terrorizing treats, including monstrous vendors, props, celebrities, photo ops, cosplayers, panels, SFX makeup demonstrations, artists, and the famous MONSTERPALOOZA museum. Oh, and the snack bar is surprisingly decent!

THANKS AGAIN TO EVERYONE WHO DROPPED BY OUR BOOTH ON FRIDAY NIGHT, AND PARTS 2 AND 3 ARE COMING SOON! UNTIL THEN...STAY SCARED!

THE YOLK'S ON MONSTER PARTY!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD hatch a new episode chronicling the egg-citing, eggs-traordinary, and eggs-tensive history of a unique subcategory of genre delicacies. Scramble to your listening devices and enjoy this audio omelet that we're calling... MONSTER EGGS!

Eggs have a reputation for showing up in many of the more unusual horror, sci-fi, and fantasy cinematic offerings. Whether it's the gooey, leathery eggs from the Alien film and TV franchise (including the cracked egg on the first Alien movie poster!), the colorful but gigantic egg of Mothra, the gelatinous eggs of a space vampire in the B-movie classic Queen of Blood, the Horta eggs from the original Star Trek series, or the dragon eggs from Game of Thrones, these shelled showmen have sparked the imaginations of monster kids for generations. And for MONSTER PARTY, they've inspired the question: "I wonder how that egg would taste?"

WE THOUGHT THIS TOPIC WAS SO EGG-CEPTIONAL, WE DECIDED TO FORGO A GUEST AND KEEP ALL THIS HARD-BOILED ACTION TO OURSELVES. MINUS THE EGG SALAD. YOU'RE WELCOME, LARRY.

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IS MONSTER PARTY HAVIN' A LAUGH?

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD ponder the age-old question of whether humor and genre topics can live and laugh comfortably together. So, as Elvis Costello might ask… WHAT'S SO FUNNY ABOUT HORROR, SCI-FI, AND FANTASY?

Let's face it, making a truly funny horror, sci-fi, or fantasy film or television show can be tricky business. There's a fine line between a loving send-up and an uninformed attack. And even with the best intentions, that doesn't guarantee you'll be watching a knee-slapper.

In this side-splitting study of genre jocularity, MONSTER PARTY puts all their funny favorites (and not-so-favorites) to the test. How did films like ABBOTT & COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN manage to find the sweet spot between over-the-top comedy and a loving homage to Universal horror films? Is SPACEBALLS a better film than we remember, or should we just push that reassessment aside and watch GALAXY QUEST instead? How do genre TV shows like RED DWARF and WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS generate laughs while presenting often thought-provoking horror and sci-fi concepts? Where do cult classics like DR. STRANGELOVE, REPO MAN, MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL, and THE ADVENTURES OF BUCKAROO BANZAI fit in? And are superhero vehicles like THE BOYS, PEACEMAKER, and the DEADPOOL film series the best comedies coming out of Hollywood today?

Helping us answer these important questions while tickling our ribs in her own right is a return guest who is no stranger to the world of horror, sci-fi, and fantasy humor. She is a mega-talented writer who has worked on such beloved genre comedy projects as MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 and HANGING WITH DR. Z. Please welcome back… TAMMY GOLDEN!

OH, AND YES, WE DID JUST WIN THE 2026 RONDO AWARD FOR BEST PODCAST! OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO ALL THE MONSTER PARTIERS OUT THERE WHO HELPED MAKE THIS HAPPEN! NOW, LET'S START CANVASSING FOR 2027!

MONSTER PARTY TAKES THE STAND!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD submit this new episode into evidence as to why you need to listen to this podcast! Consider yourself amicus curiae as we partake in a bit of… LEGAL GEEKING!!!

The world of horror, science fiction, and fantasy is a wondrous realm where the incredible and impossible come to life. But how does the law apply to all these fantastic shenanigans? What responsibility does the Weyland-Yutani Corporation have when it comes to the events portrayed in the classic 1982 film Alien? Do robots, androids, and other artificial lifeforms have access to civil rights? How is Willy Wonka still in business? And who do you sue when giant rabbits lay waste to your property?

Helping us find the answers to these important legal questions is a longtime friend of the show—and, get this, an actual lawyer! Yeah, and one of the scrupulous kind! He's also the co-founder and host of the shockingly appropriate-titled blog and podcast, THE LEGAL GEEKS! Please welcome back Monster Party's answer to Matt Murdock… JOSH GILLILAND!

IF YOU THINK THIS EPISODE IS OUT OF ORDER, YOU'RE OUT OF ORDER!

MONSTER PARTY GETS OFF TO A "ROCKY" START!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD put out the welcome mat for our potential friends and enemies from amongst the stars. Join us for a cinematic close encounter of the audio kind as we celebrate… FIRST CONTACTS!!!

With the box office success of PROJECT HAIL MARY, the world has once again embraced the feel-good concept of first contact with a benevolent alien race. But have these initial interactions with extraterrestrials always been as satisfying for movie and TV viewing audiences?

In this episode, we'll examine the near-universal love of PROJECT HAIL MARY and provide a counterview from some of MONSTER PARTY's best-loved curmudgeons. We'll also examine other first contacts portrayed in films and TV shows, and see how their effectiveness holds up under scrutiny. We'll look at film classics like THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE, and 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY; the quite unpleasant first contacts that occur in movies like ALIEN, THE THING, and INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS; modern first contact films like THE ARRIVAL, NO ONE WILL SAVE YOU, and ANNIHILATION; and soooo much more!

Leading us as Earth's ambassador for this epic event is a longtime friend of MONSTER PARTY who always has a refreshing take on the sci-fi genre. She's an immensely talented comedian, actor, producer, and director who has worked on such iconic programs as THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW, CHELSEA LATELY, and WANDA AT LARGE. Please welcome back the always outstanding… SUE MURPHY!

WARNING: THIS EPISODE CONTAINS NUMEROUS SPOILERS! LISTEN AT YOUR OWN SENSE OF WONDER PERIL!