DING DONG MERRILY ON HIGH! MAYBE TOO HIGH?

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD toast and roast the seasonal cinematic chestnuts that have been served to genre fans over the years. Not even The Grinch can stop… OVERRATED & UNDERRATED: THE HOLIDAY EDITION!

Every holiday season, we Monster Partiers celebrate with an expansive and diverse playlist of winter wonder films. Whether made for film or TV, the entertainment industry has not been shy in churning out a Santa's sleigh-bag of holiday-themed horror, sci-fi, and fantasy fare. Ranging from beloved animated TV specials like Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, and A Charlie Brown Christmas, to Christmas classics like It's A Wonderful Life, March of The Wooden Soldiers, and White Christmas, and even offbeat and often controversial viewing like Silent Night Deadly Night, Gremlins, Fatman, The Thing, and Batman Returns, it's relatively safe to say that there's something for every taste.

But are all these so-called classics as good as everyone thinks? And should some films and TV specials have a better reputation than they currently hold? Whatever your opinions, we guarantee that this episode will present challenging arguments that only MONSTER PARTY could inflict.

Joining us for this canticle of criticism is a long-time friend of MONSTER PARTY, and our answer to Kris Kringle. He's a brilliantly talented comedian, actor, writer, producer, and podcaster, who has worked on or created such genre-friendly projects as THE SIMPSONS, SUPER ADVENTURE TEAM, THE GEX TRILOGY, TED, CREEPSHOW: THE SERIES, TALES OF HALLOWEEN, STAN AGAINST EVIL, and HANGING WITH DOCTOR Z. Please welcome back, the Christmas miracle that is… DANA GOULD!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, MONSTER PARTIERS! AND HAVE A CUP OF EGG NOG, IF ONLY TO ANNOY LARRY.

MONSTER PARTY SAYS, "PUT DOWN THAT TURKEY LEG AND GO SHOPPING!"

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD once again put together the ultimate yuletide wishlist. What better way is there to prepare for a seasonal shopping spree than with… THE MONSTER PARTY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2025?!!!

Having trouble finding the perfect holiday gift for that obsessive, persnickety genre geek? Well, fear not, bewildered buyers, for MONSTER PARTY has a collection of holiday presents that will challenge even the most talented of Santa's elves.

This year, we present a 2025 sleighful of out-of-the-ordinary ornaments, must-read classic sci-fi, kaiju-sized coffee table books, shocking monster action figures, tried-and-true travel packages, creature candy dispensers, one-of-a-kind wonders, rock n' roll trick or treaters, conjoined twin treasures, record relics, Blu-ray bonanzas, heartfelt hand-me-downs, the stuff of 3-D printed dreams, and more! And by more, we mean PBR.

If, after listening to this episode, you still can't find a present for that special nerd in your life…you may already be dead!

Joining us for this stocking full of fun is a return guest who is the glue that holds THE MONSTER PARTY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE together. He's an extremely talented artist/sculptor/toy designer/librarian who has worked with such sofubi legends as MAD WORLD TOYS, OCTEEL, and SPIRAL TOY. If you collect his collectibles, you'll know him as the artist, SLUGBAT, but we'll always think of him as the smooth young intern who won our hearts. Please welcome back the forever jolly… KEVIN SMITH!

MERRY MERCHANDISE MONSTER PARTIERS!

MONSTER PARTY PRESENTS A PSYCHOTIC CINEMATIC FEAST!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD invite you (and possibly a fictitious lady friend) to a multi-course, film-themed dinner party that is guaranteed to cause a confrontation with the chef! Get ready for some monstrous Michelin star mayhem as we present… MONSTER PARTY'S MEAL AND A MOVIE!!!

Watching a great horror, sci-fi, or fantasy film is an event, and it deserves more than just the standard theater fare of stale popcorn, soggy hot dogs, and flat sodas. It suddenly dawned on us that if you really want to do these movies justice, they need to be served with a spread that fits the atmosphere they're trying to evoke. So as fast as you could ask "What wine goes well with Soylent Green?" we rushed to our mics and started pairing genre films with thematically consistent delicacies. The result was a series of culinary curiosities that are bound to push your palate to its breaking point. And let's be honest, we've been trying to break your palette for years!

Joining us for this cinematic smorgasbord is a beloved guest of MONSTER PARTY, who is also one of our most generous benefactors! He's an immensely talented actor, voice artist, producer, podcaster, and entrepreneur who possesses an almost godlike knowledge of pop culture. And if that were not enough, he helped fill your empty shelf space by founding the company BIF BANG POW! TOYS Please welcome back the moody foodie… JASON LENZI!

BON APPE-TOMB!!!

THIS HALLOWEEN, MONSTER PARTY IS GIVING YOU A MOUTHFUL!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, celebrate All Hallows' Eve with a pulse-pounding potpourri of petrifying pearly whites! Can your orthodontist stand the gum-numbing terror of… MONSTER TEETH!!!?

For many of us monster kids, our introduction to creepy cosplay was getting that first pair of monster teeth. It doesn't matter if they were a purchase, a present, or a discarded treasure found in an ashtray at Macy's; scary plastic teeth hold a sacred place in our memories. It just goes to show how effective a good pair of chompers are for striking terror in the hearts of genre fans. In fact, monster teeth are so important that we felt they deserved their own episode, just in time for the horror days.

Join this special gathering of just the MONSTER PARTY gang, as we attempt to whimsically chronicle and rank some of the best teeth that fantastic cinema has to offer. Aside from the obvious go-to of vampires, we also examine the imm-oral hygiene of werewolves, aliens, madmen, cartoon characters, mutants, toys, demons, giant monsters, wax treats, victims, and so much more!

ALL OF US AT MONSTER PARTY WISH YOU A SCARY AND SAFE HALLOWEEN! AND SPEAKING OF SAFE… IS IT SAFE?

MONSTER PARTY REVISITS THE ERA OF ROLLERBLADING, BEANIE BABIES, THE MACARENA… AND TERROR!!!!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD honor the last part of a decade that brought us so many seminal films. If you thought our previous '90s HORROR episode was "da bomb," you're guaranteed to go nuclear when you hear… '90s HORROR VOL. 2!!!

The 1990s were an exciting and innovative time for horror films, with the latter half of the decade boasting some downright game-changers. With THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, we saw the explosion of the found footage genre that is still popular to this day, and the Japanese showed us the dangers of sitting too close to the TV with RINGU! If that didn't change your horror movie game enough, David Fincher gave us the ultimate worst-case mystery box scenario in SEVEN, Wes Craven made horror meta with SCREAM, and M. Night Shyamalan peaked early with THE SIXTH SENSE.

But we're not even close to this episode's EVENT HORIZON! We'll also look at a creepy ice cream vendor (aren't they all?), a castle freak, some self-improvement cannibals, a Rubik's Cube of death, an evil genie, Chucky's better half, a Hardrock Cafe for vampires, and so much more! Too bad all of it was lost in the devastation caused by Y2K.

Joining us for this second dose of '90s chills is an award-winning friend of the show, and really, the only guest for this subject. He was the editor in chief of the legendary FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND magazine, the genius behind the blog, IT CAME FROM..., the writer/director/producer of the IN SEARCH OF DARKNESS longform documentary series, as well as the '80s sci-fi documentary IN SEARCH OF TOMORROW. His latest project is the shockingly episode appropriate mega doc, IN SEARCH OF DARKNESS: 1995-1999! Honestly, what were the odds?! Please welcome back the always scintillating… DAVID WEINER!!

'90 HORROR LIVES! AND IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, TALK TO THE SEVERED HAND!

MONSTER PARTY WANTS EVERYONE TO THE CALM THE F**K DOWN!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, wave an olive branch to all those monstrous malcontents of the nerdverse! It's time to lower the temperature of the raging dumpster fire that is… TOXIC FANDOM!!!

To most genre enthusiasts, the love of science fiction, horror, and fantasy is a unifying force that brings all of us oddballs together. A special club where everyone is welcome, so long as you don't act like a jerk. So why are there suddenly so many jerks? Since when is simply having an opinion or preference about a movie or TV series a cause for picking a fight? Is social media to blame? Or the current cultural climate? Are these jerks really genre fans at all, or just a bunch of internet trolls who have nothing better to do than make personal attacks about your love for Star Wars: The Acolyte or the latest incarnation of Doctor Who?

In this hard-hitting episode, we'll examine some of the factors that may contribute to the current toxic fandom epidemic, and suggest healthier ways of dealing with folks who may not love the stuff you love in the same way that you do. But why listen to us? Well, after more than 300 episodes and a sizeable amount of bickering, the hosts of MONSTER PARTY are still great friends. And Cthulhu knows, if we can do it, so can you!

Joining us for this "Can't we all geek-along?" podcast is a return guest and dear friend, who is kind of an honorary 5th member of the show. He's an absurdly talented actor, writer, artist, and podcaster, who has lent his talents to such projects as STAN AGAINST EVIL, SUPER ADVENTURE TEAM, MR. SHOW WITH BOB AND DAVID, THE USUAL SUSPECTS, THE KARATE KID, QUINCY M.E., DUCK DODGERS, and NERD POKER! And let us not forget, he was also the man who introduced the world to the greatest culinary inventions of our time: Chicken McNuggets and the Shamrock Shake! Please welcome back, the antidote for toxic fandom... KEN DALY!

TO PARAPHRASE THE LEGENDARY PUNK BAND, SHAM 69, "IF THE FANS ARE UNITED, THEN WE'LL NEVER BE DIVIDED!"

MONSTER PARTY GETS BELLICOSE WITH BLURBS!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, experience a description conniption as they revisit a much-loved topic/party game. Just when you thought it was safe to read a movie poster, MONSTER PARTY goes off on a… TAGLINE TIRADE!!!

Although the emotional level is high, the rules are still the same. We each take turns offering up taglines from various genre films, and the others have to guess the movie the tagline belongs to. Sound easy? Not so much. Sound fun? You bet your encyclopedic knowledge of film taglines ass!

But, don't expect softballs like "In space… no one can hear you scream," or "If this one doesn't scare you, you're already dead." This is MONSTER PARTY, and we go deep!

Joining us for this scintillating slogan smackdown is a dear friend of MONSTER PARTY and a man who knows his way around a good (or bad) tagline. He's a turbo-talented comedian, actor, and filmmaker who has appeared in a plethora of movies and TV shows, including HOUSESITTER: THE NIGHT THEY SAVED SEIGFRIED'S BRAIN, MAD ABOUT YOU, DR. KATZ, PROFESSIONAL THERAPIST, 3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN, BRAIN DONORS, and TOTALLY HIDDEN VIDEO. For several years, he was the host of KTVU'S MORNINGS ON 2, and his stand-up has been featured on multiple shows, most notably, THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO and JOHNNY CARSON. THAT'S RIGHT, JOHNNY FRIGGIN' CARSON! Please consider yourself lucky to welcome the great... MARK PITTA!

IT'S A TAGLINE TIRADE! JUST THE WAY OLIVER REED INTENDED!

MONSTER PARTY HAS A KAIJU QUERY?

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD pose a question that speaks to monster kids of every generation! We just gotta know… ARE YOU GODZILLA-CURIOUS?

Since he first stomped onto the screen in 1954, Godzilla has had a lasting presence in pop culture. Over the decades, he has been portrayed in many different incarnations: embodiment of nuclear devastation, charismatic anti-hero, superhero to children, multi-form menace, and finally… Oscar winner!! And although Godzilla may not be everyone's cup of sake, there are those chosen elite who see those distinctive back fins and hear that iconic roar, and think, "What makes that kaiju tick?"

In this episode, we'll discuss Godzilla's unique appeal, the effectiveness of his colorful enemies and allies (Varan, who may not want to listen to this part), and the constantly-changing stylistic choices that delight and enrage his fans. By breaking down the strengths and weaknesses of the various entries in Godzilla's long filmography, we'll attempt to shed light on why Godzilla has managed to maintain his worldwide grip on audiences.

Take your pick: from the grim symbolism of Gojira, the swinging '60s space vibe of Invasion of the Astro Monster, the "Afterschool Special" lessons of All Monsters Attack, the mind-blowing weirdness of Godzilla vs. Hedorah, the "everything but the kitchen sink "splendor of Godzilla Vs. Biollante, the big-budget mainstreaming of the Legendary Godzilla series, the Dr. Strangelove satire of Shin Godzilla, or the grounded historical drama of Godzilla Minus One. Whatever your taste, Godzilla's got you covered.

Joining us for this audio visit to Monster Island are two very special guests making their MONSTER PARTY debut!

First up, we've got a celebrated Rotten Tomatoes-Approved film critic, a member of the Hollywood Creative Alliance and the African American Film Critics Association, and a super hardcore Godzilla fan! His work has been featured in VARIETY, WE LIVE ENTERTAINMENT, WHY SO BLU, FIRSTSHOWING.NET, BATTLESHIP PRETENSION, SCREEN RANT, THE CODE IS ZEEK, and the podcast, OUT NOW WITH AARON AND ABE.

We also have an award-winning filmmaker, who is another Rotten Tomatoes-Approved film critic, a member of the Hollywood Critics Association and the African American Film Critics Association, and the owner of LeNoirAuteur.net! And would you believe, he's very Godzilla-curious?

And fitting to the theme of this episode, our two guests happen to be the hosts of the always entertaining and informative podcast, TWO BLACK GUYS TALK GODZILLA! Please give an atomic breath-warmed welcome to… AARON NEUWIRTH and TERENCE JOHNSON!

DESTROY ALL ILL-CONCEIVED NOTIONS ABOUT GODZILLA! AND GO EASY ON VARAN.

JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT WAS SAFE TO LISTEN TO MONSTER PARTY!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD revel in the legacy of a shark named "Bruce." Get a bucket of chum, and find yourself a bigger boat, as MONSTER PARTY presents… JAWS: 50 YEARS OF FRIGHTS AND BITES!!!

In 1975, STEVEN SPIELBERG unleashed a breathtaking thriller that would go on to be one of the highest-grossing motion pictures of all time, ushering in the era of the "blockbuster." Based on the best-selling book by PETER BENCHLEY, JAWS' journey from novel to screen was a difficult one. Faced with a malfunctioning shark, precarious ocean conditions, bickering actors, and skyrocketing production costs, Spielberg would rise above these obstacles, turning adversity into ingenuity. And let's not forget the contribution of JOHN WILLIAMS' legendary score. To this day, can anyone resist humming "Dun Dun Dun Dun" when they hit the pool?

After JAWS' initial worldwide success, the film was followed up by several lackluster sequels and copycats. But no matter how hard (or how little) other filmmakers tried, no one was able to capture the magic that made JAWS be considered by many to be one of the few perfect films. And who would have thought that 50 years later, the film they almost pulled the plug on would be the pop culture icon that it is today?

Joining us for this monumental maw fest is an accomplished actor, author, journalist, and publicist who is a beloved staple of the monster kid community. He has appeared in such diverse movies and TV shows as IN THE SHADOWS, THE PREY: KARNOCTUS, LAVALANTULA, CHASTITY BITES, BLOOD AND GUTS WITH SCOTT IAN, TIM AND ERIC AWESOME SHOW, GREAT JOB, THE FLINTSTONES, BEETHOVEN'S 2ND, and STAR TREK: VOYAGER. He's been a long-time contributor for FANGORIA, STARLOG, FILM REVIEW, and DREAD CENTRAL, and is the author of the books THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO COMPANION, BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25TH CENTURY: A TV COMPANION, YOU WOULDN'T LIKE ME WHEN I'M ANGRY: A HULK COMPANION, and the must-have tome for any respectable JAWS fan, JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT WAS SAFE: A JAWS COMPANION. Please welcome… PAT JANKIEWICZ!

MONSTER PARTY SALUTES THE PHENOMENON OF JAWS! AND THIS TIME… IT'S PERSONAL.

MONSTER PARTY BRINGS YOU THE ONLY KRYPTO YOU CAN TRUST!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, salute what is arguably the most famous superhero of all time. Join us as we pry open the doors of The Fortress of Solitude to examine the meta-human miracle that is... THE LEGACY OF SUPERMAN!

Created in 1933 as a villain by the ill-fated team of writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, Superman made his heroic debut in Action Comics #1 in 1938. Since then, the orphan from the planet Krypton has been the subject of numerous pop culture interpretations, including serials, cartoons, live-action TV series, and major motion pictures. Although these vehicles have been hit and miss, the release of the most recent 2025 film, SUPERMAN, written and directed by JAMES GUNN, sees Superman come full circle back to the tone of his earlier comic book roots.

In this episode, MONSTER PARTY dissects what has made Superman retain his universal appeal. Concentrating primarily on his depictions in films and television, we tackle some of the pros and cons of this pop culture icon. How did the Superman radio show lead to the early Kirk Alyn Superman serials of the 40's? What has animation contributed to the Superman mythology? Was the 1950's TV show starring George Reeves an effective portrayal of Supes? What are some of the problems that have plagued various feature film productions? Does the new Superman film stand up to the praise and criticism? And is it possible to make a truly decent superhero interesting?

Joining us for this yellow sun-powered yap fest is a man who has had the honor of creating Superman stories for D.C. Comics. He's a friend of the show and a celebrated artist and writer who has lent his talents to such projects as BLACK TERROR, BATMAN: THRILLKILLER, SUPERMAN AND BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE WORLD'S FINEST, THE PSYCHO, GIANTKILLER, JLA: SEVEN CASKETS, and his own groundbreaking series, THE NOCTURNALS. Please welcome back, Krypton's favorite son... DAN BRERETON!

LOOK! UP IN THE SKY! IS IT A BIRD? IS IT A PLANE? IS IT AN INCREDIBLY HIGH JUMPING LEPUS? NO... IT'S MONSTER PARTY!