You had us at “Judd Hirsch as Dracula”. On this episode, hosts Jacob Davison and Ryan Cultrera are joined by special guest Angel Melanson—digital editor of Fangoria, horror journalist, and co-host of the Fangoria Chainsaw Awards. Together, they revisit the criminally underrated 1979 TV special The Halloween That Almost Wasn’t (also known as The Night Dracula Saved the World), featuring disco-dancing monsters, a witch riding over the moon, and of course, a teeny tiny bat. Angel makes the case for why this retro oddity deserves a spot on your annual Halloween watchlist, and they break down the joyful weirdness that makes it so unforgettable.

Angel also shares her journey from horror fan to digital editor of Fangoria, her love for candy corn, and what it was like co-hosting the Chainsaw Awards alongside David Dastmalchian. In addition, Angel, Ryan, and Jacob reflect on Halloween 2024, swapping spooky memories, haunt stories, and costume highlights to help reignite those October vibes and carry that Halloween energy straight through summertime. Just don’t ask Ryan to do a haunted house with taser monsters ever again.

00:00:00 – Podcast Intro

01:52:05 – Halloween questionnaire, Fangoria chat, and haunted house recaps with Angel

30:52:12 -The Halloween That Almost Wasn’t (AKA The Night Dracula Saved the World)

Find Angel at https://www.fangoria.com/ and on social media at @horrorgirlprobs