The Odd Podcast with Joe Parisi

One of the most iconic costumes in movie history is stepping back into the spotlight. On this episode of The Odd Podcast with Joe Parisi, Joe is joined by renowned pop culture curator James Comisar to discuss the legendary Cowardly Lion costume worn by Bert Lahr in the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz — and the remarkable story behind its survival. Comisar takes us inside the world of preserving Hollywood history, including the Cowardly Lion costume and its significance as one of the most recognizable pieces of movie memorabilia ever created. How does an artifact from one of Hollywood's most beloved films survive for nearly 90 years? What happens to famous costumes and props after the cameras stop rolling? And what makes certain pieces of entertainment history worth preserving? Joe and James also explore the fascinating, and increasingly valuable, world of Hollywood memorabilia and high-end pop culture collecting. It's a conversation about The Wizard of Oz, Bert Lahr, the Cowardly Lion, lost Hollywood treasures, movie & television memoribilia conservation, and the effort to preserve pieces of entertainment history before they disappear forever. Follow Joe Parisi @joeparisivo or www.joeparisivoiceover.com www.joeparisifilms.com

Step beyond the bright lights of classic Hollywood and into the forgotten world of Ed Wood's Fringe Hollywood. Long before Ed Wood became a cult icon and the subject of Tim Burton's acclaimed film, he was hustling to make movies on the margins of the film industry - renting bare-bones soundstages, scraping together casts of unforgettable characters, and creating films that somehow outlived many of the Hollywood classics of their era. In this episode, Joe sits down with Ed Wood historian Bob Blackburn, whose decades of research and personal friendship with Kathy Wood (Ed's widow), offer a rare firsthand glimpse into that world. Together they explore the legendary Quality Studios, the disappearing landscape of Hollywood's Poverty Row, and the eccentric personalities who orbited Wood - including Criswell, Vampira, Conrad Brooks, Tor Johnson, Bunny Breckinridge, and more. Whether you're a lifelong Ed Wood fan or you've only heard him described as "the worst director of all time," this conversation reveals a far richer story: one about dreamers, outsiders, forgotten Hollywood history, and the people who refused to stop creating. Because sometimes the most fascinating stories happen on the fringes. Follow Joe @joeparisivo www.joeparisifilms.com

What if the most memorable graduation speech of all time was never actually a graduation speech?

On this episode of The Odd Podcast with Joe Parisi, we take a deep dive into "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)," the 1999 spoken-word hit that offered life advice to an entire generation. From its origins as a newspaper column falsely attributed to Kurt Vonnegut, to its transformation into an international chart-topping song by filmmaker Baz Luhrmann, this unlikely cultural phenomenon has a fascinating story behind it.

We'll explore how the viral hoax began in the early days of the internet, why the message resonated with millions, the song's surprising chart success around the world, and whether its famous advice still holds up more than 25 years later.

It's a strange, nostalgic, and surprisingly meaningful journey into one of the most unique hits of the late 1990s.

Step into a supersized dose of nostalgia on this episode of The Odd Podcast with Joe Parisi!

Joe dives deep into the wild, colorful world of McDonald's nostalgia, Ronald McDonald history, and some of the most sought-after McDonald's collectibles ever made.

First, Joe talks with Randy Kalin, a performer and magician who spent more than 30 years working as Ronald McDonald, sharing incredible behind-the-scenes stories about what it was like to bring one of the most recognizable characters in pop culture to life. From live appearances to the magic of the Golden Arches, Randy offers a rare inside look at an unforgettable era of McDonald's history.

Then, Joe is joined by Dustin Mayfield (@dustydixie), a prolific pop culture toy and memorabilia collector who has bought, sold, and hunted down some of the coolest and rarest vintage McDonald's collectibles, including retro advertising pieces, restaurant décor, promotional items, and other fast food treasures that collectors dream about.

If you love retro McDonald's, 80s and 90s nostalgia, Happy Meal memories, vintage advertising, restaurant memorabilia, and the strange corners of pop culture history, this episode is for you.

🍟 Topics include:

• What it was really like to be Ronald McDonald
• Rare and valuable McDonald's memorabilia
• Vintage Happy Meal toys and collectibles
• Classic McDonald's restaurant décor and advertising
• Why McDonald's nostalgia still hits so hard

Whether you grew up with the PlayPlace, birthday parties, collectible glasses, menu boards, or the golden age of Ronald McDonald, this episode is a nostalgic trip back to one of America's most iconic brands.

MTV Changed Pop Culture Forever...Let's Rewind 📺

This episode of The Odd Podcast dives deep into the wild, colorful, and culture-shifting history of MTV.

From the moment "Video Killed the Radio Star" launched the network in 1981, MTV didn't just play music videos, it reshaped music, fashion, celebrity culture, and an entire generation. In this episode, I take you on a nostalgic journey through the rise, peak, and evolution of MTV.

We talk about:

• The early days and explosive rise of MTV • Iconic music videos that defined the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s • The shows that changed the network forever (and changed TV itself) • How reality TV slowly replaced music videos • The long, strange "end of the music video era"

Plus, a very special guest interview.

I'm joined by FlexasaurusRex, the anonymous creator behind the viral MTV Rewind website - a free streaming experience that brings back the magic of watching music videos all day long. We talk about why he built it, the reaction it's getting online, and why people still miss the MTV era so much.

If you grew up watching MTV, miss music television, or just love pop-culture nostalgia, this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now and take a trip back to when the TV was always on… and the music never stopped. Follow Joe Parisi @joeparisivo

Follow FlexasaurusRex @rexflexasaurus

wantmymtv.xyz

Heather O'Rourke is forever etched into horror history as Carol Anne Freeling, the wide-eyed little girl who delivered one of the most iconic lines in movie history: "They're here." Cast in Poltergeist (1982) at just five years old, Heather instantly became one of the most recognizable child actors of the 1980s and a defining face of supernatural cinema.

Before and after Poltergeist, Heather appeared in national television commercials and guest-starred on popular shows like Happy Days and Webster. She went on to reprise her role as Carol Anne in Poltergeist II and Poltergeist III, solidifying her place in horror fandom while quickly gaining a reputation as a remarkably gifted young performer.

Tragically, Heather O'Rourke passed away in 1988 at only 12 years old, leaving behind an enduring legacy and decades of unanswered questions, myths, and fascination among fans of the Poltergeist films.

In this episode, I'm joined by friend of the show Brian Pocrass, who has spent years working with his team on an upcoming documentary about Heather's life, career, and lasting impact. The film, She Was Here, is set for release in early 2026. Together, we discuss Heather's rise to fame, her cultural impact, and why her story continues to resonate with Poltergeist fans and horror lovers alike.

This episode was originally released on December 27, 2025, on what would have been Heather's 50th birthday.

Follow Joe Parisi @joeparisivo

In this episode, Joe Parisi explores the #1 songs of the 1990s as ranked by the Billboard Hot 100. From chart‑toppers that shattered records to songs that launched major careers, and even a few that completely disappeared from the cultural conversation. This is a deep dive into what the charts were really telling us.

The Billboard Hot 100 isn't just about hits. It's a snapshot of a moment in time. Each #1 song reflects a week, a season, or even a specific memory for millions of people.

So put on your Starter jacket, pump up your shoes, and join Joe for a fun, nostalgic look back at the music that defined the '90s.

Follow Joe @joeparisivo

Get ready for an irresistibly nostalgic deep dive into one of the most delightfully quirky parts of Pee-wee's Playhouse: the iconic claymation "Penny" segments! In this episode, we explore how these whimsical shorts were created, uncover who "Penny" really was, and connect the dots to a surprising web of pop-culture oddities that all tie back to her.

I'm joined by two incredible guests: Prudence Fenton, the visionary animation director and producer behind Pee-wee's Playhouse, and Timothy Young, the artist and model maker who literally built Penny during Season 1. Together, they share behind-the-scenes stories, creative secrets, and the unexpected legacy of a tiny girl made of clay who left a huge mark on children's television.

Tune in for nostalgia, creativity, and some seriously fun surprises!

Follow Joe @joeparisivo

Check out Joe's other podcast "America's Pop Culture Trivia Show".

Author and Podcaster Mark Malkoff joins Joe for an in-depth discussion about Johnny Carson's fascinating life and career. Mark recently released the book "Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan's Journey to Find the Genuis Behind the Legend".

If you love hearing stories from Hollywood's Golden Age, and exclusive stories from behind the curtain of The Tonight Show, this episode is right up your alley.

Enjoy our 135th episode...Here's Johnny!

Follow Joe @joeparisivo

More about Mark - markmalkoff.com

Diving in to the legend of 2Pac with 9x New York Times Best Selling Author Jeff Pearlman. In October 2025, Jeff released his latest book "Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur".

Follow Joe @joeparisivo

Follow Jeff @jeff_pearlman