Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came: A Podcast about Stephen King and His Books

By Jay Russo and Sean McGurrTV & Film Arts Books Fiction Science Fiction Film Reviews

Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came: A Podcast about Stephen King and His Books episodes

October 08Ep. 201 Other Worlds Than These, chapters 1-10
In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came, we explore Other Worlds Than These, Part 1, chapters 1-10.
Introduction (00:00)
Publication history (01:42)
Initial thoughts (05:45)
Rules and when not to follow them (07:56)
Connections to other King books (18:06)
Speculation (23:18)
Dark Tower Thinnies (30:37)
Yuck-King it Up (35:42)
Fun Stuff (37:28)
Other Worlds than These (41:46)
Jay: A lot of Spider-Man movies: Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026), all starring Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, and Marisa Tomei. Jay also watched The Punisher: One Last Kill.
Sean: The Maltese Falcon (1930) and other Sam Spade short stories by Dashiell Hammett.
Outro (45:29)
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Send your questions, comments, and ideas to [email protected]. For more information about the show, check us out at twoguystothedarktowercame.com.
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X: @2guysdarktower
Bluesky: @twoguysdarktower.bsky.social
Intro and outro music is Western Cowboys Logo by Shorties.
Next Episode: Other Worlds Than These, Part 1, chapters 11-19.
47 min
September 30Ep. 200 Black House, Part 4, chapters 26-29, and the Epilogue
In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came, we explore Black House, Part 4, chapters 26-29 and the epilogue.
Introduction (00:00)
Book has some flaws (01:25)
The ending (09:25)
Final thoughts (23:19)
Dark Tower Thinnies (25:11)
Listener feedback (28:22)
Yuck-King it Up (32:08)
Fun Stuff (33:43)
Other Worlds than These (37:16)
Jay: The Running Man (1987, 2025)
Sean: Interview with the Vampire (2022, AMC)
Outro (45:27)
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Send your questions, comments, and ideas to [email protected]. For more information about the show, check us out at twoguystothedarktowercame.com.
Join the conversation on social media!
X: @2guysdarktower
Bluesky: @twoguysdarktower.bsky.social
Intro and outro music is Western Cowboys Logo by Shorties.
Next Episode: Other Worlds Than These, Part 1, chapters 1-10.
47 min
September 23Ep. 199 Black House, Part 3, chapters 21-25
In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came, we explore Black House, Part 3, chapters 21-25.
Introduction (00:00)
Recap (00:46)
The tragic death of Henry Leyden (02:11)
What’s the point of this book? (12:39)
Dark Tower Thinnies (25:18)
Yuck-King it Up (27:00)
Fun Stuff (29:12)
Other Worlds than These (33:05)
Jay: Ghostbusters (1984). Directed by Ivan Reitman. Starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis, Annie Potts, Ernie Hudson, and William Atherton.
Sean: Hansel and Gretel (2025). Written by Stephen King and Maurice Sendak. With an appearance by Rhea of the Coos!
Outro (38:20)
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Send your questions, comments, and ideas to [email protected]. For more information about the show, check us out at twoguystothedarktowercame.com.
Join the conversation on social media!
X: @2guysdarktower
Bluesky: @twoguysdarktower.bsky.social
Intro and outro music is Western Cowboys Logo by Shorties.
Next Episode: Black House, Part 4, chapters 26-29 and the Epilogue.
40 min
September 16Ep. 198 Black House, Part 3, Chapters 15-20
In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came, we explore Black House, Part 3, chapters 15-20.
Introduction (00:00)
Borderlands and bad places (01:41)
Night’s Plutonian Shore (13:29)
Coppiceman (20:15)
Dark Tower Thinnies (29:45)
Listener Feedback (31:02)
Yuck-King it Up (34:54)
Fun Stuff (38:02)
Other Worlds than These (46:25)
Sean: Concrete “Stars over Sand” by Paul Chadwick
Jay: The Sheep Detectives (2026)
Outro (54:06)
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Send your questions, comments, and ideas to [email protected]. For more information about the show, check us out at twoguystothedarktowercame.com.
Join the conversation on social media!
X: @2guysdarktower
Bluesky: @twoguysdarktower.bsky.social
Intro and outro music is Western Cowboys Logo by Shorties.
Next Episode: Black House, Part 3. Chapters 21-25.
56 min
September 09Ep. 197 Black House, Part 2, chapters 5-14
In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came, we explore Black House, Part 2, “The Taking of Tyler Marshall,” chapter 5-14.
Introduction (00:00)
Recap (00:50)
Less is more (01:27)
There are other worlds (10:46)
Dark Tower Thinnies (20:07)
Yuck-King it Up (23:22)
Fun Stuff (25:19)
Other Worlds than These (30:09)
Jay: Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, Apple TV. Created by Chris Black and Matt Fraction. Starring Anna Sawai, Kiersey Clemons, Ren Watabe, Mari Yamamoto, Anders Holm, Joe Tippett, Elisa Lasowski, Wyatt Russell, and Kurt Russell.
Sean: Widow’s Bay, Apple TV. Created by Katie Dippold. Starring Matthew Rhys, Kate O’Flynn, Kevin Carroll, Dale Dickey, Kingston Rumi Southwick, and Stephen Root.
Outro (35:04)
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Buy merch at store.twoguystothedarktowercame.com.
Send your questions, comments, and ideas to [email protected]. For more information about the show, check us out at twoguystothedarktowercame.com.
Join the conversation on social media!
X: @2guysdarktower
Bluesky: @twoguysdarktower.bsky.social
Intro and outro music is Western Cowboys Logo by Shorties.
Next Episode: Black House, Part 3, “Night’s Plutonian Shore,” chapters 15-20.
37 min
September 02Ep. 196 Black House, part 1, chapters 1-4
In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came, we explore Black House, part 1, chapters 1-4.
Introduction (00:00)
Publication history (01:44)
Setting a mood (04:57)
Look closer (15:33)
Dark Tower Thinnies (22:35)
Yuck-King it Up (27:03)
Fun Stuff (29:21)
Other Worlds than These (36:40)
Sean: No Way Out (1987, Prime Video)
Jay: Your Friends & Neighbors (2025, Apple TV)
Outro (42:58)
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Send your questions, comments, and ideas to [email protected]. For more information about the show, check us out at twoguystothedarktowercame.com.
Join the conversation on social media!
X: @2guysdarktower
Bluesky: @twoguysdarktower.bsky.social
Intro and outro music is Western Cowboys Logo by Shorties.
Next Episode: Black House, Part 2, chapters 5-14.
45 min
August 19Ep. 195 The Talisman, Part 4, chapters 34-47
Note: In preparation for our coverage of Black House and the new novel Other Worlds Than These (coming in October), we are reposting our episodes on The Talisman.
In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came, we finish The Talisman, Part 4, Chapters 34-47.
Introduction (00:00)
On the subject of twinners (01:40)
What is the talisman (10:30)
Dark Tower Thinnies (16:47)
Yuck-King It Up (24:57)
Fun Stuff (27:44)
Wrapping up The Talisman (34:50)
Other Worlds Than These (42:09)
Sean: Black Mirror season 6
Jay: Billions seasons 5 & 6
Outro (46:27)
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Support our show at Patreon.com/twoguysdarktower.
Buy merch at store.twoguystothedarktowercame.com.
Send your questions, comments, and ideas to [email protected]. For more information about the show, check us out at twoguystothedarktowercame.com.
Join the conversation on social media!
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/2guysdarktower/
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2guysdarktower/
Twitter: @2guysdarktower
Intro and outro music is Western Cowboys Logo by Shorties.
Next Episode: Black House, Part 1, chapters 1-4.
48 min
August 12Ep. 194 The Talisman, Part 3, chapters 27-33 and Interlude
Note: In preparation for our coverage of Black House and the new novel Other Worlds Than These (coming in October), we are reposting our episodes on The Talisman.
In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came, we explore The Talisman, Part 3, “A Collision of Worlds,” chapters 27-33, and Interlude.
Introduction (00:00)
The power of storytelling (01:31)
A collision of worlds (11:37)
Late world building (22:41)
Dark Tower Thinnies (28:58)
Yuck-King It Up (30:07)
Fun Stuff (34:13)
Other Worlds Than These (36:14)
Sean: White House Plumbers
Jay: The Quick and the Dead
Outro (44:25)
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Support our show at Patreon.com/twoguysdarktower.
Buy merch at store.twoguystothedarktowercame.com.
Send your questions, comments, and ideas to [email protected]. For more information about the show, check us out at twoguystothedarktowercame.com.
Join the conversation on social media!
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/2guysdarktower/
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2guysdarktower/
Twitter: @2guysdarktower
Intro and outro music is Western Cowboys Logo by Shorties.
Next Episode: The Talisman, Part 4, “The Talisman,” chapters 34-39.
46 min
August 05Ep. 193 The Talisman, Part 3, chapters 20-26
Note: In preparation for our coverage of Black House and the new novel Other Worlds Than These (coming in October), we are reposting our episodes on The Talisman.
In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came, we explore The Talisman, Part 3, “A Collision of Worlds,” chapters 20-26.
Introduction (00:00)
The Sunlight Home (01:47)
The Territories are a reflection of our world (13:56)
Sacrifice is necessary along a hero’s journey (20:14)
Dark Tower Thinnies (24:31)
Yuck-King It Up (27:04)
Fun Stuff (28:27)
Other Worlds Than These (31:48)
Jay: See How They Run (2022)
Sean: Dead Ringers (2023)
Outro (37:35)
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Support our show at Patreon.com/twoguysdarktower.
Buy merch at store.twoguystothedarktowercame.com.
Send your questions, comments, and ideas to [email protected]. For more information about the show, check us out at twoguystothedarktowercame.com.
Join the conversation on social media!
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/2guysdarktower/
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2guysdarktower/
Twitter: @2guysdarktower
Intro and outro music is Western Cowboys Logo by Shorties.
Next Episode: The Talisman, Part 3, “A Collision of Worlds,” chapters 27-33 and Interlude.
39 min
July 29Ep. 192 The Talisman, Part 2, chapters 14-19
Note: In preparation for our coverage of Black House and the new novel Other Worlds Than These (coming in October), we are reposting our episodes on The Talisman.
In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came, we explore The Talisman, Part 2, “The Road of Trials,” Chapters 14-19.
Introduction (00:13)
Cool world building (02:06)
Too much “Y” and not enough “A” (12:36)
Dark Tower Thinnies (20:19)
Yuck-King it Up (25:39)
Fun Stuff (27:21)
Other Worlds than These (31:52)
Outro (37:09)
Leave us an Apple Podcasts review!
Support our show at Patreon.com/twoguysdarktower.
Buy merch at store.twoguystothedarktowercame.com.
Send your questions, comments, and ideas to [email protected]. For more information about the show, check us out at twoguystothedarktowercame.com.
Other Worlds Than These topics:
Jay: Smokey and the Bandit (1977), starring Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jerry Reed, Jackie Gleason, and Paul Williams.
Jay: Unspooled podcast, hosted by Paul Scheer and Amy Nicholson.
Sean: Beef (2023), starring Steven Yeun, Ali Wong, and Joseph Lee.
Join the conversation on social media!
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/2guysdarktower/
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2guysdarktower/
Twitter: @2guysdarktower
Intro and outro music is Western Cowboys Logo by Shorties.
Next Episode: The Talisman, Part 3, “A Collision of Worlds,” Chapters 20-26.
40 min