Monster Party (general)

MONSTER PARTY WANTS TO BE YOUR VALENTINE! BUT... IT PROBABLY WON'T WORK OUT.

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, fully embrace the true VALENTINE'S DAY spirit, with an episode that explores the genre pitfalls of love. Get ready for Cupid's arrow to tear your heart out and show it to you, as MONSTER PARTY presents... DOOMED ROMANCES!!!

Let's face it, when it comes to maintaining a healthy relationship in horror, sci-fi, or fantasy films, the track record isn't good. Sure, at the end of some films, it my seem like the happy couples go off to live happily ever after... but what about after that? And what if you're in love with a monster? Or an alien? Or a murderer? Or all three at once? And don't get us started about dudes who don't tell you about their army of rats!

To help us understand the complexities of all these dubious hookups, we enlisted the best romance expert we could find, with the least amount of effort. She's an Emmy Award winning comedian, actor, writer, director, producer, and a dear friend of MONSTER PARTY, not to mention, the object of your doomed affections. Please welcome back, the always awesome... SUE MURPHY (THE SOUP, CHELSEA LATELY, WANDA AT LARGE, THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN, THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO, THE JEFF FOXWORTHY SHOW, THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW, EWOKS)

MONSTER PARTY LOVES YOU! IT'S JUST THAT WE'RE NOT IN LOVE WITH YOU.

Direct download: Monster_Party_Doomed_Romances_Sue_Murphy.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:59pm PDT

LOOK! UP IN THE SKY! IT'S A BIRD! IT'S A PLANE! IT'S... WE HAVE NO IDEA!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, unearth some of the strange, stupid, or forgotten superheroes of yesteryear. Get ready for a heapin' helping of hazy heroics, as MONSTER PARTY presents... SUPERHERO OBSCURA!!!

In this current golden age of superhero films, TV shows, video games, and of course, comic books, there has been no shortage of A-list meta-human material. And during this time, a few lesser known characters like The Guardians of the Galaxy have blasted their way to being household names. Does this mean that some other forgotten heroes may have a chance to re-surface and make it to the big time? In this podcast, we hope to make that happen!

We've got obscure superheroes from golden age funnybooks, defunct publishers, little known satirical sendups, short-lived cartoons, failed TV pilots, and more!

Joining us in "The Fortress of Monster-tude," is a long-time friend and supporter of our show. He's an acclaimed author, writer, actor, improvisor, and podcaster, who also has the fascinating job of coming up with names for the world's most memorable things! Um, Swiffer anyone? MONSTER PARTY is proud to welcome back the lovely and talented... MARC HERSHON! (SUCCOTASH: THE COMEDY SOUNDCAST SOUNDCAST, THE FUNSTER, I HATE PEOPLE!, THE CALIFORNIANS, WEDDING DAZE, MONSTER MAKERS, SANTA JR., DIRECTOR OF NAMING AND VERBAL IDENTITY AT LANDOR & FITCH)

MONSTER PARTY SAYS: "UNMEMORABLES ASSEMBLE!"

Direct download: Monster_Party_Superhero_Obscura_Marc_Hershon.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:14pm PDT

ONCE AGAIN, MONSTER PARTY IS READY FOR A ROOM RUMBLE!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, return to the hypothertical "room" where your favorite genre characters get up in each other's grill. Get ready for another round of ferocious face offs, as we bring you... WHO WOULD WIN? VOL. 7: CARNAGEPALOOZA!!!

Long time listeners know how these episodes work, but for those of you just tuning in, here's the deal. It's just like the classic schoolyard game where you choose fictional characters from sci-fi, horror, and fantasy, put them in a room, and force them to do battle. Why? Because you can!

Joining us for this pugnacious podcast is a long-time friend of the show, who always knows a good fight when he sees one one. He's not only a successful actor, director, producer, and voice artist, but also the founder of the enormously popular, BIF! BANG POW! TOYS. And if that were not enough to make you swoon, he's currently the host of the YouTube sensation, PLASTIC SOUL: THE POP CULTURE SHOW BY ENTERTAINMENT EARTH! MONSTER PARTY is absolutely giddy to welcome back... JASON LENZI! (CANNONBALL, WIPEOUT, SUPERGROUP, BANDS REUNITED, BEAT THE GEEKS, LET'S BOWL)

MONSTER PARTY WANTS A PIECE OF YOU! SPECIFICALLY, THE PART THAT LISTENS TO OUR SHOW.

Direct download: Monster_Party_Who_Would_Win_Vol_7_Carnagepalooza_Jason_Lenzi.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:21pm PDT

THE TOPIC FREE-FOR-ALL IS BACK, BUT A CERTAIN PROP HAD OTHER PLANS!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, return to the topic that is all topics! But due to a slight hiccup, we don't have our beloved plastic skull full of exciting, and sometimes moldy talking points. Thus, we present... TOPIC FREE-FOR-ALL: OUT OF OUR SKULL EDITION!!!

In past "TOPIC FREE-ALL" episodes, we'd usually pull strips of paper with random topics out a plastic skull, and discuss whatever was written on them. But at the last minute, we discovered the skull was inaccessible. Not giving in to defeat, we quickly retooled our topic choosing process, and the show was saved! But we're not going to lie... the skull was missed.

One thing that did go very right was our choice of a guest! He's an acclaimed comedian, writer, cartoonist, friend of the show, and no stranger to TOPIC FREE-FOR-ALL! MONSTER PARTY is pleased to start the new year with the lovely and talented... JOHN MATTA! (MATTA NAPKIN, BEWARE THE BATMAN, THE EPIC TALES OF CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS, BE COOL, SCOOBY DOO!, DUCK DODGERS, THE MARTIN SHORT SHOW)

BONUS: IF ALL THIS IS NOT ENOUGH NEW YEAR MERRIMENT, WE'VE GOT A SPECIAL REVIEW OF THE NEW NETFLIX SERIES, "WEDNESDAY", BY OUR OWN KATHY STROTHE! IT'S TUBULAR!

SUCK ON THAT 2023!

Direct download: Monster_Party_Topic_Free-For-All_Out_Of_Our_Skull_Edition_John_Matta.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:56pm PDT

IT'S MONSTER PARTY'S END OF THE YEAR OFFICE PARTY, AND WE'VE SPIKED THE PUNCH WITH... PIZAZZ!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, celebrate this magical season with an event of modestly epic proportions. To make things extra exclusive, we winnowed the "A-List" down to the four of us, and... YOU! We invite you to  attend... THE MONSTER PARTY HOLIDAY BASH 2022!!!

Get your party groove on with a rambling, off the cuff, anything goes, conga line of nerd talk, aided by a hellish helping of demon booze! And hey, it's a party! You might get lucky!

Speaking of nerd talk, this raucous round robin includes delighful debates over Soylent Green, Andor, Avatar, Star Trek 5, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, Christmas movies, genre documentaries, Pluto TV, and soooo much more!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS & HAPPY NEW YEAR MONSTER PARTIERS! NOW IF YOU'LL EXCUSE US, ASS CHEEKS DON'T PHOTOCOPY THEMSELVES!

Direct download: Monster_Party_The_Monster_Party_Holiday_Bash_2022.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:38pm PDT

IT'S TIME FOR MONSTER PARTY TO TELL YOU WHAT IT WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, once again share their ultimate wishlists for the gift-giving  season! Prepare to max out your credit cards and drain your bank accounts, as we present... THE MONSTER PARTY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2022!!!

Like many years past, the MONSTER PARTY gang helps you with that sometimes tricky task of finding the perfect present for that persnickety monster kid. It's the least we could do to stop you from ruining Christmas.

As this holiday tradition goes, we are yet again joined by a friend of the show, a past smooth young intern, and monster toy maker extraordinaire! We love him but we hate him because he always tells us about too many cool things. Please welcome back... KEVIN SMITH! (SEA DEMON VINYL, H.O.P. TOYS, SPIRAL TOY, OTAKUMERICA)

NOW GET SHOPPING PEOPLE!!!

Direct download: Monster_Party_Holiday_Gift_Guide_2022_Kevin_Smith.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:30pm PDT

MONSTER PARTY PRESENTS A DINNER WITH FIENDS!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, give thanks for all those genre characters with extremely questionable table manners. We hope you have the appetite for… DIABOLICAL DINNERS!

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, many of you might be  dreading that family dinner with your unpleasant relatives. But if you thought your uncle was crazy, listening to this episode should put things into perspective. We’ve got a venomous variety of aliens, oddballs, zombies, murderers, animated a-holes, a whole lotta cannibals, and more! And by more, we mean more cannibals.

Helping us set the table for this gathering of ghastly gourmets, is a dear friend of the show, not to mention all of us. No stranger to good food, as a young TV pitchman, he introduced the world to McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets, and the Shamrock Shake. He’s a mega-talented writer, actor, podcaster, and fellow monster kid, who is like a member of the MONSTER PARTY family. We are as pleased as poisoned punch to welcome back the great… KEN DALY! (NERD POKER, STAN AGAINST EVIL, SUPER ADVENTURE TEAM, MR. SHOW WITH BOB AND DAVID, THE USUAL SUSPECTS, THE KARATE KID, QUINCY M.E., DUCK DODGERS, AND SO MUCH MORE!)

WARNING: THIS EPISODE CONTAINS SPOILERS! PLEASE WATCH EVERY MOVIE WITH A WEIRD DINNER SCENE BEFORE LISTENING.

MONSTER PARTY WOULD LIKE TO WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING! BUT IF YOU’RE HAVING GRAVY… LEAVE SOME FOR THE REST OF US!

Direct download: Monster_Party_Diabolical_Dinners_Ken_Daly.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:23pm PDT

MONSTER PARTY SUCCUMBS TO BATMANIA! AND WE DON'T WANT TO GET WELL!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, emerge from their own private BATCAVES, to present a one-stop history of everyone's favorite DARK KNIGHT. So slide into your preferably nipple-less crime fighting costume, and curl up next to the internet, for a cowl-eye view of... THE BATMAN LEGACY!!!

When people think of BATMAN, their minds usually go to the campy 60's TV show, or the grim cinematic depictions of today. But if that's all you think there is to Gotham City's own millionaire vigilantee, you must be as crazy as THE JOKER! Batman has a colorful backstory that continues to shape his legacy for each new generation of fans. And much like an English muffin, it's in the nooks and crannies where you'll often find the most satisfaction.

Joining us for this ultility belt of information is our own caped curator of all things BATMAN. Not only is he a past guest and friend of the show, but also an insanely talented author, artist, game designer, Disney Imagineer, and educator! MONSTER PARTY is proud to welcome back... SCOTT ROGERS! (TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: THE GAME, MARVEL VILLAINOUS: WE ARE VENOM, RAYGUNS AND ROCKETSHIPS, PANTONE: THE GAME, ALIEN: FATE OF THE NOSTROMO, GOD OF WAR SAGA, WARHAMMER 40,000: KILL TEAM, MAXIMO & THE ARMY OF ZIN, PAC-MAN WORLD, DRAWN TO LIFE, DARKSIDERS, LEVEL UP, & SO MUCH MORE!)

ZOK!! OOOFF! VRONK! ZGRUPPP! SORRY MONSTER PARTIERS BUT THE CAT JUST WALKED ACROSS MY KEYBOARD.

 

Direct download: Monster_Party_The_Batman_Legacy_Scott_Rogers.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:33am PDT

THIS HALLOWEEN, MONSTER PARTY IS PLAYING PUMPKINHEAD GAMES!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, celebrate their favorite holiday with a ghastly gala of gruesome glee! It's an earful of elated eeriness entitled... HALLOWEEN HULLABALOO!!!

The Halloween season is a magical time for MONSTER PARTY. It's when we adorn our homes is spooky decorations, dress up in costumes, watch our favorite horror films, and party like the monsters we are.  So basically, it's like every other part of the year, but with rest of the world joining us. 

For this Halloween, we've got a special guest who brings his own special spice to the holiday. Pumpkin spice, that is!

He's an acclaimed writer, filmmaker, film historian, and trading card guru, who is making his debut on MONSTER PARTY! He co-wrote the screenplay for the ultimate Halloween film, PUMPKINHEAD, as well as the cult horror/superhero classic... VAMPIRELLA!

And if that we're not enough, he basically worked on every genre trading card that ever gave your life meaning. We're talkin' series like CREATURE FEATURES, STAR WARS, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS, and WACKY PACKAGES! Yes, WACKY FREAKIN' PACKAGES! 

MONSTER PARTY is proud to welcome... GARY GERANI!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN MONSTER PARTIERS! AND STAY SAFE...OR PUMPKINHEAD WILL COME FOR YOU! 

Direct download: Monster_Party_Halloween_Hullabaloo_Gary_Gerani.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:56pm PDT

MONSTER PARTY IS WATCHING! DO YOU DARE WATCH BACK?!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, pull themselves away from their baccanale of binge-watching, to bring you another blast of audio-visual audaciousness! So get ready, get set, go download... WHAT WE'RE WATCHING VOL. 3!!!

With the seemingly endless procession of genre product coming out of our various screens, there's more for monster kids to watch than ever. But whether it's TV shows, independant films, or big ticket blockbuster releases, separating the good, the bad, and the god awful, can be quite the challenge. What the hell, we're gonna do our best!

Joining us for our most recent round of cinematic samplings is an award-winning journalist, producer, editor, sound designer, and film critic. She covers arts and culture around San Diego for KPBS News, and has gained an honored seat at the MONSTER PARTY table by editing "THE ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES" sequels. Please welcome our new monster kid friend... BETH ACCOMANDO!

SO WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING? HONESTLY, WE'D REALLY LIKE TO KNOW!

Direct download: Monster_Party_What_Were_Watching_Vol_3_Beth_Accomando.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:14pm PDT