35 years ago 'The Simpsons' aired their first Halloween special. Horror & television were never(more) the same thereafter. Jon revisits the brilliance of the anthology formatted special with its nods to classic horror and EC comics DNA pulsing through it. Jon also unwraps how this TV special was such a game changer and how it made horror accessible for primetime television; and also how it has acted like a horror archive that preserves the legacies of the all the classics. The Simpsons is revolutionary in television but doesn't really get it's major kudos for its impact on horror...until now! Happy Halloween and stay scary!00:00 Game Changers in Horror History00:32 The Simpsons' Halloween Special: A Revolutionary Moment01:46 Welcome to the Special Halloween Episode02:28 The Simpsons' Impact on Horror03:32 The First Halloween Special: Treehouse of Horror06:03 The Segments of the First Halloween Special07:46 The Simpsons' Viewership and Cultural Impact10:19 The 1990s Television Landscape20:10 The Simpsons as a Cultural Phenomenon25:22 Animation as a Trojan Horse for Horror33:06 The State of Horror in 199034:20 The Simpsons' First Halloween Special34:51 Bad Dream House: A Clever Twist on Haunted House Tropes39:44 Hungry Are The Damned: A Parody of 'To Serve Man'44:02 The Raven: A Literary Gamble That Paid Off52:19 The Simpsons' Influence on Horror and Pop Culture58:42 The Legacy of The Simpsons' Halloween Specials01:03:39 Final Thoughts and Personal Reflections Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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1:07:29
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1:07:29
TWPS Special: Night of The 'Scaries' Call in Show
Join Jon and Alex in a thrilling bonus episode of 'That Was Pretty Scary' as they dive into listener calls and questions. They explore horror origin stories, delve into horror movie suggestions, and reflect on underrepresented themes in the genre. Listeners like Kim, Camo, Jenna, Shari, and more share their horror experiences and queries, leading to engaging discussions about the scariest films that shaped their fears, the potential of horror miniseries, and the importance of identity in horror storytelling. Jon and Alex also tease future plans for the podcast, including exploring horror TV shows and miniseries. Don’t miss this interactive and insightful episode!00:00 Introduction and Listener Shoutout00:20 Special Bonus Episode Announcement00:42 Listener Calls: Kim's Horror Journey06:16 Listener Calls: Camo's Questions08:54 Listener Calls: Jenna's Nostalgic Picks14:42 Listener Calls: Shari's Miniseries Request15:53 Nostalgic TV Memories16:41 Exploring Horror in Television17:24 Future Plans for TV Horror Deep Dives20:11 Holiday Podcast Preview22:48 Underrepresented Themes in Horror26:50 Community Engagement and Future Plans28:38 Amityville Horror and Crossover Ideas Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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32:22
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32:22
TWPS Listener Pick: Hell House LLC
In this episode of 'That Was Pretty Scary,' Jon dives deep into the unsettling brilliance of 'Hell House LLC.' Released in 2015, this found footage horror has made waves with its hyperrealistic approach, reflecting the enterprise culture and media obsession of its time. Jon dissects the film's craft, likening its relatable scare tactics to real life experiences. With shoutouts to his listeners and fellow horror movie enthusiasts, Jon also shares personal insights on vulnerability, grief, and the psychology of fear. Tune in for a detailed breakdown of this low budget yet highly effective horror gem, and don't miss the epilogue where Jon and Alexis brainstorm future projects and address listener feedback.00:00 Introduction to Found Footage Horror01:10 Listener Picks and Personal Reflections06:45 Hell House LLC Overview07:28 The Making of Hell House LLC11:41 2015: A Year in Context22:14 Plot Breakdown and Analysis35:24 The Psychology of Found Footage Horror39:02 The Physiology of Fear in Horror Films39:18 Realism in Horror: The Mundane and the Terrifying40:42 Weaponizing Subtle Visual Disturbances43:44 The Craftsmanship Behind Found Footage Films45:38 The Business of Horror: LLC and Its Implications50:58 The Moral Undertones and Micro-Budget Realism54:39 Epilogue: Reflections and Future Projects Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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1:08:50
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1:08:50
TWPS Listener Pick: The Halloween Tree
October Listener Picks continue on TWPS with the 1993 hidden gem 'The Halloween Tree'. This 1993 made for TV animated film explores friendship, sacrifice, and the true meaning of Halloween. With voice work from Leonard Nimoy and a story penned by Ray Bradbury, this episode offers a nostalgic trip back to the '90s while uncovering deeper themes of mortality and cultural traditions. 00:00 Introduction to a Forgotten Gem01:23 Listener Picks and Personal Memories04:29 The Halloween Tree: Basic Info and Background11:50 Ray Bradbury: The Myth Maker15:24 The Genesis of The Halloween Tree20:08 1993: A Year of Cultural Shifts24:38 The State of Horror in 199330:54 Plot Breakdown: The Halloween Tree37:59 Symbolism and Key Sequences39:50 Ray Bradbury's Influence and Symbolism40:30 The Four Costumes and Their Meanings42:29 The True Horror: Mortality43:56 Mount Shroud and The Halloween Tree46:37 The Cultural Significance of Jack-o'-Lanterns49:00 Themes of Friendship and Sacrifice53:00 Reflections on 90s Animation and Music58:04 Potential for a Live-Action Adaptation01:07:13 Listener Picks and Community Engagement Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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1:11:37
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1:11:37
TWPS Listener Pick: Monster House
The 'That Was Pretty Scary' October Listener Picks continue with the 2006 animated film 'Monster House'. Explore the unique blend of Pixar-level heart and DreamWorks-level sarcasm that 'Monster House' brought to the screen. Jon discusses how this film dared to be different with its chilling story, innovative performance capture CGI, and surprisingly deep emotional themes of trauma, grief, and letting go. Jon delves into the influence of Spielberg and Zemeckis in the film's production, the movie's place in the horror animation lineage, and its lasting impact. Monster House crawled so the likes of Paranorman and Coraline would truly run! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
That Was Pretty Scary is a Horror film podcast hosted by Freddie Prinze Jr and Jon Lee Brody. Together they break down every horror film they’ve ever seen. It’s a long list and the two voices come from a place of experience, education, and most of all a shared love of Horror Movies. From the classics to new releases. From cult favorites to Horror Films from around the world. These two cover it all.
USA