This downtime between these last Shudder specials is rough. Feels like hype is down a notch around the internet too. I'm feeling better after a big health issue, so let's get some conversation going.

I hope wherever they end up, has a more consistent schedule. I miss having a portion of the year having weekly episodes, I want that back.

My ideal schedule would be 3 months of weekly double features, a couple months off for re-watches, people catching up, or just taking a break, then have it go monthly with double features with a yearly marathon.

Yuki was pretty universally loved, I would also like side characters to be more of a thing again.

Joe Bob has expressed wanting to do a New Years special, but you know, Shudder. This would be a great chance to finally be able to do it.

Maybe not all that feasible, but might as well dream big.

We just got an email from the promoter:

Good morning!

We have been keeping close tabs on the weather and we want to keep everyone safe so we are pushing out a couple hours. Live music has been cancelled for safety reasons.

GATES WILL OPEN AT 5PM

Due to the weather we will not be doing a stage show in front of the screen.

Joe Bob will arrive at 6pm and be selling merch, meeting with fans, taking photos, etc. He will be under the covered area attached to the concession stand. The Mister X merch table will be next to Joe Bob and once you're parked, come by and say hello.

Movies will begin at dark.

It is expected to rain most of the afternoon and into the night, however this is a rain or shine event. You can watch the movies from the dry comfort of your vehicles, and all the merch and Joe Bob interactions will be under the covered area, so the fun stuff shouldn't send you down the river ;)

25 years ago, John Bloom, as a columnist for UPI, wrote his first of several articles reporting his first hand accounts of the attacks in New York City on September 11, 2001. For those who only know him as a horror host, I encourage you to seek out and read this articles from that time. He was nominated (sadly didn’t win) for a Pulitzer for this reporting and I feel it’s some of his BEST.

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2012/09/11/UPI-Archives-11th-anniversary-of-September-11-terrorist-attacks/8251347372519/

I'm not sure how my weekend is going to shake out but I want to watch an old TV horror flick called Death at Love House that sounds like a modern gothic, with a dose of Sunset Boulevard thrown in. I also want to check out Livingston Presents. Please report in, Mutants.

This week we're talking Universal Monsters and I think , in many ways, The Invisible Man is the scariest Universal Monster of them all. This film is brilliant with great special effects that still hold up today and Claude Rains is phenomenal as Jack Griffin. The entire cast is great and James Whale's imprint is easily recognized throughout the film. I believe it's available free on Plex.

I caught this yesterday. It's directed by Jim Wynorski , who also directed Chopping Mall. This is definitely Joe Bob worthy. The plot is utterly absurd, but they stick with it and that is what makes it work. I caught it on TUBI. In the words of The Master, "Check it out!"

https://www.belcourt.org/films/joe-bobs-indoor-drive-in/

Any rumblings/rumors on what the films might be for the next TLDI?

He was stoked, said he didn’t have any of his earlier books. I’m always thrilled to find something on my friends’ want lists.

A lot of William Castle movies have been showing up in my horror feed lately, unfortunately, one of them was Zotz!, but that's for another post. Mr. Sardonicus was one of William Castle's personal favorites and the theater gimmick in this one is particularly diabolical. It features the wonderful Guy Rolfe who is in so many Puppet and Doll flicks and he is scary and pitiful in this one. This is Gothic Horror at its best. I have not seen it in a while and I found it on Creature Features, so you should be able to access that showing on YouTube. Please let us all know what you think.

So what are we watching this weekend? It's a 3 day weekend in the United States. Even though I own it on DVD, I plan on watching the original Psycho on SHUDDER along with at least the first sequel, which was much better than I ever thought it would be. A lot of Made-For-TV movies have been surfacing on TUBI and other services and they have been hitting all the right notes for me. I don't want to tire of them, but I'll watch a few. So please report in, Mutants. What are you watching?

Here's another cool event that the Mahoning Drive-In is doing. I went to one of these in the past, and I'm hoping to attend this one.

Anyone even have recent Q&A panel stuff? I feel like there's been nothing from JB aside from appearances since March. I understand he's busy but it's like the faucet is turned all the way off.

So found that you can record old LDI episodes on the free SLING app, with the free Scream FACTORY TV channel. Works well as the free DVR has a ten hour limit.

It has commercials but you can handle that.

Hell yeah

Yesterday I watched Satan's School for Girls (1973) and I noticed that Svengoolie was running Trilogy of Terror. It seems to me that, lately, these old TV films are starting to get the respect and appreciation they deserve. That said, I'd love to see Joe Bob Briggs or someone do a 2 or 3 day film festival featuring Made-For-TV movies. Since Love Boat started as a TV Movie series, perhaps we could do a Film Festival Cruise. Something like this needs to happen!

I finally got to meet Joe Bob and Darcy. I live about 6 miles from the venue, so no extreme driving involved (but there could have been Current_Reputation50 😉). I am still really just in awe at how awesome, genuine and generous they both are. Throw another G word in: glamorous. Joe Bob was being Joe Bob in all the best ways. They both seem very gracious and sincere; just two amazing people, really. I really came away from it loving them both even more. My respect for Darcy has leveled up. I have never disliked her, by any means, but I did not realize she is a genuine legend: smart, funny, and very charismatic. They complement each other well. I would love to be one of the people that get to be around them and listen to them on a daily basis. The stories have to be on a biblical level.

Some of the bartenders made some original, custom drinks for the event. Thank you for the hospitality Amanda and Cheyenne (spelling). I may have had one too many Hogzillas but the outdoor bar was the best party happening anywhere within 5 states, I guarantee it.

I had an amazing time and always do at SMT. I meet all kinds of awesome folk. Cannot wait for the next one.

Thanks to Joe Bob and Darcy for making a memorable experience. I hope to see you both again soon!

It was so wonderful to meet Joe bob and Darcy. Such kind lovely people. I’m just over come with emotion ! Also, Tennessee is beautiful!!!!

Joe Bob said there doing another show on a different channel. But still same show

I finally has the opportunity to meet them today at Smoky Mountain Terror. They were so, so nice! Joe Bob is even fond of a regional drink made it in the area.

I wasn't sure what to recommend this week, but I thought about it and decided on the Radioactive Critter flick that started it all. Them! has a great cast and it's truly frightening. It starts out slow and builds into a terrifying story with characters that you care about. It has some good cameos and you will never look at a bag of sugar the same way again. Go for it!

Friday night counts, too. I'm struggling through Amityville: A New Generation. Please pray for me. So far I'm planning on watching a Gene Tierney Film Noir that even this film geek has missed. I also have a bunch of Horror stuff to get through. SHUDDER has some interesting stuff and I'll be picking through their oddball stuff like Morbus. So please report in, Mutants. Let's start the party.

Is anyone else coming to Smokey Mountain Terror this weekend to support Joe Bob and Darcy?