Monster Party

ALL EYES ARE ON MONSTER PARTY! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD put on their protective goggles for an episode of true vision. Join us for this pulse-pounding podcast praising petrifying and provocative peepers that we're proudly promoting as … EYES!!! A few months back, we had a blast doing an episode called MONSTER TEETH, where we examined every example of chilling chompers that genre films could provide. In fact, this podcast was so much fun, we decided to tackle James Gonis' worst nightmare. Since the eyes are one of the most vulnerable parts of the body (sorry, testicles. We'll get to you some day.), they are the perfect soft target in a horror movie. And what would the reputation of sci-fi and fantasy films be without the occasional bug-eyed monster or rampaging cyclops? Get ready for an ophthalmic onslaught of awesome orbs, including the slow but inevitable agony featured in Lucio Fulci's Zombie, the creepy inventiveness of THE CRAWLING EYE, the cybernetic spider from JOH

DING DONG MERRILY ON HIGH! MAYBE TOO HIGH? JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD toast and roast the seasonal cinematic chestnuts that have been served to genre fans over the years. Not even The Grinch can stop… OVERRATED & UNDERRATED: THE HOLIDAY EDITION! Every holiday season, we Monster Partiers celebrate with an expansive and diverse playlist of winter wonder films. Whether made for film or TV, the entertainment industry has not been shy in churning out a Santa's sleigh-bag of holiday-themed horror, sci-fi, and fantasy fare. Ranging from beloved animated TV specials like Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, and A Charlie Brown Christmas, to Christmas classics like It's A Wonderful Life, March of The Wooden Soldiers, and White Christmas, and even offbeat and often controversial viewing like Silent Night Deadly Night, Gremlins, Fatman, The Thing, and Batman Returns, it's relatively safe to say that there's something for every taste. But are all these so-called classi

MONSTER PARTY SAYS, "PUT DOWN THAT TURKEY LEG AND GO SHOPPING!" JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD once again put together the ultimate yuletide wishlist. What better way is there to prepare for a seasonal shopping spree than with… THE MONSTER PARTY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2025?!!! Having trouble finding the perfect holiday gift for that obsessive, persnickety genre geek? Well, fear not, bewildered buyers, for MONSTER PARTY has a collection of holiday presents that will challenge even the most talented of Santa's elves. This year, we present a 2025 sleighful of out-of-the-ordinary ornaments, must-read classic sci-fi, kaiju-sized coffee table books, shocking monster action figures, tried-and-true travel packages, creature candy dispensers, one-of-a-kind wonders, rock n' roll trick or treaters, conjoined twin treasures, record relics, Blu-ray bonanzas, heartfelt hand-me-downs, the stuff of 3-D printed dreams, and more! And by more, we mean PBR. If, after listening to this episode, you stil

MONSTER PARTY PRESENTS A PSYCHOTIC CINEMATIC FEAST! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD invite you (and possibly a fictitious lady friend) to a multi-course, film-themed dinner party that is guaranteed to cause a confrontation with the chef! Get ready for some monstrous Michelin star mayhem as we present… MONSTER PARTY'S MEAL AND A MOVIE!!! Watching a great horror, sci-fi, or fantasy film is an event, and it deserves more than just the standard theater fare of stale popcorn, soggy hot dogs, and flat sodas. It suddenly dawned on us that if you really want to do these movies justice, they need to be served with a spread that fits the atmosphere they're trying to evoke. So as fast as you could ask "What wine goes well with Soylent Green?" we rushed to our mics and started pairing genre films with thematically consistent delicacies. The result was a series of culinary curiosities that are bound to push your palate to its breaking point. And let's be honest, we've been trying to break you

THIS HALLOWEEN, MONSTER PARTY IS GIVING YOU A MOUTHFUL! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, celebrate All Hallows' Eve with a pulse-pounding potpourri of petrifying pearly whites! Can your orthodontist stand the gum-numbing terror of… MONSTER TEETH!!!? For many of us monster kids, our introduction to creepy cosplay was getting that first pair of monster teeth. It doesn't matter if they were a purchase, a present, or a discarded treasure found in an ashtray at Macy's; scary plastic teeth hold a sacred place in our memories. It just goes to show how effective a good pair of chompers are for striking terror in the hearts of genre fans. In fact, monster teeth are so important that we felt they deserved their own episode, just in time for the horror days. Join this special gathering of just the MONSTER PARTY gang, as we attempt to whimsically chronicle and rank some of the best teeth that fantastic cinema has to offer. Aside from the obvious go-to of vampires, we also examine the imm-ora

MONSTER PARTY REVISITS THE ERA OF ROLLERBLADING, BEANIE BABIES, THE MACARENA… AND TERROR!!!! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD honor the last part of a decade that brought us so many seminal films. If you thought our previous ’90s HORROR episode was “da bomb,” you’re guaranteed to go nuclear when you hear… ’90s HORROR VOL. 2!!! The 1990s were an exciting and innovative time for horror films, with the latter half of the decade boasting some downright game-changers. With THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, we saw the explosion of the found footage genre that is still popular to this day, and the Japanese showed us the dangers of sitting too close to the TV with RINGU! If that didn’t change your horror movie game enough, David Fincher gave us the ultimate worst-case mystery box scenario in SEVEN, Wes Craven made horror meta with SCREAM, and M. Night Shyamalan peaked early with THE SIXTH SENSE. But we’re not even close to this episode’s EVENT HORIZON! We’ll also look at a creepy ice cream vendor

MONSTER PARTY WANTS EVERYONE TO THE CALM THE F**K DOWN! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, wave an olive branch to all those monstrous malcontents of the nerdverse! It’s time to lower the temperature of the raging dumpster fire that is… TOXIC FANDOM!!! To most genre enthusiasts, the love of science fiction, horror, and fantasy is a unifying force that brings all of us oddballs together. A special club where everyone is welcome, so long as you don’t act like a jerk. So why are there suddenly so many jerks? Since when is simply having an opinion or preference about a movie or TV series a cause for picking a fight? Is social media to blame? Or the current cultural climate? Are these jerks really genre fans at all, or just a bunch of internet trolls who have nothing better to do than make personal attacks about your love for Star Wars: The Acolyte or the latest incarnation of Doctor Who? In this hard-hitting episode, we’ll examine some of the factors that may contribute to the current

MONSTER PARTY GETS BELLICOSE WITH BLURBS! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, experience a description conniption as they revisit a much-loved topic/party game. Just when you thought it was safe to read a movie poster, MONSTER PARTY goes off on a… TAGLINE TIRADE!!! Although the emotional level is high, the rules are still the same. We each take turns offering up taglines from various genre films, and the others have to guess the movie the tagline belongs to. Sound easy? Not so much. Sound fun? You bet your encyclopedic knowledge of film taglines ass! But, don’t expect softballs like “In space… no one can hear you scream,” or “If this one doesn’t scare you, you’re already dead.” This is MONSTER PARTY, and we go deep! Joining us for this scintillating slogan smackdown is a dear friend of MONSTER PARTY and a man who knows his way around a good (or bad) tagline. He’s a turbo-talented comedian, actor, and filmmaker who has appeared in a plethora of movies and TV shows, including HOUSESIT

MONSTER PARTY HAS A KAIJU QUERY? JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD pose a question that speaks to monster kids of every generation! We just gotta know… ARE YOU GODZILLA-CURIOUS? Since he first stomped onto the screen in 1954, Godzilla has had a lasting presence in pop culture. Over the decades, he has been portrayed in many different incarnations: embodiment of nuclear devastation, charismatic anti-hero, superhero to children, multi-form menace, and finally… Oscar winner!! And although Godzilla may not be everyone’s cup of sake, there are those chosen elite who see those distinctive back fins and hear that iconic roar, and think, “What makes that kaiju tick?” In this episode, we’ll discuss Godzilla’s unique appeal, the effectiveness of his colorful enemies and allies (Varan, who may not want to listen to this part), and the constantly-changing stylistic choices that delight and enrage his fans. By breaking down the strengths and weaknesses of the various entries in Godzilla’s long

JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT WAS SAFE TO LISTEN TO MONSTER PARTY! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD revel in the legacy of a shark named “Bruce.” Get a bucket of chum, and find yourself a bigger boat, as MONSTER PARTY presents… JAWS: 50 YEARS OF FRIGHTS AND BITES!!! In 1975, STEVEN SPIELBERG unleashed a breathtaking thriller that would go on to be one of the highest-grossing motion pictures of all time, ushering in the era of the “blockbuster.” Based on the best-selling book by PETER BENCHLEY, JAWS’ journey from novel to screen was a difficult one. Faced with a malfunctioning shark, precarious ocean conditions, bickering actors, and skyrocketing production costs, Spielberg would rise above these obstacles, turning adversity into ingenuity. And let’s not forget the contribution of JOHN WILLIAMS' legendary score. To this day, can anyone resist humming “Dun Dun Dun Dun” when they hit the pool? After JAWS' initial worldwide success, the film was followed up by several lackluster sequels an

MONSTER PARTY BRINGS YOU THE ONLY KRYPTO YOU CAN TRUST! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, salute what is arguably the most famous superhero of all time. Join us as we pry open the doors of The Fortress of Solitude to examine the meta-human miracle that is... THE LEGACY OF SUPERMAN! Created in 1933 as a villain by the ill-fated team of writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, Superman made his heroic debut in Action Comics #1 in 1938. Since then, the orphan from the planet Krypton has been the subject of numerous pop culture interpretations, including serials, cartoons, live-action TV series, and major motion pictures. Although these vehicles have been hit and miss, the release of the most recent 2025 film, SUPERMAN, written and directed by JAMES GUNN, sees Superman come full circle back to the tone of his earlier comic book roots.  In this episode, MONSTER PARTY dissects what has made Superman retain his universal appeal. Concentrating primarily on his depictions in films and t

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT WE COULD DO IT? WE DID!!! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD celebrate an astounding anniversary of earth-shattering importance! Behold, the triumphant tricentennial that’s anything but a trifle… MONSTER PARTY: THE 300TH EPISODE!!! WORST MONSTERS STRIKES BACK! From the days of our early (and sweaty) YouTube episodes, to our ongoing podcast series. MONSTER PARTY has happily provided monster kids with the kind of quality entertainment and life coaching they deserve. For over 13 years, we’ve featured a diverse range of guests, including industry professionals, celebrities, stand-up comedians, genre historians, a psychotherapist, and even an emergency room physician! It’s been an exciting ride, but it’s only the beginning. Okay, maybe more like the middle. For the 300th episode, we present a look back at some of the things that have made this podcast special! Aside from allowing us to yak about horror, sci-fi, and fantasy, this show has provided unique opportuniti

MONSTER PARTY INVADES THE V.I.P. SECTION! A beloved past guest returns to help us rub virtual elbows with some of showbiz’s best and brightest! Lay down the red carpet and brace yourselves as MONSTER PARTY presents… JOHN STANLEY’S CELEBRITY ONSLAUGHT!!! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, have not made a secret of their love for JOHN STANLEY! From 1979 to 1984, John was the host of the San Francisco Bay Area TV series, CREATURE FEATURES, taking over from legendary first host, BOB WILKENS. Since that time, he has gone on to author many books, including several editions of THE CREATURE FEATURES MOVIE GUIDE, THE GANG THAT SHOT UP HOLLYWOOD, THE NOVELS “WORLD WAR III (AKA NAPALM SUNDAY)” AND “BOGART 48,” THE AUTOBOIGRAPHICAL “I WAS A TV HORROR HOST,” and the recent follow-up to that classic tome, “THE CAREER THAT DRIPPED WITH HORROR.” When it comes to films, John directed the love letter to the horror genre, “NIGHTMARE IN BLOOD,” as well as producing many other movies, documentaries, mu

PASADENA WAS SO PETRIFYING... WE CAME BACK FOR MORE!!! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, present more frightful fun from the Pasadena Convention Center! Don't look behind you because you may discover you are being stalked by... MONSTERPALOOZA 2025: PART 2!!! As our most beloved convention comes to a close, MONSTER PARTY is there to guide you through all the "slay-by-slay" action! Sample another steaming cauldron of fans/friends, horror aficionados, cosplayers, artists, and drop-in celebrity industry professionals like JOE COLWELL (CARNOSAUR, THE SHINING, THE FIRST OMEN), MARK McCRACKEN (PUMPKINHEAD II: BLOOD WINGS, THE OUTER LIMITS, MATINEE), PAUL SCARLATA (KING OF THE HILL, FAMILY GUY, REGULAR SHOW), TOM & MIRANDA FRANCK (JUMBO TITAN X AND THE GREAT ROBOT ARMS RACE!, A DINOSAUR CHRISTMAS, GARADA K7 OWNER), and ALLEN ALVARADO (FLIGHT 29 DOWN, COLD CASE, BLAST FROM THE PAST: THE STORE)! And LOTS more! We also include such MONSTERPALOOZA staples as infuriating movie reviews/atta

SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES... TO PASADENA!!! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, return to the hallowed halls of the Pasadena Convention Center for another 3-day round of monstrous merriment! Better schedule your back surgery now because your spine is about to be shattered by... MONSTERPALOOZA 2025: PART 1!!! Our favorite convention strikes back with a vengeance, and MONSTER PARTY is there to talk you through the first two days of it! Once again, we speak to a seemingly endless parade of fans/friends, horror aficionados, cosplayers, artists, and drop-in celebrity industry professionals like BOBBY SLAYTON (ED WOOD, THE RAT PACK), DAVID WEINER (FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND, IN SEARCH OF DARKNESS), and TED HAINES (AVATAR, THE HUNGER GAMES)! And More! Of course, what would a MONSTERPALOOZA be without the usual petty arguments, "free" gifts, lunch critiques, every joke taken seriously, purchase bragging, seemingly endless Creature From The Black Lagoon references, and other high-octa

THE SKULL IS BACK! AND WITH LESS MOLD THAN EVER! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD bring back the topic, which is all topics! Can your ill-equipped nerves handle the raw intensity and bone-chilling randomness that is... TOPIC FREE-FOR-ALL: SKULL-POCALYPSE!!! For the uninitiated, let us explain: Like in past TOPIC FREE-FOR-ALL episodes, we all write several concepts for brief nerdy conversations on strips of paper, and place them within the confines of Larry's vintage plastic skull-shaped Halloween candy bucket. Then, we each take turns blindly choosing one of the strips and reading the topic. What follows is a lively and informative discussion, peppered with opportunities for trivia, merriment, and personal potshots.  Some of these topics come from unchosen strips from past episodes that suffered water damage from a leak in Larry's garage. Yes, they are literally moldy oldies. But a little mold can't dampen the unbridled excitement these personally crafted argument starters bring.

IT'S OUR PARTY AND WE'LL QUOTE IF WE WANT TO! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, choose their words carefully for one of Monster Party's most beloved games. We're taking the stage for another round of genre film dialogue karaoke that we're calling... QUOTE JAM 2025!!! Once again, the rules are simple: We each take turns reciting a quote from a horror, science fiction, or fantasy film, and the rest of us must guess the movie in question. But trust us, it can be a lot harder than it sounds.  Ideally, when we play this game, we do our best to deliver the most dramatic reading our humble acting skills can provide. This can often result in a series of shaky actor impersonations that would make Rich Little cringe. Well, cringe no more Monster Partiers, because in this episode, we have a talent who puts the "impress" in impression. Not only is our guest a gifted improviser and voice actor, but he is also the founder of the historic San Francisco landmark, COBB'S COMEDY CLUB! Please welcom

MONSTER PARTY TOASTS A MODERN MASTER OF THE MACABRE! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD sit at the knee of a literary juggernaut to learn the delicate art of spine-tingling storytelling! Join us as we take a creepy crash course in... WRITING HORROR WITH RICHARD CHRISTIAN MATHESON. R.C. MATHESON started his career in television, working on such legendary shows as THREE'S COMPANY, THE INCREDIBLE HULK, KNIGHT RIDER, THE A-TEAM, QUINCY, M.E., AMAZING STORIES, TALES FROM THE CRYPT, MASTERS OF HORROR, and the Emmy award-winning NIGHTMARES & DREAMSCAPES: FROM THE STORIES OF STEPHEN KING. As a screenwriter and film producer, his credits include the GENE HACKMAN/DAN AYKROYD comedy LOOSE CANNONS, the horror film IT WAITS, STEPHEN KING'S BIG DRIVER, the werewolf thriller FULL ECLIPSE, and the upcoming French production of the classic RICHARD MATHESON story "The Shrinking Man," L 'HOMME QUI RETRECIT. In his literary career, R.C. Matheson has authored over 100 short psychological horror stor

MONSTER PARTY SALUTES THE LIFE AND CAREER OF A CREATIVE VISIONARY! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD celebrate the legendary artist who designed many of the most iconic attractions at Disneyland Theme Parks. But as you’ll soon learn, his work and legacy far surpass the gates of The Magic Kingdom. MONSTER PARTY is proud to present… BOB GURR: TO DISNEYLAND AND BEYOND!!! While pursuing a career in car design, Bob got the call from Disney to create ride cars and animatronics for Disneyland. The Autopia cars! The Matterhorn bobsleds! The Haunted Mansion Doom Buggy! The original Disneyland monorail! The internal mechanisms of Abraham Lincoln for Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln! All designed by Bob Gurr! After a long career as an "Imagineer," Bob left Disney to start his own company and bring us the original (and best!) King Kong Encounter for Universal Studios and the sinking pirate ship at Treasure Island Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas! In this enlightening and inspirational episode, Bo

MONSTER PARTY GETS TIME STONED! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD use THE EYE OF AGAMOTTO to predict the fate of the current trend of meta-human films. It's a cacophony of caped crusading conjecture, presenting the question, "What is ... THE FUTURE OF SUPERHEROES!!!" In this episode, we chronicle the fantastic evolution of screen superheroes from past to present, and what might lie ahead. Expect some mutant level banter about the racist Batman serials of the 1940's, TV offerings including THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, WONDER WOMAN, and THE INCREDIBLE HULK, the lightning in a bottle that was SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE, the unrivaled success of the MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE, the hit-but-mostly-miss offerings of the D.C. EXTENDED UNIVERSE, and so much more! But is the world's obsession with superheroes dwindling? Have recent big-budget failures contributed to this "cape fatigue." Will D.C. ever get its superpowered act together? And is the MCU's Phase IV a gamble that will pay off? We're talkin' t