The Hysteria Continues

We are super excited for this cross-over show between The Hysteria Continues and Made for TV Mayhem. We are joined by the wonderful Amanda Reyes and Dan Budnik to discuss the 1982 TV slasher Fantasies - the one where someone is bumping off the stars of a soap opera. Plus, recently seen, Erik's joke of the week and so much more!

Danielle Breton (Margot Kidder) is a beautiful young model, the kind of girl you meet only in your dreams. But this dream turns into a nightmare when young reporter Grace Collier (Jennifer Salt) witnesses a brutal murder in Danielle's apartment. Danielle has a secret: she lives half a life, and the other half is lived by her formerly-conjoined, murderous sister Dominique. One sister is lovely, gentle, and kind - the other is quite mad, and you never know which one you're holding in your arms. We're joined by author, director (1991's Guilty As Charged and 2001's Elvira's Haunted Hills, among others), and screenwriter Sam Irvin for a look at the 1972 psycho-thriller, Sisters, with Sam's treasured memories of working with director Brian De Palma on The Fury (1978), Home Movies (1979), and Dressed To Kill (1980) acting as a retrospective backdrop on the famed director. This 90+ minute special episode bypasses our usual shtick (no Joke Of The Week or Recently Seen) for a candid interview (we'll return to our regular format on the next episode), with fascinating insights into the wide world of Brian De Palma, our general thoughts on Sisters, and more.

14-year-old Lisa (Staci Keanan) and her mother Katherine (Cheryl Ladd) share everything, but Lisa has one secret: she and her best friend engage in brief flirtations with attractive men. The girls are just having a little fun, until Lisa encounters Richard (D.W. Moffett), a handsome charmer who's also the notorious Candlelight Killer, strangling unsuspecting women in the area. Drawn into his deranged world, Lisa's innocent game of phone tag becomes deadly serious, and the stakes are people's lives! Along with our general thoughts, we dissect this psycho-thriller/home invasion/From Hell/slasher mashup from director Gary Sherman, looking at its origins dating all the way back to 1981, its failed cinematic release in 1990, and how it became a smash hit on VHS and cable channels.

We're back for a chilly good time with Cold Prey 2 (2008), the Norwegian slasher sequel that picks up directly where the last one left off, with shades of Halloween 2 (1981) and Friday The 13th: The Final Chapter (1984) serving as inspiration points as Jannicke once again faces The Mountain Man in a mad, slashery jaunt through a spooky hospital. Thankfully, nary a sign of Chris Martin to be had, but that doesn't mean we don't have jokes!

Come and knock on our cabin door for the slasher/horror/comedy of farcical error, Tucker And Dale VS Evil (2010), which pits a group of college kids against a duo of backwoods, psychotic rednecks, or pits a couple of well-meaning rednecks against a group of psychotic collegiate yuppies, depending on the degree of misunderstanding at any given moment.

We've covered a lot of movies, but for one episode only, we're covering a thirteen episode slasher miniseries that aired on the loudest network channel of all time, CBS; it's Harper's Island (2009), about a wedding party on a remote island beset by a mystery killer, with at least one death (sometimes more) per episode. Don't change the channel before we reveal Erik is the killer.

Back to the forest expanse of West Virginia (by way of Bulgaria) we go for our peek at the straight-to-DVD second sequel in the backwoods hillbilly Wrong Turn saga: Wrong Turn 3: Left For Dead (2009). We discuss where the film stacks against its predecessors, three-fingered (and toed) mutants, criminal escapees, whether or not Erik is an AI creation, and much, much more!

For the gore hounds, we're sending in the clowns - Art The Clown that is - the demented, painted psycho stalking anyone within eyesight in Damien Leone's 2016 splatter movie phenomenon, Terrifier. We discuss the shocking endurance of Art as a new horror icon, the extreme gore, bits and pieces of the sequels, and much, much more!

Jack's Back in The Ripper (1985)! With his spirit now resurrected by a mafioso crackerjack ring, Jack The Ripper goes on a gory killing spree, setting his sights on students, faculty, and fringe hangers-on of a film school studying true crime in cinema - entrails will spill and mustaches will be twirled! We discuss Tom Savini's infamous "starring" role, whether or not this was shot on video (16mm?), ring this/ring that, and much, much more! Clarification: it was shot on video!

1979: A youthful group of pornographers shooting a "farmer's many daughters" adult film on an isolated farm are besieged by the passing of time in the form of a reclusive, exceptionally-horny septuagenarian who can't get hers unless they get theirs first! We discuss director Ti West's accidental start to a trilogy, the rousing bloodletting, the genial cast of characters, and of course: father time (with blood spatter) - and much, much more! We are joined on this excursion into murderous smut by listener/viewer Lee Taylor of Buzzy Film Productions. Link: / @buzzyfilmproductions

Adrien Brody puts his nose to the grindstone as a detective out to stop a yellow-skinned, mad killer who is abducting females by way of his taxi in Dario Argento's Giallo from 2009, featuring Brody in a dual role and... Not much else according to at least three of us. We discuss the film's lack of signature Argento-isms, whether or not it is a giallo, Adrien Brody's court case against the producers, and much more! Also, the ghost of Skype has infiltrated our new recording digs, making completion of the episode about as difficult as sitting through this movie!

William Castle channels his inner Hitchcock with this sordid tale of selfish relatives (re: inheritance plot) and gender bending minutiae; it's 1961's Homicidal, featuring a lead pulling double duty, bad teeth, and a gimmicky fright break. It's also our 15th birthday, so we've collectively surpassed Erik's mental age by a couple of spins around the sun. We discuss the obvious (though unintentional?) riffs on Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho (1960), the labyrinthine murder plot, decapitated mutes, fright break theater experiences, and much, much more!

Robert Hiltzik returns to camp (literally?) with his legacy sequel to the OG Sleepaway Camp (1983) with 2008's (shot in 2003) Return To Sleepaway Camp, featuring a handful of returning characters mixing it up with a new generation of snotty campers in a tale of bullies - and the bullied - getting offed at summer camp by a mysterious (ha) psychopath. We discuss the human manifestation of sewage, Alan (the film's inexplicable lead character), what type of film Hiltzik was trying to make, the film's slew of over the top murders, and of course the film's best kept secret: the identity of the killer, so spoilers aplenty!

Twas a few days after Christmas, and all through the house, nary a Justin was stirring, that sick little louse. We're again Justinless but are joined by friend of the show and Supporting Characters host Bill Ackerman to discuss alternate (and murderous) holiday realities in It's A Wonderful Knife (2023). We discuss the film's take on an old formula, where it sits in the recent spate of hybrid slashers, the surprising amount of character warmth, and much more!

One of our shortest shows ever, and we're working at 75% capacity and doing a bit of time travel recording for 1978's Big Sleazy slasher, Mardi Gras Massacre, with a killer sacrificing "evil" women to an Aztec God. If you've ever wanted to see a movie where Chinese food sets the wheels of would-be justice in motion, this is your flick. We discuss the film's overlong (and inept structure), its curious cast of characters, its status as a victim of the infamous video nasties, and much, much more!

We discuss familial intricacies and Three Stooges-esque pie fight gags in this episode centered around a mother from hell in a film that feels like it was written in hell, 1989's Murder In Law, a From Hell/Slasher hybrid that sees Joe Estevez get a visit from his long, terminally lost mother, who immediately takes a disliking to his family. We discuss the film's strange - many, many strange - narrative choices, Joe Estevez' mid-film disappearing act, we wait on breaking news from Bluesky as it relates to one cast member while also discussing this character in depth, and much, much more!

Put on your swim trunks, we're taking a dip in The Pool (2001), the post-Scream tale of students at a prestigious Prague high school who decide to get nice and wet for their graduation party, soon finding themselves in the deep end with a machete-toting maniac in a skull mask. We discuss the film's slick death scenes, its Euro sensibilities, the storied (but all too real) sequel that never got a release (do you wanna know a secret? it does exist!), and much, much more!

All shock collars set to high voltage as we zip through a maze of bloodthirsty killers, Japanese gameshow cliches, and perhaps way too much linguistic back and forth with Maurice Devereaux' low-budget 2001 slasher, $LA$HER$. We're joined by listener and friend of the show, Jake Rubenstein, to discuss the film's ambitious nature (despite its budgetary constraints), director Maurice Devereaux' short-lived filmography, and much, much more!

Like a typical reaction to Erik's joke of the week, you have the right to remain silent - forever - with Bill Lustig's 1988 officer of the law action-slasher, Maniac Cop. We're joined by listener, Austin Stenberg, to discuss this offbeat tale of a police officer gone rogue for murder.

Back to the drive-in for some low-fi proto-slasher thrills. We are very excited to be joined by guest Rob Freese. Mind out for that sword! Plus, recently seen, Erik's joke of the week and so much more!

Back to the deep south for some deep wounds in the third dimension in yet another reawakening of the classic slasher series. Plus, recently seen, Erik's joke of the week and so much more!

Time to get down-and-dirty with this slasher adjacent dark comedy from Charles Kaufman, where a trio of female friends battle psycho momma's boys and their backwoods matriach. Plus, recently seen, Erik's joke of the week and so much more!

Back to the woods when more fresh victims take a wrong turn as we take a look at this mutant hillbilly sequel! Plus, recently seen, Erik's joke of the week and so much more!

When the camera clicks someone dies in this early '80s slasher. A photographer's models turn up dead, but who is the killer? Plus, recently seen, Erik's joke of the week and so much more!

The quipping psycho copper is back for more mayhem. This time he's reading the bloody rights to horny office workers and we're along for the party. Plus, recently seen, Erik's joke of the week and so much more!

This time we take a look at this gory retro slasher horror. Yes, there will be blood! Plus, recently seen, Erik's joke of the week and so much more!

Wings Hauser goes powertool crazy. Forget home improvements, the walls are bing painted blood red! Join us as we take a look at this decidedly oddball late '80s Canadian slasher. Plus, recently seen, Erik's joke of the week and so much more!

Now for something slightly different. We take a look at the Indian language slasher remake of URBAN LEGEND (that has a side helping of the Mel Gibson comedy WHAT WOMEN WANT). Murders, dancing and electrocuted genitals await in this crazy Kollywood epic! Plus, recently seen, Erik's joke of the week and so much more!

We're off to the woods for a run in with the Psycho Cop! We cover this fun, cheesy late 80s slasher, but it's perhaps the director's fascinating life that's the real story. Plus, recently seen, Erik's joke of the week and so much more!

We tune into Erik's JOKEHUNTERS. No, that's not quite right. We're actually covering Renny Harlin's bonkers late '90s slasher inspired FBI serial killer thriller MINDHUNTERS. Plus, recently seen, Erik's joke of the week and so much more!

We cover SF Brownrigg's Southern Gothic potboiler and proto-slasher. Originally released in 1974 as DON'T HANG UP, it was re-released in 1979 to cash in on the post-HALLOWEEN frenzy. Plus, recently seen, Erik's joke of the week and so much more!

Back to the early days of the Golden Age of slashers with this effective psycho thriller which benefited from being released in the wake of John Carpenter's Halloween. We are joined by one of our favourite people: film historian, author and Rebecca Balding super fan Amanda Reyes!

Back to the woods ... with a camcorder! For better or (probably) worse, the film that launched a thousand sequels - each cheaper than the last. Who else could join us, but David C. Molle!? Plus, recently seen, Erik's joke of the week and so much more!

The earliest ever slasher film? Well perhaps ... We are joined by friend-of-the-show Noel Salzman to discuss this classic of the silent cinema. It's a fun one! Plus, recently seen, Erik's joke of the week and so much more!

The 1980 film finally gets a sequel. Well, kinda. And is it even a slasher? We head back to the bloody prom with friend-of-the-show Austin Stenberg to discuss. Plus, recently seen, Erik's joke of the week and so much more!

Anthony Perkins' last go around as Norman Bates in this 1990 prequel/sequel. We're back at the Bates motel to celebrate our 14th birthday. Plus, recently seen, Erik's joke of the week and so much more!

Tab Hunter, Linda Blair, Donna Wilkes and a dozen teeth gnashing punks star in this highly strange slasher-cum-WFT? Buckle in! Plus, recently seen, Erik's joke of the week and so much more!

Another festive fright, three co-workers are trapped by a Parka wearing psycho in an isolated ATM in this chilly thriller. Plus, recently seen, Erik's joke of the week and so much more!

Nothing says Christmas like a killer Santa with a flamethrower! We take a look at the quasi remake of 1984 slasher SILENT NIGHT DEADLY NIGHT. Plus, recently seen, Erik's joke of the week and so much more!

Off to Hong Kong for this slasher dripping in mid-80s charm. A killer comes up from the depths to menace vacationg teens. Plus, recently seen, Erik's joke of the week and so much more!

We are joined by friend-of-the-show Luke Kane to revisit Eli Roth's love letter to the slasher movie - and there will be no leftovers! Plus, recently seen, Erik's joke of the week and so much more!

Revellers in West Hollywood are stalked by a killer in a devil mask in this gay-themed slasher from 2004. Plus, recently seen, Erik's joke of the week and so much more!

Back to the swamp for Adam Green's belated sequel to his 2006 slasher comedy hit and another go-around for the ghostly behemoth Victor Crowley. Plus, recently seen, Erik's joke of the week and so much more!

We are joined by friend-of-the-show Ginny Hall Cameron to talk about the slasher comedy with heart - 2015's The Final Girls. Plus, recently seen, Erik's joke of the week and so much more!

314) Ogroff (1983)

We take a look at Pete Walker's Catholic shocker and proto-slasher follow up to his infamous, head drilling Granny in FRIGHTMARE! Plus, recently seen, Erik's joke of the week and so much more!

Friend of the show Daniel Green joins us for this down and dirty giallo/poliziottesco hybrid. Plus, What Have They Done to Erik (no joke this week), recently seen and so much more!

Nathan takes us low ... low-fi. It's our first Tim Ritter and we're all going on a Killing Spree. Plus, recently seen, Erik's joke of the week and so much more!

We take a look at director Tommy Faircloth's belated followup to his 1996 slasher Crinolene Head. As the killer hunts down a new group of teens and drag queens! Plus, recently seen, Erik's joke of the week and so much more!

A crispy killer hunts honeymooning couples at a lover's retreat in this early 80s regional slasher. The story about the film's eccentric director is arguably more interesting than the film itself and we take a deep dive. We are joined by one of our favourite guests Bill Ackerman of the Supporting Characters podcast. Plus, recently seen, Erik's joke of the week and so much more!