MONSTER PARTY TAKES THE STAND!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD submit this new episode into evidence as to why you need to listen to this podcast! Consider yourself amicus curiae as we partake in a bit of… LEGAL GEEKING!!!

The world of horror, science fiction, and fantasy is a wondrous realm where the incredible and impossible come to life. But how does the law apply to all these fantastic shenanigans? What responsibility does the Weyland-Yutani Corporation have when it comes to the events portrayed in the classic 1982 film Alien? Do robots, androids, and other artificial lifeforms have access to civil rights? How is Willy Wonka still in business? And who do you sue when giant rabbits lay waste to your property?

Helping us find the answers to these important legal questions is a longtime friend of the show—and, get this, an actual lawyer! Yeah, and one of the scrupulous kind! He's also the co-founder and host of the shockingly appropriate-titled blog and podcast, THE LEGAL GEEKS! Please welcome back Monster Party's answer to Matt Murdock… JOSH GILLILAND!

IF YOU THINK THIS EPISODE IS OUT OF ORDER, YOU'RE OUT OF ORDER!

IS MONSTER PARTY HAVIN' A LAUGH?

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD ponder the age-old question of whether humor and genre topics can live and laugh comfortably together. So, as Elvis Costello might ask… WHAT'S SO FUNNY ABOUT HORROR, SCI-FI, AND FANTASY?

Let's face it, making a truly funny horror, sci-fi, or fantasy film or television show can be tricky business. There's a fine line between a loving send-up and an uninformed attack. And even with the best intentions, that doesn't guarantee you'll be watching a knee-slapper.

In this side-splitting study of genre jocularity, MONSTER PARTY puts all their funny favorites (and not-so-favorites) to the test. How did films like ABBOTT & COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN manage to find the sweet spot between over-the-top comedy and a loving homage to Universal horror films? Is SPACEBALLS a better film than we remember, or should we just push that reassessment aside and watch GALAXY QUEST instead? How do genre TV shows like RED DWARF and WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS generate laughs while presenting often thought-provoking horror and sci-fi concepts? Where do cult classics like DR. STRANGELOVE, REPO MAN, MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL, and THE ADVENTURES OF BUCKAROO BANZAI fit in? And are superhero vehicles like THE BOYS, PEACEMAKER, and the DEADPOOL film series the best comedies coming out of Hollywood today?

Helping us answer these important questions while tickling our ribs in her own right is a return guest who is no stranger to the world of horror, sci-fi, and fantasy humor. She is a mega-talented writer who has worked on such beloved genre comedy projects as MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 and HANGING WITH DR. Z. Please welcome back… TAMMY GOLDEN!

OH, AND YES, WE DID JUST WIN THE 2026 RONDO AWARD FOR BEST PODCAST! OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO ALL THE MONSTER PARTIERS OUT THERE WHO HELPED MAKE THIS HAPPEN! NOW, LET'S START CANVASSING FOR 2027!

MONSTER PARTY GETS OFF TO A "ROCKY" START!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD put out the welcome mat for our potential friends and enemies from amongst the stars. Join us for a cinematic close encounter of the audio kind as we celebrate… FIRST CONTACTS!!!

With the box office success of PROJECT HAIL MARY, the world has once again embraced the feel-good concept of first contact with a benevolent alien race. But have these initial interactions with extraterrestrials always been as satisfying for movie and TV viewing audiences?

In this episode, we'll examine the near-universal love of PROJECT HAIL MARY and provide a counterview from some of MONSTER PARTY's best-loved curmudgeons. We'll also examine other first contacts portrayed in films and TV shows, and see how their effectiveness holds up under scrutiny. We'll look at film classics like THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE, and 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY; the quite unpleasant first contacts that occur in movies like ALIEN, THE THING, and INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS; modern first contact films like THE ARRIVAL, NO ONE WILL SAVE YOU, and ANNIHILATION; and soooo much more!

Leading us as Earth's ambassador for this epic event is a longtime friend of MONSTER PARTY who always has a refreshing take on the sci-fi genre. She's an immensely talented comedian, actor, producer, and director who has worked on such iconic programs as THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW, CHELSEA LATELY, and WANDA AT LARGE. Please welcome back the always outstanding… SUE MURPHY!

WARNING: THIS EPISODE CONTAINS NUMEROUS SPOILERS! LISTEN AT YOUR OWN SENSE OF WONDER PERIL!