MONSTER PARTY

James Gonis, Shawn Sheridan, Larry Strothe, and Matt Weinhold

What happens when four Comic Con hardened sci-fi/horror fans sit around some microphones, slam down cocktails, and argue about all things monstrous? It's a podcast called Monster Party! You have been warned.

  1. MONSTERPALOOZA 2026: PART 1!!!

    Jun 17

    MONSTERPALOOZA 2026: PART 1!!!

    MONSTER PARTY RETURNS TO MONSTROUSLY UNCONVENTIONAL CONVENTION! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD storm the gates of the Pasadena Convention Center to once again hold court at their favorite horror expo! Dust off your hockey mask and apply a fresh coat of Art the Clown makeup, as MONSTER PARTY presents: MONSTERPALOOZA 2026: PART 1!!! After the laughter, bickering, and power trips that go hand in hand with building the MONSTER PARTY booth, the gang kicks off the first day of MONSTERPALOOZA with a shriek! Friday night yielded a dazzling combination of new friends and old, as well as some much-needed in-person catching up with your beloved, Rondo Award-winning hosts. We've got interviews with comedian BORIS HAMILTON, monster actor GENE LeBROCK, game designer and MP pal SCOTT ROGERS, Culture Crypt film critic IAN SEDENSKY, author/journalist/media historian PAT JANKIEWICZ, and 3-D guru ERIC KURLAND! But what would a MONSTERPALOOZA show (or any MP show) be without the usual assortment of delightful banter, film criticism, personal attacks, gift favoritism, free goodies for the kids, vodka-fueled Godzilla-themed energy drinks, and a host, for no apparent reason, pretending to be surprised by guests we've obviously lined up? It's a dance we do every year for the benefit of our listeners, where anyone can virtually cut in! I know we say this every year, but if you've never attended a MONSTERPALOOZA convention, it should definitely be one of your bucket-list destinations. This event always delivers a tantalizing treasure trove of terrorizing treats, including monstrous vendors, props, celebrities, photo ops, cosplayers, panels, SFX makeup demonstrations, artists, and the famous MONSTERPALOOZA museum. Oh, and the snack bar is surprisingly decent! THANKS AGAIN TO EVERYONE WHO DROPPED BY OUR BOOTH ON FRIDAY NIGHT, AND PARTS 2 AND 3 ARE COMING SOON! UNTIL THEN...STAY SCARED!

    1h 39m
  2. WHAT'S SO FUNNY ABOUT HORROR, SCI-FI AND FANTASY?!!! With TAMMY GOLDEN!

    May 22

    WHAT'S SO FUNNY ABOUT HORROR, SCI-FI AND FANTASY?!!! With TAMMY GOLDEN!

    *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:c66233dc-3409-4ddc-a397-3190fa301cb8-0" data-turn-id-container= "request-WEB:c66233dc-3409-4ddc-a397-3190fa301cb8-0" data-testid= "conversation-turn-2" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> 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!

    2h 6m
  3. FIRST CONTACTS!!! With SUE MURPHY!

    Apr 22

    FIRST CONTACTS!!! With SUE MURPHY!

    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!

    1h 60m
  4. TWISTED BLU-RAY GEMS!!! With ETHAN HULL!

    Mar 25

    TWISTED BLU-RAY GEMS!!! With ETHAN HULL!

    MONSTER PARTY IS GOING TO DRIVE YOUR BLU-RAY PLAYER MAD!!! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD plunge into the depths of delightful depravity as they seek to dig up the world's most unusual cinematic treasures. Whether it's a birthday, Valentine's Day, or an anniversary, give your loved ones some… TWISTED BLU-RAY GEMS! In these days of video streaming, many have prematurely predicted the fall of physical media. While mainstream sales of CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays have declined, several niche companies are thriving by offering hard-to-find and sometimes virtually unknown horror, sci-fi, fantasy, martial arts, and exploitation films. This kind of entertainment may not be for everyone, but if, like us, you like your entertainment on the wild side, have we got some movies for you! In this episode, the gang will be celebrating a selection of films ranging from works by cult film masters to Z-list auteurs, and everything in between. It's a subgenre where the restrictions of taste, budget, and production actually led to the creation of some truly unique artistic visions. We'll also get a first-person account of the loving care that goes into preserving these often overlooked celluloid classics. And what classics they are! We've got folk horror frights, kung fu-capable combatants, a forty-year-old child, a voting-age infant, a zoom lens with no shame, a sasquatch who smashes a crotch, and so much more! Joining us for this bacchanal of Blu-rays is a first-time guest and a man perfectly suited for this topic. Aside from being a member of the DJ collective RENDEZVOUS! and founder of the record label EMPIRE OF TOMBS, he is content manager and representative for the company that will fulfill all your twisted Blu-ray dreams, SEVERIN FILMS! MONSTER PARTY is very proud to welcome… ETHAN HULL! AND A WARNING: IF YOU'RE EVER IN BIGFOOT COUNTRY… HOLD IT!

    2h 5m
  5. ARE YOU A BIGGER  NERD NOW?!!! With JIMMY PARDO!

    Mar 11

    ARE YOU A BIGGER NERD NOW?!!! With JIMMY PARDO!

    MONSTER PARTY MAKES A PARDO PROGNOSIS! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD make a virtual housecall to check on the status of a past guest's geek standing. It's an episode that begs the question… ARE YOU A BIGGER NERD NOW?!!! Approximately ten years ago, the hosts of MONSTER PARTY made a very special visit to a friend and fellow podcaster's recording studio. The main reason was that this podcaster, who had been a guest on our show, was severely allergic to the cats that roamed the carpets of our own studio. But since this was still in the relatively early days of MONSTER PARTY, this situation also provided us a glimpse at the setup of an A-LIST podcast. The topic of the episode we recorded was, "WHY AREN'T YOU A BIGGER NERD?" and the guest was the seismically hilarious comedian and host of the groundbreaking/award-winning podcast NEVER NOT FUNNY, JIMMY PARDO! It was a fantastic experience—Mr. Pardo was nothing short of delightful—and we feel we made significant headway in his journey toward healthy nerdism. But after the episode was posted, we lost track of Jimmy's progress. That is, until now! In this singular life-affirming event, Jimmy Pardo returns to catch us up on how much his world of genre entertainment has opened up since he last appeared on our show. And what he has to say might surprise you. We really don't want to give away any spoilers, but if you struggle with middle-aged action figure impulse buys, prefer practical apes to CGI ones, and enjoy the happening sounds of Chicago, Journey, and REO Speedwagon, this episode is the audio intervention you've been clamoring for. WHAT ARE THE ODDS THAT JIMMY PARDO IS A BIGGER NERD NOW? WE'D GUESS IT'S 25 OR 6 TO 4.

    1h 47m
4.8
out of 5
192 Ratings

About

What happens when four Comic Con hardened sci-fi/horror fans sit around some microphones, slam down cocktails, and argue about all things monstrous? It's a podcast called Monster Party! You have been warned.

You Might Also Like