Content warnings: discussions of stigmatization of the mentally ill, discussions of home invasion violence, genre-typical violence.

Take a field trip with Laney and Carson back to Haddonfield circa 1978, with the slasher classic that has defined the genre rules, and how to break them, for decades– John Carpenter’s Halloween! We come full circle analyzing the blueprint for the slasher genre, the final girl archetype, and the horror movie icon set down by Carpenter that led to Randy’s Rules that we discussed in our very first episode for Scream (1996). Topics include: when characters’ actions are frustrating vs funny; what makes something scary; the issues of fictionalized true crime media; the categories of horror villains; parodies, remakes, and sequels, oh my!Tune in next time for our Season 1 Finale! Happy Halloween!

Content warnings: emetophobia, discussions of violence done to children, discussions of violence done to kids with special needs,

Happy spooky month, listeners! Just like we did for Pride Month(s), Carson and Laney are doing a two-part episode series covering movies that celebrate and embody the best holiday of the year: Halloween! For a more lighthearted start to this series, we review Trick R Treat, the 2009 campy graphic novel-esque anthology film that introduced one of Halloween’s iconic characters, Sam the Spirit of Halloween. Learn about the traditions and unique experiences that Carson and Laney have had on Halloween throughout the years, fawn over Anna Paquin and her queer girl gang of werewolves, and cheer on the demise of the real villains of Halloween: mean school children. Also their school principals.

Content warnings: explicit discussions of sex and sexuality, monsterf*cking, mentions of emetaphobia content, brief mentions of necrophiliaIt’s finally time for bouncing on it crrrrazy stylllle!

From the recent prolific memes, online discourse, and even award show notoriety, most of us have some preconceived notions about the 2024 Nosferatu remake by Robert Eggers of the 1922 silent film. Does the film live up to the hype it’s been given? Does over-hyping a movie lead to disappointed audiences? Should there have been more or less horniness? Join Carson and Laney as they debate the various themes and motifs of Eggers’ most recent work, in between various fun tangent conversations including but not limited to: Buffy the Vampire Slayer rewatches, the newer romantasy genre, the appeal of the monstrous, and how rewatching media can change our perceptions of it. So go make enough popcorn for yourself and the several thousand little rat actors (who all deserve Oscars, btw), and decide for yourself- Nosferatu or Yesferatu?

There is still time…for celebrating and honoring Pride 2025! In Part 2 of our Pride episodes, Carson and Laney take a step back from the usual goofs and gags for a more serious in depth look at gender dysphoria and the reality of growing up trans in the incredibly moving I Saw the TV Glow. Join your hosts as they get vulnerable about growing up in and out of various closets, the internal struggles queer and trans folks face as they come into who they are, and the ways in which we protect ourselves even at the cost of our own truths. Additional topics include: fandom and chosen family, trans stories told by trans creators, the difficult choices between safety and authenticity, and just how beautiful (and heartbreaking) this movie is. Come meet us on the psychic plain.

Content warning: homophobia, mild discussions of sexual assault, emetophobia

Happy Pride, Scaredy Cats and Horror Hounds! In Part 1 of our two part Pride 2025 episodes, Carson and Laney take a trip down memory lane to their own high school years (cringe) while discussing the queer cult classic Jennifer’s Body. Themes include: comphet, being in love with your best friend, experiencing high school as a queer girl in and out of the closet, and, of course, vampirism and monstrosity as metaphors for queer love and sexuality. Is sandbox love really forever? Do we all owe major apologies to Meghan Fox (yes)? And why are there so many 9/11 references in this gay vampire movie? Join us to find out, or you’ll be lime green jell-o jealous!

Content warning: deep dive into toxic masculinity and incel mindsets, discussions of AIDS crisis, gendered violence

Need to return some videotapes? Well switch on your Walkman and tune into the latest episode of Scaredy Cat and Horror Hound on your way! We're back from the hazy post-graduation hiatus and ready to share our tastefully thick business cards with you.

In this extra special extra long episode, Carson and Laney welcome their first guest, Carson’s partner and friend of the pod Maddie, to peel back the person-suit exterior of one Patrick Bateman and see what’s underneath. Explore the queer undertones of the Pierce & Pierce squad’s nightlife, examine the inherent replaceability and loneliness of the bros participating in the yuppie culture of the 80s, and decide for yourself if Patrick’s rapid slide into murderous madness is his actual reality, or if, like the man himself, it is simply not there.

We accept her, we accept her! In this episode, Laney brings the cult classic Freaks to chat about with Carson. Topics include marginalized bodies, disability in horror, and a little bit of the history of film and censorship. Trapeze through this movie about able bodies taking advantage of disabilities, the difference between exploitation and opportunity, and representation in film over the span of nearly a century.

Gooble gobble, gooble gobble!

Mentions: Alok Vaid-Menon, Cherry 2000, the bargain bin of Blockbuster, and lost media

Content warning: discussions of child sexual abuse, violence towards minors, alcoholism, child neglect

One, two, don’t let your nightmares come true! Returning to classic 80’s slashers, Laney and Carson discuss the infamous Freddy Krueger and the introduction of the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. While going back to Wes Craven and his Scream rules, we critique the classic teen slasher genre and its focus on the horrors of teen sexuality, and question how slight variations in narrative change the way an audience reacts to a villain. Carson brings insights from his favorite queer horror essay anthology (It Came From The Closet, essay “The Trail of His Flames” by Tucker Lieberman), and Laney asks some important question about the film’s hole-riddled plot. So pull out your hidden second coffee pot and set all your alarm clocks, and conquer the nightmare with us, or never never sleep again!