35 years ago 'The Simpsons' aired their first Halloween special. Horror & television were never(more) the same thereafter. Jon revisits the brilliance of the anthology formatted special with its nods to classic horror and EC comics DNA pulsing through it. Jon also unwraps how this TV special was such a game changer and how it made horror accessible for primetime television; and also how it has acted like a horror archive that preserves the legacies of the all the classics. The Simpsons is revolutionary in television but doesn't really get it's major kudos for its impact on horror...until now! Happy Halloween and stay scary!

00:00 Game Changers in Horror History

00:32 The Simpsons' Halloween Special: A Revolutionary Moment

01:46 Welcome to the Special Halloween Episode

02:28 The Simpsons' Impact on Horror

03:32 The First Halloween Special: Treehouse of Horror

06:03 The Segments of the First Halloween Special

07:46 The Simpsons' Viewership and Cultural Impact

10:19 The 1990s Television Landscape

20:10 The Simpsons as a Cultural Phenomenon

25:22 Animation as a Trojan Horse for Horror

33:06 The State of Horror in 1990

34:20 The Simpsons' First Halloween Special

34:51 Bad Dream House: A Clever Twist on Haunted House Tropes

39:44 Hungry Are The Damned: A Parody of 'To Serve Man'

44:02 The Raven: A Literary Gamble That Paid Off

52:19 The Simpsons' Influence on Horror and Pop Culture

58:42 The Legacy of The Simpsons' Halloween Specials

01:03:39 Final Thoughts and Personal Reflections

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Join Jon and Alex in a thrilling bonus episode of 'That Was Pretty Scary' as they dive into listener calls and questions. They explore horror origin stories, delve into horror movie suggestions, and reflect on underrepresented themes in the genre. Listeners like Kim, Camo, Jenna, Shari, and more share their horror experiences and queries, leading to engaging discussions about the scariest films that shaped their fears, the potential of horror miniseries, and the importance of identity in horror storytelling. Jon and Alex also tease future plans for the podcast, including exploring horror TV shows and miniseries. Don’t miss this interactive and insightful episode!

00:00 Introduction and Listener Shoutout

00:20 Special Bonus Episode Announcement

00:42 Listener Calls: Kim's Horror Journey

06:16 Listener Calls: Camo's Questions

08:54 Listener Calls: Jenna's Nostalgic Picks

14:42 Listener Calls: Shari's Miniseries Request

15:53 Nostalgic TV Memories

16:41 Exploring Horror in Television

17:24 Future Plans for TV Horror Deep Dives

20:11 Holiday Podcast Preview

22:48 Underrepresented Themes in Horror

26:50 Community Engagement and Future Plans

28:38 Amityville Horror and Crossover Ideas

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In this episode of 'That Was Pretty Scary,' Jon dives deep into the unsettling brilliance of 'Hell House LLC.' Released in 2015, this found footage horror has made waves with its hyperrealistic approach, reflecting the enterprise culture and media obsession of its time. Jon dissects the film's craft, likening its relatable scare tactics to real life experiences. With shoutouts to his listeners and fellow horror movie enthusiasts, Jon also shares personal insights on vulnerability, grief, and the psychology of fear. Tune in for a detailed breakdown of this low budget yet highly effective horror gem, and don't miss the epilogue where Jon and Alexis brainstorm future projects and address listener feedback.

00:00 Introduction to Found Footage Horror

01:10 Listener Picks and Personal Reflections

06:45 Hell House LLC Overview

07:28 The Making of Hell House LLC

11:41 2015: A Year in Context

22:14 Plot Breakdown and Analysis

35:24 The Psychology of Found Footage Horror

39:02 The Physiology of Fear in Horror Films

39:18 Realism in Horror: The Mundane and the Terrifying

40:42 Weaponizing Subtle Visual Disturbances

43:44 The Craftsmanship Behind Found Footage Films

45:38 The Business of Horror: LLC and Its Implications

50:58 The Moral Undertones and Micro-Budget Realism

54:39 Epilogue: Reflections and Future Projects

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