Podcasts
[Horror Queers Podcast] A Not-So-Subtle Queer Reading of ‘IT: Chapter One’
Eddie and Richie are totes gay for each other.
We had a blast celebrating crazy ladies in Femme Fatale Month™ in August. Joe and I explored the themes of Takashi Miike’s controversial Audition, the dynamics between teenage sociopaths Sadie and McKayla in Tyler MacIntyre’s Tragedy Girls, the lesbian relationship at the heart of the Brazilian film Good Manners, and the Lola of it all in Sean Byrne’s ultra-violent (and ultra-hilarious) The Loved Ones.
This week, we’re heading to Derry, Maine to hang out with the Losers’ Club in Andy Muschietti‘s IT: Chapter One! Joining us is resident Stephen King expert Michael Roffman, the editor-in-chief of Consequence of Sound and co-host of the Halloweenies and Losers’ Club podcasts! In the film, seven children are haunted by an evil clown in 1989 and are forced to face their demons.
Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get a new episode every Wednesday. You can subscribe on iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, TuneIn, Libsyn, Google Play, and RSS.
Episode 37 – IT: Chapter One (2017)
In an episode almost as long as its source material, the boys kick off Stephen King week with a trip to Derry alongside resident Stephen King expert Michael Roffman. EVERYTHING is on the table: coming of age narratives, bad CGI, the appeal of dancing clowns, as well as Derry and Pennywise as stand-ins for Reagan-era Conservatism. Also, a discussion of whether adults are the true villains, the most effective set pieces and an obligatory queer reading of Richie and Eddie (and if you’ve seen IT: Chapter Two, then you know this isn’t a reach).
Throw in Michael’s analysis of Ariana Grande’s contribution to music, the group’s analysis of why a wave of 90s nostalgia is long overdue, and Trace’s passionate response to hysterical reactions on the Internet.
This Week’s Game: which King universe (book or film) would you live in?
Cross out IT: Chapter One!
Coming up Wednesday: We’re getting a head start on Friday the 13th with a trip to Crystal Lake in Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday! The leather-daddy shaving scene alone merits an hour-long discussion.
– Joe & Trace
P.S. Be sure to check out all of our online articles right here, including August’s article on The Town That Dreaded Sundown (2014).
P.P.S. As an added bonus, if you subscribe to our Patreon you can listen to our full-length bonus episode on IT: Chapter Two!
Coming Soon & Now Showing is a monthly series on Halloweenies that catches up on the latest horror headlines and round robins capsule reviews of new and old horrors.
This month, Michael Roffman and Justin Gerber discuss the blockbuster weekend involving Backrooms and Obsession. They also brush on some franchise news and dust off oldies for the first time: 1987’s Dead of Winter and 1977’s False Face.
Stream the episode below. Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, and RSS. New to the Halloweenies? Catch up with the gang by revisiting their essential episodes on past franchises such as Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, Scream, The Evil Dead, Chucky, Alien, and the Universal Monsters.This year? Hellraiser!
You can also become a member of their Patreon, The Rewind, for hilariously irreverent commentaries (e.g. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Re-Animator, Darkman), one-off deep dives on your favorite rentals (e.g. Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Manhunter, ), and even spinoffs like their recent run Fortune & Glory: An Indiana Jones Podcast.