The Mental Suppository

The Mental Suppository will be back later in the year with brand new episodes and brand new surprises. But for now, we have a special First Day of Summer Presentation: The Metal Suppository LIVE at the Hotel Vernon reading a radio script titled Man's Best Friend. An unproduced pilot for a radio series which would have featured Walt Kelly's comic strip character Pogo Possum. The script itself was printed in The Best of Pogo. A collection of Kelly's earlier comic strips. One of the stories from those early strips was the inspiration for the unproduced radio play.   Bret, a long time fan of the strip, was inspired by the Twitter group Pogo Re-Antiquated @pogoreanimated who did a group project of doing their own short animated versions of the animated special Pogo's Special Birthday Special originally produced by Chuck Jones. Bret decided to get the gang together to record this script.    If anyone involved in that group would be interested in taking what the group recorded and putting it to animation, please contact us.   But for now, sit back and enjoy this either in your living room, deck or front porch with a cool drink on a early summer night.  

2022 has been a productive (and very silly) year for the Mental Suppository Podcast. Especially with the amount of “sponsors”. The podcast had so many this year that it couldn't fit just one episode!! So, for your listening pleasure here's PART TWO of AND NOW ANOTHER WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR. A collection of some of the commercials that appeared this season on the Mental Suppository podcast. AND coming out on Christmas Day will be a DOUBLE ALBUM of all the sponsors that appeared in parts one and two on Bandcamp!

The second year of the Mental Suppository Podcast is rapidly coming to a close.  And much like year one, the podcast has had its share of unique "sponsors".  And this year even more. So many as a matter of fact that the team has compiled all of them into TWO special episodes that will be available as a double album near the end of the year!! That's right!!  We've gone all Use Your Illusion without Axl Rose's outbursts. So sit back and enjoy.

It didn't matter if The Fall Guy or the Dukes of Hazzard wasn't being shown that night. Once you saw the logo and heard the music for A CBS SPECIAL PRESENTATION, you knew something good was about to happen.  From Halloween till Christmas Time (and later New Years), it was all about the specials.  As a kid growing up in the 1970s and 1980s From October 31st till December 31st you had something to look forward to when CBS would roll out all their prime holiday specials.  This was in the days before streaming, DVDS, Videocassettes or even taping them off the television set. You had to physically WAIT an entire year before you saw Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Garfield, Rudolph, the Grinch or Frosty embark on their holiday specials.  Get into your coziest pajamas and slippers, make yourself a cup of cocoa, get a plate of Christmas cookies and remember all the great Christmas specials (and movies) with us…. …oh and try not to think about Woodstock actually eating another bird in the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving special.

The recent passing  of television, stage and voice actor Kevin Conroy marked the end of an era.   For many who grew up in the 1990s, he WAS Batman starting with the iconic Batman the Animated Series and has continued to voice the character for the past 30 years in various spin offs, direct to DVD productions and video games.  Although admitting he wasn't an aficionado, it has been a character he has enjoyed returning to alongside Mark Hamill's iconic take on the Joker time and again. As well as someone who has been appreciative of the fans love and support for his take on the character over the years he has voiced him.  Being longtime fans of Batman TAS (which was the subject of our very first episode) we felt we needed to pay tribute to someone who this podcast feels is THE definite Batman.  Kevin gave the character a portrayal and a voice so many live action productions have missed the mark on.  For all of us at the Mental Suppository, along with so many fans out there, Kevin Conroy was and always will be… THE Batman.  All who take on the role after him have some very big shoes to fill.

Each year, the Philadelphia Fringe Festival brings local, national and international art to Philadelphia with a nearly month-long extravaganza of performing arts.  But with how much it costs to enter, can most performing artist afford to apply? And even if they are able to get in, it's not a given that these artists will turn a profit on their performances. Most artists who are trying to make their voices heard do not make a lot of money and depend on art shows and events to make ends meet. The Free Fringe in Philadelphia offers artists a more affordable alternative to the costs of applying to Philadelphia Fringe.  In this episode, Bret talks with Murphy Grumbar who tells him about his own recent experiences putting together and staging a performance piece for the Free Fringe and his thoughts on the performing art scene in Philadelphia.

In previous episodes we've proven the reviews on Prime are… interesting.  Hearing them out of context makes them all the more confusing. It does make one wonder if these people actually WATCHED the movie they reviewed.  The answer to that is PROBABLY NOT but we thought we'd look at a few more anyway.  Join Bret, Jamie and Wayne as they scratch their heads and feel they lost 30 minutes of their lives they'll never get back as they wade through more movie reviews.

Before the early 1980s, Hanna-Barbera and Filmation were the only two industry juggernauts that ruled the Saturday Morning airwaves with HB ahead of the pack.  And nobody could catch up to either in popularity and the amount of animated shows they produced in a factory-like way. But with the advent of weekday afternoon and first run syndication in the 1980s, other companies started to appear and for the first time become real competition for the two studio giants of the animated landscape.  The one that popped out of nowhere and was stiff competition for both was a French/American company called D.I.C. Or Diffusion Information Communications was its full name … although there are some in the industry that thought it should have stood for Do It Cheaply. Though, much like a great number of these companies that cropped up in the 80s, D.I.C produced a great number of shows based on toys (M.A.S.K and Care Bears) as well as shows based on comic strip characters (Heathcliff and Dennis the Menace).  Their most popular and best remembered character might very well be INSPECTOR GADGET. An original character that was not connected to a popular toy line. Although one would come out of its popularity. D.I.C was also infamous in the industry for underbidding properties and courting toy companies away from other studios. A good case in point is the way they took over Alvin and the Chipmunks from Hanna-Barbera legends Ruby-Spears and GI Joe away from Sunbow after the failure of GI Joe the Movie. So, join Bret, Jamie and Andrew as they take a trip down memory lane as they prove once and for all that they DO know D.I.C. And a big thank you to performer Madam Misfit for allowing us to use her electro swing version of INSPECTOR GADGET at the end of this episode.  Please go to her website to learn more about her as well as listen to and purchase her music. And follow her on social media.

The review section on Amazon.  It is a silly place.  Sometimes you wonder if the people reviewing actually watched the movie they just reviewed. Or understand how to write a cohesive thought.  Well… we know the answer to that.  Jamie has yet again tasked Bret and Andrew to try and figure out the item the person is trying to review. Some of which only sum things up in two sentences. The thing you discover they hate is the biggest surprise of all.  And since it's Halloween, the guys also go into a few of the movies that are at the top of their must watch list every Halloween.  So join us and don't eat too much of the candy you intended to pass out to trick or treaters.

Much like Allan Sherman, Spike Jones and Stan Freberg before him, Alfred Matthew “Weird Al” Yankovic has made a career out of making funny music, song parodies and song styles. However, Weird Al has had a long and very successful career doing two things most people would think wouldn't get you very far in the business. Having fun and not taking himself seriously. Not only that. But doing it without being vulgar and dirty. Proving you can make people laugh without swearing or using sexual humor to sell your work. His career has had its ups and downs… but just when you think it's over, he comes back and does something that just catches peoples attention in a way that's just as extraordinary as the man himself.  Now he's the subject of a biopic.  Much like the man it features, it's not  taken at all too seriously. So join Bret, Jamie, Andrew and Wayne as they discuss how they got into Weird Al's music and why they think he's been able to stay popular for so long. Because things are gonna get a little… weird!

It was announced recently that groove metal band PANTERA was planning a reunion tour. For some fans, the concept might seem a bit strange considering the two creative driving members of the band, Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darryl Abbot, are both no longer with us. Guitarist and drummer Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante have been announced to fill in for the late Abbot brothers. While both are very respected in the metal community, the Abbot brothers brought a very unique sound to the band which is very difficult to replicate. Not to mention both Wylde and Benante have very unique styles of their own. How will this change the dynamic of the band Pantera on what can really be considered both a reunion and a tribute tour.  In this episode, Jamie, Bret and Wayne discuss not only Pantera but other bands as well who have replaced a member of the band and remained successful… if not more successful in some instances. Whereas other bands attempted to do the same thing but fell short. Why is it that it worked for AC/DC or Van Halen but it was less successful for the Doors or Aerosmith. Or in that case, you could never picture the Beatles or Nirvana continuing with anyone other than the members of the classic line up. Listen in and draw your own conclusion.

The last time Fletch hit the screens was back in 1989's Fletch Lives, the last to feature Chevy Chase in the title role. Unlike the previous big screen appearance, that movie wasn't based on any of the novels written by Gregory McDonald. And it showed. Over the years there have been attempts to start up the franchise again, one being an adaptation of McDonalds prequel novel Fletch Won which would have been spearheaded by Kevin Smith and was rumored to star either Jae Lee or Ben Affleck in the starring role. That version of Fletch never came to fruition. But it would appear Fletch has finally returned. This time in the guise of Mad Men star Jon Hamm.  In this episode Bret and Andrew discuss their first takes on the trailer for Confess Fletch. Based on the second novel in Gregory McDonalds series.  And from first take Hamm's version of the character is closer to the character that McDonald wrote than the one Chevy Chase played. Which was basically just Chevy Chase as Chevy Chase. So it's time for Fletch to Confess. But who knows what the outcome will be.

While the cat is away, the mice will play… With Bret gone from the week Jamie puts Andrew and Wayne to the test by reading to them some really vague reviews on Amazon Prime and see if they can match up the review with the movie it's reviewing. It's trickier than you'd think. So put on your thinking cap and guess along with the guys.

A Case Of The Wednesdays talking about the trailer for Tim Burtons new Netflix Series

Fan conventions have been slowly making a return since last year. And the Mental Suppository Podcast makes its first visit to Fan Expo Boston. People seemed starved for the event as well as the interaction between their favorite artists, celebrities and fellow cosplayers. And Jamie, Andrew and Bret got into the spirit of it by dressing as their favorite characters.  Wayne chose to dress as Wayne Neves from the hit Channel 58 sitcom Fuck You, Wayne.  Join Jamie, Andrew and Bret as they discuss their favorite moments from the event and their thoughts on both comic book culture but also cosplay culture. And how it can be a therapeutic experience for some people. And a big shout out to Pink Taco in Boston for great service and feeding four very hungry middle aged men.  

Our listeners (all three of you) might've noticed a skit we featured periodically in the podcast titled The Camaro Man. All the hosts of the Mental Suppository are old enough to remember the shows of the 1980s and the Camaro Man was written to be a parody of the cop shows of that era with the renegade cop who doesn't play by the rules… or in the case of the Camaro Man doesn't really understand the rules… and drives a cool car. Which is debatable to our own Wayne Neves who's offhanded remark inspired both Jamie and Bret to begin writing the Camaro Man bits.   So for your listening pleasure we present to you all the skits we've recorded so far starring… THE CAMARO MAN.

Over Memorial Day weekend, The Mental Suppository's Andrew Shanley and his friend Andy Sawyer took an overnight trip to Ticonderoga New York to check out the Star Trek Exhibit. What he experienced made him remember why he became a fan of the show in the first place as he and Andy basked in the detailed reproduction of set designs and props from the original series.  In this installment, Bret and Andrew discuss their long time enjoyment of geek culture as Andrew talks about his experience at the exhibit as well as visiting Fort Ticonderoga for a tour of the historical site. Bret also mentions his experience visiting the Sherlock Holmes Museum in London back in 2000 as well as more recently going to National Geographics Immersive King Tut Exhibit at Sowa in Boston with his wife and the fun they had. You'll also learn there's actually a difference between nerd and geek culture. But we celebrate both equally on this podcast. So get both your nerd and your geek on in this episode because we celebrate both equally on this podcast.

There was a time when reading the Sunday comics was an event and every kid who could draw wanted to be a comic strip artist.  While those days might not be long gone, it's not the same as it once was. From the early part of the 20th Century until the 1970s, the comic strip page featured some of the most glorious artwork every Sunday. Full page strips in full glorious color.  Three of the most talented artists to ever grace the comics page were EC Segar, George Herriman and Walt Kelly who created Thimble Theatre (later just Popeye), Krazy Kat and Pogo. Each displayed a unique take on storytelling, the way language is perceived and politics for its time. While Popeye is still remembered to this day, people might not be familiar with the works of either Herriman or Kelly. We're here to help you all with that.  In this episode, Bret and special guest co-host Murphy Grumbar discuss what they love about these comics and what makes both the storytelling and the artwork so unique to what we perceive cartoons and comics to be like today.  We encourage our listeners if you are unfamiliar with any of the artists we are discussing to go down to the local library and learn more about them.

The Munsters was a widely popular show which ran from 1964 to 1966. But does anyone under age of 40 really remember the Munsters. Unlike the Addams Family, they didn't have a movie in the 1990s that kept them cemented in the younger audience's memory. But the people who are fans of the series are passionate about it. And one of those fans is musician and filmmaker Rob Zombie who has desired to create a movie based on the series he loved and grew up watching. Recently he released a trailer for the project which is scheduled to be released in September which has left people… confused.    Known for movies like House of 1000 Corpses and the Devils Rejects, the trailer for the film comes off looking like a pilot for a television series rather than a major motion picture. And we here at the Mental Suppository have… feelings about this trailer.   Join Bret and Andrew as they discuss what they thought upon first watching the trailer for the film and talk about the overall look of the film. And why the heck does Herman Munster sound like Joe Besser???

If you haven't watched the latest installment of Stranger Things, you might want to watch that first before listening because we're heading into Spoiler country.  Season Four of Stranger Things hit Netflix in two parts. The first seven episodes aired on May 27th and the last two on July 1st. Most fans have praised season four as an improvement over season three. The Duffer Brothers delve deeper into the world they've created with this show introducing a central villain who seems like an amalgamation of Freddy Krueger and Pinhead from the Hellraiser movies. But not only that, there are also elements to this season that might hit home for anyone who were around and remembers the year 1986. One thing is the way the bullies are represented in this season as opposed to previous seasons. Bullies like Steve Harrington and Billy Hargrove were very multifaceted. Steve went from being a smug rich jerk to possibly one of the most popular characters on the show forming a bond with Dustin in particular. Although Billy wasn't repentant as Steve was, you come to find out that his father is a crueler bully than he is. And it gives the audience a little insight to where his character is coming from and why he is the way he is. The bullies in this season are more black and white in the form of jock Jason Carver and Eleven's tormenter Angela. There's nothing redeeming about these characters. They're just cruel and spiteful and seem to enjoy it. Jason is domineering and abusive and Angela is a mean girl who is verbally abusive. Both are surrounded by their little group of sycophants that enable them. In Jason's case, his friends are gutless and don't stand up to him. With Angela, her little pack of jackals do her bidding. While they both seem more closely aligned with the stuck up rich bullies of a John Hughes film, there is something more real about them than the bullies in previous seasons. Many of us might've dealt with an abusive jock like Jason Carver or a mean girl like Angela.  This season also dealt with other topics that were still considered to be very taboo at that time in a very sensitive way that was very true to what was going on in 1986.  But the thing that Stranger Things has done very well is to take elements from both 1980s horror films and 1980s culture and represent it in a very fun and original way. Which is a big reason WHY the show has been a big hit for both people born in the 1980s as well as people who might not remember that decade but have an appreciation for that. In this episode, Bret and Andrew discuss their memories of 1986 and how this season compares to what they remember that year being like. So get out your walkman and put in your Kate Bush and Metallica mix tape. Because we're not just going for a walk down memory lane… we're running up that hill!!

Northeast Comic Con has become a home away from home for the Mental Suppository Podcast. And on Fourth of July weekend they appeared live on stage to do a live script reading of episode two of the 1935 radio drama FLASH GORDON. The Mental Suppository has staged several live script readings before, this time the guys are joined by Lisa Billings and cosplayer Carley Winn to read this radio classic live before an audience. If you weren't able to make it to the event last weekend, you can hear it now. With added effects to give you the feel of the old time radio plays of yesteryear.Sit back, relax and enjoy this little theater of the mind as you travel with Flash and his friends to the planet Mongo from the comfort of your own home.

Condorman will not be joining the MCU anytime soon. A turkey of a superhero film that tried to cash in on the success of Superman by making the hero completely inept and possessing absolutely NO superpowers whatsoever... unless being inept in a superpower. Starring Michael Crawford who would go onto star in Andrew Lloyd Webbers Phantom of the Opera in a role he has probably spent decades trying to forget. Think if someone thought it would be a great idea if Inspector Clouseau were a superhero. Or a less successful version of The Greatest American Hero. Also starring Oliver Reed who probably forgot the film because he spent most of the time drunk as a hoot owl. Which would explain why he'd accept being in this movie in the first place. Join Bret, Jamie, Andrew and Wayne as they show inhuman strength sitting through this FOWL picture. Look up in the sky!! It's a bird!! It's a plane!! It's... a bird. The movie is available to rent on many popular streaming sites  if you wish to sync up the audio from this episode with the movie. You can also choose to watch a video version of the episode here: https://vimeo.com/user178568850

This week the Mental Suppository presents THE BUNK SQUAD. Adapted for radio in color. When the regular police think a case is the bunk they call in… THE BUNK SQUAD. In this episode Sgt. Morris Howard and his partner Louis Fine are trying to find who stole the Blue Booby Ruby. A rare gem shaped like a bird of the same name. And it's not a laughing matter. Howard and Fine question many unsavory and questionable characters as they try to discover just who stole the Blue Booby Ruby. And why it's so funny. And just when they think all hope is lost and they might never discover just who has got their hands on the Blue Booby, the answer is in front of their face all along. But will Howard and Fine like the answer they get? And is the Blue Booby really a laughing matter? Well, don't ask us! Listen to the episode and find out for yourselves!!

If you think this is going to be a Man Show, Howard Stern or Mantown style episode, you're listening to the wrong podcast!! In this episode we discuss women in entertainment that we admire for their incredible talent and the amazing contributions they made to pave the way for the women that followed them in the world of music, film and television.  And the ridicule they faced at a time when it was difficult for a woman to assert her independence in an industry that has been dominated by men.  Bret, Jamie and Wayne discuss some of the most talented women in the industry and why their contributions were so important and should never be forgotten. Like in the case of someone like Mabel Normand whose contributions aren't as remembered as they once were. Please join us as we salute some amazing talents in the hopes you will check out their work and why we think they kick ass!!

There have always been epic movies.  From Cleopatra to Lawrence of Arabia there have always been movies that certain filmmakers have felt need to be told in more time than an hour or so.  But it does seem like in recent years, especially prior to 2020, Hollywood studios have released a host of these three hour epics. Especially in the genre of the superhero movies which have been trying to outdo themselves in both spectacle and feature length.  While enjoyable as many of the films have been, is it too much of a good thing? Are we eating ice cream for breakfast more than we should? While neither the blockbusters nor the desire to go to the theaters are probably not going away any time soon, have these types of films finally burned themselves out?  With the rise of television shows like the Mandalorian, Book of Boba Fett and most recently Obi-Wan Kenobi, people seem to be gravitating towards the 30 minute serialized stories these shows have to offer on streaming. Is this a reflection of our TikTok culture that desires the quick fix of entertainment rather than having to sit through three hours of the latest Avengers or Batman film? And with the budget of some of these shows rivaling that of the blockbusters, will there come a time where the desire for “the cinematic experience” no longer be there?  With the rise of streaming (which was accelerated out of necessity due to the pandemic) it begs the question, why deal with the potential of annoying people who can't keep quiet at the movies, when you can just enjoy these movies from the comfort of your own home? You can also stop the film and take a bathroom break. Which cannot be done in the theater. In this episode Bret, Jamie and Wayne discuss the pro's and cons of this brave new world of entertainment and what it might this mean for the future of the entertainment industry. How we enjoy movies this week on the Mental Suppository.

Mystery Science Theater 3000 premiered on KTMA (a UHF station in Hopkins Minnesota) at 6:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1988. The premise was (and still is) fairly simple. An average Joe… or Joel in this case… is shot into space by his evil bosses and forced to watch bad movies as part of an experiment. Joel can't choose where the movie begins or ends. Because he used those parts to make his robot friends Cambot, CPC, Tom Servo and Crow. Servo and Crow aid Joel as they sit through bad movies making snide comments and quips which is now commonly referred to as “movie riffing”.   It's a show you either get or you don't get. For those of us who DO get it, it taps into something we all do naturally while watching a bad movie. Making comments on how bad the movie is. And that's why we find it so funny. Because the crew at Mystery Science Theater 3000 has perfected the art of “movie riffing” There must be something in the water in Minnesota that makes them so good at it.   The original run of MST3K ended in 1999. Since then the original cast has not been quiet. They've started other movie riffing projects such as the Film Crew, RiffTrax, Cinematic Titanic and The Mads are Back, But most recently MST3K has made a triumphant return with original showrunner Joel Hodgeson. First on Netflix and most recently launching their own streaming platform called The Gizmoplex. Both were funded through record breaking Kickstarter Campaigns.    Join Bret and Andrew as they talk about their love for MST3K, their favorite episodes and characters. And if you're wondering how they eat or breathe. Or other scientific facts. Just repeat to yourself it's just a podcast. I really should relax.

WLVIII TV Channel 58 might be a station serving the Florida/Peru/Massachusetts area with towers located in a cow field in Barre.. we think. With quality programming like Dick Prostate Gynecologist PI, Uncle Greg's Boatload of Gosh Darn Fun, The Jerry Warbler Sings A Bunch Of Crap With These Other Jerks Hour, Friday Night Frightening Flick with Dr. Deadmeat,  Entertaining Barre with Buford Tums, as well as popular sitcoms like Father on the Sex Offender Registry and That's Not Livestock That's My Wife… and it's Livestock. And of course, the hit cop drama Camaro Man.  On today's episode Channel 58 looks at some amazing music video mashups. Groups you would never think would sound so good together and yet they do. Hey!! You got your Black Sabbath in my Doors!! You got your Doors in my Black Sabbath!! Why not have both and shut up? You can also watch this episode on our YouTube channel  

Many times in history comedy has been one of the best things to get us through our darkest times. Not only do they make us laugh, but sometimes they make us think as well as inspire us. It may seem strange that the people whose jobs are to make us laugh are the most passionate about politics. The other thing we've learned from history is fascists have no sense of humor and can't take a joke. Hitler wanted to kill the Three Stooges because they lampooned him in a film. Need I say more? Today Bret and Scott discuss classic films that had a profound effect on people in very different ways. From the Marx Brothers lighthearted send up in Duck Soup to Charlie Chaplin's more serious minded comedy in the Great Dictator to the end of the world being heralded in by the soothing sound of Vera Lynn in Dr. Strangelove starring Peter Sellers in three roles including the title character. Each film makes the powers that be look like ridiculous children squabbling over who won the most marbles.  In the case of the Great Dictator, Chaplin gives his iconic character of the Little Tramp, silent for all these years, something very profound to say. Words that still ring true in 2022 as they did back in 1940.  For those unfamiliar with Chaplin's speech, the Mental Suppository highly recommends you watch it here on YouTube. If you wish to find out more about Charlie Chaplin, Groucho Marx and Peter Sellers we recommend this further reading: My Autobiography by Charlie Chaplin Groucho: The Life and Times of Julius Henry Marx by Stefan Kanfer Mr. Strangelove: A Biography of Peter Sellers by Ed Sikov

Neal Adams was the most influential artist in comic books for over 50 years. From his work on the X-Men at Marvel to the ground breaking work he did with Dennis O'Neil on Batman as well as Green Lantern and Green Arrow, his style has influenced many young artists in the business. He would bring Batman back to his grim and gritty roots as well as bring emotional personal and social issues onto the pages of Green Lantern and Green Arrow ranging from racism to drug addiction. Revealing in dramatic fashion that the Green Arrows own sidekick had become addicted to heroin.  Neal Adams was also an advocate for the rights of his fellow creators leading the charge in the 1970s to get the creators of Superman the credit as well as the financial compensation they had been long overdue to receive.  In this episode Bret and Andrew look back and celebrate the career of a unique artist that changed the landscape of comics as we know it today.

The Kids in the Hall first invaded airwaves on Canadian television with an one hour pilot episode on October 16th 1988. It's regular series debut on CBC and HBO October 24th 1989. It would soon become a staple on the Comedy Channel. Later to be rebranded Comedy Central (or referred to as the South Park/Daily Show Channel by most people today).   The KITH themselves were formed by members Dave Foley and Kevin McDonald. They were joined by Bruce McCullough and Mark McKinney with Scott Thompson in 1985. They broke up for a short time when McCullough and McKinney were invited to write for Saturday Night Live. They reunited in 1986 when Lorne Michaels saw them perform as a troupe and plans began for  a television show.  One could see the show as the closest Michaels really ever came to producing a version of Monty Python's Flying Circus. Although he had attempted that previously with SNL, KITH came the closest by not replicating the “ American variety show” format as well as relying heavily on musical guests and celebrity impersonations SNL does. While being very similar to Python's surreal style of comedy, KITH left its own thumbprint with a brand of surreal comedy that was unique and different from the series that inspired them.   With Dave, Bruce, Mark, Kevin and Scott ready to bring the band back together for a brand new series on Amazon Prime in May, our own Kids in the… um… basement… Bret, Jame and Andrew discuss their memories of watching the show. What they enjoyed about it, some of their favorite characters, sketches and how KITH inspired their own sense of humor.   They'll also discuss they're thoughts about the KITH returning to the screen for the first time since their 2010 miniseries DEATH COMES TO TOWN. A series that blended sketch comedy with an ongoing narrative successfully in a way their movie BRAIN CANDY was not able to do so.    So it doesn't matter if you've got a cabbage for a head, you're a chicken lady, the king of empty promises or you're hip, cool and 45. This show is just for you. And if you don't listen… I'LL CRUSH YOUR HEAD!!

Most people don't realize Doctor Who's popularity in the United States started long before the series's return in 2005. Back in the early 1980s the program gained a cult following when PBS  stations started broadcasting episodes from the classic series. For some areas, it started with episodes from Jon Pertwee's time as the Third Doctor. In other areas it started with the episode from Tom Baker's time as the Fourth Doctor. His manic eyes, grin, endlessly long scarf and mad hatter-like persona has made him to some fans the definitive incarnation of the Timelord. And in fact, there were some that thought for the longest time Tom Baker was the first actor to portray the eccentric character traveling through time in a spaceship stuck in the physical form of a London Police Telephone Box. Imagine many young American fans' surprise (including myself) when they discovered there were three actors who portrayed the Doctor before him. Or when we discovered that he had turned into a fair haired younger man who fancied cricket and wore a stick of celery on his lapel. And for a generation, it was the initial fear of the series that turned to intrigue which eventually turned to obsession as we rediscovered this eccentric show once more in our late teens and early twenties thanks to it being released on home media in the late 80s and early 1990s.   In today's episode Bret and guest Murphy Grumbar discuss their first exposure to this unique British institution that has long since developed a loyal following here in the States. And Murphy discusses the Doctor Who group he started where he and the members get stoned and watch classic episodes. So join the discussion. You don't have to get stoned to enjoy this episode. But if you choose to, we support your rights to do so. And do have a Jelly Baby, won't you?

Movie riffing is not easy and you should leave it to the professionals… but we did it anyway. Having previously enjoyed riffing an episode of the New Monkees on a previous podcast, the guys decided to sit through BMX BANDITS. A little Australian film that gave the gift of Nicole Kidman to the world. Which, much like Michael Chiklis in the movie WIRED, proved you can do a really terrible, terrible film and STILL manage to have a career. This film has everything going for it in the wrong direction. So the boys from the Mental Suppository are in for quite a ride. The same can't be said for the movie because it barely has BMX bikes in the entire film. As well as a plot that feels like they tried filming five different movies and then just stuck them together. And if you happen to find yourself a copy of BMX Bandits, you can try and sync up the film with the audio commentary from this episode with this episode. So sit back, relax and get ready for excitement bigger than Nicole Kidman's hair in the film!!

Spider-Man: Far From Home is the latest in the line of Spidey movies starring Tom Holland as everybody's friendly neighborhood webslinger. And fans can't get enough of Holland's take on both the hero as well as Spidey's alter ego Peter Parker. The success of the film proved that people are still going to the movies and the MCU still has a few tricks up its sleeve. Spider-Man's success in the movies really didn't happen until the beginning of the 21st Century when special effects finally caught up in a way that you could have Spidey swinging around New York City and have it look believable. Much in the same way the 1978 Superman and the 1989 Batman broke grounds in the way audiences look at superhero movies.  Marvel didn't always have success in the movies. The only big success they had was on the small screen with the Incredible Hulk television series. Their first attempts at adapting Spidey to the small screen were not… how shall we put it… nearly as successful as what we saw after 2000. A 1978 attempt at a live action series bore very little resemblance to the character and the Spidey featured on the Electric Company around that time was… unique. The only successful and entertaining Spider-Man live action series at that point was actually produced in Japan. And they gave Spidey a giant robot to fight evil with!! In this episode, Andrew and Bret talk about Spider-Man in the movies. What has worked. What has fallen flat. And why the current MCU version of Spidey might be the most entertaining version of the character on screen to date. So sit back, relax and check out our all Spider-Man episode, true believers!!

Series finales are never an easy thing. Some series finales are classics such as the cases of Newhart or M*A*S*H or they are complete duds… we're looking right at YOU Jerry Seinfeld!! And in the case of shows like Gilligan's Island, Bewitched or Mork and Mindy, they were canceled without being given a proper resolution. In the case of many long running series, by the time the last episode comes along the series has been so worn and drawn out and many of the main characters in the series become exaggerated caricatures of themselves. So I shouldn't be surprised that the final episode doesn't live up to potential a lot of the time.  In this episode Bret, Jamie, Andrew and Wayne choose a few classic (and not so classic series) and discuss how they think a series should have ended. So sit back and relax and look into the alternate reality the Mental Suppository has created.

Some movies are so bad they're good. Others are just plain bad. Bad with no redeeming qualities to them whatsoever. So bad that they're not good enough to be classified as B Movies. These movies are so incompetent and poorly produced they've been relegated to the status of Z MOVIES. In this installment Bret and Andrew discuss two of the more infamous Z Movie directors Coleman Francis and Hal Warren. Both men whose films were featured on Mystery Science Theater 3000 after decades of obscurity. And both the best in their category of completely incompetent filmmakers. Join us for some DEEP HURTING!!

The boys of the Mental Suppository Podcast are live at Northeast Comic Con yet again!! And you would have thought Northeast learned their lesson from the last two times. Bret, Jamie, Andrew and Wayne are talking about the new Batman movie with Robert Pattinson along with Batman and Harley Quinn themselves, Matches Malone and Carley Winn who stop by to say hello.  But not only are they talking about the new Batman film. But it's also the 30th Anniversary this year of the release of Batman Returns. And for the first time since that film, Michael Keaton is set to don the cape and cowl one more time in both Flashpoint and Batgirl later this year. It's all things pop culture at the event that celebrates all things pop culture here in New England. Northeast Comic Con!!

Some television shows stood the test of time. Others fell through the cracks only lasting one or two seasons. But there are a few of those one (or two) season wonders we remember. In this episode Bret and Andrew look back and remember a few forgotten shows that left a mark on them. So sit tight as the boys once again set the WABAC Machine to that magical decade known as the 1980s.

The Monkees were a cultural phenomenon born out of television executives' desire to manufacture a rock group to cash in on the popularity of the Beatles. Over the years, Mike Nesmith, Peter Dork, Mikey Dolenz and Davy Jones have been unfairly written off as the Pre-Fab Four and accused of not playing their own instruments. Which wasn:t true since all four members were musicians (Peter Tork is said to have been a phenomenal banjo player) and a lot of this misconception of their music abilities stems from the fact the powers that be not allowing the four to play or write their own music relying heavily on studio musicians to play on the albums. With all that said, The Monkees still managed to stand the test of time and 50+ years since their debut new fans are still being introduced to both their television series and music. And despite all that, the Beatles got the Monkees too. With the recent passing of Mike Nesmith, Bret, Jamie and Andrew talk about watching the Monkees in repeats, what songs they enjoyed and who their favorite Monkee was. Bret talks about his opportunity to talk with Mickey Dolenz about doing voice acting for the Tick animated series as well as his friendship with the late great Harry Nilsson. And the three attempt to sit through an episode of the 1980s series The New Monkees. Is it as bad as everyone remembers it being? Oh who are WE kidding? NOBODY remembers that series. So here we come. Walking down the street. Hey hey!! Its the Mental Suppository… talking about the Monkees.

From the mid 1960s until the late 1980s Hanna-Barbera ruled the airwaves of Saturday Morning television. And before that they had success in the 1940s with the Tom and Jerry animated shorts in the theaters. Then later with characters like Huckleberry Hound Yogi Bear and Top Cat. But their success would really begin with the debut of the Flintstones which became the first prime time animated sitcom.  Although Hanna-Barbera wouldn't be the first studio to create animation for the Saturday morning market (rival animation giant Filmation would beat them to the punch), they would become an almost unstoppable juggernaut releasing countless animated series throughout the 1970s and into the 1980s. In today's episode Bret, Jamie and Andrew reminisce about watching Hanna-Barbera cartoons throughout their childhood and why it made Saturday mornings such an event.  Plus, each of them try and challenge one another to do famous movie quotes in the voice of their favorite Hanna-Barbera  character. It's Saturday morning all over again. So come take a trip to the Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera.

It's the 50th episode of the Mental Suppository Podcast and we're talking about Star Wars… finally!! Bret, Jamie and Andrew talk about their memories of watching the Star Wars trilogy when they were young. Where they first saw Star Wars and their memories of the movies and toys. As well as what made the original trilogy so memorable for them. And what brought them back to what they loved about the films in their teen years. Which might have something to do with Carrie Fisher in a metal bikini being a badass warrior princess killing Jabba the Hutt. But might also have something to do with Star Wars living on in expanded novels and comics. It doesn't feel like a long time ago. But join us as we look back at what made the trilogy so memorable for a generation of fans.

In the days before Fox and the CW, UHF Channels were an independently owned visual playground of old cartoons, reruns, old movies and occasionally locally produced shows. If you were born before 1986 you probably remember the heyday of UHF television and had a favorite station. Which, for those of us who didn't have cable, were the ones you could get in the best.  In this episode Bret, Jamie, Andrew and Wayne reminisce about the shows they watched when they were kids, favorite sitcoms and other shows they might've never discovered if it wasn't for UHF. Also in this episode the Mental Suppository takes a look at the career of MeatHammer. The greatest heavy metal act to come out of Peru… Massachusetts.  And the latest installment of the Camaro Man.  Don't touch that dial. We got it all on the Mental Suppository!!

Andy Sawyer is an independent filmmaker whose enthusiasm and zeal for making movies is infectious.  Growing up in the 1980s, he fell in love with the slasher films and supernatural thrillers of that era. His short films have been featured in countless film festivals. His latest movie THERE IS SNOW ESCAPE is a love letter to the horror films of that era. Bret and Andrew sit down with Andy and talk about the journey of making a unique horror  film about a killer snowman. As well as the many impressive practical effects he ans his brother Ken build in their creature shop.    And be sure to see Andy's film debut on Fitchburg Public Access's website February 14th:    http://www.fatv.org

The Mental Suppository is back with it's first brand new episode for 2022!! The last time we saw a Ghostbusters movie with their original cast in the roles they made famous (not counting the 2009 video game with the cast lending their voices) was in 1989. A film that some liked and some didn't. Including members of the cast. After a 2016 reboot, Jason Reitman, son of the original films director Ivan Reitman, decided to bring it back to the series' original universe. But not in a way that everyone expected. And one thing the junior Reitman praised the 2016 reboot for was proving you can do a Ghostbusters movie without the original cast being front and center. This film goes even further by taking Ghostbusting out of New York altogether. Proving the Ghostbusters universe does not have to revolve solely in one city alone. In this episode, Bret, Jamie, Andrew, Wayne and special guest Sydney Goddard discuss their memories of seeing the original Ghostbusters. As well as their thoughts on the latest incarnation of the franchise. What they really enjoyed about it and what didn't work. Is there a future for follow up movies? Or is this a nice place to end the series? Sit back, relax and maybe enjoy this episode. Maybe help yourself to a Twinkie or two.

The Mental Suppository will return with brand new episodes on February 4th. Until then we wish to share a few favorite “leftovers” from our inaugural 2021 season.  We were fortunate enough to do three live shows during that season. Two of which were hosted over Zoom with the third one presented live at Northeast Comic Con and Collectibles Winter Show on Thanksgiving Weekend.  One of the things we wanted to do when developing the Mental Suppository as an ongoing podcast was to involve short table reads during certain episodes. The reads would consist of the hosts and occasional guests taking part and reading a script from an unproduced film or television show. Sometimes reimagining a script in the case of the movie THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARIi or the 1975 children's show GHOSTBUSTERS produced by Filmation. We hope to continue this tradition into the coming new year. But for now, sit back and listen to a few we did over the course of the previous year.

The Mental Suppository will return with brand new episodes on February 4th. Until then we wish to share a few favorite “leftovers” from our inaugural 2021 season.  We were fortunate enough to do three live shows during that season. Two of which were hosted over Zoom with the third one presented live at Northeast Comic Con and Collectibles Winter Show on Thanksgiving Weekend.  Our third and final live show of 2021 took place at Northeast Comic Con and Collectibles Extravaganza Winter Edition on Thanksgiving Weekend. This was our second live broadcast at Northeast and this time we decided to do a live reading of the 1940 Radio Drama from the Superman series. It starred Jamie Billings as Superman and Dr. Dahlgren. Wayne Neves as the Yellow Mask. Sydney Goddard as Lois Lane. Bret Herholz as Perry White. And Andrew Shanley as the Announcer. Other characters were voiced by members of the cast. Look!! Down at the mic!! It's a nerd. It's a pain. It's THE MENTAL SUPPOSITORY!!

The Mental Suppository will return with brand new episodes on February 4th. Until then we wish to share a few favorite “leftovers” from our inaugural 2021 season. We were fortunate enough to do three live shows during that season. Two of which were hosted over Zoom with the third one presented live at Northeast Comic Con and Collectibles Winter Show on Thanksgiving Weekend. July 16th the Mental Suppository hosted it's second live event on its official YouTube channel. A live reading of the 1945 radio drama Dick Tracy and the Case of the Big Top Murders. It starred Andrew Shanley as Dick Tracy, Ramona Puchalski-Piretti as Tess Trueheart, Bret Herholz as Vitamin Flintheart, Jamie Billings as Duckfoot the Clown, Sydney Goddard as Zelda the Elephant Trainer, Lisa Billings as Faye Line the Lion Tamer and Scott Graves as Shill the Circus Owner and the Announcer.  Presented with sound effects and incidental music for your listening pleasure. So sit back and relax. And enjoy a Tootsie Roll while you listen to a presentation of a classic radio play.

The Mental Suppository will return with brand new episodes on February 4th. Until then we wish to share a few favorite “leftovers” from our inaugural 2021 season.  We were fortunate enough to do three live shows during that season. Two of which were hosted over Zoom with the third one presented live at Northeast Comic Con and Collectibles Winter Show on Thanksgiving Weekend.  The first of these live events was a presentation of the lost BBC radio drama DR. WHO: A JOURNEY INTO TIME which was hosted on Zoom on May 1st 2021. It starred Devon Kurtz as Dr. Who, Lola Barbare as Susan, Ramona Puchalski-Piretti as Susan's teacher Miss Jennings with the rest of the cast played by the crew of the Mental Suppository. The original radio drama starred Peter Cushing reprising the role of Dr. Who, from the two Dalek films he starred in and it was written by longtime Doctor Who television writer Malcolm Hulke. It was a clever retelling of the first William Hartnell television episode with some slight changes to the characters. We present the live event for the first time with added sound effects and incidental music for your listening pleasure. Sit back, relax and ring in the brand new year with an old friend.

With 2021 coming to an end, so does the Mental Suppository's first year as a podcast. Since March 18th, hosts Bret, Jamie, Kevin, Andrew and Wayne (and friends) have had some great and unique discussions throughout the year. As well as table reads on episodes as well as special online events. Another thing listeners might notice are the podcasts unique… um… sponsors. Jamie and Bret host a special episode featuring many of the sponsors featured on the podcast.    And on New Years Day they will be available on the Mental Suppository's very first album which you can purchase on Bandcamp:   https://thementalsuppository.bandcamp.com/   So ring in the New Year with your pals at the Mental Suppository. And we hope you will all be back to hear brand new episodes in the upcoming year!!

Join the Mental Suppository on Christmas Eve as Andrew and Bret continue their fan roundtable discussion with friends Lisa, Ainsley and Brian. The holidays are a time to get together. So why not get together with us as you wait for Santa to stop by. Just make sure you put your fireplace out or you'll have a lot to explain to the local authorities.

This week the Mental Suppository continues its round table discussion on all things Fandom. Andrew and Bret continue their conversation with friends Lisa, Ainsley and Brian about growing up and coming of age in fan culture.

The holidays have traditionally been a time for families and friends to get together. And the Mental Suppository is no exception. In part one of the three part discussion, Bret and Andrew are joined by friends Lisa Billings, Ainsley Waller and Brian Brown to discuss what it means for them to be a fan. Talking about movies and television shows they love and have followed for a long time. And how they got into them. So gather with the people you love… or the people you hate… and listen in on our very first  fan roundtable.