Last year we covered in a podcast how truth is stranger and often scarier than fiction, especially when it comes to the history genre. Case in point: the story of Henry Rathbone. You’re probably thinking, who’s Henry Rathbone? That’s kind of the point. Henry Rathbone and his wife Clara were sitting next to Abraham Lincoln the night of the assassination, and despite the decades of conspiracy theories and ghost stories surrounding the Lincoln family, the craziest and bloodiest story of the night belongs to Mr. Rathbone.

See, in the years following Lincoln’s assassination, Rathbone’s mental state declined as he blamed himself for not being able to prevent the president’s death. Soon after that, he started to believe his walls were talking to him. Then he went full Shining and murdered his wife, tried to murder his children and stabbed himself 5 times in the chest. He spent the rest of his life in an insane asylum. This is an absolutely bonkers story edited from the margins of history, yet we choose not remember it because it doesn’t read like a textbook.

This sort of historical amnesia also applies to how we look at the horror genre. There are countless unsolved murders, disappearances and mass hysterias that we don’t know how to classify just because their details are too strange to swallow, the leads go nowhere and eventually we give up.

So in honor of Halloween, Jack O’Brien and Jason Pargin (aka David Wong) share 12 creepy and macabre unsolved mysteries that are just too weird to fit into our cookie-cutter version of the horror genres.

A frightening occurrence has fallen upon the Earwolf Studios once again to turn it into the Werewolf Studios deep within the Suicide House! The ghoulish brothers Beuford and Messmore le Barron are back to make Scott KnottsScaryMan’s life a living hell and musician Leo Carpazzi along with his granddaughter Scaroline also return to debut a ghoultide composition by the name of “We Wish You A Scary Christmas.” Just when you thought all hope is lost, mad scientist Dr. Traygo returns to give us the good news that his creeeeepies are no longer lost. Plus, it wouldn’t be a Comedy Fang! Fang! without a special Hallowscream Freestyle Rap Contest!

Paul F. Tompkins welcomes longtime listeners, first time listeners, and Halloweeners back to SPONTANEANATION! This week, Paul’s special guest is Bruce McCulloch of The Kids in the Hall! They chat about the history of Tuesday, Bruce’s complicated birth & extensive pajama collection, and which color would be assigned to each day of the week. Paul is then joined by Janet Varney, Amanda Lund, and Annie Savage to improvise a story set at “Wine Tasting.” And as always, Eban (only the best) Schletter scores it all on piano!

DON’T FORGET! There are still tickets available to see SPONTANEANATION LIVE at Largo on Saturday, November 7th! You’ll see Craig Cackowski, Chris Tallman and Jean Villepique, along with special guest Keegan-Michael Key! Not to be missed. For tickets, go to paulftompkins.com/live!

Is asking a worthwhile question more important than receiving an answer to the question? We’ll find out today…if our hosts can come up with an answer.

On a very special episode of Reading Aloud, Nate has a spectacular conversation with Kelly Carlin who has a new book out “A Carlin Home Companion: Growing Up with George,” all about growing up with her father George Carlin in Southern California. They chat about how the comedy community came to lift Kelly up and invited her to be part of the family after her father passed, the moment you realize that your parents are human, Kelly’s one-person show being the predecessor to her book, and the practice of being kind of loving to yourself when your mind wanders. Get into the Halloween spirit and get a head start on the next book club selection by picking up “The Haunting of Hill House” by Shirley Jackson and send in your thoughts on the book at readingaloudpodcast@gmail.com.

LIVE from the UCB-Sunset Theatre in Los Angeles, Mark Wahlberg (Daniel Van Kirk) returns to solve the problems of the world (because Donnie can’t) with his very famous friends Daryl Hall (Randy Sklar), Christian Slater (Cole Stratton), Bernie Sanders (James Adomian), and Ryan Sickler. They’ll cover very important topics including water on Mars, phubbing, Hilary Clinton’s leaked emails, and more.

Welcome back to Picking and Tricking with your host Manny Faldune (Matt Cook)! Learn to make the most of your yard sale shopping sprees every weekend with Manny’s helpful tricks. This week Manny is joined by Nancy Geefs, a fellow yard sale shopper extraordinaire and partner in crime. They talk about how Nancy’s very first yard sale has a strong connection with the way she was raised as a child, a historic handmade quilt that is her latest big score, and they take some callers to find out what they want to sell as they “Yard Sale It!”. Plus, Traci Reardon stops by to offer her Twitter followers advice on tracking your money, becoming more patient, and more in another edition of “Help Me, Rhonda.”

This week, Phil Rosenthal, creator and executive producer of “Everybody Loves Raymond,” joins Ronna & Beverly. Phil talks about his new food show “I’ll Have What Phil’s Having,” how he manages to stay fit while taping, why Los Angeles is the greatest food city in America, and why a dead hooker is not always the sign of bad food. Also, Beverly takes issue with a snub that she received from a local magazine.

Randy and Jason discuss why Johnny Manziel is officially all grown up and why you know you’re flopping in soccer when you help yourself into the stretcher. Then, the Sklars welcome Andrew Santino who talks about his new show I’m Dying Up Here, why comedy is one of the key ways to deal with tragedy, and America’s greatest ball parks. Later, in Quick Hits, the gang discusses why Jay Glazier probably won’t get drafted, newlywed diehard football fans, and why the life of Bully Beatdown star Jason Miller has taken an ironic turn. Lastly, Nic Cage calls in to discuss the potential of hockey in Las Vegas.

Things get familial on today’s episode! James and Stephen recount the advice their elders passed on to them, and we find out whether they’ve adhered to it.

Andrew Ti and special guest Christina Lee finish the week off by discussing why reverse racism is not a thing. As always, leave us a message about anything you think is racist at (323) 389-RACE.

Recorded in New York City, Franklin chats with The Other Side writer Stacey Maltin. Franklin and Stacey sat down and talked about how a secular Jew from San Francisco ends up a voice over actress in Israel and then returns to Brooklyn to write about a Williamsburg hipster and a Hasidic Jew falling in love.

Vernon Reid of Living Colour and Denzealot all-star is back to talk all things Denzel with Kamau & Kevin. They’ll discuss how Kamau is causing emotions with his ad reads, why Kevin might be related to past guest Ava DuVernay, 16 Fascinating Facts about Training Day, Star Wars, and of course, Denzel News.

Welcome back to The Black List Table Reads with Franklin Leonard. Popular demand called for it, and we listened: Each earmovie is now a single episode. Today, we return to our second earmovie – The Other Side from screenwriter Stacey Maltin. Set at the nexus of the Hasidic and hipster communities of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, it’s a coming-of-age story about a boy who needs to decide how he wants to live his life. It’s about the clash between modernity and tradition, the high modern and the high holy. It stars Cooper Thornton, Darren Criss, Jerry Adler, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Andrew Polk, Tammy Blanchard, Wallis Currie-Wood, Pico Alexander, Ron Tsur, Bill Raymond, and Neal Lerner.

Franklin chats with BALLS OUT writers Malcolm Spellman (producer of Empire) & Tim (winner of the 2015 Sundance Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award) about the origins of the script beginning in an online message board for writers, the inspiration behind the protagonist Jim Simmers, and advice to any writers that want to do what they do.

Cheering up with Horatio Sanz.

Wayne Federman, Betsy Sodaro, Brian Huskey, and Ben Siemon join Matt Besser for a sobering moment in sports science wherein they teach adults how to play professional football, in an attempt to avoid childhood death. Then, the gang explores the risks that our kids are exposed to each time they visit Google, an amusement park ride that’s made entirely of our phone’s apps, and the hardship of doing an opening act for a comedian that won’t let you use any jokes. Make sure to get the Upright Citizens Brigade television show season 3 now available on DVD, the UCB Comedy Improv Manual, and Dragoon’s new album at dragoongalaxy.bandcamp.com!

Is likeability a trait in its own right, or simply the result of a lack of negative actions? Also, how many people would show up to James Altucher’s birthday party?

Christina Lee and Andrew talk about a yoga teacher who identifies as African American because she was born in South Africa. Don’t forget to keep leaving us messages by calling (323) 389-RACE.

This week, Leonard and Baron discuss the remarkable Philip Seymour Hoffman and focus on three films from his unbelievable career: the exceptionally great film Charlie Wilson’s War, a definite dud in which he’s actually very good in, and a sleeper worth checking out called A Late Quartet.

Aly Monroe schools Deanna & Emily in all things DIY on this week’s OMFG! Aly tells us about “Proletariat Goop” parody lifestyle site, her nomadic lifestyle, and why her hidden Pinterest board could be a sign of a future as a wedding planner. Plus, we get to know what an ideal date for Aly would be during a game of Sexy or Creepy.

In this all new format of Who Charted Howard and Stard release some all new chart theme songs. Additionally, Howard discusses the secret tactics he uses to dominate his fantasy league and to be the most productive TV writer possible. Then, Kulap talks about her most recent star studded wedding. Lastly, Wayne Federman joins the show to discuss why he formatted his album to consist of 30 years worth of material, as well as how music influenced his comedy.

Brendon Small returns once again! Join us on Nerd Poker to find out where this tower of gears leads, which prisoners should be freed, and what to do if you find yourself briefly deaf. 

Don’t forget to pick up Dan’s album “Ocean of Panic,” out now!

When a questioner in his twenties wants advice on how to ‘jump the line to success’, our middle aged hosts stop to consider what advantages are truly gained with age and responsibilities.

Christina Lee and Andrew talk about if it’s racist to call out someone for doing a black voice. Be sure to keep leaving us messages at (323) 389-RACE.

The Chunt for Red October is finally here! What better way to celebrate than to interview a pair of vampires in need. At least I think they’re in need.

Credits

Arnie: Arnie Niekamp
Chunt: Adal Rifai
Usidore: Matt Young
Chip von Pierre: Jeff Murdoch
Bippy von Pierre: Jo Scott
Otok Barleyfoot: Nick Baer
Mysterious Man: Tim Sniffen

Producers: Arnie Niekamp, Evan Jacover, Ryan DiGiorgi
Editor: Ryan DiGiorgi
Theme Music: Andy Poland
Episode Art: Tyler Schmidt

Sponsors
MakeSpace via The Chicago Podcast Cooperative
eSportsPlus (use promocode HOOBASTANK to play for free)

The Shrimps take on The Lady Jaguars at Pan Pacific Park. Matt Gourley and Mark McConville call the action. Get your doilies bitched.

The Shrimps on Twitter: @pistolshrimpsbb
The Shrimps on Instagram: thepistolshrimps

Matt Gourley on Twitter and IG: @MattGourley
Mark McConville on Twitter and IG: @MarkMcConville

Rapper Max Wonders joins Jensen and guest co-host Drew Unga to talk about Treated Crew, why he loves Billy Ray Cyrus, where Max sees himself in a year, Forest, Connan Mockasin, tourist and velcro hats, Allison Road, Todd Rundgren, The Documentary 2, how we’re late on Life is Strange, clinical strength deodorant, Tame Impala, and many other things you should know about.

Job interviews are stressful enough without getting hit with broad theoretical questions. Today, Stephen and James put each other to the test, and we listen to how they fare.

Randy, Jason, and Daniel Van Kirk are joined by Playing House regular, Brad Morris. Brad discusses the words of motivation that he shared with President Barack Obama, coming up in Chicago’s Second City, and all things Cubs. Then, Daniel covers stories that include a real life Goldilocks and a man that simply got too high. Lastly, Ozzie Guillen calls in to complain about the facilities at Wrigley Field.