The Losers' Club: A Stephen King Podcast

Here's a preview of our latest our Patreon-exclusive book episode on Stephen King's short story Finn. Want to hear the full track? Become a member of The Barrens (Patreon) by visiting www.patreon.com/thebarrens. You'll unlock over a hundred hours of exclusive, bonus content that includes our King archival series, our Dark Tower Detour series, our Lobstrosities, our Soul's Midnights, our commentary tracks, dozens upon dozens of locked episodes, and more.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Danse Macabre is a recurring feature of The Losers' Club that journeys through all the books that influenced Stephen King. (You know, as he listed in 1981's Danse Macabre. Ahem, hence the name of this series.) In the past, this feature has flipped through the pages of Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House, William Golding's Lord of the Flies, and Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes. Today, however, the Losers find themselves in Milburn, New York revisiting Peter Straub's chilly 1979 horror novel Ghost Story. Join Michael Roffman, Jenn Adams, Ana Marie Cox, and Justin Gerber as they chart the rise and fall of the literary horror wave of the '70s, debate the MVP of the Chowder Society, point out the literary influences, connect the dots to King's Dominion, and share their own spine-tingling ghost stories.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | PatreonHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Stephen King joins the Losers for an hour-long discussion chock full of insight and humor. Together, they discuss how he discovered the podcast, the roots behind this September's Fairy Tale, the status of his third book with Peter Straub, and a new novella with venomous fangs in a familiar story. Elsewhere, they also talk about transgressive horror, scatalogical humor, power chords, aging friendships, corgis, and why he hasn't gone soft.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | PatreonHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here's a preview of our latest installment of our Patreon-exclusive series, the Dark Tower Detour. This episode sees the Dans joined by Kingslingers co-hosts Scott Daly and Matt Freeman to take inventory of the 19 creatures we shan't forget from Mid-World. Want to hear the full track? Become a member of The Barrens (Patreon) by visiting www.patreon.com/thebarrens. You'll unlock over a hundred hours of exclusive, bonus content that includes other hilarious Ka-mmentary tracks, our King archival series, our Lobstrosities, weekly mini-sodes requested by members, dozens upon dozens of locked episodes, and more.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fun fact: Rose Red was originally conceived as a feature film for Steven Spielberg in 1996. Stephen King envisioned it as a loose remake of Robert Wise's 1963 film The Haunting (in other words, a take on the beloved Shirley Jackson novel The Haunting of Hill House). Instead, it was reworked years later as a TV miniseries that became a ratings smash for ABC in 2002. Several members of the Losers’ Club even recall watching it when it first aired. Now, 20 years later, they’ve gathered to revisit the estate’s phantom halls. Join the Losers as they discuss the series’ impressively bizarre ensemble, its wretched CGI, and the surprise tragedy that nearly derailed production.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | PatreonHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The heat is on, and the Losers are sweating as they check out Keith Thomas' new re-imagining of Stephen King's fiery 1980 novel Firestarter. Join Losers Michael Roffman, Randall Colburn, Jenn Adams, and special guest Ashley Casseday of the Keep It Weird podcast as they burn through the new blockbuster. Together, they discuss Scott Teems' translation from page to screen, the intriguing new turn for John Rainbird, the body horror, John Carpenter's muscular score, and much more.Stick around, though, because later on, Keith Thomas joins the Losers for a chat about the making of the film! The Vigil filmmaker discusses how he got involved in the production, the dangers of shooting with real fire, the dream of working alongside Carpenter, horror vs IP, and how they resurrected this story in a post-Stranger Things climate.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | PatreonHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest installment of their On Writers series, the Losers talk to My Heart Is a Chainsaw author Stephen Graham Jones about the book’s long road to publication, “likable” characters in fiction, and his own evolving relationship to the slashers of yore. Jones also discusses his favorite Stephen King books and the Skeleton Crew story that helped inspire My Heart is a Chainsaw. He also teases what’s to come in the trilogy’s next two volumes.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | PatreonHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here's a preview of our new Patreon exclusive series Talkin’ Hawkins. It’s a limited spinoff podcast that flips King’s Dominion Upside Down to discuss all things Stranger Things in anticipation of the fourth season. There will be four episodes dedicated to each season and each installment will see your Losers and a special guest discussing the kids, the adults, the '80s references, their favorite needle drops, and, naturally, all the connections to Stephen King – and there are many. This first episode covers Season 1 and you can get it now by becoming a member of our Patreon, The Barrens (Patreon), by visiting www.patreon.com/thebarrens. You'll also unlock hundreds of hours of bonus content that includes our Stephen King archival series, our Dark Tower Detour spinoff series, our spooky Soul’s Midnights, dozens of commentaries on all your favorite Stephen King movies, in-depth interviews, and over 20 locked episodes from the past five years.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted on Acast.

Stephen King and Peter Straub's Black House is an odd duck, a behemoth of a sequel (to The Talisman) that’s as grisly as it is hilarious. In this episode, the Losers grapple with the story’s tonal irregularities and celebrate its unbridled nastiness. They also discuss its role as a narrative bridge in King’s Dark Tower saga, and how its portrait of Mid-World dovetails with the fantasy world of The Talisman. Is its stark portrait of good and evil simplistic or subversive?Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | PatreonHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ice is gonna break. In the latest installment of The Long Watch, the Losers return to Castle Rock to channel their thoughts on David Cronenberg's The Dead Zone. Joining them at the Weizak Clinic is Manhunt author Gretchen Felker-Martin who helps them chip through the harrowing drama. From getting the script right with Jeffrey Boam to being saved by producer Debra Hill, scrapping alternate endings to shooting on haunted locales, the Losers take aim at everything.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | PatreonHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Kasdan's Dreamcatcher. It had the tools, it had the talent. So, what went wrong? That's a question the Losers attempt to answer in their latest movie episode. Grab a toothpick and join co-hosts Randall Colburn, Michael Roffman, Rachel Reeves, and I Blame Society writer-director Gillian W. Horvat as they revisit the curious Kasdan joint and meditate on a kind of blockbuster we just don't get anymore (and probably never will again).Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | PatreonHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The heat is on across King's Dominion. So, once again, the Losers are putting on their shades, revving up their Plymouth Fury convertible, and heading to Hollywood King. This month, they're weighing in on news surrounding HBO Max's forthcoming It prequel series Welcome to Derry, returning to the Overlook with Ben Stiller, and weighing in on King's recent interview with The Archbishop. They also digress on favorite concerts, the Oscars, and why Disclosure should have been made into a 16-bit video game.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | PatreonHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here's a preview of our new Patreon-exclusive Lobstrosities episode on Firestarter: Rekindled. Want to hear the full track? Become a member of The Barrens (Patreon) by visiting www.patreon.com/thebarrens. You'll unlock over a hundred hours of exclusive, bonus content that includes other hilarious Ka-mmentary tracks, our King archival series, our Dark Tower Detour spinoff, weekly mini-sodes requested by members, dozens upon dozens of locked episodes, and monthly Zoom hangouts. Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Losers head to Hobb's End, light up a few smokes, and prove that THIS IS NOT REALITY by mining the Stephen King out of John Carpenter's 1994 Sam Neill stunner In the Mouth of Madness. Note: This episode was recorded in March 2021 and has since been unlocked from our Patreon's Derry Private Library archives. Join today for over 100 hours of exclusive content! Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon | StoreHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Few Stephen King novels have as lousy a reputation as Dreamcatcher. Join the Losers as they probe and dissect a book that astounds as much as it baffles. Is it as bad as its reputation suggests? Yes and no. Let's just say, the novel's relentless musings on death and pain hit that much harder when viewed through the lens of King’s own recovery following his 1999 accident.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | PatreonHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Losers sit down with singer-songwriter and best-selling author John Darnielle to discuss his latest novel Devil House, the ethics in true crime writing, modern horror, and, of course, Stephen King. It’s the first installment of a new series for The Losers' Club in which they interview modern genre authors about their latest works. Needless to say, they couldn’t have asked for a better inaugural subject as Darnielle’s enthusiasm and curiosity are infectious.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | PatreonHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Losers untie another big ol' Bag of Bones and answer your questions. Questions like "Is Pennywise still alive in Derry?"; "Which Loser would work best with King on a new novel?"; "What questions would we ask King?", "Which King story demands a requel and why?"; and "What should be written on King's tombstone?". Want to ask them a question on the next Bag of Bones episode? Become an Overlook patron at www.patreon.com/thebarrens.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | PatreonHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wendy, we're home. In the latest installment of The Long Watch, the Losers return to The Overlook Hotel to unravel Stanley Kubrick's The Shining. Joining them in The Gold Room is writer-producer Jed Shepherd (Host, Dashcam) who helps them deconstruct the late auteur's timeless puzzle. From the storied production history to the rich sonic tapestries, the endless theories to the iconic cast, very little blood is left in the elevator.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | PatreonHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the second of two episodes dedicated to King’s 2000 treatise On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, the Losers cut to the chase and weigh in on King's tools of the trade. Together, they debate on the pros and cons of his advice, meditate on the emotional closing section involving his 1999 accident, and grade the memoir with bright, red Pennywise clown noses.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | PatreonHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here's a preview of our new Patreon-exclusive book episode on Stephen King and Richard Chizmar's new novel, Gwendy's Final Task. Want to hear the full track? Become a member of The Barrens (Patreon) by visiting www.patreon.com/thebarrens. You'll unlock over a hundred hours of exclusive, bonus content that includes other hilarious Ka-mmentary tracks, our King archival series, our Dark Tower Detour spinoff, weekly mini-sodes requested by members, dozens upon dozens of locked episodes, and monthly Zoom hangouts. Beware of spoilers for the entire Dark Tower series.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.