Get ready! At midnight, we're releasing an all-new episode...and if you're on the naughty list, you better watch out!

Mistletoe can be deadly if you eat it, but a rivalry can be even deadlier if you heat it.

Sometimes I think I should have been more adamant in my pursuit of bringing SWIMFAN: THE MUSICAL to the stage.

On occasion, I still think about this random dude I met at a bar who said that a certain generation of Italian-Americans think of Billy Joel as “classical music” (complimentary). And, it’s like, I didn’t ask for you to snatch my wig, sir.

The Naughty List is an example of Claus and effect.

People who watch AUNTIE MAME at the holidays know what's up. Or anytime, really.

"Viking vengeance has a very shiny nose!" VALHALLA THE OTHER REINDEER

...but do hotcakes actually sell like hotcakes? And even if you sell only one hotcake, wouldn't it, by virtue, have sold like a hotcake?

Shout out to all the quiet boys who love a good holiday watch at this time of year…Ki-Ki-Ki Fa-La-La. Production designed this festive spot for @paramountscares.com, directed by @michaelvarrati.bsky.social

I had a great time chatting with @rickguzman.bsky.social about FRIDAY THE 13TH: THE SERIES, THERE'S A ZOMBIE OUTSIDE, and beyond! Check it out!

Toward the end of the platform's tenure, I did some writing for FearNet...and Lawrence was always truly gracious, kind, and encouraging. I think of him and that time fondly...and I am so very sorry to hear of his passing.

Ki ki ki, ho ho ho! Jason Voorhees and FRIDAY THE 13TH: A NEW BEGINNING final girl Melanie Kinnaman get festive in a new holiday spot for Paramount Scares - watch it right here.

Did you ever think you'd see Jason at Christmas? Check out this festive fright I wrote and directed for @paramountscares.com starring legendary final girl Melanie Kinnaman and brought to life by an incredible crew of merry mischief makers! youtu.be/A9X6_i2Zt1g?...

THERE'S A ZOMBIE OUTSIDE made @bsidesbadlands.bsky.social list of "100 Best Horror Movies & Thrillers of 2025"! Truly an honor! Give the whole article a read here: bsidesbadlands.com/100-best-hor...

Wait, have we given 2000’s Affleck-led, holiday heist flick REINDEER GAMES a renaissance yet?

An absolutely crucial, devastating, and extremely important piece from @miatretta.bsky.social. time.com/7341412/brow...

Honored to learn that the Zombie from our film, THERE'S A ZOMBIE OUTSIDE, made @macabredaily.bsky.social and @scaredsane.bsky.social's list of "Favorite Queer Horror Characters from 2025!" Give it a read and check out the rest of the fabulous list! www.macabredaily.com/articles/ske...

“Mistletoe can be deadly if you eat it.” “…but a hiss can be even deadlier if you mean it.”

I’d like to imagine a 2026 where people stop being fucking weird about trans people I dunno.

Rosa Von Praunheim was a crucial figure in queer filmmaking, art, and activism. From the very start, his work brought awareness to queer people, creators, and causes, and his AIDS advocacy was loud and necessary. I'm sorry to hear of his passing. If you're not familiar with his work, now's the time.

Really, the only AI I want to talk about are Abbi and Ilana from BROAD CITY.

Jane Austen used 'however' at the beginning of a sentence, and so can you.

Rob Reiner made some great movies but he was also unafraid to speak the truth, and was one of the public voices who knew you don’t squander your platform, and only got louder about opposing evil fucks as he got older. Legend.

Can't wait for more? Michael and special guests @brendohales.bsky.social and @ianxcarlos.bsky.social just released a Patreon-exclusive Mini-Mass digging into the wonder that is 1992's THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL! Michael Caine, Miss Piggy, & more! Subscribe and listen! www.patreon.com/posts/mini-m...

"...I've consulted with the grimoire, and I've found the perfect curse. It will arrive in the form of gifts from their true love. It begins with an increasing number of birds...and on the fifth day, jewelry will serve as a misdirect. Then? More birds. Have I mentioned the maids a-milking?"

I took in a little foster monster last week and wrote about her in the Fango newsletter. manage.kmail-lists.com/subscription...

I listened to @michaelvarrati.bsky.social riff extemporaneously about Baywatch Nights over dinner and it was the most entertaining meal of my life. Now you, too, can experience that joy!

A KNIVES OUT murder mystery with the cast of SCOTT PILGRIM, please and thanks.

OMG!!! @michaelvarrati.bsky.social plays the imaginary rat! That's awesome!!! 🤣🤣🤣

What a great occasion to mention that the teaming of Faye Dunaway and Brenda Vaccaro as the witchy villain and her sidekick in 1984's SUPERGIRL is a masterclass in camp. I want to spend a summer vacation with these two. They are the "Eat, Slay, Love" of comic book movies. Girlboss, indeed.

Here’s @michaelvarrati.bsky.social doing important work

With news of a BAYWATCH reboot officially on the way, I took to @fangoria.bsky.social to reflect on the show's spin-off into horror...and how it would be cool if the new iteration embraced the supernatural.

Oh hai! I’m gonna be recording a LIVE podcast situation about all things ROCKY HORROR w/ @theterigamble.bsky.social and @michaelvarrati.bsky.social this Saturday in North Hollywood! Fun! Details at the link - FREE but a good idea to reserve a spot 🖤 m.bpt.me/event/6745132

I always love chatting horror with my ghoulfriends @peacheschrist.com and @michaelvarrati.bsky.social on my favorite podcast! Midnight Mass!!!!

Sleep kills! On this week's @midnightmasspod.bsky.social, Peaches and I are celebrating 1984's A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET! We're joined by iconic director of JAWBREAKER @darrenstein.bsky.social to talk Freddy, final girl power, queer resonance, & more! midnightmass.buzzsprout.com/1796691/epis...

ELF: THE WHOLE BUDDY AFFAIR

I was honored to be interviewed alongside comrade-in-Christmas Steven R. Monroe for this article by Jim Hemphill for @indiewire.com all about horror filmmakers who also make holiday movies...and the commonality between the two seemingly disparate genres! Read! www.indiewire.com/features/int...

Yeah, well…three spirits will be visited by ME. What now?

...of course, I will use this occasion to mention my wild fascination with Sammy Davis Jr.'s 1973 TV movie POOR DEVIL, wherein he plays a demon trying to get a promotion. It was made during the era when he was friendly with Anton LaVey and allegedly became an honorary warlock!

The thing about the Heated Rivalry show is that, despite the sexual tension, Buffy and Faith do eventually become friends.

I’m sorry, “Mr. Roboto” rips and the fact that the album from which it comes (Kilroy Was Here) hasn’t been adapted into a retro-futuristic Broadway musical yet shocks me.

Today marks the 80th anniversary of the release of HOUSE OF DRACULA, which not only brought together many of Universal's monsters, but also served as the last serious entry for several storylines of characters in this timeline. A late-night staple and trailblazing piece of "event viewing" horror!

For what it's worth, Matthew Lillard's work in SLC PUNK is crucial and staggering...a nuanced representation of otherness that didn't feel commodified or telegraphed. He tapped into something that held a mirror up to what so many of us lived and breathed. That endures. THAT'S art.

How do you catch Miss Piggy? Well, you use a...

Here's my boutique bluray cover for The Star Wars Holiday Special

Bigger question: Is this Christmas movie a Die Hard?

Your belief was strong, but you needed proof You saw the reindeer on the roof The glowing red nose in the moonlight overthrew you. She left you there upon the shelf, A broken and despairing elf, A jingle-less bell ringing hallelujah...

I always learn about movies I haven't seen from the JW list, but I am thrilled to see him giving love to Final Destination, which is an under appreciated gem of horror crazy. www.vulture.com/article/john...

Somehow, I only just discovered that Dolly Parton wrote and starred in a 1986 TV movie called A SMOKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS, wherein she plays a famous musician who's hiding out in the Tennessee woods...only to encounter a mountain man and a drag queen-level witch. Directed by Henry Winkler!

Yes, I suppose I can understand why they went with "Ready or Not 2" rather than "...Here I Come."