The Losers' Club: A Stephen King Podcast

There are 20 stories in Stephen King's The Bazaar of Bad Dreams. In the second of two episodes dedicated to the 2015 collection, Losers Dan Caffrey, Jenn Adams, Michael Roffman, and Dan Pfleegor rank their 10 favorites. Don't miss the first part of our series from last week in which they rank the bottom 10. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There are 20 stories in Stephen King's The Bazaar of Bad Dreams. In the first of two episodes dedicated to the 2015 collection, Losers Dan Caffrey, Jenn Adams, Michael Roffman, and Dan Pfleegor rank all 20 tales, starting at the bottom. These aren't necessarily their least favorite. They're just ranked as such. Stay tuned next week for the concluding coverage with the top 10. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Constant Listeners, yes, we originally planned to drop our Bazaar of Bad Dreams coverage this week. However, given Sai King’s renewed interest in Hearts in Suspension, we opted to unlock our coverage of the collection from The Stephen King Archives. For those not in the know, The Stephen King Archives is our Patreon exclusive imprint in which your Losers search the vault of Stephen King material – dusting off unpublished short stories, long-forgotten interviews, coffee-stained manuscripts, and alternate versions of your favorite tales. This particular entry was recorded in December 2021 - in conjunction with our Hearts in Atlantis coverage - - and sees us discussing Hearts in Suspension in full. Published in 2016 and edited by King's longtime mentor Jim Bishop, the book features an original essay by King entitled "Five to One, One in Five", four installments of "King's Garbage Truck", a reprint of King's novella "Hearts in Atlantis", 12 essays by fellow students and friends from King's college days, and a gallery of period-specific photographs and documents. We time travel back to UMO and talk about it all. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today we're unlocking our very first episode of CrichtonCast, our Michael Crichton spinoff podcast exclusive to The Barrens. In this installment, host Randall Colburn is joined by Losers Dan Caffrey and Justin Gerber to discuss The Andromeda Strain, the crunchy, science-forward supernatural virus story that propelled Crichton, then a Harvard Medical graduate in his mid-20s, into literary stardom. Together they weigh in on Crichton's early life, the book's origins, its clever use of verisimilitude, intellectual distrust, the charms of Robert Wise's ultra-faithful 1971 adaptation, and the ways in which it dovetails with King's own pandemic tale, The Stand. Want more? Get episodes on Sphere and Jurassic Park in The Barrens: patreon.com/thebarrens. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this deep dive into the second season of Audience Network's Mr. Mercedes, Randall Colburn, Justin Gerber, and Dan Pfleegor gather to discuss why the series jumped ahead to End of Watch over Finders Keepers. They also wrestle with its efforts to find drama in holding patterns and touch on the season’s shocking ending, a wild deviation from the source material. Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Losers Michael Roffman, Dan Caffrey, Justin Gerber, and Dan Pfleegor head to Hollywood King again to discuss the latest developments in King's Dominion, specifically on The Long Walk, The Monkey, The Institute, and forthcoming projects by King such as Always Holly. They also sort through some tweets, which ranges from greatest film scores to King's 1999 accident to more.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Here's a clip from our latest Patreon-exclusive episode that sees your Losers gushing about their favorite, all-time Stephen King crushes. Want to hear the full track? Become a member of The Barrens (Patreon) by visiting www.patreon.com/thebarrens. You'll unlock hundreds hours of exclusive content that includes even more episodes of The Stephen King Archives, our Dark Tower Detour series, dozens of Ka-mmentary tracks for your favorite King flicks, all of our Lobstrosities episodes clawing through those silly King sequels, in addition to spinoffs like The Soul's Midnight, Talkin' Hawkins, and CrichtonCast. Not to mention, dozens upon dozens of locked episodes and one-offs, including a 24-7 Discord community featuring Constant Listeners just like you!Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After taking a quick (and bleak) detour with the macabre Revival, Stephen King returned to the characters he introduced in 2014’s Mr. Mercedes with 2015’s Finders Keepers. The second in a trilogy of novels about aging detective Bill Hodges, Finders Keepers follows a young boy whose discovery of a trunk filled with cash (and moleskin notebooks) puts him in the crosshairs of a psychopathic bookworm. In this episode of The Losers’ Club, hosts Randall Colburn, Jenn Adams, Rachel Reeves, and Ashley Casseday slip on their pocket protectors and duct-taped specs to discuss King’s return to the obsessed fan archetype. Along the way, they touch on parasocial fandom, rare book dealers, butts, and whether the story even needs Hodges and co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, we’re unlocking our debut episode of the Dark Tower Detour, our Patreon-exclusive series that studies the minutiae of Roland Deschain’s epic quest. Hosted by Dan Pfleegor and Dan Caffrey, this exclusive series covers a range of topics that interest those who remember the face of their father. No character is too small. No detail too obscure. This kickoff episode -- recorded in September 2021 -- sees the Dans joined by Kingslingers co-hosts Scott Daly and Matt Freeman. Together, this blessed ka-tet bring its expertise to the ill-fated Battle of Jericho Hill, a tragic bloodbath mentioned in passing across several installments of the series.If you recall, the event was finally explored in full during a five-issue Marvel comic book run that ran from December 2009 to April 2010. Using that as a stepping stone, your heroes will examine the minds behind these comics, break down the belligerents on either side of the battle, and discuss the canonical significance of the Horn of Eld in this world and others.If you like this episode, you can find more installments of the Dark Tower Detour, including our latest episode that studies the similarities between The Dark Tower and The Lord of the Rings, by joining The Barrens: patreon.com/thebarrens, In addition to the Detour, we have close to a thousand hours of content waiting to be unpacked. Not to mention a whole Discord community of Constant Readers just like you. Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In 2014, Stephen King took a turn toward the macabre with Revival. A sprawling opus about the intersection between faith and science, the novel has since become a favorite amongst Constant Readers, who all consider it to be one of his modern masterpieces with an ending that haunts you forever. Today, the Losers step up and prepare to be healed by Minister Charles Jacobs as they discuss the unnerving novel. Together, they weigh in on the themes, how they relate to King's own beliefs in god and the afterlife, and whether or not this is the most harrowing ending King has put to paper.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Losers once again find themselves in Hell where they're surrounded by the most scorching Stephen King hot takes they've read to date. Yes, we're back with another installment of Firestarters. For context, this feature sees the Club sift through hot takes submitted by their patrons -- Constant Readers just like you! Each one is classified as mild, medium, or hot, and, let's just say, you're gonna need some milk as this episode rolls on. Want to submit a hot take next time around? Become a member of The Barrens at patreon.com/thebarrens Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As Constant Readers, we love to wander through King's Dominion, whether it's down the main street of Castle Rock or through the barrens outside of Derry. But Sharon Kitchens actually followed the footsteps of Stephen King, and she lived to tell the tale. Well, she lived to write the book! It's called Stephen King's Maine: A History & Guide, and it's an essential tome for Constant Readers. Today, Sharon joins Losers' Club co-host Michael Roffman to discuss how she put together this incredibly rich read and shares her 10 favorite King spots ... all of which you can visit in real life. Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

To celebrate the release of King’s latest shortest story collection You Like It Darker, we’re unlocking our premiere episode of The Stephen King Archives, our Patreon exclusive imprint in which your Losers search the vault of Stephen King material – dusting off unpublished short stories, long-forgotten interviews, coffee-stained manuscripts, and alternate versions of your favorite tales.This particular episode, recorded in 2021, zeroes in on King’s earliest stories – his roots, if you will – 1956’s "Jhonathan and the Witchs" 1963’s The Aftermath, and 1965’s "I Was a Teenage Grave Robber". What are these stories? Where did they come from? Listen ahead as Losers Randall Colburn, Jenn Adams, and myself parse through these early, early works. And to help us out, we even consulted the one and only Bev Vincent. And, as you’ll hear, the writer and noted King scholar had much to say on these works.But if you want more of the Archives series, rest assured, we have several installments from over the years, including a brand new entry about the ways King’s short stories have evolved from inception to collections, and that episode features another King historian in Bryant Burnette. To get that episode, you can join us in The Barrens at patreon.com/thebarrens, where we have close to a thousand hours of content just waiting for you. Not to mention a whole Discord community of Constant Readers just like you. And, not to mention, our latest book episode on You Like It Darker. Win, win. Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Losers Randall, Justin, and Jenn are joined by LC OG Wolfman Mac (Halloweenies) to talk the latest developments in King's Dominion. That includes the news that Hollywood Hunk Glen Powell will star in Edgar Wright's The Running Man, Neon picking up Oz Perkins' adaptation of The Monkey, and Francis Lawrence's The Long Walk heading into production this summer. They also check in on King's recent online antics, like his bizarre claim that he was never a Neil Young fan and his new friendship with Ice T, which leads to a meditation on the divergent paths of devoted posters in old age (and dramatic readings of Ice T's best tweets). Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today we're unlocking our "book episode" on Stephen King's e-book Finn. This was recorded in 2022 and is being unleashed today to celebrate the story being collected in his latest book: You Like It Darker. So, if you're reading that collection and you'd like to hear our thoughts on all 12 stories... good news. We have a full book episode already available in The Barrens (Patreon): www.patreon.com/thebarrens. In addition to that episode, you'll unlock hundreds hours of exclusive content that includes episodes of The Stephen King Archives, our Dark Tower Detour series, dozens of Ka-mmentary tracks for your favorite King flicks, all of our Lobstrosities episodes clawing through those silly King sequels, plus spinoffs like The Soul's Midnight, Talkin' Hawkins, and CrichtonCast. Not to mention, dozens upon dozens of locked episodes and one-offs, including a 24-7 Discord community featuring Constant Listeners just like you!Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Here's a clip from our latest Patreon-exclusive book episode that sees your Losers leave the path of the beam and jump ahead to Stephen King's newest novel You Like It Darker. Want to hear the full track? Become a member of The Barrens (Patreon) by visiting www.patreon.com/thebarrens. You'll unlock hundreds hours of exclusive content that includes even more episodes of The Stephen King Archives, our Dark Tower Detour series, dozens of Ka-mmentary tracks for your favorite King flicks, all of our Lobstrosities episodes clawing through those silly King sequels, in addition to spinoffs like The Soul's Midnight, Talkin' Hawkins, and CrichtonCast. Not to mention, dozens upon dozens of locked episodes and one-offs, including a 24-7 Discord community featuring Constant Listeners just like you!Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

You've read the book, now watch the series! In this deep dive into the first season of Audience Network's Mr. Mercedes, Losers Randall Colburn, Justin Gerber, Ashley Casseday, and Dan Pfleegor discuss the ways in which the show improves upon the source material, how a good performance can elevate a dud character, and the cultural turmoil of the time that clearly influenced its production. Later this summer, the Losers will check in on the show’s subsequent seasons as their coverage of the trilogy continues.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After releasing The Colorado Kid and Joyland via the Hard Case Crime imprint, Stephen King made his grand debut into the world of hard-boiled crime fiction with Mr. Mercedes. The first in a trilogy, the 2014 novel introduced readers to Bill Hodges, a crusty, retired detective who finds his golden years interrupted by the taunts of a psychopathic killer he failed to apprehend. Join the Losers as they detail the book’s origins, how it differs from the author’s previous forays into crime, and the ways in which it reflects evolving societal fears about domestic terrorism. They also discuss the book’s messy vision of a post-recession America and its musings on class, second chances, and the nature of evil. It’s also one of King’s poundcakiest books, so prepare to blush.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Losers close out April with another trip to prom with Carrie White, only this time there's no Brian De Palma, no Sissy Spacek, and no Amy Irving. Instead, they dial back to 2002, when NBC aired a new vision of Carrie that may or may not have been the backdoor pilot for a would-be TV series. Together they discuss Bryan Fuller's vision, the early aughts aesthetics, the garish CGI, Angela Bettis and Patricia Clarkson's performances, how it hews closer to the page, and more.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Losers head to Frazier, New Hampshire to review Stephen King's novel Doctor Sleep. Together, they weigh in on the True Knot, dirty dozens of dishes with poundcake, and argue whether King should have ever burned down The Overlook Hotel. Note: This episode was recorded in Fall of 2019 and is being re-published for our chronological read through.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We interrupt our regular programming to give you a taste of The Lady Killers: A Feminine Rage Podcast. Our sister series -- featuring Jenn Adams, Sammie Kuykendall, Mae Schults, and Rocco Thompson -- celebrated the 50th anniversary of Stephen King's first novel by revisiting King's first adaptation.Brian De Palma's 1976 Oscar-nominated Carrie.Together, they discuss cinematic mean girls, upsetting monologues, cartoonish calisthenics, egregious red hats, Carrie’s true motivations, and more. They also answer burning questions like: What do we think of De Palma’s opening shower scene? Why does King like to burn down his fictional towns?Enjoy and be sure to subscribe to The Lady Killers!Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Fifty years ago today, Stephen King published his first novel, Carrie. A lot has changed since 1974 -- the world, the culture, King himself -- and yet his debut novel pervades. Half a century later, Carrie has become a trope, a story we all think about when we see the curious kid in the corner. It's been adapted, emulated, and influenced countless cultural moments. Carrie White lives.Today, the Losers gather for their very first Twinner episode, which sees all your favorite co-hosts who weren't on the original book episode getting a chance to record their own. To celebrate the major milestone in King's Dominion today, co-hosts Jenn Adams, Rachel Reeves, Ashley Casseday, and Mel Kassel gathered around the mic and recorded their own thoughts.Same categories, different voices.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Here's a clip from our recent installment of Firestarters in which the Losers leave The Shop and come face to face with some scorching Stephen King hot takes from all of their testy Constant Listeners. Want to hear the full track? Become a member of The Barrens (Patreon) by visiting www.patreon.com/thebarrens, and here’s the good news. We’ve done away with tiers. We got one single tier: Losers Forever, which gets you access to everything under the Derry sun for $7 a month.That means hundreds of hours worth of exclusive content we’ve already recorded over the last four years: our Stephen King Archives series, our Dark Tower Detour series, our spooky Soul’s Midnight series, our Stranger Things spinoff series, our Michael Crichton spinoff series, dozens of commentaries on all your favorite Stephen King movies, rankings, bracket games, lists, AND that’s not all. You can submit your own hot takes for another Firestarters, submit questions that we’ll 100% answer on Bag of Bones episodes, and tell us what to talk about on another Oops All Tangents. Plus, you’ll have access to our 24/7/365 Discord to find Constant Listeners and Readers just like you.Only $7 bucks… for all that. Subscribe now through the link in the description of this episode, or visit www.patreon.com/thebarrens. Hope to see you there -- over long days and pleasant nights.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Losers head down to North Carolina for a summer job at Joyland. Together, they discuss Stephen King's second Hard Case Crime novel, weighing in on the era, the crime at the center, and how it connects to an iconic work in King's Dominion. Spiritually, of course.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today marks the release of Stephen Graham Jones' The Angel of Indian Lake, the final chapter of his Indian Lake Trilogy. To celebrate its release, co-host Jenn Adams joins Scare You to Sleep's Shelby Novak as they speak with Jones about final girls, slasher tropes, and more. Pick up The Angel of Indian Lake now at your local bookstore!Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Losers return to Mid-World to discuss the eighth and final (?) Dark Tower novel: 2012's The Wind Through the Keyhole.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Lobstrosities is a Patreon-only segment of The Losers' Club that journeys into the barren wastelands of Stephen King movies and sequels. Today, in light of its 25th anniversary, the gang is unlocking their 2020 Lobstrosities episode on the 1999 sequel, The Rage: Carrie 2. Join Losers Michael Roffman, Randall Colburn, and Jenn Adams as they discuss toxic jocks, late '90s fashion, King connections, and, well, Zachery Ty Bryan. You can also read Jenn's new editorial on the film over at Bloody Disgusting.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This month marks the 40th anniversary of Fritz Kiersch's Children of the Corn. Starring Peter Horton and Linda Hamilton, the 1984 adaptation largely ignored King's Night Shift story -- and his own screenplay -- in favor of a more rote entry in the slasher genre. Join the gang as they return to Gatlin, Nebraska to chart its leap from page to screen ... to unlikely franchise.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Losers untie another big ol' Bag of Bones and answer your questions. Questions like "How has Stephen King informed or influenced your personal vocabulary?", "What should be the first Stephen King adaptation for A24?", "Which Muppets would you cast for The Dark Tower?"; and "What are the three best and worst Stephen King sequels?". They also share their earliest memories with the horror genre, share a few underseen horror movie recommendations, and name the most "dudes rock" King work. 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 | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Here's a clip from our recent discussion on Tales from the Darkside, specifically Stephen King's entries. Want to hear the full track? Become a member of The Barrens (Patreon) by visiting www.patreon.com/thebarrens. You'll unlock hundreds hours of exclusive content that includes The Stephen King Archives, our Dark Tower Detour series, dozens of Ka-mmentary tracks for your favorite King flicks, all of our Lobstrosities episodes clawing through those silly King sequels, in addition to spinoffs like Talkin' Hawkins and CrichtonCast. Not to mention, countless locked episodes and one-offs, including a 24-7 Discord community featuring Constant Listeners just like you!Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nearly three decades ago, Stephen King stumbled upon a copy of Lars von Trier's Danish miniseries The Kingdom in a dusty Colorado video store. Roughly seven years later, ABC premiered Kingdom Hospital, the author's own take on von Trier's haunted hospital. While conceived as a miniseries, King was so excited about the project — developed alongside his Storm of the Century and Rose Red collaborators — that he was ready to start work on a second season. The series premiered strong, but ratings dwindled and ABC pulled the plug just months later. Join the Losers as they unpack both the 13-episode series and King's candid thoughts about the adaptation and its swift cancellation, which he detailed in a 2004 EW column. Was it ahead of its time? Are the Twin Peaks comparisons warranted? And just how much did it inspire season 2 of American Horror Story? These questions and more — including its place in the larger canon of King's work — are discussed.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Losers return to a very familiar place: 'Salem's Lot. The only difference? Rob Lowe. Well, there are a lot of differences, and the gang goes into all of 'em. Follow along as they sink their teeth into this sprawling TNT miniseries update from 2004.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Since Valentine’s Day is next week, we thought we’d unlock a sweet treat for you: Our Valentine’s Day special from last year! We called it The Sweetest Slice, because in this episode, we played Kinky Cupid and tore out our favorite sex scenes from Stephen King’s works. So, if you want two hours of sensual smut, enjoy. No need to send us any bubbly either. Although, you could be our Valentine by joining The Barrens. The sweets keep on coming’ over there: hundreds of hours worth of exclusive content – from our Stephen King archival series, to our spooky Soul’s Midnights, to over a dozen commentaries on all your favorite Stephen King movies to spinoff series like Talkin’ Hawkins or our on-going CrichtonCast. You can subscribe now through the link in the description of this episode, or you can visit www.patreon.com/thebarrens.For now, grab some milk and enjoy a whole tray of poundcake.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This past December marked the 40th anniversary of John Carpenter's Christine. To celebrate, the Losers are revisiting the 1983 adaptation of the 1983 novel -- more on that later -- with their first Long Watch movie review episode in over a year. Joining the gang for the ride is Kayleigh Jensen of the Glitter & Gore podcast. Together, they chart the (very) short production history from page to screen, the iconography of the Plymouth Fury, the sounds of the film, and those timeless effects.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Losers return to Lisbon Falls, Maine for one last ride: to discuss Hulu's 11.22.63. Produced by J.J. Abrams, Stephen King, Kevin Macdonald, Bryan Burk, and Bridget Carpenter, the 2016 eight-part miniseries starred James Franco as Jake Epping, Sarah Gadon as Sadie Dunhill, and Chris Cooper as Al Templeton. Was it a hit? Did it come and go? Was it the true origin of the latest King Renaissance? All questions will be answered.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Here's a clip from our recent discussion on Syfy's Haven. Want to hear the full track? Become a member of The Barrens (Patreon) by visiting www.patreon.com/thebarrens. You'll unlock hundreds hours of exclusive content that includes The Stephen King Archives, our Dark Tower Detour series, dozens of Ka-mmentary tracks for your favorite King flicks, all of our Lobstrosities episodes clawing through those silly King sequels, in addition to spinoffs like Talkin' Hawkins and CrichtonCast. Not to mention, dozens upon dozens of locked episodes and one-offs, including a 24-7 Discord community featuring Constant Listeners just like you!Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Losers begin catching up on all the adaptations they've missed during their chronological re-read. Today's episode sees them discussing Mikael Salomon's Big Driver starring Maria Bello, in addition to Peter Askin's A Good Marriage starring Joan Allen. Both films pull from Stephen King's novellas collection Full Dark, No Stars and both are from 2014.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you recall from last week’s episode, we’re spending the next two months catching up on all the Stephen King adaptations and anniversaries we missed over the past year. So, to stay on theme, we’re unlocking a very topical episode of The Stephen King Archives, our Patreon exclusive imprint in which your Losers search the vault of Stephen King material – dusting off unpublished short stories, long-forgotten interviews, coffee-stained manuscripts, and alternate versions of your favorite tales. This particular entry was recorded in June 2022 and finds the Losers dusting off their copy of Stephen King’s World of Horror. Released in 1986, the 45-minute doc covers the works of King and his influence on pop culture. Peppered between segments with King are a number of clips from essential horror titles alongside interviews with John Carpenter, Clive Barker, Tom Savini, etc. Together, Randall, Mike, and Jenn revisit the analog era of being a horror fan, digress on King's myriad quotes throughout the 45 minute special, and chew on the evolution of pop culture icons. And, naturally, as we’re wont to do, we detour into a number of unexpected tangents, the likes of which lead us to places both wonderful and strange.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Seven years, eight seasons! The Losers look ahead at 2024. Together, they share their own highlights of Season 7 and go over the Club's reading and viewing lists for the year. Consider this a big old teaser trailer.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Losers reach the last page of Stephen King's time-traveling drama: 11/22/63. In the sixth and final episode of their coverage, the Losers return to the present to discuss the tear-jerker of an ending, King's original finale, and their final thoughts.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We (mostly) kept JFK conspiracy talk out of our 11/22/63 episodes, as the story is best enjoyed on King's terms. We did, however, think it would be enriching to chat with some smart people about King's assertion that "it is very, very difficult for a reasonable person to believe" that Lee Harvey Oswald wasn't the lone shooter.Previously, we spoke with Brendan James of Blowback about the book, Oswald, and King’s political evolution. You can find that episode just a bit further down the feed. Now, we're speaking with Jim DiEugenio, one of the leading experts on the political assassinations of the 1960s. Jim is the author of two books about the Kennedy Assassination, one of which was the basis for Oliver Stone’s documentary JFK Revisited: Through the Looking Glass. He also has a new book out, The JFK Assassination Chokeholds and a website, KennedysandKing.com, that's loaded with resources. Since Jim knows Kennedy scholarship like the back of his hand, we chatted with him about the research materials King cites in the afterword to 11/22/63, the ones that make him “98 to 99 percent” sure that Oswald acted alone. Jim also wanted to discuss an interview King did with filmmaker Errol Morris for The New York Times in November 2011, so it may be worth it to hit pause and give that interview a read before listening. The episode also contains spoilers for 11/22/63, in case that’s a concern.We hope you enjoy.Stay tuned for "Pt. 6: The Green Card Man" -- dropping this Friday.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Losers continue their journey through Stephen King's time-traveling drama: 11/22/63. In the fifth of six episodes, the Losers spend their time healing at the Parkland Memorial Hospital, all before the big, titular day.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Losers continue their journey through Stephen King's time-traveling drama: 11/22/63. In the fourth of six episodes, the Losers go on a stakeout and get stuck between stations, specifically Dallas and Jodie, Texas. Yes, our man Jake Epping experiences what we call the sweet and sour of life as he gets lovingly closer to Sadie Dunhill and yet dangerously closer to Lee Harvey Oswald. To keep things together, the Losers discuss the way King weaves fiction around facts before finally slicing into some freshly baked poundcake.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Losers continue their journey through Stephen King's time-traveling drama: 11/22/63. In the third of six episodes, the Losers head back to Derry, Maine, all before road trippin' down south to Sunset Point, FL, Dallas, TX, and Jodie, TX. Things take a dark turn along the way, proving - as King writes - it wasn't all Andy-n-Opie back in 1958.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Losers continue their journey through Stephen King's time-traveling drama: 11/22/63. In the second of six episodes, the Losers head to Derry, Maine, where they reunite with familiar faces and meet a new villain in King's Dominion: Frank Dunning. Along the way, they also discuss the evolution of Jake Epping -- err, George Amberson -- and how this section of the book affords Constant Readers the perfect opportunity to stakeout our main character ... during a stakeout of his own.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Look, we would've been perfectly happy enjoying 11/22/63 without getting into the weeds of the JFK conspiracy, but Stephen King himself took pains to detail how his research for the book convinced him that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. "It is very, very difficult for a reasonable person to believe otherwise," he writes in the book's afterword. Since that's no fun, we sought out some smart people to provide a counterpoint and share their own thoughts about the book's depictions of Oswald, Kennedy, and the assassination.In this episode, The Losers' Club speaks with Blowback co-host (and recent King convert) Brendan James about 11/22/63's Oswald, conspiracy in the 21st century, and King's political evolution over the years -- from the paranoia of The Stand to the regret of Hearts in Atlantis to the ghastly spirit of Donald Trump pervading his latest novels (and Twitter account). Finally, Brendan leaves us with some conspiracy fiction recommendations.Stay tuned for "Pt. 2: The Janitor's Father" -- dropping this Friday.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Losers finally reach Stephen King's time-traveling drama: 11/22/63. In the first of six episodes dedicated to the 2011 best-seller and Constant Reader favorite, they wrestle with the novel's origins, its themes, and its commitment to history. Along the way, they also try to pinpoint what this story might have looked like when King originally dreamt it up way, way back in the early '70s.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Losers scan the nearby skyscrapers and gaze at the monstrosities watching from above. The stone monsters. The gargoyles! Join Losers Dan Pfleegor and Dan Caffrey as they flip through Stephen King and f-stop Fitzgerald's coffee table book Nightmares in the Sky: Gargoyles and Grotesques. Together, they discuss the impetus behind the project, King's essay, and the countless photos within. To stay on theme, they also revisit Stan Winston's 1972 telefilm Gargoyles. Note: This episode was recorded in 2021 and is being unlocked for the book's 35th anniversary.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Here's a clip from Randall and Mel's Month of Halloween Hell 3, the Losers’ Club's Patreon-exclusive annual series in which Randall and Mel watch a horror movie every day in October and talk about it, returns for its third year, this time with fellow Losers Dan Caffrey and Justin Gerber along for the ride. It's a marathon four-hour episode.Want to hear the full track? Become a member of The Barrens (Patreon) by visiting www.patreon.com/thebarrens. You'll unlock hundreds hours of exclusive content that includes even more episodes of The Stephen King Archives, our Dark Tower Detour series, dozens of Ka-mmentary tracks for your favorite King flicks, all of our Lobstrosities episodes clawing through those silly King sequels, in addition to spinoffs like Talkin' Hawkins and CrichtonCast. Not to mention, dozens upon dozens of locked episodes and one-offs, including a 24-7 Discord community featuring Constant Listeners just like you!Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The heat is on across King's Dominion. To cool off, The Losers' Club put on their shades, rev up their ol' Plymouth Fury, and feel the breeze in Hollywood King. Along the way, they sort through plenty of Needful Tweets. Topics include Stephen King's new short stories collection You Like It Darker, the forthcoming short story collection tied The Stand from fellow authors, and a whole lotta talk about the adaptations we've been waiting for like 'Salem's Lot, The Life of Chuck, The Monkey, and more.Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.