Verbal Shenanigans

We are joined by two of our favorite former guests, Howard Berger and Tami Lane, legendary makeup and practical effects artists. Howard and Tami are two of the friendliest, down to earth people, who have accomplished so much in the world of film and television. In this interview, you'll hear stories about cold calling your idol, hand modeling for Lord of the Rings, increasing the amount of blood in Kill Bill to make Tarantino laugh, winning an Oscar, the evolution of the special effect world, and much more. Make sure to check out all of Howard and Tami's past and upcoming work. Also, make sure to get yourself a copy of Howard's book, Masters of Make-Up Effects: A Century of Practical Magic today! We also go off the rails this week as we talk about something called the Nut Angel, discuss the special effects in an independent Robocop film, and go through how some of the most well known effects were done. Have a listen!

In April of 2024, two podcasters went on Zoom to talk to the writer and director of the Blair Witch Project...a couple weeks later the interview went up (and sadly the podcasters did not disappear). Daniel Myrick joins us to speak of making the monumental horror film. We get details of filming in the woods and how they gave direction, when they knew it was a hit and the worldwide tour, and his current media production company Gang of Robots. Check out his new documentary Triple 7 releasing May 7th and listen to our interview in the corner of your basement. We also talk about a really unique church, discuss guests who disappear, and more. Have a listen!

This episode will make your head spin, so grab a comfy piece of cardboard as we BREAK down this episode. Team USA member Vicki Chang, aka "La Vix", gives us some time to chat as she is attempts to qualify for the Olympics in breaking. We talk on what made her want to be a b-girl, what a breaking competition looks like, and even telling her parents she was leaving her job for her dream. Root for her to qualify for Paris and enjoy this interview. We also talk about a revolutionary show idea called "Nut Shot". dive into very relevant current events, and Mike is also not so nice to children. Have a listen!

For over 30 years, Mark Moran and Mark Sceurman, have been giving audiences peak into just how weird and unique New Jersey can be. Whether its covering a haunted house, a ghost story, folklore, or even just a person with bowling balls in their yard, Mark and Mark have been consistently entertaining their audience with their very successful semi annual magazine, Weird NJ. Mark and Mark are humble guys who have followed their passions to make something special. Check it out! We also play a game where Scott must see if he can make it to Wrestlemania, Mike's dog's balls days are numbered, and more. Have a listen!

Today, we are joined by Randy Edelman, world famous producer, musician, and composer. Randy has a lengthy career with numerous accomplishments including scoring such films as Last of the Mohicans, Ghostbusters 2, Kindergarten Cop, Beethoven, and more. Along with composing, Edelman has produced music for artists like The Carpenters, Barry Manilow, and Dionne Warwick. Check out Randy's very impressive catalog today! We also talk about P. Diddy, Mike's trip to the Cherry Blossom Festival, and more. Have a listen!

If you are holding on for the next episode...that's a ten yard penalty, repeat second down. Three time Super Bowl champion for the San Francisco 49ers Randy Cross comes onto the podcast to discuss his time on the field. He talks about how football was not his first love, the bad years of the 49ers and when he knew they were good, retirement, and BBQ. Fun chat with an NFL great. Scott also chokes while meeting 2 of his idol, Burlew gets loaded with muscles, and we learn how to not run a comedy show. Have a listen!

T.S.O.L. has been a staple of the American punk rock scene for nearly 5 decades. Through different iterations of the band, they remain active and energetic. Today, we are joined by Jack Grisham, T.S.O.L.'s frontman. We had a great conversation with Jack about staying creative, surviving years of drug and alcohol abuse, recording a cover album, and more. Jack is still driven, and can deliver some hilarious stories about his time in the music industry. Make sure to check out their latest album, "A-side Graffiti, today! We also talk about Mike's much needed haircut, hear some bear news, and realize Scott is not that nice to kids who aren't his.

Let's get to our next episode...hurry!!! MUSH!!! MUSH!!! This week we sit down with world champion dog sledder/musher Blayne "Buddy" Streeper. We learn about family and teamwork involved in traveling the dog sledding circuit. We learn about what it takes to win some of the biggest races like the Fur Rondy in Anchorage, Alaska. It takes a lot of time and money managing the travel as well as running the Streeper Kennels for racing sled dogs, and Blayne keeps us entertained trading knowledge with us. Also, Burlew surprises Scott for his birthday, we talk about a lame tv studio tour, Scott receives a mysterious note, and the guys spin scenarios to avoid being fired. Have a listen!

On your mark, get set, gooooo!!!!! These two podcasters will try to entertain and interview at the same time with John Harvey, AKA Harvey from Double Dare. Hear about the extensive schedule of the show and his radio career, reminisce on the days of Nickelodeon, and Harvey leaving the entertainment business. Enjoy or take the physical challenge. Scott also puts Burlew through the "AI Tournament of Death", a grueling game where Mike must figure out which past podcast winners must battle it out. Have a listen!

If video killed the radio star, our podcast host should be concerned on our next guest. Music video director, Jason Goldwatch, comes onto the show to discuss his lengthy career working some of the biggest names in the business. We discuss being discovered by Spike Jonze, the give and take of working with big stars like Kanye West, Cypress Hill, Pharrell etc, the current state of music videos, and even the moon. Have a listen! This week, Mike butchers the English language, Scott visits the ER, and Scott has a big announcement.

We are joined by New Jersey native, DRMAGDN. DRMAGN is a cyborg drummer and dj who has accomplished some amazing things through drumming, mixing, and performing. His talent has led him to the Winter Olympics, Lollapalooza, Carnegie Hall, and Royal Albert Hall. His most recent remix features an up and coming band, The Beatles. and their hit song "Something". Make sure to check out DRMAGDN and his work today! We also talk about some recent interviews, getting in touch with mushers, and some weird occurrences whiles trying to sleep. Have a listen!

In tradition of World Record breakers, we present to you our next guest coming to the stage. We chat with "Mr Showtime" David Scott on the work into breaking the world record for longest comedy set by an individual. We dive into his journey from starting his journey into comedy, the setup and help needed to attempt the record, and his continued love of the stage. The only thing better than our chat is finding out about his model career. Check out his dates for his Marshmallow Dreams tour after hearing our conversation. We also take a deep dive into the monster that is Vince McMahon, play our yearly installment of "God Complex", and more. Have a listen@!

Our American Gladiators expose' continues as we bring on Jim Kalafat Starr, aka Laser. Jim gave us a fantastic interview where we discussed "Muscles and Mayhem", Jim's football career, reinventing himself after Gladiators, and more. Make sure to check out the Gladiators documentary on Netflix and give Jim a follow. We also play a podcast based trivia game that we call the "Pyramid", Scott talks about a man almost dying at his show, we hear about a bowler embezzler, and Mike tumbles down the stairs. Have a listen!

Fresh off the critically acclaimed documentary, Muscles and Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators, we are joined by Ice herself, Lori Fetrick. Not only do we discuss fat gladiators, Lori gave us a great interview where we dive into all thing Gladiators, life after the show, her thoughts on the documentary, and what Lori is up to these days. Make sure to check out the documentary, and Lori's podcast, Chilin' With Ice. We also compete in the "joust" aka 2 truths and lie where we learn about Mike's fights with his wife, Scott's pooping stories, and a whole lot more. Have a listen!

Merry Christmas everybody! We are back with our most anticipated yearly episode, the 2023 Christmas Spectacular! So, grab some cocoa, light the fire place, and gather around for what might be our most festive episode yet. First, Mike must play a grueling game that takes him through a multiverse of Christmas events. Will he ruin Christmas forever? Later, we are joined by the creator of "Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer", Elmo Shropshire, or better known as Dr. Elmo. We talk about his amazingly unique life, from vet, to exercising a Kentucky Derby winner, to becoming a music sensation, to a national record setting runner. Dr. Elmo was kind, funny, and extremely interesting. Go see Dr. Elmo live at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank on December 19th! Finally, the guys exchange gifts and celebrate another year of the Verbal Shenanigans Podcast. Have a listen! Merry Chirstmas!

World traveler and thrill seeker meets two guys stuck in a basement recording a podcast. Host of Uncharted Adventure and the YouTube channel Fearless and Far comes onto our podcast. He has spent all his life traveling the globe meeting local tribes, living on the land, and challenging himself. Some amazing stories about his Covid travels, angering a small European town, and what excites him will fill this interview. He’ll give us a peek into his life, and you’ll want more. We also talk about MIke attending children's theater, Mike discrimination towards his 3rd dog, and see if Mike can pass a Hannukah challenge. Have a listen!

Sci Fi star, horror star, stunt expert all in one interview this week. Actress Patricia Tallman comes onto the cast this week to chat about her career. We dive into her thoughts on the SAG aftra strike ending, her relationship with George A Romero leading to playing Barbara in the Night of the Living Dead remake, and working on the Star Trek and Babylon 5 series at the same time. Enjoy our pleasant conversation with her, assist her charity work for children at Penny Lane, and try to figure out before listening to this interview what former guest of our podcast punched her in the face. Scott also tells a horror story about taking his son to the public restroom, Mike gets locked in the room with a diarrhea dog, and more. Have a listen!

We are with up and coming country and hip hop artist, Kendall Tucker. Fresh off of his release of "Dragging Me Down" with Jelly Roll, Kendall joins us to discuss he musical upbringing, his upcoming album, and his commitment to music. Kendall is a really genuine guy with a great perspective on trying to enter the industry. Make sure to check out Kendall's music today! We also discuss some legendary Thanksgiving stories, and then take turns ruining Thanksgiving for one another. Have a listen!

We are back with the Jared Weeks of the successful rock band, Saving Abel. For the past 20 years, Saving Abel have managed to continue to make new music, tour the world, and keep their fans happy. Jared was a great interview as we delved into his long journey into sobriety, the longevity of the band, and his new outlook on his life and the band. Check out the band's new song, "Fire", and keep an ear out for news on their new album. Mike also thinks that he is a first ballot entry into heaven, we discuss etiquette from the 50's, and more. Have a listen!

It's that time of year. The annual Verbal Shenanigans Halloween episode has dropped! Welcome to the Jaws podcast where we wish our hosts would shut theirs. Film maker David Bigelow joins our podcast to discuss his upcoming documentary Making the Monster, telling the stories from Martha’s Vineyard during the production of Jaws. Find out how a day doing extra work led to this project around the greatest horror/thriller movies of all time. Listener beware. This episode is jam packed with goblins, ghouls, torture, pumpkins, and awful jokes. Don't say we didnt warn you. Have a listen. If you dare...