How’s it going, weirdos? Kennedy here, writing the intro, as the morning sun pours in bright and orange. I moved a few weeks ago and have had what I can only call a wicked case of the “night spooks.” From about 10 pm until sunrise, every new noise and shadow is startling me awake, on high alert. So I’ve made a plan for this evening that could only improve the situation. I’m going to the latest showing of the new instalment in The Conjuring universe, Last Rites.
That oughta calm the nervous system. Here’s hoping you have similarly soothing plans that may include catching up with us:
What We Wrote
We had fun with this, and you should too. What happens when A Fake Prince, a Game Show Contestant, and the Devil walk into a bar (or California, or DC, or Maryland)? Justin Seitz writes about it. We dig up impossible threads between Groucho Marx, demonic possession, and exorcisms, and slapstick comedy. This one is for the history heads and the horror nerds, and the paid subscribers (until next week).
Out to everyone this week, it’s The Trick to Cooperation. Leaving the usual investigative how-tos and horror stories behind, Kennedy takes us to the other side of the stand and chronicles her experience as a witness in a stalking trial.
What Justin Recommends
Podcast | History of the 90s: Travelling Music Festivals - Lollapalooza. Lilith Fair. Edgefest. If you grew up in the 90s, there were roving music festivals to feed the musical beast on riverfronts, stadiums and parking lots across North America. One of my favourite podcasts, hands-down and an incredibly fun walk through some music history.
Article | California man gets $25M for wrongful conviction after 38 years in prison by Safiyah Riddle - A maddening case with a massive payout. While it never replaces the years lost, ya love to see it.
Book | Coin-Operated Americans: Rebooting Boyhood at the Video Game Arcade by Carly Kocurek -Instantly a favourite book of mine. A perfect blend of video game history and critical gender analysis. A must-read for anyone that has ever dropped a quarter in an arcade.
Catch you on the flip side,
Your Bullshit Hunting Crew