The Losers' Club: A Stephen King Podcast

Six years, seven seasons! The Losers reassemble following a much-needed holiday break to look ahead at 2023. Together, they share their own highlights of Season 6, share the Club's reading and viewing lists for the year, dig into some Needful Tweets, and make a stop in Hollywood King to finally discuss all the news surrounding Mike Flanagan's The Dark Tower. Gonna be a real wild year, alright. Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In their second episode dedicated to The Dark Tower, the last book in Stephen King’s Dark Tower saga (that isn’t Wind Through the Keyhole), the Losers get caught in the web of the book’s most controversial character: the child-spider Mordred. Is the hungry arachnid one of King’s most vicious villains or a massive letdown? And what of his most controversial kill? They also delve deep into the story’s deep bench of supporting players, which includes some familiar faces from King’s Dominion, and sort through all that’s scary and silly in End-World. As a bonus, the Losers rank the Dark Tower books, which we’re sure won’t make any of you mad. Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The beginning of the end has arrived: Join Losers Randall Colburn, Ana Marie Cox, Dan Pfleegor, and Dan Caffrey as they ascend Stephen King's The Dark Tower VII. In the first of two book episodes, they'll discuss endings, second chances, and the weight of expectation. Is The Dark Tower King’s crowning achievement, as so many posited at the time of its release? Also, what has King said about it — and why does he sound so angry saying it? Stay tuned for the second and final episode next week. Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here's a clip of our Patreon exclusive episode that sees the Losers taking inventory on the highs and lows of the horror genre in 2022. Pearl, Barbarian, Smile, Nope, X, Scream, Halloween Ends, it's all discussed. Rest assured, Stephen King's place in the slate is also discussed. 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, The Dark Tower Detour, 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 just like this. Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Next week, the Losers will begin their much-anticipated final coverage of The Dark Tower with the first of two book episodes dedicated to the epic 2004 closer. In anticipation, we're unlocking this quirky, spoiler-filled discussion about the Crimson King from way, way back in August of 2020. At the time, we were just wrapping up our book episode on Insomnia, so it felt right to discuss Big Red. Now, as we reach the Tower, it makes even more sense to head into the Court of the Crimson King. So, join Rockin' Randall Colburn, Dan Caffrey, and Dan Pfleegor as they discuss the King's murky origins, the ways he threads the multiverse, and, most importantly, whether or not they think the King is cool. Again, there will be spoilers -- spotty as their memories are -- so listen at your own risk. Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon | Store Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's beginning to look a lot like Kingmas. Join Losers Michael Roffman, Jenn Adams, Sammie Kuykendall, and special guest Julia Marchese as they dream up the perfect gifts for Constant Readers both naughty and nice. Think of it as a Stephen King gift guide of sorts. Eh, more like a wishlist. Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Losers are joined by author and musician Dave Musson, who has just published The Ultimate Stephen King Quiz Book. An essential tome for Constant Readers and especially Constant Quizzers, the book features more than 3,000 questions spread across 172 individual, 19-question quizzes that cover every novel, collection, and adaptation in King's Dominion. Dave calls it "a true test for Constant Readers everywhere." Naturally, the Losers had to take him up on the challenge. Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here's a preview of the latest installment of our Patreon exclusive series Stephen King Archives, which finds the Losers returning to the year 1977, a particularly crossroads period for King as he measured his own fame and success following Brian De Palma's Carrie and his chilling blockbuster third novel The Shining. It's also the year he returned to himself in The Dark Tower VI: Song of Susannah. Why? The Losers weigh in. 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 Dark Tower Detour series, our Lobstrosities, our Soul's Midnights, our commentary tracks, spinoffs like Talkin' Hawkins and CrichtonCast, 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Dark Tower looms, but first? Dinner at the Dixie Pig. Join Losers Randall Colburn, Ana Marie Cox, Dan Pfleegor, and Dan Caffrey as they unpack the labyrinthian lore behind Stephen King's penultimate entry along the beam: Song of Susannah. Together, they discuss the intriguing array of supporting characters and metafictional flourishes. Does the book’s most infamous cameo work — or is it a case of the author eating his own tail? Also, what does the book have to say about the tension between magic and science? Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hot off our deep dive into The Mist, the great Thomas Jane returns to the show to discuss his life with Stephen King and his latest feature Slayers. He also weighs in on his favorite Hollywood leading men, alternative comic books, current needle drops in his life, his work behind Renegade Entertainment (including an update on From A Buick 8), and his favorite turn in King's Dominion. Is it Dreamcatcher? The Mist? 1922? You'll have to listen to find out. Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon | Store Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It appears we may have a problem of some magnitude. Join the Losers at the Food House in Bridgton, Maine as they celebrate the 15th anniversary of Frank Darabont's The Mist. Together, they take inventory of the film's inspired ensemble cast, debate the themes within, marvel at Darabont's handiwork, and sort through all the macabre monsters that still terrify us all these years later. This being a Long Watch installment, it's as immersive as it is exhaustive. Bonus: As part of the celebration, we also spoke to star Thomas Jane again, and you can find that interview in the feed above. Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon | Store Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Losers find themselves in Hell where they're surrounded by the most scorching Stephen King hot takes they've read to date. Yes, you've waited long enough -- nearly four years, if you can believe it -- but we're back with another installment of Firestarters. For context, this feature sees the Club sift through hot takes submitted by their Overlook patrons. 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 | Store Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the 40th anniversary of Creepshow! To celebrate, we're heading to the basement of Horlicks University with special guest Daniel Kraus. Kraus has a special connection to the Godfather of the Dead. The New York Times best-selling author published his posthumous collaboration with Romero, The Living Dead. Head to Kraus' official site for more information on his outstanding works, which include more novels, several comics, and two works he co-wrote with Guillermo del Toro. But for now, join us for the most fun you've ever had being scared. (Note: This episode was recorded in October 2020 and has since been unlocked from the Derry Private Library in light of the anniversary.) Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon | Store Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here's a preview our Patreon exclusive series Randall, Dan, and Mel's Halloween Hell 2022. All three Losers watched a horror movie every day in October and now they're breaking down the highs and lows of their cinematic journeys. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Losers give thanks to Stephen King by naming 10 titles of his that we should all be carving into each Thanksgiving season. So, pour some cider out, grab a plate, and join Michael Roffman, Jenn Adams, and special guests Jason Pellegrini and Janelle Janson for this hearty Kingsgiving meal. Note: This episode was recorded in November 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 | Store Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Losers’ Club is back on the path of the Beam — and this time they’re following it to the end. Join Losers Randall Colburn, Ana Marie Cox, Dan Pfleegor, and Dan Caffrey as they unpack the history of the series, the intricacies of its lore, and the number 19 as it manifests in Wolves of the Calla, a “side quest” of sorts that brings Roland his ka-tet closer to the ominous land of Thunderclap as it reintroduces us to a familiar face and teases enemies of the living, undead, and mechanical variety. It’s a lot. Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special Halloween bonus episode, the Losers head to Springfield -- or shall we say, Kingfield -- to discuss The Simpsons' take on Stephen King's It. Dubbed Not It, this unique Treehouse of Horror one-off puts a Simpsonian spin on our favorite novel from 1986. Join the gang as they discuss the new episode, revisit their favorite Treehouse segments, wrestle with The Simpsons as an enduring pop culture institution, and chart the ways it crosses over into King's Dominion. Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the Losers chatted with Will Menaker of the Chapo Trap House podcast back in June, he encouraged us to also reach out to his co-host Matt Christman, a longtime King fan with an affinity for The Dark Tower. Since we'll be spending the rest of the year revisiting the last three books in the Tower saga, now seemed as good a time as any to bring Matt on for a discussion of King's grand horror-fantasy experiment (among other topics). In a sweeping discussion, Matt makes his case for the series' divisive final volumes, unpacks King the Boomer, and ponders the state of the literary celebrity in 2022. Warning: Tower spoilers abound so proceed with caution, if it do ya fine.   Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In celebration of the 35th anniversary of Hellraiser, and the release of David Bruckner's new reboot, we’re unlocking one of our older Patreon exclusive episodes from the Derry Private Library. It’s a Crate installment that dates back to September 2020 and finds Losers McKenzie Gerber, Dan Pfleegor, and Mel Kassel heading into the attic to unbox the 1987 horror classic. Want more episodes like this? Join The Barrens at www.patreon.com/thebarrens. Next week, we'll see you with a brand new episode talking Dark Tower and Stephen King with Chapo Trap House's Matt Christman. Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ring, ring, ring. The Losers are answering the call. No, not from the Ghostbusters, but Mr. Harrigan's Phone. The new Netflix adaptation of Stephen King's 2020 novella from If It Bleeds has arrived and the gang has thoughts. Together, they discuss John Lee Hancock's vision, the involvement of Blumhouse in King's Dominion, and whether this is an Old Man Yell at Clouds Movie. Stick around, though, because later on, star Jaeden Martell joins the Losers to discuss King, phones, and tunes. Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices