166: What Scares Us: Movies, Politics ... Moldy Cheese?

Sarah is scared to fly, Nancy is freaked out by moldy cheese, and both of them have scary stories related to times they got in a car they shouldn’t have. In honor of Halloween, we talk about classic horror movies, break out some October 31 trivia, and discuss what scares Americans most.

Also discussed:

* Is Jaws a horror movie: a debate!

* Nancy’s almost-star turn in said same movie

* 2023’s #1 Halloween costume

* Alligators in the sewers: real or urban myth?

* The movie image that freaked out 12-year-old Sarah

* The devil’s entrance from hell was in … Nancy’s dad’s apartment?

* Everyone is afraid of one of these: snakes, rats or …

* Small planes have a better chance of survival?

* “The guy with the pin cushions in his face.”

* Elevator shaft close calls

* “The line between blooper reel and tragedy is very thin”

Plus, how to swim out of a riptide, Nancy does a Vincent Price impersonation, Sarah’s top scary movie, and much more!

First Sunday — and last call before the election — Zoom: For paid subscribers, this Sunday, November 3, 8pmET/5pmPT. Bring your predictions, your fears, what’s left of your kids’ Halloween candy and/or something stronger.

It was a dark and stormy night when you finally became a paid subscriber …

Forgot to mention: Our pal Michael Moynihan will be on “Real Time with Bill Maher” this Friday. Last show before the election should be a doozy.

Episode Notes:

“Bannon's Prison Sentence Is Over and He Has Nothing New To Say,” by Nancy Rommelmann (Reason)

“Highest Grossing Horror Movies of All Time,” by Travis Bean (Forbes)

“What Are Americans Really Afraid Of?” Chapman University survey

Americans’ #1 fear? Corrupt politicians. In related news …

“Alligators in the sewer myth is true: City workers find out in jaw-dropping video,” by Ben Cost (New York Post)

Thank you, Stephen King

What’s in your hot box?

Sarah: Stoner, by John Williams

Nancy: Citizens: A Chronicle of the French Revolution, by Simon Schama

Sarah picks the outro

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