Stephen King’s The Shining has been adapted into an incredibly scary, horror… opera! Pulitzer Prize and Grammy Award-winning librettist Mark Campbell joins to explain how he translated the 600-page novel into a terrifying tale sung by some of the most powerful voices in the world all with Stephen King’s blessing! Mark talks about the process of writing the opera, collaborating with brilliant composer Paul Moravec and stage director Brian Staufenbiel to bring it to life in the confines of an oper...
Sep 08, 2023•57 min
Chris Jericho flies solo to talk about his historic weekend in London! First there was Fozzy’s biggest headlining show ever at the O2 Arena Kentish Town with over 1,000 tickets sold. Then there was his surprise attack appearance at RevPro, followed by the history-making AEW All In London show at Wembley Stadium and Jericho’s 4.75-star rated match against hometown hero, Will Ospreay. Jericho recounts the crazy and incredible weekend and shares tons of behind-the-scenes stories and details includi...
Sep 06, 2023•1 hr 2 min
It may be THE BEST opening story EVER on TIJ, and it comes courtesy of Mark Davis and Kyle Fletcher of Aussie Open! The former ROH World Tag Team Champions recount the first time they ever met Chris Jericho. It was in Dublin, Ireland, and Will Ospreay was there. Enough said. Aussie Open also talk about how they started tagging together, what prompted them to relocate from Australia to the UK, how they ended up living at Will Ospreay’s house, and why they had to spend the pandemic back home in Au...
Sep 01, 2023•1 hr 7 min
Rich Correll is an avid Sci-fi, fantasy, and horror movie fan, and thanks to his incredible career in Hollywood (both as an actor and director), he’s amassed quite a collection of real film props, costumes, and other special efx memorabilia. About half of his collection is on display at his museum, Icons of Darkness in Hollywood. Rich talks about the rare items, his favorites, and the most popular among fans including incredible pieces from Aliens, Star Wars, Terminator, The Shining, Planet of T...
Aug 30, 2023•1 hr 2 min
Hikaru Shida is enjoying her second reign as AEW Women’s World Champion, which could conceivably end this Sunday at AEW All In London when she’s forced to defend it in a 4-way against Saraya, Toni Storm, and Dr. Britt Baker DMD. Shida talks about the big Wembley Stadium show and what it means to her. She explains the huge difference between her two title wins – the fans! Her first run came during the pandemic before crowds were allowed back at AEW shows. She shares her wrestling background in Ja...
Aug 25, 2023•58 min
Writer and producer Laurie Kaye spent a fateful day with John Lennon and Yoko Ono at the legendary Dakota apartment building on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Little did she know as she entered the building in December 1980 that not only would it would be John’s last interview, but that Laurie herself would come face-to-face with his killer. Laurie details the amazing afternoon she spent with John and Yoko, the conversation they shared, the laughs and jokes, and the future plans they made before t...
Aug 23, 2023•59 min
Trent Beretta has gained a last name and lost a question mark, and explains how it all happened. He has details on the Best Friends two crazy parking lot brawls at AEW – the first during the pandemic in Jacksonville against Santana & Ortiz, and the second, more recent one against Jon Moxley and Claudio Castagnoli from the Blackpool Combat Club. He explains how the Best Friends tag team got started at PWG, when and why Orange Cassidy was added to the team, and what inspired the Best Friends hug. ...
Aug 18, 2023•1 hr 1 min
The long-awaited animated film “Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar” is out on digital and Blu-ray next Tuesday, August 22nd. It’s set after the events of the Adult Swim series, and comes with two new albums featuring Dethklok – the film’s soundtrack (out August 25th) and “Dethalbum IV.” And co-creator Brendon Small and former Testament drummer Gene Hoglan give an inside look at the making of the animated movie and the music! They discuss how they first met, the songwriting and recording process...
Aug 16, 2023•59 min
“Somewhere in the Skies” podcast host and author, Ryan Sprague, returns to breakdown the very recent UFO Congressional hearings, and the claims made by whistleblower David Grusch, a retired Air Force intelligence officer who says UFO craft and “non-human biologics” have been recovered and reverse-engineered in secret programs that have been operational for decades. Ryan discusses the timing and reasons behind the testimony, the impact, the legislation resulting from it, and what he things about ...
Aug 11, 2023•1 hr 3 min
AEW Dynamite just aired its 200th episode, and Jericho’s celebrating the milestone event with a special commemorative list of his own – his favorite Dynamite matches! So what exactly made the list, and is there an absolute favorite? Let’s just say that you’ll hear some fantastic behind-the-scenes details and stories about his matches with Jon Moxley, Darby Allin, Sting, Nick Gage, Orange Cassidy, Bryan Danielson, and Dax Harwood. You’ll discover why the Hair vs Hair match against Ortiz made the ...
Aug 09, 2023•1 hr 1 min
AR Fox is the newest member of AEW’s Mogul Embassy, and talks about teaming up with Swerve Strickland, and turning heel. He shares stories from his 15-years on the indies with CZW and Evolve, his tours of Japan, and what he learned wrestling in Mexico. He also talks about his time in Lucha Underground, his failed WWE tryout, and why he calls his ring style old school with a modern twist. He also discusses his wrestling school, and some of hjs students (like Austin) Theory who’ve gone on to succe...
Aug 04, 2023•59 min
mammoth II drops Friday (August 4th), and Wolfgang Van Halen has plenty of stories about the making of his second, full length album! He talks songwriting, recording, and solos, and discusses how playing live influenced the making of this album. He talks about what it’s been like opening for Metallica and how that all came together, what he learned touring with Van Halen and playing alongside his famous father, and his strategy for putting together those Van Halen setlists. He shares why drums w...
Aug 02, 2023•54 min
Can’t think of a better guest for TIJ 1000 than the great Marc Maron – talented comedian, actor, and one of podcasting’s original stars! He started his pod before anyone really knew what podcasting was, including Marc! And since that day, he’s welcomed some pretty impressive guests like President Barack Obama and Sir Paul McCartney! He’s sharing those stories as well as talking about his comedy start, his friendship with the late, great Sam Kinison, his trip to see AEW Dynamite, and what it was ...
Jul 28, 2023•1 hr 16 min
Howie Mandel is the A-list guest celebrating 1000 episode of TIJ this week! The stand-up comic, “Deal or No Deal” host, AI proponent, and judge of “America’s Got Talent” shares some pretty incredible stories from his days guesting on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. He made 22 appearances with Johnny and details his first-ever spot to the last stint that resulted in his ban from the popular late night talk show. Howie discusses the role that both Joan Rivers and The Comedy Store’s Mitzi Shor...
Jul 26, 2023•1 hr 9 min
QTV is QT Marshall, Harley Cameron, and Aaron Solo, and AEW’s new faction explains how they formed, and what Harvey Levin’s TMZ has to do with their act. You’ll hear the details behind the Binaca spray, the name, the Powerhouse Hobbs hype, and how each member was recruited. Harley also talks about her rap battle with The Acclaimed’s Max Caster, hitting on Anthony Bowens, and Billy Gunn’s reaction and input to the whole segment. Aaron Solo shares his journey to AEW and how one formal email led to...
Jul 21, 2023•1 hr 6 min
So what did Kuarantine do when they weren’t onstage performing during their recent tour? They watched Decline of the Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years of course! Jericho, Bassist PJ Farley, drummer Kent Slucher, and guitarists Joe McGuinness and Charlie Parra share their favorite scenes, lines, songs, and bands in the documentary written by Penelope Spheeris. They share trivia about the time, the Sunset Strip, and some of the musicians they’ve encountered in the scene. STAY CONNECTED...
Jul 19, 2023•1 hr 48 min
Rocky Huynh grew up loving pro wrestling, and that inspired him to start the first and only wrestling promotion in Vietnam – Vietnam Pro Wrestling. Rocky, and VPW English commentator, the Canadian-born Carey Wass, share the incredible and unlikely story of Vietnam Pro Wrestling from their early days wrestling on mats with no ring, to having veteran Japanese wrestler Fugofugo Yumeji come to Saigon to train them to putting on their first show and finally getting a real ring. They talk about the he...
Jul 14, 2023•1 hr 6 min
New York Times best-selling author and true crime expert, Jillian Lauren, extensively interviewed the most prolific serial killer in American history, Sam Little, and as a result of her effort, aided law enforcement in clearing 63 of Little’s alleged 90-plus murders. She spent a year visiting Little in prison, and built such a rapport with him that he left her all of his worldly possessions along with his brain when he died in 2020. Jillian recounts what led her to contact Sam Little in the firs...
Jul 12, 2023•1 hr 2 min
John and Jamie from True Crimecast return to discuss the circumstances surrounding the death of actor/comedian Bob Saget of “Full House” fame. America’s dad was found dead in his hotel room at the Ritz Carlton in Orlando, Florida on January 9, 2022. His death was ruled an accident and attributed to hitting his head in a fall, but due to numerous unanswered questions about his passing, many are not convinced the case is as open and shut as authorities would have the public believe. There was no b...
Jul 07, 2023•56 min
The Gambler Jeff Gann of WCW fame is very much alive and well despite the erroneous reports of his death last month! Jeff sets the record straight about the false story. He and Chris Jericho also watch the 5-minute match (and Jericho’s second ever at WCW) that resulted in Chris getting signed. Chris explains the circumstances surrounding that match, and why it was “make it or break it” for him at that point in his career. They also talk about The Gambler’s 9-year tenure at WCW from how he got si...
Jul 05, 2023•50 min
Tim Chizmar is a nudist versus a naturist, and explains the difference between the two, and then clarifies how “artists” fit into the picture. He talks about the unlikely television series that inspired him to become a nudist, how he started participating in nude events like bike rides and marathons, and why there is nothing sexual about it. He discusses the unspoken rules of the nudist scene, the major faux paus to avoid, nudist etiquette, and the one taboo word in the community. Tim shares sto...
Jun 30, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Zak Zodiac comes from the famous Knight wrestling family in the UK, and explains what it was like growing up in the ring under the tutelage of his father Rowdy Ricky Knight and his mom, Julia Knight (aka Sweet Saraya). Zak talks about wrestling at the holiday camps in Britain when he was 6-years old, making his official debut at the age of 10, donning a Pink Power Ranger suit to have matches with his younger sister, Saraya, tagging with his older brother, Roy as the UK Hooligans, and learning fr...
Jun 28, 2023•59 min
There’s more to the infamous Jack The Ripper story than meets the eye! And that’s why the Hometown Ghost Stories crew returns to tell the tale! Rob Coakley, Jesse Wilkins, and Dave Wilkins break down the cases of the 5 canonical victims of Jack The Ripper, the evidence surrounding each, and the most popular suspects in Ripperology. They share their thoughts on who might actually be Jack The Ripper. And of course they also discuss the details of the hauntings and sightings associated with each vi...
Jun 23, 2023•1 hr 10 min
What exactly happened between Don Callis and Kenny Omega? And just who is Don’s new superstar Japanese stud pro wrestler, Takeshita? Don sets the record straight about his recent falling out with his former protégé, and details the role that Kenny’s cage match with Jon Moxley and the big Anarchy In The Arena match between The Elite and Blackpool Combat Club played in the dissolution of their relationship. He speaks to what he refers to as the toxic relationship between Kenny and The Young Bucks,...
Jun 21, 2023•1 hr
Ricky Morton, one half of the legendary Rock ‘n’ Roll Express tag team, returns to the show with his son, Kerry Morton, the current NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion. The father-son duo have been tagging on the indie scene, and talk about what that’s been like, and how they enjoy working with Billy Corgan and NWA. Ricky also shares some stories from his days in the ring with Robert Gibson, working with Dusty Rhodes and Jim Crockett, and their big feuds with the Midnight Express and Jim Corne...
Jun 16, 2023•1 hr 19 min
The CAC returns and this time it’s a Pantera battle! 1990’s “Cowboys From Hell” versus 1992’s “Vulgar Display of Power.” And joining the track-by-track analysis and trivia fun are Fozzy guitarist Rich Ward, drummer Grant Brooks, and tour manager Sam Abernathy. They talk album covers, production, songwriting and lyrics, and the importance of “Cowboys From Hell” in 90s heavy metal. They discuss Vinnie Paul’s hard-hitting drum style, Darrell “Dimebag” Abbott’s guitar skills, the understated bass pl...
Jun 14, 2023•1 hr 28 min
Mercedes Mone (formerly Sasha Banks in WWE) broke the internet when she signed with Stardom, the all-women’s wrestling company in Japan! But Stardom was already a hot promotion before Mercedes signed. They were recently purchased by Bushiroad, which also owns New Japan Pro Wrestling, and have already amassed quite a storied history for their relatively 10 short years as a company. StardomCast podcast hosts, Rob Goodwin and Matt Turner, join to talk about Mercedes’ arrival at Stardom, the history...
Jun 09, 2023•1 hr 4 min
Rob Kristoffersen, UFO expert and host of the “Our Strange Skies: UFOs Throughout History” podcast talks about the evolution of aliens through time in terms of their appearance and sightings. He explains the difference between The Greys, the reptilians, the tall blondes, and the mantis beings. He talks about the influence of Whitley Streiber’s “Communion,” the Budd Hopkins book “Intruders,” and The X-Files. He shares some fantastic abduction stories, talks about the UFO Bigfoot connection, and e...
Jun 07, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Dark Side Of The Ring Season 4 premiered on VICE this week with an episode about Chris Candido and Sunny. Executive Producer and co-creators Evan Husney and Jason Eisener return to preview the season, share some behind-the-scenes stories about what it took to make some of these episodes, and reveal what they had to leave on the cutting room floor. They explain how they had Sunny lined up to participate in the season debut, and what forced her abrupt cancellation, why they included a whole episod...
Jun 02, 2023•1 hr 5 min
The new Avenged Sevenfold album, “Life Is But A Dream,” arrives this Friday, June 2nd, and there are a couple of very good reasons for the long delay! There was the pandemic and the havoc it wrecked on the recording process, and then there was singer M. Shadows’ vocal cord issues that almost ended his music career! Shads details the problem with his vocal cords, and explains the long process, numerous doctors and one surgery it took for him to regain his singing voice. He also speaks to the crea...
May 31, 2023•1 hr 6 min