From the Vault: It’s the holidays, the Horror Nerds are feeling festive, and comedic chaos ensues.

In this holiday vault episode (because ho-ho-holy crap, we are TIRED from 2025), we dive into Terrifier 3 and Art the Clown’s blood-soaked Christmas chaos, breaking down why the franchise works, how performance and practical effects elevate the gore, and what makes Art such a compelling modern slasher icon, ranking up there with the likes of Michael Myers, Freddy, and Jason.

But it wouldn’t be a Horror Nerds holiday without a little extra nonsense. Samantha debuts a standup bit as Mrs. Claus, while Anthony and Bonnie jump in to a sketch as Santa and an Elf, navigating some… unexpected changes at the North Pole. The result is festive, unhinged, and very on brand.

This is an audio-only From the Vault release, pulled from last Christmas and still delivering big laughs, deep horror hilarity, and holiday chaos. Whether you’re here for Art the Clown, practical FX talk, or completely derailed Christmas characters, this episode has it all.

Would you survive Christmas with Art the Clown? Find out this Friday at Horror Nerd LIVE at the Hollywood Improv! Get tickets at https://tinyurl.com/merrymassacreedition

Hosted by Samantha Hale and Bonnie Marie Williams
Featuring Co-Host Anthony Landry
Based on Horror Nerd Comedy created by Samantha Hale
Marketing by Joe White
Editor: Sarah Manners
Post-Production: Sarah Manners and Bonnie Marie Williams
Creative Producer: Adam Molloy
Producers: Samantha Hale, and Joe White
Executive Producer: Bonnie Marie Williams

Horror Nerds Podcast music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

Commercial VO by ‪@voiceoversuperhero‬
Music by Karl Casey ‪@WhiteBatAudio‬

Ever feel like your podcast workflow’s straight out of a horror movie? Plug-ins breaking, logins multiplying, hidden fees creeping up behind you? Time to scream — for joy — because Beamly has arrived. Build your site, host your podcast, add memberships, courses, and digital products — all in one place. No hidden monsters. No jump-scare fees. Just 0% platform costs and pure creative freedom. Bring your podcast back to life at Beamly.com — if you dare.

The Magic Oil Box, LLC Small-batch, cruelty-free scents inspired by horror and pop culture, and handcrafted with love and magic by a proudly LGBTQ+ and Latino-owned business. Horror Nerds listeners can take 15% off with code SLAYNERDS15, thanks to our sponsor who keeps us slayin’.

Affiliates:

Take 10% off Shaped Ice Molds, featuring the most iconic slashers in cinema, with code HorrorNerdsPodcast10

The Horror Nerds Comedy Podcast uses Riverside.fm to record our podcast and share to social media.

This week’s Horror Nerds Comedy Podcast episode is a December Sponsor Spotlight featuring our friend, collaborator, and fellow horror-obsessed sweetheart Alex Cordova, creator of The Magic Oil Box: your new favorite queer-owned aromatherapy brand inspired by horror movies, Buffy, nostalgia, and the power of scent to heal.

Alex joins us to talk about how Buffy the Vampire Slayer inspired the name “The Magic Oil Box,” how horror shaped his identity growing up, and why scent can unlock memories faster than any jump scare ever could. We dive into his character-inspired blends from the top horror franchises, and why every blend is rooted in personal connection, trauma healing, and queer joy.

We also talk about:
✨ the new Twilight shower steamers (Eternal Twilight + Spirit of La Push)
✨ growing up queer and finding belonging through horror
✨ choosing films that feel like home
✨ video store nostalgia, VHS chaos, and renting purely for the cover art
✨ Buffy friendships, chosen family, and why “everyone has a Freddy”

🎧 You’ll Love This Episode If You’re Into:

• Buffy the Vampire Slayer
• Queer-coded villains
• Twilight memes (“hoa hoa hoa hoa” season, anyone?)
• Aromatherapy as emotional storytelling
• Fandom-inspired creativity
• Community, acceptance, and chosen family

This special cut brings heart, humor, and serious “we survived because of Buffy” energy. Whether you’re team Spike, team Angel, or team “Buffy doesn’t need a man,” this episode will hit home.

👇 Support our sponsor:
🌙 The Magic Oil Box – queer-owned, horror-inspired aromatherapy
Website: https://themagicoilbox.com
IG: @themagicoilboxllc
Use code SLAYNERDS15 for 15% off all month long!

Credits:
Hosted by Samantha Hale and Bonnie Marie Williams
Featuring Co-Host Anthony Landry
Based on Horror Nerd Comedy created by Samantha Hale
Marketing by Joe White
Editor: Sarah Manners
Post-Production: Sarah Manners and Bonnie Marie Williams
Creative Producer: Adam Molloy
Producers: Samantha Hale, and Joe White
Executive Producer: Bonnie Marie Williams

Horror Nerds Podcast Theme music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

Commercial VO by ‪Bonnie Marie Williams
Music by Karl Casey ‪@ White Bat Audio

Sponsorships:

Ever feel like your podcast workflow’s straight out of a horror movie? Plug-ins breaking, logins multiplying, hidden fees creeping up behind you? Time to scream — for joy — because Beamly has arrived. Build your site, host your podcast, add memberships, courses, and digital products — all in one place. No hidden monsters. No jump-scare fees. Just 0% platform costs and pure creative freedom. Bring your podcast back to life at Beamly.com — if you dare.

The Magic Oil Box, LLC Small-batch, cruelty-free scents inspired by horror and pop culture, and handcrafted with love and magic by a proudly LGBTQ+ and Latino-owned business. Horror Nerds listeners can take 15% off with code SLAYNERDS15, thanks to our sponsor who keeps us slayin’.

Affiliates:

Take 10% off Shaped Ice Molds, featuring the most iconic slashers in cinema, with code HorrorNerdsPodcast10

The Horror Nerds Comedy Podcast uses Riverside.fm to record our podcast and share to social media.

In this episode, the Horror Nerds dive into the cozy, creepy world of horror nostalgia — from the magic of VHS tapes to the rise of iconic female characters shaping the genre today. Samantha shares her growing obsession with collecting vintage horror tapes, the joy of finding rare editions, and why VHS still hits differently in a streaming world.

They also explore the creative process of performing and producing horror comedy, the similarities between being a stand-up comedian and a voice actor, and discuss the evolving role of women in the horror industry. From Final Girls to modern favorites like M3GAN, this conversation celebrates how women continue to redefine, elevate, and energize the horror landscape.

With humor, personal stories, and true horror-nerd passion, this episode is a love letter to the films that shaped us and the women who keep pushing the genre forward.

If you love nostalgia, female-driven horror, the Shining Twins, and horror-nerd deep dives, this episode is for you.

Featuring a clip from Samantha Hale "Horror Nerd"
Rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video at https://amzn.to/4r72GMS
Directed by Tom Dolby, Distributed by Comedy Dynamics

Credits:

• Hosted by Samantha Hale and Bonnie Marie Williams
• Based on Horror Nerd Comedy created by Samantha Hale
• Social Media Manager: Joe White
• Editor: Sarah Manners
• Post-Production: Sarah Manners and Bonnie Marie Williams
• Creative Producer: Adam Molloy
• Producers: Samantha Hale and Joe White
• Executive Producer: Bonnie Marie Williams
• Horror Nerds Podcast music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio
• Podcast Intro by Joe White
• Magic Oil Box Commercial VO by Adam Molloy and Bonnie Marie Williams
• Beamly.com Commercial Voiceover by Bonnie Marie Williams

Sponsorships:

Ever feel like your podcast workflow’s straight out of a horror movie? Plug-ins breaking, logins multiplying, hidden fees creeping up behind you? Time to scream — for joy — because Beamly has arrived. Build your site, host your podcast, add memberships, courses, and digital products — all in one place. No hidden monsters. No jump-scare fees. Just 0% platform costs and pure creative freedom. Bring your podcast back to life at Beamly.com — if you dare.

The Magic Oil Box, LLC Small-batch, cruelty-free scents inspired by horror and pop culture, and handcrafted with love and magic by a proudly LGBTQ+ and Latino-owned business. Horror Nerds listeners can take 15% off with code SLAYNERDS15, thanks to our sponsor who keeps us slayin’.

Affiliates:

Take 10% off Shaped Ice Molds, featuring the most iconic slashers in cinema, with code HorrorNerdsPodcast10

The Horror Nerds Comedy Podcast uses Riverside.fm to record our podcast and share to social media.