If you're the sort of person for whom Halloween is an all-year affair, this highly reviewed, $25 poncho may be your jam: it features a slimming and flattering skeleton (with both front- and back-views) and is hemmed with "lace" styled to look like cobwebs -- all that's missing is for it to be waterproof for stylish rainy days, but alas, it's purely about fashion, not dryness. (via Canopy) Read the rest
Remember when MTV was quirky and cool?
Well, it was. In fact, in 1984, MTV asked Elvira, the legendary Mistress of the Dark, to host a six-hour special on Halloween night.** That special was titled, "Elvira's MTV Halloween Party" and looking at it now, it seems so experimental, like the theater kids were let loose in a TV studio, and I mean that as a good thing.
Elvira was given a 6 hour programming block on Halloween night 1984 to show all the spooky music videos there were interspersed with her usual shenanigans. Not just that but the middle 2 hours of this was a showing of Night of the Living Dead (with a special, shot for MTV, intro by George Romero) which Elvira would pop up into now and then.
Watch in this video uploaded by YouTuber Rockula Presents as the campy queen of Halloween pimps her own merch, brings on special guests, and shares old black-and-white horror movie clips and many music videos -- ranging from The Specials' "Ghost Town" to Oingo Boingo's "Little Girls" (no, that isn't Peter Dinklage at the 8:19 mark) to The Residents' version of "This is a Man's World" and, of course, Bauhaus' "Bela Lugosi's Dead."
Also see her demonstrate the proper way to carve a Jack-o-Lantern, you know, with a chainsaw.
Other notable moments:
-- I believe that's John Paragon playing "Breather" (uncredited) at the 13:05 mark. You may remember Paragon was the actor behind Jambi, the genie of Pee-wee's Playhouse. Read the rest
Al Jourgensen may prefer to forget that he once cultivated an English accent and created this underground club hit, but on this day, we happily remember Ministry's "(Everyday Is) Halloween" from 1984. Above, a fan video cut up from horror films.
Redditor Endeavy created these Halloween-themed skull hotpockets, augmented by dribbles of red, oozing sauce; they used these cake pans to mold the crusts. Read the rest
Toy artist Jesse Wroblewski of Chainsaw Estates challenged himself to sculpt a horror movie-themed PEZ candy dispenser for each day in October.
Here's a look at some of his horribly-creative sculptures, from Pennywise to Pinhead:
Read the rest
Dan and Cathy Balsam of Alameda, California are putting the "trick" back in trick-or-treating by handing out fake Trump University diplomas this Halloween. You may remember this same couple is behind the "world's scariest Halloween decor." Read the rest
Obvious Plant wins the droplifting game this year with these fake costumes he left on a Halloween store's shelf somewhere.
Click to view the below full-size; or download as a a high-quality digital poster (4MB) for detailed scrutiny; or proceed for the plain text, abstract and analysis...
Note that data for this 2017 survey, like all good science, is transparent, open, and available for further analysis. This includes access data from previous candy hierarchies (for, you know, longitudinal studies). Here’s the link, and we invite you to tag public remarks with #statscandy so we can find your awesome analyses.
The Candy Hierarchy (2017)Any full-sized candy barReese’s Peanut Butter CupsKit KatCash, or other forms of legal tenderTwixSnickersTolberone something or otherLindt TrufflePeanut M&M’sNestle CrunchMilky WayDove BarsRegular M&MsButterfingerRolosReese's PiecesHershey's Dark ChocolateMarsThree MusketeersYork Peppermint PattiesHeath BarCaramellos100 Grand BarJunior MintsChardonnayHershey’s Milk ChocolateMr. GoodbarMilk DudsHershey's KissesStarburstWhatchamacallit BarsSkittlesMint JulepsCadbury Creme EggsSweet TartsNerdsJolly Ranchers (good flavor)Gummy Bears straight upSwedish FishSmarties (American)LemonHeadsSourpatch Kids (i.e. abominations of nature)Take 5Mint KissesGlow sticksSmarties (Commonwealth)Minibags of chipsLicorice (not black)Pixy StixMike and IkeVicodinGoo Goo ClustersCoffee CrispKinder Happy HippoBottle CapsLaffyTaffyLollipopsNow'n'LatersReggie Jackson BarDots
Candy Corn
Fuzzy PeachesHard CandyGood N' PlentyChick-o-Sticks (we don’t know what that is)Bonkers (the board game)Licorice (yes black)Bonkers (the candy)MaynardsNecco WafersHugs (actual physical hugs)Tic TacsChicletsTrail MixSweetums (a friend to diabetes)Healthy FruitBlack JacksSenior MintsPeepsJoyJoy (Mit Iodine!)PencilsAnonymous brown globs that come in black and orange wrappersVials of pure high fructose corn syrup, for main-lining into your veinSandwich-sized bags filled with BooBerry CrunchJolly Rancher (bad flavor)Spotted DickGeneric Brand AcetaminophenBox'o'RaisinsThose odd marshmallow circus peanut thingsCreepy Religious comics/Chick TractsWhole Wheat anythingCandy that is clearly just the stuff given out for free at restaurantsKale smoothieDental paraphenaliaReal Housewives of Orange County Season 9 Blue-RayWhite BreadGum from baseball cardsBroken glow stickABSTRACT
This thing won’t end, right? Read the rest
Bobby Pickett’s song “The Monster Mash,” was first released in August 1962 as a 45 (that was a tiny record just larger than a CD that held one song on each side—a “single”—for those of you younger than … me). It was written by Bobby Pickett and Leonard L. Capizzi and although it’s a silly novelty song, it has endured as deeply as any of the rock and roll classics that appeared at the same time. Everyone knows “The Monster Mash”! If my dead grandma popped out of the ground and started to sing, there’s no question what tune would emerge from her desiccated lips.
So, since Halloween is upon us, here’s a trio of videos in the spirit of the season. First up is Bobby Picket singing his original tune at the time of its release; second is one of the many mashups of clips from monster movies set to the tune (this one relies heavily on the fabulous flick Carnival of Souls—an excellent choice to watch on the 31st); and finally there’s a genuinely creative parody (a parody of a parody!) from The Key of Awesome that brings the song up to date and tweaks the simple horrors of earlier decades. Enjoy them … while you can.
"So um.. yeah.. I attempted to turn myself into Betty Boop, if she was a brown girl!" Ellarie's daughter recognized her immediately, so it definitely worked.
Here's a "before" shot for comparison. Ellarie does super-cute videos with her daughter Yoshido, too.
• BETTY BOOP MAKEUP TUTORIAL Brown/Dark Skin Friendly (YouTube / Ellarie) Read the rest
If your dog looks like a mop, you can clean up at Halloween contests. Covington, Kentucky's Mainstrasse Paw-Rade had many worthy entries, but Keki the Hungarian Puli getting pushed around in a mop bucket was the crowd favorite. Read the rest
Sean Ohlenkamp and Rob Popkin spent years creating this remarkable stop-motion animation made of carved pumpkins. Even the soundtrack is made of pumpkins. Read the rest
I'm so inspired by these Halloween bento boxes. Not sure I could stomach eating some of them though!
ハロウィン弁当第三弾💀目玉おにぎり♪ちょいと不気味… pic.twitter.com/cD15nayK3D
— Kiyo (@kiyo_0130_D) October 17, 2017
ゆいちん(@x.yui.yui.x)さんのお料理「ポムポムプリンのハロウィン弁当」#snapdish #foodstagram #instafood #homemade #cooking #料理 #おうちごはん #テーブルコーディネート #器 #暮らし #ポムポムプリン #ハ… pic.twitter.com/rOQ65lpeAA
— レシピと料理がひらめく SnapDish (@SnapDishJP) October 5, 2017
This Witch #Pusheen Bento Box is the best way to celebrate Halloween - @Pusheen style 😉🎃 Printable recipe + video tutorial at: https://t.co/c2k6WPEPnN#obentoart #Halloween #Bento pic.twitter.com/OIzAqM9FMT
— Shannon (@lovefirstbento) October 18, 2017
今日のお弁当🍱ハロウィン弁当のジャック・オ・ランタンおにぎり🎃🍙🔹https://t.co/8XW2Rv0yRJ#お弁当 #jkお弁当 #女子高生弁当 #OnigiriAction#おにぎりアクション pic.twitter.com/lBlgAf7Vnq
— FUMIKA ♥ 후미카 JKS JCW (@FU__mika) October 18, 2017
親の作った弁当がサイコパス pic.twitter.com/vL6VuXWiNH
— 宮武勇作 (@miyatake_u39) October 17, 2017
今日はあいにくの曇空の中、チビ娘の遠足です🐾少し早めのハロウィン弁当👻🎃#ムス弁 #キャラ弁 #お弁当 #お腹ペコリン部 pic.twitter.com/LgFRXSNIHM
— AYAKA28号 (@8magua8) October 11, 2017
Remember last year? Remember the above figure (direct link), where all was laid out? This is how SCIENCE ranks your Halloween haul. Kit Kat and actual cash at the top, dental floss and anything whole wheat near the bottom.
Well, now it's time for the 2017 Candy Ranking Games. Go and fill out this 10 minute survey into the best and worst Halloween candies. Do it for science. Do it to fight #fakenews. Go forth, go go! COMPLETE THE CANDY SURVEY h2,h3 {text-align:center;} .sidebar {font-family:sans-serif; padding:1em;margin:3em; background-color:#fafafa; box-shadow: 0 0 0 1px #eee, 0 0 0 8px #fff, 0 0 0 10px #fca, 0 0 0 12px #f96, 0 0 0 20px #f60, 0 0 0 22px #f90, 0 0 0 28px #fd0; border-radius:20px} .textversion {text-align:center; color:white; background-color:#421; font-family:sans-serif; padding:1em;margin:3em; box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px #5c361a, 0 0 0 4px #9a7d62, 0 0 0 6px #dbcfc3, 0 0 0 8px #fff, 0 0 0 10px #fca, 0 0 0 12px #f96, 0 0 0 20px #f60, 0 0 0 22px #f90, 0 0 0 28px #fd0; border-radius:20px} .textversion h3 {color:#f60;} .textversion p {color:#fff!important;} blink { text-decoration: blink; }
Note that data will be collected for analysis until noon, PST, Oct 25th. This year’s Candy Hierarchy will be published on October 27th.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
You probably thought all we’d talk about this year is David S. Pumpkins and candy corn. Ask David S. Pumpkins to guest co-author, they said. He’s got a Wikipedia page and you don’t, they said. Read the rest
Instructables member Tye Rannosaurus has baked something special for Halloween, blood-red-on-the-inside and black-as-soot-on-the-outside Brimstone Bread:
Rumor has it, when demons in Hell make this bread, they roll the dough in the deep pits of sulfur and soul dust and cook them in the hot brimstone vents. Unfortunately, as you are mortal and have neither access to soul dust or brimstone vents, I’ve had to make a few adjustments to the recipe for you.
While these rolls aren’t actually “Hell Authentic,” they’re close enough to get the job done.
More of Tye's horrible Halloween recipes can be found at Necro Nom-nom-nomicon. Read the rest
For art teacher Michael Fry of Mamaroneck, New York, certain 2017 trends need to be dead and buried. So, for the past few Halloweens, he's made tombstone lawn decorations that lay specific trends to rest.
This year it's "so long!" to ombre hair, the hashtag #roséallday, the "old Taylor Swift," homemade slime, and more.
“Things from that year that have either died, or are dying or are no longer fashionable or no longer hip,” said Fry. “Being a teacher, I get input from my students and friends and family members, and it’s become a collaborative effort.”The gravestone for homemade slime is “wishful thinking,” though, because “teachers can’t stand it,” Fry said.
Others include paying homage to watching television live and having normal seasons, presumably a dig at global warming.
Adios, dabbing. We won't miss you.
images via Michael Fry
Previously: The world's scariest Halloween lawn decor: 'A Very Very Trump Halloween' Read the rest
