Award-winning horror writer and Halloween historian LISA MORTON and Dan talk trick-or-treating – the history, the rituals, the costumes and candy, classic movies and T.V. shows, and a whole bag full of all sorts of yummy and interesting goodies, no tricks. Plus, fond and sometimes funny memories of their own childhood trick-or-treating experiences, and a recommendation for an excellent scary movie that you might not have seen yet.

Laced with amazing sound clips, it’s a spook-tacular listening experience.

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New York area prop master JEFF BUTCHER has worked with everybody from Jim Jarmusch and Darren Aronofsky to Wes Craven and Steven Spielberg…to Dan Fisher. They’ve been close friends since they met on the set of Matewan 40 years ago.

This is kind of a “hang out” episode, with two veteran prop masters recounting their experiences – and spilling just a bit of celebrity tea (Bill Murray, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Al Pacino) – and sharing opinions on why the Ruby Slippers are not props, why directors’ chairs are, and why the job is much harder than it might appear (food scenes always suck) -- but a hell of a lot of fun, nonetheless.

Lots of laughs, a cameo appearance by Jeff’s dogs -- plus some truly interesting clips -- make this one of the most unusual but casually intimate Let’s Talk Tens ever.

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A remix/re-edit, originally released on May 24, 2024.

Fulfilling a personal bucket-list item, Dan spends time with one of his childhood heroes, the legendary DICK DEBARTOLO, “MAD’s Maddest Writer” and a founder member of the Usual Gang of Idiots.

Besides comparing what they each find funny, Dan and Dick talk about MAD and its founder William M. Gaines, with fond memories of the artists and writers who made MAD great – Al Jaffee, Don Martin, Nick Meglin, and many more.

They also discuss the classic game show “Match Game”, for which Dick was the head writer. PLUS: Gizmos! Gadgets! And more!

With improved sound (Dan was in the hospital when this was recorded via Zoom), this descent into MADness is worth the trip. (What, us worry?)

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