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08/21/2006: Halloween Countdown Donations?

I can’t believe how fast this year flew — we’re just a few weeks away from the fourth annual Halloween Countdown! After some intense personal debate, I’m pretty sure I’m going to take weekends off from entries — or at least, I’m not going to promise entries on weekends. Reason being, the Countdown entries have essentially become junior articles, and with decreased time to sit at home waxing philosophical about bat-shaped candy, I don’t want to dog it. I’ll get to spend weekends making sure the following week’s wealth of entries are as good as they can be. (And even without official Countdown entries on the weekends, the blog will be updated.)

What I really want to avoid is a tapering off of energies as we get closer and closer to Halloween Proper. I can’t remember if I was just drained or lacking in time by the end of October last year, but I do remember having to either skip or skimp a little too often. I guess it’s all about prep work, which is good, because I already have fifteen things I’m definitely writing about, and about five more I’m still on the fence about, either because the topics are too big for a Countdown or, at this point, seem “too small.”

Anyway, the point: If anyone out there has a Halloween item that’s perfect for the Halloween Countdown that they’d be willing to donate, please e-mail me! Some of last year’s donations were really tremendous, and they helped me quite a bit. What am I looking for, exactly? Nothing in particular. If you’ve got an old VHS tape that has Halloween-themed episodes of a forgotten sitcom, or a VHS tape with some old Halloween-themed commercials, those would be boss. Toys, games, decorations, those are cool, too. I can get ya the cash for shipping/packing up anything you’re willing to send. Thanks in advance. Again, please e-mail me about this — I don’t want to ruin the potential surprise for fellow visitors.

Previous Halloween Countdowns: 2003 – 2004 – 2005.

PS: This isn’t today’s August Megaparty entry. Stay tuned for that.

Posted by Matt. E-mail me!

Discussion Thread: 60 comments

First at last!!!

Ghosted by Terror Claws Cole @ 08/21/2006 2:13 PM EDT

OK, now I’m pushing it, but ahhh…feels so good, and so juvenile too. What XE’s all about. LOL…

Hmm… I’ll be trying to think of some rockin Halloween stuff. FYI for everyone- if you got to Michaels they have lots of sweet Halloween stuff already…that and you can use a 40% off coupon to get those sweet pre lit haunted houses for cheap. Woo!

Ghosted by Terror Claws Cole @ 08/21/2006 2:16 PM EDT

I found a children’s book called “Countdown to Halloween” om the bargain bin at Rite-Aid for a buck. If it’s still there, I’ll buy it. Otherwise, we can find another copy online somewhere. It seemed right up Matt’s alley.

Ghosted by Hoverbored @ 08/21/2006 2:21 PM EDT

I just hope Wal-Mart has the skeletons dancing to superfreak for sale again this year.

Ghosted by Tom_Slick @ 08/21/2006 2:29 PM EDT

PS: This isnâ€™t todayâ€™s August Megaparty entry. Stay tuned for that.

And you thought last tuesday’s thread was going to feel bad about itself.

Ghosted by dohopoki @ 08/21/2006 2:29 PM EDT

Those skeletons sang ZZ Top songs too! It’s the most surreal thing I’ve ever witnessed.

They should have a skeleton that sings that Captain Beefheart song, “I’m Gonna Booglarize You”

Ghosted by Deuce @ 08/21/2006 2:54 PM EDT

DAMN IT! I knew I should have kept that witch with an apple for it’s head! Hmmm … perhaps it’s time to go dig around in the mutitude of bags in the garage …

Ghosted by LemurCat @ 08/21/2006 2:55 PM EDT

I am very excited that the countdown is close at hand. Did anyone see the spooky white chocolate M&M’s? The toned the plain old m on the front of the cindies into a skull that utilizes the original M. I tried to save one just as a decoration, but they are delicious and I ate it within 10 minutes.

Ghosted by Old E @ 08/21/2006 2:55 PM EDT

Just got back from a quick lunchtime trip to Family Dollar and looked through the modest beginning of the Hallowe’en displays. Ever notice how the special holiday items have their own peculiar, palpable energy? Christmas deco makes me feel all warm and happy, fresh banana bread-y, along my edges. All Hallows’ spooky look is a sharper, kinda icy thrill through my circuits, gently squeezing around my heart. I could live all Trick-or-Treat 24/7, if I had the monetary backing. I’ll dig through my tapes, and see if I have anything worthy of sending to the Mighty, Mighty X. My new camera has a neat trick that lets me store video off a A/V source onto SD/MMC cards. If I can manage it, I might snail-mail Matt the King of the Hill Hallowe’en episode. I’m looking for the Real Ghostbusters Hallowe’en Special myself. Boogaloo’s back in town!

Ghosted by kingklash @ 08/21/2006 3:24 PM EDT

Does anyone remember that old Reeses candy tv show about the aliens that came to Earth on Halloween night? It was like a one shot, and I haven’t seen it since like 1991 or 1992.

Favorite Halloween treat is Monster Cakes…mmm.

Ghosted by Rixliss @ 08/21/2006 3:30 PM EDT

Yeah! Halloween countdown on the way, I’ll keep a look out for stuff. I feel like I’ve got some old tapes with stuff on them. I went through a few and found mostly Christmas stuff from the 80’s, and lots of commercials that you might be into.

I do remember something about aliens and Reeses. Didn’t it have something to do with that kid skipping a rock on the water three times to make a wish, and the pond was dried up but it skipped anyway and he saved Halloween or something?

Is that it? Am I way off? I feel like that’s what Rixliss is talking about.

Countdown to the countdown!

Ghosted by Fox @ 08/21/2006 3:35 PM EDT

Rixliss, do you mean
http://www.x-entertainment.com/messages/629.html

then again at
http://www.x-entertainment.com/articles/0742/
?

Ghosted by random bob @ 08/21/2006 3:38 PM EDT

Sounds good, Matt – quality’s more important than quantity, after all.

Happy moment of today: after literal months of searching, the stores in my area FINALLY got the Cars toys back in stock. $7 later, I’m now the proud owner of the Luigi, Guido, and Tractor three-pack. :Â¬)

Ghosted by Paul @ 08/21/2006 3:55 PM EDT

Bring on halloween and Skullpops!!

Ghosted by Agent M @ 08/21/2006 4:10 PM EDT

As the only tatoo I have currentally is a bitchin jack o’lantern on my left wrist, you can imagine my love of halloween.

Matt, I love your halloween tributes. They have defenatly become just a sacred to me as the halloween specials and walking thru the isles looking for new halloween stuff.

My only regret is that on halloween proper I’m so busy or involved there’s no way I can spend time on the compy seeing the last post. Not until Nov 1st, and that seems sad alittle. It is kinda nice in a meloncholy way.

Anyway, I realized you don’t get anything from this site except the satisfaction of expressing yourself and pleasing your multitude of fans. Wich is more than enough, to be sure.

But you work, try so hard to make things the best they can when basically you don’t have any reason to do so.

So in rapt expectation of this years Halloween countdown and your continued efforts in proving why you have my (and countless others) favourite website; Kudos, thanks, and Wow.

P.s. I don’t know if Juris was the alien in the movie that was talked about, but I totally remember that special. I seem to recall loving it. And it was about a towns candy factory closing. I remember something about a drie up lake also. And sure, an Alien. I think so.

Anyway, That’s exactally why I love this site so much. Minutia that no one else remembers but I love to death that others here also remember.

I do know it was a full special. Not just commercials. And yeah, I know it only ran once around here. Hell maybe it aired 10 years later on the Family Channel, they do weird shite like that, but not that I know of.

Anyone remember what it was called or anything else about it, I would totally also love to know. I was always a little dissapointed for a few years after that it didn’t re-air.

Live on (possibly) reeses candy halloween special.

Ghosted by spooky @ 08/21/2006 4:21 PM EDT

I can’t believe the Cocoa bats were in 2003… where has the time gone?

Ghosted by Katherine @ 08/21/2006 4:24 PM EDT

Sorry buddy, all I got is my PowerPoint on the History of Halloween and it’s not that great. Definitely looking forward to the countdown though. I am working on my Salem Witch Trials lesson now, it is raining outside, and the past couple of times I went to the store I looked for HALLOWEEN stuff.

Ghosted by The Manimal @ 08/21/2006 4:54 PM EDT

My only outlet of Halloweeny fun is X-E, so you better make sure those articles aren’t all poopy-like

Ghosted by Trash @ 08/21/2006 4:55 PM EDT

Halloween.. a time to stock up on fake blood from Birthdays

Ghosted by Mike @ 08/21/2006 5:15 PM EDT

Dude. If you can talk it up well, or make it funny, NOTHING is too small to write about.

Or at least, that’s what your mom tells me!! OOOH BURN!! Hehe, Jus’ Kiddin’, playa.

Write what you think will work for ya. Obscurity is like… hmmm… ok, Light. The more obscure the topic, the less people it will reach, but those it does reach will get a super-intense dose, and be blown away.

Eh, probably coulda thought of a better analogy, but it’s been a rough day at work.

Ghosted by Yooka @ 08/21/2006 5:30 PM EDT

My wife has all of those TV episodes of “Friday the Thirteenth” the series on VHS. And Dark Shadows too. I wonder if they are on DVD, I’d love to get rid of all those tapes.

Ghosted by klatubaradanikto @ 08/21/2006 5:35 PM EDT

I really wish I was still a pack rat. I’m sure I used to have lots of stuff to send ya. I’ll check around maybe I’ll find something?

I hope we get to draw pictures again this year!!!

Ghosted by IHAQ @ 08/21/2006 5:38 PM EDT

The M&M/Mars “Mission from Mars” special was goofy and all, but that is what was fun about it. Now, if there was a Special based on some of the other candies, like how the ‘We’en was saved by one Nerds Rope, or Dracula being defeated by a Peeps Pumpkin getting caught in his teeth, then sombody’s been watching my dreams again.

Ghosted by kingklash @ 08/21/2006 5:52 PM EDT

Man, I don’t want to get all political or anything. But I urge everybody to think twice before dropping some dough at Wal-Mart. Truly an evil entity. That’s all I’m gonna say about it, though. I won’t harp.

But I am SO looking forward to the Countdown this year. This is going to be the best Halloween ever!

Alcoholic’s Halloween: October 28

Ghosted by Chris martin @ 08/21/2006 6:36 PM EDT

Sweet. Halloween is so much better when you’ve got the Countdown to look forward to.

Ghosted by Jedoc @ 08/21/2006 6:59 PM EDT

KingKlash-Thats what it was!!! I’ve been trying to figure out what it was called for years!!! THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED!!! I appreciate it! I have to find it on Bootleg somewhere. Someone send that to Matt. I would love to watch it again.

Ghosted by Rixliss @ 08/21/2006 7:18 PM EDT

Unfortunately I never had my parents tape any of them but there were a number of good/cheesy 80s Saturday morning toons that had a Halloweenish theme. Rick Moranis’ Gravedale High and The Ghostbusters (not Venkman and Co. the other ones) are the first that come to mind. I doubt there out on DVD but someone’s gotta have a copy somewhere.

Ghosted by Angelcake @ 08/21/2006 8:20 PM EDT

I agree. Go easy on yourself this year, Matt. Don’t burn yourself out before the big day; I could tell you did that last year from the slightly weary (if still enjoyable) tone of some of the Countdown articles in mid and late October. You do have a job and a life, and we understand that. Taking the weekends off is a good idea; it worked for the Christmas Countdown. You might want to go easy to start with and save some really good stuff for later, too, no matter how hard it seems to be.

Ghosted by starwenn @ 08/21/2006 9:12 PM EDT

I have butloads of old Halloween Havocs on tape from WCW. It is amazing how shitty the production values were for PPV’s ten years ago. I mean if anyone has seen UFC I-IV you know what I am talking about.

Ghosted by Old E @ 08/21/2006 9:14 PM EDT

Old E — I would LOVE to get some of those…e-mail me!

Ghosted by Matt @ 08/21/2006 9:16 PM EDT

Wow, 2 Megaparty posts in one day? Has the world gone insane?!

Anyways…I got nuthin. I DID however, get a job at a local CVS, along with my KB Toys job, so I can report on the latest Halloween candy!

Ghosted by Invader Norbert @ 08/21/2006 11:01 PM EDT

I just woke up. With a headache, and I know I’m being whiny. Where’s the Colonel, anyways? Damn school and damn work, we’ve lived and breathed this megaparty from the beginning. And I feel a little sad now. But whatever. Maybe I’ll cook up something to say for the “real” post.

I’m being emo Catsupman Crothers, come and get me!

Ghosted by Knegative @ 08/22/2006 2:15 AM EDT

Yay! I’m way excited right now!

What about “Disney’s Halloween Treat”? The first version w/ the pumpkin that narrates it. Has this ever been done? I have it on VHS but also had it transferred onto DVD. This used to be a huge thing for my little brother and I during Halloween!

Ghosted by Jennifer @ 08/22/2006 2:16 AM EDT

Whoo Hoo! The Halloween Countdown is my favorite X-E feature of the year! Can’t wait!

Ghosted by Itto0gami @ 08/22/2006 8:59 AM EDT

p.s. Jennifer, that version of “Disney’s Halloween Treat” was the best! I haven’t see it since I was little. If my mother hadn’t accidentally recorded over it (probably a decade or two ago) I would still be breaking that thing out every October. I keep hoping Disney will put it out on DVD (and not the lesser version that came later).

Ghosted by Itto0gami @ 08/22/2006 9:07 AM EDT

Matt, I’m really looking forward to your excellent Halloween features. You get me pumped every year and I send some of your material out to friends. If I find any cool Halloween stuff I’ll send it your way!

Ghosted by coltyhuxx @ 08/22/2006 12:50 PM EDT

I just really miss madd matt. I would love to see him make a return. The crenshaw melon carving was awesome.

Ghosted by Shannie @ 08/22/2006 2:55 PM EDT

Does anyone else get that tingly feeling in their chest around this time of year when they start thinking about Halloween? I’m not sure if it’s excitement or an impending heart attack…

I agree with everyone above, Matt, do the countdown in a way that you enjoy, and don’t blow your metaphorical load all at once… This’ll be the first year I get to read the countdown from the beginning (I started mid-way through last years), so I’m excited as hell!

Ghosted by Dr Sketch @ 08/22/2006 3:52 PM EDT

I have some of the old Filmation Ghost Busters. I’m one of the biggest Filamtion fans ever.(and God knows there aren’t that many). I believe that was what Angelcake was reffering to. The production of the show was down…WAY down. I have a suggestion for Matt: A Halloween ripoff entitled “Offerings”. A gruesome piece of crap to be assured. Here’s some other movies: Deadtime Stories, Chillers, The Ice Cream Man, The Paperboy. All craptastic. I have a majority of these movies and some Filmation Ghost Busters if your interested.

Ghosted by Rixliss @ 08/22/2006 6:49 PM EDT

Rixliss- Yup, that’s what I was referring to. For some reason I always liked that version better than the ‘Real’ Ghostbusters. Maybe the oddness of it with the ape and the elevator and the cooler car than the Ecto 1.

Didn’t Filmation also do She-ra?

If we’re also talking movies- Once Bitten might be more on the 80s cheese end but for some reason I consider it a Halloween-y movie. Teen Witch also. Those were always on WPIX (NYer also ) or some other station around Halloween.

Ghosted by Angelcake @ 08/22/2006 8:40 PM EDT

Itto0gami – If you see this.. e-mail me and I’ll figure out a way to get it to you. jen@jenniferball.com

Ghosted by Jennifer @ 08/22/2006 9:02 PM EDT

Angelcake-Yeah they did do She-Ra/He-Man. I also enjoyed the silliness of the Filmation Ghost Busters. I actualy have two vhs copies and watch them on occasion. If you ever find a copy, pick it up, its well worth it.

The Ghost Busters in this series enlisted the help of Tracy The Ape! They also had a battlecry “LET’S GO GHOST BUSTERS!!!” The car was cool as well, I don’t think it’s cooler than Ecto 1 (there’s no drink named after it), but it was a pretty funny car. The cartoon was so off the way, zany, and crazy. It was a nice alternative to the “Real” thing. Initially it was based off a 1975 LIVE ACTION show, but after Ghostbuster Mania ran wild, Filmation found it the right time to dust it off and try again. I wish it had catched on better than it did. It had comics, toys, vhs.

Once Bitten was oh so awful. Oh boy. I thought my movies were bad. Wow! They have NOTHING on Bitten Twice.

Ghosted by Rixliss @ 08/22/2006 9:06 PM EDT

Bitten Twice? Was that a sequel? I’m going to guess it didn’t have any stars in it or future stars or else it probalby would’ve surfaced somewhere.

I’m a total chicken about scary movies so Once Bitten was the extent of my ’scary’ movies growing up. I have a really low gore tolerance. But I know people who got completely freaked out by it for some strange reason.

Ghosted by Angelcake @ 08/22/2006 10:09 PM EDT

I just want to make sure I’m thinking the same movies…. Ice Cream Man was with Clint Howard as the killer ice cream man (obviously), correct? Man, I forgot how creepy Clint Howard can be… Not in a good “oooh, so scary” kinda way, in a “stay away from my children” kinda way…

Once Bitten was with Jim Carrey, wasn’t it? The vampire could only feast on virgins (Carrey, yeah right), and at the end he has sex with his girlfriend in a coffin… Wow, I haven’t thought of that in years!

Ghosted by Dr Sketch @ 08/23/2006 8:32 AM EDT

Dude you havent lived till you’ve seen The Halloween Tree or The Halloween That Almost Wasent. I taped them both of tv many years ago and I still dig them out every year for Halloween.

Ghosted by Brian @ 08/23/2006 11:12 AM EDT

Angelcake-I had that song in my head as I was typing yesterday. Your right it was “Once Bitten”. I was thinking of the whole song “I was once bitten twice shy, baby”. Thats what I get for being a Country boy who’s into pop cutlture I suppose. LOL. Sorry for the confusion.

Ghosted by Rixliss @ 08/23/2006 1:47 PM EDT

Dr. Sketch-Yes Ice Cream Man, is the movie your thinking of. I have hard time watching because it’s a steaming pile of crap. But hey! Baseball legend and Cheap Seats joke, Steve Garvey is in it as well! Beginning to end, it’s a pretty bad movie. Not in a Troma “haha” way, but more a sad, crappy movie which might have been a good idea, but didn’t turn out the way it should have.

Ghosted by Rixliss @ 08/23/2006 2:35 PM EDT

Ahh,if only I had a way to transfer my old VHS. I have the Disney’s Halloween Treat special. As well as some of the oddest stuff ever, taped from my youth. Everything from Witch’s Day Out (which was such a bizarre cartoon it might make your head explode)to Raggedy Anne and Andy’s The Pumpkin That Couldn’t Smile (I was a bit too old to enjoy it when it came out, but it sort of grows on you like a fine mold). Still looking to get Worst Witch on dvd though, since that vhs was never that great. ^_^ One day I’ll find a way. And you’ll find yourself up to your knees in odd unknown halloween kid shows and cartoons Matt!

Ghosted by Emosewa @ 08/23/2006 2:41 PM EDT

I saw this on Filmwad and figured it’d be right up yer alley Matt, and maybe even serve as early inspiration for the Countdown

Nightmare on Elm Street Back in Theaters

Ghosted by WonKa @ 08/23/2006 5:48 PM EDT

You can also check it out here:
Big Screen Box Office for theaters n shit. I’ll be at the New Brunswick one most definitely

Ghosted by WonKa @ 08/23/2006 6:13 PM EDT

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