The Odd Podcast with Joe Parisi

Heather O'Rourke is forever etched into horror history as Carol Anne Freeling, the wide-eyed little girl who delivered one of the most iconic lines in movie history: "They're here." Cast in Poltergeist (1982) at just five years old, Heather instantly became one of the most recognizable child actors of the 1980s and a defining face of supernatural cinema. Before and after Poltergeist, Heather appeared in national television commercials and guest-starred on popular shows like Happy Days and Webster. She went on to reprise her role as Carol Anne in Poltergeist II and Poltergeist III, solidifying her place in horror fandom while quickly gaining a reputation as a remarkably gifted young performer. Tragically, Heather O'Rourke passed away in 1988 at only 12 years old, leaving behind an enduring legacy and decades of unanswered questions, myths, and fascination among fans of the Poltergeist films. In this episode, I'm joined by friend of the show Brian Pocrass, who has spent years working with his team on an upcoming documentary about Heather's life, career, and lasting impact. The film, She Was Here, is set for release in early 2026. Together, we discuss Heather's rise to fame, her cultural impact, and why her story continues to resonate with Poltergeist fans and horror lovers alike. This episode was originally released on December 27, 2025, on what would have been Heather's 50th birthday.   Follow Joe Parisi @joeparisivo

In this episode, Joe Parisi explores the #1 songs of the 1990s as ranked by the Billboard Hot 100. From chart‑toppers that shattered records to songs that launched major careers, and even a few that completely disappeared from the cultural conversation. This is a deep dive into what the charts were really telling us. The Billboard Hot 100 isn't just about hits. It's a snapshot of a moment in time. Each #1 song reflects a week, a season, or even a specific memory for millions of people. So put on your Starter jacket, pump up your shoes, and join Joe for a fun, nostalgic look back at the music that defined the '90s. Follow Joe @joeparisivo

Get ready for an irresistibly nostalgic deep dive into one of the most delightfully quirky parts of Pee-wee's Playhouse: the iconic claymation "Penny" segments! In this episode, we explore how these whimsical shorts were created, uncover who "Penny" really was, and connect the dots to a surprising web of pop-culture oddities that all tie back to her. I'm joined by two incredible guests: Prudence Fenton, the visionary animation director and producer behind Pee-wee's Playhouse, and Timothy Young, the artist and model maker who literally built Penny during Season 1. Together, they share behind-the-scenes stories, creative secrets, and the unexpected legacy of a tiny girl made of clay who left a huge mark on children's television. Tune in for nostalgia, creativity, and some seriously fun surprises!   Follow Joe @joeparisivo Check out Joe's other podcast "America's Pop Culture Trivia Show".  

Author and Podcaster Mark Malkoff joins Joe for an in-depth discussion about Johnny Carson's fascinating life and career. Mark recently released the book "Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan's Journey to Find the Genuis Behind the Legend". If you love hearing stories from Hollywood's Golden Age, and exclusive stories from behind the curtain of The Tonight Show, this episode is right up your alley. Enjoy our 135th episode...Here's Johnny! Follow Joe @joeparisivo More about Mark - markmalkoff.com

Diving in to the legend of 2Pac with 9x New York Times Best Selling Author Jeff Pearlman. In October 2025, Jeff released his latest book "Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur".   Follow Joe @joeparisivo Follow Jeff @jeff_pearlman

In this spine-tingling episode, Joe Parisi explores the legacy of Elsa Lanchester, the unforgettable actress who brought The Bride of Frankenstein to life. But the story doesn't end on screen. Recently, true-crime and Hollywood historian Scott Michaels (Dearly Departed Tours/Findadeath) uncovered the mysterious truth about the whereabouts of Lanchester's remains. Hear how decades of rumor, misinformation, and Hollywood lore finally led to a surprising discovery. Joe also dives into the life and tragic death of Colin Clive, the brilliant but tormented actor who portrayed Dr. Frankenstein himself, revealing the haunting parallels between his real life and the Gothic horror he helped create. If you love classic monster movies, Hollywood history, and real-life mysteries, this episode is for you. Follow Joe Parisi @joeparisivo Follow Scott Michaels @iamscottmichaels 

On this episode of The Odd Podcast with Joe Parisi, we explore a lesser-known chapter of Elvis Presley's life, his deep passion for karate. Joe is joined by special guest Billy Stallings, also known as Spa Guy, who owns and operates the Tiger Man Dojo & Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, the very same dojo where Elvis trained from 1970 to 1974. Learn how Elvis got into martial arts during his Army days, and how it became a major part of his life during his peak fame and his later years. Discover the history of the dojo just down the street from Graceland, and how Billy lovingly restored it to look just like it did during Elvis's training days. Whether you're a lifelong Elvis fan, martial arts enthusiast, or history buff, this episode is packed with rare stories, fascinating history, and insights into a side of The King you've never seen before. Topics include: The true story behind "Karate Elvis" Elvis's personal martial arts journey The restoration of the original dojo Behind-the-scenes stories from the Tiger Man Dojo & Museum How fans can visit this hidden Elvis landmark Follow Joe @joeparisivo Visit www.thetigermanmuseum.com  #ElvisPresley #KarateElvis #TigerManDojo #ElvisPodcast #Graceland #MartialArts #SpaGuy #ElvisHistory #MemphisTourism #ElvisPresleyMuseum

Join Joe Parisi and Brian Pocrass for a fun deep dive on Back to the Future Part 2.  It's a trip back in time to 1989 when we all saw what things were possibly going to look like in 2015. We discuss everything from the lesser known cast members to filming locations and screen used props.

Joe Parisi exlplores the incredible story behind the 1996 alt rock song "Standing Outside A Broken Phone Booth with Money In My Hand" by Primitive Radio Gods. Follow Joe @joeparisivo

Join Joe as he discusses a recent trip to Las Vegas and all of the fun & quirky pop culture-related things he had on the itinerary, including a David Copperfield show at the MGM Grand, Maroon 5 at the Dolby Theatre, a desert road trip to see Area 51, the town of Rachel Nevada, the Little A'le'in, The Clown Motel, The Sphere, filming locations from Swingers and Back to the Future 2, the 2pac Memorial and more!    Follow Joe @joeparisivo   Find Joe's other show - America's Pop Culture Trivia Show

On this episode we take a DEEP DIVE on Steve Urkel Mania, which managed to sweep the nation in the 90s. We discuss Family Matters, TGIF, Urkel Merchandise, Crossover Episodes, Lost Media, and so much more. Hollywood insider Brian Pocrass joins Joe Parisi for a fun discussion that will pull you right back into the glorious 90s!

Joe Parisi and Brian Pocrass take a deep dive on the 1993 cinematic classic Dazed and Confused. They discuss the film in depth, along with many of the other coming-of-age highschool films they enjoy.   Follow Joe on insta @joeparisivo

A recap of Joe's recent trip to Hollywood that was packed full of Hollywood history, filming location visits, iconic LA haunts, and more.  PLUS, a full 30+ minutes on the special Odd Podcast field trip to Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary. This is the final resting place of Marilyn Monroe and hundreds of other Hollywood celebrities. Brian Pocrass joins the show live from LA with a wealth of information about this extremely unique, celebrity-filled cemetery.  Brian gave Joe and his family a private tour of the cemetery during their visit and on this episode he shares all sorts of odd and interesting facts with the listeners. The show open through 49:40 features a recap of everything Joe and his family visited in and around Hollywood. 49:40 on is all about Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary.

Examining the bizarre and fascinating life and career of a fringe Old Hollywood celebrity known as The Amazing Criswell.  Joining me is the author of the book " Fact, Fictions, and the Forbidden Predictions of the Amazing Criswell", Edwin Lee Canfield.   Instagram: @joeparisivo  

    A deep dive into the 1996 film Swingers.  Joe Parisi is joined by Deena Martin Delucia, who played Christy (The Vegas Waitress).

  Al Leong has probably been in your favorite action movie. In fact, he's probably been in half of the action movies you saw in the 80's and 90's.  Join Joe Parisi and Al Leong for a fun discussion about the martial arts film genre and Al's incredible life on screen.

  A deep dive on the 1986 pro-wrestling comedy "BodySlam". Join host Joe Parisi and cast member Michael Moynahan, who played "Pee Wee Hutchens" as we discuss this somewhat obscure 80s cult classic.

If you spent time watching ABC's TGIF lineup in the 90's, this episode is for you!  Join Joe Parisi and guest Brian Pocrass as they take a deep dive into one of the most beloved sitcoms of the 90s.

A deep dive into the 2004 classic Napoleon Dynamite.  Join Joe Parisi and Trevor Snarr (who played "Don" in the film) for a fun look back at this highly influential movie.

F_ _ _ FACE!  In 1989, Fleer released their annual set of baseball cards, having no idea what was about to happen and what had slipped past them.  A few weeks after the cards started being sold, word started to spread that the Bill Ripken card  in the set featured a very explicit phrase written on the handle of the bat he was holding in the picture.  As the company scrambled to halt production, save face, and edit the card, a frenzy among collectors broke out and copies of the card became highly sought after.  30 years later, people still actively search for this card and many questions still remain unanswered.  Over the years, many of the stories and explanations have been changed. Join Joe Parisi for a deep dive on this historic incident that changed the trading card industry forever.  We're also visited by Jon Pederson who runs the website dedicated to this card, www.billripken.com