01.26.2025 WHY AREN'T YOU A BIGGER NERD? VOL. 2!!! With DANIELLE KOENIG & KRISTINE KIMMEL!

Written By Stephanie Morgan

MONSTER PARTY PRESENTS ANOTHER GEEK INTERVENTION!

JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD return to a topic they only tackled once before, when their guest was comedian/podcaster, JIMMY PARDO. So, why revisit it now? Because our newest test subjects are pure perfection! Prepare to have at least some of your opinions challenged as we present... WHY AREN'T YOU A BIGGER NERD? VOL. 2!!!

It's no secret that the hosts of MONSTER PARTY have an obsessive passion for horror, science fiction, and fantasy. It affects our attitudes, relationships, bank accounts, and most frustratingly, our shelf space. Our love of this stuff is so all-consuming, that we often find it perplexing when we meet people with only a casual interest in genre-related entertainment. Yeah, okay, they "like" it. But why don't they live it?! 

Joining us to answer these questions are two insanely talented writers, producers, and podcasters, making their MONSTER PARTY debut! They are currently the hosts of the entertaining and informative podcast, HOW TO SURVIVE! WITH DANIELLE & KRISTINE, a show which, needless to say, has never been more needed. Please welcome... DANIELLE KOENIG & KRISTINE KIMMEL! (THE DISH WITH DANIELLE FISCHEL, INVADER ZIM, DARK AIR WITH TERRY CARNATION, POP CULTURED WITH JIMMY PARDO)

"SHOULD I BE A BIGGER NERD?" IF YOU HAVE TO ASK... YOU KNOW THE ANSWER!

Guest(s)

Danielle Koenig: Danielle Koenig (@danielle_koenig) | Actor & Writer | Danielle Koenig | https://x.com/dfkoenig | Danielle Koenig | Danielle Koenig

Kristine Kimmel: Kristine Kimmel (@kristineakimmel)| How To Survive with Danielle & Kristine| JRSP-009: Lady Killers | Kristine Kimmel

Key Topics Discussed

  • The "Nerdquisition" Returns: The episode is "Why Aren't You a Bigger Nerd, Volume 2". Hosts Matt Weinhold, Shawn Sheridan, Larry Strothe, and James Gonas welcome writers and podcasters Danielle Koenig and Christine Kimmel to investigate why they aren't "bigger nerds".

  • A Unique Star Trek Perspective: Danielle Koenig, daughter of Star Trek actor Walter Koenig, discusses her experience growing up adjacent to the phenomenon. She shares memories of the show as a "comfort watch" and her early exposure to fan fiction at conventions.

  • Defining the Horror Palate: A major discussion focuses on what "counts" as horror and why the guests are selective. Christine enjoys "creepy, dark stuff" and Battlestar Galactica but finds Star Trek "painful". Danielle, who dislikes horror , prefers psychological thrillers like Silence of the Lambs and Get Out.

  • Franchise Fatigue: The group explores the current state of major franchises like Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The guests and hosts find common ground discussing "oversaturation" and their mutual dislike for The Eternals , while debating the overuse of humor in recent superhero films.

  • Cosplay and Collecting: The hosts, all avid collectors, ask the guests about their own "nerd" habits. Christine details the time she handmade a Xena: Warrior Princess costume , while Danielle discusses her son's passion for cosplaying obscure characters like Mr. Mxyzptlk and Plastic Man.

Timestamps

  • 00:03:44: Introduction of the guests, Danielle Koenig and Kristine Kimmel.

  • 00:04:31: The hosts begin questioning Kristine (Chris) about her interest in science fiction and horror.

  • 00:06:06: Kristine states that she is obsessed with Battlestar Galactica but would find it "painful to watch Star Trek".

  • 00:10:11: The hosts reveal that Danielle is the daughter of Star Trek's Walter Koenig.

  • 00:14:01: Danielle is asked if she likes horror, and she replies, "I do not like horror at all".

  • 00:14:44: The group begins a discussion about Stephen King, prompted by Danielle mentioning Kristine used to read his work.

  • 00:23:22: The hosts and guests discuss the movie The Substance.

  • 00:33:03: The conversation shifts to the Star Wars franchise.

  • 00:45:43: The hosts ask the guests if they have ever been enthusiastic enough about something to collect action figures.

  • 00:50:43: The group begins discussing the superhero genre and the MCU.

  • 01:07:43: The hosts ask the guests about cosplay; Kristine discusses making her own Xena: Warrior Princess costume.

  • 01:21:26: Danielle asks the hosts to recommend a science fiction TV show that isn't set in space.

  • 01:26:38: Kristine and Danielle plug their podcast, "How to Survive".

  • 01:27:50: The "Listener Shout Out" segment begins, focusing on the recent historic fires in Los Angeles.

  • 01:29:59: The hosts pay tribute to filmmaker David Lynch, who recently passed away.

Resources/Links Mentioned

Films

  • Silence of the Lambs: Danielle Koenig brings it up as an example of a "thriller" she likes, distinguishing it from a "horror film," though she notes her son found it very scary.

  • Heretic: Danielle mentions she liked this film, which she "saw this year".

  • Misery: Kristine Kimmel mentions the Stephen King book as "brilliant" , and later states she "love[s]" the film adaptation.

  • The Shining: Kristine says the book is "so much better than the film," though she likes both, acknowledging the movie is a Stanley Kubrick film.

  • Maximum Overdrive: Mentioned as the film directed by Stephen King, based on his short story "Trucks".

  • Gone Girl: Kristine uses this as a rare example of a book that was adapted into a movie that was "also really incredible".

  • Get Out: Danielle mentions she "loved Get Out" and that it's the "creepy" kind of horror she prefers, not "jump scares".

  • Hereditary: Matt asks if the guests have seen it. Danielle says she's heard "mixed things" and that her husband "hates it with a passion".

  • The Substance: Matt brings it up as a "gonzo" and "clever" new horror film. Danielle and Kristine have both seen it; Danielle "really did not like it" and found its commentary "incredibly obvious".

  • The Exorcist: Matt mentions that the most unnerving scene for him is the medical procedure (the needle), not the supernatural horror.

  • Midsommar: Larry brings it up, noting his daughter loves it and that it's impressively "creepy and unnerving" for a film set in the daytime.

  • Dead Ringers: Also mentioned by James as a Cronenberg example. Danielle remembers "really liking" the film.

  • Star Wars (1977): The hosts ask the guests about the franchise. Danielle says she re-watched the first movie as an adult and thought, "oh, this is terrible". Kristine's kids found it "so slow".

  • Rififi: Danielle mentions it's one of her son's favorite foreign, black-and-white films.

  • The Phantom Menace: Larry mentions that George Lucas considered this film to be for 10-year-olds, not the original Star Wars. A Triumph the Insult Dog segment from the premiere is also recalled.

  • Jaws: Larry names it, Star Wars, and Rocky as three "popcorn movies" that changed Hollywood. Kristine argues it's so well-made it's an "art film".

  • Rocky: One of the three films Larry names as a game-changer. Danielle argues it's a "character piece," not a "popcorn movie".

  • Batman (1989): Danielle says she "nerded out" over this film because she is a "huge Michael Keaton fan".

  • The Eternals: Danielle mentions it as a "boring" Marvel movie. The entire group agrees it was "absolute garbage" , and Kristine notes it was the only Marvel film she took her son to see.

  • Deadpool (films): Matt says he "enjoyed all three Deadpool movies" and calls the third one "genius". The hosts recommend them to Kristine.

  • Batman (George Clooney film): Kristine mentions seeing the "George Clooney Batman" as one of the "old Batman" movies she's seen. (This refers to Batman & Robin).

  • Sonic the Hedgehog: Kristine lists it as an example of a cartoon movie she had to watch when her kids were young.

  • Rio: A third example from Kristine of a movie she saw with her young kids.

  • Wonder Woman (2017): Kristine says it's a superhero movie she "intentionally went to see" at the theater and "loved". The group agrees the sequel was "awful".

  • Thor (films): James and Danielle criticize the recent Thor films for being "jokey and embarrassing" and not respecting the material.

  • Dune (1984): Listed in the David Lynch tribute. James says he is "still a fan" of Lynch's version.

  • Blue Velvet: Mentioned in the David Lynch tribute. A host calls it "an astonishing film" and "one of my favorite films of all time".

Television

  • Star Trek (Original Series): Kristine states she would find it "painful to watch" Star Trek and dislikes "any incarnation" of it. The group discusses why the original show might put some women off, noting its dated elements like "women all over the place wearing mini skirts". Danielle says she found it "so slow".

  • Squid Game: Kristine mentions that her 12-year-old kids are watching this show.

  • Twilight Zone: Danielle says she "grew up watching Twilight Zone a lot" and that its spooky, creepy style is what she likes.

  • Dead Ringers (series): After discussing the film, Danielle mentions she "did watch the series" adaptation, calling it "interesting" and "pretty bonkers".

  • Bad Sisters: Danielle says she is currently watching the second season of this "Irish show".

  • Severance: Kristine says she is re-watching it and thinks the "first season is about as perfect as a first season... could ever be".

  • Silo: Danielle notes her "husband really likes" this show. Matt says he stopped watching after the first season.

  • Lost: Matt uses it as the primary example of a show that "dragged things out so much" and set a trend for unfulfilling mystery-box shows.

  • The Americans: Danielle mentions it's one of her and Kristine's favorite shows and that it referenced the film Rififi.

  • The Mandalorian: Host James Gonas says he "really enjoyed" this Star Wars series.

  • Skeleton Crew: James says he and his wife watched a couple of episodes and concluded, "It's for 10 year olds".

  • The Muppets: Danielle says, "I love The Muppets," and mentions she owns a couple of Muppets lunchboxes.

  • Batman ('66 series): Danielle shares that her son Oliver was "obsessed" with the 1960s Batman series and started watching it at age 2.

  • Hawkeye: Danielle says she and her son "really liked" this Marvel series. Matt immediately replies, "I hated that series".

  • WandaVision: Danielle also mentions she felt this Marvel series "was really fun".

  • Penguin: Danielle says she started watching it but was confused, asking, "oh wait, there's no Batman?".

  • Pennyworth: James mentions the "Alfred TV show," noting it "was pretty good".

  • Xena: Warrior Princess: Kristine reveals she once made a "handmade" Xena costume, complete with "fake leather," for a party she was throwing. She thought the show was "fine, maybe a little bit like silly".

  • Boardwalk Empire: Matt mentions James Gonas once cosplayed as the disfigured character with a half-mask from this show.

  • Doctor Who: Mentioned as an example of a fandom with a convention that "sells out in like three minutes".

  • Bodies: Shawn Sheridan recommends this "fantastic" limited series , which he describes as a "thought-provoking" time travel story based on a graphic novel.

  • Fringe: Matt recommends this show as having an X-Files vibe that "got better and better".

  • Firefly: Danielle mistakes Fringe for this show, asking if Nathan Fillion is in it.

  • The Last of Us: The group identifies the lead actress of Fringe, Anna Torv, as "the woman from The Last of Us".

  • Mindhunter: The group also identifies Anna Torv as being in this show, which Matt also recommended.

  • Dark: Kristine mentions this show, and Matt agrees it's "so good".

  • The Leftovers: Danielle asks if a show being described is The Leftovers, and later says she "tried Leftovers" but "can't get into it".

  • The 4400: Kristine says she "loved" this "really lame show" about 4,400 abducted people who return.

  • Twin Peaks: Mentioned in the tribute to David Lynch as "groundbreaking" for television.

Books & Comic Books

  • It (Book): Kristine mentions reading this novel when she was 12.

  • Misery (Book): Kristine mentions this as one of Stephen King's "brilliant" books.

  • Different Seasons (Book): Kristine mentions this Stephen King collection.

  • The Shining (Book): Kristine recommends this as a good Stephen King novel for Danielle to read. Kristine says the book is "so brilliant" and "so much better than the film".

  • Night Shift (Book): A Stephen King short story collection mentioned as "amazing". Contains Trucks, the Stephen King short story that the film Maximum Overdrive was based on.

  • Salem's Lot (Book): James Gonas "highly" recommends this novel to Danielle, calling the main villain "the most frightening, intelligent, scary character".

  • Gone Girl (Book): Kristine uses this as an example of an "incredible book" that also became a "really incredible" movie.

  • Big Little Books: Danielle mentions her father, Walter Koenig, collected these.

  • Alice in Wonderland (Books): Danielle explains she had a collection of Alice memorabilia because she once played the real Alice (Alice Liddell) in a play about Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll).

  • Bodies (Graphic Novel): Shawn Sheridan mentions that the TV show Bodies is based on what he believes is a DC graphic novel.

Video Games & Other Media

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Stephanie Morgan
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