04.26.2025 WRITING HORROR WITH RICHARD CHRISTIAN MATHESON!!!
MONSTER PARTY TOASTS A MODERN MASTER OF THE MACABRE!
JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD sit at the knee of a literary juggernaut to learn the delicate art of spine-tingling storytelling! Join us as we take a creepy crash course in... WRITING HORROR WITH RICHARD CHRISTIAN MATHESON.
R.C. MATHESON started his career in television, working on such legendary shows as THREE'S COMPANY, THE INCREDIBLE HULK, KNIGHT RIDER, THE A-TEAM, QUINCY, M.E., AMAZING STORIES, TALES FROM THE CRYPT, MASTERS OF HORROR, and the Emmy award-winning NIGHTMARES & DREAMSCAPES: FROM THE STORIES OF STEPHEN KING. As a screenwriter and film producer, his credits include the GENE HACKMAN/DAN AYKROYD comedy LOOSE CANNONS, the horror film IT WAITS, STEPHEN KING'S BIG DRIVER, the werewolf thriller FULL ECLIPSE, and the upcoming French production of the classic RICHARD MATHESON story "The Shrinking Man," L 'HOMME QUI RETRECIT.
In his literary career, R.C. Matheson has authored over 100 short psychological horror stories, which have been featured in numerous anthologies and compiled in the collections SCARS AND OTHER DISTINGUISHING MARKS, DYSTOPIA, and the upcoming ZOOPRAXIS. His other works include the suspense novel CREATED BY, and the Hollywood horror novella, THE RITUAL OF ILLUSION.
Not only is RICHARD CHRISTIAN MATHESON a brilliant, award-winning writer, but as you might have guessed, he also happens to be the son of legendary genre scribe, RICHARD MATHESON (THE TWILIGHT ZONE, I AM LEGEND, HELL HOUSE). RC shared a unique bond with his father, which may lead you to muse, "Why couldn't he have been my dad?"
We know you will enjoy Mr. Matheson's many insights on the creative process, writing for television, finessing screenplays, the art of comedy, utilizing music, navigating the perils of the entertainment industry, and so much more!
SO GET TO LISTENING! THE TALENT OF R.C. MATHESON COMPELS YOU!
Guest(s): Richard Christian Matheson
Follow RCM: Richard Christian Matheson | Richard Christian Matheson | Writer, Additional Crew, Producer
EPISODE SUMMARY:
A Telling Accusation: As a seventh-grader, Matheson was called to the principal's office after being accused of having his famous father write a book report for him. While his mother was offended, he considered it a great compliment and an early sign he was "in the groove" as a writer.
The Horror of the Unknown: Matheson shares the story of his father, Richard Matheson, pitching the idea for Duel. Studio executives couldn't grasp the concept and repeatedly asked for a motive for the truck driver, but his father insisted that the terror comes from not knowing the reason for the attack.
Writing Without Words: When adapting Stephen King's short story "Battleground," Matheson had a revelation that the script needed no dialogue at all. The studio was thrilled with the idea, and the resulting dialogue-free episode, starring William Hurt, went on to win two Emmy awards.
The Rhythm of Writing: Matheson discusses the strong connection between writing and music, noting how many comedy writers and performers are also drummers, including Johnny Carson and Fred Armisen. He believes playing an instrument helps a writer understand cadence and rhythm, which is crucial for crafting effective dialogue and prose.
The Perils of Used Furniture: The hosts and Matheson find common ground in their terror of buying used mattresses. This leads to a discussion about how murder scenes and places of intense trauma can retain a palpable negative energy, with Matheson sharing his own experiences feeling ill in homes where tragedies had occurred.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:57 The hosts introduce themselves as Matt Weinhold, Shawn Sheridan, Larry Strove, and James Gonas.
00:01:13 Shawn Sheridan formally introduces the special guest, writer and producer Richard Christian Matheson, listing some of his many credits in film, television, and literature.
00:02:50 Richard Christian Matheson discusses his early inspirations for writing, crediting his father's profound influence and his mother's insight into human drama and conflict.
00:04:07 Matheson recalls being called to the principal's office in seventh grade, accused of having his famous father write a book report for him, which he took as a great compliment.
00:08:24 He explains his particular interest in psychological horror and "magic realism," where a single strange element is introduced into an otherwise normal reality.
00:15:00 Matheson details his philosophy on "trapdoor endings," learned from his father, explaining that a truly effective twist not only surprises the reader but also redefines the meaning of the entire story.
00:23:40 He shares the inspiration and minimalist technique behind his famous one-word-paragraph story, "Vampire," which he edited down from a 12-page story to its final, sparse form.
00:31:14 Matheson tells an anecdote about once owning a jacket worn by a munchkin in The Wizard of Oz, which still had "munchkin sweat" on it.
00:32:17 Matheson discusses the challenges of being a Hollywood screenwriter, contrasting the collaborative, high-pressure "writer's room" of television with the higher stakes and executive egos involved in feature films.
00:45:40 He describes his process for adapting Stephen King's "Battleground," where he made the creative decision to write the entire episode without any dialogue. The episode went on to win two Emmys.
00:55:24 He recounts the origin of his father's classic story Duel, which was inspired by a real-life tailgating incident and was initially rejected by studios because they wanted a clear motive for the truck driver's aggression.
01:03:23 Matheson talks about his experience as a story editor on The A-Team and working under his mentor, the legendary producer Stephen J. Cannell.
01:08:53 He shares the story of how he studied drumming for a year with the legendary and notoriously difficult Ginger Baker from the band Cream.
01:14:46 The hosts ask Matheson about his experiences working with famously difficult actors, including George Peppard on The A-Team and Bill Bixby on The Incredible Hulk.
01:18:40 Matheson offers advice to aspiring writers, emphasizing that while a strong work ethic is crucial, success ultimately depends on having a unique and distinct voice that sets one apart.
01:36:35 He explains his theory on why playing a musical instrument, especially the drums, is beneficial for writers, as it helps develop an innate sense of rhythm and timing essential for good prose and dialogue.
01:50:20 Matheson announces he has produced a French remake of his father's novel The Shrinking Man, starring Jean Dujardin, and praises the script for focusing on the character's emotional journey rather than just the gimmick.
RESOURCES/LINKS MENTIONED:
Films
Full Eclipse: Mentioned as one of Richard Christian Matheson's (R.C.M.) writing credits. It's a TV movie about a team of L.A. cops who are werewolves.
Three O'Clock High: Listed as one of R.C.M.'s credits. It is later discussed as a spec script that was successfully protected by producer Steven Spielberg, ensuring the final film remained close to the original vision.
Loose Cannons: A Gene Hackman and Dan Aykroyd comedy mentioned as one of R.C.M.'s writing credits. He co-wrote it with his father. He later details how the script was significantly altered from their original concept, particularly by Dan Aykroyd, who added a subplot about a porno film starring Adolf Hitler.
It Waits: A horror film listed among R.C.M.'s credits.
Big Driver: Mentioned as a film R.C.M. wrote, based on a Stephen King story.
The Red Shoes: R.C.M. realizes his short story "Third Wind," about a man who can't stop jogging, was likely derived from this film's theme of a character who cannot stop dancing.
Arsenic and Old Lace: The film is used as a point of comparison for R.C.M.'s short story "Shutterbugs".
Seconds: Mentioned during a discussion about the film Duel, when the hosts agree that Rock Hudson, who starred in Seconds, would have been great in the lead role.
Jaws: R.C.M.'s father's film Duel is described as a precursor to Jaws, and the hosts speculate that Spielberg's work on Duel is what led to him being hired to direct Jaws.
No One Will Save You: A recent (2023) film mentioned as an example of a successful movie with almost no dialogue.
Psycho: Used as an example in a debate about the necessity of dialogue. One host argues that the psychiatrist's explanation at the end of the film is essential for the audience to understand Norman Bates's psychology.
The Birds: The film becomes a central point in a debate about ambiguity in horror. One host argues for the need for an explanation as to why the birds attack , while R.C.M. counters that withholding that information is precisely what makes the film terrifying. He also shares that his father met with Hitchcock and suggested holding off the bird attacks for as long as possible to build suspense.
Once Upon a time in the West: Cited as an example of a film that uses long sequences with very little dialogue to great effect.
The Player: R.C.M. says this film is a fairly accurate reflection of the nervousness and insecurity of Hollywood film executives.
Taxi Driver and Goodfellas: Mentioned as films by Martin Scorsese, who R.C.M. notes is one of the few filmmakers in Hollywood who effectively uses voiceover, a technique he personally loves.
Die Hard: Used as an example of a film that is so visually clear in its action and plot that it could potentially be made with no dialogue. The short story "Battleground" is also described as "Die Hard meets Toy Story".
The Odd Couple: Referenced as a classic TV show that is almost entirely driven by dialogue, with the two main characters constantly haggling.
Breakfast at Tiffany's and The Blue Max: Two of George Peppard's earlier, more prestigious films that R.C.M. wondered if they made the actor feel like he was "slumming" by starring in The A-Team.
All That Jazz: The film is referenced to illustrate the point about the limits of talent; a character is told, "I can't promise you I'll make you a good dancer, but I'll make you a better dancer".
The Godfather: Mentioned in the context that both Al Pacino and Marlon Brando were actors the studio initially didn't want for the film, and Francis Ford Coppola had to fight for them.
What Dreams May Come: A host shares an anecdote about meeting Richard Matheson, who, when praised by a fan for the film adaptation of his book, bluntly replied, "I thought it was a piece of shit".
The Incredible Shrinking Man: R.C.M. mentions that he is producing a French remake of the film based on his father's novel. He contrasts the philosophical and heartbreaking nature of the original book and first film with less successful adaptations that focused only on the gimmick.
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and Downsizing (referred to as "Small World"): Mentioned as other "shrinking" films that hinge on the central gimmick rather than the deeper, more painful themes of loss explored in his father's novel.
The Incredible Shrinking Woman: R.C.M. calls this Lily Tomlin film "awful" and says it completely missed the point of the original story.
The Artist and The Wolf of Wall Street: Actor Jean Dujardin, the star of the new Shrinking Man remake, is noted for winning an Oscar for The Artist and for his role as a Swiss banker in The Wolf of Wall Street.
Blade Runner 2049: Mentioned in jest as part of a description of the podcast's Patreon bonus content.
Minecraft: The Movie: Discussed by the hosts at the end of the show; one host saw it with his daughter and found it fun, leading to some light-hearted debate.
Poltergeist and An American Werewolf in London: Mentioned as classic horror films that the hosts have had surprising disagreements over.
House of Usher: A host mentions getting his two-sheet poster for this film signed by Richard Matheson.
Television
Masters of Horror: Mentioned as a genre anthology series for which Richard Christian Matheson (R.C.M.) has written.
Nightmares and Dreamscapes from the Stories of Stephen King: Listed as a genre anthology series R.C.M. has written for. He later discusses in detail his experience adapting the Stephen King story "Battleground" for this series, famously writing the script with no dialogue.
Amazing Stories: Mentioned as one of the many genre anthology TV series R.C.M. has written for.
The Twilight Zone: The hosts compare R.C.M.'s short stories to Twilight Zone episodes due to their surprising and thought-provoking endings. The episode "The Invaders" is also cited as a parallel to the dialogue-free story in "Battleground".
Magnum, P.I.: R.C.M. uses the show as an example when explaining that TV writers must pitch stories centered on the established main characters, not new ones. He also praises the original series for its effective use of voiceover.
Night Gallery: The episode directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Joan Crawford is mentioned as a key reason he was hired to direct the film Duel.
The Bob Newhart Show: Referenced as a classic, dialogue-driven sitcom with perfect comedic timing.
The Odd Couple: Mentioned as a favorite show that is driven entirely by the dialogue and haggling between the two leads.
Quincy, M.E.: R.C.M. reveals that he was the head writer for the show at the young age of 21.
The Rockford Files: Named as a show created by Stephen J. Cannell, whom R.C.M. considered a hero and mentor.
Quantum Leap: Mentioned as a series created by Don Bellisario, a writer R.C.M. worked with early in his career.
The A-Team: R.C.M. discusses his extensive experience as a story editor on the show, for which he wrote 30 episodes. He notes it was the number one show in the world at the time. He also confirms that star George Peppard was very difficult to work with.
Baywatch: Compared to The A-Team as another show that became a massive, worldwide phenomenon.
Hunter: Mentioned as another successful show created by Frank Lupo at Stephen J. Cannell's production company.
Wiseguy: Named as another hit show from Stephen J. Cannell's company.
Columbo: A host notes that Stephen J. Cannell wrote some of the best episodes of the series.
Mission: Impossible: R.C.M. tells a story about having an office next to the creators of the show, who told him that crafting their famously intricate plots involved sitting in "dead silence" for hours at a time.
Frasier: Used as an example to explain the dynamic of a half-hour comedy "writer's room," where the staff collectively punches up a script on a monitor.
Banacek: A host jokes about George Peppard's ego by saying, "It's all about Banachek," referencing his earlier TV role.
The Courtship of Eddie's Father: Mentioned as a project that contributed to Bill Bixby's lovable public persona, which R.C.M. says was contrary to his difficult nature in a working situation
The Incredible Hulk: R.C.M. is asked about working on the show and confirms that, contrary to his friendly on-screen persona, star Bill Bixby was difficult to work with
Books & Other Media
Created By and The Ritual of Illusion: R.C.M.'s novels, listed as part of his writing credits.
Dystopia and Scars and Other Distinguishing Marks: R.C.M.'s short story collections, listed as part of his credits. When discussing the collection Dystopia, one of the hosts mentions being impressed by R.C.M.'s ability to explore the last thoughts of a kidnap victim.
"Shutterbugs": A short story from R.C.M.'s collection Dystopia. He discusses how the story, about two seemingly sweet but secretly cruel old ladies, was later developed into a potential half-hour TV episode.
"Third Wind": Another of R.C.M.'s short stories that one of the hosts particularly liked. The story is about a driven, L.A.-lawyer type who discovers he can't stop jogging.
"Holiday": One of R.C.M.'s favorite stories from his collection. It's about a man on a tropical holiday who meets an older man claiming to be Santa Claus. R.C.M. notes it was also made into a short film that used to air on HBO annually.
Zoopraxis: R.C.M.'s new short story collection, set to be released soon. He mentions that the new edition has expanded from 23 to 35 stories. He plugs it at the end of the show, spelling out the title.
"Region of the Flesh": Described as one of R.C.M.'s darkest stories. It's about a man who buys a used bed where a murder occurred and starts to identify with both the victim and the killer.
"Vampire": A well-known story by R.C.M. that is told entirely in one-word paragraphs. He explains that it was originally a 12-page story that he kept cutting down until only the most evocative words remained. The story is about a "grief vampire" who feeds on the energy left behind at the scene of a death.
LA Weekly: R.C.M. mentions seeing a classified ad in this paper that led to him taking drumming lessons with Ginger Baker from the band Cream.
Elizabeth Ashley's Autobiography: R.C.M. references her book while discussing actor George Peppard, noting that Ashley wrote about him hitting her with a hot frying pan during their marriage.
The Shrinking Man: The novel by R.C.M.'s father, Richard Matheson. R.C.M. discusses how the book is not just about the gimmick of shrinking but is a philosophical and heartbreaking story about loss, especially from a male perspective.
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