So You Want to Know the Origins of Halloween, Huh?

If you're asking about the origins of Halloween, buckle up for a ride that combines ancient traditions with modern pop culture madness. Halloween started as a way to ward off evil spirits, a tradition tied to the Celtic festival of Samhain. Back in the day, they believed the boundary between the living and dead blurred on October 31st. So, people dressed up in costumes to scare away the restless spirits. But, let’s be real—who wouldn’t want to scare off real-life problems, too?

And then there’s candy corn. Did you know it used to be called chicken feed? Yep, the sugary kernels had a marketing slogan that said something like, “Something to crow about.” Imagine that—chowing down on a candy that used to be branded as something you’d toss to chickens. It was always candy, though—no actual chicken feed involved, just a quirky name.

Moving on, we’ve got the apple bobbing thing. Once upon a time, people believed they could predict their future partners by bobbing for apples marked with names. So, in a way, it was a form of matchmaking—kind of like a low-tech dating app. Pretty wild, right?

But enough history. Let’s jump into some spooky media and see what’s shaking in the world of Halloween TV and movies. One revival that’s got people buzzing is Regular Show, and yes, Mark Hamill is coming back to voice Skips. Regular Show always had those weird, spooky episodes that fit perfectly into Halloween viewing. If you haven’t seen it, it’s about two park employees, Mordecai (a blue jay) and Rigby (a raccoon-ish thing), who deal with a bizarre boss who’s a gumball machine. Weird? Absolutely. Entertaining? You bet.

Speaking of spooky, Marvel is making a push for Hugh Jackman to get an Oscar nod for his upcoming role as Wolverine in Deadpool 3. While I’m not sure it’s the kind of movie that screams "Oscar buzz," it’s always good to see Jackman get recognition.

Now, let’s shift gears to some Halloween must-watch material: AMC’s Fear Fest. This year’s lineup includes themed days for horror franchises like Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, and a John Carpenter day. One of the highlights is Halloween 4—definitely one to add to your watchlist if you're planning on binging some Michael Myers before the 31st.

Oh, and I couldn’t forget Cheerleader Camp (1988), our movie of the week. It's one of those classic ‘80s slasher flicks where cheerleaders get picked off one by one at, you guessed it, a cheerleader camp. It’s sleazy, ridiculous, and full of over-the-top moments that make it a staple on many people’s ‘so-bad-it’s-good’ lists. My favorite part? A character named Mad Dog and the bizarre mascot etiquette training scene. Oh, and there’s this hilariously absurd line where one girl insults another by saying, “I’ll drop dead if you’ve ever tried head.” Yup, that’s the kind of dialogue you’re in for.

If that’s not your cup of Halloween tea, there’s also a new Salem’s Lot adaptation dropping on Max soon. It’s a reimagining of Stephen King’s vampire tale, perfect for spooky season viewing.

So, whether you’re bobbing for apples, avoiding candy corn (aka chicken feed), or binge-watching horror classics, Halloween offers something for everyone. Stay tuned for more spooky fun, and grab that popcorn—it’s going to be a fright-filled ride!