Coolest Alive

It's episode #330 of Coolest Alive! Yea! And, there is a NEW Muppet Show?! And it's GOOD...?!?! (Sabrina Carpenter, Seth Rogan & Maya Rudolph Guest Star!) It's back! The Muppet Show, with their special guest star, Sabrina Carpenter, in a glorious "Force Awakens" like return to so-called "force". Clever musical numbers, cute sketches, and a cast of characters including Kermit, Fozzie, Bunsen, Beaker, Gonzo, Rizzo, Bobo, Pepe, Janice, Miss Piggy, and MAAAANY MORE! You might say the backgrounds are FILLED with "member-berries". Join host Jesse Blaze Snider as he talks about his love of Jim Henson and all things Muppets, from writing Muppet Snow White for Boom Studios, pitching himself as a Muppets writer to Muppet Captain, Bill Barretta, and generally the up & down ride he's had as a fan since Disney bought them. And even offers up his professional take on just exactly what makes the heart of the Muppets' beat.

It's PEOPLE HUNTIN' WEEK on Coolest Alive! Bringing you 5 Days of Humans Hunting Humans, concluding with "Ready or Not"! Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, a bride, played by Samara Weaving, discovers that her new in-laws’ wedding tradition is a lethal game of hide-and-seek. If she survives until dawn, she lives. What begins as a darkly comic survival horror becomes a razor-sharp satire about wealth, family loyalty, and the violence lurking beneath old-money privilege. Join Jesse Blaze Snider as he discusses its greatness.

It's PEOPLE HUNTIN' WEEK on Coolest Alive! Bringing you 5 Days of Humans Hunting Humans, continuing with the chaotic cult comedy "The Pest"! John Leguizamo plays a fast-talking con man who agrees to be hunted for $50,000 by a deranged German aristocrat, portrayed by the late Jeffrey Jones. Released by TriStar Pictures, it turns the deadly-hunt premise into manic cartoon absurdity, slapstick survival instead of suspense, John Leguizamo's Pest is as to a Puerto Rican Ace Ventura. It remains one of the most divisive '90s comedies ever made, but NOT to the Coolest Man Alive! Join Jesse Blaze Snider as he explains exactly why... they're ALL WRONG!

It's PEOPLE HUNTIN' WEEK on Coolest Alive! Bringing you 5 Days of Humans Hunting Humans, continuing with episode #327, a WWE-produced film, starring Stone Cold Steve Austin, "The Condemned", which takes the concept of people huntin' global: death row inmates are dropped onto a remote island and forced to fight to the death while the world watches online. Directed by Scott Wiper, it’s a brutal, mid-2000s spin on reality TV culture, internet voyeurism, and gladiator spectacle, a precursor to mainstream Western battle-royale mania. Join Jesse Blaze Snider as we discuss.

It's PEOPLE HUNTIN' WEEK on Coolest Alive! Bringing you 5 Days of Humans Hunting Humans, continuing with "Surviving the Game", which drops Ice-T into the wilderness as a homeless man lured into what he thinks is a survival retreat, only to learn he’s prey for a group of rich businessmen led by Rutger Hauer and Gary Busey. Directed by Ernest R. Dickerson, the film blends pulp thriller energy with class-war commentary, asking what happens when the powerful treat human beings like disposable trophies. Join Jesse Blaze Snider as we discuss.

It's PEOPLE HUNTIN' WEEK on Coolest Alive! Bringing you 5 Days of Humans Hunting Humans, starting with John Woo's work of cinematic art, "Hard Target". Jean-Claude Van Damme plays a drifter who discovers that wealthy thrill-seekers in New Orleans are paying to hunt homeless men for sport. When a woman searching for her missing father uncovers the deadly game, Van Damme’s Cajun street fighter turns the hunt back on the hunters in a slow-motion, shotgun-blasting ballet of '90s excess. It’s operatic, sweaty, and pure action mythology, the modern Hollywood revival of “The Most Dangerous Game.” Join Jesse Blaze Snider as we discuss.

On episode #324 of Coolest Alive, host Jesse Blaze Snider brings one of his best friends & BIGGEST INSPIRATIONS, the incredible "Digger Mesch" onto the show to compare & contrast the Toy Industry of the Early 90s w/ the Modern Toy Industry! As well as share stories of Art School, pursuing work with Marvel through ToyBiz, building his own company Art Asylum & now "DIGG DEEP" and speculating where the industry may go tomorrow! It's a rare interview episode of Coolest Alive, featuring one of the Coolest Man Alive's greatest heroes as a guest! Don't miss out.

On episode #323 of Coolest Alive, host Jesse Blaze Snider says, "If you want to pretend to be a mutant-animal, then you gotta play the TMNT RPG & 'After the Bomb' from Palladium Books!" The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness RPG, released in 1985, was a groundbreaking tabletop game that captured the gritty, underground feel of the original TMNT comics by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. Players could create their own mutant animals, from anthropomorphic reptiles to bizarre creatures, and adventure through a world filled with crime, danger, and the ever-present threat of authority. Utilizing Palladium’s Megaversal system, the game set the tone for a unique, darker take on the TMNT universe, deviating from the later, more kid-friendly cartoon. This RPG became a cult classic, influencing the way comic adaptations were approached in gaming and inspiring a wave of similar mutant-based RPGs, including its spiritual successor, After the Bomb.

On this episode of The Coolest Alive, host Jesse Blaze Snider shares one of the Greatest Characters Ever Filmed. Cool Hand Luke (1967) is a defining film of the 1960s, starring Paul Newman as the rebellious and charismatic Luke Jackson, a man sent to a Florida chain gang for a minor offense. Luke’s indomitable spirit and refusal to submit to authority make him a hero to his fellow inmates and a thorn in the side of the prison’s oppressive warden, played by Strother Martin. The film is a meditation on freedom, individualism, and the human spirit, famously capturing Luke’s defiance with the iconic line, “What we’ve got here is failure to communicate.” Cool Hand Luke earned Newman an Academy Award nomination and won George Kennedy an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, cementing the film’s status as a classic of American cinema.

On this episode of Coolest Alive, host Jesse Blaze Snider explains why “Preacher: Gone to Texas” is the best gift for all Absurdist Atheists in your life! Preacher: Vol. 1 – Gone to Texas (1996) introduces readers to Jesse Custer, a small-town preacher who becomes the unlikely protagonist in a dark, violent, and often satirical journey. Written by Garth Ennis and illustrated by Steve Dillon, this volume kicks off the series with Jesse’s encounter with a mysterious being named Genesis, which grants him the “Word of God,” a power to make anyone obey his commands. As he embarks on a mission to find God, he’s joined by his ex-girlfriend Tulip and the Irish vampire Cassidy. The series blends horror, dark humor, and Western tropes to explore themes of faith, redemption, and morality, quickly establishing itself as a cult classic in the comic book world.

On episode #320 of Coolest Alive, host Jesse Blaze Snider is gushing about "Over the Hedge" (2006), a comedic animated film from DreamWorks Animation, an instant classic you probably MISSED! The movie follows a group of forest animals as they navigate the perils of suburban life. Led by the savvy raccoon RJ (voiced by Bruce Willis), the gang must adapt to the human-made environment while avoiding traps, garbage, and the overbearing HOA rules. Filled with slapstick humor and social commentary, Over the Hedge explores consumerism and environmentalism, offering a fun and lighthearted look at the clash between nature and human society. With a star-studded cast, including Steve Carell, Garry Shandling, and Wanda Sykes, the film was a box office hit and became a family favorite, balancing sharp wit with visual gags and a heartwarming message about community.

On this episode of Coolest Alive, host Jesse Blaze Snider is having Musid day with the Greatest 80’s Metal Album EVER?! (Twisted Sister’s “You Can’t Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll” brings Personal Empowerment!) Released in 1983, You Can’t Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll is the second studio album by the heavy metal band Twisted Sister, a landmark in their rise to fame. With Dee Snider’s unforgettable vocals and high-energy anthems, the album showcased the band’s blend of glam, hard rock, and rebellious spirit, featuring tracks like “I Am (I’m Me)” and “The Kids Are Back.” Though it didn’t hit the mainstream charts immediately, it helped establish Twisted Sister as a major force in the 1980s rock scene, setting the stage for their later breakthrough with Stay Hungry and their iconic MTV presence. It’s a defiant statement on individuality and the power of rock music, carried by their electrifying live performances and punk-infused attitude.

In episode #318 of COOLEST ALIVE, host Jesse Blaze Snider, in anticipation of Lobo’s big-screen debut in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, is celebrating the Main Man himself, the galaxy’s loudest, nastiest, most indestructible bounty hunter. From his brutal first appearance in Omega Men to his unhinged ‘90s glory days in Lobo, and his scene-stealing turns in Superman: The Animated Series and Superman: Man of Tomorrow, we’re spotlighting the blood-soaked brilliance that made Lobo a cult icon. We’ll revisit his wildest hunts, his most savage one-liners, and the chaotic charm that turned a space villain into DC’s ultimate antihero. Frag grenades, space dolphins, Czarnian carnage; it’s all here. The Main Man is coming. Let’s celebrate the best of Lobo before he crashes into Supergirl’s universe.

In this episode of Coolest Alive, host Jesse Blaze Snider talks about Marathon Man (1974) by William Goldman, a gripping conspiracy thriller that follows grad student and runner Tom “Babe” Levy as he’s pulled into a deadly plot involving Nazi war criminals, stolen diamonds, and a sadistic ex-dentist. Haunted by his father’s suicide, Babe faces betrayal, paranoia, and torture in a relentless race for survival. A huge bestseller that inspired the iconic 1976 film, Goldman’s taut novel remains a benchmark of 1970s suspense. We break down its twists, tension, and why it’s still a heart-pounding classic.

On this episode of the Coolest Alive, host Jesse Blaze Snider talks about Antlers (2021), produced by Guillermo del Toro and directed by Scott Cooper, which is a chilling folk-horror tale set in a decaying Oregon town. Teacher Julia Meadows (Keri Russell) and her sheriff brother Paul (Jesse Plemons) investigate a troubled student tied to a tragic, wendigo-like creature born from family trauma and desperation. Atmospheric, slow-burn suspense meets visceral creature design in this modern monster story. We explore its eerie blend of myth, rural decay, and primal fear that lingers long after the screen fades.

On this episode of Coolest Alive, Jesse Blaze Snider talks about Green Lantern: Rebirth (2004–2005), which is Geoff Johns’ 6-issue miniseries that brought Hal Jordan back from exile, retconned Parallax as a fear entity, and relaunched the Green Lantern Corps. Drawn by Ethan Van Sciver, it reintroduces the Guardians, Kilowog, Sinestro, and the seeds of the Emotional Spectrum. A massive sales hit that revitalized the franchise and set up major DC events, this story is a cornerstone of modern cosmic heroism. We unpack Hal’s redemption, the power of will, and why Rebirth changed Green Lantern forever.

On this episode of Coolest Alive, Jesse Blaze Snider explores the brutal power of Hulk Vs. (2009), a double-feature animated anthology pitting the unstoppable Hulk against Wolverine and Thor. In one story, Logan hunts the Hulk through the Canadian wilderness in a savage, Weapon X-tinged clash. In the other, Thor battles the green giant amid Loki’s schemes on Asgard. With voices by Fred Tatasciore (Hulk), Steven Blum (Wolverine), and Matthew Wolf (Thor), this PG-13 Marvel Animation release delivers intense, dialogue-light fights and mature action. We dive into why these high-stakes battles remain a fan-favorite showcase of rage and destruction.

On episode #313 of Coolest Alive, host Jesse Blaze Snider dives into the soulful, high-energy world of The Blues Brothers Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1980): the explosive album that turned a Saturday Night Live sketch into a cultural phenomenon and revived classic blues and R&B for a whole new generation. Join us as we break down this iconic double-platinum (and beyond) release from Atlantic Records, featuring Jake and Elwood Blues (John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd) backed by an all-star band of Stax legends like Steve “The Colonel” Cropper, Donald “Duck” Dunn, Matt “Guitar” Murphy, and the killer horn section of Blue Lou Marini, Tom Malone, and Alan Rubin. We’ll spotlight the standout tracks: the swinging “Peter Gunn Theme”, and unforgettable guest performances from legends including Ray Charles on “Shake a Tail Feather”, Aretha Franklin’s fiery “Think”, James Brown’s electrifying “The Old Landmark”, and of course, Cab Calloway’s timeless “Minnie the Moocher”. From the “mission from God” lore to the musicianship behind the comedy, we celebrate why this album remains one of the greatest soundtracks ever made: a joyous, foot-stomping celebration of rhythm and blues and unbridled enthusiasm. Whether you’re a longtime fan quoting lines from the movie or discovering the music for the first time, this episode is your ticket to the party. Put on your shades, hit play, and let’s get on the good foot!

Cowabunga, dudes! Coolest Alive is going full shell-shocked celebration mode for the greatest heroes in a half-shell: the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Join me as I geek out over EVERY epic moment, character, cartoon, movie, comic, and pizza-fueled adventure that’s ever rocked my world. From the original gritty Mirage comics to the radical ‘80s/‘90s cartoon classics, the live-action films that still hold up, and all the wild iterations in between…this is my ultimate love letter to Leonardo’s leadership, Michelangelo’s party energy, Donatello’s tech genius, Raphael’s attitude, and Master Splinter’s wisdom. We’re talking the coolest fights, the best one-liners, the most bodacious villains (Shredder forever!), and why these four mutated brothers have been one of the raddest parts of my existence since day one. Grab your nunchucks, order extra pizza, and get ready to feel the turtle power, because this episode is 100% Cowabunga certified and all about why TMNT is, and always will be, the coolest alive!

In episode #311 of the Coolest Alive, Jesse's wildcard pick, Twisted Sister’s Come Out and Play Music Video Collection, capturing the band’s over-the-top 1980s glam-metal energy through iconic videos tied to their album era, featuring Dee Snider’s larger-than-life presence in comedic setups like scrapyard advice sessions and schoolyard rebellion, all set to anthems that mix heavy riffs with playful, rebellious spirit in a nostalgic visual package, featuring a slew of memorable cameos.

In this episode of Coolest Alive, Jesse highlights the live-action thriller The Rip, starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck as Miami cop partners whose discovery of millions in cash inside a stash house unravels trust within their team, blending gritty heist tension, sharp banter, and moral ambiguity in a high-stakes Netflix original that delivers rogue-cop drama with explosive action and a killer ensemble cast.

In episode #309 of Coolest Alive, Jesse Blaze Snider shines a light on Batman: Three Jokers graphic novel, where Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok deliver a gripping, emotional deep dive into the Clown Prince of Crime by revealing three distinct versions of the Joker haunting Gotham, forcing Batman, Batgirl, and Red Hood to confront their traumas and the twisted legacy of the villain in a story that reexamines decades of Batman lore with stunning art and psychological intensity.

In this episode of Coolest Alive, Jesse Blaze Snider dives into the animated masterpiece South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, celebrating its bold, musical satire that turned the show’s crude humor into a full-blown feature film packed with hilarious songs, sharp jabs at censorship and celebrity, and unforgettable chaos as the boys sneak into an R-rated movie, leading to war with Canada in one of the most irreverent and quotable animated comedies ever made.

In episode #307 of Coolest Alive, Jesse Blaze Snider spotlights the high-energy 2004 self-titled debut album from The F-Ups, a mohawked punk-pop outfit of teenagers who burst onto the scene with raw, rebellious anthems like “Lazy Generation” that landed in video games and captured the spirit of early-2000s skate-punk attitude, blending catchy hooks, snotty lyrics, and unpolished fun that still feels fresh for fans craving that Warped Tour-era vibe.

On this episode of Coolest Alive, host Jesse Blaze Snider is digging into the mythic fault line that runs through modern fandom, starting with what Disney actually ignored when they bought Star Wars: George Lucas. He didn’t just hand over assets and a logo. He left behind story notes, a full plan for the sequel trilogy, a fully written live-action TV series, and a deeper vision of the Force. It was tossed aside in favor of safe nostalgia and brand management. What was Lucas’s Star Wars meant to become? Why was it “too risky,” and how did not going with his plan fracture the shared cultural myth that once held generations together? Plus, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy face-planted on YouTube, and a random channel posted a Spock action figure and beat it. One thing is for sure, Star Wars & Star Trek need an overall & the Coolest Geek Alive knows just what to do!