BenDeLaCreme & Jinx Monsoon Talk Gremlins, Drag History, and Holiday Trauma

What happens when two drag icons dive deep into 1980s creature-feature camp? In this episode of The Spark Parade, host Adam is joined by the legendary BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon to discuss the ultimate dark-holiday classic: Gremlins.

Tune in as BenDeLaCreme shares how the film sparked her lifelong love of horror-comedy and trauma processing through laughter, while Jinkx Monsoon acts as an ally of the "Gremlin community" and explains the monumental drag/trans icon status of Greta the Gremlin. From practical effects and Phoebe Cates's unforgettable chimney monologue to the chaotic brilliance of Gremlins 2 and planning anti-holiday stage shows, this conversation is packed with laughs, nostalgia and plenty of camp.

Highlights Include:

• Why Gremlins is the ultimate anti-holiday movie for people who hate Christmas.
• Deconstructing Phoebe Cates's jaw-dropping childhood trauma monologue.
• Jinkx and Dela on how Gremlins 2 serves up meta-humor, world-building, and early drag representation.
• The secret to mixing bubblegum pop with filthy, subversively festive humor (like "Krampus Daddy").
• Hopes, fears, and apocalyptic timelines for the upcoming Gremlins 3.

Connect with the Guests:

• Follow BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon at jinkxanddela.com and catch their latest theatrical holiday spectacular on tour!

The Spark Parade is a podcast that dives deep into the films and albums that have inspired today’s creative icons. Hosted by Adam Unze, each episode features a unique conversation with an artist about their chosen film or album, and how it sparked their artistic journey.

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