To bring another month of all things Upstate and spooky, we're taking a look the influence Upstate NY has had on horror films over the decades. It's often used as a location in movies (horror and otherwise), but we wanted to dig into how Upstate NY has been used as a source. What major film studio got its start Upstate with a slasher flick? Who is the Horror Laureate of Upstate NY? (It ain't Arch Merrill!) What famous director was inspired by his time Upstate to change careers and pivoted into creating horror movies? Start listening to find out!
Check out Rob's brand new EP: Cyber Punish
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Learn all about the behind-the-scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
Our spooky marathon of episodes continues as we take a look at some of the Urban (and rural) legends of Upstate NY, and in one particular case, we examine a legend's origins and the ramifications it has on a small town. We'll also learn that much like their corporal counterparts, not even Binghamton ghosts are to be trifled with!
Check out Rob's brand new EP: Cyber Punish
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Learn all about the behind-the-scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
This week we are serving up five different true tales from Upstate New York that will have you quaking in your boots, shaking in your shoes, shivering in your slippers, cowering in your clogs, shrieking in your sneakers... I think you get the idea. From unsanctioned (and VERY unethical) medical experiments, to cursed manors, and more, there's more than enough real horror in this week's episode to leave you shuddering in your sandals (couldn't resist one more).
Check out Rob's brand new EP: Cyber Punish
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Learn all about the behind-the-scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
On this week's episode Jim and Rob take a look at the skeletons in the closet (and basement) of the clairvoyant, toe tapping, and knee cracking, Fox Sisters, and learn about the Upstate origins of modern day Spiritualism. We dive into the Fox Sister's history of being some of the first clairvoyants to give public performances, and look into the MANY failed performances by their piers from Buffalo, the Davenport Brothers.
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Also check out Rob's album: NY Sticky
Learn all about the behind-the-scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
Pull up a chair and pop a squat as Jim regales us with his experience covering SerlingFest 2025 in Binghamton, NY. Sit back, relax, and smoke if you got 'em, cause Rod certainly would of. Enjoy!
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Also check out Rob's album: NY Sticky
Learn all about the behind-the-scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
The big 100th episode is here! Come take a guided tour with the fellas as they take a stroll through the Upstate institution Wegmans in Brooklyn. There's so much excitement awaiting...enjoy it!
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Also check out Rob's album: NY Sticky
Learn all about the behind-the-scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
That's right folks...we are taking a step back in time to one of our classic episodes. We are revisiting the Upstate grocery store institution, Wegmans. Grab your coupons and come enjoy it!
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Also check out Rob's album: NY Sticky
Learn all about the behind-the-scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
This week, we had the honor and privilege to sit down (virtually) and talk with Nick Parisi, the president of the Rod Serling Foundation. Learn all about Rod's legacy, the Twilight Zone, the statue in Rec Park and of course, why you should DEFINITELY be in attendance for SerlingFest 2025!
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Also check out Rob's album: NY Sticky
Learn all about the behind-the-scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
Buy tickets for SerlingFest 2025: https://rodserling.com/serlingfest-2025-tickets-on-sale-now/
Check out the Rod Serling Memorial Foundaiton: https://www.rodserling.com/
Get your barrels ready to head over the Niagara Falls with this one Spiedie Freaks and Rattlesnake Pete's! We've got a scientific and cultural breakdown of one of Upstate New York's most majestic landmarks!
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Also check out Rob's album: NY Sticky
Learn all about the behind-the-scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
This week we take a look at a pivotal time leading up to the Civil Rights Movement in America, the Niagara Movement. Get out your notebooks, folks, we've got a lot of gems here for you!
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Also check out Rob's album: NY Sticky
Learn all about the behind-the-scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
This week we take a dip in the refreshing waters of Saratoga Springs and tap into what makes this city great. From bottled water to a bounty of horse racing and botched runaway attempts we'll satiate your thirst for all things Saratoga Springs!
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Also check out Rob's album: NY Sticky
Learn all about the behind the scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
This week we're swinging back through Binghamton to check out Zoo number two on Understanding Upstate, and learn all about the FIFTH zoo to ever open in the United States: Ross Park Zoo. As ever, this zoo does not disappoint, and makes for a wild episode. Zets!
As always, if you want to suggest a topic for future episode, leave us a 5 star rating, write a positive review and toss in your suggestion!
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Also check out Rob's album: NY Sticky
Learn all about the behind the scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
This week we pack up our VW bus and head to Upstate, NY as we examine the groovy time that was had at Woodstock. While the festival looms large as a definitive moment in pop culture history, the festival almost didn't happen, several times! So hitch a ride as we dive into the iconic Woodstock music festival!
As always, if you want to suggest a topic for future episode, leave us a 5 star rating, write a positive review and toss in your suggestion!
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Also check out Rob's album: NY Sticky
Learn all about the behind the scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
This week we debut a new episode format as we survey the great city of Ithaca, NY. From it's rowdier days when it was known as "Gamora", to it's unfortunate typhoid boom, and everything else in between, Jim and Rob get to the bottom of what makes Ithaca a gem in Upstate NY's crown.
As always, if you want to suggest a topic for future episode, leave us a 5 star rating, write a positive review and toss in your suggestion!
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Also check out Rob's album: NY Sticky
Learn all about the behind the scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
This week we take a trip to visit the oldest state fair in the United States, that s right we're headed to the Great New York State Fair! We cover a LOT of ground this episode, from Dairy Queens, to daredevils, and derechos, Rob and Jim examine what makes this fair so great. Miraculously, they also have stumbled upon a topic that can only be rivaled by canals when it comes to Rob's fanatical devotion.
As always, if you want to suggest a topic for future episode, leave us a 5 star rating, write a positive review and toss in your suggestion!
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Also check out Rob's album: NY Sticky
Learn all about the behind the scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
This week we take a look at Oneonta's own, Paul Reubens, and learn all about the man behind Pee-wee Herman, and then some! Paul's career touched so many corners of Hollywood and pop culture that we're get into a veritable truck load of things on this episode. From Cyndi Lauper, to Zsa Zsa Gabor, to the Guys Choice awards, we cast a wide net to capture the full arc of Paul Reubens' career.
As always, if you want to suggest a topic for future episode, leave us a 5 star rating, write a positive review and toss in your suggestion!
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Also check out Rob's album: NY Sticky
Learn all about the behind the scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
Wether you call it Cornell Chicken, State Fair Chicken, Baker's Chicken, or Fireman's Chicken, one thing remains true: it's one tasty bird. Join Jim and Rob as they learn about BBQ Bob and his novel approach to basting a tasty bird, which has gone on to be a staple of Upstate grilling for over 70 years.
As always, if you want to suggest a topic for future episode, leave us a 5 star rating, write a positive review and toss in your suggestion!
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Also check out Rob's album: NY Sticky
Learn all about the behind the scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
This week Jim and Rob make good on the promise that if a Spiedie Freak or Rattlesnake Pete recommends an Upstate topic, they just might do an episode on it. So let's all take a trip to the majestic Stanley Theater in Utica, NY and bask in the glory of it's marvelous staircase (seriously, it's one of the finest set of stairs you'll set your eyes or feet on). Then we'll pop next door to check out Swifty's!
As always, if you want to suggest a topic for future episode, leave us a 5 star rating, write a positive review and toss in your suggestion!
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Also check out Rob's album: NY Sticky
Learn all about the behind the scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
This week we take a look at the granddaddy of Buffalo's regional delicacies: Beef on Weck. This hefty sandwich has been keeping upstaters stuffed and full for well over a hundred years. We'll get to the bottom of what has made Beef on Weck a staple of Western New York's offerings.
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Also check out Rob's album: NY Sticky
Learn all about the behind the scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
This week we're taking a look at the infamous Attica Prison Uprising that occurred in 1971. From the conditions that led to the initial uprising, the negotiations, and the events that culminated in an eventual (but avoidable) massacre, we'll take a look at the events that occurred at Attica Prison and it's lasting impact.
Grab Jim's comedy album: Upstate Understandings
Also check out Rob's album: NY Sticky
Learn all about the behind the scenes of Jim's album in the documentary: Understanding Upstate
