Top INTERVIEW of the week!

Head over to this interview on DC.com, to read Elliott’s thoughts about writing for Harley Quinn, one of the great breakout characters of the superhero world! And then maybe pick up some of the comics! If, like Dan, you’re past your “individual issue-buying days,” you can preorder the first trade paperback, out in July! We still managed to work a plug in!

Well? HOW Well, Dawdy?

In honor of his “featured guest star” role on tomorrow’s episode (see “Next on the Podcast” below), I thought it might be nice to devote an issue of this newsletter to our producer, Alex Smith, who — as I say at the end of every episode — goes by the name Howell Dawdy all over the internet.

Alex attended Earlham College with Stuart and Dan, and is a Hoosier like Stu(sier). He’s a renaissance man with his fingers in a lot of pies, so let’s take a look at some of those pies, and tell Alex to get his fingers outta there, ‘cause it’s gross! What is this, a movie by our pal Chris Weitz?!?

The first place to start with Alex is his music! Beyond contributing to various Flop House projects (the theme/scoring for our FlopTales bonus episodes, the Cheers-esque closing theme for FlopTV, and the song of the summer He’s the Housecat [feat Stuart Wellington]), Alex has several singles and albums under the name Howell Dawdy available for purchase on Bandcamp.

However, if you’re only LISTENING to Howell Dawdy, you’re missing out on his wonderful, hilarious, and occasionally creepy-hilarious music videos. Some personal favorites are Bananas Don’t Float, Summer Creams, Boo I’m a Ghost, I’m Fun, Corn Man, and — probably his biggest hit — Fire Extinguisher. But that’s just a start; there are tons more great ones to check out!

If that won’t convince you of his musical genius, check out his podcast Howell Dawdy’s Fast Track, where he and his guest(s) write the lyrics to a song under a strict 30 minute deadline — then the mics go off, Howell writes the music, and the episode ends with the fully-produced track! (Stu and Dan have individually guested on episodes, and the episode featuring ALL of the Peaches produced the new Halloween classic: Sexy Xenomorph.)

Once you’ve dipped your toe into the podcasting side of Alex’s endeavors with Fast Track, perhaps you’ll want to check out his OTHER podcast, The Big Howell & Possum Podcast, where affable backwoods character Big Howell has relaxed chats with his best friend, a giant possum. Just go with it.

And if you want to SEE Alex chatting (frequently over old movies or game shows, and occasionally with a man in a giant possum suit) check out one of his many Twitch streams!

That’s a very abbreviated introduction to our multi-talented, hardworking producer! And if you check out his stuff and become a fan? He’s got a Patreon! And merch! Toot toot!

Next on the Podcast

4/26 - We double back to discuss one of the most-requested movies of last year that we managed to miss the first time around — Jerry Seinfeld’s misbegotten “history” of the Pop Tart, UNFROSTED! And we’re joined by producer/subject of this newsletter Alex Smith, who did NOT see the movie, and whose bafflement is delightful!

5/3 - Comics editor and writer Alejandro Arbona joins Stuart and Dan to discuss the GIALLO MOVIES that inspired his most recent project, and quiz them on giallo titles. Elliott had to bow out of this one due to scheduling, but you do NOT want to miss this uncommonly informative (I know; we’re surprised too!) episode of the show! Alejandro is a true student of the genre, and it was a delight to talk with him.

Plugging Away

Elliott’s gonna be at “LitFest in the ‘Dena,” talking about writing comics, on 5/2 at 6:30 PT, appearing a panel with our friend Jordan Morris and other great creators. If you live in the Pasedena/Los Angeles area, check it out!

Also, listen to Elliott’s other podcast, Smartless Presents: Clueless, where he tries to stump Sean Hayes and friends!

Stuart paints Warhammer models/chats with viewers most Fridays on his Twitch channel.

Dan’s personal newsletter, Special Interests, comes out every non-Flop Secrets week. His most recent installment was mostly comics! A lot of them! Drawn by Dan!

You Made it to the End!

Here are a couple of images related to our next guests: a sticker from Alex’s merch store, and the cover of Alejandro’s upcoming giallo-inspired book!