Episode 16: THE MAN IN THE BLACK SUIT
Bachman's Basement
On this episode of Bachman’s Basement, Chris Patton and Chris Clawson confront one of Stephen King’s most chilling short stories: The Man in the Black Suit. When nine-year-old Gary goes fishing, his peaceful day turns into a nightmare when a mysterious stranger appears — pale, in a black suit, with burning eyes and a menacing grin. What follows is a tense, terrifying confrontation that will haunt him for the rest of his life. The guys unpack the psychological terror, the vivid imagery, and the way King explores fear, mortality, and the lasting shadows of childhood encounters....
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Episode 15: ROADWORK
Bachman's Basement
On this episode of Bachman’s Basement, Chris Patton and Chris Clawson explore Stephen King’s Roadwork, a grim, powerful novel originally released under his Richard Bachman name. Set against the backdrop of a highway extension that threatens his home and livelihood, Barton Dawes is pushed past his limits as he confronts the bureaucracy tearing his life apart. The guys break down the novel’s themes about grief, frustration, and the human cost of progress as Dawes fights, and ultimately pays, a devastating price for resistance. Find out why Roadwork remains one of King’s most...
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Episode 14: STORM OF THE CENTURY
Bachman's Basement
On this episode of Bachman’s Basement, Chris Patton and Chris Clawson brave the chilling blizzard of Storm of the Century, Stephen King’s 1999 miniseries written directly for the screen. Set on the isolated Little Tall Island, a mysterious stranger named Andre Linoge arrives just as a massive snowstorm begins — and he knows the darkest secrets of everyone he meets. As the storm rages, the townspeople must confront fear, cowardice, and the impossible choice Linoge forces upon them. What happens to the soul of a community when secrets are exposed? The guys break down the tension, the...
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Episode 13: STAND BY ME (STEPHEN KING’S THE BODY)
Bachman's Basement
On this episode of Bachman’s Basement, Chris Patton and Chris Clawson revisit Stand By Me and the Stephen King novella that inspired it, The Body. They explore childhood, memory, friendship, and loss, and how a quiet walk down the tracks became one of the most enduring coming-of-age stories ever put to screen. From King’s original text to Rob Reiner’s film adaptation, the conversation looks at why this story still resonates decades later—and why it may be one of King’s most personal works. Both the novella The Body and the film Stand By Me are discussed. Bachman’s...
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Episode 12: THE MAN WHO LOVED FLOWERS
Bachman's Basement
On this episode of Bachman’s Basement, Chris Patton and Chris Clawson explore Stephen King’s chilling short story The Man Who Loved Flowers. Set in 1963 New York City, the story follows a seemingly sweet young man whose quiet walk through spring streets hides a deadly secret. As the city smiles around him, horror lurks in plain sight. Join the guys as they unpack the tension, King’s urban horror style, and the dark twist behind Love and his flowers. Both the story’s suspense and its terrifying reveal are discussed in detail. Bachman’s Basement is a podcast that digs into the dark,...
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Episode 11: THE MIST
Bachman's Basement
On this episode of Bachman’s Basement, Chris Patton and Chris Clawson descend into the creeping dread of The Mist by Stephen King. What begins as a strange weather event quickly turns into a nightmare of isolation, paranoia, and unimaginable creatures lurking just beyond visibility. The guys break down the story’s exploration of fear, mob mentality, and belief under pressure, while discussing how King turns the unknown into something far more terrifying than any monster. They also compare the novella to its film adaptations, examining the choices that made The Mist one of...
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Episode 10: THE ROAD VIRUS HEADS NORTH
Bachman's Basement
On this episode of Bachman’s Basement, Chris Patton and Chris Clawson take a terrifying road trip through Stephen King’s short story The Road Virus Heads North. What starts as a casual stop at a yard sale becomes something far more sinister when a seemingly harmless painting begins to change—moving closer, growing crueler, and making its destination unmistakably clear. The guys dig into the story’s publication history, King’s inspiration, and why this tale lingers long after it ends. From cursed artwork to the unsettling idea that death is always gaining ground, this episode explores...
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Episode 9: 1408
Bachman's Basement
On this episode of Bachman’s Basement, Chris Patton and Chris Clawson unlock the door to Stephen King’s 1408, one of the most psychologically vicious stories in his entire catalog. They break down Mike Enslin’s unraveling, the Dolphin Hotel’s deadly history, and why room 1408 seems less like a haunting — and more like a predator. The guys explore how King builds dread inside four walls, compare the short story to the film adaptation, and dig into the wildly different endings that reshape the meaning of Enslin’s survival — or destruction. From grief and guilt to time...
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Episode 8: THE RUNNING MAN
Bachman's Basement
On this episode of Bachman’s Basement, Chris Patton and Chris Clawson dive into Stephen King’s high-octane dystopian novel The Running Man. Set in a bleak near-future where desperate contestants risk everything on a televised death game, the guys explore the social commentary, King’s critique of media and entertainment, and the novel’s heart-pounding suspense. From the rise of televised violence to the survival strategies of the titular protagonist, they break down what makes The Running Man both a thrilling adventure and a chilling cautionary tale. Bachman’s Basement is a...
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Episode 7: JOYLAND
Bachman's Basement
On this episode of Bachman’s Basement, Chris Patton and Chris Clawson dive into Joyland, Stephen King’s bittersweet blend of murder mystery, ghost story, and coming-of-age tale. Set against the faded magic of a 1970s seaside amusement park, Joyland follows college student Devin Jones as he takes a summer job to mend a broken heart — only to become entangled in the unsolved murder of Linda Gray, whose ghost is said to haunt the Horror House ride. The guys break down the book’s central mystery, the emotional weight of Devin’s relationships, and the supernatural undercurrent that gives...
info_outlineOn this episode of Bachman’s Basement, Chris Patton and Chris Clawson unlock the door to Stephen King’s 1408, one of the most psychologically vicious stories in his entire catalog. They break down Mike Enslin’s unraveling, the Dolphin Hotel’s deadly history, and why room 1408 seems less like a haunting — and more like a predator. The guys explore how King builds dread inside four walls, compare the short story to the film adaptation, and dig into the wildly different endings that reshape the meaning of Enslin’s survival — or destruction. From grief and guilt to time loops, illusions, and the room’s merciless personality, this episode goes deep into what makes 1408 so uniquely terrifying.
Bachman’s Basement is a podcast that digs into the dark, strange, and unforgettable corners of Stephen King’s work, with a focus on the Richard Bachman novels, and much more.
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