With Stan Against Evil set to make IFC a whole lot spookier starting November 2nd at 10P, creator Dana Gould and cast members John C. McGinley and Janet Varney descended on New York Comic Con to meet fans and chat about their new horror comedy series.
After screening the first episode for a packed house, Dana, John and Janet talked about the origins of the show, how they approach their characters, favorite horror movies (Janet recommends Housebound and A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors) and much more. John even made a fan’s dreams come true by insulting him as his Scrubs character Dr. Perry Cox.
Check out a few things we learned from Dana, John and Janet about the upcoming season of Stan Against Evil.
1. Dana Based Stan on His Dad
Kim Simms/IFC
While star Janet Varney was the inspiration for Evie, Stan’s curmudgeonly attitude came from Dana’s own father. In fact, a colorful phrase Stan uses in the first episode to describe a witch’s face came straight from Papa Gould’s mouth. “‘A barrel of assholes’ is something my dad said about a Red Sox pitcher,” Dana said.
2. We May Learn More About Stan’s Wife
Kim Simms/IFC
When asked if we would see Claire, Stan’s late wife who protected her husband from the terrors of Willard’s Mill, Dana confirmed that she might appear in flashbacks. “She’s also played by Louie Anderson,” he joked, nodding to the Emmy-winning star of FX’s Baskets.
3. Shaun of the Dead Is a “Cousin” of Stan
Universal Pictures
Dana credits films like Shaun of the Dead and An American Werewolf in London, along with creepy TV movies from the 1970s, for inspiring Stan. He said the team aimed for a tone where “the horror is played completely straight and the comedy comes from people just behaving normally.”
4. Stan and Stranger Things Are Connected
Netflix
Dana revealed that the sheriff station in Stan is the same one used in Stranger Things. He and Janet are big fans of the show, and had no idea they were sharing a set with the ’80s-set Netflix series. Dana added: “I’ve never watched a show that I love as much as Stranger Things, and thought, ‘Oh my God, I’ve totally pooped in that room.'”
5. There’s a Bit of Comedy Bang! Bang! in Stan
IFC
Janet revealed that Stan’s chilling music is supplied by Eban Schletter, a composer known for his work on everything from Comedy Bang! Bang! to Spongebob. Is it too much to hope for a crossover episode?
Tune in November 2nd at 10P for the premiere of Stan Against Evil.