Halloween Takeover with The Ten News 🎃

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The Ten News: Season 4, Episode 17

Today on The Ten News 🍬 Leilani & Pamela take on Everett & Ryan in a trick or treat off through The Ten News team neighborhood 🎃 Correspondent Corinne Catibayan is handing out full candy bars to whoever can drop the most Halloween facts 🙀 Adam Gidwitz from the Grim, Grimmer, Grimmest podcast pops in to share a spooky story 🎬 And, last stop is Kap's house for a Halloween Move Marathon 👻 Plus, find out which U.S. city hosts the world's largest Halloween parade!

Resources

• https://www.today.com/life/holidays/halloween-trivia-rcna37519

• https://halloween-nyc.com/about-us/

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TRANSCRIPT:

EXT. TEN NEWS NEIGHBORHOOD

<SFX Owl hoot hooting>

PAM: Ooooh! A Barbie! And a Ken! And another Barbie, and another Barbie…

<SFX Mooooo>

LEILANI: Hey Pamela! 

PAM: Hi Leilani! Ooooh, I love your cow costume!

LEILANI: Thanks so much! Are you the Little Mermaid?!

PAM: I am! I’m still waiting on Ry–

<SFX spiderman THWAP, swing and landing>

RYAN: Have no fear, your friendly neighborhood Spider-Ry is here.

PAM: Awesome Spider-Man costume Ry! Are you Peter Parker? 

RYAN: Ummmm, I’m wearing Jordan’s, so I’m obviously Miles Morales. I know who you are, you’re… “I CAN SHOW YOU THE WORLD–

LEILANI: No. That’s Aladdin. 

RYAN: Right, I meant… “I wanna be where the people are, I wanna see, wanna ‘em dancing–”

PAM: Yup, that’s it, I’m Ariel. 

LEILANI: Where’s Everett?

<SFX T-REX Roar, and stomping>

RYAN: SWEET SASSAFRAS EVERETT’S RIDING A T-REX!

EVERETT: No, it’s just my costume, but it looks like I’m riding a T-Rex right?

RYAN: Dude. That’s awesome. 

PAM: So I was thinking, today for Halloween, we could have a Trick or Treat off. We could split into two teams, and whoever brings back more candy gets first pick in the Candy Draft. 

LEILANI: What’s a candy draft?

EVERETT: It’s when you pool all your candy and then take turns choosing. 

LEILANI: Alright then I’m teaming up with Pamela. 

PAM: Great choice. 

RYAN: What! Why wouldn’t you choose me?

LEILANI: I have a feeling Pam’s gonna be more strategic in this game.

EVERETT: Alright Ry, it’s a T-Rex and a Spider-Man versus a cow and a mermaid. 

PAM: I’m Pamela Kirkland.

LEILANI: I’m Leilani.

RYAN: I’m Ryan Willard.

EVERETT: And I’m Everett. It’s Thursday, October 26th. This is the–

EVERYONE: TEN NEWS HALLOWEEN SPECIAL!

EXT. TEN NEWS NEIGHBORHOOD

<SFX Walking>

PAM: Thank you (Pam adlib a shoutout)! 

LEILANI: I can’t believe they gave us six snickers bars!

PAM: I know the best route in this hood, we got this. So why’d you choose a cow this Halloween?

LEILANI: (Adlib answer.) And why’d you choose Ariel?

PAM: (Adlib answer.) Ooooh, this house is a good one.

<SFX witches cauldron bubbling> 

LEILANI: Is that a snake floating in that cauldron? 

<SFX doorbell ring> <SFX door open>

PAM/LEILANI: TRICK OR TREAT!

CORINNE: (IN A WITCHES VOICE) Greetings, beautiful humans. 

PAM: Hi Corinne! That is a very committed witch costume.

CORINNE: (normal voice) Thanks! I got this robe and hat imported from Belgium. And I did all the makeup myself. 

LEILANI: Are you making a potion?

CORINNE: It’s just apple cider! Here, have some!

<SFX sips>

PAM/LEILANI: Mmmmmmmm. 

CORINNE: So…good news and bad news. The bad is that I have a cavity and won’t be participating in the Candy Draft.

LEILANI: Awwwww. What’s the good news?

CORINNE: The good is that I’ll give you a full candy bar for every Halloween fact you can match me with.

PAM: I told you this was a good house. We’re in.

CORINNE: Halloween’s the spookiest time of the year, but do you know why we celebrate it? The ancient Celtic festival of Samhain is a pagan celebration of the Fall harvest, considered by some experts as the origin of modern-day Halloween.

PAM: And according to the library of Congress, we celebrate on October 31st because it’s the eve of All Saints Day, when Christians remember and honor the saints in Heaven.

CORINNE: Yup! <SFX correct ding or something like that!> Did you know that Illinois produces the most pumpkins in the United States?

LEILANI: Oh wow! Did you know that pumpkins are technically a fruit, not a vegetable?

CORINNE: Ooooh, that’s a great one! <SFX correct ding or something like that!> Okay last one… Trick or Treating began as a BRIBE. 

PAM: Yeah! In the 1930s, the night of Halloween was full of pranks and random tricks on unsuspecting people. Things got crazy and it turned into vandalism, breaking things and tripping people on sidewalks. 

CORINNE: That’s right! <SFX correct ding or something like that!> And after a while, cities adopted a Canadian tradition of bribing kids with treats so they wouldn’t go around playing tricks.

LEILANI: And that’s we say, Trick or Treat?

CORINNE: You got it. <SFX correct ding or some thing like that!> Okay, that’s four extra candy bars for each of you. Good luck in the Candy Draft!

LEILANI: Thanks!

PAM: Thank you Corinne!

EXT. CHAD’S HOUSE

<SFX walking>

EVERETT: Well, they did give me two Airheads…

RYAN: But it was so unfair, they said “Trick or Treating isn’t for adults.” I’m not an adult! I’m Spider-Man. 

<SFX spooky spooky sounds> <SFX wolf howling>

RYAN: Hold up. Nah, we should skip this house. 

EVERETT: But the candy bowl is right on the porch!

RYAN: Dude. Do you see all the gravestones on the front lawn? I’m not walking through a cemetery to get some gummy bears–

EVERETT: They’re not real gravestones. C’mon!

<SFX Everett walking>

RYAN: Everett wait! <SFX Ryan catching up> There’s a clown sitting on the porch! That’s Pennywise! 

EVERETT: Ry, it’s just a dummy. Look, the bowl of candy is sitting on its lap. The sign says… “Please take one.”

RYAN: Uggggghhhhhh, ok… This clown looks so real.

EVERETT: I will have the… Airhead! <SFX grabbing candy>

RYAN: And I’ll have the…Twix. <SFX candy grab> AND the Starburst– <SFX candy grab>

CHAD: (Scary voice) I SAID ONE.

RYAN/EVERETT: AHHHHHHHHHHH!

CHAD: (Normal voice) Happy Halloween boys!

RYAN: CHAD?! What is this cemetery clown nonsense?

CHAD: Just spookin’ out. Halloween’s my favorite holiday. 

EVERETT: We’re doing a Trick or Treat off, can you hook us up with some extra candy?

CHAD: Of course. But you have to play, “What’s in the bowl,” just close your eyes, stick your hand in the bowl and guess! Spoiler: There is king size candy at the bottom. 

EVERETT: Okay! <SFX dunks hand in liquid> Oh my gosh…what are those long creepy crawly things on my hand?! ARE THEY WORMS?!? Gross!!! But also, cooooool. <SFX pulls hand out> 

CHAD: (laughs) Close. It’s boiled spaghetti with olive oil on them. Did you get the king size Sour Patch kids?

EVERETT: Yeah, that was a little freaky.

CHAD: Your turn, Ryan, close your eyes… <SFX dips hand in bowl>

RYAN: Oh gosh. What are those round things? They’re slimy…ARE THOSE EYEBALLS?! 

CHAD: (menacing laugh)

RYAN: CHAD PUT EYEBALLS IN A BOWL!!! RUUUUUUN! <SFX Ryan runs>

EVERETT: Ryan! Those are just peeled grapes! 

CHAD: I love how gullible he is. Here’s two king sized Airheads for being a good sport.

EVERETT: Thanks Chad! WAIT UP RY! <SFX Everett Runs>

GRIM GRIMMER GRIMMEST SEGMENT

<SFX Running slows down>

EVERETT: Slow down Ry! This house looks better!

RYAN: Yeah, no gravestones or freaky clowns… Let’s try.

<SFX ding dong> <SFX door opens>

ADAM: (ominous voice) Hello. 

RYAN/EVERETT: Trick or Treat…

RYAN: Wait. Aren’t you Adam Gidwitz?? I know your podcast, Grimm Grimmer Grimmest. 

ADAM: I am indeed. I am Adam Gidwitz and I make Grimm Grimmer Grimmest

EVERETT: Cooooool. 

RYAN: So we’re in a Trick or Treat off right now and was wondering if you could hook us up with some candy–

ADAM: I can give you each one piece of candy, or I can give you both a spooky story. 

RYAN: Candy please. Obviously.

EVERETT: Spooky story spooky story! C’mon Ry, it’s Halloween…

RYAN: Fine. But if it’s too spooky, I’m out.

ADAM: SPOOKY STORY (2ish mins)

EVERETT: Okay. That. Was. AWESOME! What’d you think, Ry? Ryan…?

ADAM: I think he left 79 seconds ago. 

EVERETT: Okay, thanks for the story Adam. I’ll check out Grimm Grimmer Grimmest! I gotta go catch up with Ry. <SFX runs off>

ADAM: Happy Halloween!

EXT. THE KAPLAN HOUSE

<SFX walking>

LEILANI: These bags are getting kinda heavy…

PAM: I brought extra bags just in case.

LEILANI: Omg. If we fill three bags each, we’re definitely winning the Trick or Treat Off. 

PAM: And this house will close the deal…

<SFX doorbell ring>

PAM/LEILANI: TRICK OR TREAT!

KAP: Happy Halloween to my lovely Ten News Team!

PAM: Hi Kap!

LEILANI: I love your Princess Peach costume!

KAP: Thank you! How’s the Trick or Treat Off going?

PAM: Pretty good, we’re still grinding, but I’m honestly surprised that Ryan and Everett haven’t caught up yet–

RYAN: PAMELA! WE NEED THE MERMAID AND THE COW TO PROTECT US!!!

<SFX runs up to the porch>

KAP: Hi boys. 

RYAN: (out of breath) Grim. Grimmer. Grimmest. Scary guy. Chad has eyeballs. A bowl of them. 

EVERETT: Yeah we’ve been spookin’ out, so we’re glad to see you all. How you doing, Kap?

KAP: Good thanks! The Kaplan family is doing our annual Halloween movie marathon.

PAM: Oooooh, what’re you watching?

TRACY: First up on our list is 'Hotel Transylvania.' This is a favorite in our household! We love the spooky hotel for monsters, run by none other than Dracula himself! Check it out and join Mavis, Johnny, and all your favorite monster friends as in this animated monster mash. Next, we move on to a classic, Hocus Pocus. Follow Max, Dani, and their talking cat Binx as they try to stop the Sanderson Sisters, three wicked witches, from causing chaos in their town. Then it’s time for some spooky and sweet with 'The Nightmare Before Christmas.' Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas Town and decides to give Santa Claus a break. It's an enchanting tale filled with unforgettable characters and hauntingly beautiful music. And last but not least, is my families’ all time favorite, the Charlie Brown classic, It’s A Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. I love Linus’ hope that he’ll see the great pumpkin. And the friendships in the peanuts gang are just the best.

<Music transition>

OWEN: Hey Mom, we’re about to start the movie.

PAM: Oh. My. Goodness. Owen…who are you dressed up as?

OWEN: Ahem. I’m Ryan Willard and this is the Ten News.

RYAN: HEY! That’s–what? You’re–me?

OWEN: ADLIB Ryan Impression.

PAM/LEILANI/EVERETT/KAP: <Laughs>

RYAN: Hey stop! You can’t do that, I’ve copyrighted myself.

EVERETT: That’s not a real thing, Ry.

RYAN: Okay, Owen, I’ll play your game. Hey RYAN, I really like your name, and your clothes, and your personality, but if you’re really Ryan, can you do trivia as well as Owen? 

OWEN: (as Ryan) I, Ryan Willard, am definitely not as good as Owen, but I’ll do my best… 

EVERETT: Oooooh, I wanna play!

<SFX Trivia on the Ten Sound up>

OWEN: Halloween is one of the coolest and most popular holidays here in the US. But what city hosts the world’s largest Halloween parade? Is it…

1. Chicago

2. New York City

3. San Francisco 

EVERETT: Ooooh, that’s a tough one… I haven’t been to Chicago, Las Vegas or San Francisco... So I’m gonna guess B, New York. Because I love that city.

OWEN: The answer is… B! New York City hosts the world’s largest Halloween parade: The Greenwich Village Halloween Parade and this year it’s having its 50th anniversary! It was started by Greenwich Village mask maker and puppeteer Ralph Lee in 1973. The Parade began as a walk from house to house in his neighborhood for his children and their friends!

EVERETT: That’s kinda like what we’re doing tonight! 

RYAN: Okay, Ryan, that was very good trivia, and I think you’re awesome, but maybe you should get over your fear of clowns and butterflies. And also exercise more. 

OWEN: Nah, I’m good. I’m gonna go play Spider-Man 2 on my Playstation 5.

RYAN: Touché. That’s actually a great idea.

OWEN: (from inside) MOM! We’re gonna start the next movie!

KAP: Do you guys wanna come in and watch? You can have the Candy Draft in here!

PAM: Yeah, we’d love to! 

RYAN: But before we do, here’s a quick note for the grownups.

RYAN: Time for Ten News Snaps! <Grand fanfare SFX>

PAM: A Ten’er who didn’t leave a name but left a bunch of emojis left us this review on Apple Podcasts and said: “Hello ryan and pamala, this is the best podcast of all time I listen to it every day while going to school.”

RYAN: Thank you emoji person that I don’t know the name of! If you’re listening to this on the way to school, I hope you have an awesome-tastic day. And thanks for listening to the Ten News. Ten Things You Need to Know drops every Tuesday and our in-depth reports drop every Thursday. And if you want some bonus content, you could join the Ten’ers Club on our website or on Apple Podcasts.

PAM: “The Ten News” is a co-production of Small But Mighty Media and Next Chapter Podcasts, and part of the Airwave Podcast Network.

RYAN: The Ten News creative team is watching a Halloween movie marathon at the Kaplans house and includes Tracey Crooks, Logan DeYoung, Corinne Catibayan, Carson Potter, and Chad Chenail. Big thanks to our OG Ten’ers, Leilani, Everett, Naomi and Owen for contributing to this episode. And special thanks to Adam Gidwitz from Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest for stopping by!

PAM: Our Production Director is Jeremiah Tittle, and our Executive Producers are Donald Albright and show creator Tracy Leeds Kaplan. 

RYAN: I’m Ryan Willard 

PAM: And I’m Pamela Kirkland; thanks for listening to The Ten News.