Kelli Marchman McNeely is the owner of HorrorFuel.com.
She is an Executive Producer of "13 Slays Till Christmas" which is out on Digital and DVD and now streaming on Tubi. She has several other films in the works.
Kelli is an animal lover and a true horror addict since the age of 9 when she saw Friday the 13th.
Email: horrorfuelinfo@gmail.com
Funny man, Mitch Hyman wears a lot of hats: writer, actor, comic book creator, and expert storyteller. He sat down with me to catch up and talk about what has been happening with him since our last interview back in 2016. Horror Fuel also snagged the exclusive on his upcoming sequel to Bubba the Redneck Werewolf, which is killing it on Hulu.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with Hyman’s Bubba the Redneck Werewolf the film, based on Hyman’s long running comic by the same name, is a story of a dog catcher (Fred Lass) who sells his soul to Satan (who I will also be interviewing) so that he can win back his girl, Bobby Jo (Melone Thomas). He ends up as a werewolf with a bigger mission: to save the town from Satan (Hyman). You can learn more HERE.
Horror Fuel: “How did Bubba the Redneck Werewolf come to be?”
Hyman: “I always loved Werewolves. I saw my first in the old Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein film, which my Dad had me watch. I loved the Wolfman for his tragic wanting to be like everyone else, and I also thought being a part-time monster was cool. Plus, he kicked Dracula’s butt in that film. Every Halloween since I was a kid, I tried to do the best one you could with the stuff they had in the Middle Ages. LOL! But the Bubba costume came together when I owned a bar in Central Florida. I had a friend who used to dress up as the “Tequila Bandito,” and he had a bandolier of Tequila Minis, a serape (like Clint Eastwood wore in those Westerns), and a Mariachi Hat, then added a water pistol filled with lime juice. Don’t ask about the Salt. Just don’t. LOL!
But I had an idea then, Overalls were in fashion, and so were trucker Caps. So, I threw on the overalls, then found some pretty good Werewolf latex appliance makeup and yak hair, and made my face and arms up with grease paint for color. Then added the cap as I couldn’t make my “then” hair work right. I loved Cigars back then, and so I had that, and then with some dime store fangs, and went for it. I had an old school earthenware jug and put some “Squeezin’s” in it. We went to my bar as the Booze Brothers and just got everyone drunk and laughing. But I used that costume for years.
So, when I had to dress Bubba for my comics, and as I am a fan of Lon Chaney Jr’s Lycan, who wore clothes…It was perfect! And as for Bubba’s personality? Well, we all have that one friend that when the Aliens are in the pasture picking up cows and the Zombies are coming up the front drive, and ya call the cops, who tell you to hang up and sober up, you call that friend who you know will show up. And with Bubba? He just wanted to know if ya had any beer, since he was coming out to see this stuff. Bubba is truly about three things: his Girl, Bobbi-Jo, His buddies, and his beer or Truck…Depending on which would get him somewhere faster. LOL! He is just a good guy trying to be accepted and do the best he can.”
Horror Fuel: “That’s awesome. I love Bubba.”
Hyman: “A funny story is, when we did the premiere in downtown Deland, at the Athens theater, I ran into four of my old bar customers who came because they heard it was me and wanted to know what I was up to. It’s funny how the things that you do never really go away, like lawsuits and therapy.”
Horror Fuel: “What made you decide to start the comic?”
Hyman: “This is a very interesting story. I was working at Halloween Horror Nights back in the early 90’s. I was part of the first crew they ever hired. In fact, my friend Michael Davy was the first contractor. He designed the entire event and created many things that they still use today.
We are at the event, and there were only ten of us, and we had to do hundreds of characters, and Michael Davy is the inventor of makeup. We were sitting there getting our work done, and another guy named Michael Broom was working there. He and I started talking about comic books and the new horror and gore books from indies. I said I knew a publisher and was talking about trying a book. But he said I needed to supply an artist… so Mike said he always wanted to try, so we did.
Horror Fuel: “He’s worked on The Walking Dead, X-Men, The Mist, and R.I.P.D., right?”
Hyman: “Yep.”
Horror Fuel: “You mentioned to me there is going to be a sequel to Bubba the Redneck Werewolf. Can you tell us anything about it?”
Hyman: “Bubba II is a possibility now, and the tentative title is “Bubba the Redneck Werewolf #2…And we mean “Number 2!” Thinking a road pic with Satan returning and teaming up with Bubba to handle a global threat. Hot classic cars, Great Race/Cannonball Run style craziness, a few characters from the comic series like “Evil Nick”, we did not use in the first film, Bubba’s kid, and two hit men (Vinnie and Mook…Get the first book at Smashwords to see how they will tie in). I’m kinda fond of the mix. We’ll see.”
Horror Fuel: “I can’t wait. I’m a big fan of Vinnie and Mook. Your books are a great read.”
Horror Fuel: “If you will, can you put Satan on the phone. I have a few questions for that naughty little devil.”
Satan: “Hey, how are you?”
Horror Fuel: “I’m good, except for the fact that it’s hot aHellll outside, but you’re probably used to that. How are you?”
Satan: “Actually, never better or more evil as it were! This world is now like a free-for-all of evil and crazy! With all the fear and weakness that so many are just wallowing in, I feel like I am just like a kid coasting down a hill on my bike with my hands in the air and my feet off the pedals! Thanks, everyone! Sloth is one of my favorite sins. No, not that big guy from the Goonies. SEE? That’s what I’m talking about.
How many people out there are not gonna even look that word up and go with some dumb ass Pop Culture reference?
Easy Peasy, Kelli! Love it! “
Horror Fuel: “Satan, how are you enjoying your new Hulu fame?”
Satan: “All publicity is good publicity! And now everyone thinks I’m just some fun-loving lunatic screwing with the general public. MWAHAHAHA! This is the best campaign for taking souls since all those dipwads signed up for AOL years ago. And yep, I started that and called it AO HELL. LOL! But, there are still losers using it! Can ya believe it?! Why don’t they and those goofs who go to Porno sites mail me their wallets and souls! I can be reached at: Satans_ID_grabbag@AOL. ”
Horror Fuel: “Are you excited about the sequel to Bubba the Redneck Werewolf?
Satan: “Nah. That Hyman jerk ran out of My Little Pony Collectible Cash. He loves those things, and he plays with them, has tea parties, and makes little, teeny Pony clothes for them. And I only know about this cause I was over there with mine, and he and I decided that the Mega Pony/Brony Ranch was AWESOME, and we both… Wait.
Are you recording THIS?! Damn it!!
Ummm, uhhh, ummm…We just thought that people would enjoy another film since the first got like top spot on Hulu and places like those Big box stores. Yeah! And THAT’S the real reason. And I’m sticking to it. The SECOND story I just said, which is real and stuff and things !! Don’t look at me like that, Kelli!!”
Horror Fuel: “Come on now, Satan, don’t give out Mitch’s secrets.”
Horror Fuel: “How do you feel about Bubba competing with Wolfcop?”
Satan: “Don’t you love how I work? I did that to drive Mitch Hyman up the wall. Bubba has been around in comics since 1996, when those guys who did Wolf Cop were probably just a gleam in their parents’ eyes. I know, cause I put that gleam in there. Mwhahaha! Bubba is based on a drunken small-town Animal Control Officer who always has to save his town from some evil. Wolf Cop is a small-town Drunken Police Officer who does the same. Coincidence? I’ll let the public figure it out. After all, I am the master of deception. Even better…Bubba was filming at the same time as Wolf Cop. I just kept Hyman busy with editing and other roadblocks because I knew he did his film for like 25,000 bucks, and those other guys had a million. If Hyman ever got a million to do the next film, Hellll, even I couldn’t stop how huge that film could be if he gets that kind of cash. Let’s hope no one is smart enough to realize that! Because I plan to keep Hyman running a race next to that jerk, I have been pushing that rock for eternity up a hill in Hell! And taking bets on who is gonna win. Yep. I am THAEvilil!”
Horror Fuel: “I saw the premiere episode of your new show. If you will tell our readers about Coffee Time With Satan.”
Satan: “You saw it?! I am not paying your therapy bills, Lady! Free will is YOUR problem! You chose to watch that! MWAHAHA! But actually…With the world throwing back to the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s because those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
I decided that I will give humanity one last chance to fight back and wake the Hell up before Hell takes over. So, back in the days of Early SNL, National Lampoon magazine, The Old Johnny Carson Show, Dean Martin roasts, and so on, we learned to laugh at ourselves. So laughter took all the hot air outta politicians, bigots, and bad used car salespeople. So, blending 80’s cable access TV, with Wayne’s World amateur integrity and honesty ( Honesty and integrity. Ugh, what I won’t do to sucker people), then add a bit of game show and bad infomercial stuff. Wham! A steaming cup of Wake the F*** Up is coming your way every month! We have the craziest cast of characters, too! Myrtle Meshuga; Customer service Rep from Hell, My mother, Zombie Momma Mary, My Wife, Lilith…and let me tell ya, Having your mother and your wife on the same show IHellll! We also have my co-host Ed McDemon, who is always up to something no good. Plus, we have a flying F**K Boy who could not give a Rat’s Banana about any of this crap. And other characters on the next show that will astound, amaze, and make folks want to grab torches and pitchforks! Good times, Good Times.”
Horror Fuel: “It’s filmed in the Coffee Shop of Horrors, right? I love their coffee.”
Satan: “I hate to admit this, but that stuff is truly the nectar of the gods, and I, above all, should know! Who do you think handles their subscriptions from the shop every month? Getting FedEx to get through the Multiverse and successfully dropping bags off in backwater places like Newark, NJ, or Cthulu’s beach home, Yog-Sothoth -A -Largo, is something only I can get done. I only charge triple too. Fair? Well…I am SATAN! And “Caffiends” like me know how rare it is to get single-source, free-trade, all-natural, fresh-roasted goodness. Trust me…Goodness for me is kinda tough. So, Coffee Shop of Horrors make is easy and the I also get some hot and tasty sauces for the my damned bar B q’s from Side Show Sauces to make my life sweet!”
Horror Fuel: “When can fans expect the next episode?”
Satan: “As soon as we get the sewer lines unplugged to the river Styx or the White House. Where do you think we get this material from?! You can’t make crap like this up, and so you gotta wait for a state dinner or a plane load of lawyers to take a header into Vegas. But we film every month, and so our next show is in June and will be every month we don’t get busted, um, caught, um, picked up by a major network or streaming service. I’m hoping to be on Jimmy Fallon. He owes me, the bastard! He was one of mine years ago! He was then “Jimmy FALLEN”! I let him out of Hell for a taping of some TV show ’cause I wanted him to steal the backstage gift bags. Kelli, that lotion they give out that’s made from the tears of lazy producers who do TV and Film remakes is the bomb!”
Horror Fuel: “You have been popping into a lot of conventions. When can fans see you next?”
Satan: “In their nightmares!!! I will be in San Diego for Comic Con, looking for fresh souls and posing as Mitch Hyman. He’ll be working the drive-through at Dairy Queen for that Pony stuff that HE wants! I’m cool, so I ain’t into it. LIKE I SAID! Although they do have those exclusives in SDCC….
Anyway, the best part is that I hooked up the job cause he’s lactose intolerant! MWAHAHA! So, see all of you on YouTube… or judgment day, whatever. But I will go easier on ya if you watch the show. And I WILL know if ya did! I’ll be lurking for you…”
If you haven’t seen it yet, catch Bubba the Redneck Werewolf now on Hulu, then head over to Bubba’s website and grab a comic or a hat, a shirt, Coffee Shop of Horrors’ Bubba the Redneck Werewolf Spiced Bourbon Blend (review), or Bubba’s Bourbon Hot Sauce; it’s tasty stuff with a real bite. Be sure to stop by Amazon and pick up your copy of Vinnie and Mook: Hitmen in Paradise. Follow Bubba on Facebook for regular updates and other crazy stuff. You can check out Coffee Time With SatanHERE. We will keep you updated as Bubba the Redneck Werewolf 2 develops. Stay tuned.
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