Ministry Roll Call: How Do You Celebrate Halloween as a Pop Culture Superfan?
Ministry Roll Call: How Do You Celebrate Halloween as a Pop Culture Superfan?
No tricks, all treats!
Here at the Ministry, we live and breathe pop culture—but that doesn’t mean we all feel the same about Halloween. While most of us are as into it as David S. Pumpkins…
…one of us is, well, less enthusiastic.
Even so, there is no holiday better suited to pop culture aficionados like Halloween! So here is how we have celebrated spooky season, past and present.
Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, Queen of the Pop Culture Costume
I was the queen of the pop culture costume back in my Brooklyn Halloween party heyday! I learned my trade at Entertainment Weekly, where I learned it was all but mandatory to show up in pop culture-inspired finery for the holiday. (I still have a vivid memory of a coworker showing up as Nick Nolte's mugshot.)
I've been Sydney Bristow from Alias, Alex Owens from Flashdance, Bad Sandy from Grease, and, of course, Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. I kept that tiara, gloves, and cigarette holder handy in case I needed a last-minute costume for years to come. My friend Dave once attempted to be the Paul Varjak to my Holly, but no one got it, even though we made him a book that said Nine Lives on the cover. And in my most topical costume, I was Britney Spears from the Madonna kiss at the VMAs, with my friend playing Madonna.
Sadly, photos of most of these are lost to changing technology, but I do have one of me as Sandy (see above). I couldn't find the right wig in time; this one is a little too long and loose.
Erin Carlson, Rom-Com Enthusiast
A few Halloweens ago I dressed up as Patricia Eden, the neurotic book editor played by Parker Posey in You've Got Mail. She's the inspiration for one of Tom Hanks' best lines: “Patricia makes coffee nervous.” I can relate!
Anyway, if you too love the iconic 1998 rom-com, you'll need a brown shoulder-length wig, an all-black wardrobe, two large Starbucks coffees and an annoyed expression.
Thea Glassman, Doggone Friday Night Lights Fan
It's only fitting that my dog Riggins dresses up as her namesake for Halloween. In true Tim Riggins form, she's all about rocking a disheveled, devil-may-care look, having already eaten half of her football and will probably move onto her jersey next.
Come October 31st, she will stay in character by acting aloof yet flirty with any other dog she encounters and stay up past her 10pm bedtime. Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose.
Kirthana Ramisetti, All About the Vibes
I love Halloween for the creativity it brings out in everyone, from punny costumes to spectacular house displays. But not so much for the glut of horror movies that come out this time of year. (I’m a scaredy cat, okay?)
But there are still plenty of ways to get into the Halloween spirit, including watching movies like Practical Magic, Beetlejuice and The Witches of Eastwick. I also like to rewatch favorite TV episodes, especially this Community episode that is a hilarious parody of zombie movies.
I tend to be less creative—okay, let’s say lazy—when it comes to my own Halloween costumes. I have gone as the devil for many years simply because I owned a glittery devil headband and red dress. But if I was dressing up this year, I’d go as Emma from Netflix’s hit series One Day and wear her signature yellow tank top and blue jeans—and carry a box of tissues (IYKYK).
Saul Austerlitz, Halloween Grinch
As a noted Halloween grinch, I’ve actually never celebrated Halloween, or dressed up for the holiday. So instead, with the confluence of the election season and spooky season this year, I will share a favorite pop-culture-themed election accessory that I’ve now seen decorating numerous lawns in Pennsylvania.
With a font and design that reads as political, and a patriotic blue-and red palette, the sign reads: PRESIDENTS ARE TEMPORARY. WU-TANG IS FOREVER. I love the sign because it makes me laugh every time I see it, and also because it feels like it expands the horizons of what our patriotism might consist of. When we think of reasons to be proud of America, why shouldn’t we start with the RZA, the GZA, Raekwon, and Ghostface?
The Ministry Recommends…
Erin: Jen’s interview for the Park It newsletter. Fans of Parks and Recreation will love the behind-the-scenes insights and learning more about Jen's upcoming book about the beloved series!
Kirthana: Erin’s take on the latest Pride & Prejudice series coming to Netflix is hilariously on point. I am in full support of needing Dev Patel to star in an Austen adaptation and love the Lizzie Bennett-inspired reason she coined the acronym GLOAT. Read it at You’ve Got Mail!
Jennifer: There's an entire genre of TikTok video featuring people listening to songs for the first time and reacting live, and there has been a rush of them lately about Taylor Swift as some holdouts decided to check her out after she endorsed Kamala Harris for president. (Yes, really.)
But no one, and I mean NO ONE does it better than @terryandkaniyia, If you think this is not a special talent, go watch their videos and see. This couple loves music, and it shows. They grab each other's arms and squeal like they're on a roller coaster. They run into their closet, or around the room. They replay the best parts and sing them to each other. They stop and break down the best lyrics. They've listened to many artists, but I personally get the greatest joy from their (now 39-part!) series working through Swift's catalog, which began, before the endorsement, with “Anti-Hero” in the spring.
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I got hooked with “Don't Blame Me.” There's something magical about watching other people fall in love with what you love, and I've learned to anticipate the parts they're going to love the most—the bridges, the drops, the killer couplets.
Their recent video about “imgonnagetyouback” actually made me appreciate the song more than I originally did. You can watch them progress as fans as well, finding connections between songs, dropping Taylor lore, and even getting "Naughty Taylor" T-shirts. This is shared pop culture love at its best.
Honestly obsessed with Erin's Patricia costume. Such an elite choice.
I have been Mia Wallace (with large syringe taped to my chest), Evita (being a musical + Madonna freak, this was a no-brainer at the time) and Lady Gaga (her pink hair phase, not the meat dress era)