Podcast Summary: House of R – 2025 Halloween Costume Recommendations

Podcast: House of R (The Ringer)
Hosts: Joanna Robinson
Guests: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes (Midnight Boys), Chris Ryan, Nora Princiotti & Jodi Walker (We’re Obsessed)
Date: October 10, 2025
Episode Duration: ~71 minutes

Episode Overview

In this spirited and hilarious episode of House of R, Joanna Robinson convenes a roundtable of personalities from the nerd and pop culture world to share Halloween costume ideas for 2025. With co-host Mallory Rubin away in Greece, Joanna brings in collaborators for a wide-ranging discussion, bouncing from Ringerverse deep cuts, meme costumes, group and couple’s outfits, nostalgia picks, and the importance of owning your costume choices. The show strikes a balance between pop culture savvy, inside-joke fun, and inclusive recommendations for all types of Halloween revelers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Halloween Nostalgia & Personal Histories

Van Lathan & Charles Holmes (Midnight Boys) open the discussion with stories of childhood Halloweens amid church-going households and the risks of “demon worshipping” media obsessions, especially the cultural impact of Harry Potter in Black churches.
- Charles: "The demon worshiping fear was big. And also Harry Potter hit the black church crazy, bro." (04:08)
Both describe approaches to Halloween as adults—Van, never fully committing to costumes, often defaulting to easy "NWA" looks; Charles, mixing creativity with LA singles scene flair (Bronco Brown the cowboy, last year).

2. Costume Trends, Advice, and Pet Peeves

Props Make the Costume: Charles swears by accessories—"Bring props...My boy was a parking attendant. He would roll up, give a hottie a ticket, I'd have the fake guns and the cigar. Blah, blah, blah." (05:14)
Couples/Group Costumes: Mixed feelings—Charles: “I can’t fuck with a couple’s costume. I’m a solo act” (06:45). Van’s partners try to push him, but he “can’t commit.”
Classic is Timeless: A call for classic pirate costumes instead of trying-too-hard meme references (11:18). But cautions to avoid going overboard ("Don't go full Captain Jack Sparrow").
Pop Culture Fatigue: There’s pushback against obvious picks like “Carmy” (The Bear) and “Barbie.” Charles: "Way too many Carmys. Way too many Barbies…Dig deeper in your pop culture bag." (09:19)
Sexy Everything: The annual "Sexy [X]" debate—Van: “Girls don’t go as Kim Jong Un. They go as sexy Kim Jong Un." (10:37)
Anime and Video Game Love: Van advocates video game characters (Link, Mario/Luigi, Gears of War, Minecraft) as “classics that always work.” (14:02)
Evergreen Costumes: Sexy Velma (Scooby Doo) is “eternal,” and may have outlasted Harley Quinn in popularity (15:30).

3. Costumes to Avoid

Overdone/Obvious: Avoid “Bob” from One Battle After Another (“I assure you someone else has thought of that”—Chris Ryan, 28:20).
Problematic Choices:
- Van’s annual PSA on avoiding anything racist or on-the-line: “Don’t fuck up. It’s not an homage. You not celebrating it...If it’s on the line, if you have to call your Black friend and go, is this okay? The answer is no.” (23:44)
- Both Blackface and other offensive mimicry (like fake tattoos for certain Black cultural figures) absolutely not.
Political Costumes: Chris advises skipping these, especially in a tense election year (28:17).

4. Trend Predictions & Nerd Culture Picks

Video Game Surge: Look for Clara Obscura (French video game) group costumes (15:08).
K-Pop Demon Hunters: A hot new trend among younger fans. Watch for bathrobe + ramen-eating K-pop girl group looks (16:51).
Anime Rising: Demon Slayer and K-pop-adjacent anime looks approved, but best for the under-25 crowd.
Deep Cuts: Van proposes The Gilded Age “robber baron” looks and throwing a themed party (17:37). FAKE SWORDS a must for Kill Bill (Yellow tracksuit, bloody progression at each party, 20:09).
Group/Couple Costumes: Messed-up pairs (Abby and Joel from The Last of Us; Negan & victims from Walking Dead) get debated—Charles: “I want to uplift...I don’t play with that.” (21:39)

5. Costume Ideas—The Ringerverse and Beyond

From Chris Ryan—Classically Childless, Middle-Aged Guy Picks (26:30)

Perry from Task: “Stubble, rings, leather jacket, and the watch chain now.” (27:08)
Marcus from Weapons: For the hipster set, for those with dark hearts.
Severance: Workwear + tense look = “I’m in Severance.” For an ambitious throuple, Mark-Helly-Ms. Casey makes a “messed up love triangle” group (32:33).
Oliphant-aphilia: Dress as Timothy Olyphant doing a podcast interview—T-shirt, sunglasses, laid-back charisma (31:11).

From Nora Princiotti & Jodi Walker (We’re Obsessed)—Meme Culture and Out-of-Field Picks (36:46+)

Weapons: Aunt Gladys (for redheads, or anyone with a wig), pivot point lipstick smear, big glasses. “Keep it to natural redheads, but I’m willing to share.” (42:07)
Hot Dog Trey Couple—an instant weapons meme.
Ashton Hall Morning Routine: The group costume with “five people, five steps”—mouth tape, Saratoga water, ice bucket face dunk, banana facial (with backup banana!), and the faceless woman arms (43:50-46:09).
Summer I Turned Pretty: Throuple costume for drama: “Lets everyone in your roster know I don’t like you. And this isn’t forever. In fact, nobody likes Jeremiah.” (48:29)
Nicole Kidman Divorce Eras: Two looks—FREEDOM (post-Cruise, arms raised, capris); Vogue cover (bangs, crispy poplin). “If your goal is timelessly gorgeous, this is your costume.” (51:22)
Slutty Teletubbies: Foundational mistake-turned-meme. “I was the blue one—possibly the non-representative fifth Teletubby.” (52:27)
“Katy Perry in Space”: Illegible tracklist as prop, burst out with "What a Wonderful World" (49:26)
Meme Breakout: Monkey Robbie Williams (from biopic), Gorilla vs. 100 men (group costume of 101 people), and “trying on jorts in her bisexual fashion era” (headline as costume with strategic lighting) (57:00).
J-Lo/Ben Affleck Multiple Marriages: Six-person group—each couple a different Affleck-Lopez phase, hovercraft recommended for futures (68:32).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Props Tip:
Charles Holmes (05:31): “Bring props. My boy was a parking attendant...He would roll up, give a hottie a ticket. And then I would have the fake guns and the cigar...Classic.”
Sexy Costume Commentary:
Van Lathan (10:37): “Girls don’t go as Kim Jong Un. They go as sexy Kim Jong Un.”
Pop Culture Deep Cuts:
Chris Ryan (28:17): “If you’re thinking about being Bob from One Battle After Another...wherever party you go to, there will be three dudes there who are like, ‘I’m dressed as Bob, too.’”
Social Awareness PSA:
Van Lathan (23:44): “Don’t fuck up. It’s not an homage. You not celebrating it...If it’s on the line, if you have to call your Black friend and go, is this okay? The answer is no.”
On Confidence:
Jodi Walker (66:59): “Own what you’re wearing. Go all the way in. Do it with your whole chest. If you want to be a slutty Teletubby, do it—get that frostbite.”
Failure Turned Badge of Honor:
Nora Princiotti (52:27): “We decided to go as slutty Teletubbies…trudging through three feet of snow…living, guys!”

Notable Timestamps

[03:41]: Van & Charles’ Halloween histories & struggles with “demon worship” culture
[05:14]: Advice for Halloween singles—props, props, props
[11:18]: The return of classic costumes (pirate)
[14:02]: Video game costumes forecast
[15:30]: The stamina of "Sexy Velma"
[23:44]: Annual “don’t fuck up” costume PSA
[26:30]: Chris Ryan’s “middle-aged man” costume ideas
[42:02]: Aunt Gladys (Weapons) as Halloween icon
[43:50]: Ashton Hall morning routine group costume breakdown
[52:27]: Slutty Teletubby origin story
[57:00]: Meme costumes: Robbie Williams the monkey, Gorilla vs. 100 Men
[66:59]: The importance of confidence, whatever the costume
[68:33]: "J-Lo & Ben Affleck Marriages" recurring costume concept

Costume Idea Highlights — 2025 Edition

THE CLASSICS (always a hit)

Pirate (keep it simple, don’t go Depp-level extra)
Mario & Luigi, Link & Zelda, Gears of War, Minecraft
Sexy Velma (timeless)

POP CULTURE DEEPER CUTS

Perry from Task
Marcus from Weapons
Negan w/ bat (The Walking Dead)
Kill Bill yellow tracksuit & progressive blood splatter
Gilded Age robber baron/luncheon party group
Oliphant (as himself during an interview)

TRENDING/MEME COSTUMES

K-Pop Demon Hunters (esp. for the under-25 crowd)
Weapons Aunt Gladys (for redheads, ideally) or Hot Dog Trey couple
Ashton Hall Morning Routine 5+ person ensemble
Katy Perry in space (with tracklist), Monkey Robbie Williams
Slutty Teletubbies (for frostbite risk-takers)
“Trying on jorts in bisexual fashion era” (with bisexual lighting team)
J-Lo & Ben Affleck Marriages (three couples, future-proof)
Group: Gorilla vs. 100 Men

TO AVOID

Political costumes (too fraught)
Obvious/inflationary pop culture picks (Bob from One Battle After Another, Barbie, Carmy)
Anything offensive or requiring you to check with a Black friend (just don't)

Final Thoughts

Almost any idea can work if you commit (props, extras, charisma), but the panel advises digging deeper into pop culture, re-embracing classics, and always having fun. Above all, “Own what you’re wearing. Go all the way in. Do it with your whole chest." (66:59)

“If you want to be a slutty Teletubby, do it—get that frostbite.” (66:59)

For more ideas, memes, and mailbag participation, they're running a special Night of the Seven Kingdoms mailbag episode next week—send questions to Hobbitsanddragonsmail.com

Happy Halloween!

Podcast Summary: House of R – 2025 Halloween Costume Recommendations

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Halloween Nostalgia & Personal Histories

Van Lathan & Charles Holmes (Midnight Boys) open the discussion with stories of childhood Halloweens amid church-going households and the risks of “demon worshipping” media obsessions, especially the cultural impact of Harry Potter in Black churches.
- Charles: "The demon worshiping fear was big. And also Harry Potter hit the black church crazy, bro." (04:08)
Both describe approaches to Halloween as adults—Van, never fully committing to costumes, often defaulting to easy "NWA" looks; Charles, mixing creativity with LA singles scene flair (Bronco Brown the cowboy, last year).

2. Costume Trends, Advice, and Pet Peeves

Props Make the Costume: Charles swears by accessories—"Bring props...My boy was a parking attendant. He would roll up, give a hottie a ticket, I'd have the fake guns and the cigar. Blah, blah, blah." (05:14)
Couples/Group Costumes: Mixed feelings—Charles: “I can’t fuck with a couple’s costume. I’m a solo act” (06:45). Van’s partners try to push him, but he “can’t commit.”
Classic is Timeless: A call for classic pirate costumes instead of trying-too-hard meme references (11:18). But cautions to avoid going overboard ("Don't go full Captain Jack Sparrow").
Pop Culture Fatigue: There’s pushback against obvious picks like “Carmy” (The Bear) and “Barbie.” Charles: "Way too many Carmys. Way too many Barbies…Dig deeper in your pop culture bag." (09:19)
Sexy Everything: The annual "Sexy [X]" debate—Van: “Girls don’t go as Kim Jong Un. They go as sexy Kim Jong Un." (10:37)
Anime and Video Game Love: Van advocates video game characters (Link, Mario/Luigi, Gears of War, Minecraft) as “classics that always work.” (14:02)
Evergreen Costumes: Sexy Velma (Scooby Doo) is “eternal,” and may have outlasted Harley Quinn in popularity (15:30).

3. Costumes to Avoid

Overdone/Obvious: Avoid “Bob” from One Battle After Another (“I assure you someone else has thought of that”—Chris Ryan, 28:20).
Problematic Choices:
- Van’s annual PSA on avoiding anything racist or on-the-line: “Don’t fuck up. It’s not an homage. You not celebrating it...If it’s on the line, if you have to call your Black friend and go, is this okay? The answer is no.” (23:44)
- Both Blackface and other offensive mimicry (like fake tattoos for certain Black cultural figures) absolutely not.
Political Costumes: Chris advises skipping these, especially in a tense election year (28:17).

4. Trend Predictions & Nerd Culture Picks

Video Game Surge: Look for Clara Obscura (French video game) group costumes (15:08).
K-Pop Demon Hunters: A hot new trend among younger fans. Watch for bathrobe + ramen-eating K-pop girl group looks (16:51).
Anime Rising: Demon Slayer and K-pop-adjacent anime looks approved, but best for the under-25 crowd.
Deep Cuts: Van proposes The Gilded Age “robber baron” looks and throwing a themed party (17:37). FAKE SWORDS a must for Kill Bill (Yellow tracksuit, bloody progression at each party, 20:09).
Group/Couple Costumes: Messed-up pairs (Abby and Joel from The Last of Us; Negan & victims from Walking Dead) get debated—Charles: “I want to uplift...I don’t play with that.” (21:39)

5. Costume Ideas—The Ringerverse and Beyond

From Chris Ryan—Classically Childless, Middle-Aged Guy Picks (26:30)

Perry from Task: “Stubble, rings, leather jacket, and the watch chain now.” (27:08)
Marcus from Weapons: For the hipster set, for those with dark hearts.
Severance: Workwear + tense look = “I’m in Severance.” For an ambitious throuple, Mark-Helly-Ms. Casey makes a “messed up love triangle” group (32:33).
Oliphant-aphilia: Dress as Timothy Olyphant doing a podcast interview—T-shirt, sunglasses, laid-back charisma (31:11).

From Nora Princiotti & Jodi Walker (We’re Obsessed)—Meme Culture and Out-of-Field Picks (36:46+)

Weapons: Aunt Gladys (for redheads, or anyone with a wig), pivot point lipstick smear, big glasses. “Keep it to natural redheads, but I’m willing to share.” (42:07)
Hot Dog Trey Couple—an instant weapons meme.
Ashton Hall Morning Routine: The group costume with “five people, five steps”—mouth tape, Saratoga water, ice bucket face dunk, banana facial (with backup banana!), and the faceless woman arms (43:50-46:09).
Summer I Turned Pretty: Throuple costume for drama: “Lets everyone in your roster know I don’t like you. And this isn’t forever. In fact, nobody likes Jeremiah.” (48:29)
Nicole Kidman Divorce Eras: Two looks—FREEDOM (post-Cruise, arms raised, capris); Vogue cover (bangs, crispy poplin). “If your goal is timelessly gorgeous, this is your costume.” (51:22)
Slutty Teletubbies: Foundational mistake-turned-meme. “I was the blue one—possibly the non-representative fifth Teletubby.” (52:27)
“Katy Perry in Space”: Illegible tracklist as prop, burst out with "What a Wonderful World" (49:26)
Meme Breakout: Monkey Robbie Williams (from biopic), Gorilla vs. 100 men (group costume of 101 people), and “trying on jorts in her bisexual fashion era” (headline as costume with strategic lighting) (57:00).
J-Lo/Ben Affleck Multiple Marriages: Six-person group—each couple a different Affleck-Lopez phase, hovercraft recommended for futures (68:32).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Props Tip:
Charles Holmes (05:31): “Bring props. My boy was a parking attendant...He would roll up, give a hottie a ticket. And then I would have the fake guns and the cigar...Classic.”
Sexy Costume Commentary:
Van Lathan (10:37): “Girls don’t go as Kim Jong Un. They go as sexy Kim Jong Un.”
Pop Culture Deep Cuts:
Chris Ryan (28:17): “If you’re thinking about being Bob from One Battle After Another...wherever party you go to, there will be three dudes there who are like, ‘I’m dressed as Bob, too.’”
Social Awareness PSA:
Van Lathan (23:44): “Don’t fuck up. It’s not an homage. You not celebrating it...If it’s on the line, if you have to call your Black friend and go, is this okay? The answer is no.”
On Confidence:
Jodi Walker (66:59): “Own what you’re wearing. Go all the way in. Do it with your whole chest. If you want to be a slutty Teletubby, do it—get that frostbite.”
Failure Turned Badge of Honor:
Nora Princiotti (52:27): “We decided to go as slutty Teletubbies…trudging through three feet of snow…living, guys!”

Notable Timestamps

[03:41]: Van & Charles’ Halloween histories & struggles with “demon worship” culture
[05:14]: Advice for Halloween singles—props, props, props
[11:18]: The return of classic costumes (pirate)
[14:02]: Video game costumes forecast
[15:30]: The stamina of "Sexy Velma"
[23:44]: Annual “don’t fuck up” costume PSA
[26:30]: Chris Ryan’s “middle-aged man” costume ideas
[42:02]: Aunt Gladys (Weapons) as Halloween icon
[43:50]: Ashton Hall morning routine group costume breakdown
[52:27]: Slutty Teletubby origin story
[57:00]: Meme costumes: Robbie Williams the monkey, Gorilla vs. 100 Men
[66:59]: The importance of confidence, whatever the costume
[68:33]: "J-Lo & Ben Affleck Marriages" recurring costume concept

Costume Idea Highlights — 2025 Edition

THE CLASSICS (always a hit)

Pirate (keep it simple, don’t go Depp-level extra)
Mario & Luigi, Link & Zelda, Gears of War, Minecraft
Sexy Velma (timeless)

POP CULTURE DEEPER CUTS

Perry from Task
Marcus from Weapons
Negan w/ bat (The Walking Dead)
Kill Bill yellow tracksuit & progressive blood splatter
Gilded Age robber baron/luncheon party group
Oliphant (as himself during an interview)

TRENDING/MEME COSTUMES

K-Pop Demon Hunters (esp. for the under-25 crowd)
Weapons Aunt Gladys (for redheads, ideally) or Hot Dog Trey couple
Ashton Hall Morning Routine 5+ person ensemble
Katy Perry in space (with tracklist), Monkey Robbie Williams
Slutty Teletubbies (for frostbite risk-takers)
“Trying on jorts in bisexual fashion era” (with bisexual lighting team)
J-Lo & Ben Affleck Marriages (three couples, future-proof)
Group: Gorilla vs. 100 Men

TO AVOID

Political costumes (too fraught)
Obvious/inflationary pop culture picks (Bob from One Battle After Another, Barbie, Carmy)
Anything offensive or requiring you to check with a Black friend (just don't)

Final Thoughts

“If you want to be a slutty Teletubby, do it—get that frostbite.” (66:59)

For more ideas, memes, and mailbag participation, they're running a special Night of the Seven Kingdoms mailbag episode next week—send questions to Hobbitsanddragonsmail.com

Happy Halloween!

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2025 Halloween Costume Recommendations

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Summary

Podcast Summary: House of R – 2025 Halloween Costume Recommendations

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Halloween Nostalgia & Personal Histories

2. Costume Trends, Advice, and Pet Peeves

3. Costumes to Avoid

4. Trend Predictions & Nerd Culture Picks

5. Costume Ideas—The Ringerverse and Beyond

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Notable Timestamps

Costume Idea Highlights — 2025 Edition

THE CLASSICS (always a hit)

POP CULTURE DEEPER CUTS

TRENDING/MEME COSTUMES

TO AVOID

Final Thoughts

Summary

Podcast Summary: House of R – 2025 Halloween Costume Recommendations

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Halloween Nostalgia & Personal Histories

2. Costume Trends, Advice, and Pet Peeves

3. Costumes to Avoid

4. Trend Predictions & Nerd Culture Picks

5. Costume Ideas—The Ringerverse and Beyond

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Notable Timestamps

Costume Idea Highlights — 2025 Edition

THE CLASSICS (always a hit)

POP CULTURE DEEPER CUTS

TRENDING/MEME COSTUMES

TO AVOID

Final Thoughts