Radio Rental – Episode 79 Summary

Release Date: June 27, 2025
Hosted by: Tenderfoot TV & Audacy
Host Character: Terry Carnation (Rainn Wilson)

Overview

In Episode 79 of Radio Rental, listeners are immersed in two chilling true horror stories that blur the lines between reality and the supernatural, all within the eerie ambiance of the fictional 80’s video rental store managed by Terry Carnation. The episode masterfully combines documentary storytelling with elements of comedy, creating a captivating narrative experience.

Introduction to Radio Rental

The episode opens with Chirpy Fitzhammer, the new assistant at Radio Rental, introducing himself and setting the stage for the night’s stories. Chirpy’s quirky personality and humorous anecdotes add a unique flavor to the episode, creating a welcoming yet unsettling atmosphere for the tales to come.

Story 1: The Hardcore Concert Horror

Timestamp: [04:56]

Narrated by: Band Member

A gripping account unfolds as a hardcore band recounts their harrowing experience during a summer tour in 1999. Performing in a seemingly innocuous venue—a tattoo parlor scheduled as a matinee show—the band quickly realizes something is amiss as the crowd transforms into aggressive skinheads intent on causing chaos.

“Our songs were always extremely fast. High energy, our stage presence were jumping all over the place... But all of a sudden the crowd instantly changed. What was a bunch of kids just having a good time eventually turned into a bunch of skinheads that started to pour down the steps instantly trying to hurt other people.”
— Band Member [06:10]

Despite their initial attempts to de-escalate the situation by stopping their set and leaving the venue, the band’s ordeal intensifies. While driving away in their RV, they encounter mysterious handprints etched all over their vehicle—handprints of varying sizes, suggesting multiple unknown individuals have interacted with their RV.

“We don’t really know what happened. We just think it'd be best if we never go to Ohio ever again.”
— Band Member [16:45]

The story crescendos with an unsettling encounter with a state trooper who reveals the ominous presence of these handprints, leaving the band bewildered and terrified. The band reflects on the inexplicable events, questioning whether the handprints were a result of human actions or something more supernatural.

Chirpy Fitzhammer’s Reactions

Timestamp: [17:38]

Character: Chirpy Fitzhammer

Chirpy reacts to the first story with a blend of humor and genuine fear, sharing a personal anecdote that mirrors the horror of seeing random handprints:

“You know, handprints are freaking scary, man. You know, my grandma had one of those little plaster casts of my baby hands. It's just like baby hands freak me out.”
— Chirpy Fitzhammer [17:38]

Story 2: The Ghostly Encounter at the Grand Canyon

Timestamp: [23:19]

Narrated by: Band Member

The second story transports listeners to 2003, where another band's quest for adventure leads them to the enigmatic depths of the Grand Canyon. Driven by youthful recklessness, the band members descend to the river at the bottom of the canyon without proper preparation, only to find themselves stranded as night falls.

“We started walking down, joking along the way. All the while just ignoring any warning signs posted... And it's getting dark. We just had to go like we couldn't sit around any longer.”
— Band Member [24:30]

As they struggle to ascend back in the dead of night, the band encounters a peculiar stranger—a mysterious man fixated on discussing old-school airplanes. His anachronistic appearance and cryptic conversations leave the band questioning his identity and intentions.

“He just didn’t look like a regular guy that would be down there... It made no sense.”
— Band Member [28:45]

Years later, reflecting on the incident, the band member ponders whether the stranger was a ghost, possibly one of the numerous pilots who have tragically perished at the Grand Canyon. The unresolved mystery of the encounter leaves a lingering sense of unease.

“My gut tells me I know what I saw. I know deep down that this was a spirit or this was a ghost reliving this cycle over and over.”
— Band Member [33:50]

Chirpy Fitzhammer’s Final Thoughts

Timestamp: [34:01]

Character: Chirpy Fitzhammer

Chirpy wraps up the second story with a mix of astonishment and playful banter, reinforcing the eerie nature of the ghostly pilot encounter:

“Ding, dong, bing, bong. I'm freaked out. Is anyone else? Man, that was so insane.”
— Chirpy Fitzhammer [34:01]

Conclusion and Credits

The episode concludes with a blend of lighthearted interactions and promotional content, maintaining the show's characteristic balance between horror and humor. The credits acknowledge the creative team behind Radio Rental, inviting listeners to share their own spooky tales and engage with the community.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Band Member [06:10]: “Our songs were always extremely fast. High energy, our stage presence were jumping all over the place... But all of a sudden the crowd instantly changed.”

• Band Member [16:45]: “We don’t really know what happened. We just think it'd be best if we never go to Ohio ever again.”

• Chirpy Fitzhammer [17:38]: “You know, handprints are freaking scary, man. You know, my grandma had one of those little plaster casts of my baby hands. It's just like baby hands freak me out.”

• Band Member [24:30]: “We started walking down, joking along the way. All the while just ignoring any warning signs posted... And it's getting dark.”

• Band Member [28:45]: “He just didn’t look like a regular guy that would be down there... It made no sense.”

• Band Member [33:50]: “My gut tells me I know what I saw. I know deep down that this was a spirit or this was a ghost reliving this cycle over and over.”

• Chirpy Fitzhammer [34:01]: “Ding, dong, bing, bong. I'm freaked out. Is anyone else? Man, that was so insane.”

Final Thoughts

Episode 79 of Radio Rental delivers spine-tingling stories that resonate with listeners who appreciate true horror blended with fictional storytelling. Through vivid narratives and engaging character interactions, the episode reinforces Radio Rental’s reputation as a cult classic-inspired horror brand that keeps audiences coming back for more unsettling tales.