Smosh Mouth Episode #19: Reading The Internet's Scariest Stories – Detailed Summary

Release Date: October 30, 2023
Hosts: Shayne Topp (Shane) and Amanda Lehan-Canto (Amanda)
Description: In this spooky Halloween episode, Shane and Amanda delve into some of the internet's most chilling creepypastas, sharing personal insights, fears, and engaging in deep discussions about the paranormal.

Introduction to Creepypastas and Paranormal Beliefs

The episode kicks off with Shane and Amanda setting the Halloween mood by announcing their plan to read and discuss some of the scariest stories from the internet, specifically focusing on creepypastas. Creepypastas are horror-related legends or images that have been copy-pasted around the internet, often with unknown origins.

Shane: "[...] creepypastas are something that I've been a fan of for a long time. The name comes from copy and pasting a story over and over again all over the Internet." [01:00]

They touch upon popular creepypastas like Slenderman and introduce their favorite, "Candle Cove," hinting at an engaging and eerie narrative ahead.

Discussion on Belief in Ghosts

Before diving into the stories, Shane and Amanda engage in a candid conversation about their beliefs in ghosts and the supernatural.

Amanda: "100%." [02:38]

Amanda shares her deep-rooted belief in ghosts, influenced by growing up in Massachusetts—a state rich in spooky history and old, untouched structures. She recounts reading horror stories with her sisters, likening them to early creepypastas.

Shane: "I don't believe in the devil or demons. I do believe that is all representation for our own interior." [08:13]

Shane expresses a more nuanced view, acknowledging the existence of energies beyond the physical realm without fully committing to the belief in ghosts. They discuss personal experiences, night terrors, and the thin line between imagination and the paranormal.

Amanda: "I have really bad night terrors, so it's hard to decipher if those are ghosts a part of my imagination or, like, otherworldly things." [03:49]

Story 1: Mr. Wide Mouth

The first creepypasta Shane shares is "Mr. Wide Mouth," a haunting tale about a young child encountering a mysterious entity during a sickly period in life. The story unfolds with the child meeting Mr. Wide Mouth, an enigmatic creature with an unnaturally large mouth, who introduces unsettling games and behaviors.

Shane: "Mr. Widemouth is here. [...] Wait a minute, this is creepy as hell." [11:30]

As the narrative progresses, the child's relationship with Mr. Wide Mouth devolves into fear and suspicion, culminating in the discovery of a burned-down house and a cemetery filled with tombstones of children. The eerie conclusion leaves listeners questioning the reality of Mr. Wide Mouth's existence.

Amanda: "I love it because [...] it's kind of like pet cemetery." [19:49]

Shane: "I love that there's an element of mystery about it. It's not like I'm certain that Mr. Wide Mouth was real." [21:32]

Reactions and In-Depth Analysis

Post-story, Shane and Amanda dissect the elements that make "Mr. Wide Mouth" particularly frightening. They highlight the effective use of setting, ambiguity between reality and imagination, and the lingering mystery that enhances the horror.

Shane: "I love this story for that reason of [...] it's just pure mystery." [21:24]

Amanda: "I love scary stories that have an element of, maybe it's true, maybe it's not." [21:32]

Story 2: Candle Cove

Next, the hosts delve into "Candle Cove," a masterfully crafted story presented in the format of an online forum discussion. The tale revolves around a nostalgic yet disturbing children's TV show that left viewers with nightmarish memories.

Shane: "This one is called Candle Cove, [...] it's written out like it's on a forum online." [31:18]

The conversation mimics the original forum posts, where users reminisce about the creepy elements of the show, such as Pirate Percy and the unsettling puppets. The story crescendos with revelations that blur the lines between collective memory and supernatural occurrences.

Amanda: "It feels so real. Literally, while you were reading it, I was like, oh, wow, all these people, this is so fun." [38:26]

Shane: "What's really scary [...] is cause when it was copy and pasted all over the Internet, people were like, wait, was this real?" [38:36]

Reactions and Critical Discussion

Shane and Amanda commend the storytelling technique of "Candle Cove," appreciating how the fragmented narrative and forum-style dialogue heighten the suspense and ambiguity.

Shane: "It's written so well. [...] you have this element of, maybe it's true, maybe it's not." [38:05]

Amanda: "It's very unsettling [...] because if it went to the point where they were like, oh, they killed everyone, you'd be like, all right." [40:19]

They draw parallels to other horror media, discussing how unresolved tension and open-ended conclusions can amplify fear more effectively than overt horror.

Story 3: Search and Rescue Woods

The final story presented is a chilling account purportedly from a Search and Rescue officer detailing unexplained and supernatural occurrences in the wilderness. The narrative includes disappearances, mysterious figures, and inexplicable phenomena like staircases appearing in the woods.

Shane: "I have a lot more stories, and I suppose if anyone's interested, I'll tell them some of them tomorrow." [56:37]

Amanda: "It's really well done. [...] It's just pure mystery." [57:00]

The story taps into urban legends and cryptid folklore, blending plausible search and rescue scenarios with eerie supernatural elements that leave listeners pondering the authenticity of such tales.

Shane: "It's really scary to me. [...] That's a different type of scary." [57:55]

Discussion on Cryptids and Mystical Creatures

Following the stories, Shane and Amanda engage in a lively discussion about cryptids like Bigfoot, fairies, and regional legends such as the Jersey Devil and Pudgy Wuddy. They explore cultural influences on these myths and share personal beliefs and encounters related to mystical creatures.

Shane: "I love the idea of cryptids. I love [...] every single place has their own thing." [61:09]

Amanda: "I do believe in fairies. [...] I think I do believe in fairies." [63:41]

Their conversation highlights the enduring fascination with the unknown and how local folklore shapes our perceptions of fear and the supernatural.

Conclusion: Halloween Greetings and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, Shane and Amanda shift gears to a light-hearted Halloween conclusion, discussing favorite candies and sharing playful banter about their fictional encounters with legendary creatures like Bigfoot.

Amanda: "Happy Halloween to everyone. [...] Happy Halloween, Bigfoot." [67:20]

Shane: "Happy Halloween, you freaks. [...] Happy Halloween, Bigfoot." [68:20]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Shane on Creepypastas: "[...] creepypastas are something that I've been a fan of for a long time." [01:00]

• Amanda on Belief in Ghosts: "100%." [02:38]

• Shane on Respecting Beliefs: "I respect people's beliefs and I respect that." [06:28]

• Shane on 'Mr. Wide Mouth': "I love this story for that reason of [...] it's just pure mystery." [21:24]

• Amanda on 'Candle Cove': "It feels so real. Literally, while you were reading it, I was like, oh, wow." [38:26]

• Shane on Cryptids: "I love the idea of cryptids. I love the idea of there being creatures out there that we don't know." [61:09]

• Amanda on Fairies: "I do believe in fairies. [...] I think I do believe in fairies." [63:41]

• Shane on Halloween: "Happy Halloween, you freaks." [67:20]

Final Thoughts

Episode #19 of Smosh Mouth offers a spine-tingling journey through some of the internet's most unsettling stories, enriched by Shane and Amanda's personal insights and engaging discussions. Their exploration of creepypastas like "Mr. Wide Mouth" and "Candle Cove," coupled with their musings on ghosts and cryptids, creates an immersive and thought-provoking Halloween special. Whether you're a fan of horror stories or simply enjoy paranormal discussions, this episode delivers a perfect blend of storytelling and conversational intrigue.