The Bald and the Beautiful with Trixie and Katya

Episode: Elvira’s Planet of the Glamazonian Ghouls with Trixie
Date: October 28, 2025
Guest: Cassandra Peterson (Elvira, Mistress of the Dark)

Episode Overview

This special Halloween episode of “The Bald and the Beautiful” brings Trixie Mattel face-to-face with iconic horror hostess Cassandra Peterson, known globally as Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. With Katya away, Trixie leads a candid, hilarious, and deeply affectionate conversation exploring Elvira’s singular career—covering everything from early drag queens in Provincetown to intellectual property wrangling, pinball wizardry, and candid discussions of queerness, longevity, and legacy. The discussion delights in behind-the-scenes stories, touching personal moments, and a celebration of Halloween, drag, and living authentically.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Elvira Origin Story & Career Longevity

• Early Beginnings: Elvira shares her unexpected journey to TV stardom, recounting how she was hired to host a horror show, thinking it would be a short gig paying “a couple hundred dollars.”
  • "I just thought it sounded like the weirdest damn thing in the world… I was very excited about getting any work that paid money then.” (09:51)
• Rights & Merchandising: Peterson explains the gradual acquisition of her character’s rights, giving her control and long-term financial benefit.
  • “My lawyer said, ‘They’re not going to pay you more. Why don’t you just ask for the rights instead?’ ... Until one day, we realized we had all the rights.” (11:04–11:46)
  • The team didn’t fully realize the value at first—understanding only hit after big TV appearances like Johnny Carson. (12:20–12:47)

2. Late-Night TV, Joan Rivers, and Celebrity Encounters

• On Joan Rivers: Elvira reflects on her appearance with Joan Rivers, expressing fondness and amusement at Joan’s warmth and their rapport.
  • "I felt like it just missed the thing. I was sort of prepared to get into like a cat fight...and then she was just nice to me." (08:23)
  • Memorable Joan quip: “When those things drop, there’s going to be an earthquake in China.” (08:41)
• Industry Support: Edgar Rosenberg (Joan’s husband) was instrumental in helping Elvira network in LA.
  • "He introduced me to agents. Otherwise, you’re just showing up with 900,000 other people.” (07:11–07:40)
• Starstruck Moments: The rare times Elvira was truly “starstruck,” like meeting Michael Jackson just after Thriller’s release.
  • "I mean I was—I couldn’t talk... he shook my hand and he had that glove on... ‘I really love you, Elvira.’” (24:27–25:05)

3. Horror Hostess, Drag Connections, and Live Performance

• Queer & Drag Culture: Trixie acknowledges Elvira as an inspiration for many drag performers and the character’s deep roots in queer culture.
  • “Most drag queens think of you as... a drag queen and we all loved you before we did!” (10:15)
• Knott’s Scary Farm Legacy: Elvira describes her Halloween stage shows, stories of over-the-top stage gags, and the evolution from “cheesy” to “full-on Vegas.”
  • “The first show was so lame… but as time went on the shows got better and better. You would not believe it. It was full-on Vegas!” (19:14–19:55)
  • On her signature rag-doll body double gag: “We act like we don't think it's obvious...” (21:25)

4. Music and Misunderstandings About "Stealing the Look"

• Musical Tastes: Trixie and Elvira discuss Joan Jett, Billy Idol, and the recurring claims that Elvira “stole” her persona from others.
  • “How come everybody thinks you ripped them off?” (22:58)
  • “I ripped off Vampira. I ripped off Siouxie… Morticia, everyone. You name it, I ripped off.” (23:01)

5. Cookbook, Branding, and Authentic Entertaining

• Elvira’s Cookbook: Newly published “Elvira’s Cookbook from Hell”—a blend of spooky recipes and party entertainment tips—becomes a bestseller.
  • “Are people gonna buy a cookbook from Elvira? ... It was, like, number 33 on the 100 best seller list on USA Today. Love that.” (25:46–26:02)
  • The book covers everything from easy bites to challenging dishes and includes fun party advice.
  • “It’s for that person… that Halloween is 365 days a year, which is me, for sure.” (27:00)

6. Pinball Machines and Provincetown Memories

• Pinball Pinch-Me Moments: Elvira delights in her own series of pinball machines—a personal point of pride.
  • “I tell people I felt like I won the Academy Award… In my world, pinball machine was like, holy shit… I just made it to the top!” (35:46–35:50)
• Provincetown Drag: Both Trixie and Elvira share tales from the P-Town drag scene, from working at the post office cabaret to lack of air-conditioning and “barking” for shows.
  • “Did you walk on the street… please come see the show?” [“Barking”] (38:47)
  • On changing costumes: “There was none. I had to change eight costumes for my show. And I was changing off to the side behind a little curtain. Oh my God.” (37:51)

7. Candid Reflections & Queer Visibility

• On Coming Out and Being Candid: Trixie praises Elvira’s matter-of-fact discussion about her sexuality and partnerships. Elvira credits her father’s “no-filter” attitude and simply choosing to be honest.
  • “When you say that to me, I feel like hey, maybe that’s something I got from my dad… just say things that happen… you know, no bullshit.” (45:02–45:44)
  • On her relationship: “All my life I was thinking about drag queens and makeup… The nice thing about my relationship with her is that she saw me at my worst every day… It was very comfortable and very… I knew what I was getting and she knew what she was getting.” (46:33)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Drag Queen Affinity
  "Most drag queens think of you as... a drag queen and we all loved you before we did!" —Trixie (10:15)
• On Merchandising and Rights
  "Then later on they’re not going to pay you more, but maybe they’ll give you the rights to make T-shirts. And then that just kept going until one day we realized we had all the rights." —Elvira (11:46)
• On Meeting Joan Rivers
  "I was kind of prepared to get into a cat fight… and then she was just nice to me." —Elvira (08:23)
• On Pinball Machine Immortality
  “I tell people I felt like I won the Academy Award… in my world, pinball machine was like, holy shit… I just made it to the top!” —Elvira (35:46)
• On Coming Out Casually
  "The way you disclosed it was really like, just like, oh, by the way, anyway, here’s the next page of the book. And I just thought it was… so cool." —Trixie (46:10)
• On Authentic Self and Love
  “The nice thing about my relationship with her is that she saw me at my worst every day… and it was very comfortable and very… I knew what I was getting and she knew what she was getting.” —Elvira (46:33)

Important Timestamps

• 03:08 — Elvira/Cassandra Peterson joins the show
• 09:45–11:46 — The origin of Elvira and story of securing rights
• 17:55–21:00 — Knott’s Scary Farm and live show anecdotes
• 24:27–25:05 — Elvira meets Michael Jackson
• 25:26–27:39 — Elvira’s Cookbook from Hell—creation and success
• 35:09–36:46 — Discussing Elvira’s pinball machines, Provincetown, and drag history
• 44:00–47:32 — On being candid about sexuality, relationships, and queerness

Tone & Style

The conversation is warm, irreverent, affectionate, and frequently laugh-out-loud funny. There’s deep mutual admiration, plenty of queer and campy humor, and the overall tone is both celebratory and sincere—a loving look at a drag/horror icon by those she’s influenced most.

Conclusion & Where to Find Elvira’s Books

Trixie and Elvira close out with gratitude and love, plugging Elvira’s new releases:

"You can find my cookbook, Elvira’s Cookbook from Hell… and my new children’s book, Elvira’s First Book of Monsters, both on elvira.com or at any of your finer local bookstores." —Elvira (47:52)

This episode is a heartfelt, hilarious, and history-rich tour through queer nightlife, Halloween nostalgia, and the business of being an icon—all through the eyes of two drag legends.