Family fights are expected when it comes to the touchy subject of inheritance. But all hell literally breaks loose when a drama-loving demon claims “squatters rights” in the latest episode of “Home for the Holidays,” an audio drama by Black woman-owned production company, Myth Lab Entertainment. Sisters Kozi Kyles and Kyra Kyles unleash a modern Halloween classic in their homage to housebound horror from the original “Amityville” to “Evil Dead” to “The Exorcist” to “The Haunting of Hill House.”
In Season 2, Episode 3 of the NYC Podcast and American Writing award-winning anthology, an introverted woman named “Brandi” (Joanna Moore) inherits a mansion in Chicago’s historic Bronzeville neighborhood from her beloved grandmother. This immediately sparks a knockdown drag out battle between her and incredulous relatives who fear they will lose access to what was their holiday haven. Especially agitated are Brandi’s first cousins, “Crystal” (Bianca Lemaire) and “Craig” (Reason Dixon) with whom she has feuded since childhood. Her battles with them are only heightened when she notices strange noises and objects moving unassisted.
Brandi attempts to “clear the heir” through a service run by self-proclaimed medium “Pauletta,” portrayed by La Donna Tittle, fan favorite “Miss Ethel” on Showtime’s “The Chi” and upcoming The Hallmark Channel film, “Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story.” Exorcising a demon is difficult, but even more so when family beef is his idea of an all-you-can-eat buffet.
The creepy-and-comedic tale is anchored by “Home for the Holidays” iconic narrator “Greatmomma” (T.J. Pryor-Wells) with deliciously demonic vocals delivered by James Smillie, of the “Highlander” TV series, “Vox Machinae” video game and BBC fame. kittie KaBoom, aka Gen X and Millennial icon “Cita” of BET’s “Cita’s World” also makes her sixth consecutive appearance.
“Clearing the Heir” debuts its trailer HERE on Oct. 15 with the full episode available on all podcast platforms beginning Oct. 29. In the meantime, listeners can catch up on “Home for the Holidays” Season 2, starting with Episode 1 “Invitation to the Cookout,” starring NFL player-turned-entertainer Anthony “Spice” Adams. Season 2, Episode 2 “The Privilege” introduces a supernatural twist to the plight of Black women displaced by misguided anti-DEI initiatives and federal layoffs.