If you’ve never heard of Supernatural, then it’s safe to say you might have been living under a rock. Debuting in 2005, the series (which started out on The WB network that later turned into The CW) came into the network filled with teen dramas like a bulldozer. This series was much, much different. Advertised as something straight out of a horror film, fans who tuned in to the first episode got goosebumps by the creepiness and dark tone of the show, complete with a woman burning on the ceiling by the end of it. Definitely not your average teen drama.
The show, which was constantly on the bubble during its first few seasons, was built on the characters Sam Winchester (Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles), as they search for their father (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) after their mother was murdered when Sam was a child (see: burning woman on the ceiling). The show introduced all sorts of lore, creepy stories, and eventually included angels in season 4 when Castiel (Misha Collins) showed up, as well as God (Rob Benedict) who officially shows up in season 11.
As the series progressed and grew, so did the dedicated fanbase. The show built an impressive and vocal fanbase, and the show became unstoppable. The show even spawned Supernatural conventions, held by Creation Entertainment, which still happen around the country multiple times a year.
As part of the show, fans were introduced to the Trickster (also known later as the Archangel Gabriel), who was played by Richard Speight, Jr. Rich has also directed quite a few episodes of the show. Additionally, fans also came to know and love (and then, in the last season, hate) Chuck/God, played by Rob Benedict. The two — having become the hosts of said Supernatural conventions — became fast friends, and their camaraderie is so joyous to watch. They’re the perfect balance together and bounce jokes off of each other in an effortless way. Their friendship and hosting of Supernatural conventions led to the two creating their series Kings of Con, where they play exaggerated versions of themselves as they host conventions, and they bring along a few Supernatural friends, too.
Then in 2020, when COVID-19 started, the duo created And My Guest is Richard Speight, a podcast where they talked about everything going on that week as a way to stay connected and pass the time over quarantine. After having some fun with that, they turned that into the Kings of Con podcast, where they made things a little more structured but still fun and the same Rob and Rich that fans loved. They have the occasional guests, but a lot of it is the two of them (along with producer Tina Densmore Bell) just riffing back and forth and talking about things that have happened in their lives as well as around the world.
So, it’s no surprise when a Supernatural rewatch podcast came about from Steven Hein and Story Mill Media, it was announced that Rob and Rich were hosting it. Both Rob and Rich have stated they previously had only watched a handful of episodes — whether it be ones they were in or ones that Rich directed — so to rewatch the series from the beginning would be a whole new experience for them. Rob often jokes that after watching it for the podcast, he says, “It’s a really good show.” It’s so fun to listen to their takes about earlier episodes, and I can’t wait until we see what they have to say about Rich’s entrance in season 2.
Almost every episode has a special guest, whether it be actors ranging from Ackles, Padalecki, and Morgan, to special guests on the episodes, or some of the many crew members involved with the show over the years. Speight often says his favorite part is getting to pick the brain of some of the crew members, including directors, cinematographers, camera operators, producers, and more. It’s a place where not only do you get to hear the opinions of actors watching the episodes, but also the team behind the scenes who give a whole new outlook on how the episode was made.
Rob and Rich aren’t stopping at just a few episodes or seasons, though. They’re just entering season 2, and they have both said themselves that they plan on watching all fifteen seasons. The podcast flows well, and it’s the classic Rob and Rich humor we love, coupled with interviews and, finally, their thoughts on the episode. Believe us, if you’re a Supernatural fan, this is a podcast you don’t want to miss.
You can read our interview with Rob and Rich all about the podcast here. Supernatural Then and Now is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
