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Brian VanHooker

Brian VanHooker is a staff writer at MEL specializing in pop culture, food (especially pizza) and long form oral histories. He is the co-creator of the comic book "Barnum & Elwood" and "The Tramp," a comedy pilot starring John O'Hurley. He also hosts a TMNT interview podcast called "Turtle Tracks" and was once called a "Good Guy" by Mr. T.

Recent

An Explosive Oral History of ‘Twisted Metal’

How a flame-throwing ice cream truck with a deranged clown stuck to the roof became PlayStation’s first major hit

The Female ‘Yoko Ono’ Turtle That Toppled the Entire Ninja Turtle Empire

Within a year of her introduction, the Turtles were off television, out of the toy aisles and their co-creators would cease their long-running partnership. What did Venus De Milo do to her turtle brothers?

The Culinary Geniuses Who Make Tiny Stadiums Out of Meat and Snacks

Inspired by the tiny edible stadiums that go viral every Super Bowl season, I painstakingly crafted a ‘snackadium’ in my very own kitchen. Touchdown for Team Guac!