As heard on today’s new episode of THE MOVIE CRYPT, an internal feud has developed between two of the podcasts hosts Joe Lynch and Arwen. Early in the episode with director Travis Zariwny (CABIN FEVER 2016, THE MIDNIGHT MAN), Adam Green shared a story about Arwen taking very serious offense to being called the name “Sophie” and in the final two minutes Joe Lynch continually teased Arwen by calling her the name despite Green’s numerous requests for him to stop and apologize. The result was catastrophic as the fierce Yorkshire Terrier attacked Lynch on the air and many items in the ArieScope studio were destroyed in the fight that ensued. The damages to the studio are reported to have cost thousands of dollars.
“At first I honestly thought that Joe and Arwen were just doing a bit,” says Green. “I had no idea it would turn so heated so fast. It was terrible and probably the scariest moment we’ve had on the program in over 5 years of doing it now.”
Though the below audio clip confirms that it was indeed Arwen who physically assaulted Lynch, no charges have been filed at this time. “I’m almost 6 feet taller than her. I can handle myself, thank you.” Lynch says. The audio recording however shows that Arwen actually won the fight very quickly. “You… had to be there,” adds Lynch.
[CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO HEAR THE AUDIO CLIP.]
[CLICK THE IMAGE ABOVE TO HEAR THE AUDIO CLIP.]
Tensions had been mounting between Lynch (a founder and original co-host of THE MOVIE CRYPT along with Green) and Arwen (Green’s dog that did not officially join the podcast until episode 22 and who was originally brought on only to be the show’s mascot). “We’ve always had our dedicated chairs and microphones when recording the show,” explains Lynch. “But somewhere last year around episode 200 Arwen suddenly began vying for my chair and my microphone. I think that’s where the problems first began between us.”
Guests who participated in the program’s 2nd annual 48-hour live marathon to benefit Save A Yorkie Rescue last December have confirmed that the tension between the two hosts was palpable even then. “I’ve seen the same thing happen in numerous bands that I’ve played in over the years,” says two-time 48-hour marathon musical guest Ace Von Johnson of FASTER PUSSYCAT. “Unfortunately, sometimes things need to get physical in order to be worked out. But for Lynch and Arwen to fight like that on the air in front of their audience? I’m sorry but that was just terrible form.”
Though clearly the instigator in the fight, Lynch insists that he didn’t realize he was offending Arwen so deeply and that he only meant it as a joke. “We spend so much time together that we’re a family at this point,” he said. “Like any family, brothers and sisters tease each other and fight. It happens. But you work it out and you move on.”
Unfortunately in this case, “moving on” may not be an option for THE MOVIE CRYPT.
The incident occurred during the recording of Episode 267 on June 6, 2018. Two other episodes of the podcast were recorded in the days that followed the incident with Lynch and Arwen reportedly choosing to ignore each other during the sessions. However, the feud is far from over. Now that Lynch has been on location shooting his new film POINT BLANK, representatives for both parties have become involved and escalated the problem.
“I apologized to Arwen privately the very next day but other than that there’s nothing more I can do on my end. If she leaves the show once I return that’s on her.” Still raw from the incident, Lynch did not let it go it at that. “Perhaps it’s our fault for giving Arwen her own segment on the program as her behavior changed almost immediately.”
The segment Lynch is referring to is the popular “Hollywood Therapy with Dr. Arwen” segment in which the Yorkie gives both professional and personal advice to listeners that write to her with questions. “I’m not trying to make it worse but go ahead and ask Arwen to show you her degree or to even tell you where she actually went to college. She’s not a real doctor and that’s the bottom line here,” says Lynch. While representatives for Arwen have refused to produce a degree for the dog, they have called Lynch’s accusations “absurd, preposterous, and slandering.”
Arwen slowly rose to fame on THE MOVIE CRYPT starting in 2013 and has been a part of every episode ever since joining the show. She parlayed her podcast popularity into various acting roles including the 2014 feature film DIGGING UP THE MARROW and 2017’s VICTOR CROWLEY. During this period the popular Yorkshire Terrier also started her own cult (“The Cult of Arwen”) which many listeners of the show have become loyal and active members of.
“I think the real issue was when Joe and I found out that Arwen was receiving her own perks for appearances with us,” offers Green. “We were both appalled to learn that Arwen had discretely worked out her own side deals with promoters that guaranteed her a separate, much larger dressing room than the one we shared and she had a rider that demanded spaghetti, premium sushi, and several bags of “Jumpin Sticks” dog treats. I agree with Joe that it wasn’t fair. The three of us have always operated under a favored nations agreement as that was our hand/paw-shake agreement together when we first started.”
Though Arwen has declined to comment personally at this time, sources close to THE MOVIE CRYPT say that the Yorkie’s legal team has made a play for her to start her own solo podcast in October but continue using THE MOVIE CRYPT name. While this may seem like a lost cause given that the title of the show is a tie-in to the sitcom HOLLISTON from which it originally spun off from, due to a loophole in the current “in-flux” contracts for HOLLISTON, Arwen’s representatives seem to feel they have a slam dunk case as the Yorkie had quietly trademarked the show’s name behind Green and Lynch’s backs in October of 2017.
“That was a huge shock to find out about,” offers Green. “I don’t know why she would have done that to us but I’m hoping that she merely took some bad advice from her lawyers. I still have faith we can all work this out.” For now, THE MOVIE CRYPT will continue on as usual, however when Lynch returns to the program in September a big decision will have to be made.
“I’m sure the time apart will do Arwen and I some good and all will be forgiven by the Fall,” says Lynch. “And if not…oh well. I’d hate to see her go as she brings great insight to our program and the fans love her, but first she and I have some personal things to iron out and only she and I can do that.”
“It’s awful being stuck between your two best friends,” says Green. “But if Arwen does indeed decide to go solo with her own show I’ll wish her the best of luck. She’s just not going to use the name of our show no matter what she’s being told by outside influences. THE MOVIE CRYPT is Joe and I first. I hope she stays after Joe returns but she’s never been great at “staying,” only at “sitting, circling, and playing dead.”
“Actually,” adds Lynch, “she’s never been good at those commands either. She just does whatever she wants and Adam makes excuses for her. I’m over it.”
Sources close to THE MOVIE CRYPT say that celebrity dog trainer Cesar Millan (known for his television series THE DOG WHISPERER) and entertainment therapist/crisis manager Phil Towle (known for his work in the 2004 documentary METALLICA: SOME KIND OF MONSTER) have both been contacted to help fix the situation, but representatives from both camps have denied any involvement at this time.
What will the future hold…?
20 years is a long, long time…
