I don’t know about you, but I am always looking for tips from the dark and evil on how to be more sinister. According to Michael Emerson, who played the role of villain Benjamin Linus on Lost, it’s all in tone and delivery.

Emerson put together a little video tutorial for MTV, including a number of every day phrases spoken in a most sinister voice. I’ve always been curious how the words, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas,” might sound coming from Freddy Krueger.

Of course, Benjamin Linus isn’t exactly Freddy Krueger, but he’ll do. In fact, I think he’ll do even better than Krueger because we all know it’s the unsuspecting evil that is truly bone chilling.

I mean, really. Let’s look at Benjamin Linus and Freddy Krueger side by side for a moment.

You know you’re supposed to be afraid of Freddy Krueger. The finger knives sort of give him away, but Benjamin Linus? The fact that he’s so unassuming is what makes an incredibly good bad guy.

Like the kind of guy who might say, “Oh, hello there. Let me hold the door for you,” and then slam you in it, all the while laughing softly, as though puppies were licking his face.

I need to go practice my evil phrases now. I plan to ask my fiance what’s for dinner later, while simultaneously scaring him half to death. I wonder if I should put the emphasis on dinner or later. Hmm…