
In this episode, Rob and Don sit down with Michael Monahan, author and co-producer of the documentary American Scary, to talk about Horror Hosts. We delve into the origins of the Horror Host phenomena from its early days with Vampira to the megahit Ghoulardi and the modern incarnations which still stalk the airwaves. All this, and why Bob Wilkins is a name every scifi fan should know, is coming to you in this, the 27th episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.
- Closing Music:
Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt
Things Discussed:
American Scary Trailer
American Scary (First 10 mins)
Z-Team Productions YouTube Channel (has bonus and deleted Horror Host interviews)
3 Minute Horror Hosts Montage from American’s Funniest Videos
Bob Wilkins
Horror Hosts
E-Gors Chamber of TV Horror Hosts (more detailed host list here)
Shock Theatre Package
Midnight Spook Show
EC Horror Comics
Vampira
Turn Blue: The Short Life of Ghoulardi (Documentary on Cleveland Horror Host)
Interview with Horror Host Tom Leahy (Documentary on Kansas Horror Host)
Zacherle
Ghoulardi
Svenghouli
Dinner with Drac
Hillarious House of Frightenstein (episode one)
Elvira
YouTube Horror Host Playlist (nice random sample of horror host schtick)
Doctor Morgus from New Orleans hosts a showing of Godzilla (video, full episode)
Mystery Science Theatre 3000 Youtube Channel
Reptilicus Trailer
American Scary- The Book
Dr. Ghoulfinger
doctorghoulfinger@gmail.com
What a great episode! I really loved how Michael put into words the feeling of connecting to a movie by “earning” a chance to see it by pouring over the TV guide and finding a way to watch it late before programmable VCRs and PVRs now.
My only horror hosts were the later Elvira and Mystery Science Theatre riffs, plus some random ones I’d catch on American superstations in the 1990s. Though I did have HH of Frightenstein too on CHCH, and Commander Tom after school with Superman etc. on channel 7 from Buffalo. Locally we had a children’s host Uncle Bobby on CFTO out of Scarborough, though it was more of a variety show for kids, but the same idea of someone who lived in your neighbourhood and everybody knew somebody who knew somebody who knew him.
Just downloaded the extras episode, will listen to that shortly.
Chris
Forgot to add, there was, at least in the late 80s or 90s, a generic late-night movie host out of Buffalo, either one of the three networks or the indie channel 29 before it got swallowed by Fox. The show was the Cat’s Pajamas, think it generally aired mysteries, I have a few taped Charlie Chans from it.