Animation Block: Fireball XL5

Since we’re putting stuff on the blog again, I felt it was a good time to post a review on a series I recently watched:  FireballXL5. The series was produced in 1962 and ran on NBC in 1963. I always had a long admiration for the works of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, having watched Thunderbirds on TechTV and Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons on the Sci-Fi Channel. FireballXL5, however, was utterly unknown to me. After watching the series in its entirety I am now wondering if I was better off not knowing.

Set in the far off year of 2062, the World Space Patrol safeguards Earth and all civilized planets with its XL spaceships. The XL5, captained by Colonel Steve Zodiac (Paul Maxwell) zooms through space with his trusty crew at his side. Dr. Venus (Sylvia Anderson) is second in command and medical officer, while Professor Matthew Matic (David Graham) handles the science and upkeep on Robert the Robot (Gerry Anderson) the robotic co-pilot and occasional radio. 

Ramblings and other musings

So, that was the horror host articles that would have been published last year. For this year, the main focus would again be on films but there will be a few hosts added too. For the films the focus this year would be on sequels/sophomore efforts. As for the hosts, I was thinking focusing on the cable only hosts, although I might have a few states just to spice things up. Reviews to appear sporadically as needed.  

Horror Host 2013 Retrospective: Halloween Harvey

Halloween Harvey

Real name: Bob Mauldin

Years active: 2013-present, Tyler, Texas

And now for the finale; the last host is the most recent one. Starting out on radio in 2005, Halloween Harvey was at first a reoccurring character on Bob Mauldin’s radio show “Bob in the Morning”. Making the leap to television in 2013, Halloween Harvey is the long suffering mortician and sole worker at Fast Freddie’s Funeral Home and Fried Pies. When Fast Freddie died, but refused to leave, Halloween Harvey was forced to show movies in order to bring in more business. 

Thus the Festival of Fear was born. Airing on KCEB-METV in Tyler, as well as in the Atlanta and Paris, Texas markets during October, time will tell if Halloween Harvey will return to haunt our screens during the appointed time. Until then, stay safe and secure folks, for while Halloween is over the dead have all the time in the world. 

Website 

Horror Host retrospective: Seth Lazarus

Seth Lazarus

Real name: Eric Krueger

Years active: 2005-2012, Austin, Texas

The countdown is winding down. With our current subject, we move into the ever murky realm of public access television.

Seth Lazarus is the owner and bartender of the Keep Out Lounge, a quiet and sometimes dead watering hole for all, especially if your pulse is a bit slow. Krueger plays the titular Seth, as well as most of the other characters, ranging from crazed clowns to mad scientists. Dancing beauties dot the stage from time to time.

Despite appearing so late in the age of Youtube, there seems to be precious little footage of the show. All websites are redirected or otherwise dead. His Facebook is active, but nothing suggests the show is still production or even airing. Public Access Austin Texas (PACT) no longer has a listing for the Keep Out Lounge. If the show is on hiatus or if the last call has been served, that shall remain a mystery. The Facebook page is still active, so fans can still contact Mr. Krueger if they wish.

Horror Host 2013 Retrospective: Jami Deadly

Jami Deadly

Real name: Jami Deadly

Years active: 2003-2005, Denton, Texas

Moving into the Twenty-First Century, we find ourselves with a new host and possibly the one most not safe for work. Hosting from the NTTV station in Denton, Deadly Cinema only had a brief run, but Jami Deadly made sure the viewers at home remembered her.

Few hosts can boast of being an official impersonator, but Ms. Deadly is an officially recognized Marilyn Monroe impersonator. Wisecracking her way through only the finest public domain offerings alongside wacky werewolves and severed heads, Jami Deadly brought the proud tradition of the vamp fully into the twenty-first century.

The show, while cancelled, is available on DVD. Ms. Deadly performs burlesque to this day.

Horror Host 2013 Retrospective: Professor Griffin

Professor Griffin

Real name: Joseph Anthony

Years active: 1999-present, Austin, Houston, San Marco, and San Antonio, Texas

While there have been scores of professors and doctors acting as hosts, few can claim to be actual professors. Professor Anton Griffin can claim that honor, having taught at the University of Texas.

Beginning as the host of the Midnight Shadow Show back in 1999 on KVC-TV UPN channel 13, Griffin started as a historian of horror and horror hosts when he pitched the idea to the station. Airing at Halloween that year, the show proved popular enough to be brought back a year later.

Making the move to cable in 2001, Professor Griffin’s Midnight Shadow Show began to air in markets across Texas. His popularity increased to the point where he was frequently published in some notable publication such as Scary Monster Magazine. Boasting of a cast that features none other than the legendary Forrest J. Ackerman as the narrator, Professor Griffin hosts from the mysterious Griffin Manor, assisted by Christopher Lee fanatic Usher (Kim Shafer) and the mute and sometimes odd Dan-Dan (Gilbert Austin), as well as occasional appearances by the ghost of the infamous psychic Criswell; Griffin was named the official horror host of Central Texas.

Griffin continues to write and make appearances, as well as working with Count Gore deVol.

He can be reached through his Facebook page.

“Rest in Peace, Night Creatures”