Horror Host 2026 Retrospective: Dr. Mazeppa Pompazoidi

 Dr. Mazeppa Pompazoidi

Real name: Gailard Sartain

Years active: 1970 to 1973

A sad note that quite a few horror hosts never really escape the character or rise above local TV star. Which is perfectly fine but for the few who do go beyond local TV? Legends

The Uncanny Film Festival and Camp Meeting started out on KOTV-Channel 6 out of Tulsa before finishing it's run on KTUL-TV Channel 8 in 1973. Sartain had started out as a station cameraman before going for the late night movie host. Instead of just gadding about in a cape and a few puns, the wizard Dr. Maxeppa Pompazoidi (along with a shockingly young Gary Busey) had skits and focused more on overall humor. 

From there Sartain's star rose, first joining Hee-Haw then moving into motion pictures. If you've seen the Earnest films, you might recall him. 

Sartain passed away in 2025. 

Horror 2026 Countdown: The Birds (1963)

 The Birds (1963), dir. Alfred Hitchcock, Alfred J, Productions/Universal Pictures 

Moving into the 1960's, the days of the Universal Monsters were offically over but that doesn't mean they were finished with horror. 

Horror Host 2026 Retrospective: Dr. Fear

 Dr. Fear

Real name: Brian Young

Years active: 2003-2013

Here we have one of the newer hosts from Oklahoma. The Mysterious Lab of Dr. Fear aired on Pegasys Community Television Channel 11 out of Enid. 

Dr. Ignatious Faust Fear II is your typical mad scientist who oversees a slew of wacky characters and hosting various movies. 

Sadly I can't seem to find too much about the show, but it last 100 episodes and they hosted the return of Count Gregore, so that has to count for something. 

Horror 2026 Countdown: Karutha Rathrikal (1967)

Karutha Rathrikal (1967), dir. P. Subramaniam, Neela Productions 

A different take to be sure, but 1967 saw the release of the Indian take on Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. 

Horror Host 2026 Retrospective: Count Gregore

 Count Gregore

Real name: John Ferguson 

Years active: 1958-2005

Welcoming back all you fright fans and this year we're taking a look back at the hosts of Oklahoma and Wisconsin. 

This time out we look at Count Gregore. The gentleman had quite the tenure. From 1958 to 1960 he hosted the local Shock Theater on WKY-TV Channel 4 out of Oklahoma City. In 1962, the show became Thriller Theater. In 1966 he switched over to KOCO-TV Channel 5 to host Nightmare. I also saw a listing for Sleepwalker's Matinee although the exact dates are unknown to me at the time. In the 1970s he moved yet again to KOKH-TV Channel 25 for Count Gregore Presents. 

He hosted quite a few shows even if I can't find any exact dates. He did have a brief return in 2005 when he made his debut on the Mysterious Lab of Dr. Fear, where it was revealed that he's the uncle of character Trinka. 

He's made the claim that's the longest running horror host in the world and I find myself agreeing with that statement. He's a dapper vamp and just plays it straight. I can respect that certainly. The only issue and this pops up with far too many hosts, is that the vast majority of his work is lost due it being shot live.