The Monster Channel-The place to go for Horror

 

For readers of this blog, you know how much Horror Hosts have meant to me in my youth. You can read more about it here.  When I grew up, the Horror Hosts disappeared for they were no longer on local programing.  There was nowhere to watch them, there several exceptions, Joe Bob Briggs, Svengoolie and of course Elvira.  Couple years ago, I discovered Horror Hotel, hosted by Lamia.  It was through her show that I discovered The Monster Channel, and my world has not been the same since.

The Monster Channel was created by Halloween Jack, assisted by his lovely wife Jacqueline and Mr. Maniacal. You can only imagine the

Halloween Jack and Jacueline

hard work just for logistics alone trying to put one numerous programs on a site that is running 24 hours a day.  Not only does this occur, but it also occurs with wonderful results.

For Jack’s dedication and hard work, and his reputation for helping others in the horror enthusiast community, he was rightfully awarded the Monster Kid of the Year for 2022 from The Rondo Hatton ClassicHorror Awards .  These awards, named in honor of the iconic actor Rondo Hatton, are give out in different categories, recognizing achievements in the horror corners of entertainment. The Monster Kid of the Year award is given to individuals with some important

Halloween Jack with his Monster 
Kid of the Year Award

achievement in the field that year. This particular award is the most prestigious award given out each year by this group.   

The Monster Channel broadcasts classic, and less than classic horror movies, short films, music videos, movies trailers and cartoons.  These programs are sometimes scary, terrifying, silly or even bizarre. No matter when is presented it is always entertaining.  The staple of The Monster Channel is presenting programs with horror hosts.

Before we continue, lets define what a horror host is.  A horror host is a person who “hosts” or presents a program which shows horror movies, sometimes B movies, or even film noir. Often the hosts assume a persona strictly associated with that program. During breaks in the movie the hosts and sometimes supporting characters will appear providing information about the movie or doing skits. If you want to learn more about the history of the horror host, please review my older blog post.

The Monster Channel shows the program of numerous horror hosts.  Some of these hosts are featured on other channels, others use the monster channel as their exclusive home to show their movies.  As I stated in previous posts, unlike Elvira or Svengoolie, most of these hosts are limited to Public Domain movies.  This means there is no exclusive intellectual property rights associated to them or those rights may have expired.

You may think that Public Domain movies are not that good, or enjoyable.  In fact, some of the greatest Horror Movies are Public Domain movies.  These include “Night of the Living Dead”, “Last Man on Earth”, "Horror Hotel”, “Nosferatu”  “House on Haunted Hill”, “Carnival of Souls” and so, so many more.

The attraction to some of these programs is not the movies they show, but the horror hosts themselves. Each one uses the time to show a unique and interesting take on how they present their programs. Sometimes the host is funny, sometimes scary, but it is their personality on air that makes it entertaining.

The Monster channel is featured on ROKU, and also has its own dedicated site.  On the site you can join in a chat room which features many regulars, but also some of the Horror Hosts themselves. You may find that these Horror Hosts are more entertaining than the public domain movies they show, this is one of the special qualities you need in being a horror host.

I would like to present a list of horror hosts featured on The Monster Channel, but this list would be extensive for the blog post.  It would also be a daunting task to list my favorites, for every featured host brings something unique and wonderful to The Monster Channel.

I cannot encourage you enough to seek out this wonderful channel on ROKU, or visit their site.  It is not only one of the best horror themed networks out there, but itis also one of the best independent networks being broadcasted today.  The Monster Channel has evolved into more than a network or channel, it is now a community. Halloween Jack has provided a place for horror hosts and fans to gather; to watch, enjoy and engage with others about horror movies.

So this Halloween, or any time of the year, the highest recommendation I can make is to watch The Monster Channel. Also, go to their website, www.themonsterchannel.com (also follow them on Facebook), watch the programs and join the chat room and share your love of all thing’s horror.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

W.A.Rusho is a pro wrestler, historian and author of Legend of the Mystic Knights.  You can contact him via his website.