Horror host

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Horror hosts are a particular type of television presenter, often tasked with presenting low-grade films to television audiences.

In the early days of television, stations needed programming, and local stations frequently produced their own in-house, covering the gamut from children's fare to serious drama. As many early television shows were live, due to the expense of preproducing to film, stations needed personalities to introduce shows, as well as read commercials and station I.D.'s. Most stations utilized booth announcers, and a number of shows - in particular those using cartoons or movies - utilized a host or hostess, to perform those functions.

After the initial airing of King Kong on nationwide television, many horror films were released to television, and it was natural for local stations to show them on a regular, weekly program - often with a host.

The "Shock!" package was released to stations in October of 1957. To promote the films, the distributor supplied stations with a promotional kit which encouraged all kinds of antics. The use of a host was encouraged, and a number of stations elected to use them. Viewers loved the package, as well as the concept, and ratings soared. A "Son of Shock!" package was released in 1958.

Hosts were often plucked from ranks of the studio staff. It wasn't uncommon, in the days of live television, for the weather man or booth announcer to finish a nightly news broadcast and race madly to another part of the soundstage for a quick costume change to present the evening's monster tale.

While a few early hosts like Zacherley and Vampira became the icons of this nationwide movement, most hosts were locals. The impact of these friendly ghouls on their young fans cannot be underestimated. The earliest hosts are still remembered with great affection today.