Horror talk shows have a unique place in television history, blending interviews, analysis, and entertainment with the macabre. Before dedicated horror talk shows existed, early television featured horror hosts who introduced and commented on late-night horror films. These figures, often dressed in gothic or campy attire, became icons of their era. Vampira (Maila Nurmi), who hosted The Vampira Show (1954–1955), set the template with her eerie yet glamorous persona. Others followed, including Ghoulardi (Ernie Anderson) with Shock Theater (1963–1966) and Zacherley (John Zacherle), both of whom mixed horror with humor and surreal skits. Though these were primarily film-hosting shows, they laid the groundwork for horror-focused talk and discussion formats.
The 1980s and 1990s saw a rise in horror-themed talk shows alongside the growing popularity of home video and cable television. Fangoria, a leading horror magazine, brought its brand to television with Fangoria’s Weekend of Horrors, a series of convention-style specials that featured horror celebrity interviews. Around the same time, Elvira’s Movie Macabre (1981–1986) became a cultural phenomenon, with Elvira (Cassandra Peterson) injecting humor into horror movie screenings and occasionally interviewing special guests. Other horror-related programs, such as HBO’s Tales from the Cryptkeeper’s Haunted House, mixed horror with entertainment, showcasing skits and interviews with horror filmmakers and actors.
During the 1990s and early 2000s, mainstream late-night talk shows occasionally featured horror-themed episodes, especially around Halloween, but fully dedicated horror talk shows remained rare. One of the most notable attempts was The Horror Hall of Fame (1990–1992), hosted by Robert Englund (Freddy Krueger), which celebrated horror films and their creators. Meanwhile, Joe Bob’s Drive-In Theater (1986–1996) and its successor MonsterVision (1996–2000) on TNT, hosted by Joe Bob Briggs, became cult favorites, blending insightful horror film commentary with occasional guest interviews.
In the modern era, horror talk shows have experienced a revival, especially with the rise of streaming platforms and digital media. Shudder has led the charge with The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs (2018–present), bringing back the beloved host’s signature mix of film commentary and interviews. Other shows, such as The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula: Resurrection (2020), have incorporated horror themes into reality competition formats with talk-show elements. Meanwhile, YouTube and podcasts have become major platforms for horror discussions, with shows like Dead Meat (James A. Janisse), The Horror Show, and Shock Waves providing in-depth horror analysis and interviews with industry professionals.
With horror’s growing mainstream acceptance and the continued expansion of streaming services, horror talk shows may see an even greater resurgence. Whether through television, podcasts, or YouTube, the tradition of discussing and celebrating horror remains alive, evolving with each new era of media.
Scare Me Please 