Boo 2

     Scary stuff wasn't so scary fifty years ago.  We didn't have "Poltergeist," and "Paranormal Activity" and all those "Dateline" shows that take you into the minds of serial killers.  We had cheesy horror movies like "The Fly."  We also had cheesy TV hosts that introduced the late night fright fests.
     Does anybody remember Roland (pronounced Ro-land, with the accent on the second syllable)?  I lived for those nights I was able to stay up late to watch "Shock Theater."  Roland had a lab assistant named Igor.  We named our English Bulldog after Igor.  John Zacherle is the real life person behind Roland.  He's still alive and looks darned good for being age 94.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Zacherle

John Zacherle as Roland

     And what about Stella?  "Saturday Night Dead" aired after "Saturday Night Live" from 1984 to 1990.  The hostess, the "Maneater from Manayunk," was Karen Scioli.  I just friended her on Facebook.
http://www.broadcastpioneers.com/bp/karenscioli.html

Karen Scioli as Stella

     I also got a kick out of Mystery Science Theater.  This show was on the air until 1999.  Though there are still horror hosts introducing B-movies in some areas of the country,  the genre is gone from local broadcasting.  I miss it.  I'd give a whole bag of candy to the person who comes to my door dressed up as Roland or Stella.