By Ken Hulsey
If you grew up a major Sci-Fi Geek like me then you have probably really enjoyed MeTV's "Super Sci-Fi Saturday Night" programming that showcases many of the classic fantasy TV series that we all grew up with. As many of you know the cable network recently shifted many of these series into late-night time slots and moved the Svengoolie show (A late night horror host program from Chicago that shows classic horror and sci-fi movies) into prime-time. I personally think that this was a mistake.
Now don't get me wrong, I really love Svengoolie and I believe that his wonderful show draws great ratings for the network in their 8 to 10pm time slot.
My beef however revolves around that fact that all those classic sci-fi shows that I want to watch now come on from ten at night to five in the morning (known as Red Eye Sci-Fi) making it impossible to enjoy them unless you are a chronic insomniac, which I'm not.
I have solution for this, change "Super Sci-Fi Saturday Night" to "Sci-Fi Saturday" by making the entire day a showcase for these great programs. I honestly think that I would be a huge success.
First stage of my plan, make Saturday morning Saturday morning again. What I propose is airing classic cartoons like "The Jetsons", "Scooby Doo", "Speed Buggy", "Valley of the Dinosaurs" and "Hong Kong Phooey" from six in the morning to noon (Maybe eleven?).
Second stage, move the existing shows like "Batman", "Star Trek", "Battlestar Galctica", "Lost in Space", and "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" to late Saturday morning/afternoon/early evening.
To fill these time slots the network would probably have to acquire more series, possibly "Space 1999", "UFO", "Project UFO", "In Search Of" or "The Six Million Dollar Man".
I don't know about you, but I grew up watching these shows on Saturday afternoons so the switch in programming seems natural in my opinion.
I could also envision an afternoon movie program that airs stuff like "Godzilla", "Rodan" and "Forbidden Planet" another Saturday afternoon staple from the good ol' days.
I would keep Svengoolie right where he is and possibly repeat the line-up from earlier in the day from ten to five if programming is needed to fill those slots.
I would love to hear your thoughts on this below.
Originally posted on Monster Island News April 8, 2018
Great idea, I love it. I love the classic westerns, but MeTV already shows them every weekday afternoon. When I grew up in New England we had Creature Double Feature on Saturdays afternoons, so your movie idea works.
ReplyDeleteI agree on the large part. The only thing I disagree with is leaving Svengoolie in his 8 to 10 time slot. Because he's a horror host, his show should at least be moved back to 10 PM if not 11 or midnight. Those are the time slots when horror hosted TV traditionally aired. Other than that, I say bring back the retro time slots for the retro programming! Right on!
ReplyDeleteI agree on the large part. The only thing I disagree with is leaving Svengoolie in his 8 to 10 time slot. Because he's a horror host, his show should at least be moved back to 10 PM if not 11 or midnight. Those are the time slots when horror hosted TV traditionally aired. Other than that, I say bring back the retro time slots for the retro programming! Right on!
ReplyDeleteYou had me at UFO. Throw in the early Doctor Who, especially the Tom Baker Doctor. and you would have a fan for life.
ReplyDelete50's 60's 70's no computer imaging just rubber costumes and cheap special effects
ReplyDeleteMonster from the surf.great movie