In 2023, a horror icon is getting even more time to shine. MeTV has announced that the Svengoolie classic horror and sci-fi movie showcase, hosted by the iconic Svengoolie (aka Rich Koz), will be expanding to 2.5 hours beginning January 7. What’s more, that first episode will feature the premiere of a 1960s genre classic in the form of The Raven starring Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre, and Jack Nicholson in one of his earliest film roles.
The expanded time slot will allow longer titles and returning favorites to air with less editing needed, which is always a good thing. This will also allow the titular host more time for original content, more corny jokes, more mail, more on-location interviews, more visits from guests, and the chance to bring back vintage bits audiences haven’t seen recently. Essentially, more Svengoolie all around.
The horror host tells FANGORIA, “I’m looking forward to the reaction we will get from our legion of Sven fans to getting more of what we do across multiple mediums! Very honestly, the fan appreciation and goodwill towards us have brought us to such heights. Also, giving back in this way keeps me from having to write a million thank you cards.”
The expanded format will also allow the host to showcase fan auditions. For what purpose, you might ask? Svengoolie is beginning the hunt for the Spawn of Svengoolie, which kicked off in October at New York Comic Con and will continue into next year. Fans can download the new Svengoolie mobile app and submit auditions there for the chance to enter the Svengoolie dungeon and join his universe. Peeks at these auditions will be included in the newly expanded show as well.
Also on deck for Svengoolie in the upcoming year is the release of two brand new, full-length comic books starring the horror host himself, in development with Frank Miller Presents. Not only that, but the companion series Sventoonie will continue its second season with all-new episodes immediately following Svengoolie, airing Saturdays from 10:30pm to 11:00pm ET/PT. Viewers can find the complete network schedule and where to watch at MeTV.com. We’ve also included the complete Svengoolie January 2023 line-up for you to check out below.
The Raven: Saturday, January 7 – 8pm-10:30pm ET
Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre, Jack Nicholson (1963) – Horror
Inspired by the famous Edgar Allan Poe poem, a magician, who has been turned into a raven, turns to a former sorcerer for help.The Invisible Man: Saturday, January 14 – 8pm-10:30pm ET
Claude Rains, Gloria Stuart, William Harrigan (1933) – Horror, Sci Fi
A scientist finds a way of becoming invisible, but in doing so, he becomes murderously insane.Kiss of the Vampire: Saturday, January 21 – 8pm-10:30pm ET
Clifford Evans, Edward de Souza, Noel Willman (1933) – Horror
When car trouble strands a honeymooning couple in a small Southern European village, an aristocratic family in the area reaches out to help them with sinister consequences.Godzilla: King of the Monsters: Saturday, January 28 – 8pm-10:30pm ET
Raymond Burr, Takashi Shimura, Momoko Kochi (1956) – Not Rated
A 400-foot dinosaur-like beast, awoken from undersea hibernation off the Japanese coast by atomic bomb testing, attacks Tokyo.
