Thursday, January 08, 2009

There's a new zombie in town

I'm not an especially sentimental sort — as regular visitors here will attest — but it makes me sad to see the icons of my youth fade from view.

Just moments ago, I received an e-mail announcing the passing of Bob Wilkins, the longtime host of KTVU's Creature Features. I spent many Friday and Saturday nights in the 1970s and early '80s enjoying cheesy horror and sci-fi flicks with the urbane, bespectacled Mr. Wilkins and his eventual successor in the host's rocking chair, John Stanley.

More than four years ago, I waxed nostalgic in this space about Creature Features and its profound impact on my adolescent years. Rather than reinventing the torture wheel, I'll simply invite you to check out that Halloween 2004 post.

I was privileged to meet Bob Wilkins in person a few years ago, when he made what I believe was his final guest appearance at WonderCon. Bob was obviously in ill health at that time, so I was glad that I took the opportunity to express to him my thanks for all the hours of entertainment. I'm even more glad now.

Keep that coffin lid tightly closed, Bob. You never know what might be trying to get in.

Or out.

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2 insisted on sticking two cents in:

Blogger Sank offered these pearls of wisdom...

I used to watch Creature Features on KCRA 3 from Sacramento/Stockton. I haven't thought of it, or Bob in 25 years at least. Wow.. he was awesome.

10:40 AM  
Blogger SwanShadow offered these pearls of wisdom...

Sank: Bob continued Creature Features at KCRA for some time after he stopped doing the KTVU show, because he lived in the Sacramento area and it was less of a commute.

Funny how these crazy little media things from our youth stick with us, isn't it?

12:57 PM  

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