For me, American Scary was nothing short of a revelation. Having grown up with Son of Svengoolie in Chicago (now simply Svengoolie and national), I was fascinated to learn about the various personalities acting outside the Windy City while commanding the same intense devotion from their local fans that I’d felt for mine. The historical significance of Monahan’s work is most obvious in his interview with Nurmi. Having spent considerable time with the reclusive icon, she would pass away just two years later.

In 2011, a print companion to the documentary of the same name was released, containing fuller interviews Monahan and Clark conducted for the project. Even after its publication, however, Monahan was far from satisfied.

“I had been continuing to collect interviews since the first edition of American Scary came out,” said Monahan. “It didn’t constitute enough new material for another stand-alone volume, but it provided a perfect opportunity to expand the existing material. Meanwhile, Sandy Clark uncovered tapes for a few interviews that didn’t make it into the first edition.” He went on to say, “…I’ve been able to add six new interviews to the second edition, as well as the original, better interview with Stella and a terrific career-spanning interview with Bob Wilkins. Bob was beginning to have memory issues when we interviewed him in 2003. I discovered this one from the late 90s, done by author Thom Carnell, who kindly gave me permission to reprint it here. Bob was sharp as a tack, discussing the nuts and bolts of TV production in the ’60s and ’70s, and it’s a much more fitting tribute. I’m so glad to be able to include it. It also allowed me to reorganize a few things, placing the interviews in a more chronological order to create a smoother sense of history. I was also able to do a top-to-bottom rewrite on the introductory material and bios, which wound up being a bit rushed the first time around. A few major errors have been corrected as well. So it’s been a really satisfying experience. These people and that time deserve to be remembered and rediscovered.”

Despite Monahan’s assertion that there wasn’t enough material for a second stand-alone book, this revamped American Scary will be released in two volumes; the first of which just became available on Amazon. The second will hopefully land this Fall and features a cover photo of Svengoolie, I am honored to say, was taken by yours truly. Monahan also supplied a breakdown of the interviews featured in each book, which are as follows…

Volume 1

1. Vampira – Maila Nurmi Interviewed by Sandy Clark and Michael Monahan (2003)

2. Zacherley – John Zacherle Interviewed by Sandy Clark (2004)

3. Baron Daemon – Michael Price Interviewed by Sandy Clark and Michael Monahan (2004)

4. Ghoulardi – Ernie Anderson as told by Big Chuck Schodowski Interviewed by Michael Monahan and Sandy Clark (2004)

5. Tim Conway Interviewed by Sandy Clark (2004)

6. Christopher Coffin – Reed Farrell Interviewed by Sandy Clark and Michael Monahan (2003)

7. Chilly Billy – Bill Cardille Interviewed by Sandy Clark (2004)

8. Dr. E. Nick Witty – Alan Milair Interviewed by Michael Monahan (2004)

9. Big Chuck – Chuck Schodowski Interviewed by Michael Monahan and Sandy Clark (2004)

10. Bob Wilkins Interviewed by Thom Carnell (1998). This interview originally appeared in Carpe Noctem Vol. IV, Issue 4. Reprinted with permission of the author.

11. Asmodeus – Frank Sheridan as told by Rene White and Don Humphrey Interviewed by Michael Monahan (2010)

12. Svengoolie (Jerry G. Bishop) – Interviewed by Sandy Clark (2004)

13. The Ghoul – Ron Sweed Interviewed by Sandy Clark (2004)

14. Dr. Creep – Barry Hobart Interviewed by Sandy Clark (2003)

Volume Two

15. Count Gore De Vol – Dick Dyzel Interviewed by Sandy Clark (2003)

16. Fritz the Nite Owl – Frederick C. Peerenboom Interviewed by Michael Monahan (2010)

17. Lil’ John – John Rinaldi Interviewed by Sandy Clark (2004)

18. Son of Svengoolie / Svengoolie – Rich Koz Interviewed by Michael Monahan (2010)

19. Crematia Mortem – Roberta Solomon Interviewed by Sandy Clark (2004)

20. Stella – Karen Scioli Interviewed by Michael Monahan (2004)

21. Hive – Bob Billbrough Interviewed by Michael Monahan (2004)

22. Ned the Dead – Steve Brenzel Interviewed by Michael Monahan (2016)

23. Doc Moreau – Randy Moreau Interviewed by Michael Monahan (2016)

24. Commander USA – Jim Hendricks Interviewed by Sandy Clark (2004)

25. Son of Ghoul – Keven Scarpino Interviewed by Michael Monahan (2006)

26. Joel Robinson – Joel Hodgson Interviewed by Sandy Clark (2004)

27. Dr. Shock – Doug Agosti Interviewed by Sandy Clark (2003)

28. Joe Bob Briggs – John Bloom Interviewed by Sandy Clark (2004)

29. Zomboo – Frank Leto Interviewed by Michael Monahan (2010)

30. Balrok De Cavo – Brian Hall Interviewed by Michael Monahan (2010)

Many of the personalities listed above are no longer with us, making both of these volumes must-own books for any horror host fan. I’m really looking forward to adding them to my own library, and a big thanks to Michael Monahan for his crucial work.

Dave~