I’ve held off on this story as long as I could but wanted to share a fantastic experience I had late last year. It started back in October after I’d finished assisting the Svengoolie crew at their annual Volo Auto Museum appearance. Svengoolie’s alter ego, Rich Koz, thanked me for my assistance (as if I hadn’t enjoyed every minute of it) before asking if there was anything he could do for me in return. On several occasions, his producer, Jim Roche, has offered to pay me for my services but I’ve always refused on the grounds of it being a labor of love. I told Sven it wasn’t necessary but did put out there that if the station had lifted its tight COVID restrictions, I’d love to attend another taping – casually throwing in my desire to be his “hand at the door.” Seasoned Svengoolie fans know this refers to the show’s final skit which finds our frustrated host trying to share information about next week’s show only to be interrupted by his doorbell. After begrudgingly leaving his coffin to answer the door, he is then greeted by an expressive hand/arm that comes into view before telling a bad joke or two. I’m told this type of gag originated from an old comedian named “Soupy Sales” but he was before my time and I’ve only ever seen it performed by Svengoolie and the horror host, Zomboo, in Nevada. Sven told me he’d make it happen and, before the year was out, made good on his promise.

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