A Morgus Marathon
One of New Orleans's most beloved local legends (and
there are many), iconic horror host Momus Alexander Morgus, is set to return to
the airwaves for a special broadcast at the height of the Halloween season. Dr.
Morgus the Magnificent, the iconic horror host character of local New Orleans
television, is coming back on air for another year of Halloween celebrations
courtesy of a classic broadcast organized by PBS-affiliate TV station WYES-TV.
Prior to the broadcast was the sophomore celebration
of "Morgus Madness" party celebration at WYES's Navarre Ave studios on October
18. Memories of the iconic horror host mingled and swirled amidst perhaps the
most eccentrically-costumed partygoers to ever dine on Antoine's catering.
Morgus's talking-skull assistant, E.R.I.C., was on-hand to greet guests, along
with a little mechanical and musical help from local band Consortium of Genius.
Costume contests were held for both Halloween costumes in general, as well as a
dedicated category for the Morgus-verse. Costume judges included former Morgus
program actor Janet Shea, WYES host and producer Peggy Scott Laborde, radio
broadcaster Bob Walker, and Natalie Rideau, daughter of Morgus's actor and
creator.
"As we saw from the huge turnout at our WYES Presents
Morgus Madness event, Morgus' legacy remains strong even 65 years after he
debuted on local TV," remarked WYES Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer Dominic Massa.
And the studio party was just a foretaste for the main
event coming to the airwaves this Saturday night. On a late-night broadcast
beginning at 9 p.m. on October 26, three digitally-restored episodes of Morgus
are set to be aired as a special Halloween season presentation. While last
year's broadcast featured an accompaniment from classic 1959 horror film The
House on Haunted Hill, this year's broadcast is set to be something of an
undiluted Morgus binge with three digitally-restored episodes. The episodes feature
plotlines of Morgus and Chopsley coming up with a device that can stop crime, helping
an invisible mad scientist who comes to them for help, and Morgus making
preparations for an heir to continue his science. Friends of science will most
certainly not want to miss it.
For more information on the broadcast, see WYES' broadcast schedule
online.
