Channel 2, KTVU, first came on the air in the late 1950s, its headquarters an old warehouse located on the edge of the Oakland Estuary, in a complex called Jack London Square. It quickly became one of the most popular independent Bay Area stations with its many in-house personalities and programs. Mainly, however, it was the area's leading movie channel with its large-scale packages of old motion pictures. This was the time of the syndicated package, and KTVU thrived with its rich variety of on-air talents.

One of the greatest of these celebrities was Bob Wilkins, an advertising copy writer by profession who had first made a name for himself in the Sacramento TV market on Channel 3, KCRA, with a show called "Seven Arts Theatre." Each Saturday night Bob hosted the showing of a science-fiction or horror film. Unlike other horror hosts, he wore no costume or make-up, just suits and ties, and he spoofed his format by putting down the product. In fact, on the night of his very first show in 1966 he read from a copy of TV Guide, advising viewers of other and better programming in the same time-slot. This proved to be so popular with audiences that five years later Bob was brought to KTVU by program executive Tom Breen, who had previously worked with Wilkins at KCRA in Sacramento. It was Breen's hope that Bob could thrive with a similar show in a prime-time slot instead of a late-night slot, backed up by an excellent package of Universal horror films the likes of "Frankenstein," "The Mummy" and "The Invisible Man." (Of course, Bob also had his packages of turkeys, but lousy movies, as it turned out, was what would make the format work best in terms of ratings and in over-all show popularity.)

For eight years Bob was a tremendous success, scoring so high in the ratings in the early years that he was soon doing a second show on Friday nights. And instead of one movie on Saturday night, he started playing a second, turning "Creature Features" into a double bill of fun and cinema. Bob also interviewed a remarkable array of special guests, ranging from local writers and amateur film-makers to such TV icons as William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. It all blended into a ratings' winner. Fans tuned in to hear Bob's putdowns, to see the movies, and to find out what was happening in the Bay Area fandom world. Plenty of guests came on the show wearing costumes from movies and local plays, but Bob continued wearing the Gucci shoes and the tight-fitting suits. And always with a cigar near at hand as he swayed back and forth in his rocking chair. (Both the chair and the cigar were designed to keep his nervousness to a minimum.) "Keep America Strong - Watch Horror Films" became the show's motto.

I first contacted Wilkins by telephone in 1968 after seeing one of his shows. Then I followed up with a series of letters that strengthened our relationship. We never met face to face until 1971, when Bob was first starting the show at KTVU. I would be a guest on his show off and on over the years, promoting my various books as well as my feature film NIGHTMARE IN BLOOD, a satirical glimpse into the world of fandom. Offered a job with George Lucas to become his marketing guru, Bob resigned CREATURE FEATURES at the end of 1978 and asked - through a long series of circumstances outlined in detail in my autobiography, "I Was a TV Horror Host" - if I would like to try out for the job.

Although I had absolutely zero on-camera experience, I auditioned and was chosen to replace Bob. It was a major turning point in my life, at least for the next six years. I survived because Bob gave me all the help he could in the early shows, and I realized from the beginning that I had to create my own persona and not try to emulate Bob. I too chose not to wear a costume or portray a bizarre character. Suits and collegiate sweaters prevailed. Within eight months I was rolling along well enough that the station built me a new set . . . a dungeon complete with torture chamber, guillotine and other accoutrements of a castle of horror. Although ratings would fluctuate, and I felt I was never quite as popular as Bob had been during his hey-day,
everything went well enough . . . until 1984. By then the station's general manager had decided he didn't like the movie packages coming to TV (too gory) . . . and the nature of syndicated TV was changing due to the new satellite system. Showing old movies was going to fall by the wayside for small, independent stations . . . soon to be replaced by all-movie cable channels.

"Creature Features" left the air in early September, 1984. Fourteen fabulous, unforgettable years. It had been a great run while it had lasted.