FEARnet — a multiplatform service dedicated to horror, suspense and thriller content currently available in more than 7 million American homes via its linear cable channel — is adding a new two-hour weekend programming block to that linear channel starting Saturday, Aug. 18, in which it will bring back a couple of animated favorites from the past, as well as air two live-action series — including one never seen before on U.S. airwaves.
Dubbed “Funhouse,” the programming block is aimed at the Adult 18-34 demo, a group that other networks, notably Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, have found success with by programming in late-night blocks. “We decided to go a different route,” says Peter Block, FEARnet president and general manager, “and provide our viewers with the ability to enjoy programming in a time period that harkens back to weekend mornings of their youth.” The Funhouse block will be broadcast Saturdays from 10am-12pm ET and re-aired the next day, Sunday, in the same time period.
Saturdays and Sundays starting Aug. 18, FEARnet’s Funhouse programming will include:
The Real Ghostbusters — 10am ET/7am PT. For the first time in 13 years, this series, which originally aired from 1986-91 (a time when “pink slime” was a fictional supernatural element, not something you actually had to worry about in your burgers), returns to television. The Real Ghostbusters was created by original film stars Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, and features the voice talent of Arsenio Hall as Winston Zeddemore. It is also not to be confused with another, short-lived 1986 cartoon called Ghostbusters.
Tales From the Cryptkeeper — 10:30am ET/7:30am PT. Starring the voice of the Crypt Keeper himself (John Kassir), and produced by original Tales From the Crypt execs Robert Zemeckis and Joel Silver, this animated 1993-97 series transports the franchise back to its classic comic-book roots.
Eerie, Indiana — 11am ET/8am PT. This live-action cult series aired from 1991-92, and featured episodes directed by genre vets like Joe Dante (Gremlins, The Howling). It follows a boy’s adventures in the most abnormal “normal place in the entire country.”
Dark Oracle — 11:30am ET/8:30am PT. Canadian export Dark Oracle originally aired 2004-06, and was created by Degrassi: The Next Generation scribe Jana Sinyor, with Alex House starring. It mixes live-action with comic-book animation, and introduces a healthy blend of teen drama into the horrific proceedings, as it tells the story of twin teens Cally and Lance Stone, who discover that the titular comic book contains clues about their future — and harbors deadly secrets.