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3/31/06 Update

Zu-Zu Peddling and CC Underwriters....

Psychotronix Festival last weekend was a blast, thanks to KFJC's staff and the usual gang of all-star projectionists. Ken Patterson from KTEH was there as well as uber CInsomniacs from all over northern CA. Cinema Insomnia was moved to 2am because of new mandatory closed captioning regulation and Ken and the fans have been searching for low cost solutions. Mr. Lobo mentioned on stage that some offshore prison offers cut-rate live captioning for 250 dollars a show... and perhaps a savvy Bay Area sponsor could move the show back to midnight and make a lot of fans happy. The fans themselves stepped up to the plate when a writer from SF/SF magazine passed around his hipster doofus hat and raised the required 250 bones to do one show! A moist eyed Mr. Lobo accepted the pile of cash feeling like George Bailey from the formerly PD classic IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE! Rather than blowing generously donated wad to bring the show earlier one week only to have it on later the next, Mr. Lobo has put those moneys into a fund that will caption all the shows. The fans have spoken and with everyones help this new Closed Captioning Drive will be a success!

3/21/06 Update

Take the Psycho-Path to the Psychotronix Film Fest This Weekend!

Venus is the only planet that rotates clockwise. But who cares... 'cause Mr. Lobo is coming to KFJC-FM's Psychotronix Film Festival this Saturday the 25th in Los Altos Hills, CA (not far from the dreaded Silicon Valley.) The Psychotronix Film Festival will hold forth in the infamous Room 5015 on Foothill College:

   As always, the Psychotronix Film Festival will present yet another skewed pop-culture kaleidoscope featuring vintage TV commercials, classic cartoons, silent movie clips, trailers from the worst B-pictures, campy musical shorts, archaic 1950's educational / industrial films ("Your High School Prom", "Lunchroom Manners", "Alphabet Antics", "Surviving Atomic Attack", etc.), misunderstood monster movies, stop-motion animation and double-entendre packed 1930's comedies.  The show starts at 7:00 p.m., but arrive early, as these events often sell out. Admission is $5.  Parking (in lot 5) is $2. Most of the really archaic parking machines take only quarters, a few take ones.

3/06/06 Update

The 4hr Marathon Strikes Back!

Since the first one was so much fun (and not much else is on anyway) Comcast 99 in Northwestern Indiana is clearing the airwaves for another 4hr Cinema Insomnia TV Marathon on April 1st (...really!) from 7pm to 11pm CST.  And just like we did with the 4hr Halloween Special, we're airing two movies that have never been on in the area before: "Horror of Party Beach" (7 to 9pm) - - and - - "Samson Vs. The Vampire Women" (9 to 11pm).  So call off work, cancel the six-state shooting spree, do whatever it takes, just don't miss this super-colossal, mind-blowing, extra-special TV... special... airing April 1st on Comcast 99.  This is the night you'll want to say "I'm Watching TV" !!!

2/28/06 Update

Poster by Aaron Farmer

Trip The Light Fandango?!

The verdict is in - and the first ever Lobotronic Film Show was a far-out, freaky gone gas to the max! The sold-out Studio Theatre audience was bedazzled with NorCal legends and stars such as Geoff Wong, who assumed Bob Wilkins' duties as movie host after Bob left KCRA with "Geoff Wong's Adventure Theatre" (or GWAT). From "The Moe Better Mann Show," the long-running live comedy variety show at Old Ironsides, comedian Moe Better Mann was there with former sidekick (and host of local game show "Dot's Correct") Matt Wokas. Sacramento's favorite meteorologist Elissa Lynn was there with her daughter, not to mention Oogly Darrin and Creepy Christy from The Trash Film Orgy, and even Robert Emmet from KFJC - who will be hosting the real bonafide Psychotronix Film festival in Los Altos made the two-hour drive to witness Mr. Lobo's blatant yet enjoyable rip-off.

In fact, there were many who came from the Bay Area to Sac to see their favorite late night KTEH-TV star present a collection of misunderstood short films. There were also a good number of folks who preordered their tickets via PayPal... a service we've never before offered, but will most certainly do again due to amazing customer response.

Even though Steph, the fearless leader of Sacramento's finest Sci-Fi social club Fantasttic Frontiers was too zonked from Star Trek role-playing to make the scene, Frontiersmen Eric, John and Gerald went to Lobotronic and had a great time - they're still raving about the show. Jerry's review of the show can be found at their Yahoo! group.

While audiences filed in, adjusting their LOBOVISION glasses, they were treated to a video presentation of the Cinema Insomnia's first music video "Watching TV" - while Ken Waller, our Studio Theatre crew and our crack Cinema Insomnia crew made last-minute technical adjustments. It was a late start... but popcorn, chips, soda, bottled water and cracker jacks sold for only a $1 and were gobbled up by eager (but for the most part patient) film fans!

Mr. Lobo was introduced by the Studio Theatre's stage manager Bethany Hidden (A/K/A Bloody Bethy) from the Crest's summer film festival Trash Film Orgy. With Orkan grace, Mr. Lobo arose from a giant white egg... wearing Mothra wings and antennae. He was surprised to be surrounded by giant lipsticks, pink beauty contest decorations and a massive jeweled tiara arching over the movie screen. Apparently the management of this female-owned and operated theatre didn't sign off on Mr. Lobo's spook show set... or the somewhat "male-centric" line up. The management also demanded last-minute that there should be some sort of feminist content in the show. Luckily, the Queen of Trash was there to lend her talents. Unfortunately the Queen's idea of feminist content was wrestling an audience member to the death. Bethany jumped into the challenge to insure the safety of her patrons - and Mr. Lobo tried to minimize the carnage by insisting on a thumb-wrestling match. It still ended up as a fight to the death when Queen Trash died of a heart attack and her limp body was carried away to be disposed of backstage.

After eating human debris behind the curtain, Mr. Lobo's monsters came onstage to delight an enthusiastic crowd. With help from monster wrangler Eric Yee (and the mighty Megafant), a giant Mothra larva and Ro-man made brief but powerful cameo appearances and stole everyone's hearts - for a midnight snack!

Like at Wondercon's Masquerade, Mr. Lobo brought a couple of kids from the audience up to the stage for a Monster Building bash. The remains of the destroyed styrofoam buildings were thrown into the audience to the insane delight of everyone! Many chunks were taken home as souvenirs. Even our "Larva Races" proved once again to be a crowd pleaser.

But the real stars were the films presented by 16mm collectors and projectionists Scott Moon, Bob Ekman and Paul Etcheverry. The crowd howled, jeered and cheered as old movie previews from monster movies, drive-in intermission fodder, outrageously campy Scopatones, Max Fleisher cartoons, vintage female boxing and wrestling films, Star Trek bloopers and many other sights words just cannot describe flooded the room in 3-D'ish LOBOVISION. The show was supposed to be over at 2, but the guys kept throwing up more and more strangeness on the screen and the show went way past 3 a.m.! The insomniacs who had the stuff to hang in there were treated to an amazing amount of entertainment for $7 and may never quite recover mentally.

Lapel pins from this psuedohistoric event are still available, reproducing the top half of the poster graphic in all its glory. They'll soon be added to our Novelty Shop for a mere US$2 each, postage-paid... posers welcome.

We're not sure when there will be another Lobotronic Film Show, but Mr. Lobo hopes to see you all at the next Psychotronic show - Saturday, March 24 at Foothill College in Los Altos!

2/15/06 Update

Like, Wondergone, Daddy-O!

Mr. Lobo was surprised to learn that a lot of Wondercon attendees will be driving down to Sacramento for the Lobotronic Film Show that's kicking off midnight on Friday, Feb. 24th at the Studio Theatre (11th & R Streets). Seating is limited, so be sure to PayPal your Lobotronic Tickets in advance so they will be waiting for you at the door at "Will Call" for a mere $7.00. If you'd like to help promote guerilla theater you can print out these flyers (electric pink or green paper preferred). Mr. Lobo, Megafant, The Peanuts, the "Cinema Insomnia" crew, The Queen of Trash and Ro-man will see you there!

At this moment, your favorite insomniac film host is probably still sleeping off 3 days of solid "geeking out" so he'll be fresh as a doozy for the Lobotronic Film Show next weekend.

Recapping the magic - The "Robert Rodriguez" of TV, Director Ken Waller, made an incredible CI booth display and sign. He threw it all in an unmarked van with his video gear, the Empress of the Monkeys, CI producer/composer Scott Moon, and Ro-Man and drove down early Friday to Wondercon at San Francisco's Moscone Center West to set up the best-looking convention table ever.

Mr. Lobo, meanwhile, hitched a lift in the Trashmobile, and he and the Queen Of Trash took a detour to pick up the new and totally dangerous-looking black Cinema Insomnia T-shirts made by graphics guru Strephon Taylor... obtaining them at the drop-off point of Playland-Not-At-The-Beach in El Cerrito, and also stopping by The Pup Hut a for hot dog with the works and onion rings. Mr. Lobo was met at the 'con by Creature Features host John Stanley, horror host historian Docktor Goulfinger and our new DVD maker and Creature Features merch expert Tom Wyrsch, who presented us with beautiful high-quality discs of our Night Of The Living Dead, Gigantis, Prince Of Space and Monster From A Prehistoric Planet episodes - as well as "Mr. Lobo's Idiot Box," a collection of the first three just mentioned plus the fan favorite STARCRASH. Singles sold for $12, box sets for $35... and the fans gobbled them up.

Saturday's "Secrets Of Horror Hosting" panel was a success, even after Bob Wilkins read the Wondercon event schedule aloud - telling everyone in the audience that the panel was a complete waste of time and they should check out Kevin Smith in the next room instead. Dok. G presented a clip of the forever "coming soon" documentary on horror hosts, American Scary - and some rare tips from the hosts themselves on the big screen. John Stanley gave us firsthand "behind the screams" secrets. Mr. Lobo was given teaching duties.

After everyone received a Certificate of Assurance, and swore not to reveal the tried-and-true trade secrets of horror hosting... two seemingly normal volunteers, Joe Cole and Gax, transformed themselves into the sinister Baron Von Spooky and the lovely Frankenatrix! They even developed their own catch phrases, "Leave the lights on!" and "Goodnight Maggots". Mr. Waller videotaped their segments as a souvenir and study aid for them to keep, along with a "Secrets" poster autographed by all four hosts.

Back at the tables, Jeff Wyrsch - who was in the "Purple Knif" monster suit for Cinema Insomnia's "Watching TV" music video - was celebrating his 15th birthday... And all he got was a lousy Black CI T-shirt.

Bob, John and Mr. Lobo sold autographed merchandise in record numbers - and Wondercon attendance was breaking records too.. At one point they barred any more guests from entering the building... and once you left, you could not get back in!

Later that evening, Mr. Lobo hosted a halftime show for the huge masquerade ball. Mr. Lobo's salute to monsters starred Megafant, Mothra and the lovely Peanuts. Two volunteers again participated in Larva Races - and a new contest, the Monster Building Bash... where kids dressed as giant monsters and smashed a city block. Congratulations to the winners. The halftime show was dedicated to Monifa Alridge, who could not perform that night due to medical reasons - and it was so well received that there is talk of a bigger version to be presented at San Diego's ComicCon. Thanks are certainly in order to Ed Martinez the stage Ninja, Dennis Lancaster of IP Mascots for providing Mothra, Pepper Alexandria and her belly dance troupe Ghawazee, the Wondercon Masquerade staff and all the costumed contestants who stopped what they were doing and helped with last-minute prop-building and preparations.

On Sunday, Mr. Lobo was mobbed... Frank Gravatt from ILM got his fix of DVDs. KTEH's Ken Patterson, and uberfans Miss Jerry M and Claudia B. made the scene as well. Artist Eric Joyner - he of "The Sneeze" - gave the Queen Of Trash a marvelous print of his painting of donuts and toy robots. Mr. Lobo got a kiss and from supervixen Sara Douglas (Ursa from "Superman II"), crushed face from Jack O'Halloran (Non from "Superman II") and was lucky enough to snag an in-depth interview with Gary Lockwood (Lt. Frank Poole from "2001: A Space Odyssey"), who gave us his personal reflections of Stanley Kubrick... and made sure that no computers read our lips. We also shared hugs, giggles and eight-dollar Wondercon Sad-wiches with old friends Don Pedro Colley ("THX-1138," "Beneath The Planet of The Apes") and Chase Masterson ("Star Trek: Deep Space Nine") - who was there promoting Yesterday Was A Lie, her new movie.

Master monster-maker Erik Yee and Wendy Ho, owner of Top Look Salon in Chinatown, treated Mr. Lobo and The Queen Of Trash to a 12-star Vietnamese dinner... Mr. Lobo ate until he exploded into a shower of squab, clear noodles, lamb chops, eggrolls, and flan!

1/26/06 Update

There's Something About Fans Named Jerry

Jerry D. on the east coast has been posting everywhere to promote Mr. Lobo's upcoming panel at Wondercon, "Secrets Of Horror Hosting" (see right). Jerry M. on the west coast has not only worked furiously with mad hacker skills to solve our current Closed Captioning problems, but has donated a computer to the show - and is throwing a big CI viewing party at her home this weekend... Mr. Lobo, the Queen of Trash, Ken Patterson from KTEH and Miss Mittens are rumored to attend.

Ken Patterson reminds us to adjust your recorders and/or stay up even later. Cinema Insomnia will continue to be at 2:00 AM on KTEH/KCAH "Saturday nights" through its February air dates. Filling in at midnight will be two-hour editions of Nova, and - as a bonus - following Cinema Insomnia at 4:00 AM will be some classic films from their public domain library:

• Jan. 29 - 2:00 a.m. CI: Starcrash, 4:00 a.m. Beat the Devil (1954)
• Feb. 5 - 2:00 a.m. CI: Bigfoot - The Mysterious Monster, 4:00 a.m. King Solomon's Mines (1937)
• Feb. 12 - 2:00 a.m. CI: Horror of Party Beach, 4:00 a.m. 9secret mystery program!)
• Update: Feb. 19 - 2:00 a.m. CI: Night of the Living Dead, 4:00 a.m. Blackmail (1929)

Maize Bamboozle has great news from the Mr. Lobo's Knights fan site and Yahoo! Group... We have exceeded the milestone of 100 members! To celebrate, Cinema Insomnia is sending our 100th member Rick M. of Sunnyvale a DVD copy of the CI classic In Search of Ancient Astronauts!

Please welcome our new Co-Webmaster Al. He's the webmaster for world-famous Chicago horror host Svengoolie and Ron Dante of "The Archies"... and he'll be helping us get the mucho mucho info and entertainment that floods in here up on these pages for you.

Fan Club Kits have been in demand too, and we thank you for your patience as we assemble autographed photos, decoder rings, fill out the sacred documents, and conduct the routine background checks. By the way, Willy Gaunce of Hampton Roads, VA... you have been denied Sleepless Knighthood.

If you order your Cinema insomnia DVDs online, they will be $13.13 and will include shipping. The PayPal "By Now" buttons have now been fixed to reflect the new pricing. Thanks, hawkeye Cinsomniacs!

Starcrash is the misunderstood movie this week in most markets, and is sort of an Italian Star Wars knockoff by way of Barbarella and Sinbad. Mr. Lobo and Europe's sci-fi hostess Astronaughty go on a far-flung space adventure. Our heroes go toe-to-toe with Louisiana Klingons, escape from beneath The Planet of Poorly Inserted Stock Footage and seek wisdom from Reverend Steve of the Church Of Ed Wood and the Tie Lords.

Access Media, CI's syndicator, is so impressed with the show's promotional efforts that that Mr. Lobo has been tapped as a PR consultant for Peter's Principles, another national TV series they represent featuring health and fitness guru Peter Nielsen.

1/6/06 Update

Tune In, Download, Drop and Roll

We've updated the calendar - a never-ending task - and here's the scoop for tomorrow - The Day The Earth Caught Fire on UATV, and The Day Time Ended on KTEH/KCAH (remember, "tomorrow" in TV-ese also means Sunday at 2 a.m., which makes CI easier to catch for those bohos in the City and Valley, as well as avoiding pledge drive blackouts). On January 13-15, it's Prince of Space everywhere... January 20-22 brings you Bigfoot - The Mysterious Monster, and January 27-29's episode is Starcrash.

Mr. Lobo is pleased to announce that the DVD's for Monster From A Prehistoric Planet and In Search of Ancient Astronauts are once again in stock. Click on over to the Novelty Shop to get 'em.

Our quest to close-caption the Specials and episodes is far from over - as our loyal syndicator explores sponsorship options...

Something special is being planned for Wondercon. You won't want to miss Mr. Lobo in action February 10-12 in San Francisco! Trust us on this. For that matter, it's only fair to hint that Sacramento fans can look for a hometown event, also in February, put together by the usual gang of underappreciated dynamos. Watch this space, as usual.

In one of those puzzling Schroedinger's Cat deals, we can't include a link to prove this without skewing the results... err... but Mr. Lobo is the number-one result Google finds when the entered search term is "horror host". Hey, at least it's better than being further down on the list of results - right?

It would behoove you (and us) to join the CI Yahoo! group if you haven't already, particularly if you weren't able to see the Holiday Special - because it's being streamed there right now (whenever your "now" is). Who will become member number 100? It could be up to you.

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