The annual pilgrimage to Starbucks for pumpkin spice lattes is well underway and Spirit Halloween is open after popping up out of nowhere yet again. That means one thing: fall is here and so is spooky season.
This October, the KAMU-TV schedule lines up perfectly, with several ‘spooky’ programs premiering this month. If you really want to get into the Halloween spirit, check out the drama, history and comedy/horror programs you can expect.
Nightmare Theatre
Sundays at 2 p.m.
New to KAMU and just in time for Halloween: a weekly quirky trip through horror movie history. Baron Mondo Von Doren is a minor demon assigned to inflict misery upon mankind through bad movies. Through irreverent and somewhat cheesy skits, the Baron introduces old horror films with humor, interesting film facts and a pet werewolf sidekick, because why not? Do they treat the films with respect? No, because the Baron says they don’t deserve any respect, but hey, they’re still enjoyable and now you can watch them every Sunday at 2 p.m. on KAMU.
Learn More About Nightmare Theatre
Secrets of the Dead
Wednesdays at 9 p.m.
If the title isn’t already spooky enough for you, maybe their episode on vampires will be. New episodes of this popular series air every Wednesday this month. The highlight is their Oct. 30 episode: “Field of Vampires.” Learn about the discovery of a skeleton buried in 1650, found with unusual features and burial rituals that have sparked intrigue and debate about ancient vampire folklore. Other episodes this month aren’t quite as chilling, but learn about a musical mystery surrounding Mozart’s sister on Oct. 9, scrolls that haven’t been read in 2,000 years on Oct. 16 and a lost Civil War burial site on Oct. 23.
Learn More About Secrets of the Dead
NATURE: Dracula’s Hidden Kingdom
Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.
You’ve heard of Transylvania but can you place it on a map? “NATURE” takes you to central Romania to explore the untouched land of mystery and mythology. Meet the region’s inhabitants – not vampires, but wildlife – in the special way only “NATURE” can. Lynx, brown bears, storks, bats and some of the world’s biggest wolf packs roam the mountains, forests and crumbling medieval villages abandoned by humans long ago. The vast, quiet forests have never seen a chainsaw. A bloodsucker, maybe, but not a chainsaw.
The Marlow Murder Club
Sundays at 8 p.m. starting Oct. 27
The sound of a gunshot interrupts a peaceful evening and now the hunt is on. Spend your Sunday nights in October and November with this gripping murder mystery based on Robert Thorogood’s popular novel. In this four-part adaptation, an amateur trio of female sleuths and a determined policewoman uncover a series of clues and fend off red herrings to bring a killer to justice. “MASTERPIECE” calls this mystery series ‘cozy’ – an interesting word choice, but one that makes us excited to check this out for ourselves, too.
Learn More About Marlow Murder Club
PBS KIDS Programs
Throughout the month, 5 a.m.-noon on KAMU or anytime on our 24/7 PBS KIDS channel
If you have little ones in your life, or if you’re like the fully-grown author of this article and don’t like spooky/scary shows, keep it lighthearted with Halloween episodes or specials of several PBS KIDS shows, including “Arthur,” “Wild Kratts,” “Cyberchase” and “Molly of Denali.” These episodes air throughout the month but you can browse our TV schedule or our 24/7 PBS KIDS schedule to find specific episodes.
Happy Halloween from KAMU — stay safe!