Editorials
The “Spike TV Scream Awards” Gave Horror Fans Their Own Oscars for Six Special Years
For this month’s installment of “TV Terrors” we revisit horror’s own take on the Academy Awards, the Spike TV Scream Awards, which aired from 2006 through 2011 on Spike TV.
Another year has come, and it’s another year where the horror genre has been all but shut out from the most prestigious film awards, the Academy Awards. While a lot of fans don’t really give a flip about the ceremony, there is a sub-set of horror buffs that have been anxious for the genre to receive its much deserved respect and accolades. Over the years, though, some major networks have at least tried their best to offer up their own prestigious awards ceremonies to rival the majors, such as the Cable Ace Awards, and the still-running MTV Movie Awards.
One of the more notable, and memorable examples on that list was the “Spike TV Scream Awards.” Presented on the (now defunct) “guy channel” Spike TV, the “Spike TV Scream Awards” was a yearly award ceremony and horror bash that celebrated the best and most acclaimed content in horror, science fiction, and fantasy. Created by executive producers Michael Levitt, Cindy Levitt, and Casey Patterson, the ceremony aired on or near Halloween with much hype and fanfare, and for two hours audiences could celebrate everything they loved about the genre.
There were huge stars, montages, tributes, gruesome displays, and even big performances from bands like The Smashing Pumpkins, Ozzy Osbourne, Korn, and My Chemical Romance, to name a few. Similar to the Fangoria Chainsaw Awards, Spike held a huge ballot on their website prior to the awards ceremony, allowing fans to have a say in what would be celebrated that year. I voted at least three years in a row. The results would then be tallied and affect whoever won during the live broadcast, often inspiring big fanfare and some considerable ballyhoo.
Among the various categories, there was Best Scream Queen, The Ultimate Scream, Best Horror Movie, Best TV Show, Most Memorable Mutilation, Most Vile Villain (or “Best Villain”), and The Scene of the Year Award. The latter category was renamed to the “Holy Sh!t” or “Jump-From-Your-Seat” award in varying years. There were also non-horror categories for science fiction, fantasy, and comic books, collectively. There was even a Comic-Con pegged award. The Spike TV Scream Awards (later renamed as simply “Scream,” and then “The Scream Awards”), depending on who you ask, was a bang up awards ceremony, at least in its early years.
Those early broadcasts were filled with a maniacal atmosphere and fantastic vibe that worked perfectly with the impending arrival of Halloween. There was a great energy to the whole event, especially as it seemed to really be aiming to please an often overlooked section of pop culture fans with good intentions behind it. Of course, like every awards broadcast, it had its fair share of stumbles and awkward moments, all of which were buzzed about after the show. But the shows were extremely dedicated to delivering fan service, most of all.
Some of the event’s most memorable banner moments included the 2006 ceremony where the trio of Rosario Dawson, Marley Shelton, and Rose McGowan opened the show to present the first award and promote Grindhouse. Stan Lee appeared to accept a Comic-Con Icon award in the 2009 show, and there’s the 2010 ceremony where Bill Murray appeared in full Ghostbusters regalia (the demand for a new Ghostbusters movie was high at the time, and it was the first time Murray got back in the suit in many years). We also got a Back to the Future reunion with co-stars Christopher Lloyd and Michael J. Fox appearing in front of a DeLorean, and Darth Vader and George Lucas even accepted the “Ultimate Villain” award at the 2011 ceremony.
There was also a remote appearance by Andrew Lincoln and Jon Bernthal at the height of “The Walking Dead’s” popularity. The annual show was a prime platform to promote a lot of upcoming projects, with John Cho and Karl Urban appearing to promote Star Trek, and the stars of Scream 4 – along with Wes Craven – showing up to premiere “exclusive footage” from the then-upcoming sequel. The ceremonies were filmed at various theaters across Hollywood, with the final one (a la the “Horror Hall of Fame”) conducted on the Universal Studios back lot.
Sadly, with Spike TV in the midst of re-formatting and even changing their channel name (once again), the Scream Awards slowly dwindled in popularity, and the final ceremony was held in October of 2011. Outside of Fangoria, it’s too bad that not many companies are willing to try their hand at a genre themed Oscar-type ceremony anymore, with the advent of streaming and digital platforms allowing for innovation in that field. Nevertheless, the “Spike TV Scream Awards” were a dynamic, satisfying, and fun television novelty that tried their damndest to properly celebrate the horror genre each and every year, warts and all. We need more of that love today.
Is It On DVD/Blu-ray/Streaming? None of the broadcasts have ever been released on physical media. However some of the complete, uncut broadcasts can be found on YouTube.
Horror and science fiction have always been a part of the television canvas, and constant attempts have been made over the years to produce classic entertainment. Some have fallen by the wayside, while others became mainstream phenomena. With “TV Terrors,” we take a look back at the many genre efforts from the 80’s, 90’s, and 00’s, exploring some shows that became cult classics, and others that sank into obscurity.
New month, new horror recommendations from Deep Cuts Rising. This installment features one random pick as well as four selections reflecting the month of May 2024.
Regardless of how they came to be here, or what they’re about, these past movies can generally be considered overlooked, forgotten or unknown.
This month’s offerings include a self-loathing serial killer, a violinist’s murderous ghost, and a postmodern vamp flick.
Scream, Pretty Peggy (1973)
Pictured: Ted Bessell and Sian Barbara Allen in Scream, Pretty Peggy.
Directed by Gordon Hessler.
The TV-movie Scream, Pretty Peggy first aired as part of ABC Movie of the Week. Bette Davis plays the mother of a reclusive sculptor (Ted Bessell), and after the previous housekeeper goes missing, a local college student (Sian Barbara Allen) fills the position. Little does she know, though, the young employee’s predecessor was murdered — and the killer is still on the loose.
Admittedly, Scream, Pretty Peggy isn’t difficult to figure out; its inspiration is obvious. However, Bette Davis’ overstated performance and the son character’s macabre artwork are enough to stay tuned and learn who’s behind the killings.
Scream, Pretty Peggy is now available on physical media from Kino Lorber. Perhaps watch the movie with your own mother this Mother’s Day (May 12).
Paganini Horror (1989)
Pictured: The ghostly killer in Paganini Horror.
Directed by Luigi Cozzi.
For National Buy a Musical Instrument Day (May 22), check out this absurd Italian entry in the subgenre of cursed music horror. A rock band unleashes hell when they unknowingly use a satanic piece of music composed by Niccolò Paganini, the violinist who was rumored to have made a Faustian deal.
Even though Paganini Horror is hardly deemed a standout of Italian Horror, and the movie indeed drags itself toward the finish line, there are some bright spots worth focusing on. For instance: Donald Pleasence. If that’s not enough, the very ’80s aesthetic helps gloss over the flaws in Daria Nicolodi‘s uneven script.
Paganini Horror is now on physical media from Severin Films and is also streaming on SCREAMBOX.
Nadja (1994)
Pictured: Suzy Amis Cameron and Karl Geary in Nadja.
Directed by Michael Almereyda.
These vampires may or may not cast a reflection, but they sure do love to reflect. David Lynch executive-produced as well as briefly appeared in the film, which Roger Ebert succinctly described as “Deadpan Noir” in his review. This tale of revenge and philosophical pondering begins with the vampiric namesake (Suzy Amis Cameron) seducing the daughter (Galaxy Craze) of Van Helsing after he killed Nadja’s father, Dracula. From there a war erupts between the two sides, all while taking place in modern NYC.
Nadja is quite slow but also just strange, stylish and creative enough to keep your attention. In addition, the trip hop soundtrack is easy on the ears, and Peter Fonda plays a memorable Van Helsing. Overall, this is a unique and artsy approach to vampire horror.
Nadja is now streaming on Freevee.
The Bone Snatcher (2003)
Pictured: Scott Bairstow, Warrick Grier and Rachel Shelley in ‘The Bone Snatcher’.
Directed by Jason Wulfsohn.
For National Sunscreen Day (May 27), dig up the monster movie The Bone Snatcher. It will take more than a high SPF to protect the sunburned characters here; they are stuck in a South African desert with a bizarre monster called the Esikhulu.
The best things about The Bone Snatcher are its setting and the creature. This beast, which is brought to life on screen using a combination of practical and digital effects, sports a ghastly design to go with its unnerving ability to animate skeletons. Something else this movie has going for it is a refusal to show the monster too often; that way there is less chance of becoming desensitized to the Esikhulu. Ultimately, this has nothing on John Carpenter’s The Thing, however, those more forgiving fans of Syfy-ish creature-features should be satisfied.
The Bone Snatcher is currently streaming on Tubi.
#1 Serial Killer (2013)
Pictured: Jason Tobin in #1 Serial Killer.
Directed by Stanley Yung.
May is AAPIM, and the subversive #1 Serial Killer (originally titled Chink) is relevant when discussing the “Invisible Asian” notion. Acknowledging the irony, Stanley Yung’s movie has gone widely unnoticed despite its potent take on race and identity.
Jason Tobin (Warrior) delivers a compelling performance as the vile protagonist here. The self-hating, Ted Bundy-admiring character discriminates against other Asians after years of mistreatment and disregard, and that growing rage finally manifests as cathartic violence.
#1 Serial Killer is currently available at digital retailers like Apple.
No genre is as prolific as horror, so it’s understandable that movies fall through the cracks all the time. That is where this recurring column, Deep Cuts Rising, comes in. Each installment of this series will spotlight several unsung or obscure movies from the past — some from way back when, and others from not so long ago — that could use more attention.
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TWO New ‘Evil Dead’ Movies Now in the Works; Sébastien Vaniček & Francis Galluppi Directing
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