FEARnet brings back animated favorites August 18

FEARnet, cable's premier destination for horror, suspense and thriller content, is adding a new two-hour weekend programming block starting August 18.

The morning segment, dubbed "Funhouse," features half-hour animated programs The Real Ghostbusters and Tales from the Cryptkeeper, as well as partly animated suspense drama Dark Oracle. The "Funhouse" block will be broadcast from 10 a.m. to 12 noon ET on Saturdays and reaired the next day, Sunday, in the same time period on the linear TV channel.

FEARnet's new "Funhouse" lineup marks the first time that the emerging cable network has broadcast both animated and live-action acquired series in a combined themed block of time. In fact, the block will highlight three all-time favorite television shows that haven't been nationally broadcast in over a decade, and one show, Dark Oracle, that has never been available on United States stations.

"While some cable networks are extremely successful in targeting the adult audience with animated content blocks in late night," said said Peter Block, FEARnet's president and general manager, "we decided to go a different route and provide our viewers with the ability to enjoy programming in a time period that harkens back to weekend mornings of their youth. Moreover, 'Funhouse' opens doors to new advertising opportunities due to the programming content."

Starting August 18, FEARnet's programming schedule for both Saturday and Sunday mornings will include:


The Real Ghostbusters (10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT) — For the first time in 13 years, The Real Ghostbusters (1986-91) are returning to TV to keep the world safe from marshmallow men, pink slime, and a spooky assortment of unfriendly ghosts. This animated series was created by founding Ghostbusters film stars Dan Akyroyd and Harold Ramis, and featured the voice talent of comedian Arsenio Hall as Winston Zeddemore.

Tales From the Cryptkeeper (10:30 a.m. ET/7:30 a.m. PT) — Brace yourselves: the Cryptkeeper is back, and he's bringing his frightful animated features to FEARnet's "Funhouse" lineup. Starring the voice of the infamous Crypt Keeper, himself, John Kassir — and produced by original Tales from the Crypt execs Robert Zemeckis and Joel Silver — "Tales from the Cryptkeeper" (1994-97) transports the franchise back to its classic comic book roots.

Dark Oracle (11:30 a.m. ET/8:30 a.m. PT) — Rounding out FEARnet's "Funhouse" lineup is the Canadian export Dark Oracle, where twin teens Cally and Lance Stone discover that the titular comic book contains clues about their future... and harbors deadly secrets. Created by Degrassi: The Next Generation scribe Jana Sinyor, and starring Alex House, lead character Todd of FEARnet's Todd & The Book of Pure Evil, Dark Oracle (2004-06) mixes live action with comic book animation, and introduces a healthy blend of teenage drama into the horrific proceedings. An engaging running storyline will keep viewers hooked week after week.