We wouldn't be do the 1980's justice if we didn't recognize one of the greatest horror anthology shows to ever grace the small screen. Yes, TALES FROM THE CRYPT premiered at the end of the decade but it still served the 80's well by intorudcing us to one of the greatest animintronic puppets in the history of the world, THE CRYPT KEERPER. (no CGI needed here kids, this was all practical effects and it was brilliant)...

Follow up:

Based on the great 1950's EC Comics series of the same name, TALES FROM THE CRYPT combined compelling stories, well known actors and the witty comments of THE CRYPT KEEPER to get television audiences coming back. From CREEPSHOW to TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE, "TFTC" combined all the tried and true methods that worked so well making those other titles household names, all while adding its own special flare to the late night HBO fare.

Much like the great Frank Darabont is currently doing with AMC's THE WALKING DEAD, "TFTC" put horror in the homes of otherwise non horror fans. It became a show that you couldn't wait to watch each and every week. As you would always have 2 solid stories smashed together in one episode, narrating and interweaving tales of horror and the macabre. Add into the mix some big name actors like Dan Aykrod, John Lithgow, Malcolm McDowel and a host of others and the show could literally do no wrong.

It truly is one of the fond memories I had as a child. The folks at HBO knew what they were doing too because THE CRYPT KEEPER was zany and kid friendly enough to get children involved. You just loved hearing that laugh and although the shows were very "adult" oriented, THE CRYPT KEEPER was always there to throw in a joke or two to bring you back to reality. Definitly a show that put its mark in the late 80's and early 90's and one that deserves more attention than it receives. The number of casual horror fans it created is something that we all owe a great deal to being involved in the world of horror. Have a favorite episode? List it below, we'd love to hear from you.

Thanks to our friend John Kassir, literally THE CRYPT KEEPER himself for the message below:

Source: HorrorBid