Horror History: Tuesday, January 28, 1986: “The Hitchhiker” episode “O.D. Feelin'” premiered

Season 3 Episode 7

Rat witnesses a group murder among feuding drug dealers, steals the drugs from the dead bodies, and leaves the scene of the crime. The Wise Man and The Fool find her laying dead and take the package of cocaine. Unbeknownst to all of them, Mr. Big, the original owner, sends his henchmen out to retrieve it at any cost.

Read more “Horror History: Tuesday, January 28, 1986: “The Hitchhiker” episode “O.D. Feelin’” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, January 26, 1986: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “A New Lease on Life” premiered

Season 2 Episode 15

A man gets the modern, fully equipped apartment of his dreams in exchange for providing his new landlady with lots of garbage.

Written by Harvey Jacobs and Michael McDowell. Guest-starring Marie Windsor.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, January 26, 1986: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “A New Lease on Life” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, January 19, 1986: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Dream Girl” premiered

Season 2 Episode 14

A theatrical director finds herself acting out the dreams of a meek stagehand along with her co-workers. Written and directed by Timna Ramon, based on a short story by Barbara Paul.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, January 19, 1986: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Dream Girl” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, January 12, 1986: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Comet Watch” premiered

Season 2 Episode 3

A man and his henpecking wife gets unexpected guests when Sir Edmond Halley and a young lady from the long-ago past on the night Halley’s Comet appears. Written by Harvey Jacobs and Jule Selbo. Guest-starring Fritz Weaver and Anthony Heald.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, January 12, 1986: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Comet Watch” premiered”

Horror History: Tuesday, January 7, 1986: “The Hitchhiker” episode “Ghostwriter” premiered

Season 3 Episode 6

Jeffrey Hunt is willing to do anything to make a name for himself — even die. But after Jeffrey fakes his own death, his wife Debby, believing her husband has gone on, continues his affair with his agent, Tony Lynch, only to learn that her husband is alive and well and that, if she wants to profit, she needs to get rid of him for real. Unfortunately, everyone must pay for their roles in Jeffrey’s deception.

Read more “Horror History: Tuesday, January 7, 1986: “The Hitchhiker” episode “Ghostwriter” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, December 22, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Monsters in My Room” premiered

Season 2 Episode 12

A little boy who fears an octopus, a living buzz saw, and a demon are in his room finds they are all too real.

Written and directed by James Sadwith and guest-starring Seth Green.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, December 22, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Monsters in My Room” premiered”

Horror History: Tuesday, December 10, 1985: “The Hitchhiker” episode “Man’s Best Friend” premiered

Season 3 Episode 5

When Richard Shepard is kicked out of his house by his wife Eleanor, he stays at a friend’s place and takes in a stray dog that begins killing off Richard’s enemies. When the dog goes for Eleanor, Richard tries to keep the dog from killing the woman he loves.

Read more “Horror History: Tuesday, December 10, 1985: “The Hitchhiker” episode “Man’s Best Friend” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, December 8, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Effect and Cause” premiered

Season 2 Episode 11

A woman learns she can change the world around her at random, but soon loses control of events. Written by Michael P. Kube-McDowell.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, December 8, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Effect and Cause” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, December 1, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Ursa Minor” premiered

Season 2 Episode 10

A little girl blames her new teddy bear for various pranks in her parents’ house. They do not believe her-until giant claw marks on the walls and lumbering sounds at night convince them. The mother destroys the teddy, but forgets one of the most basic rules of the wild-harm the child, and you must meet the mother… Written and directed by Ted Gershuny, based on a story by John Sladek.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, December 1, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Ursa Minor” premiered”

Horror History: Tuesday, November 26, 1985: “The Hitchhiker” episode “W.G.O.D.” premiered

Season 3 Episode 4

Nolan Powers is a money-hungry radio evangelist preaching on the air waves about the Bible. 0ff the air, he’s a self-righteous greedy man. A tabloid news reporter, Sato, digs up the story about how Powers killed his brother, Gerald. Gerald’s ghost comes back to haunt him, ruin his career and pay him back for causing his death.

Read more “Horror History: Tuesday, November 26, 1985: “The Hitchhiker” episode “W.G.O.D.” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, November 24, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “The Trouble with Mary Jane” premiered

Season 2 Episode 9

A family offers $50,000 to whoever can rid young Mary Jane of the demons possessing her. Guest starring – Phyllis Diller and Lawrence Tierney, written by Edithe Swensen.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, November 24, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “The Trouble with Mary Jane” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, November 17, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Distant Signals” premiered

Season 2 Episode 8

A director is approached by a mysterious investor who asks him to complete a previous short-run and unpopular detective series called “Max Paradise”, which was canceled 20 years ago before the final episodes were shown. The investor and his mysterious backers will pay any price to see the series finished, complete with bringing the original actor out of retirement. After the filming is complete, it is discovered that the investor is an alien from a planet that gets TV signals from Earth 20 years after they air. Max Paradise was popular there so he came to Earth to finish the show. Story by Andrew Weiner, adapted by Ted Gershuny and guest-starring Darren McGavin.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, November 17, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Distant Signals” premiered”

Horror History: Tuesday, November 12, 1985: “The Hitchhiker” episode “The Killer” premiered

Season 3 Episode 3

Meg is a paraplegic who is ignored by her family. When she finds everyone but her brother Jonathan dead she assumes he killed them. While trying to figure out who is responsible, what she remembers is not what she expected.

Read more “Horror History: Tuesday, November 12, 1985: “The Hitchhiker” episode “The Killer” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, November 10, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “The Devil’s Advocate” premiered

Season 2 Episode 7

The rude host of a late-night radio show, “The Devil’s Advocate,” finds out where his anger and cynicism will eventually lead. Written by George A. Romero and guest-starring Jerry Stiller.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, November 10, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “The Devil’s Advocate” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, November 3, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “The Satanic Piano” premiered

Season 2 Episode 6

A musician in a creative slump buys a revolutionary machine that reads the thoughts of a person and transforms it into music. However, the piano comes with a very high price, one which the musician may not be willing to pay. Story by Carl Richard Jacobi, adapted by John Harrison. Guest-starring Michael Warren and Lisa Bonet.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, November 3, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “The Satanic Piano” premiered”

Horror History: Tuesday, October 29, 1985: “The Hitchhiker” episode “Out of the Night” premiered

Season 3 Episode 2

A young man on the run from the police takes refuge in a mysterious building where a bizarre woman, Angelica, torments him with visions of his past life while another woman tries to help him. Condemned by jeering circles of audience members, the young man is jeered on to give one final performance … only to wake up to find he is on the verge of death on an operating room table. He is at St. Angelica’s Hospital, and the statue of the woman looks strangely familiar.

Read more “Horror History: Tuesday, October 29, 1985: “The Hitchhiker” episode “Out of the Night” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, October 27, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Halloween Candy” premiered

Season 2 Episode 5

A misanthropic old man torments trick-or-treating children and is visited by a terrifying goblin demanding candy. Written by Michael McDowell, directed by Tom Savini. Guest-starring Roy Poole.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, October 27, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Halloween Candy” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, October 20, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Parlour Floor Front” premiered

Season 2 Episode 4

A young couple learns that their tenant is a voodoo practitioner. The wife sees the tenant as a danger and attempts to drive him out of the building, blaming him for various mishaps. Written by Carole Lucia Satrina. Guest-starring Adolph Caesar.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, October 20, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Parlour Floor Front” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, October 13, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Ring Around the Redhead” premiered

Season 2 Episode 3

A man sentenced to Death Row for a murder tells his story of a redhead… from another dimension. Based on the short story by John D. MacDonald, adapted by Ted Gershuny. Guest-starring Penelope Ann Miller and John Heard.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, October 13, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Ring Around the Redhead” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, October 6, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Lifebomb” premiered

Season 2 Episode 2

An unhealthy corporate executive is offered a life-saving medical device with a price.

Written by Michael P. Kube-McDowell, based on his own short story of the same name. Guest-starring Bill Macy.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, October 6, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Lifebomb” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, September 29, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “The Impressionist” premiered

Season 2 Episode 1

The government brings in a failing comedian to try to communicate with an alien. Based on the short story “Impersonations” by M. Coleman Easton, adapted by Haskell Barkin and guest-starring Chuck McCann.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, September 29, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “The Impressionist” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, September 15, 1985: “The Hitchhiker” episode “Nightshift” premiered

Season 3 Episode 1

A ruthless nurse works at an old folks’ home and along with her boyfriend, she steals jewelry from the residents, who can do nothing to stop her. The couple gets an unpleasant surprise when her newest victim is an old man who is actually a supernatural creature that feeds on blood.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, September 15, 1985: “The Hitchhiker” episode “Nightshift” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, August 4, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “The False Prophet” premiered

Season 1 Episode 23

Cassie Pines, a superstitious woman, travels by bus to Texas on the advice of a psychic machine. Before she reaches her destination, however, she comes across another machine that warns her against continuing on her way. Written by Jule Selbo and guest-starring Ronee Blakley.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, August 4, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “The False Prophet” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, June 16, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Grandma’s Last Wish” premiered

An elderly woman makes one request of her unsympathetic family, who want to put her in a nursing home against her will.

Written by Jule Selbo.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, June 16, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Grandma’s Last Wish” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, June 9, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Bigalow’s Last Smoke” premiered

Season 1 Episode 21

Mr. Bigalow wakes up in a replica of his apartment, overseen by an addiction counselor who will allow him to leave only if he quits smoking.

Written by Michael McDowell.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, June 9, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Bigalow’s Last Smoke” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, May 26, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “It All Comes Out in the Wash” premiered

Season 1 Episode 20

A laundromat offers to wash away the sins of its clients.

Written by Harvey Jacobs.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, May 26, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “It All Comes Out in the Wash” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, May 19, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Levitation” premiered

Season 1 Episode 19

A teenager goads a once-famous magician into performing his greatest feat of levitation, with disastrous results.

Based on a short story by Joseph Payne Brennan and adapted by David Gerrold.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, May 19, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Levitation” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, May 12, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “If the Shoes Fit…” premiered

Season 1 Episode 18

Politician Bo Gumbs checks into a hotel to prepare for a speech. After he tells the hotel wait staff that politics is all showmanship, they help him prepare for his best show ever.

Co-Written by Armand Mastoianni and David Gerrold, directed by Mastroianni, starring Dick Shawn.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, May 12, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “If the Shoes Fit…” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, May 5, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Madness Room” premiered

Season 1 Episode 17

A wife and her friend plot to scare a rich man to death in the cursed “Madness Room.”

Written by Thomas Epperson and guest-starring Stuart Whitman.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, May 5, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Madness Room” premiered”

Horror History: Tuesday, April 9, 1985: “The Hitchhiker” episode “Murderous Feelings” premiered

Season 2 Episode 10

Dr. Peter Milne, an unethical psychiatrist, abuses his position to manipulate a female patient. His mind-bending medical practices only intensify her psychosis as she can no longer distinguish reality from dreams. When he finally has her act out her dreams, Dr. Milne finds himself the victim of her murderous feelings.

Read more “Horror History: Tuesday, April 9, 1985: “The Hitchhiker” episode “Murderous Feelings” premiered”