Terror at Collinwood

[PennyDreadful]

Terror at Collinwood Episode 122: A TaC Christmas Episode
 DS 60th Anniversary Event Details, TaC Questionnaire, Channel 58 & Family Memories
This yuletide episode kicks off with information about the 60th Anniversary Dark Shadows Event in Los Angeles, happening July 31-Agust 2, 2026. After that, you’re invited to participate in the anonymous Terror at Collinwood questionnaire to help shape future episodes of the podcast. The second half of the show features a trip down memory lane as Penny D revisits family memories and talks about her fondness for WCVX-TV58, a commercial channel out of Cape Cod Massachusetts that aired DS in the 1980s.
 
AUDIO VERSION:
www.terroratcollinwood.com/episodes/terror-at-collinwood-episode-122-a-tac-christmas-episode-ds-60th-anniversary-event-details-tac-questionnaire-channel-58-amp-family-memories
 
VIDEO VERSION:
https://youtu.be/rTuM62E0gJ0

Terror at Collinwood anonymous questionnaire:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeupZcyKqpqYH68cJ_PsfAmItVvEYUrBpvfIcL5vwJkBsov6A/viewform?fbclid=IwY2xjawOu2P9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFTajEyWlJJVkxSbzFwa2cwc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHpSTN4LFZ8RY1BuexPa29VlvG7__dvT86e8mBnvZ89Qkciu1zCyJipQE_1sp_aem_V694tOjyjXuBIZu2s-uGsA

[Mysterious Benefactor]

talks about her fondness for WCVX-TV58, a commercial channel out of Cape Cod Massachusetts that aired DS in the 1980s.

That's the station that I was also able to watch DS on in syndication.    In fact, I've shared a few of their DS promos on the forum...

I'll definitely check out your memories. 

[PennyDreadful]

talks about her fondness for WCVX-TV58, a commercial channel out of Cape Cod Massachusetts that aired DS in the 1980s.

That's the station that I was also able to watch DS on in syndication.    In fact, I've shared a few of their DS promos on the forum...

I'll definitely check out your memories. 

That's really cool, MB! I loved watching DS on channel 58. I will have to poke around on the forum to check out those promos, which I would love to see again! I wonder if you posted, or have, the one I described on the podcast from when they *gasp* threatened to take DS off the air during the Quentin's ghost/werewolf storyline. It'd be great to see that again!

I was also trying to figure out exactly when WCVX aired DS. I want to say it was 1985-1988 or maybe 1986 to 1989.
Earlier, my uncle's friend Mark was getting him tapes of multi-generation recordings from sydicated broadcasts starting in 1982 and trickling through 1983 and maybe into 1984. I seem to remember some of these were out of Indiana and other places.

It took a while before we found out Channel 58 was airing DS, locally, because there was what felt like a long gap between the end of the fan tapes and the discovery of the WCVX broadcasts.
We started watching channel 58 early on in the Adam storyline, so they had been running it for a year by then.

I also wonder when the time changed, because I definitely watched it mainly at 4:00 or 4:30, but I think initially it was on in the late mornings. Maybe I'll try to track down some old Boston-area TV guides or look at microfilm for Cape Cod-area TV listings for that timeframe.

[Mysterious Benefactor]

I wonder if you posted, or have, the one I described on the podcast from when they *gasp* threatened to take DS off the air during the Quentin's ghost/werewolf storyline. It'd be great to see that again!

I know I do. Though I don't currently have access to my syndication tapes. But once I do I'll definitely track it down.

I was also trying to figure out exactly when WCVX aired DS. I want to say it was 1985-1988 or maybe 1986 to 1989.

It was definitely 1985-1988. And I'll have to check out the exact date it started, but I know that it was sometime in the summer of 1985. I will never forget when I was checking out the TV Guide listings in September of 1985 and I suddenly saw that DS was airing on Channel 58. At the time I could barely get the station - but I was soon at my local Radio Shack to get a good UHF antenna and a signal booster. Thank heavens for Radio Shack's gadgets!! 

I also wonder when the time changed, because I definitely watched it mainly at 4:00 or 4:30, but I think initially it was on in the late mornings. Maybe I'll try to track down some old Boston-area TV guides or look at microfilm for Cape Cod-area TV listings for that timeframe.

Again, something I'll have to track things down, but I'm pretty sure at first it aired at 11:30am, but then during the 1795 storyline it switched to nights at 9:00pm (right around the time Barnabas dies and Joshua buries him in the mausoleum - and I was pissed because there was no warning of the time change beforehand - I just happened upon it by accident after I went to watch my tape, found out DS hadn't aired that morning, but just happened to go by Channel 58 while channel surfing and there were Josette and Countess DuPres discussing Barnabas' death in the Old House's drawing room right before Joshua has the servants take Barnabas' coffin out of the house - needless to say I grabbed a tape and started recording and after the ep was done I reprogrammed my VCR), and then it went to 4:00 or 4:30, but that time there was warning.

[Mysterious Benefactor]

and I was pissed because there was no warning of the time change beforehand

I probably should have mentioned that the TV Guide didn't even have the time change until a couple weeks after it happened. 

[PennyDreadful]

Thanks for the info, MB. I knew they switched it around at some point but didn't realize they did it more than once. And thanks for confirming '85-'88!

Terror at Collinwood Episode 123: Why 1897 Works with Danny Horn and Laramie Dean

Danny Horn of the Dark Shadows Every Day blog and author Laramie Dean of the Shadows on the Wall online fanzine return to Terror at Collinwood to discuss the elements and characters that make 1897 such a popular and compelling DS storyline. Other topics include: A character analysis chat about Barnabas Collins, why Quentin Collins is so enjoyable, the 1897 Collins siblings, Laramie’s thoughts on the new Curse of Dark Shadows graphic novel, and information about Danny’s Fantastic Miss Piggy Podcast and Laramie’s new book, Haunt Me, Then. The episode concludes with some talk about whether we need a new DS TV series or not. Join us for this fun and convivial conversation!
 
AUDIO VERSION:
www.terroratcollinwood.com/episodes/terror-at-collinwood-episode-123-why-1897-works-with-danny-horn-and-laramie-dean
 
VIDEO VERSION:
https://youtu.be/X2_zVttwSII

[PennyDreadful]

Terror at Collinwood Episode 124: Hopes for the DS 60th Anniversary Event and More with Guy Haines

Guy Haines returns to the podcast! We discuss and share our hopes for the Dark Shadows 60th anniversary event in Los Angeles, happening July 31st-August 2nd, 2026. In addition, we run down the merchandise that has been announced for 2026 thus far and talk about some things we’d like to see. The Monsterama convention in Atlanta (Aug. 7-9) also gets a shoutout. We also go over the recent sale of Seaview Terrace (Collinwood from the original TV series) to artist Hunt Slonem. In addition, Guy shares his memories of attending the 1988 Dark Shadows Off-Broadway play in New York. Won’t you pour yourself a sherry and join us?

AUDIO VERSION:
www.terroratcollinwood.com/episodes/terror-at-collinwood-episode-124-hopes-for-the-ds-60th-anniversary-event-and-more-with-guy-haines

VIDEO VERSION:
https://youtu.be/sKC4OuIRi4g

[PennyDreadful]

Terror at Collinwood Episode 125: A Look Back at ShadowCon and Fiction with Jean Graham

Jean Graham, née Peacock, was one of the founders of ShadowCon, the original Dark Shadows convention which started in 1977, predating the Dark Shadows Festivals by several years. With the last Dark Shadows convention on the horizon, Jean visits the podcast to talk about her memories of the very first one. She also discusses the challenges of early DS syndication days in the 70s, her DS fanfic and how that led to pro fiction publishing, her DS music arrangements and piano playing, and her fandom for The Man from U.N.C.L.E and Star Trek. Other topics include: dark fairy tales, the appeal of Barnabas, Mr. Spock, and Illya Kuryakin to outsiders, San Diego Comic Con - then vs now, sneaking into a movie theater balcony to watch House of Dark Shadows, and throwing a DS Halloween party in 1970. 
 
AUDIO VERSION:
www.terroratcollinwood.com/episodes/terror-at-collinwood-episode-125-a-look-back-at-shadowcon-and-fiction-with-jean-graham
 
VIDEO VERSION:
https://youtu.be/tilODNRtuzw

[PennyDreadful]

Terror at Collinwood Episode 126: Most Amusing Character Moments with Richard Halpern

Although Dark Shadows was a supernatural Gothic drama, there were several characters who displayed humorous traits throughout the series. From the outrageous Carl Collins and Pansy Faye to the eccentric Eagle Hill Cemetery caretaker and the put-upon Mrs. Johnson, this episode takes a look at the lighter side of Dark Shadows. Returning to the podcast to discuss these amusing character moments is entertainer and groovy Austin Powers tribute artist, Richard Halpern. In addition to our main discussion, we talk about Richard’s experiences as emcee at the Dark Shadows Festivals, Baby Dark Shadows, the Collinsport Players, his recent Austin Powers adventures, and much more!
 
AUDIO VERSION:
www.terroratcollinwood.com/episodes/terror-at-collinwood-episode-126-most-amusing-character-moments-with-richard-halpern
 
VIDEO VERSION:
https://youtu.be/PDjnhGNLE1o