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MeTVs House of Svengoolie to Air 1999 Cult Classic Idle Hands Tonight
On Saturday, June 16, 2026, MeTV will broadcast the 1999 black‑comedy horror film Idle Hands as part of its House of Svengoolie programming block. The feature will begin at 8 p.m. Eastern Time (7 p.m. Central Time) and will be hosted by the network’s long‑running horror‑movie presenter, Svengoolie, portrayed by actor Rich Koz.
The House of Svengoolie is a recurring segment on MeTV that showcases classic horror and science‑fiction movies. In this episode, Koz will hand the reins to three recurring characters: Gwengoolie, played by Sarah Palmer; IMP (Ignatius Malvolio Prankerstein), played by Scott Gryder; and Nostalgiaferatoo, an 800‑year‑old vampire voiced by Bill Leff. According to the article that announced the event, the trio will guide viewers through a segment called “Coffin Convos” and will also appear at the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) for a panel and autograph session.
Idle Hands was released in U.S. theaters on April 30, 1999. The film was directed by Rodman Flender and written by Terri Hughes and Ron Milbauer. It was produced by Columbia Pictures, Licht/Mueller Film Corporation, and Team Todd, and distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing. The story follows 17‑year‑old Anton Tobias, played by Devon Sawa, who is a lazy stoner living in a suburban neighborhood. After a freak accident, Anton’s left hand becomes possessed and begins a killing spree, even after the hand is severed. The film also stars Seth Green, Elden Henson, Jessica Alba, and Vivica A. Fox.
When it opened, Idle Hands earned only about $4.2 million against an estimated $25 million budget, and it received largely negative reviews from critics. Over time, however, the movie has developed a cult following, particularly among fans of late‑1990s horror‑comedy. The soundtrack, released through Time Bomb Recordings, features punk and metal tracks from The Offspring, Blink‑182, Rob Zombie, and Static‑X.
The MeTV broadcast will include the full feature, followed by a post‑movie discussion with the House of Svengoolie hosts. The segment will likely cover the film’s themes, its place in the horror‑comedy genre, and its status as a cult classic. The article notes that the hosts will also reference a classic commercial encouraging viewers to avoid suspect spices such as paprika and oregano.
MeTV, owned by Weigel Broadcasting, is a national network that specializes in classic television programming from the 1930s through the 1990s. It has expanded into several sister networks, including Movies! and Heroes & Icons, and is available on major cable, satellite, and streaming platforms.
Rich Koz, who has portrayed Svengoolie since 1979, is a veteran actor and broadcaster known for his work in horror‑movie hosting and for his early 1990s children’s cartoon showcase, The Koz Zone. He was inducted into the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards’ Monster Kid Hall of Fame in 2021.
The House of Svengoolie event is part of MeTV’s ongoing effort to bring classic horror films to contemporary audiences. By pairing the original film with a live host and interactive segments, the network aims to preserve the cultural relevance of older titles while engaging viewers with behind‑the‑scenes commentary.
For those who cannot watch the broadcast, the film will also be available on MeTV’s on‑demand service, and the House of Svengoolie’s social‑media channels will likely provide additional content and discussion prompts.
In summary, viewers can expect a full screening of Idle Hands followed by a host‑led discussion and a panel appearance at C2E2. The event highlights the enduring appeal of late‑1990s horror‑comedy and showcases MeTV’s commitment to classic film programming.
The House of Svengoolie is a recurring segment on MeTV that showcases classic horror and science‑fiction movies. In this episode, Koz will hand the reins to three recurring characters: Gwengoolie, played by Sarah Palmer; IMP (Ignatius Malvolio Prankerstein), played by Scott Gryder; and Nostalgiaferatoo, an 800‑year‑old vampire voiced by Bill Leff. According to the article that announced the event, the trio will guide viewers through a segment called “Coffin Convos” and will also appear at the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) for a panel and autograph session.
Idle Hands was released in U.S. theaters on April 30, 1999. The film was directed by Rodman Flender and written by Terri Hughes and Ron Milbauer. It was produced by Columbia Pictures, Licht/Mueller Film Corporation, and Team Todd, and distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing. The story follows 17‑year‑old Anton Tobias, played by Devon Sawa, who is a lazy stoner living in a suburban neighborhood. After a freak accident, Anton’s left hand becomes possessed and begins a killing spree, even after the hand is severed. The film also stars Seth Green, Elden Henson, Jessica Alba, and Vivica A. Fox.
When it opened, Idle Hands earned only about $4.2 million against an estimated $25 million budget, and it received largely negative reviews from critics. Over time, however, the movie has developed a cult following, particularly among fans of late‑1990s horror‑comedy. The soundtrack, released through Time Bomb Recordings, features punk and metal tracks from The Offspring, Blink‑182, Rob Zombie, and Static‑X.
The MeTV broadcast will include the full feature, followed by a post‑movie discussion with the House of Svengoolie hosts. The segment will likely cover the film’s themes, its place in the horror‑comedy genre, and its status as a cult classic. The article notes that the hosts will also reference a classic commercial encouraging viewers to avoid suspect spices such as paprika and oregano.
MeTV, owned by Weigel Broadcasting, is a national network that specializes in classic television programming from the 1930s through the 1990s. It has expanded into several sister networks, including Movies! and Heroes & Icons, and is available on major cable, satellite, and streaming platforms.
Rich Koz, who has portrayed Svengoolie since 1979, is a veteran actor and broadcaster known for his work in horror‑movie hosting and for his early 1990s children’s cartoon showcase, The Koz Zone. He was inducted into the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards’ Monster Kid Hall of Fame in 2021.
The House of Svengoolie event is part of MeTV’s ongoing effort to bring classic horror films to contemporary audiences. By pairing the original film with a live host and interactive segments, the network aims to preserve the cultural relevance of older titles while engaging viewers with behind‑the‑scenes commentary.
For those who cannot watch the broadcast, the film will also be available on MeTV’s on‑demand service, and the House of Svengoolie’s social‑media channels will likely provide additional content and discussion prompts.
In summary, viewers can expect a full screening of Idle Hands followed by a host‑led discussion and a panel appearance at C2E2. The event highlights the enduring appeal of late‑1990s horror‑comedy and showcases MeTV’s commitment to classic film programming.