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Horror Hostess Ms. Monster Interview

Elvira isn’t the only sultry, charming horror hostess these days. Her iconic horror hosting show paved the way for many women to step in front of the camera and give B-movie hosting a shot. One of these women goes by the name of Ms. Monster. She is tackling different areas of the horror genre including her own show, comic books, reality TV, pinup calendars, and even a zombie dance troop and future music videos. Ms. Monster is definitely an interesting character, so read on and get to know this talented horror hostess hailing from San Francisco.

Being that I’m from New Jersey, the first time I was welcomed into the world of Ms. Monster was when you appeared on the reality series, The Search for the Next Elvira. On the Fox Reality show, you made it to the final 6. I’m sure this has probably been done to death, literally, by now, but can you give us some sort of insight? What is it like being on reality TV, but more importantly being in the same room as Elvira?

Ms. Monster: Ha! I love that that is where you first saw me. Hysterical! My primary reason for doing the show was to get to hang out with Elvira & Cassandra. The auditions on the Queen Mary on Friday 13th were the highlight of the entire experience. Walking onto a stage and looking out at Elvira & the two Manviras – and then having them interact with me directly was the most incredible feeling. Interactive horror television! I truly think this is what prompted the live webcast shows that we now do. Reality TV – everyone should get the chance to be on it. It is a ridiculous, fun, grueling, hysterical, whacked out experience. The reality, obviously, is that reality TV is not reality at all – it is more improv if anything.  Elvira is an amazing force to be around. Professional, snarky, charming & sultry. It was such a blast to film with her. I met some incredible women, a great crew that worked on the show, and got to hang out with Kane Hodder & Rick Baker (my biggest crush).

Hel On Ice is your very own late night horror hosting show broadcast out of San Francisco on channel 29. Since then it looks like you’ve expanded a bit more and now you also stream episodes off your site www.msmonster.com. Tell us about your show. What made you decide to turn it into a variety show over just straight to the point horror hosting?

Ms. Monster: The concept for Hel on Ice: The TV Show was initially to be a late night variety show.  Hel on Ice started as an anthology comic book and we figured let’s use this TV slot to bring people back to the comic. Everyone that is involved brings what they love to the table – horror, animation, puppets, music, robots – whatever goes! If someone on the team loves it, we will use it. That is what keeps it fun & fresh and exciting for everyone and how the show has developed into what it is now. Horror was a MUST theme for me where Sci-fi was for the melons – showing clips of our favorite movies was a way to fill a lot of empty time without a lot of editing. Marc often says the show is like PeeWee’s Playhouse meets MST3K meets Elvira. Currently the show is available on DVD at msmonster.com/shop and on LIVE chat-a-long webcasts on msmonster.com/live & www.monsterchannel.tv. We also try and broadcast from convention floors wherever we may be.

I see that you have expanded into the world of comics too, or well, it says the comics were the basis of Hel On Ice. The comics are obviously based on your character, Ms. Monster, but what are the comics about? What is something that makes them stand out and make comic book fans want to purchase them?

Ms. Monster: Now after years of doing the show people are finally coming back to the comics! Which I love. We just released the Origin story of Ms. Monster & her Monster Melons. While we really want this to be a feature film – this comic is a beautiful thing to own. With a dyecut cover and 16 full-color pages it truly is a gorgeous piece of art done by Marc Nordstrom, Aaron Farmer & Petrina Cooper. And it answers the never-ending questions – where did Ms. Monster come from? Why are there talking melons? Is she blue all over? Does the carpet match the drapes? Read it and find out! $7 from www.msmonster.com/shop. We read it every night in the crypt before bedtime. The melons love the ‘riding-the-pig’ panel.

Obviously, I think we need to discuss your monster melons. The puppets, of course. How did they come about, and why is one wearing an eye patch?

Ms. Monster: Well, we like to say it was a case of accidental incantation…or something like that…you can read the Origin comic to find out the details of where the melons came from. Tat lost his eye when Tit was running with charmed scissors and dodging banana peels and, well, he slipped. You can see the scene yourself on our first DVD. It is finally becoming less of a sore subject around here – especially now that we are figuring out how to use the portal in Tat’s eye socket to jump dimensions. Awesome.

What is next for Ms. Monster? What is coming in 2011 that Ms. Monster followers should be excited about? I saw something on your site about tunes. What’s that about?

Ms. Monster: Here at the crypt things are NON STOP INSANITY. A Ms Monster statuette is in production, new headshots, pinups, live webcasts all year long, DVD launch, and new characters joining us (Tat’s been working like a fiend in the lab on DNA splicing). We’ve got music videos lined up, new songs by T-Bags, our singing Pterapig, and a feature film if funding comes through.

Favorite horror film that YOU have hosted?

Ms. Monster:  Night of the Comet. I am a sucker for 80s horror. Plus my zombie dance troupe got to rock it with leg warmers on the Castro Theatre in SF a few years back. AMAZING!

Most anticipated horror film of 2011?

Ms. Monster: Sucker Punch?

There are a lot of links listed above, so make sure you all give them a second glance. On her official website, www.msmonster.com, you can look around and find cool panels from her comic books as well as updates about future episodes of her show, Hel On Ice.

Currently, HorrorSociety is nominated for a Rondo Hatton Award in the #15 category for “Best Website.” The #19 category is for “Best Horror Host of 2010.” For whatever reason, Ms. Monster is not on the list. However, there is an option where you can write in your own nomination. So, any HS fans who haven’t sent in their ballet yet should write her name in there. Let’s see if HorrorSociety and Ms. Monster can both win an award this March. Click here to vote for us both.

Michael DeFellipo

(Senior Editor)

4 Comments

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  1. Not only have I had the pleasure of meeting this remarkable Glamazon of Horror but also had the great honor of sharing the airwaves with her on Fearwerx. Ms. Monster & her Monster Melons are such a unique throwback to old school horror hosting and will one day reign supreme!!

  2. dear adorable ms. monster: do your dvd's contain complete movies? i don't want those (i've seen 'em all). i want YOU!

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