Svengoolie Brings “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken” to MeTV Tonight
Svengoolie is bringing another classic comedy-horror favorite to MeTV tonight, with Don Knotts’ 1966 film The Ghost and Mr. Chicken taking center stage. The movie will air at 8:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM CT, giving viewers a mix of spooky atmosphere, classic comedy and the unmistakable charm of Don Knotts.
Hosted by Rich Koz as Svengoolie, tonight’s presentation will also feature movie trivia, vintage clips, a song, classic Sven material, Kerwyn’s Joke of the Week and additional segments from the House of Svengoolie.
“The Ghost and Mr. Chicken” Comes to Svengoolie
Released in 1966, The Ghost and Mr. Chicken stars comedy legend Don Knotts as Luther Heggs, a timid typesetter who finds himself at the center of a supposedly haunted-house mystery.
The film was directed by Alan Rafkin and written by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum. The cast also includes Joan Staley, Liam Redmond and Dick Sargent.
For Knotts, the movie was particularly notable because it marked one of his first major projects following his successful run on The Andy Griffith Show. His association with Universal Pictures would continue through several other comedy films, including The Reluctant Astronaut, The Shakiest Gun in the West, The Love God? and How to Frame a Figg.
What Viewers Can Expect Tonight
Svengoolie’s presentation will go beyond simply screening the movie.
The episode is expected to include:
- Movie trivia and background information
- Vintage Svengoolie clips
- A musical segment
- Kerwyn’s Joke of the Week
- Nostalgiaferatoo’s interruption
- Classic commercials and archival material
- An encore of Svengoolie’s interview with Adrienne Barbeau
- Additional commentary surrounding the film
Svengoolie has also teased some of the familiar faces appearing in the movie, including actors recognizable from television shows and commercials.
Svengoolie Teases Movie Trivia
Rich Koz has teased that the program will explore the background behind The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, including where the idea for the film originated.
The episode will also discuss one of the movie’s most frequently quoted lines. Interestingly, the line is not delivered by one of the actors appearing on screen, adding another piece of trivia for longtime fans of the movie.
The program will also play with the film’s title through a segment involving Kerwyn, while Nostalgiaferatoo is expected to add his own brand of interruption to the evening.
House of Svengoolie Returns
The House of Svengoolie continues to add its own characters and comedy to the Saturday-night lineup.
The current House of Svengoolie cast includes:
- Gwengoolie, portrayed by Sarah Palmer
- IMP (Ignatius Malvolio Prankerstein), portrayed by Scott Gryder
- Nostalgiaferatoo, portrayed by Bill Leff
Together with Rich Koz, the characters have become an important part of MeTV’s classic horror presentation.
Halloween BOO-Nanza 2026 Is Coming
Tonight’s movie also leads into a month of classic horror and science-fiction programming as Svengoolie and the House of Svengoolie prepare for Halloween BOO-Nanza 2026.
Svengoolie is celebrating 47 years of portraying the iconic horror host, with a special October schedule featuring several well-known genre movies.
The October lineup includes The Wizard of Oz, Munster Go Home, Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Frankenstein Meets Wolf Man.
October 3: The Wizard of Oz
The Halloween schedule begins on October 3 with Svengoolie Presents The Wizard of Oz.
The 1939 classic stars Judy Garland, Frank Morgan and Ray Bolger. The story follows Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto after a tornado transports them from Kansas to the magical Land of Oz.
Following the movie, House of Svengoolie will present The Invisible Man Returns, starring Vincent Price and Cedric Hardwicke.
October 10: Munster Go Home
On October 10, Svengoolie will present the 1966 comedy Munster Go Home, starring Fred Gwynne, Yvonne De Carlo and Al Lewis.
The story follows the Munsters as they travel to England after Herman discovers that he has inherited the title of Lord of Munster Hall.
The House of Svengoolie lineup will then continue with Berserk, the 1967 film starring Joan Crawford, Ty Hardin and Diana Dors.
October 17: Invasion of the Body Snatchers
The October 17 presentation moves into science-fiction horror with the 1978 version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
The film stars Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams and Jeff Goldblum and follows the terrifying spread of mysterious alien pods that begin replicating people in San Francisco.
Later that evening, House of Svengoolie will present This Island Earth, the 1955 science-fiction classic starring Jeff Morrow, Faith Domergue and Rex Reason.
October 24: Frankenstein Meets Wolf Man
The October 24 lineup brings together two legendary Universal monsters in Frankenstein Meets Wolf Man.
The 1943 film stars Lon Chaney Jr., Ilona Massey and Patric Knowles and follows the Wolf Man as he searches for a cure while seeking the help of a scientist connected to Frankenstein’s creation.
The House of Svengoolie double feature will continue with Revenge of the Creature, starring John Agar, Lori Nelson and John Bromfield.
October 31: Halloween Night
For Halloween night, Svengoolie will once again present The Wizard of Oz.
The special presentation will run from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM ET/PT, giving viewers another opportunity to experience the classic film through the Svengoolie treatment.
The choice also connects with the tornado that sets Dorothy’s journey into motion, allowing Svengoolie and the Sven Squad to put their own Halloween spin on the beloved movie.
A Saturday Night of Classic Horror and Comedy
With The Ghost and Mr. Chicken tonight and a full month of Halloween programming ahead, MeTV is continuing its focus on classic horror, science fiction and comedy.
For fans of Don Knotts, classic Universal-era entertainment and Svengoolie’s mix of movie presentation and original comedy segments, tonight’s broadcast offers a nostalgic Saturday-night lineup.
The Ghost and Mr. Chicken airs tonight at 8:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM CT on MeTV.
