Crematia Mortem

Crematia Mortem was the horror host of KSHB 41's late night weekend television show Creature Features in Kansas City, Missouri from 1981 to 1988. Nicknamed "The Ghostess with the Mostess", she was the creation of Roberta Solomon (a local television and radio talent).[1] "Creature Features" heavily emphasized camp, beginning with a spooky opening theme written by Iris Byrd of Fort Scott, Kansas. The set consisted of a dark backdrop, adorn with knickknacks like Gothic candelabras and a coffee-table topped with Halloween decorations.[2] Crematia usually emerged from an upright, cardboard coffin and walked barefoot to a large wicker chair, from which she presided over the evening's (B movies) feature. Wry commentary and gags preceded or followed commercial breaks, making for about an hour-and-a-half to two hours show. Crematia parodied an aristocratic English accent and always wore a long black wig, pale make-up, and a black gown with a purple, red, or blue satin corset.

On October 9, 1986, KSHB became a charter affiliate of the Fox Broadcasting Company. As Fox began to provide more content to the station,"Creature Feature's" time slot was pushed back from 10:30 pm to midnight, or even later. As a result, viewership lagged and the show was cancelled.[3]

Despite cancellation, Crematia Mortem gained cult status and, in 2012, was inducted into Horrorhound Magazine’s “TV Horror Host Hall of Fame” (along with Elvira, Joe Bob Briggs and Universal’s “Shock” Movie Package). [2]