Cinema Insomnia

Cinema Insomnia is an American television program presented by horror host Mr. Lobo.[1] It began airing in 2001 on KXTV (ABC 10 News) in Sacramento, California, and from 2003 to 2008 was nationally syndicated, airing on broadcast stations across the United States. Since 2015, the program has aired on OSI74 (Outer Space International), a web television service on Roku.

Cinema Insomnia
Cinema Insomnia's Long Lost Gigantis Episode.
GenreComedy, Cult
Created byMr. Lobo
StarringMr. Lobo
Theme music composerStan Fong
Opening theme"Stompin' at 3 AM"
by Stan Fong
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons18
No. of episodes106 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producersMr. Lobo, Dixie Lobo, Aaron M. Lane, Paul Sanders, Scott Moon, Ernie Fosselius
Production locationsThe Void (setting)
Atglen, Pennsylvania, Sacramento, California, & the San Francisco Bay Area (filming locations)
Running time2 hours, 30 Minutes (per episode)
Production companiesOuter Space International (formerly Cinema Insomnia Productions and FAL Studios)
Release
Original releaseJuly 28, 2001 (2001-07-28)

Cinema Insomnia features B movies, namely horror and science fiction films, interspersed with vignettes starring Mr. Lobo, as well as fake commercials, old movie trailers, and other material.

Format

Typically, Mr. Lobo opens each episode by promising to screen a well-known horror or science fiction film (such as Creature from the Black Lagoon or Alien); however budgetary limitations, acts of God or other circumstances invariably force him to show a much lower quality movie (such as Starcrash or Santa Claus Conquers The Martians).

Unlike the various hosts and robots of Mystery Science Theater 3000, Mr. Lobo does not appear while the movie is playing; instead he appears in brief vignettes in between segments of the movie. Also included are fake commercials (one such was for "Rad Abrams – Skateboard Attorney"[2]), old movie trailers, classic commercials, and footage and interviews shot at horror conventions, science fiction conventions, and film festivals across the country.

Characters

Mr. Lobo always appears on screen with a "70's professional" haircut, wearing "birth control" glasses and a black suit and tie. He acts as a spectral narrator broadcasting from a black void and his only connections to reality are the B-movies he presents. Mr. Lobo has often described himself by saying, "Imagine if you gave Rod Serling's job to someone who is totally incompetent."

Mr. Lobo often has one-sided conversations with Miss Mittens, a houseplant.

Recurring characters
  • Artie-Deco (Hardware Wars)
  • Astra Naughty
  • Chewchilla the Wookie Monster (Hardware Wars)
  • Dr. Bling Bling
  • Dr. Loco
  • Ernie Fosselius
  • François Fly (Fly By Night Theater)
  • Lady Skank'nstein (The Horror House of Lady Skank'nstein)
  • Megafant
  • Movie Sniffing Tie
  • Naughty Nurse Batty
  • Prime-8
  • Puddles the Super Turtle
  • Ro-man (Robot Monster)
  • Robot Seven D 4
  • Slob Zombie
  • Super Argo
  • The Incredibly Strange Creatures (Band)
  • The Robot Monsters (Band)
  • The Louisiana Klingons (Trekkies)
  • The Phantom of Krankor (Prince of Space)[3]
  • The Queen of Trash
  • Will the Thrill (Thrillville)
  • Young Mr. Lobo

Episodes
Main article: List of Cinema Insomnia episodes

Broadcast history

Cinema Insomnia began in 2001 when showrunner Mr Lobo was working for KXTV (ABC 10 News) in Sacramento. Inspired by Creature Features horror host Bob Wilkins, Lobo suggested a filler segment for the station's late night 3am movie which ran twenty minutes short. KXTV immediately picked up the show upon submission of the pilot episode.[4] Cinema Insmonia ran for 22 episodes (2001–2002) before the show was put on permanent hiatus. The second version of the show was made for local community television Access Sacramento, and ran for one year on Comcast Channel 17 and 18. This version of the show was also distributed to public-access television cable TV stations across the country via the Horror Host Underground. From 2003 to 2008 Cinema Insomnia was nationally syndicated airing on broadcast stations across the country. In 2008 Apprehensive Films, an indie distribution label, signed the show to release exclusive Cinema Insomnia DVDs. In 2009, Apprehensive Films took over the television distribution of the show as well, which resulted in re-licensing the show to AMGTV.[5]

Barf-O-Vision bag

Cinema Insomnia has aired weekly on over 34 broadcast stations including KXTV ABC News10 (Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto, California), KEJB 43 (Louisiana), KTEH 54 (San Jose, Oakland, San Francisco),[6] WOTH (Cincinnati), and WAOH-LP (Cleveland).[7] It also is shown on hundreds of cable systems[8] via MavTV (national), MATA14 (Wisconsin), Cox 71 (Virginia) and Cox 99 (Indiana).

It is delivered to independent stations via various outlets PMI, Access Media Group, and AMGTV.[9] Several episodes are also available for download on the Internet via BitTorrent as well as on CinemaInsomnia.com. The 2006 Cinema Insomnia Halloween Special was delivered to 45 million households.

A Kickstarter project called "Cinema Insomnia 10 Year Anniversary" was started to help fund $10,000 for the new season to give each episode an additional $384 to help pay for cast and crew as well as other expenses.[10][11][12] On December 18, 2010, $11,140 had been raised.

The first film of the 2011–2012 season was Venus Flytrap, it premiered on October 31, 2011. This was followed by Deep Red[13] and War of the Planets which was co-hosted by Northern California horror host legend, John Stanley. A retro version of the show called Insomniac Theater featured the film The Atomic Brain[14] and the Christmas special was the original The Little Shop of Horrors.[15]

On October 30, 2015, Mister Lobo launched OSI74 (Outer Space International), a web television service available on Roku. Since then, Cinema Insomnia has aired 90 episodes over 5 seasons on OSI-74.

Live shows

On August 19, 2006, Cinema Insomnia presented Day of the Triffids Live on KTEH, San Jose, CA.[16][17]

On August 14, 2010, Cinema Insomnia had their first broadcast taping at the Guild Theater in Sacramento in front of a live audience.[1][18][19] The film that was presented was The Undertaker and His Pals. Due to the graphic nature of the film, everyone was given a 'Barf-O-Vision' Audience Sickness Bag.[1][18]

On June 8, 2019, Cinema Insomnia hosted 2 live shows at the Bal Theater in San Leandro, California. The matinee performance was the film Teenagers From Outer Space and the evening performance was Bride of the Monster. These live shows marked the first new appearances in many years of Cinema Insomnia mainstays Rad Abrams: Skateboard Attorney & "The Queen of Trash" Sara Dunn. The Live Shows were later broadcast on Mister Lobo's streaming channel OSI-74.[20][21][22]

Online availability

Livestream

In 2010, Cinema Insomnia episodes began streaming on Livestream.[23]

On July 28, 2021, Mister Lobo ran a 10-day long live marathon of every episode of Cinema Insomnia on the official Cinema Insomnia Twitch channel.

YouTube

In August 2012, Cinema Insomnia's official YouTube channel was terminated due to multiple third-party claims of copyright infringement which came from "dubious sources."[24][25]

Lobovision

In September 2012, a new service to stream Cinema Insomnia videos called Lobovision was made available starting with the episodes House on Haunted Hill and Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome.[26][27]

In June 2013, Lobovision was redesigned with a new layout and look.[28]

Roku

In October 2012, Cinema Insomnia debuted on the new Roku horror channel Zom-Bee TV.[27][29] Zom-Bee TV aired the first HD Cinema Insomnia episode with the 2009 film Maxwell Stein.[27][29]

OSI 74

Episodes of Cinema Insomnia now air on OSI 74, an online TV channel run by Outer Space International, Mr. Lobo's distribution network featuring "unusual, experimental, and entertaining programs from many different creative worlds". OSI 74 launched on October 30, 2015 on Roku. Cinema Insomnia episodes are also available on OSI74.com.[30][31]

Slime Line
Slime Line DVD cover for the 1975 documentary Bigfoot: Mysterious Monster.

In 2010, Apprehensive Films introduced a new line of Cinema Insomnia DVDs called the Slime Line. The Slime Line DVDs feature brand new audio mixes, new retro film-clips, coming attractions for classic B-movie and new indies. The Slime Line DVDs also contain Slime Points which can be collected and mailed into Apprehensive Films for select prizes. Apprehensive Films has also licensed episodes Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome,[32] Gappa: Monsters From a Prehistoric Planet,[32] In Search of Ancient Astronauts,[33] Super Wheels,[34] and Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet[32] to Amazon Video on Demand.

List of Slime Line edition DVDs

Alpha Video

In September 2019, Alpha Video announced the first three of ten newly remastered Cinema Insomnia volumes to be released on DVD, September 17, 2019.[50]

Twenty additional volumes have been released as of mid 2021.[51]

List of Alpha Video DVDs

References
  1. Carla Meyer (14 August 2010). "Horror and humor join hands at TV taping tonight in Sacramento". The Sacramento Bee. Archived from the original on 17 August 2010. Retrieved 20 August 2010.
  2. LateNiteTeeVee (27 September 2010). ""Rad" Abrams – Skateboard Attorney (CINEMA INSOMNIA)". YouTube. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
  3. CinemaInsomniaTV (20 October 2010). "YouTube – Candles, Krankor and You". YouTube. Retrieved 21 October 2010.
  4. "INTERVIEW WITH MR LOBO". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15.
  5. ""CINEMA INSOMNIA" AND AMGTV ARE BRINGING HOSTED "MIDNIGHT MOVIES" TO PRIME TIME AND COAST TO COAST!". Archived from the original on 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
  6. (Stanley 2007, p. 198)
  7. (Duran 2005, p. 8-9)
  8. (Stanley 2007, p. 198)
  9. (Duran 2005)
  10. kickstarter.com (November 19, 2010). "Cinema Insomnia 10 Year Anniversary by Cinema Insomnia — Kickstarter".
  11. "Facebook | kickstarter.com Cinema Insomnia 10 Year Anniversary -- Internet Event". Facebook. November 21, 2010.
  12. "Horror Host Graveyard: Cinema Insomnia 10 Year Anniversary". November 21, 2010.
  13. "LoboVision | Cinema Insomnia presents Deep Red on LoboVision". December 5, 2012. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved December 5, 2012.
  14. "LoboVision | Insomniac Theater presents The Atomic Brain on LoboVision". December 5, 2012. Archived from the original on November 28, 2012. Retrieved December 5, 2012.
  15. "LoboVision | Little Shop of Horrors Holiday Special on LoboVision". December 5, 2012. Archived from the original on November 29, 2012. Retrieved December 5, 2012.
  16. CinemaInsomnia.com. "ABOUT MR. LOBO". CinemaInsomnia.com. CinemaInsomnia.com. Archived from the original on 28 March 2010. Retrieved 20 August 2010.
  17. Corpse S. Chris (30 June 2009). "Cinema Insomnia Pajama Party Pledge Special". Horror Host Graveyard. Horror Host Graveyard. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  18. "Movies on a Big Screen Sacramento". Archived from the original on 2010-02-11.
  19. "Insight: Biology of Belief / Prop 8 / River of Skulls / Poetry / Mr. Lobo (August 13, 2010)". Archive.org. 13 August 2010. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
  20. "- Historic BAL Theatre". Archived from the original on 2019-08-12. Retrieved 2019-08-12.
  21. https://vimeo.com/345578950
  22. https://vimeo.com/343507605
  23. "Episode Guide". WordPress. Retrieved 2013-04-05.
  24. Mr. Lobo (16 August 2012). "DOWN THE TUBE!". WordPress. Retrieved 2013-04-05.
  25. "Cinema Insomnia Down The Tube…". WordPress. 17 August 2012. Retrieved 2013-04-05.
  26. "Tube Topped By LoboVision!". WordPress. 15 September 2012. Retrieved 2013-04-05.
  27. "Happy Lobotober! New Episodes! ZOM-BEE TV! More rewards going out!". WordPress. 25 October 2012. Retrieved 2013-04-05.
  28. "Mr. Lobo Unveils an All New LoboVision! Watch more Cinema Insomnia!". WordPress. 10 June 2013. Retrieved 2013-06-10.
  29. "Watch NEW Cinema Insomnia on Zom-Bee TV! For Roku and Mobile Devices!". WordPress. 26 October 2012. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 2013-04-05.
  30. "Mission Profile". OSI 74. Archived from the original on 2017-04-22. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  31. "Media Kit". OSI 74. Archived from the original on 2017-04-27. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  32. Apprehensive Films (September 2010). "More Apprehensive Films Titles Added to Amazon VOD". Apprehensive Films. Blogger. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
  33. Apprehensive Films (September 2010). "Cinema Insomnia Episodes Now on Amazon VOD". Apprehensive Films. Blogger. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
  34. Apprehensive Films (September 2010). "Cinema Insomnia Super Wheels Now Available for Download on Amazon VOD". Apprehensive Films. Blogger. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
  35. "Bigfoot: Mysterious Monster Slime Line DVD". Apprehensive Films. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  36. "Carnival of Souls DVD". Apprehensive Films. Archived from the original on 18 April 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  37. "Cinema Insomnia Halloween Special w/Bob Wilkins DVD". Apprehensive Films. Archived from the original on 18 April 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  38. "Creature DVD". Apprehensive Films. Archived from the original on 8 September 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  39. "Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome DVD". Apprehensive Films. Archived from the original on 19 September 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  40. "Eegah! DVD". Apprehensive Films. Archived from the original on 19 April 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  41. "First Spaceship on Venus DVD". Apprehensive Films. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  42. "Gamera Super Monster Slime Line DVD". Apprehensive Films. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  43. "Gappa: Monsters From a Prehistoric Planet DVD". Apprehensive Films. Archived from the original on 19 April 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  44. "In Search of Ancient Astronauts Slime Line DVD". Apprehensive Films. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  45. "Night of the Living Dead Slime Line DVD". Apprehensive Films. Archived from the original on 18 April 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  46. "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians Slime Line DVD". Apprehensive Films. Archived from the original on 8 September 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  47. "Super Wheels DVD". Apprehensive Films. Archived from the original on 19 April 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  48. "Voyage to a Prehistoric Planet DVD". Apprehensive Films. Archived from the original on 8 September 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  49. "Wasp Woman DVD". Apprehensive Films. Archived from the original on 20 September 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  50. "Mr. Lobo's Cinema Insomnia Arriving on DVD | Horrorscreams Videovault - Supporting Independent Horror". 9 September 2019.
  51. "Mr. Lobo's Cinema Insomnia | OLDIES.com".
  52. Ken Hulsey (11 August 2010). "Zoinks! Mr. Lobo Makes A Guest Appearance On SCOOBY DOO?". Monster Island News. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  • Baker, D (2005). "Who Is the Best Horror Host In the World?", Monster News, Issue 12.
  • Duran, C (2005). "Cinema Insomnia Goes Coast To Coast", Monster News, Issue 12.
  • Stanley, J (2007). "I WAS A TV HORROR HOST", Creatures At Large Press.
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