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Creature Features' host Bob Wilkins specialized in presenting bargain basement films of the worst sort. In fact, he deliberately advised his viewers not to watch because the movies were of such low quality.

Wilkins recalls: "I knew that if I told people to watch this film, they wouldn't."

"I told them not to watch it," he continues. "I had a TV Guide and I told them what was on the other stations at the time."

But the viewers continued to watch. And laugh.

Wilkins had a droll sense of humor that wafted through the smoke of his ever-present cigar. He claimed his films were purchased at garage sales. His introductions were usually the highlight of the entire show:

• Weird Women. "This is a story about witchcraft, the occult, mysticism, price-fixing, tire rotation... I think you'll like it".
• Target Earth. It's the story of robots from Venus. Of course, Switzerland is known for watches, Venus has always been known for their robots.
• "Remember a couple of years ago they were saying nice soft music makes your houseplants grow? All of mine died within 30 minutes of the start of this movie."
• After a commercial break: "Okay, let's get back to the movie. It does not get any better."
• At the end of a movie: "Well that's it. I told you it was bad."

Wilkins occasionally invited science fiction cult figures to the Creature Features set for low-key interviews. A favorite was Star Trek's George Takai. Master monster maker Ray Harryhausen also appeared, as well as Star Wars producer Gary Kurtz.

In 1972, Wilkins took on the added duty of weather forecasting on The Ten O'clock News five days a week. His stint ended after two years, when he decided it was too tough to be creative five days a week in addition to hosting Creature Features.

His replacement was John Stanley (pictured here with Leonard Nimoy, Star Trek's Mister Spock), a writer for the San Francisco Chronicle. Stanley's style was slightly more serious, but without ever taking its tongue out of its cheek. Nevertheless, the program finally ran out of steam in 1984.

Meanwhile, in 1977, Wilkins anonymously began hosting a weekday afternoon children's show as the mysterious Captain Cosmic and his wonder robot 2-T-2.

Wearing a space helmet that covered his face, Wilkins introduced episodes of Ultraman, Flash Gordon, and other science fiction adventures. He never actually exposed his true identify, nor mentioned his Creature Features role. And unlike other kid show hosts, he never made public appearances. He recalls, "I never wore the Captain Cosmic outfit outside the studio. It was a little embarrassing wearing it inside the studio, but every payday I got over that."

Wilkins is now retired and lives in Reno.