Rich 'Svengoolie' Koz hospitalized
Chicago TV stalwart Rich Koz, perhaps better known as his alter ego Svengoolie, is recovering after experiencing “a cardiac event” on Saturday, Nov. 3, according to a news release from Weigel Broadcasting.
Koz has played the wisecracking horror-movie host since 1979. His show, which presents classic horror movies accompanied by new sketches, parodies and one-liners, airs at 9 p.m. Saturdays on Me-TV, WCIU-TV 26.3.
A post on Svengoolie.com says Koz' condition is improving. Fans can send cards to: Rich Koz, WCIU The U, 26 North Halsted, Chicago, IL 60661.
Koz inherited the character of Svengoolie from Jerry G. Bishop, who hosted “Screaming Yellow Theater” on WFLD Channel 32 from 1970-1973.
Out of character, Koz hosts WCIU's marathons of “Three Stooges” shorts, called “Stooge-a-Palooza,” and also hosted kids' after-school programming in “The Koz Zone” on WFLD in the early '90s.