The third entry in JPiC’s Inktober 2024 in the “Regional TV Horror Hosts” series continues with Philadelphia’s Dr. Shock.
Philadelphia native John Zacherle was an announcer and actor at WCAU-TV, portraying various characters, as needed, in the station’s home-grown Action in the Afternoon Western series. He also hosted the popular Mad Theater at the station, showing old horror movies as the character “Roland” and performing little skits during the breaks. He eventually moved his show to WABC in New York, at which time local magician Joe Zawislak expressed an interest in taking over hosting duties on local TV.
With John Zacherle’s permission, Joe created “Dr. Shock,” a zombie-like character patterned after “Roland,” even employing the same makeup. Premiering in 1970, Mad Theater featured a showing of the 1963 horror film Diary of a Madman, with Joe performing magic and telling macabre, yet corny, jokes during breaks in the movie. As his popularity grew, Dr, Shock was hosting three different shows on WPHL-TV. With his appeal skewing to families and younger audiences, the “sinister” aspects of the broadcasts were toned down and Joe introduced his young daughter — dubbed “Bubbles” in recognition of show sponsor “Bubbles Booth” soda. Long-time fans watched Bubbles grow up on television.
After ten years of performing, Joe passed away suddenly at the young age of 42. He still attracts legions of loyal fans who grew up watching “The Good Doctor” to a Facebook page maintained by his daughter.