Weigel Broadcasting’s memorable television network MeTV has reaffirmed plans to bring “The Wizard of Oz” back to broadcast television in October as part of a month of programming tied to the 1939 film and the network’s annual Halloween BOO-nanza.
Lisa Whelchel will host the movie’s MeTV premiere, which will include a series of original vignettes titled “The Wonderful World of Oz,” the network announced during San Diego Comic Con this week. The segments will feature museum-quality artifacts, rare stories and interviews with experts, performers and designers connected to the broader Oz franchise across film, stage and publishing.
MeTV will also premiere a new episode of “Collector’s Call” featuring Tori Calamito, described by the network as one of the country’s leading authorities on “The Wizard of Oz.” The announcement was made during a Comic Con event focused on Svengoolie and Collector’s Call.
“Being part of San Diego Comic-Con for our very first ‘Collector’s Call’ panel, and celebrating the nostalgia of bringing back family television events like ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ was so much fun,” Whelchel said in a statement. “I’m always fascinated by collectors and the passion they have for the things they treasure.”
Calamito’s collection spans more than a century and includes a first-edition Oz book, stage-worn costumes from “Wicked” and autographs from performers in the original film. “Collector’s Call” airs Sundays at 6:30 p.m. Eastern and Pacific.
The film will also receive a separate showcase on “Svengoolie” during October. Rich Koz and the Sven Squad will present “The Wizard of Oz” as part of the fifth annual MeTV Halloween BOO-nanza, a monthlong collection of horror movies, television episodes and themed programming.
The announced movie lineup also includes “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” “Berserk,” “Revenge of the Creature” and “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark.”
“Svengoolie” airs Saturdays from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, with Koz presenting classic, campy and lesser-known horror and science-fiction films alongside trivia, sketches and commentary.
Select Saturdays will feature “House of Svengoolie,” led by Sarah Palmer as Gwengoolie, Scott Gryder as IMP and Bill Leff as Nostalgiaferatoo.
The October programming is intended to revive the tradition of shared family television events while using “The Wizard of Oz” as the centerpiece of a broader celebration of nostalgia and classic entertainment, Weigel Broadcasting said on Monday.
MeTV is available on broadcast television nearly 100 percent of the country, and through distribution on cable and satellite platforms. The network clears national distribution through its offering on streaming platforms like Fubo, Frndly TV, Philo and Sling TV.
