PSYCHO PSYNEMA
J.R. ESPARZA - "COUNT NATAS"
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The above poster is AI generated based on the below information.
"Psycho Psynema" was a hosted horror movie show with J. R. Esparza as "Count Natas", screened on Saturdays at 10:30pm on KGNS, Channel 8 Laredo, Texas between 1975 - 1979, but only hosted between 1975-1977. From E-gor's Chamber of TV Horror Hosts: "Count Natas was a flamboyant vampire type with a multi-colored face and a handlebar mustache. He spoke with a slight by way of Lugosi Mexican accent, and sometimes spoke Spanish while on the air, as the show was also broadcast into Mexico and quite popular there as well. He had a skeleton hand which he called "La Mano Pachona," which, translated from Spanish, means something like "the furry hand" or something like that".
Portrait of "Count Natas" by Dave Dunlap.
J.R. ESPARZA J.R. Esparza was born and raised in Texas, where he eventually built a multifaceted career bridging public education, local news broadcasting, and regional television entertainment. In the mid-1970s, while working as a local newscaster, Esparza developed a late-night horror character that would define his television legacy.
In 1975, he premiered as Count Natas, the host of Psycho Psynema on KGNS Channel 8 in Laredo. Sporting a distinct handlebar mustache and vibrant, multi-coloured face paint, Esparza presented classic double-feature horror movies every Saturday night at 10:30 PM. Accompanied by his trusty hand puppet sidekick, "La Mano Pachona" (The Hairy Hand), and introduced by the upbeat tones of The Crew Cuts' classic hit "Sh-Boom," Count Natas brought theatrical flare to Universal horror packages and imported European thrillers as part of a double feature. The show ran successfully until 1977, when the expansion of network programming like Saturday Night Live made local late-night time slots increasingly difficult to maintain.
Off-camera, Esparza was a passionate and beloved educator. He taught art, Spanish, and English across several Laredo schools, including Lamar Junior High School, Cigarroa Middle School, and St. Joseph’s Academy. Remembered by his students as an inspiring mentor, he frequently served as a senior class sponsor. In his later years, he transitioned into civic service, working as a local tax collector. He was married to Irma Novoa until his death in 1990.
Below are trailers from the Universal Shock package, that may have been shown on Psycho Psynema
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LINKS
 Internet Movie Data Base "Psycho Psynema" |
 Facebook: Dunlap Art "Horror Host Artwork" |
Internet Movie Data Base "J.R. Esparza" |
 Geekademia "Count Natas" |
 E-gor's Chamber of TV Horror Hosts "Count Natas" |
 "Count Natas" |
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