Draft:Bowman Body

The Bowman Body was a character portrayed by William Bowman who hosted horror and other B movies on Virginian television stations from 1970 to 1984.

History
William Bowman first developed the character of the Bowman Body in June 1970 for WXEX TV, Channel 8 (now WRIC) while hosting "Horror Film Festival," a week-long showcase of Universal horror films. Bowman would return as the Bowman Body after the station received hundreds of letters in support of the character eventually finding a permanent time slot on Fridays in February 1971. The Bowman Body hosted Shock Theater from 1971-1976. However, Bowman would continue his tenure as a horror host with Cobweb Theatre (1977-1978) on WVIR 29, Charlottesville VA, as well as syndicated version of the program from 1978-1979. From 1983 to 1984, Bowman would continue the character with Monsterpiece Theater on WNVC 56, Fairfax, VA.

Portrayal
The Bowman Body appeared as a pale undead figure with a monotone voice dressed in a suit, cape, high-top sneakers and tube socks. The Bowman Body's face appeared pale white excepting for dark patches around the eyes and a band-aid on his forehead. The Bowman Body displayed a care-free, jovial, and sarcastic demeanor often using deadpan humor. The Bowman Body opened the show rising out of a mock coffin and during the program would play the ukulele. The Bowman Body would frequently exclaim "What a horrible motion picture" in response to the evening's feature and on other occasions offer false praise to the movies he was presenting in a mocking manner. He was occasionally accompanied by other characters including a mummy portrayed by Tom Blalock.