Late-1980s Sci-Fi series full of guffaws, scarce on gasps

What is it? Monsters, The Complete Series, 72 half-hour episodes on nine discs from Entertainment One When? Now How much? $99.98 As in actual physical monsters or the metaphorical variety? As in demon babies, aliens, giant spiders, vampires and the Grim Reaper.

Monsters is a horror anthology series that ran 1988-1990 on what was then the Sci-Fi Channel. Each episode tells its own little horror tale, often with a Twilight Zone- like twist and often with a dash of comedy. But unlike The Twilight Zone, every story here deals with monsters. Among the tales: A puppeteer going through a personal crisis is shocked when her robot puppet starts talking and moving on its own.

A little girl with an incompetent caseworker is thrilled when her cruel foster parents are replaced by genial aliens.

A vampire and a hustler play an intense game of pool with a lot on the line.

A honeymooning couple get a nasty surprise in their hotel room.

The Fountain of Youth comes with a high price for an elderly archaeologist.

The series features appearances by some familiar faces (Barbara Billingsley, Imogene Coca, Leif Garrett) and some then up-andcomers (Tony Shalhoub, Matt LeBlanc, Steve Buscemi).

Is it good? Well, that depends on the point of view. Those looking for something genuinely chilling to watch trembling with the lights off are likely to be disappointed.

On the other hand, if the goal is campy schlock, this is where to go.

The stories aren’t particularly original and the production values are low — this was obviously filmed on the cheap. Even something as potentially terrifying as a walking, talking, child-size, homicidal robot isn’t nearly as creepy as it probably should have been. As for the acting, it’s mostly subpar. In some cases, “subpar” would be a compliment.

Episodes that want to be scary or disturbing more often than not come across as comical instead. The writing, the acting, the sets, the special effects and the general feel of the series prevent it from achieving anything truly spooky.

On the other hand, the few intentionally comic episodes play better, like the one with Kevin Nealon and David Spade in which a mother is frustrated and unable to bond with her demonic baby — until a run-in with a killer brings about a change of heart.

So a viewer should go in with the right frame of mind. It’s an excellent show for those looking for something to watch in the style of Mystery Science Theater 3000. Are there extras? No. New this week: Anger Management, Volume 3; The Beverly Hillbillies, Season 4; The Bletchley Circle, Season 2; The Carol Burnett Show, Carol’s Crack-ups; The Cosby Show, Seasons 3 and 4; Married … With Children, Seasons 3 and 4; Petticoat Junction, Seasons 1-3; The Practice, Season 8; Ripper Street, Season 2.

Next week: Newhart, Season 3; The Spectacular Spider-Man, Complete Series (Bluray).