Svengoolie at Flashback Weekend

Svengoolie (Rich Koz) is a legendary horror host. Based in Chicago, Sven's fame goes all over the country.

As famous as he is, Koz is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. He does many appearances and always draws huge lines. People cannot get enough of Sven. It doesn't matter how many times you have met him, you always go back for more.

Sven is a regular feature at Flashback Weekend. This year, Flashback has such iconic guests as Robert Englund, Robert Carradine, PJ Soles, Kelli Maroney and more. Even with those big names, Sven will still have one of the longest lines. He is just that popular.

Flashback Weekend runs August 5-7 and is a fantastic place to meet great celebrities and check out interesting vendors. Run by locals Mike and Mia Kerz, it has a family feel to it, while still providing all of the fun a bigger convention does. One of the best parts of Flashback Weekend the familial feeling, while still having big time celebrities and events. 

Go to FlashbackWeekend.com for more info on that great event. Also, check Svengoolie.com for more info on this legend.

Svengoolie and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2021.

Friend Encounters: Boomer and Svengoolie Rich Koz

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

The Windy City ThunderBolts are a pro baseball team based in Crestwood, south of Chicago. Their mascot is Boomer. I'm not sure what exactly Boomer is. Maybe he is just a big fuzzy mascot, which is okay with me. I love mascots.

Boomer was born on May 21, 2004. His height and weight are listed as "pretty tall" and "pretty heavy," which, although nebulous, is accurate. His measurements are "round" for waist and ""pretty big" for biceps. Again, although unspecific, this is accurate.

Boomer's favorite foods are Beggar's Pizza, hot dogs and foul balls. The Beggar's Pizza is obviously a nod to an advertiser. The hot dogs are expected. The foul balls is just daffy.

As cool and popular as Boomer is, today he is pictured with someone cooler and more popular. That's really not fair though. Few people can match Svengoolie in popularity. The man is a legend and has been one for 40+ years.

Nobody works harder than Svengoolie. He makes many personal appearances to the delight of his fans. Despite being around everywhere, he still draws huge crowds.

This is an especially interesting picture. Rarely is Sven seen out of his usual Garb. While he is still wearing his trademark top hat, he is in a ThunderBolts jersey. I presume this was from a ceremonial pitch he threw, but it could just be an appearance at the game. Imagine Sven throwing a pitch though. The crafty veteran would be great out of the bullpen.

If you haven't met Sven (or his alter ego Rich Koz), put it on your bucket list. You'll never meet a nicer guy than Sven.

Go to Svengoolie.com for more info on this horror host icon! Check your local tv listings for airings of his show.

Boomer and Svengoolie in Crestwood, IL-August 2018.

Friend Encounters: Jim Roche and Glen and Alicia Rylko at C2E2 2020

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

I have written many times about Svengoolie Rich Koz. Today, I feature Jim Roche, a vital part of the Svengoolie team.

Jim's is the Executive Producer of Svengoolie at Weigel Broadcasting, but his responsibilities and significance goes well beyond that title. Jim is Sven's right hand man. Sven is one of the hardest-working folks out there and Jim is always right there with him. They make a great team.

Glen and Alicia Rylko make a great team, too. The married couple are two awesome people, who I am proud to call friends. They have big hearts, often giving their time, money and exposure to various charities and events.

Of course, they also like to have fun. I have connected with them at many comic cons over the years. Usually we end up meeting in Sven's line, like at C2E2 2020, when the picture below was taken.

Jim was there helping and coordinating the Sven appearance, while Glen, Alicia and I were there to see our horror host friend.

C2E2 2021 was delayed, but is taking place December 10-12 at McCormick Place. I will be "Onthe Beat" as usual and I am betting Glen and Alicia will also be there. Sven is a pretty good bet to be there, too. Maybe we can get a big group photo.

For more info, go to C2E2.com. Also, check Svengoolie.com for news about the legendary Sven!

Jim Roche and Alicia and Glen Rylko in Chicago, IL-February 2020.

Friend Encounters: Svengoolie and Glen and Alicia Rylko

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

You won't find three better folks than the three people I'm featuring today. I'm proud to call of them my friend.

Rich "Svengoolie" Koz has been a Chicago legend for 40+ years. Having worked with Koz several times and having been able to get to know him a bit, I am happy to say he is one of the nicest, most genuine people I have ever met. He is amazingly generous with his time. He is a complete class act.

I could say much of the same about Glen and Alicia Rylko. While they haven't been famous entertainers, they are genuinely great people and also very generous with their time. Glen and Alicia donate lots of time and energy to various local charities.

I'm grateful to be friends with all three. Surround yourself with quality people and good things happen. These three are top quality for sure.

I miss seeing all three of these fine folks at conventions and elsewhere. Hopefully, soon we will all be able to get back to doing the things we enjoy, including seeing each other.

Svengoolie and Alicia and Glen Rylko in Chicago, IL-February 2020.

Svengoolie at Flashback Weekend 2018

Flashback Weekend was postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic. While I won't have fun there this year, I recall some of the great folks I have met there in the past.. One of the most popular celebrity guests is always Svengoolie (aka Rich Koz).

Rich has been entertaining fans for 40+ years. While at Northwestern University, Rich sent some tapes to Jerry Bishop, the original Svengoolie. Bishop used the material and invited Rich to be on his show. When he retired, Bishop allowed Rich to take the Svengoolie name. Over the years, Rich's show has been on a few stations under different titles.

Rich is one of the hardest working and nicest people I have ever met. Despite making many appearances over the years, Rich/Sven remains one of the most sought-after celebrities. I once saw people drive from St. Louis, just to meet Sven.

I have seen Rich at many appearances. He is tireless in his efforts to make it a fun time for all. He is one of the best celebrity guests I have ever seen.

More importantly, I am proud to call Rich a friend. It is surreal talking to him as a friend, after watching him on television since my teens.

Svengoolie will be at Flashback Weekend this weekend. Many other great celebs will be there, too. All of this adds up to a weekend of fun. I never miss Flashback Weekend and I am really looking forward to this one. After a lengthy stretch of being quarantined and having all events postponed, it will be wonderful to be back on the convention scene.

Go to Svengoolie.com to learn more about this legend. Also. check FlashbackWeekend.com for info and updates on the convention.

Svengoolie and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2018.

Svengoolie Meets The DC Universe

Rich Koz as Svengoolie has been entertaining fans for 40+ years. In June 1979, on WFLD-TV in Chicago, Koz began as Son of Svengoolie. Since then, he shortened his name to Svengoolie, while becoming a legendary horror host.

Late last year, Koz and Sven crossed over into the DC Universe. Svengoolie Meets the DC Universe is a series of custom inserts featured in DC comic books. The two-page chapters were written by DC Comics co-publisher and Svengoolie superfan Dan DiDio, with an assist from Svengoolie himself, plus art by Christopher Jones. They have been selling quickly in all comic book stores. I picked up my copies at Aw Yeah Comics in Skokie, IL.

As big of a treat this is for Sven fans and comic fans alike, it is also very exciting for Koz. A big fan of comics, Koz was happy and flattered to be interacting with the characters in the DC Universe.

This isn't Koz's first foray into comics. Previously featured in MAD Magazine, Koz cites the commonalities of his audience and comic fans.

Go to Svengoolie.com for more info on the comic books and all other Sven-related stuff. Hopefully, you will meet him someday, because he is such a treat in person.

Svengoolie and me in Chicago, IL-March 2019.

Happy 40th Anniversary Svengoolie Rich Koz

In June of 1979, Rich Koz debuted as the Son of Svengoolie on Chicago's WFLD-TV. Forty years and dozens of awards later, Koz is still going strong.

Joining WCIU-TV in 1995, Koz became Svengoolie, dropping the "Son of" with permission from Jerry G. Bishop, the original Svengoolie. Bishop reasoned that Sven "was all grown up now." Koz and Sven have remained on WCIU-TV ever since.

Last year, PL Myers and I had the pleasure of interviewing Rich Koz on the Svengoolie set at the WCIU studios. Just being on the legendary set would have been cool, but sitting down with Rich to discuss his career was a wonderful experience. That interview can be found at HeroTV 2018 Episode 11: Svengoolie Rich Koz.

Despite being in constant demand, Rich was very generous with his time. He is humble, funny and full of life. He talked to us about his start as Svengoolie, his passion for what he does, future goals and more.

Johngy's Beat has gotten me far more experiences than I ever imagined, however this one came from HeroTV. I guess, technically, it also came from Johngy's Beat, since that is part of why I am on HeroTV. Who really cares though. The important thing is I was there and talking to a Chicago icon.

Go to Svengoolie.com to learn more about Rich and Sven. You can also get updates at Svengoolie on Facebook. There will be a lot of appearances and events to celebrate the 40th year of Koz and Sven.

PL Myers, Rich Koz and me in Chicago, IL-October 2018.

Friendly Encounters: Glen Rylko and Svengoolie

This is a weekly series featuring my friends meeting celebrities.

Glen Rylko is a fellow celebrity convention fan.  Our paths have crossed at many cons, including this year's C2E2.
As usual, when we met, the discussion turned to wrestling.  Glen has some great wrestling memorabilia.  He is a knowledgeable wrestling fan (and I have also seen him at several Resistance Pro shows).
AT C2E2, Glen scored a non-wrestling legend and I missed one.  Glen met Chicago favorite Svengoolie, but I missed did not.  I have met Sven a couple times, but it is always good to see him again.  It's also always good to see Glen.
One of these days, Glen and I will meet a celebrity together.  When that happens, it will be reported right here.

Glen Rylko and Svengoolie in Chicago, IL-April 2014.

Friendly Encounters: Jack Keenan Meets Svengoolie (aka Rich Koz)

This is a weekly feature about friends who have met celebrities.

Jack Keenan (aka the Masterful One) has been my JohngysBeat.com partner on covering the Chicago Bliss.  Last year, he also pulled emergency backup duty at Resistance Pro.  The fact that Rich (Svengoolie) Koz was going to be at the show certainly helped me recruit him.

Jack is a fan of Svengoolie (aren't we all?).  If Jack is home on a Saturday night, odds are he will be watching Sven, like the rest of us.

I interviewed Koz (Sven) at the event and Jack provided his usual ace camera work.  That interview can be found at On the Beat with Svengoolie at Resistance Pro's "Welcome to My Nightmare."

I am glad I got to facilitate Jack meeting Sven.  It was Jack's first RPro show and it was definitely a great one.  Sven was a fantastic Guest of Honor.  Once again, a home run by RPro.

Jack Keenan and Svengoolie in Willowbrook, IL-October 2013.

On the Beat at Resistance Pro's "Welcome to My Nightmare"

Resistance Pro's last event, Welcome to My Nightmare, was a fantastic evening of exciting pro wrestling, cool costumes by all, tricks, treats and Svengoolie!  Who could ask for more?
Every R Pro show is special, but the Halloween show is uniquely special.  (Is that redundant?)  In any case, the Halloween show is a lot of fun because most in attendance are in costumes and that includes the wrestlers, the fans and even the R Pro owners.  It is magically surreal.
As Rowdy Johngy Piper, I scored some interviews with a mix of the R Pro talent.  JohngysBeat.com got Vector A before and after his title match with Egotistico Fantastico (aka "The Ego" Robert Anthony).  We got Road Warrior Andres the announcer.  We got Lucy Mendez, Mad Man Pondo and Crazy Mary Dobson and newcomer Jordynne Grace.  We even got musician and R Pro fan Professor Kliq.  Oh, did I mention we got Billy Corgan, Creative Director?  All of those interviews can be viewed below.
It was another great show.  I know this seems like a repeat of last month's piece about the previous R Pro show, but that is only because R Pro continues to put on great shows and I continue to try to tell everyone.

Watch the interviews below and see some of the R Pro talent.  Head over to ResistancePro.com to learn more.  Come out to n R Pro show and see for yourself.  As a matter of fact, there is an R Pro show tomorrow at Amundsen High School in Chicago.

Friendly Encounters: Whiplash Meets Svengoolie

This is a weekly series about friends who have met celebrities.  If you have a picture and a story, send it to me!

I love the title of this.  Whiplash meets Svengoolie sounds like a movie that Svengoolie would air on his show.
Whiplash has been wrestling for about 18 years.  He has been a multi-time Midwest champ at PCW (Pro Championship Wrestling).
I first met Whiplash when he was one of the good guys at PCW.  Since then, he has turned to the dark side. Either way, he is an excellent worker and an entertaining wrestler.  He is always up for an interview and I have gotten him a couple times.
At PCW's Dream Night in 2011, Whiplash met Chicago legend Svengoolie (aka Rich Koz).  Therein lies the title of this piece.  I happened to have been at this event and also took a picture with Svengoolie.  Somehow I missed Whiplash that night.
Svengoolie is also highly entertaining, even if some of his jokes make mine sound funny.  I have watched his show for years.  I love a cold Saturday evening with a pizza and a big Coke and Svengoolie on the tube.
I have also been a fan of PCW for years.  I saw my first independent wrestling show at PCW many years ago and have seen many since.
Whiplash and Svengoolie...now that is a winning combination.  I'd like to see that tag team some day, but for now you can see all of the great PCW talent at PCWWrestling.net.

Svengoolie and Whiplash in Oak Lawn, IL-June 2011.