Kids WB Halloween Mask-A-Raid Jam-boo-ree (1997)

When it came to Saturday Morning Cartoons, Kids WB was the more interesting of the bunch. One of their themed airings was the Mask-A-Raid Jam-boo-ree. What did they do? They had their characters dress up as other characters. A couple examples were Brain as Superman and Bugs Bunny as Pinkie from Pinkie and the Brain. This was played along side 'Spooky' episodes of their line up. While nothing special, simple doesn't always mean bad.

Cartoon Network's Shocktober (2003)

Similar to Kids WB's block, Cartoon Network kept it simple with their Halloween programming, however in 2003 they made it a month long event with Shocktober. During the weekdays they would have spooky episodes of what was new at the time along side classic episodes from their older programming along with their Hanna Barbera shows and specials, more specifically Scooby Doo. What sets this apart from other blocks that just shows episodes is that they showed off a new special for the at the time hit, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy called 'Jacked Up Halloween'. It premiered on the first of October and an encore on the thirtieth. A simple block, but I like that it was made a month long event than just a day along side something new.

Nick or Treat (1985- 2002)

Starting on October 1st 1985 and ending on October 31st 2002, this block is the longest running program block in the channel's history overall. While the running theme is similar to the others, showing special Halloween episodes of Nickelodeon shows. There is one thing that sets it apart, you were able to win prizes.  However at the beginning of Nick or Treat it was a writ in contests where the winner would get a trip to Hollywood with two friends, five hundred dollars, and a trip to Burman Studios where Tom Burman will design a mask for you, as well as a view master and you and your friends will get your weight in M&M's candy. However after that it became a smaller giveaways such as VHS tapes of shows and coupons with some candy, and a glow in the dark T-shirt by answering the phone saying "Nick or Treat" until 1994 when you could win prizes by playing a game, what kind of game? In this game you were given a set time limit and houses to select by the number of buttons on the phone. The prizes ranged from VHSs to video game systems with games based on Nickelodeon. In the end of the run you were given a chance to go Trick or Treating with a cast member from All That and win a vault full of chocolate bars. While the contest didn't come back, the block did bring back the event in 2015 during Teenick's NickSplat, a block dedicated to mid to late 80's, 90's and early 2000s Nickelodeon shows. While the channel is no stranger to contests, having something run this long is impressive to say the least. On top of them bringing it back for their nostalgia block.

Halloween themed blocks will always be around as long as kid channels exist. But it's what you do with them that matters, it could be simple as a character swapping with another character or as different as winning prizes in the style of trick or treating. They will stay. So from me to all of you, Happy Halloween and remember to live life and live nostalgic.

                       

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