Dr Terrible’s House of Horrible, starring Steve Coogan, offers an hilarious tribute to classic British horror films, blending affectionate parody with laugh-out-loud moments
TITLE: Dr Terrible’s House of Horrible
CREATOR: Graham Duff
CAST: Steve Coogan, Mark Gatiss, Simon Pegg, Sally Bretton, John Thomson
ORIGINAL RELEASE: 12 November – 17 December 2001, BBC Two
NUMBER OF EPISODES: 6
Imagine a world where Hammer Horror films are hilariously twisted through a demented funhouse mirror.
Dr Terrible’s House of Horrible, a comedy-horror anthology that aired on BBC Two in late 2001, offers exactly that.
Created by Graham Duff and starring Steve Coogan, it is an affectionate spoof of 1960s and 1970s British horror cinema, gleefully playing with the clichés and conventions that made the genre so iconic.
The series is hosted by the sinister Dr Terrible (Steve Coogan), a perverse character clearly inspired by Peter Cushing in Dr Terror’s House of Horrors.
Each episode serves as a stand-alone story, dripping with absurdity, outrageous period costumes and a steady stream of winking nods to horror fans.
Whether it’s diabolical doctors, cursed jewellery or vampiric entities, every episode takes on a familiar horror trope and cranks the ridiculousness up to 11.
Dr Terrible’s House of Horrible is less about scares and more about laughs.
Coogan, already a household name thanks to Alan Partridge, shines in his role as the delightfully disturbingly-hammy host.
The cast is a who’s who of early 2000s British comedy, featuring familiar faces like Mark Gatiss and Simon Pegg, who inject their own wit and charm into their respective roles.
At times, Dr Terrible’s House of Horrible, is funny simply because it knows how to mimic the source material so well.
While other shows have attempted similar spoofs, there is something uniquely entertaining about Coogan’s approach.
It may not be ground-breaking, but it has a charm of its own. Coogan’s delightful performances are always worth a second (or third) viewing.
The series lovingly mocks the low-budget aesthetics of classic British horror — think dodgy special effects, over-the-top acting, and creaky sets.
It’s a joy for fans who remember the classic works of Hammer and Amicus, with episodes like “And Now the Fearing…” parodying psychological horror, and “Frenzy of Tongs,” a comedic take on Fu Manchu and his ilk.
Even the title sequence is a cheeky nod to the grand, melodramatic openings of yesteryear, with gothic fonts, lightning flashes, and thunderous, self-important narration.
Though the show only ran for six episodes, it has since garnered a cult following.
Some see it as an overlooked gem, while others lament that it came and went too quickly.
The production quality is deliberately low-fi, reflecting the source material’s charm — from plastic fangs to rubber bats.
The writing is sharp, dripping with irreverence, and revels in its references to the era’s greats like Vincent Price, Peter Cushing, and Christopher Lee.
While Dr Terrible’s House of Horrible is undeniably niche, it offers a unique appeal.
For fans of horror-comedy and vintage British horror films, it is a treasure trove of sly humour and campy fun.
It’s not aiming for highbrow humour or genuine scares; it’s a celebration of the ridiculous, an homage to a bygone era of horror that wasn’t afraid to be a little bit silly.
Horror blends so well with dark humour, as seen in shows like Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace and The League of Gentlemen with its various spin-offs.
Dr Terrible’s House of Horrible is another fine addition to this tradition. It knows its audience — and for those who appreciate horror in all its forms, it’s a joy to watch, packed with moments that bring a smile to any horror fan’s face.
Yet, the very thing that makes it enjoyable — its commitment to a very specific type of parody — is also what may put off some viewers.
If you’re not familiar with the films it lovingly sends up, much of the humour may fly over your head. But for those in the know, it’s a delightful romp that doubles as a crash course in classic British horror tropes.
In the end, Dr Terrible’s House of Horrible” is a curious blend of affectionate homage and cheeky parody.
It knows its audience — and for those who appreciate horror in all its forms, we’ll take what we can get and enjoy every minute of it. With Steve Coogan leading the charge, it offers a short, sharp shock of laughter, spiced with a touch of the macabre.
Like the best cult comedies, it’s meant to be discovered, appreciated, and shared among those who find joy in its particular brand of horrific hilarity.
In his own words, Dr Terrible’s House of Horrible is truly diabolical… and a must see!
Dr Terrible’s House of Horrrible Episode Guide
Episode 1: Lesbian Vampire Lovers of Lust
Original Air Date: 12 November 2001
Cast: Steve Coogan, Ronni Ancona, Sally Bretton, Sarah Alexander
On their honeymoon, Hans Brocken and his virginal wife Carmina wander into the castle of Countess Kronstein, whose bewitching ladies set their sights on the innocent bride. A tale of temptation and terror ensues. This inaugural episode is a wickedly funny send-up of Hammer Films’ Karnstein Trilogy, with a cheeky nod to The Vampire Lovers and its ilk. Sometimes, the parody is funny just because it so accurately mimics the style of the originals – exaggerated sensuality, flowing nightgowns, and all.
Episode 2: Frenzy of Tongs
Original Air Date: 19 November 2001
Cast: Steve Coogan, Mark Gatiss, Kevin Eldon, Geoffrey McGivern
Turn-of-the-century London is the backdrop for an epic confrontation between a gentleman inventor and a shadowy Chinese crime lord. A battle of wits and kung fu ensues in this chaotic spoof. A delicious parody of Sax Rohmer’s Fu Manchu stories, Hammer’s The Terror of the Tongs, and the Doctor Who episode “The Talons of Weng-Chiang,” this episode revels in its politically incorrect silliness, complete with outrageous accents, ludicrous plots, and exaggerated fight scenes.
Episode 3: Curse of the Blood of the Lizard of Doom
Original Air Date: 26 November 2001
Cast: Steve Coogan, Doon Mackichan, Graham Fellows, Rosie Cavaliero
A doctor’s experiments with lizard regenerative powers on burn victims go horribly awry, unleashing a monstrous horror on his unsuspecting patients. This episode takes a scalpel to the genre and cuts deep into the absurd. This instalment is a wild mix of mad scientist tropes and creature features, as it lampoons everything from Hammer’s The Reptile to Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde. Coogan’s portrayal is both sinister and absurd, perfectly embodying the deranged scientist genre.
Episode 4: And Now The Fearing…
Original Air Date: 3 December 2001
Cast: Steve Coogan, Julia Davis, Ron Cook, Alistair McGowan
Three strangers trapped in a lift recount their darkest nightmares, each tale more grotesque and bizarre than the last, all set against the gritty backdrop of 1970s London. A clever parody of Amicus Productions’ portmanteau horrors, particularly The Vault of Horror, this episode weaves together multiple tales of terror with a wink and a nod to anthology horrors. It’s a show that’s aware of its own silliness and runs with it.
Episode 5: Voodoo Feet of Death
Original Air Date: 10 December 2001
Cast: Steve Coogan, Jessica Stevenson (now Jessica Hynes), Paul Putner, Adrian Scarborough
After losing his feet to a pair of oversized scissors, a renowned ballroom dancer undergoes a foot transplant, only to find his new feet have a murderous life of their own. This absurdist romp pays tribute to The Hands of Orlac, turning the psychological thriller into a farcical footloose frenzy. Yes, it’s ridiculous, but so were many of the films it spoofs!
Episode 6: Scream Satan Scream
Original Air Date: 17 December 2001
Cast: Steve Coogan, Doreen Mantle, Doon Mackichan, James Greene
A ruthless witchfinder roams the bleak moors of Northern England, doling out his twisted justice. But when he targets a genuine coven, the tables are turned, and he faces a curse more powerful than he could imagine. Inspired by Witchfinder General and Cry of the Banshee, this episode is a masterclass in macabre comedy, skewering the witch-hunting genre with gory aplomb. It’s filled with all the screaming, burning, and ritualistic chants you could hope for, with Coogan as the ultimate caricature of puritanical madness.
What was your favourite episode Dr Terrible’s House of Horrible? Tell us in the comments section below!
