WELCOME TO THE FUN ZONE served to preempt SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE in its 11:30 time slot on June 2, 1984, a youth oriented variety show that was never picked up for an NBC series, boasting plenty of musical guest stars and some familiar faces doing comedy sketches. Barry Hansen's Dr. Demento serves as announcer, introducing hosts Rusty Cundieff, Tawny Moyer, and Charles Zucker, the studio audience enjoying the likes of 'Weird Al' Yankovic doing "I Lost on Jeopardy," John Paragon as singing sensation 'Ramon Azteca,' Booker T. Jones of Booker T. and the MGs with guitarist Carlos Santana ("Watch Your Step"), and The Fabulous Thunderbirds doing "Who Do You Love." Marc Weiner's amazing puppet tricks with his Weinerettes (as Michael Jackson, Boy George, and The Rolling Stones) precede The Flying Karamazov Brothers juggling with decidedly dangerous utensils. Roger Corman's "It Conquered the World" is used for a precursor to Mystery Science Theater, prior to a special presentation by Richard Webb's Captain Midnight (stock footage from the 1950s show). Perhaps the best bit comes early on, a self contained horror spoof lasting just over 5 minutes, its title "The Golf Course That Dripped Blood" an apt one for the blood spattered 'mad slasher' era kick started by "Friday the 13th." John Candy plays it straight as a family man who takes a wrong turn and winds up at the decidedly weird and desolate location run by John Carradine's Ben Allen, a former pro himself who was accused ("Accused, yes...convicted? Never!") of killing 20 golfers with a specially designed course. A sand trap sinks more than Alvy Moore's putt, a man eating tree swings into action to grab those who 'slice' into the woods, a spectre may or not be real, and a gigantic footprint that won't part with any golf ball on its turf spell disaster for this hapless bunch. All the while, Carradine's insane laughter proves infectious and even the cops are unable to prevent another foolhardy foursome from a fearful fate. As obscure as this broadcast certainly is, it's definitely worth a look to see the legendary John Carradine well cast in a role lasting nearly a minute and a half on screen, even John Candy can't compete in the laughs department.
