Bob Wilkins, host of Channel 2’s “Creature Features” show from 1971 to 1984, died on Wednesday at age 76 due to Alzheimer’s, according to his Web site. He died at a residential care facility in Reno with his family at his side.

Unlike other horror movie hosts, Wilkins didn’t wear a costume. Instead he sat in a rocking chair with a cigar and gave viewers an honest appraisal of the movie they were about to see, sometimes telling people to skip the film and go to bed.

“Our second film is ‘Monster From the Ocean Floor,'” his Web site, www.bobwilkins.net quotes him as saying. “This movie is so bad that it was delivered to Channel 2 in a brown paper bag. When we’re through showing it tonight, it will be part of a garage sale in Alameda tomorrow.”

The approach initially made advertisers mad, but they calmed down when the ratings came in.

He also worked as a weatherman and hosted kids shows at KTVU such as “Captain Cosmic and His Wonder Robot 2T2.”

A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Jan. 24 in Oakland’s Montclair Presbyterian Church, 5701 Thornhill Drive.

Obits have been posted by the Chron, Coco Times, News10 Sacramento and KCRA Sacramento. (Photo credit: KTVU handout via Coco Times)