Indiana Broadcast History Archive

Robert Carter

Robert Carter’s scary laugh was his trademark for 24 years as he hosted “Shock Theatre” (later “Nightmare Theatre”) as Sammy Terry on WTTV-TV’s horror films program in Indianapolis. WTTV-TV purchased a series of horror films and Carter created a character gaining notoriety and attention in the industry. He hosted a three-hour morning talk show on WTTV-TV called “Coffee with Carter” while also working as a producer and director along with various other duties at the Sarkes Tarzian station. Carter earned a bachelor's degree from Millikin University and a master’s from Syracuse University in TV production. After two years in radio in Peoria, Illinois, he began a long stint with Sarkes Tarzian starting in 1957 as a DJ in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He ended his “scary laugh” in 1989, then passed away in 2013.

Bob Carter was inducted into the Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame in 2013. 

Indiana Broadcast Pioneers

Related Items

Title Station Date Aired Description
WTTV 50th Anniversary Show
Ken Owen Collection
1999
Title
WTTV 50th Anniversary Show
Collection
Ken Owen Collection
Stations
Date Aired
1999
Sammy Terry Segment
Ken Owen Collection
198x

Sammy Terry segment from late night WTTV.

Title
Sammy Terry Segment
Collection
Ken Owen Collection
Stations
Date Aired
198x
Description

Sammy Terry segment from late night WTTV.

Indy's Sammy Terry & Bob Glaze (Cowboy Bob)
Ken Owen Collection
198X

Classic clip from WTTV Bloomington - Indianapolis. Bob Carter played the ghoulish horror show host. (Ken Owen)

Title
Indy's Sammy Terry & Bob Glaze (Cowboy Bob)
Collection
Ken Owen Collection
Stations
Date Aired
198X
Description

Classic clip from WTTV Bloomington - Indianapolis. Bob Carter played the ghoulish horror show host. (Ken Owen)

Early Sammy Terry
Ken Owen Collection
196x

Mary Ellen Reed makes a guest appearance on the Indianapolis horror movie show.

Title
Early Sammy Terry
Collection
Ken Owen Collection
Stations
Date Aired
196x
Description

Mary Ellen Reed makes a guest appearance on the Indianapolis horror movie show.

Robert Carter's Hall of Fame Video Bio
Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Collection
2013

Video bio of Bob Carter, inducted to Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame in 2013.

Produced by: Mark Carter;

Robert Carter’s scary laugh was his trademark for 24 years as he...

(Read More)

Title
Robert Carter's Hall of Fame Video Bio
Collection
Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Collection
Stations
Date Aired
2013
Description

Video bio of Bob Carter, inducted to Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame in 2013.

Produced by: Mark Carter;

Robert Carter’s scary laugh was his trademark for 24 years as he...

(Read More)