Scare Tactic's Morgan Channels Serling

Tracy Morgan, the 30 Rock star who hosts SCI FI Channel's returning Scare Tactics, told reporters that he couldn't resist an offer to be Scare Tactics's new host because it gave him a chance to channel his inner Rod Serling.

"Well, I'm a fan of Scare Tactics, and I love the show," Morgan said during a June 30 conference call with reporters. He added: "I'm a big ... longtime fan of The Twilight Zone. So this is my rendition of Rod Sterling. I got to be Rod Sterling. So I'm just excited to do it, you know?"

Scare Tactics was previously hosted by Shannen Doherty and Stephen Baldwin, Scare Tactics is a hidden-camera show in which unsuspecting victims are placed into elaborately staged scary situations involving movie-style special effects and makeup. Producer Scott Hallock, who joined Morgan on the conference call, told reporters that Morgan was an ideal addition to Scare Tactics.

"We've always considered Scare Tactics as a comedy show," Hallock said. "Even though it's scary, it's really only scary for the one person in the bit, and all the rest of us are in on the joke. So we're laughing. ... So to have someone as funny as Tracy be the host, that brings Scare Tactics to a whole new level right there."

Scare Tactics also promises bigger and better stunts. Hollack sounded most excited about a particular segment in the season premiere.

"One of the favourite bits in past Scare Tactic seasons has been the Rat Monster bit, where our little 28-inch-tall actor dressed as a half-man/half-rat and terrified a guy. He's back. Gabriel [Pimentel] is back, this time as Satan's baby in the premiere episode. He pops out from underneath the sheet, and this girl who was set up by her mom starts screaming her head off. And it's phenomenal."

Scare Tactics will kick off its seven-episode season on July 9 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

-Ian Spelling