The Scream Awards: A sample is all you get

Christopher Lloyd and Michael J. Fox (minus Einstein the dog) reunite at the Scream Awards. (AP) | PHOTO GALLERY

Spike TV's Scream Awards -- an excuse to preview some anticipated upcoming horror and sci-fi movies, as well as resurrect beloved pop cultural phenomena -- took place Saturday night in Los Angeles. And while the trophies themselves may not be terribly meaningful ("Twilight: Eclipse" won for best fantasy film? Crud, there goes my standing in the office pool), the event delivered some notable moments.

Among the highlights: a "Back to the Future" reunion featuring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd (to promote the movie's 25th anniversary DVD release, of course); a Jimmy Kimmel-hosted tribute to "Lost," with cast members like Jorge Garcia and Henry Ian Cusick present and accounted for; and Bill Murray, wearing a Ghostbusters ensemble again. Honestly, the sight of Murray with a proton pack is reason enough for many to want to see more footage from the Scream Awards.

But here's the thing: the three-hour event won't air on Spike in its entirety. A 90-minute version broadcasts Tuesday on Spike at 9 p.m. ET. Which, frankly, I find baffling. If you spend all the time, money and energy to throw an awards show, then show us the whole thing. Really, they should air the entire event live -- if I can watch the MTV Video Music Awards live, then why not the Scream Awards? But barring that, at least show an unedited taped version. Because if I miss one millisecond of Bill Murray busting ghosts or Kimmel paying homage to the Hatch, my life clearly won't ever be the same.