<P> There are three judges in the series, with two of them serving as permanent judges . Throughout the series award - winning cake artist Shinmin Li served as permanent judge . Hollywood conceptual artist Miles Teves was the second judge in season 1 . Actor and award - winning special effects artist Tom Savini was the second judge in season 2 . Emmy nominated SFX make - up artist Brian Kinney was the second judge in seasons 3 - 5 . Writer / director of Child's Play, Don Mancini joined Shinmin in season 6 . Director and effects artist Todd Tucker was the male judge in season 7 . </P> <P> In addition to the two regular judges, each episode has a third special guest judge that is involved in horror, whether as an actor, a writer, etc . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> Season </Th> <Th> Season Premiere Date </Th> <Th> Season Finale Date </Th> <Th> No. of Teams </Th> <Th> Judge 1 </Th> <Th> Judge 2 </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> </Th> <Td> October 2, 2011 </Td> <Td> October 23, 2011 </Td> <Td> 5 </Td> <Td> Shinmin Li </Td> <Td> Miles Teves </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> </Th> <Td> October 7, 2012 </Td> <Td> October 28, 2012 </Td> <Td> 5 </Td> <Td> Tom Savini </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> </Th> <Td> October 6, 2013 </Td> <Td> October 27, 2013 </Td> <Td> 5 </Td> <Td> Brian Kinney </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> </Th> <Td> October 5, 2014 </Td> <Td> October 26, 2014 </Td> <Td> 5 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 5 </Th> <Td> October 4, 2015 </Td> <Td> October 25, 2015 </Td> <Td> 5 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 6 </Th> <Td> October 2, 2016 </Td> <Td> October 30, 2016 </Td> <Td> 6 </Td> <Td> Don Mancini </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 7 </Th> <Td> October 1, 2017 </Td> <Td> October 29, 2017 </Td> <Td> 6 </Td> <Td> Todd Tucker </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> Season </Th> <Th> Season Premiere Date </Th> <Th> Season Finale Date </Th> <Th> No. of Teams </Th> <Th> Judge 1 </Th> <Th> Judge 2 </Th> </Tr>

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