If someone else has reported this, I apologize for the new thread.
I just read in TV Guide that the WB network is in final negotiations with Curtis productions for a new Dark Shadows series.
Now – I must temper my excitement with a litany of the horrors perpetrated by the WB, however, they have gotten some things right.
What think you Dopers?
Yea or Nay.
What can they do to do it right?
What can they do to totally screw it up?
They tried a new one in the 80’s, IIRC. I think I liked it.
Actually, 1991.
A third Dark Shadows? I watched the '91 remake with Ben Cross as Barnabas Collins. I thought it was okay (the original was before my time), but the show drew poor ratings. What makes them think this one will be any different?
From TVTome.com,
The WB has ordered a pilot for a new incarnation of the classic ABC vampire soap opera Dark Shadows, Variety reported. Dan Curtis, the original series’ producer, will team up with John Wells (The West Wing, ER) to executive produce the new Shadows, the trade paper reported. Warner Brothers TV and John Wells Productions will produce the pilot, aimed at a 2004-'05 prime-time drama slot.
EEP!! I used to spend my summer mornings watching Dark Shadows, Forever Knight (first season out on DVD now, yay!), and Twilight zone. I can’t wait to see what they do with the new one. I didn’t even realize that they’d done a '91 remake, but I may see if I can get a hold of a copy somewhere.
Honestly? I think it will suck. Part of the show’s appeal is the low-budget, cheap sets, the screw ups since they didn’t do retakes, and the absolute cheesiness. I think they’ll try to make this another Buffy type show, and it won’t be nearly as good.
“Several of my incestors were buried here!”
That’s true. The whole reason I watched was to see the horrendous sets, mics dipping down into view, scary makeup and of course the fantabulous acting^_^
I keep seeing the DVD boxed sets of all the seasons at work, but I just can’t afford them yet.
I agree with Guinastasia. The new version will likely have expensive sets, costumes, make up, and special effects. A major part of Dark Shadows appeal is its cheesiness. Stone walls that vibrate when bumped, and are lit so you can see the weave of the canvas they are painted on. Make up effects that can be accomplished with things from your mother’s bathroom.
The WB show will probably feature pretty people who can’t act. Dark Shadows had some very talented actors.
I also fear that the show will be remade in a gothic punk World Of Darkness style.
This is the first time I ever did this but I skipped all the other posts and instantly replied. HOLY CRAP IN A HAT!!! If this is true I will be so happy! I love dark shadows soooo much! It could be horrible compared to the orginal but it could potentially be awsome!
The cheesiness is not a factor for everyone. Many people actually watch it for the characters and inventive (sometimes crazy) plots that shone through in spite of the cheap production. The Movie “House of Dark Shadows” was excellent and shows how enduring and engaging the story and characters can be outside of the cheap soap opera production values.
Though I loves me some Boom Mics in your face and flubbed lines, they are not the central appeal of the series. The one from 1991 was quite good, and – though it wasn’t really given a chance – could have eventually drawn a serious audience given time. (Of course, had that happened, we wouldn’t have had Duncan McCloud of the Clan McCloud in the form of Adrian Paul).
OH yeah, the plotlines are FUN. I will admit that. I guess I’m just a DS purest. Barnabus will always be Jonathan Frid. Period.
From what has been explained to me, the problem with the 91 one version was it was basically a paraphase of the orginal series - so if you didn’t see the old series, you had no idea what was going on, because they picked random things from the orginal to play with. I know I tried watching it once or twice and I didn’t get it.
If the newest series doesn’t do that, and has nice coherent plots, it could catch on. I might try watching it, but I know the orginal - which I’ve seen episodes of more recently than 91- bores me greatly, so I wouldn’t have high hopes.
ddgryphon
IMHO the quality of the writing varied greatly. However, all the episodes I’ve seen are paced quite a bit faster than any other daily soap.
And I never meant to say that I enjoyed it only because it was cheesy. It’s the combination of crappy make up, effects, sets, flubs, and good acting that I enjoy so much. One of my favorite scenes is Barnabas lying in an open coffin, with a large cross on his chest. Frid does a wonderful job of being weakened and in pain. The way he writhes is perfect. Without a word, he makes his confinement believable. He can’t pick up the cross or push it off of him because he barely has the strength and coordination to speak.
DocCathode:
The original was blessed with some excellent actors – with Frid at the head of the list – and yes, the writing did vary considerably (The god-awful and unrelenting “Children of the Leviathan” story-line is just stinkarificly miserable). But, the overall work was quite inventive and true to it’s melodramatic and gothic roots and touched wildly on everything from witchcraft to time-travel. I think had it not gone away when it did, it would have died a horrible death.
I also fear good looking kids who can’t really act – I even tried the Tarzan series, with actors both bad and good, but what a terrible act of producer-think that was. It is either gone or soon to be – Hint to the WB: it is important that your leading actor be able to actually act and no amount of atmosphere can make up for lame writing coupled with even worse acting.
I’m really hoping they get this right – there was so much right about the 91 production, but it was sentenced to a Friday night slot and jerked around. I’ve since realized that shows suffering such fate have been predetermined failures by somebody in charge and are treated as a loss before they even leave the gate. The WB is just the sort of place where a show like DS could flourish if given a redux and proper support. I will however remain skeptical until I see the product and I will see the product and probably watch it to its bitter end, no matter what.
Just perhaps, with Dan Curtis aboard, they’ll understand what made the original series work so well and not try to make some slick gothic mess full of young good-looking poor acting Fridetalwannabes.
I’m not betting on it, but I loved the original series…and a better-than-1991 remake could be very interesting…
It would be really cool if they could get some of the original actors, like Frid and David Selby to do cameos.