I'm sure many of you horror or SCI-FI fans remember the old "Kolchak:The Nightstalker" series from the mid 70s which only lasted 1 year on ABC. The series starred Darren Mcgavin as a semi-goofy reporter named Carl Kolchak who was always out to uncover the truth about weird and mysterious stories such as people being drained of their blood, disapperances, hauntings, etc. Even at the dismay of his boss/editor who sometimes wound up having to bail him out of some of the situations he got himself in to. The show ran from 1974 to 1975, but now here it is 2005, and ABC plans to bring the series back in an updated version simply titled "The Night Stalker". Stuart Townsend from the very forgettable vampire film "Queen of the Damned" will be playing the Kolchak in this updated version. Another thing which separates this updated version from the original is that in this one, Kolchak will have a partner. Who will be played by the lovely and talented Gabrielle Union.The role of Kolchaks editor has yet to be cast.The pilot for the series is being produced by "X-Files" alum Frank Spotnitz. Thus hopefully were in for a real treat this fall with a former X-Fil-er behind the series. "The Nightstalker" will also try and take on a much darker/serious tone from the original 1974 series which had a healthy balance of humor and horror. The only things left to ponder are... NUMBER ONE: will ABC pick up the series for their 2005-2006 lineup? I for one hope so. The show sounds intriguing, and network television is lacking horror related shows these days. NUMBER TWO:If picked up, will it make it past one season? Lets look at the track record for horror or horror related television shows recently."Tru Calling" only made it through one season before FOX axed it. "Point Pleasant" didn't even make it to hiatus before it was yanked, and if you want a blast from the past, "Freakylinks", yet another FOX show, and "The Others" NBCs first and only stab at a horror related tv series which aired back in the late 90s, were all sent packing after both their first seasons respectively. So with the given track record, this show could bite the dust really quick if it's picked up. Then again it could kick ass which I think it will, and find a home at ABC. Also, the fact that it isn't on FOX helps ALOT. |
