10. Masters of HorrorThis Showtime original series gave us a set of short films from some of the greatest directors in horror history. Yes, it may have been uneven at times, but how can you knock an uncensored platform for guys like Dario Argento, John Carpenter and Stuart Gordon to do their thing?
9. WerewolfFor my money, one of the most underrated TV shows of the 1980s, this short-lived production of the early days of the FOX network took the format made popular in The Fugitive and The Incredible Hulk TV series, and adapted it to the lore of the lycanthrope.
8. Good vs. EvilThis richly original USA/Sci-Fi channel series (also known as G vs. E) was one of the most fresh, new and fun takes on horror comedy I've ever seen, and it's a shame it wasn't given much of a chance. Agents of God who take the form of Pulp Fiction-like bad-asses do battle with demons on the streets of L.A. Sold yet?
7. The X-FilesI never was one of this show's ardent fan base, but I can respect it for what it was, and the importance it played in putting supernatural-themed TV back on the map. I always liked it best, though, as a modern-day Kolchak, as opposed to when it got mired in its never-ending (and never resolved ) alien storyline.
6. The Night StalkerAnd speaking of Kolchak, next up is everyone's favorite ornery dishevelled paranormal investigator disguised as a tabloid reporter. It might have been a terribly repetitious show, but it certainly knew how to take a juicy premise and run with it. And the zombie episode is still balls-to-the-wall terrifying.
5. Dark ShadowsWho can forget that creepy opening, with its eerie theme and dreary footage of waves crashing ominously on a rocky shore? This show embodied fear to me as a kid. And Jonathan Frid was superb as Barnabas Collins. Who knew a soap opera could be this bone-chillingly good?
4. True BloodThis HBO original really threw me for a loop--maybe it was Twilight shell-shock that had me assuming it would be a soapy, pretentious turd. But I was wrong, and this vampire series has proven that HBO still has some life left in it as a producer of the best stuff on TV.
3. Tales from the CryptAlso from HBO, this brainchild of Richard Donner, Robert Zemeckis and Joel Silver perfectly captured the gallows humor and rich visuals of the classic 1950s horror comics. And in the process, the putrid Crypt Keeper became a cultural icon.
2. DexterIs it horror by the strictest definition? Probably not. But it centers on a serial killer, revels in graphic depictions of his kills, and plays with the line between good and evil, light and dark. So by my judgement, it goes in. Not to mention it's currently the best drama on television, period.
1. The Twilight ZoneAfter all these years, the top choice remains the same. In creating The Twilight Zone, Rod Serling gave the early medium of television one of the greatest gifts it ever got--a superbly written, dynamically acted and skillfully executed genre TV series. Mixing elements of sci-fi, fantasy, and of course horror, The Twilight Zone may very well be genre's finest TV moment, and it certainly is horror's.
For more on boob tube terror, check out my five-part history of horror on television:
Part 1: Fear Invades the Living Room
Part 2: Terror Comes of Age
Part 3: How to Scare Without Losing Sponsors
Part 4: Small-Screen Revolution
Part 5: Triumph of the Tube
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Congratulations are in order for the VoH's sister blog, Day of the Woman, which today reached its 100th post. In celebration of the event, head over there and check out the A-Z of Horror Movie Actresses, featuring 100 of the most memorable female stars of all time.
Great list, love many of the ones you have on here. Although you are missing my all-time #1, "Friday the 13th: The Series". To me, it is the best and most under-rated.
ReplyDeleteNot a bad show--I'd even go so far as to call it underrated. I just wouldn't include it in my top 10. Although it was better than Freddy's Nightmares.
ReplyDeleteThe X-Files at number 7 hurts my heart like nothing else.
ReplyDeleteAs such I take issue with some of the higher ranked shows. True Blood, Dark Shadows and Dexter to be more specific.
The latter two are barely horror, and True Blood doesn't seem too appealing to me. But I'm willing to give it a shot. However, if it disappoints, you will continue to feel my rage.
And yes this is as rage filled as I come. So you know...watch it.
Good vs Evil sounds interesting. I have been meaning to chase down Masters of Horror, but heard some bad feedback, will get my dainty hands on it soon on your recommendation sir! Although it does hurt me B-Sol that my precious Twin Peaks didn't get a mention ;)
ReplyDeletewww.musingcontinuum.wordpress.com
Bring the rage, Gord! I'm ready for ya!
ReplyDeleteAnd Ms. Harker, Masters of Horror can be a mixed bag. It depends on which episode you catch.
I would catch all the repeats of Dark Shadows on Sci-Fi channel and watch them over and over again.
ReplyDeleteAnd I am a total addict for Dexter. Who would have thought a show about a sympathetic serial killer would work so well?
Tell me about it. My wife is in love with him!
ReplyDeleteI stil need to see Dexter. Life without cable is hard. Tales from the Crypt gave me nightmares as a kid so instead I watched Goosebumps and Are You Afraid of the Dark?
ReplyDeleteI read Darkly, Dreaming, Dexter before the show came out, i about jizzed in my pants when I saw they made a show out of it. Fabulous :)
ReplyDeleteand I finally rented the season of True Blood. Twatlight...eat your heart out.
I would have watched Masters of Horror every day of the week and twice on Sunday. It was a horror fan's dream! I'm still bummed that it got canceled, as Fear Itself is a good follow up, but it just doesn't have the same charm. And then they canceled that, too. What gives?
ReplyDeleteYES! I think you'll find True Blood is the perfect antidote to Twatlight. I expect a full review :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd Jon, Fear Itself was NO Masters of Horror. I gave it every chance, but it blew.
As always, a great list. I disagree on the comment that Dexter is barely horror. Tense dramatic thriller? Sure. But there have been some icky moments over the first 3 seasons (but not gore for gore's a la Hostel/Saw)that definitely flirts with being true horror. When my fiancee has to turn away, I think that's a good indication.
ReplyDeleteBTW, can't wait for season 4. John Lithgow has joined the cast as another serial killer and nemesis.
Yes, I heard the John Lithgow news. The consistency in quality of that show is amazing.
ReplyDeleteVERY good list, even tho I'm not a big horror fan - I saw Twilight Zone as more SF/fantasy, but it did have some horror moments, which I guess is a form of fantasy...
ReplyDeletecheck out my film blog
http://worldsbestfilms.blogspot.com
thnkx! -- JOSE
I think I used to watch WEREWOLF when I was a little kid. Did the main character have a pentagram on his palm that would bleed at the points when he was about to change into a werewolf? I have a memory of that shot, but I am not sure that I am thinking of the right show.
ReplyDeleteJM
Yep Tower, you got it, that's the one!
ReplyDeleteAnother show that I think gets overlooked was American Gothic. Great show. And don't forget Carnivale. What a fantastic show. Maybe not technically horror, but creepy as hell!
ReplyDeleteGood work on the list!
I just started re-watching the Werewolf series late last week. It's been a while since I last saw an episode but is just as good as I remember. Nice pick on your list!
ReplyDeletemen you hit the point with two shows, one and for me the best werewolf show no matter the poor special effects was impressive for that age, and two Twilight Zone, also Tales From The Crypt was good.
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