5.24.2007
Occult Television
The New York Times looks at the new wave of occult-tinged shows that will be premiering come the fall television season, and wonders if this sudden popularity is due to an increase of anxiety with Americans.
"The prevalence of supernatural plots 'is reflective of increasing anxiety - personal, economic and national' that pervades the American mood, said Mr. Rash, who was in New York last week to attend the networks' presentations ... Most of the coming new shows 'are playing to viewers' desire to be in fantasyland,' said Shari Anne Brill, senior vice president and director of programming at Carat USA in New York, part of the Carat division of the Aegis Group, adding, 'The real world has become such a horrendous place that people are looking for magic to avoid the tragic.'"
Among the new supernaturally themed shows premiering is "Moonlight" a vampire-themed romantic detective series on CBS, "Eli Stone" concerning a lawyer who has visions, "Pushing Daisies" about a man who has the power to bring people back from the dead (both of those shows are on ABC), and Fox's "New Amsterdam" about a immortal homicide detective. These shows (and several more fantasy/supernatural-themed programs) are, according to the article, much due to the success of the super-hero drama "Heroes".
"Yet the popularity of 'Heroes,' which ends its first season tonight, is widely thought to be the inspiration for the escapist trend for next season. NBC is even hoping that lightning will strike twice; it is planning a six-episode spinoff, 'Heroes: Origins,' expected in spring 2008."
It remains to be seen how successful this new rash of occult-tinged programming will be with American audiences, but it does seem to point to a new willingness to explore the fantastical. My only regret is that the only witch-themed television show coming this fall will be in Spanish (without English subtitles).
Labels: New York Times, occult, Television
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