The CW may be synonymous with rich-teen fare like “Gossip Girl” and “90210,” but a horror show is thriving on its Thursday-night schedule against heavy competition from “Grey’s Anatomy” and “CSI.”
That CW show is “Supernatural,” in which creator Eric Kripke brings the film world’s taste for horror to the small screen.
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“We always set out to try to reflect what was going on with horror in features,” said Mr. Kripke. “The only mainstream horror show before us was ‘Buffy.’ I was a huge fan of ‘Buffy,’ but you can’t particularly say they took their scares seriously. We felt when we were starting ‘Supernatural’ that we were a little bit, in terms of television, on virgin territory.”
Mr. Kripke also has given his take on horror a “distinctly middle-American” vibe, with “urban legends, truck stops, diners, old crossroads, blues and classic rock.”
Though the show mostly flies under the radar—“Sometimes we feel we’re the best-kept secret since the Manhattan Project,” he said— its fourth-season premiere on Sept. 18 garnered nearly 4 million viewers, putting it ahead of those much-talked-about teen dramas.
Still, Mr. Kripke is “cautiously excited.”
In the meantime, he’s riding “Supernatural’s” screams. A two-year deal with Warner Bros. TV will keep him on as showrunner and also calls for Mr. Kripke, who’s “very interested in doing the genre again,” to develop new projects.
So how about that remark about a possible spinoff?
“It’s really up to Warner Bros. Would they really want to do an Old West ‘Supernatural’ spinoff? Doesn’t that just scream commercial?” Mr. Kripke said with a laugh.
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Comments (8)
I'm glad to see Kripke included in this illustrious list of genre greats. He may be new at it, but he's got the lock on horror on TV.
I see him as the modern Dan Curtis (who gave us Dark Shadows and Night Stalker), offering up thrills, chills and great storytelling, week after week.
On a side note, not a single woman on the list. Being a woman who loves scifi and horror TV, I have to wonder if that's due to the percentage of women vs men in Hollywood, or if it's a genre thing.
Posted by Cynthia | September 29, 2008 12:21 AM
I am a huge fan of Supernatural and of course of the man who made this show possible. Kripke own Supernatural and we, the fans, we know he's the Master.
Posted by maviky | September 29, 2008 7:31 AM
I agree with Cynthia and maviky. I'm very pleased that Kripke is included on this list. Supernatural is such an amazing show. I'm really glad it seems to have gained more viewers, this season. Everyone should be watching this show.
Posted by Nikki | September 29, 2008 3:51 PM
Supernatural is TV's best kept secret. It may be called a horror or sci-fi show, but it's all about two very awesome brothers with an amazing relationship.
Posted by LindsayW | September 29, 2008 4:14 PM
I have to say that my kids and myself love the show and we are glad that it is back on. We have all 3 seasons on DVD and we can't stop watching. It keeps getting better as the yrs go on. Mr.Kripke is great.
Posted by Marcia | September 29, 2008 5:37 PM
Thank you for including Eric Kripke. He and Supernatural really deserve the recognition.
Posted by Em | September 29, 2008 6:28 PM
SUPERNATURAL IS THE BEST TV SHOW I HAVE EVER WATCHED IN MY LIFE. I HAVE ALL OF SEASON 1,2,3 BUT SEASON 4 HASNT BEEN SHOWN HERE IN NORTHERN IRELAND YET. IF ANY1 CAN TELL ME WHATS GOING ON IN THE PRODUCTION AREA OR IT THEY HAVE STOPED MAKING IT. THIS WOULD BE VERY HELPFULL.
THANK YOU
Posted by kieran | October 17, 2008 3:26 AM
Thank you, TVWeek, once again, for writing such a great piece on Supernatural. That show just does not get enough promotion or recognition in comparison with how AWESOME it is and how much talk it should be getting. ;). So, thanks, for writing this! Season four has been one hell of a ride so far.
Posted by Ebbtide | October 30, 2008 11:33 AM