In Depth
Master of Horror: Eric Kripke
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 10
Cynthia
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.
maviky
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.
Nikki
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.
LindsayW
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.
Marcia
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.
Em
Thank you for including Eric Kripke. He and Supernatural really deserve the recognition.
kieran
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
Ebbtide
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.
Jennifer Blanch
Please this is an urgent matter, I am a Filipino and I need to keep in touch with Mr. Eric Kripke in any way. I have my sister who I believed is under a balck magic spell who is the Middle east right now. Shès always sick bur we never know wat is it. One local faith healer told her she just has one more week to live becauase the spell is too strong. Plaese let me talk to you Mr. Kripke. I don`t want het to die if there is a way to save her. I watch supernatural that`s why I had this idea she might be cursed or something. Pleae im begging you, today is Feb. 21. and she has one week or less to live. PLease....PLeaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Mary Cruz
Mr. Kripke, as you, my favorite tv show before SUPERNATURAL of course, was Buffy, and I love the stories you portrait every week for us fans to watch.
I didn't get it in the beginning, but I get it now. It is amazing how other shows need to have lots of paraphernalia, promotion, tv spots and more. SUPERNATURAL doesn't need it, the show has sold itself out since September, 2005.
The show has all the recognition by the most important people, the fans.
Thank you for taking your idea to Warner Bros. and continue doing such an excellent work with this show.
Keep it going