Creepshow (TV series)

Creepshow is an American horror anthology web television series that was released on Shudder in 2019.[1] A continuation of the first two films in the Creepshow franchise (Creepshow and Creepshow 2), the series featured six episodes with two horror stories per episode.[1]

Creepshow
Genre
Based onCreepshow
by Stephen King & George A. Romero
ComposerChristopher Drake
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes6
Production
Production locationGeorgia
Running time42-45 minutes
Production companies
  • Monster Agency Productions
  • Striker Entertainment
  • Taurus Entertainment
DistributorWarner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution
Release
Original networkShudder
Original releaseSeptember 26, 2019 (2019-09-26) 
present

The series premiered on September 26, 2019.[2]

On October 30, 2019, the series was renewed for a second season.[3] On October 30, 2020, an animated special titled A Creepshow Animated Special was released.[4] On November 10, 2020, it was announced that a holiday special titled A Creepshow Holiday Special would premiere on December 18, 2020.[5]

Premise

The silent Creep shows audience members darkly grim horror stories from the pages of the Creepshow comic book.

Production

Development

In July 2018, the Creepshow television series was announced, with Greg Nicotero listed as a producer and streaming service Shudder as the distributor.[6]

As in the original Creepshow, and in contrast to the sequel, The Creep is a puppet that delivers gags (mostly featured in the cold openings of each episode) through nonverbal cues or laughter.

Adaptations

On January 16, 2019, it was announced that one of the segments of the pilot episode will be based on Stephen King's short story, "Survivor Type" from his 1985 collection, Skeleton Crew; however, that story was ultimately not used for the first season and was instead part of the animated Halloween special that aired in 2020.[7] As with the feature films, the series will draw from short story fiction. Subsequently, the following were also announced as the basis for stories:[1]

Original stories announced include:[1]

  • Lydia Layne’s Better Half by John Harrison and Greg Nicotero
  • Skincrawlers written by Paul Dini and Stephen Langford
  • Night of the Paw by John Esposito
  • Bad Wolf Down by Rob Schrab

Casting

In April 2019, cast members announced included Adrienne Barbeau, Giancarlo Esposito, and Tobin Bell.[8] Subsequent announced cast members included David Arquette, Tricia Helfer, and Dana Gould.[1] On June 20, 2019, Jeffrey Combs, Bruce Davison, DJ Qualls, Big Boi, and Kid Cudi were announced as additional cast members.[9]

In September 2020, Anna Camp, Adam Pally, Josh McDermitt, Keith David, and Ashley Laurence were cast for the second season.[10] Later in October 2020, Marilyn Manson, Ali Larter, Iman Benson, Ryan Kwanten, Barbara Crampton, C. Thomas Howell, Denise Crosby, Breckin Meyer, Ted Raimi, Kevin Dillon and Eric Edelstein were cast.[11]

On February 1, 2021, It was announced that Manson's episode would not air due to multiple abuse allegations.[12][13]

Directors

Unlike the film entries, the Creepshow series will feature several directors instead of one director. Announced segment directors include David Bruckner, Roxanne Benjamin, Rob Schrab, John Harrison, Greg Nicotero, and Tom Savini;[1] the latter three having worked on the first two Creepshow features.

Filming

Principal photography for the series began in February 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. Season 2 began filming in September 2020; it was supposed to begin in March 2020, but was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[14][15][16]

Release

The series premiered on Shudder September 26, 2019.[1][2]

Episodes

Season 1

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date[17]
1"Gray Matter"Greg NicoteroStory by: Stephen King
Teleplay by: Byron Willinger and Philip de Blasi
September 26, 2019 (2019-09-26)
"The House of the Head"John HarrisonJosh MalermanSeptember 26, 2019 (2019-09-26)

Gray Matter: During a hurricane, a group of townspeople huddled together in a store encounter local boy Timmy Grenadine (Christopher Nathan), who asks for a case of beer for his alcoholic father, Richie (Jesse C. Boyd). When Timmy mentions that his father is "real sick" and doesn't want to go back home, some of the townspeople volunteer to check on him. While they travel to Timmy's house, Timmy explains to the person left behind that his after Richie's wife died, his drinking problem spiraled out of control, transforming him into something monstrous.

Also starring Adrienne Barbeau, Giancarlo Esposito, and Tobin Bell.

The House of the Head: Evie (Cailey Fleming), an imaginative young girl, is the new owner of a large dollhouse for a family of dolls she calls the Smithsmiths. After returning home from school the next day, she discovers the Smithsmiths have been moved into different positions than she left them. She also discovers that the dollhouse contains a ghoulish severed head that appears to have supernatural abilities, moving throughout the dollhouse when she isn't watching. Fearing that the head will eventually kill her doll family, Evie buys more dolls to try remove it from the house.

Also starring Rachel Hendrix, David Shea, Guy Messenger, and Diane D. Carter.
2"Bad Wolf Down"Rob SchrabRob SchrabOctober 3, 2019 (2019-10-03)
"The Finger"Greg NicoteroDavid J. SchowOctober 3, 2019 (2019-10-03)

Bad Wolf Down: In World War II, Lawrence Talby (David A. MacDonald), the captain of a massacred platoon of American soldiers, retreats into a French forest with his surviving men (Nelson Bonilla, Callan Wilson, Kid Cudi). The soldiers manage to seek refuge within an abandoned police station, but discover that the station is inhabited by a guilt-consumed werewolf (Kate Freund). Before long, the station is surrounded on all sides by Nazi soldiers. With no other options available, Talby and his men resort to drastic measures, allowing themselves to become werewolves to stay alive.

Also starring Jeffrey Combs.

The Finger: Clark Wilson (DJ Qualls), a lonely and resentful man who has a bitter outlook on life, collects lost and abandoned objects. One day, he discovers a mysterious severed finger in the middle of the street. After taking the finger home, he ends up spilling beer on it. Over time, the finger gradually grows into a strange creature he dubs "Bob". Clark and Bob manage to get along surprisingly well, but it would seem that Bob likes Clark too much, as he begins seeking out and killing anyone who angers his new owner, presenting Clark with their body parts as morbid offerings.

Also starring Antwan Mills, Jake Garber, and Gino Crognale.
3"All Hallows Eve"John HarrisonBruce JonesOctober 10, 2019 (2019-10-10)
"The Man in the Suitcase"David BrucknerChristopher BuehlmanOctober 10, 2019 (2019-10-10)

All Hallows Eve: Pete, Jill, Binky, Bobby, and Skeeter (Connor Christie, Madison Thompson, Jasun Jabbar Wardlaw Jr., Andrew Eakle, and Aodhan Lane) are five kids who call themselves the Golden Dragons. On Halloween night, the Golden Dragons gather to dress up in costumes and go trick-or-treating. The quintet stroll throughout the neighborhood supposedly in search of candy, but considering that the adults in the neighborhood show fear and resentment toward the Golden Dragons, it would seem that these children have more to them than meets the eye.

Also starring Julia Denton, Scott Johnson, Tom Olson, and Erica Frene.

The Man in the Suitcase: Justin (Will Kidrachuck), a college student returning from a trip home, discovers a man (Ravi Naidu) painfully squeezed into his suitcase when he returns. Justin also discovers that the man is able to produce gold coins when he feels pain. His ex-girlfriend Carla and roommate Alex (Madison Bailey and Ian Gregg) discover the man in the suitcase as well. Upon seeing the man's ability to produce gold, Alex and Carla rope Justin into torturing the unfortunate man in the hopes of amassing a mother lode of coins.

Also starring Big Boi, Nasim Bowlus, and Carey Jones.
4"The Companion"David BrucknerStory by: Joe R. Lansdale, Kasey Lansdale & Keith Lansdale
Teleplay by: Matt Venne
October 17, 2019 (2019-10-17)
"Lydia Layne's Better Half"Roxanne BenjaminStory by: John Harrison & Greg Nicotero
Teleplay by: John Harrison
October 17, 2019 (2019-10-17)

The Companion: In 1987, a young boy named Harold (Logan Allan) flees from his brother Billy (Voltaire Colin Council), who happens to be a relentless bully. Harold hides on an abandoned farm which he discovers is inhabited by a grotesque scarecrow (Carey Jones) that manages to come to life. He learns that the scarecrow was created to act as a companion by a lonely farmer who eventually committed suicide, and is now looking to kill Harold for trespassing on its late creator's home.

Also starring Dylan Smitty, Afemo Omilami, and Addison Hershey.

Lydia Layne's Better Half: Lydia Layne (Tricia Helfer), the powerful owner of a large private equity group, passes over her lover, Celia Mendez (Danielle Lyn), for an important promotion. In an ensuing argument, Lydia accidentally kills Celia by letting her head be punctured on an award. She attempts to discretely move Celia's corpse into an elevator to try and dispose of it, when an earthquake causes the power to go out. Trapped in the elevator for hours on end, Lydia notices Celia's corpse angrily glaring at her, almost as if Celia isn't through with her yet.

Also starring Michael Scialabba, Jordan Patrick, Dennis Bouldin, and David Wise.
5"Night of the Paw"John HarrisonJohn EspositoOctober 24, 2019 (2019-10-24)
"Times is Tough in Musky Holler"John HarrisonStory by: John Skipp and Dori Miller
Teleplay by: John Skipp and Dori Miller
October 24, 2019 (2019-10-24)

Night of the Paw: Angela (Hannah Barefoot), a murderer on the run, crashes her car and is left badly injured. She later awakens in a funeral home, her injuries patched up, and finds that local mortician Avery "Whitey" Whitlock (Bruce Davison) is the person responsible. Inviting her upstairs, Avery shows her that he possesses a monkey's paw that grants wishes which tend to backfire horrifically on the user. As Avery tells her about how the paw ruined his life, it becomes clear that Angela's arrival at his funeral home was not mere coincidence.

Times is Tough in Musky Holler: When a zombie apocalypse plagued the town of Musky Holler, Lester M. Barclay (Dane Rhodes) used the chaos to convince the city council to appoint him mayor. Once he was put in power, Lester ruled the town with an iron fist, having his predecessor murdered, sanctioning the police to rape and murder as they pleased, and executing anyone who would attempt to challenge his authority. In the present, the townspeople (Tracey Bonner and Connor Hammond) have led a rebellion to overthrow the corrupt mayor, forcing him and his followers (David Arquette, Karen Strassman, Tommy Kane, and Kermit Rolison) to be fed to the zombies he had weaponized as an execution method for their punishment.
6"Skincrawlers"Roxanne BenjaminPaul Dini & Stephen LangfordOctober 31, 2019 (2019-10-31)
"By the Silver Water of Lake Champlain"Tom SaviniStory by: Joe Hill
Teleplay by: Jason Ciaramella
October 31, 2019 (2019-10-31)

Skincrawlers: Overweight Henry Quayle (Dana Gould) learns about Skin Deep by Sloan, a miraculous new treatment for weight loss in which fat cells from a person’s body are liquified and sucked out by a newly discovered and highly advanced species of leech. Though initially reluctant, Henry is talked into taking the treatment on live television. However, the day of the treatment is also the same day that a major once-in-a-century solar eclipse is set to occur, and when the eclipse reaches totality, the supposed miracle cure is revealed to have horrific side effects.

Also starring Melissa Saint-Armand, Chad Michael Collins, Hina X. Khan, Beth Keener, Jason Graham, and Darin Toonder.

By the Silver Water of Lake Champlain: In 1984, teenager Rose Philips (Sydney Wease) seeks to prove her late father’s claims of having seen Champ, the monster that allegedly lives in Lake Champlain, were not the delusions of a madman. When she, her little brother Joseph (David Alexander Kaplan), and her boyfriend Thomas (Connor Jones) discover what appears to be Champ’s corpse washed up on the shore of the lake, she discovers that her father was right all along, and seeks to show the proof to the world. However, she must first defend herself from her abusive and sadistic stepfather Chet (James Devoti), who seeks to take the credit for the find.

Also starring Gena Shaw.

Specials

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date[17]
1"Survivor Type"Gregory NicoteroStory by: Stephen King
Teleplay by: Gregory Nicotero
October 30, 2020 (2020-10-30)
"Twitterings from the Circus of the Dead"Gregory NicoteroStory by: Joe Hill
Teleplay by: Melanie Dale
October 30, 2020 (2020-10-30)

This special contains the first animated stories of Creepshow:

Survivor Type: Richard Pine (voiced by Kiefer Sutherland) is an unscrupulous surgeon with ties to New York City's criminal underworld. When he ends up boarding a cruise ship to sell some heroin to a dealer, the ship sinks, leaving Richard stranded on a deserted island with very little supplies. Alone and under the threat of starvation, Richard documents his life story and his time on the island to keep his mind off his voracious appetite. As the days pass, Richard runs out of seagulls to catch and eat, forcing him to resort to desperate measures to survive.

Also starring the voice of Fayna Sanchez.

Twittering from the Circus of the Dead: Blake (voiced by Joey King) is a bratty, social media obsessed teenager who is, much to her horror, stuck on a road trip with her family, documenting everything on Twitter to keep herself sane. Eventually, Blake and her family stop by a circus in the middle of nowhere called "Circus of the Dead". Entering the tent, Blake and her family discover that the circus is filled with ravenous zombies that are forced by the sadistic staff to perform various morbid tricks. At first, Blake and her family think it is all a show, but soon discover that the stunts are all too real.

Also starring the voice of Fayna Sanchez.
2"Shapeshifters Anonymous"Gregory NicoteroStory by: J.A. Konrath
Teleplay by: Gregory Nicotero
December 18, 2020 (2020-12-18)

Fearing he is a murderer, Robert Weston (Adam Pally) searches for answers for his dilemma at Shapeshifters Anonymous, a support group for were-creatures that consist of a man (Pete Burris) that can turn into a were-tortoise, a woman (Anna Camp) that can turn into a were-cheetah, a man (Frank Nicotero) who can turn into a were-boar, a man (Derek Russo) who is an Enigma, and a woman (Candy McLeilan) who aspires to be a hippopotamus. When Robert is discovered to be a werewolf, the group soon comes under attack by the disciples of Santa Claus, who turns out to be on a mission to eliminate the world of therianthropes.

Also starring Lil Yachty.

Critical reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds an approval rating of 97% based on 29 reviews with an average rating of 7.7/10. The critical consensus reads: "Delightfully eerie, Creepshow captures the spirit of the original while forging its own spooky path."[18] On Metacritic, the series has a weighted average score of 64 out of 100, based on 5 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[19]

Tie-in novels

Scholastic Books released a book entitled Creepshow: The Taker, featuring two novellas inspired by the TV series. They were written by Elley Cooper.[20] A followup installment will be released on April 20, 2021 entitled Creepshow: The Cursed, also written by Elley Cooper.[21]

Halloween Horror Nights

On August 3, 2019, Universal Parks & Resorts announced that Creepshow would be coming to Halloween Horror Nights exclusively at its Universal Studios Hollywood theme park. The maze featured three segments from the 1982 film ("Father's Day", "The Crate", and "They're Creeping Up on You") as well as two others from the newly made web television version for Shudder ("Gray Matter" and "Bad Wolf Down").[22]

References

  1. "'Creepshow': David Arquette, Tricia Helfer & Dana Gould Join Shudder Series; Tom Savini To Direct". collider.com. May 30, 2019. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  2. "Video: Shudder Releases First "Creepshow" Trailer at San Diego Comic Con, Announces September 26 Series Debut". The Futon Critic. July 19, 2019.
  3. "Shudder Renews Hit Series "Creepshow" for Second Season". The Futon Critic. October 30, 2019.
  4. "Video: Shudder Releases Trailer, Key Art and Images for "A Creepshow Animated Special" Premiering Thursday, October 29". The Futon Critic. October 23, 2020.
  5. "Shudder Spreads Christmas Fear with "A Creepshow Holiday Special" Premiering December 18". The Futon Critic. November 10, 2020.
  6. "Creepshow TV series stories confirmed". Den of Geek.
  7. Cavanaugh, Patrick (January 16, 2019). "First 'Creepshow' Series Details Emerge About 'The Walking Dead' Director's Entry". ComicBook. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  8. Butler, Karen (April 6, 2019). "Giancarlo Esposito, Adrienne Barbeau booked for 'Creepshow' episode". UPI.com. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  9. Squires, John (June 20, 2019). "Jeffrey Combs and More Join Cast of Shudder's "Creepshow"; Plus Every Episode Detailed!". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  10. Petski, Denise (September 10, 2020). "'Creepshow': Anna Camp, Adam Pally, Josh McDermitt, Keith David & Ashley Laurence Join Season 2 Cast As Production Begins". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  11. https://deadline.com/2020/10/creepshow-season-2-cast-marilyn-manson-ali-larter-shudder-anthology-series-1234604501/
  12. https://www.eonline.com/news/1233600/marilyn-mansons-creepshow-episode-will-no-longer-air-amid-evan-rachel-wood-abuse-allegations
  13. https://ew.com/tv/marilyn-manson-removed-american-gods-creepshow-abuse-allegations/
  14. Squires, John (February 9, 2019). "Production Has Begun On Shudder's "Creepshow"; Stories and Directors Announced!". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  15. Kaye, Don (April 21, 2020). "Creepshow Season 2 Ready to Go as Soon as It's Safe". Den of Geek. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  16. Baxter, Joseph (September 10, 2020). "Creepshow Season 2 Starts Production as the Shudder Series Reveals its Cast". Den of Geek. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  17. "Creepshow – Listings". The Futon Critic. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  18. "Creepshow: Season 1 (2019)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  19. "Creepshow: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  20. "Creepshow: The Taker". scholastic.com.
  21. "Creepshow: The Cursed". barnesandnoble.com.
  22. Brittani Tuttle (August 3, 2019). "'Creepshow' announced for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood". Attractions Magazine.
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