Night Stalker

[Brian in Mesa]

Night Stalker
ABC
Genre: Drama, 60 Mins.

SHOW DESCRIPTION:
There are things in the dark; adults deny them, but children are right to fear. When a pregnant woman is kidnapped from her home, the city of Los Angeles believes it's an act of domestic violence. But crime reporter Carl Kolchak suspects that the truth is far more complicated. That's because 18 months ago, Kolchak's wife was killed in a bizarre fashion -- and he has been the FBI's No. 1 suspect ever since. Kolchak's determination to find the truth behind his wife's mysterious murder has led him to investigate other crimes that seem to have some kind of supernatural component. But he's trying to piece together a puzzle that keeps changing shape. Who or what is committing these crimes? How are they all related? And why do some victims end up with a strange red mark on their hands in the shape of a snake? With sidekick Perri Reed (a sexy if skeptical fellow reporter) in tow, Kolchak will go to any lengths to answer these questions. Will anyone believe him once he discovers the truth?

BRIEF HISTORY:
Frank Spotnitz and Daniel Sackheim are the executive producers.

STARS:
Stuart Townsend as Carl Kolchak
Gabrielle Union as Perri Reed
Eric Jungmann as Jain McManus
Cotter Smith as Tony Vincenzo

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Remake of the old tv series "Kolchak: The Night Stalker."

 

[Pariah]

"Kolchak" is being replayed on SciFi lately.

I have Tivo set to grab the new series. I'll give it a couple of episodes because I like the genre, but I think this one has "bust" written all over it. Hope I'm wrong.

 

[SirStefan32]

I am looking forward to this.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Thinking of recording it, but not sure it's going to work out...

Mike

 

[SirStefan32]

Mike, give it a try man, this is a Frank Spotnitz show. No doubt it's gonna be the best thing since the X-Files!

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Mike, give it a try man, this is a Frank Spotnitz show. No doubt it's gonna be the best thing since the X-Files!

Yeah, but my Tivo has 2 things recording every hour tonight, lol.

I have the regular Tivo in the bedroom, but I can't watch anything in there, lol...but maybe i'll record it anyways.

Mike

 

[Yuma]

Just saw it. I enjoyed it, but it was very much more X-Files than the original Night Stalker. Lots of room to improve. Plus next week looks really cool!

USA Today only gave ir 1.5 stars out of four. I'd say it was 3 out of 4.

 

[SirStefan32]

It was awesome. Just what I would expect from Mr. Spotnitz!

 

[Pariah]

eh. It was okay. A little better than I expected, but still a little bland for my tastes.

 

[Yuma]

eh. It was okay. A little better than I expected, but still a little bland for my tastes.

You gotta setup the characters, the framework, etc. The X-Files almost were pulled from FOX after low ratings for two seasons. This is almost the same thing. Leading guy that has a mysterious background. Doubting leading lady. A guy in black, this time not a smoker, but an FBI sun glass wearing guy who is blocking them behind the scenes. It was eerily similar to how the X-Files started to me.

 

[SirStefan32]

You're exactly right, though one difference is that Scully was a great character right away.... I have my doubts about the female lead on Kolchak.

Nevertheless, great show.

 

[Pariah]

The X-Files almost were pulled from FOX after low ratings for two seasons.

In the case of the X-Files, low ratings did NOT = bland show. It was just a new (or, at least, an un-seen sucessful on television for 30 years) genre.

X-Files raised the bar. I'm not comparing this show to a pilot season sci-fi show from 8 years ago--I'm comparing it to the sci-fi shows I like today.

It was a little bland, but I'll give it a couple weeks--like I said originally. It's no X-Files, though.

 

[Yuma]

The last two Night Stalkers have been VERY good for those of you that missed them and may watch reruns this summer. The third episode named "Three" I think, was too scary for my kids. It was disturbing to my wife and I, and I watch lots of horror flicks. This was one of the most diturbing made for TV episodes I've ever seen. They definatly got past the comic bookish stage. Check out "Three" if you see it repeated this summer!

 

[Russ Smith]

The last two Night Stalkers have been VERY good for those of you that missed them and may watch reruns this summer. The third episode named "Three" I think, was too scary for my kids. It was disturbing to my wife and I, and I watch lots of horror flicks. This was one of the most diturbing made for TV episodes I've ever seen. They definatly got past the comic bookish stage. Check out "Three" if you see it repeated this summer!

I missed that one, I didn't like the first 2 but mainly because it's got nothing to do with the original(although they did have Darren McGavin in the first show in a cameo).

 

[Pariah]

I've been enjoying it.

Which one was "Three?" I've seen them all, but I don't know which one this is...

 

[joeshmo]

I missed that one, I didn't like the first 2 but mainly

I only watrched the first 2 as well. Maybe I will just watch on DVD when season 1 comes out, becuase I am not going to start watching it again now. I will probably do the same with Threshold and Invasion.

 

[Yuma]

Three was the one with the college cult ceremony in the creepy house. I don't want to say more unless this doesn't ring a bell.

 

[Pariah]

Three was the one with the college cult ceremony in the creepy house. I don't want to say more unless this doesn't ring a bell.

Yup. That one was pretty good.

 

[Pariah]

That last episode (with the ex-priest w/and unauthorized exorcism history) was the best, yet, IMO.

 

[Yuma]

That last episode (with the ex-priest w/and unauthorized exorcism history) was the best, yet, IMO.

Got it tivoed! Can't wait to see it after your endorsement. This is going to take off like the X-Files if they are patient with the series and let it grow.

 

[Pariah]

Got it tivoed!

Well? Did you like it?

 

[Yuma]

Well? Did you like it?

Everyone in my house are now too chicken to watch after "Three." Actually the "Burning Man" wasn't that bad even though the special effects were the bomb!

 

[Pariah]

Everyone in my house are now too chicken to watch after "Three."

I don't really get scared by much on TV, so it's hard for me to say, but I think this one is scarier in a damien from the Omen sorta way.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

It's Good Night for Night Stalker
Source: Zap2it
November 14, 2005

ABC has cancelled its new series Night Stalker after six episodes that failed to find audiences up against CSI on Thursday nights.

Show creator Frank Spotnitz (The X-Files) announced the cancellation on his blog Sunday, and ABC confirmed Monday that the show was being pulled, effective this week.

"While I'm disappointed the series has come to an end, I am enormously grateful for the experience and the opportunity given me by the network and Touchstone Television," Spotnitz said.

In its six weeks on the air Night Stalker averaged just 5.2 million viewers and also struggled in the key adults 18-49 demographic. The update of the 1970s series starred Stuart Townsend as ghoul-hunting reporter Carl Kolchak and Gabrielle Union as his skeptical colleague.

Nine episodes of the show were filmed, but ABC has no plans to air the three that haven't aired yet. The first six episodes were also made available on iTunes.

 

[Pariah]

That's a bummer. First Arrested now Night Stalker. My Season Pass manager must look like a hit list to network execs.