Ok, folks. Lots of crazy stuff is happening in the “19th Century Literature Makes for Good/Popular TV” world. First off, we have my absolute favorite new TV series, Sleepy Hollow (Mondays at 9pm on Fox). I’ll dedicate an entire post to my new obsession here, but suffice to say, it started out as a hate-watch because I was curious and turned into a true love match. It’s a perfect blend of humor, camp, procedural, horror, mythology/demonology, history, and buddy cop story. Even better, it has a hugely diverse cast and a super strong WOC as the lead. Also, Orlando Jones. For all the reasons (including that he’s a huge supporter of the fandom, even down to providing fic suggestions and reblogging fanworks).
Meet Ichabod Crane and Lieutenant Abbie Mills. They’re here to save the world.
Also, period clothing. I mean, come on, we can all get down with that, right? Some of you might recognize Tom Mison as the ridiculous Potty Perowne from Parade’s End. You can seriously forget all about that foppish git and get down with the rest of us Craniacs (yes, that’s what we’re called; the rest of the fandom are called SleepyHeads) with his version of Ichabod Crane. I’ll save the rest of my gushing for another post since we also have to deal with this:
In addition to this modern retelling of Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”, we have YET ANOTHER Dracula to preview, this one on NBC starting this Friday. Jonathan Rhys Meyers is the titular Count and it certainly looks promising.
Thoughts? After the glitterbomb of Twilight the past few years, I’m desperately hoping for a return to old-school vampire lore to cleanse the pop cultural palate. Here’s hoping this new Dracula doesn’t….suck? (Ahem.)
Aaaanyway, how do you all feel about these new imaginings, dear Readers? Hit the polls and the comments!
I reluctantly walked into the house and my husband was watching Sleepy Hollow…we are now HOOKED. I cannot get over how spooky and funny and campy it is all at the same time. I did not know that the fan base was called Craniacs – funny! We just caught up last night and now we are totally IN! I love the line a couple of weeks ago where Crane told Abbie that they had to deal with these demons for 7 years – at least, if the fans like it – the show will have some longevity!!
HOOKED. Wonderful to meet a fellow SleepyHead/Craniac! (Someone else on Twitter used the phrase “No Crane; No Gain”, which I adore. And yes, love that these guys are planning for the long haul. And did you just DIE at the Northstar scene? I died.
Was that this past week? We are watching that one tonight – I will let you know tomorrow!!
I am mildly peeved that the latest Dracula is on pay-for-Sky only.
On the bright side I already know the plot, so I do not have to fight off spoilers whilst waiting for it to be rerun on a channel I can see.
Booo! Is there any way you could watch online, Region-free? Would the NBC website offer any love your way?
I have not been able to use NBC in the past. As it is supported by ad-revenue I am not sure whether I will be able to find a legal region-free broadcast.
I love Sleepy Hollow, all that camp, the wry humour/ sarcasm, and a good dose of rather Gothic melodrama! And of course Ichabod with his ready wit, always perfect hair and delightful period costume that he refuses to shed! As someone who walks about in Victorian inspired outfits, I really appreciate that! I am loving it so far, here is hoping they don’t wreck it somehow! Special effects have been pretty good so far, Sandman looked awesome!
To David Higggins: Yes, but you have to have the technical know-how to spoof your IP address. We subscribe to a VPN site that does that so we can appear to be in another country in order to watch TV there.
Have only watched a couple episodes of Sleepy Hollow. Not hooked yet. But there are 4 more episodes on the TIVO.