Premiere Date: Thursday, September 29, 2005 (Touchstone Television)
Network: ABC
Time: Thursdays at 9:00 p.m. ET / 8:00 p.m. CT
Cast: Starring Stuart Townsend, Gabrielle Union, Eric Jungmann,
and Cotter Smith
Introduction:
Carl Kolchak is the 'Night Stalker,' a newspaper reporter
who investigates strange deaths and unexplained
phenomena. He asks the questions that no one else
will about the cases the police can't -- or won't --
solve.
Based on the cult favorite '70s classic, 'Night Stalker' is an
all-new mystery series starring Stuart Townsend, Gabrielle Union,
Eric Jungmann, and Cotter Smith.
Eighteen months ago, a sudden attack on a deserted highway
left Kolchak injured but alive. His wife wasn't so lucky. Since then,
the reporter's determination to find out who - or what - killed
her has led him to track other unexplained, violent deaths, all touched
by the supernatural. But he's trying to piece together a puzzle
that keeps changing shape. How are the crimes related? And why do
some victims end up with a strange red mark on their wrists?
Kolchak is convinced that something terrible is happening, but the authorities
don't seem to agree with him, especially the FBI - in their eyes, Kolchak is
the number one suspect in his wife's death. A murder shockingly like his
wife's leads Kolchak to Los Angeles, where he has signed on as a writer
with the L.A. Beacon newspaper. His former boss, Tony Vincenzo,
grateful that Kolchak once made Vincenzo's career with one of his
scoops, has given him a second chance as a crime reporter.
Kolchak's colleague, senior crime reporter Perri Reed, is just as eager
to get a good story, but she's skeptical of Kolchak's wild theories. Still,
she's impressed by his uncanny ability to ferret out information that no one
else dares to. Young and ambitious photographer Jain McManus is a little more
eager to go along with Kolchak. Together Reed and McManus will aid him as he
follows bizarre and inexplicable stories that you won't find printed in any newspaper.
Cast Details:
"Night Stalker" stars Stuart Townsend as Carl Kolchak,
Gabrielle Union as Perri Reed, Eric Jungmann as Jain McManus, and
Cotter Smith as Anthony Vincenzo.
Carl Kolchak started his career
as a newspaper reporter in Las Vegas covering crime,
politics, and corruption. Dublin born Stuart Townsend has a number of film credits
including "Head in the Clouds," "The League of Extraordinary
Gentlemen," "Queen of the Damned," and "Wonderland." He recently
finished work on "The Best Man," which also stars Seth Green
and Amy Smart. It will be released in early 2006.
Although only in her early 30s, Perri Reed is already the senior
crime reporter at the Los Angeles Beacon. Gabrielle Union is
one of today's hottest stars. Her film credits include
"The Honeymooners," "Bad Boys II," "Cradle 2 the Grave," "Deliver
Us From Eva," and "Bring It On." She started her TV career on "Moesha."
Jain McManus is a photographer for the Los Angeles Beacon. Eric Jungmann
came to Hollywood right after his 17th birthday, and has worked
steadily ever since. His feature film credits include "Not Another Teen Movie,"
"Varsity Blues," and "The Faculty." His television appearances include
"Touched By An Angel, "That's Life, "Boston Public," and "Judging Amy."
Tony Vincenzo is the city editor at the Los Angeles Beacon. Cotter Smith
has been an actor for 30 years. He has done a lot of New York theatre work.
His film credits include "X2," "Reeseville," and "Run the Wild Fields." He has
appeared on more than 50 TV shows including "Equal Justice," "Law & Order,"
"Alias," and "Judging Amy."
Frank Spotnitz ("The X Files") is executive producer
of the series. Dap Sackheim ("The X Files") is executive
producer and director of the series, from Touchstone television.
Pilot Plot:
When a pregnant woman is snatched from her home, the shocked citizens of L.A. believe 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 #1 suspect ever since. His investigations are frustrated
when Perri Reed, the newspaper's senior crime reporter, digs into Kolchak's mysterious past.
Writer: Frank Spotnitz
Director: Daniel Sackheim
Guest Stars: Susan Misner (Irene),
Madeline Carroll (Julie Madlock) , Sarah Lafleur (Trish Medlock) , Clay Wilcox (Ed Medlock) ,
Tim McNeal (Coroner) , J. Marvin Campbell (Deputy) , Ele Keats (Emily Gale) , David Denman (Henry Gale) ,
John Pyper-Ferguson (Agent Bernie Fain)
Analysis:
I've not seen many episodes of the 70's Night Stalker
series, which starred Darren McGavin, so I really
can't compare this new series to the original. It's supposed
to be different and darker than the original series. The cast
is strong - especially Stuart Townsend as Kolchak.
The show starts a little slowly in the first 10-15 minutes as they give you the
background of the story. The pace then picks up with
a lot of exciting, tense scenes. There is a lot of creepiness
to it and the music score is excellent. Look for Gumby hanging from Kolchak's
car mirror. I think it will be a nice
companion show to Alias.
Conclusion:
This show has the potential to be a very good one. The show is dark,
but sometimes it feels like the screen is a little too dark to see
the action. The pilot started a little slowly, but I would expect
future episodes to be faster paced at the beginner to hook in viewers. There was quite a bit
of necessary background information given in the episode. I'd like to see a little more humor
dropped in here and there. I would expect this show
to help improve ABC's ratings on Thursdays. If you like mystery type shows,
you should definitely check "Night Stalker" out. This series could
become the next "X-Files."
