The vampire craze is coming to an end –
Wait! No, it isn’t!
I keep hearing people predict the death of the vamps and the rise of the zombies, werewolves or demons, but the truth of the matter is that vamps have been popular over millennia and that will probably not change. Recently over at Unbound, where the Ravenous Romance writers gather every other Wednesday to share new publications and a whole lot of silly fun, we started with Vanessa Vaughn talking about her new werewolf novel, Pack of Lies, but somehow the topic got back to vampires, much as we oohed and ahhed over the wolfsters.
I was surprised to find that there were a number of people who didn’t know what I guess we could now call “vintage classics” [in other words, wow -- do I feel old!] like Forever Knight and Kindred: The Embraced.
Forever Knight actually began with the movie Nick Knight which starred — wait for it — Rick Springfield. Yeah, the one who I always thought was singing that M/M classic, “I wish that I could be Jessie’s Girl”; teen heart-throb I guess, although he wasn’t exactly the kind that made my heart throb (Keith Moon, now there’s a pitter patting!). He wasn’t terribly compelling as the vampire turned police detective either, but the idea had enough potential to spawn a tv series with Geraint Wyn Davies as the troubled vamp trying to leave behind his past, Catherine Disher as Natalie the coroner who knew his secret and Nigel Bennet as his gloriously over the top sire and foil. Cheesy, sure — it was during that time of scantily clad women used to draw late night viewers in syndicated shows. Hence the strip club opening ep. But they soon abandoned that to focus on the real story – Nick’s struggles to become human and leave his past behind. Much fun. All three seasons are available on DVD.
Kindred was later, inspired by the role playing game and seen by the Spelling Television group as a way to cash in on a craze. Chaotic — it started being about the detective who uncovered the vamps, but the rather unappealing C. Thomas Howell didn’t stand a chance against sexy Marc Frankel as Julian Luna, head of the vamp clans. Oozing with sexy charm, Frankel was well on his way to becoming a major heartthrob when a motorcycle accident took his life. While Kindred is hardly a masterpiece, it’s quite fun and when the delightful Kelly Rutherford becomes more central and her character’s romance with Julian heats up, things are quite steamy. Also available on DVD, just make sure you get the complete, uncut one that has Rebecca Gayheart’s character planting a kiss on her grandfather’s corpse!
If you haven’t caught up on your sexy vampire history on the telly, here’s a good excuse to do so now. What vampire shows do you think people have missed and ought to know?
Great post Margery! I love both the shows you mentioned. I adored Mark Frankel in Kindred and, at the time of the show’s release, I found out after the fact that he made an appearance at a mall in my home state of Indiana; I heard about his visit on an evening news program and thought, “Oh well, it’s a shame I missed him but I’m sure I’ll get to meet him someday.” It was terrible about his passing; to this day he inspires my own vampire stories. If you haven’t already, check out his romantic comedy “Solitaire for Two” with Amanda Pays.
As far as some of my other favorite vamp shows, I love Blood Ties (starring Christina Cox as the strong, resourceful Vicki Nelson and Kyle Schmid as the mysterious, oh so sexy vamp Henry Fitzroy). I also enjoy Moonlight, and am glad it’s coming back in reruns.
By: Megan Hussey on June 20, 2010
at 7:01 am
Thanks, Megan! Oh, what a shame about missing Frankel. It was very sad and unexpected. I haven’t checked out Moonlight but I’ve heard good things about it. I am behind on my recent series (haven’t even seen True Blood!) because I have almost no time for telly lately. The disadvantage of a busy writing schedule, I guess.
By: cmkempe on June 20, 2010
at 8:19 am
I haven’t seen any of the more current vamp TV shows. (I must admit that I refused to watch MOONLIGHT, as it seemed too much like a FOREVER KNIGHT knock-off to me–I know it’s silly.) I don’t have HBO, so I have not yet had a chance to check out TRUE BLOOD.
On the subject of ’80s and ’90s TV and vamps, though: did anyone else here ever watch FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH: THE SERIES? It had a phenomenal vampire episode, probably one of the best executed I’ve seen on TV.
By: Lisa Lane on June 20, 2010
at 10:49 am
Hi Lisa! I haven’t seen that episode and I’m not sure I heard anyone mention it. Do you remember the title of the episode?
By: cmkempe on June 20, 2010
at 1:10 pm
The episode is called “Night Prey.” It is well worth tracking down if you were a fan of the series.
By: Lisa Lane on June 20, 2010
at 3:41 pm
I LOVED those two shows. I’m actually working on a non-fiction piece right now that has both those heroes included. And, as much as I hate to admit it, I played the online VtM game that went along with Kindred. I rocked as a vampire! lol A LOT of my stories are inspired by those experiences and those shows.
I’m watching the Supernatural vampire episode now. : ) And I’ve watched vampire movies and shows for as long as I can remember. My dad was a fan. Other shows: Dark Shadows. I’m just starting to learn more about it since I don’t remember much of it.
A few of the other vampires in shows (not just “vampire shows”): Elvira, Grandpa on the Munsters, Morticia Addams, The Count on Sesame Street…my favorite even as a kid!
By: Angela Cameron on June 21, 2010
at 11:11 am
Angela, that’s wonderful to hear! How excellent to see that kind of interplay between your activities — gaming is good prep for writing I should think. I wonder how many more writers started that way?
I never got into Dark Shadow much. Not sure why.
Do let us know when the non-fic piece is available!
By: cmkempe on June 23, 2010
at 5:40 am