The Best Supernatural Horror Series of the 1990s Were the Most Violent on CBS
Posted by Jonathan Klotz | Published
In 1995, CBS had a problem on its hands. The network was losing the core of NBC's rise to “Must See Television,” and old veterans Murder, He Wrote, Rescue 911again Murphy Brown they were missing out on the rise of edgier 90s, grittier content.
CBS turned on the oldest, boldest show of the 1995 television season in its bid to fight back, but American Gothic it was very dark, very dark, and very much on America's Most Viewed Network. Turns out, the dark series about a corrupt village chief who worships the devil was a tough sell to the American public, but today, it's a one-season cult hit.
What If The Devil Was The Law?
Star of American Gothic it's the villain, Sheriff Buck (he likes to remind people he has a “B”), played by the future NCIS leading man Gary Cole. Friendly and charming when he wanted to be, Buck walked around town forcing the townspeople to do him small favors, small deals here and there, that would help solidify his control over the city of Trinity. The only thing she can't find is the only thing she really wants: a little boy, Caleb Temple, played by her Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift star Lucas Black, as his heir.
Standing in Buck's way is Caleb's dead sister, Merlyn, played by a young Sarah Paulson, but she's still Sarah Paulson and is both incredibly scary (she's a ghost) and sweet (she's a friendly ghost). And her cousin, Gail (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II's April O'Neil, Paige Turco) and the new doctor in town, Dr. Crower (The medium Matt Weber), they try to fight Buck's growing darkness. Caleb's parents are gone, both dead because of Buck, and his sister turns into a ghost after Buck chokes her to death. In episode 1.
American Gothic embraces a combination of episodic storytelling, and that of a deep-rooted junkyard owner with Buck as a figurehead, and the myth of Buck's influence spreading, bubbling, and making everything a little worse for the residents of Trinity. “Strong Law Enforcement” shows why some citizens accept the Sheriff as clearly evil when he puts an end to the out-of-town criminals who cause mayhem. It also includes one of Buck's worst actions: he pours Dr. Crower.
American Gothic was 30 years ahead of its time
As dark and disturbing as American Gothic what I found, with the beatings and killing of the children and all, the show was heavily influenced Twin Peaks and includes small, funny moments. Buck himself is Ray Wise's Leland Palmer dialed to 11, Big Jim from Stephen King's. Under the Dome well done, or Andy Griffith's intervening thoughts. In 1995, there was no such thing.
Unlike early cancellations of promising, high-concept shows, American Gothic it was not delayed by studio interruptions. CBS was mismanaged, allowing executive producer Sam Raimi (now that makes sense, right?) to run with every crazy idea he had.
Proof of that is the attacks, the murders, all the Satanism throughout the series, anything that would make the show a hard sell to the general audience. CBS played Paulson's role as Merlyn, using his “Someone's at the door” line in commercials, but that worked too well and scared off the audience that fell in love with him. Murder, He Wrote again Touched by an Angel.
American Gothic he didn't get a chance to finish the story. Attempts to turn it into a film have fallen apart over the years, and today, it is fondly remembered by those who gave it a chance but is often overlooked.
More than 30 years after its cancellation, the dark tale of greed, lust, murder, and witchcraft would quickly become a hit. You can buy the complete series today on YouTube and Amazon Prime to see how much '90s audiences didn't appreciate having it.
