Ed here: Lee Pfeiffer is one of my favorite movie reviewers/commentators. H's also of course published and editor of Cinema Retro my favorite magazine about films.I had the same response to this news that Lee did.
By Lee Pfeiffer
Look, I'm not one of these high-brow guys who knock all of the programming on cable TV. About the only shows I ever have time to watch are guilty pleasures like Hoarders and Storage Wars plus various National Geographic programs that center on helpless humans being devoured by wild animals. Most of the time I'm working on my computer, so the only programs that run consistently are political shows that don't require me to sit in front of a screen. In fact, with all the heated debates on these programs, they provide plenty of wild animal-like behavior in and of themselves. What I do find really offensive is when a cable network decides to use a legendary movie as the basis of a low-grade TV concept. For example, A&E has just announced that it is developing a series titled Bates Motel that will explore the early years of Psycho's legendary cinematic killer Norman Bates, as well as his Oedipus-like relationship with his mother. Is this really what classic movie lovers have been clamoring for? Obviously not. How many people even remember that there was a TV movie sequel to Psycho back in 1987? So this new project is a rip-off of a rip-off. However, A&E is gambling that there are plenty of undiscriminating viewers out there who probably never even saw the original film and will think this concept is a hoot. Murder and implied incest? Irresistable! And now Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece can be improved upon with the inclusion of numerous dumb-ass commercials, color cinematography and answers to the mysteries surrounding Bates' background that were so annoyingly mysterious that they might have inspired you to use your own imagination. Click here for the lurid details.
-------------------THE LURID DETAILS FROM HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
TCA: 'Psycho' Prequel Series 'Bates Motel' in the Works at A&E
The cable network that's home to "Intervention" and "The Glades" also picks up the rights to Danish serial killer drama "Those Who Kill."
11:44 AM PST 1/13/2012 by Lesley Goldberg
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Everett Collection
"Psycho"
A&E is continuing its push into scripted programming, developing series projects based on the famed hotel featured in Psycho and a Danish format about serial killers.
OUR EDITOR RECOMMENDS
A&E Network Hires Three Programming Executives
'Hoarders,' 'Intervention' Have Solid Returns on A&E
Pierce Brosnan's 'Bag of Bones' Miniseries Boosts Ratings for A&E
The network Friday announced it is in early development on Bates Motel, a potential series from Universal Television for A&E that would serve as a prequel to the Alfred Hitchcock 1960 classic Psycho.
The series would offer an understanding into how Norman Bates' psyche developed and would tell the back story of the film's killer, learning of how his mother, Norma, and her lover damaged him, transforming him into serial-killing motel owner. Anthony Perkins played Norman in the film.
Anthony Cipriano penned the script.
The project is not the first time a Psycho spinoff effort has been attempted. NBC aired a 90-minute TV movie titled Bates Motel in 1987.
Meanwhile, the cable net that's home to unscripted fare including Intervention and Hoarders has acquired the rights to Danish format Those Who Kill.
Based on the best-seller by Elsebeth Egholm, the Danish series is about serial killers and the people who pursue and catch them.
The original series revolves around a female police detective who works to understand her connection into the mind of a serial killer and a profiler who has a deeper psychological understanding that connects them to the killer and their victims.
Kill hails from Imagine Television and Fox 21. Glen Morgan will pen the script and executive produce alongside Brian Grazer, Francie Calfo, Peter Bose and Jonas Allen.
Should either project go to series, it would join the network's original scripted offerings that include The Glades and Breakout Kings.
Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit
I have enjoyed the hell out of The Glades, Breakout Kings and The Walking Dead. Bates Motel might actually work.
ReplyDeleteRJR
Maybe, Bob. I have my doubts but I did enjoy the two knock-offs Lee refers to. Esp. the one directed by Anthony Perkins.
ReplyDeleteI want to bugger Janet Leigh (as the bird was in 1945 when the bird was 18, not as the bird is now obviously, which is long since dead).
ReplyDeleteI also want to bugger Vera Miles (as the bird was in 1948 when the bird was 18, not as the dirty old slag is now obviously).
ReplyDelete"Psycho" and "The Birds" are the only two Alfred Hitch-twat films i can watch now, all his other films have dated very badly. By the way, with regards to "The Birds": I want to bugger 'Tippi' Hedren (as the bird was in 1948 when the bird was 18, not as the 82 year-old bird is now obviously).
ReplyDeleteIf i could have buggered Suzanne Pleshette on January 31st 1955 (her 18th birthday) i`d have felt as though i owned the universe, that bird was such a little darlin` back in those days, i still cant believe its almost 4 years to the day since the bird snuffed it.
ReplyDeleteJervaise you`ve certainly got good taste in birds my old mate, those four little sexpots used to drive me wild with lust and desire as well, as i said, an excellent selection.
ReplyDeleteCheers geezer, i knew you`d appreciate that list my good buddy, but like i said only when the birds were 18, when a bird is 22 shes already 4 years past her prime ! ! !, just to put things into the proper perspective.
ReplyDeleteIt's not like we didn't already know H'wood is bereft of innovative creativity and ideas.
ReplyDeleteJeff, visit "The Pauline Hickey Fan Page" or "Pauline Hickey Vintage Porn" for dozens of naked images of one of the most incredible birds of all-time. Also, go to "Anal Base-POV Anal" and "Anal Base-Gaping Anal" for literally hundreds of movie clips and pictures of beautiful gorgeous sexy young girls being buggered senseless ! ! !.
ReplyDeleteCheers Jervaise, i think i`ll be spending quite a lot of time visiting those sites over the next few months.
ReplyDeleteJust with regards to "Psycho II": I want to bugger Meg Tilly (as the bird was in 1978 when the bird was 18, not as the bird is now obviously).
ReplyDeleteJust with regards to "Psycho III": I want to bugger Diana Scarwid (as the bird was in 1973 when the bird was 18, not as the bird is now obviously).
ReplyDeleteJust with regards to "Psycho IV: The Beginning": I want to bugger Olivia Hussey (as the bird was in 1969 when the bird was 18, not as the bird is now obviously).
ReplyDelete