We all know novels with paranormal aspects have been huge hits over the last few years. All you have to do is look at the bookshelves at B&N, or whatever other bookstore you frequent, to see all the titles and covers with werewolves, shapeshifters, vampires, witches, demons and other sorts of otherworldly creatures. But has anyone noticed this popularity translating to cable network television shows?
Yeah, I know all about Buffy and Angel. Not those. I’m talking about new shows. For example, I saw commercials the other day for two upcoming shows centered on law enforcement vampire dudes and another on a diary where this young woman writes down her vindictive thoughts and they then come true. There were others but that gives you an idea.
Have you guys seen this trend? I’m wondering if the shows were out there before but off my radar screen until now. Maybe I’m only noticing because I’m so in tune to the paranormal romance novel phenomenon.
What do you think? Are you watching these programs? Are you going to? And, if you are/do do you read paranormal novels as well – ie, is your love of paranormal consistent in books and shows, or do you prefer one over the other?
Let’s hear your thoughts. One lucky commenter will win a copy of one of my books – your choice.
I haven’t really noticed it, but I don’t watch that much TV. I’m lucky to watch TV 5 hours a week if that. I’d love to see some of the shapeshifter, vampire, werewolvs and witches on TV. I wouldn’t mind seeing some of the books I’ve read turn into a movie!
I don’t watch t.v., but I’d check them out if I did. I was a huge Buffy fan, still am, and the fact it had a lot of paranormal elements didn’t detract from the incredible stories Joss Whedon was trying to tell – he just told them in a fun, imaginative way. It’s all about quality of the writing.
I watch Ghost Whisperer. Jennifer Love Hewitt’s character sees and talks to ghosts. I have noticed a lot of paranormals on tv. Like Heroes and Medium.
I am not a big TV watcher, but if I was I don’t believe I would watch the vampire shows. I am more into the light paranormal, and I like the shapeshifter type over the vampires.
Well…I don’t know if “Lost” falls under that category, but I watch it religiously. I think that’s the only one I’ve really watched. I’m more of the “medical drama” type of gal myself!
Moonlight is the one I want to see of the new shows. I’ve just started to read paranormal novels, but never at the expense of Contemporary Romances!
In a way I think this type of show has been around for a long time. The Twilight Zone is just one example.
I dont watch a lot of t.v. But do love Dancing With the Stars and Suvivor. Also watch Gray’s Anat. and LOST sometimes and a few other shows.
As for paranormal – dont care for it in t.v. or books.
I haven’t noticed this new trend but it makes sense. I don’t watch a lot of television but I might check them out to see if they’re any good.
I’m not a paranormal fan, so I really don’t read the books or watch the tv shows. The only paranormal show that I will watch if I happen to stop on it is Ghost Whisper.
I don’t watch tv unless you count stuff like Dora the Explorer, Backyardigans, etc. that my kids watch. Evenings are so hectic that I have no idea what is on at primetime anymore. I love paranormal books so I will have to look for those new shows and try them out when I can get the chance.
I read paranormal novels and watch the tv shows. I really enjoy both.
I can’t really say I don’t watch much TV, because I do have a secret addiction to the Sci-Fi channel on Saturdays.
I also like to read paranormal novels, but I haven’t read anything in awhile. I think Jacquelyn Frank’s GIDEON was the last paranormal book I’ve read.
I’ve been collecting a ton of paranormals and I am very excited to try one. I havent ever read one yet! I used to love Buffy but I haven’t seen any other show on TV that lived up to that one.
I guess I had not really noticed it, but yeah..television does seem to following the PN trend. Mostly what I see is on cable, but major networks are jumping on board as well. Look at shows like “Blood Ties” (Which I love!) and Heroes.
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And one of the new shows this fall, Pushing up Daisies is about a man who can touch a dead person, bring them back to life for a brief time so they can tell him who murdered them (so he can collect the reward), then when he touches them again they die…(re-die??
I do read PN and watch lots of Sci-fi. I love the genre, both in novels and tv/movies. As long as I can maintain the “willful suspension of disbelief”, I will pretty much watch or read most things PN.
Meaning, I guess, the story has to make sense in the world that the author/writer created.
My favorite genre to read is paranormal. Some of my favorite authors are Sherrilyn Kenyon, Christine Feehan and Colleen Gleason. I recently watched the first season of Supernatural on DVD and now I’m hooked. Season 2 comes out Sept. 11th and you know I will have my own copy. I also love Lost and I’m looking forward to this coming back in January. I’m always looking for new authors in the paranormal genre to read.
I haven’t noticed it, as I don’t watch much tv. I do read the PN books.
I love PN books. Have not watched any on tv.
I really enjoy a variety of genres and that’s with reading and tv. I think there have always been those kind of shows on tv which I’ve enjoyed quite a few but I agree that there seems to be more of them on now. Just like reality shows have been the latest craze (hospital shows, lawyer shows, cowboy shows, etc.). They all seem to come in bunches – I guess if one is a big hit they think lots of them will be big hits. I’ll probably enjoy them until they start putting on poorly made ones.
I really enjoy a variety of genres and that’s with reading and tv. I think there have always been those kind of shows on tv which I’ve enjoyed quite a few but I agree that there seems to be more of them on now. Just like reality shows have been the latest craze – hospital shows, lawyer shows, cowboy shows, etc. They all seem to come in bunches. I guess if one is a big hit they think lots of them will be big hits. I’ll probably enjoy them until they start putting on poorly made ones.
I like the show Heroes. Will watch some that I’ve seen on ads(see how they are). And I’ve started reading paranormals, so far I’ve liked what I have read.
I’ve just gotten into the paranormal books in the last year. I watched Blood Ties on Lifetime in the early spring and really enjoyed it. I think it was the first vampire show on tv since Buffy and Angel. CBS has a new vampire show coming out that looks pretty good, but I can’t remember the name. I do watch Heros(I guess that counts as paranormal), but all my other shows are pretty normal. NBC is also remaking the Bionic Woman. I still remember the original, but will give the new one a try.
I just discovered FALLEN and The 4400 this week, and was thinking the same thing!
Sylvia,
Didn’t Fallen ROCK??? I had forgotten about that since it was more like a mini-series thing.
Azazal was my favorite…soooooo bad, yet curiously appealing!
not much paranormal for me.
I’m not into paranormal in books or TV. So I haven’t seen the TV thing happening.
Anything paranormal I will set my TIVO for, because shows I usually love end up short lived ( Dresden Files??) Don’t know all of the new ones yet, but Journeyman looks good, Bionic Woman, and of course Supernatural, BloodTies, Heroes, Medium and Painkiller Jane…
I have read some paranormal books and I really liked them. I haven’t watched any t.v. shows that fall in this genre though. I have noticed some good ones that will be coming on this fall that I am going to check out. I like a lot of different genres so I stay open minded about eveyrthing.
I think my love of science fiction books in my teens opened up my mind and has allowed me to embrace the unknown in both TV/films and book formats. I’m a fan of all things paranormal.
TV wise I haven’t watched any paranormals and its only recently that I have jumped onto the JR Ward bandwagaon with the BDB. But I think thats the only one I will be reading though, I’m more a contemp and historical fan.
I plan on watching some of the paranormal shows and I read some paranormal stories. It is not my favorite genre of books or tv, but I have enjoyed what I have seen and read.
It seems every season there is some kind of trend the networks try to follow and come up with similar shows. I think the success of the show HEROES has a lot to do with the upcoming season of paranormal television shows on the major networks.
HelenKay – I sent you an email.
I have noticed a new trend towards the paranormal in television. I’ve been reading paranormal and sci-fi for about as long as I’ve been reading! :0) ( I’m pleading the 5th on my age though!!) Just let me say how glad I am to see it. Not that I don’t love the umpteenth incantation of Law and Order but it is nice to have a little something different. Personally this season I am looking forward to Ghost Whisperer and Torchwood.
Hopefully neither will disappoint.