When we reported Thursday that TNT and M. Night Shyamalan would be reviving the '90s horror anthology Tales from the Crypt, it seemed like a dream come true: not only would the series retain its classic anthology structure, but it's supposedly set to launch later this year. All things considered, it sounded like the Tales from the Crypt revival was on the right track — what could possibly go wrong?
While nothing has necessarily gone wrong quite yet, more details about TNT's Tales from the Crypt reboot have started making their way online (via Bloody Disgusting), and there's a good chance that longtime fans of the series might not be all that happy about some of the changes being made.
First and foremost, it's starting to sound like the show's original host wasn't invited back for the reboot: according to the reports, the Crypt Keeper will not be making a return when Tales from the Crypt re-launches later this year.
To be fair, it's not hard to see why the Keeper won't be making a comeback — if TNT wants a more serious tone for its take on the series, having a rotting skeleton puppet hosting the show probably wouldn't help. That being said, it's hard to imagine the original Tales series without him: sure, he was cheesy, and the effects weren't great, and there were way too many puns, but the Crypt Keeper was like the glue that held everything together. Yes, he was goofy, but that's what made it work.
Sadly, the Crypt Keeper's absence is just the first change of many: while the show will still technically work as an anthology, it won't be on a week-to-week basis. Back during the '90s, the show would focus on a different story and new characters each week. However, if the reports are accurate, than the 2016 Tales series will work as a season-long anthology. Long story short, it looks like TNT is taking some inspiration from American Horror Story — each individual season will focus on its own characters, then switch everyone out once the season finale airs.
It's not the worst thing in the world — American Horror Story is popular for a reason — but it's another example of the original show's unique charms being tossed aside. Getting a new story each week meant that you could jump in whenever you wanted — plus, it made for some ridiculous variety from week to week.
Again, these are all unconfirmed reports, and the show could be returning as its old, traditional self ... but the changes certainly do make a lot of sense, especially given the current television marketplace.
While some of the changes do make sense, it'd be a shame to see TNT strip Tales of the Crypt down into something more generic. The '90s series was far from perfect, but it still has its own unique feel all these years later — sadly, it doesn't look like that'll translate into the 2016 version.
Tales from the Crypt, along with TNT's new horror programming block, should launch sometime later this year.
