MovieChat Forums > American Gothic (1995) Discussion > Show way to ahead of it time!

Show way to ahead of it time!


I just got done watching the whole series and was completely blown away I was too young to catch it on TV back in '95 but wow! There is not enough TV shows like this on anymore I would love to see a remake of this series but it would be a huge long shot but if networks can bring back a lame series like "Cupid" well then maybe just maybe there could be some hope for this one someday.I think this show was just a victim of being to far ahead of its time really.

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Exactly what I think!
Look at Supernatural: from season 3 is quite similar to AG. And it's doing great, thanks to good writing and acting.
Too bad for AG, it's definitely one of the little lost gems of the 90s.


Gummitch


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I think it suffered from a lack of direction. There's no real story arc, other than Lucas trying to influence Caleb. I think this kind of show would've done better if each episode continued from the previous. There's also no real character growth over the course of the season.

It wasn't ahead of it's time just because it was on in the mid-90s; plenty of good supernatural drama kind of shows had been on. But it's certainly good. The dialogue is smart and each episode interesting (even if each episode is just a new situation for the characters to interact with each other in). I just watched the DVDs and enjoyed them.

The real trick to life is not to be in the know, but to be in the mystery. -Fred Alan Wolf

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The trouble is there was a narrative arc, its just the network screwed with the running order.

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No supernatural has bad young acting. American Gothic had amazing acting with people who could ask and not look like preppy people who are only cast based on looks. Sorry had to say that.

Yes the show was ahead of it's time. Like Twin Peaks and Nightmare Cafe. Two shows that were different and yet never given the chance to show what it could really do. If not for shows like that we wouldn't have Lost, Haven, or American Horror Story.

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95' was way different in TV compared to now. There was no DVR, no online streaming, no online purchase options etc... You had to either be home to watch it, record it with a VCR with a timer if you weren't home, or wait for the VHS series set to be released or the new expensive DVD format to be released. A lot of shows weren't serialized because you had to watch it and if you missed it then you would be really confused what was going on. That's why you see more continuity errors and sometimes lack of continuing plots in older shows. There was no point to have them unless it was a soap opera. Especially from shows before the invention of VCR and every house having them. You can miss an episode or watch an episode you might not be able to see ever again so why turn off an audience by forcing them to constantly keep up and watch it on air date.

With that being said, American Gothic was a fantastic show. I made sure I was always home for it when I was in High School. It was on Fridays but then they took that break and came back on. They changed days and I couldn't find it but finally figured out it was on Weds, if I remember correctly. My family was poor and I had to pay bills with my work money so we couldn't afford a TV guide! lol. When I resumed watching it then I was really baffled on what was going on but still was insanely hooked. It is a darn shame they don't bring this back and Gary Cole can still play Lucas. He still looks fantastic and he is such a wonderful actor.

Two shows that really got cancelled before their time and they were way ahead of their time was this and Carnivale (which they should also bring that one back).


I need to revist this since it's been years since I watched it but I still remember episodes crystal clear. It was so impactful. This post is making me feel really old! HA!

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