Channel Zero: Candle Cove | TV Series | English

Synopsis
Channel Zero: Candle Cove is the first installment of a new horror anthology created by Syfy. It will follow child psychologist Mike Painter (Paul Schneider), who's trying to discover the truth behind a tv show (Candle Cove) he watched as a child during the 1980s. Decades after the show's original airing, Mike suspects Candle Cove is somehow connected to multiple strange events, including the 1988 disappearance of Mike's twin brother, Eddie, and several other children from his hometown of Iron Hill.

Mike returns to Iron Hill in order to investigate his suspicions. However, his mother, Marla (Fiona Shaw, aka Aunt Petunia from the Harry Potter films), isn't too keen on reliving the events surrounding the disappearance of her other son. Soon, the strange events begin happening again. Sheriff Gary Yolen (Shaun Benson) and his wife, Jessica (Natalie Brown), who both grew up in Iron Hill during the events of the 1980s, realize the current happenings are most likely connected to the original events in the 1980s. Deputy Amy Welch (Luisa D'Oliveira) will aid Sheriff Yolen as he investigates the events in Iron Hill.

My Thoughts
Channel Zero: Candle Cove is based on the creepypasta Candle Cove written by Kris Straub. (Side Note: Kris Straub has also written a book, Candle Cove and Other Stories.) This creepypasta takes the form of a message board discussion started by a person calling themselves Skyshale033 who wants to find out if anyone else remembers a 1970s TV show called Candle Cove. Several other people remember the show and how it featured pirate puppets. They slowly realize there were very disturbing aspects to the show. I found the creepypasta to be quite enjoyable and subtly spooky when I first read it years ago. It's one of those few creepypastas that actually made me stop and think, "Wait … what?" as I got chills down my back.

I doubt pushing the backstory of Channel Zero: Candle Cove forward by a decade would make it a better story, or make the characters more relatable. It wouldn't be that much of an age difference in the actors / characters. Don't get me wrong: there were some weird 80s kid shows. I remember watching them … and must eternally live with the regret I have for some of the decisions I made while under the age of 10.

However, if Syfy felt like they had to make changes, I wish they had changed the setting to a time period when one of the real broadcast signal intrusions actually happened. Two famous examples (where the perpetrators were never caught) are the Southern Television "alien" intrusion incident that happened in the United Kingdom on November 26, 1977, and the November 22, 1987, Max Headroom intrusion incidents in Chicago, Illinois. What if broadcast signal intrusions weren't done by random people who wanted a laugh, or who were curious to see what they could do with technology? What if those incidents were part of a clandestine experiment, or something more sinister? *cue conspiracy music*

Craig William Macneill will direct Channel Zero: Candle Cove. It was written by Nick Antosca
and Don Mancini. Mancini is also the supervising producer. Antosca and Max Landis are executive producers. The show is set to premier Tuesday, September 27, 2016, at 9 / 8 central.

For more information about Channel Zero, check out:
Official Website
Syfy Blog
IMDB

Articles about Channel Zero:
Craig William Macneill To Direct ‘Channel Zero: Candle Cove’ On Syfy
Syfy’s ‘Channel Zero’ to Star Paul Schneider and Fiona Shaw (EXCLUSIVE)
Hannibal and Chronicle alums teaming up for new Syfy horror series Channel Zero
Paul Schneider, others join cast of SyFy's creepypasta series Channel Zero
Fiona Shaw and Paul Schneider Join Channel Zero: Candle Cove
Syfy Sheds Light on Creepypasta-Based Series Channel Zero: Candle Cove

For more information about Syfy, check out:
Official Website
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