Stephen King Fans discussion

I happened to be checking out the Syfy website for upcoming shows and found this:

"Haven is an American supernatural drama television series set to premiere on July 9, 2010 on Syfy. The pilot was written by Sam Ernst and Jim Dunn, based on the Stephen King novel The Colorado Kid."

You can check out the preview trailer here: http://www.syfy.com/haven/index.php
(click Haven to watch the preview)

More info here: http://www.syfy.com/haven/home.php

Thanks, Susanna!

I saw this too and need to set my DVR :)

Already set mine. Friday at 10.00pm.

Just heard about it this morning and am siked. Hope it doesn't disappoint.

Wow..I just clicked this topic (though not for the first time). I looked at the time on my computer. 10:00 pm. Friday.

Cool.

I'm recording it on the DVR.....

Chris, I was so excited about it when I initially heard about, I set my DVR as well. I haven't yet seen it, but I went back and re-read "The Colorado Kid" and for the life of me, can't figure out how this book could figure into a movie. The whole point of "Colorado Kid" is that it is a mystery WITHOUT an answer . . . I guess I'll see whether they simply paid to use the phrase . ."based on STEPHEN KING" to sell the show.

I think this show has promise, based on the first episode. I am eager to see how this series goes.

I think it sucks the big one, pardon my French.

Bondama wrote: "I think it sucks the big one, pardon my French."

Why do you think so?

1st, Jason -- it's formulaic, with absolutely nothing new. It's another show: Find one reasonably attractive FBI agent, match them with a skeptic (the sheriff's son) - and put them in a situation where they are asked to "investigate" unusual happenings. There's absolutely nothing new or interesting about the show, but the reason I disliked it so very much is that it's an insult to Stephen King, to take a concept book like "The Colorado Kid" - in which the main point is that there are Unexplained Mysteries which will always REMAIN Unexplained.

I just hate it when King's name is used simply to sell something. One of my favorite authors is Harlan Ellison, who, to this day, if his name is used wrongly, or Hollywood corrupts a concept he created, signs his work in the credits as "Cordwainer Bird." I just wish Stephen King had an "alternate" name to use when his work is screwed up, and he can do little to change the screw up.

I see. I agree that it is formulaic and has little new to offer, but I find it to be entertaining nonetheless. Having not yet read the novel, I cannot compare the two, though it is only claimed to be "based on" the novel, so they can take as many liberties with it as they desire.

Understood -- I've sat thru enough pure D crap that I can't complain. It's just that this particular plotline/subject has been absolutely done to death! (and done ever so much better -- "X-Files" on thru Abrams' new show (the name escapes me right now)

Bondama wrote: "Understood -- I've sat thru enough pure D crap that I can't complain. It's just that this particular plotline/subject has been absolutely done to death! (and done ever so much better -- "X-Files"..."

Fringe. There's also Warehouse 13, which is also on the Syfy Channel.

Thankx - I remembered "Fringe" about 10 sec after hitting "Send"

Yeah, I'm kind of "off and on" about "Warehouse 13" -- I have always hated the actor who plays the old dude who runs the warehouse, even tho he has a respectible rep, 'cause he was in both editions of "Star Trek" on TV.

I was annoyed that they practically used a watermark of Stephen Kings name during the show, BUT, I thought I read that King had some input into the show? Not just his blessing, but maybe some writing?

Anyway, yeah I would agree that it was formulaic, but I think it may have potential. And it had some fun. I will give it a few more episodes to decide.

This is getting such bad reviews!!

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/45715

Bondama wrote: "...Yeah, I'm kind of "off and on" about "Warehouse 13" -- I have always hated the actor who plays the old dude who runs the warehouse, even tho he has a respectible rep, 'cause he was in both editions of "Star Trek" on TV."

I feel similarly about Warehouse 13, though I like that actor. He played a great evil character in a TNG episode. What other Star Trek series was he in, as I don't recall?

I haven't watched it yet. But i put very little stock in what some self serving critic has to say. I like Eric Balfour so i'm going to give a chance.

That was a lot of bad reviews, Angie. I would not call it stellar, had hoped for more, will give it another chance.

I thought a comparison to Eureka was a pretty good one.

He played a character in the original series -- not recurring, only one episode -- and, unfortunately I can't put my finger on which episode it was. He played this particular role comically (as he added some comedy to his TNG character) He was a bad guy, but he had some whining weasel-like quality that he still retains, but it's become waaaayyy overdone now, not naturally as his original schtick played.

So glad Eureka is back! (not to change the subject) :)

No kidding, Angie!! I just love the "flavor" of "Eureka" - nifty concept (and original - unlike "Haven")

They use humor very well, and the everlasting "courtship" of the sheriff and I can't remember her name - having an "elder moment" here- the scientist who has the autistic (but now...changed) son. It's well written, and quite well acted. I've always thought that "Eureka" deserved a little more credit than it gets.

Glad I am not alone in thinking that Haven was abismal. I need to stop getting my hopes up when a film or tv show is tagged "....Stephen King". They (almost) never do any justice to the complexity of his writing and turn out looking like D-grade cheese at best. I will not be tuning back in.
I watched Survivors (BBC) after - this show is proof that sci-fi can be well written (and acted) and need not rely on lame "special effects" - The Mist anyone??, to be engaging!!

Bondama wrote: "...They use humor very well, and the everlasting "courtship" of the sheriff and I can't remember her name - having an "elder moment" here- the scientist who has the autistic (but now...changed) son...."

Allyson

Thanks - I hate that, especially if I'm in the middle of trying to make a damn point!

Bondama wrote: "Thanks - I hate that, especially if I'm in the middle of trying to make a damn point!"

:-D

Call me crazy (and I know some will ;P), but I'm liking the characters on Haven, even if it is kind of tugging at the believability strings and messing with physics (even in a King-inspired universe) -- I may be in the minority but I've had fun watching it so far.

But then, I like Warehouse 13 for similar reasons -- wacky characters and bizarre scenarios. It's just fun mindless TV, which is what I want once in a while. One of the reasons I stopped watching Fringe was that it expected you to follow and figure out too much -- took the fun out of it, at least for me (well, and the fact that I had already figured out about Peter long ago and they kept dragging out that reveal); I don't mind that in the finite confines of a movie, but to have to follow convoluted plot lines season after season is maniacal. And I agree that Eureka is awesome! (And I miss Jericho... *sniff*)

That's what I LIKE about Fringe, though, Zuzana -- it makes one think -- I passed up mindless entertainment ages ago -- Haven is like a pale, black and white and grey movie, while "Fringe" is in deep, wonderful, involving colour.

Bondama wrote: "That's what I LIKE about Fringe, though, Zuzana -- it makes one think -- I passed up mindless entertainment ages ago -- Haven is like a pale, black and white and grey movie, while "Fringe" is in de..."

LOL, great! Go for it! I seek the same thing in many films I watch (and of course in books I read). I've just decided I don't want to follow it so long in a TV show. Though, I think it depends on the show. :D

Haven is much better than Colorado Kid, which I think is King's worst book.

I found a copy of Colorado Kid 3 years ago. I didn't get to read it before we moved, and it got lost in the move. So i don't have anything to go on, but i like Haven, so far so good.

It's been awhile since I read Colorada Kid. I read it when it first came out. I saw just a little bit of an episode of Haven, and didn't see any resemblance to The Colorado Kid. For any of you that have read the book, does it really follow the book?

AFter three episodes I am liking it more.

But can anyone tell me if it truly follows the book? What little I have seen show no similarities to the book, The Colorado Kid, at all.

So far it has little to do with the book, but that is supposed to be the backstory of one of the main characters. I think they are establishing the town and the other main characters before they go too much into the Colorado Kid story.

But there wasn't anything supernatural in the book and what little (and I admit it has been only a little) I saw of the TV show seemed to have alot of "unexplained" things going on. It just seemed totally different.

To be sure, the TV series is about unexplainable events, like human emotions causing weather phenomenon. So Haven is just a magnet town where mysteries never have 'logical' answers and stay mysteries.

We have a lot of magnet communities these days, don't we? Haven, Eureka, Bontemps, The Gates ... LOL!

Kathy wrote: "But there wasn't anything supernatural in the book and what little (and I admit it has been only a little) I saw of the TV show seemed to have alot of "unexplained" things going on. It just seemed..."

Yeah the only connection so far seems to be the photograph of the FBI agents' (I can't remember her name) mother on the beach near a body. I assume that the body in the photograph is the body from the beach in The Colorado Kid. Other than that...I'm not getting the "Based on" bit.

It's such a pet peeve of mine when they claim to base a movie or TV show on a book and in alot of cases they only take the title and feel that is sufficient. Call it something else, will ya?! In this case, they didn't need to claim that at all. Why did they bother! :\

Kathy wrote: "It's been awhile since I read Colorada Kid. I read it when it first came out. I saw just a little bit of an episode of Haven, and didn't see any resemblance to The Colorado Kid. For any of you t..."

It has nothing to do with the book at all, unfortunately. It is a completely different story altogether.

You are right Kathy, no resemblance to the book whatsoever - Still, it's a fun show to watch and I'm enjoying every episode.

The more I watch, the more I like. I'm not saying it is stunning or classic, but enjoyable. I think the format is a lot like what was done with The Dead Zone. Our main characters are there, but they are leading their lives and their everyday lives and the interaction with the otherworldy is the focus of the series. Running as a connective thread through the series is the backstory, in this case the backstory of Haven is the Colorado Kid. I think you will see episodes that are completely dedicated to the Colorado Kid story soon enough.

Until then, the event of the week is pretty entertaining. It is like reading a book of short stories from Stevie.

I had damn near give this show up for crap, till the one where Eric Balfour almost died. He had sex with a woman and she got pregnant fast, and while he got old, she was having a baby. That was a good episode.

Did anyone see the nod to Misery in the latest episode of 'Haven' ("As You Were")?

Nathan gives Audrey a gift of Paul Sheldon's 'Misery Unbound' and says "It was signed by the author before he got his feet chopped off"

I love little bits like that.

No but i haven't watched the episode yet. I'll be looking for it.

Leslie wrote: "Did anyone see the nod to Misery in the latest episode of 'Haven' ("As You Were")?

Nathan gives Audrey a gift of Paul Sheldon's 'Misery Unbound' and says "It was signed by the author before he ..."

I also like how duke is walking around the hotel with a bottle of booze in one hand and an ax in the other...I was waiting for the twin girls to make their appearance! Then he trips over the tricycle. Loved the references to King books in that episode.

Cheri wrote: "I also like how duke is walking around the hotel with a bottle of booze in one hand and an ax in the other...I was waiting for the twin girls to make their appearance! Then he trips over the tricycle. Loved the references to King books in that episode. ."

Oh SNAP I missed that entirely! Thanks Cheri!

Man i feel like a fool. I fell asleep during it and when i woke up i erased it. I got to the part where the lights went off & they found what was left of the old man.