Return of a Classic: “Stories from the Basement”
Ah, those grainy images, the nostalgia of a 4:3 aspect ratio, and, let’s be honest, the playful toplessness of shows from the ’90s—there’s something endearing about it all. It reminds me of Homer Simpson’s classic line about “The Warm Glow of Television.” The beloved cult anthology series “Stories from the Basement,” which graced HBO from 1989 to 1996, has faced delays due to legal issues, but happily, it’s now back on Shudder with all seven seasons being released weekly. Whether the much-talked-about reboot will actually happen is still unclear—there was that M. Night Shyamalan project a while back, right?—but for now, we can enjoy the iconic characters.
Opening shot: It’s a classic one, capturing an old house and winding down to the basement where the famous Cryptkeeper, voiced by John Kassir, pops out of his coffin with that signature cackle.
Key points: On my bookshelf, I have a few hardcovers lined up like little tombstones. Among them are Tale of Two Fists, Strange Science, and of course, Stories from the Basement, all from those notorious 1950s EC comics that stirred up quite the controversy back in the day. These tales, including stories from the horror and war genres, were crafted by print publisher Bill Gaines and Stephen Dodd, showcasing immense talent both in front of and behind the camera. The debut episode features credits from Richard Donner, Joel Silver, and Robert Zemeckis as executive producers, with legendary names like Walter Hill and Danny Elfman also involved.
In this initial episode, we meet Niles Talbot, played by Bill Sadler, a man on death row who finds twisted joy in operating the electric chair, delivering dark humor directly to the audience. He muses about the unfortunate fate of his victims, pondering, “I wonder if he’ll lose it when I hit the switch.”
Niles, in his unsettling pride, dismantles the myth that eyeballs pop when electrocuted. However, everything changes when he learns that the death penalty is being abolished. Suddenly stripped of his usual outlet for sadism, he now observes the loopholes that let criminals evade justice. The question lingers: can he take on the role of judge and jury? Who really has the last laugh here?
Which show do you remember? The mid-80s revival of anthology series sparked something deep in my Gen-X heart. Steven Spielberg’s Great Story, and other reboots like Alfred Hitchcock Presents, keep coming to mind, while I also think of classics like Creepshow and The Twilight Zone.
Our view: To be honest, after over 35 years of memories being somewhat hazy, I didn’t catch much of the original Stories from the Basement back in the day. Watching this remastered version, I was pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere is beautifully eerie, and Sadler’s earnest performance almost feels comical. Hill’s noir style adds depth, giving the show this charmingly low-budget vibe. Sure, the remaster isn’t perfect—it maintains that vintage grainy feel—but maybe that’s part of its quirky charm.
But let’s not forget, within the context of these tales, there’s a sharp sense of humor. The thrill of the stories often veers into dark comedy, so much so that reruns were edited for regular television. Shudder presents them uncut, ensuring that even morally questionable characters like Niles face their comeuppance. Given today’s world, where certain figures seem to evade consequences, perhaps the idea of a reboot brings a flicker of hope to those looking for justice.
Featured performance: Word has it that the proposed reboot would involve getting rid of the Cryptkeeper. That seems like a huge misstep. Without that chaotic energy of the Cryptkeeper—who served as the glue for the series—what’s left? Just cake without the frosting, if you ask me.
Sex and skin: Now, let’s talk about the ’80s, shall we? That’s basically a fraction of the T&A in just one episode. It was definitely a different era!
Parting shot: The Cryptkeeper wisely advised, “Boys and girls, please remember safety first!” as he humorously toasted to the electric chair.
Sleeper Star: It’s astounding to think of the guest appearances from stars like Brad Pitt, Whoopi Goldberg, and even Ewan McGregor, just to name a few. The list is lengthy, and the A-listers that passed through this quirky series are nothing short of shocking.
The most pilot-like line: The exclusive trailer from Shudder showcases the Cryptkeeper’s iconic voice. “You did it!” he exclaims, pondering the consequences of not tuning in.
Our call: I believe Stories from the Basement still holds up, so let’s appreciate it for what it is. A little nostalgia never hurt anyone. Let’s stream it!
