Alternate History forum on Eerie Indiana

[froodle]

Othniel: Does anyone else remeber this show? Though I was only six at the time it first aired I still remeber parts of it.

Akiyama: "My name is Marshall Teller. Not too long ago, I was living in New Jersey, just across the river from New York City. It was crowded, polluted, and full of crime. I loved it. But my parents wanted a better life for my sister and me. So we moved to a place so wholesome, so squeaky clean, you could only find it on TV. Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. Sure, my new hometown looks normal enough, but look again. What's wrong with this picture? The American Dream come true, right? Wrong. Nobody believes me, but this is the center of weirdness for the entire planet: Eerie, Indiana. My home, sweet home. Still don't believe me? You will."

One of the best TV shows EVER!. Every episode was fantastic. I have the whole series on video. I was so obsessed by it when I was a kid that I went to the trouble of drawing a floorplan for Marshall's house, and discovered they actually used two different sets for the house. Anyone who has not seen it MUST seek it out at once. It's may be a children's programme but it is really a work of art.

Many of the episodes were directed by Joe Dante (Gremlins, The 'Burbs, The Howling, Small Soldiers etc.) and some of the actors in the show were ones who regularly appeared in minor parts in his films.

Considering it was so exceptionally good, it's surprising how few people have heard of it.

My favourite episode is the one which starts with Marshall in the middle of an argument with his family about Eerie (as usual) when suddenly someone yells "CUT!" and he sees a camera crew filming him (and his house is now a stage set in a hanger).

There was a second series in 1998 with different actors called "Eerie Indiana: The Other Dimension" but based on the half an episode I watched it is just a kid's programme with a weird concept and completely lacking in the genius of the original.

EDIT: I have suddenly realised where the League of Gentlemen got their inspiration for Royston Vasey from.