Playground for Evil - A Revamp Of A Classic That Keeps Its Charm

Playground for Evil By Broken Sea Productions

When I was really really little, I remember digging through my father’s old VHS tapes and ran across something called Kolchak. The dusty ancient tape, despite of its condition actually still played. And I found out it was this fantastic show about a investigative journalist who encounters monsters from the early seventies. And as old and dated as it was, it was a extremely fun show, that can still stand up to television today. But sadly it was something that lasted twelve episodes. But it was the show the set the mold for shows today such as X files, Miracles, Supernatural and Fringe. Nearly forty years later, I also found it has been brought back in a audio format. It’s a now a radio show, or audio book or audio drama. Take your pick. Call it what you will.

And yes. I know smoothie reviews typically are book reviews. But when I find myself on the computer for hours, editing, doing research or working on my website, it’s not all that different than a audio book is it? It’s a review on these audio stories or reviews on my favorite songs from my classic rock albums which would be a big waste of your time to read. So like I said, this is a review on the audio drama on Kolchak: The Night Stalker- A Playground for evil

Like I said before, the story centers of a investigative journalist in the IBC newspaper who runs into monster and such, as he gathers his story and is the some what self centered and charismatic character. He annoys those around him with his methods, that people don’t want to even be associated with. But he encounters a vampire in this story, that is killing people. And oh yeah. This tales place in the 1970’s.

So the good? It is such a tribute to the original show. The writing, the music and characters are fantastic. They didn’t have any of the original actors do the voice. But Monique, Mrs. Emily and his boss are as close as they could get it. And the guy who played the part of Carl Kolchak was close. Though he did not sound like Darren McGraven who originally, he carried the character just as good as Darren did. The story is fun. Is it cheesy? Yes. In fact the whole story is dipped in cheese. But let’s admit it, the original had hints of the Scooby Doo cheesiness as well. But it will also make you crack a smile here and there as you hear one of the many jokes littered through out the witty writing. It is a new story that is not part of the TV show.

The bad? Not much to say, other than I wish this was translated to television. I mean it’s a great show and I miss it. It made me want to buy the complete series on DVD now. That and beyond the major four characters , the voice acting gets kind of flat, sounding nothing like the characters out of the original. But then again I think the listener cares for about the employees of IBC than the chief of police or some doctor.

But overall if you loved Kolchak, you’ll love this. It had a lot of action, it’s fun , exciting, maybe a bit cheesy bit it’s something that doesn’t like itself seriously. And that’s what holds it together. It takes you along for the ride and says have fun.

Four smoothies out of 4

Overall rating : A retro revamp of a classic that keeps its charm

Find the audio drama at http://brokensea.com/kolchak/2009/09/30/episode-1/

P.S. Check out my book and ebook website Lelue’s Realm. Google it or go directly to http://www.freewebs.com/lelue/