The Most Fun 'Evil Dead' Entry Belongs To Another Horror Franchise
The release of the first Evil Dead Burn teaser trailer has eyes back on one of horror's finest splatter franchises. When Sam Raimi dropped The Evil Dead in 1981, it did something different. Snap-of-your-finger possessions that turned people into gnarly-looking deadites hadn't been done quite like The Evil Dead, with the majority of movies in the subgenre too busy trying to replicate Exorcist-level scares. While the film struggled to find its footing at first, it eventually ballooned into the franchise horror fans know and love today.
Even if you've watched all the sequels and the spin-off series, Ash vs Evil Dead (2015), there's one Evil Dead entry you might not have seen. Funny enough, it exists in an entirely separate franchise: Creepshow (2019), specifically in Season 2, Episode 1, "Public Television of the Dead."
'Creepshow' Nails Its 'Evil Dead' Homage
Fans of '80s horror most likely are already familiar with George A. Romero and Stephen King's comic-inspired anthology movies: Creepshow (1982) and Creepshow 2 (1987). However, it's the 2019 reboot series, developed by Greg Nicotero, where "Public Television of the Dead" lurks, after the preceding segment "Model Kid."
The premise is an absolute blast. The episode sees a public broadcasting studio reminiscent of PBS get taken over by deadites after the host of an Antiques Roadshow-esque show reads from the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis. What follows is the usual deadite chaos—levitation, soul-swallowing threats, and general nastiness. However, in this universe, the hero isn't Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell); it's a Bob Ross knock-off character named Norm Roberts (Mark Ashworth).
The fun comes from watching deadites storm a public broadcast station, but also from seeing gentle, soft-spoken Norm kick butt. Norm's Vietnam veteran experience comes in handy, and he delivers some charmingly goofy action sequences that will have you wishing he got his own Evil Dead spin-off movie.
Is "Public Television of the Dead" Part Of The 'Evil Dead' Canon?
While that spin-off movie would certainly be a blast, it will likely never happen. Technically speaking, Creepshow's "Public Television of the Dead" is a non-canon homage and unofficial crossover. Still, it has some connective tissue, including the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis, deadites, and Ted Raimi, who famously played multiple roles throughout the Evil Dead franchise.
In that regard, "Public Television of the Dead" makes an excellent companion watch to the franchise, especially if you dig the campier and more humorous Evil Dead II (1987) and Army of Darkness (1992). If you're looking for the darker, grittier deadite action in Evil Dead (2013) or Evil Dead Rise, look elsewhere.
Why To Watch The 'Creepshow' Reboot
If you liked the B-movie sensibilities and comic-book style of the '80s Creepshow movies, the reboot continues that tradition. For four seasons, it delivers fun segments that simultaneously feel current and ripped from another decade. The practical effects are a delight, and each episode incorporates the series' mascot, The Creep.
Whether you're nostalgic for '80s-inspired horror or just like anthology-style series like Tales From the Crypt (1989), the Creepshow reboot is a must-watch. Aside from "Public Television of the Dead," some of my personal episode recommendations are "The House of Head," "Night of the Living Late Show," and "Twenty Minutes With Cassandra."
