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Un-Dead TV: The Ultimate Guide to Vampire Television
Vampires are ubiquitous in our popular culture—from movies to television, in fiction and art, and even within the hallowed halls of academia. But in the not-so-distant past, these undead creatures held more fear than fascination; they lived in the shadows and were the stuff of nightmares. In 1897, Bram Stoker introduced Dracula to the Western world—and our concept of vampires was changed forever.
In 1949, Bela Lugosi—best known for his starring role in the feature film Dracula (1931)—appeared on one of the first televised variety series: The Texaco Star Theater. Dressed as the iconic bloodsucker, Lugosi brought the vampire into our living rooms—and so began the undead presence on television. This medium has played a critical role in the evolution of the vampire; they’ve become as diverse as the population that they prey upon, and every generation creates their own interpretation.
For over sixty years, the undead have bled the television airwaves, appearing in every type of programming imaginable. Un-Dead TV catalogues over one thousand unique vampire appearances—and is the first book of its kind to explore this phenomenon to the extent that it truly deserves.
In 1949, Bela Lugosi—best known for his starring role in the feature film Dracula (1931)—appeared on one of the first televised variety series: The Texaco Star Theater. Dressed as the iconic bloodsucker, Lugosi brought the vampire into our living rooms—and so began the undead presence on television. This medium has played a critical role in the evolution of the vampire; they’ve become as diverse as the population that they prey upon, and every generation creates their own interpretation.
For over sixty years, the undead have bled the television airwaves, appearing in every type of programming imaginable. Un-Dead TV catalogues over one thousand unique vampire appearances—and is the first book of its kind to explore this phenomenon to the extent that it truly deserves.
- GenresVampires
512 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2012
About the author
Brad Middleton
1 book10 followersAuthor of "Un-Dead TV: The Ultimate Guide to Vampire Television" http://un-dead.tv
Brad is currently writing his next book, "The Great Fright North," which is a historical journey through the darker side of Canadian storytelling. This in-depth look delves into the history of Canadian horror, supernatural, and dark fantasy works in film, radio, television, theatre, literature, comic books and fandom. Anticipated completion date: 2023.
In 1994, he created "Vampyres Only," the first vampire pop culture website on the Internet (http://vampyres.ca). It remains the largest, longest-running and most extensive source of related information available online. Since then, "VO" has been profiled across all media, and Brad’s expertise on the subject has led to consultations with such authors as Katherine Ramsland, who tapped him as a source for her ground-breaking book "Piercing the Darkness: Undercover with Vampires in America Today" (HarperCollins, 1998).
In 2009, Brad wrote about television vampires for the third edition of "The Vampire Book: The Encyclopedia of the Undead" (Visible Ink Press, 2011). He realized that the subject demanded further study; three years of additional research and writing—and watching a whole lot of television—culminated in "Un-Dead TV," the ultimate guide to vampire television, which is available in an updated, second edition.
Brad is currently writing his next book, "The Great Fright North," which is a historical journey through the darker side of Canadian storytelling. This in-depth look delves into the history of Canadian horror, supernatural, and dark fantasy works in film, radio, television, theatre, literature, comic books and fandom. Anticipated completion date: 2023.
In 1994, he created "Vampyres Only," the first vampire pop culture website on the Internet (http://vampyres.ca). It remains the largest, longest-running and most extensive source of related information available online. Since then, "VO" has been profiled across all media, and Brad’s expertise on the subject has led to consultations with such authors as Katherine Ramsland, who tapped him as a source for her ground-breaking book "Piercing the Darkness: Undercover with Vampires in America Today" (HarperCollins, 1998).
In 2009, Brad wrote about television vampires for the third edition of "The Vampire Book: The Encyclopedia of the Undead" (Visible Ink Press, 2011). He realized that the subject demanded further study; three years of additional research and writing—and watching a whole lot of television—culminated in "Un-Dead TV," the ultimate guide to vampire television, which is available in an updated, second edition.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 1, 2017
Book received from NetGalley.
A book on vampires focusing on those in television shows, and advertising, of course, I was going to request it. I about did a happy dance when I was approved through NetGalley. I loved it and will be buying myself a copy ASAP. The book goes through the ones everyone knows and loves like Grandpa Munster, to some that have a cult following like Barnabas Collins, to ones that aren't that well known like Nick Knight on the Canadian show "Forever Knight". It talks about Anime vampires, vampires that teach you how to count, and even ones who shill sugary breakfast cereal. If you are a vampire fan definitely check this book out. If you are wanting to see how long they have been a part of our pop culture this is also a book to take a look at.
A book on vampires focusing on those in television shows, and advertising, of course, I was going to request it. I about did a happy dance when I was approved through NetGalley. I loved it and will be buying myself a copy ASAP. The book goes through the ones everyone knows and loves like Grandpa Munster, to some that have a cult following like Barnabas Collins, to ones that aren't that well known like Nick Knight on the Canadian show "Forever Knight". It talks about Anime vampires, vampires that teach you how to count, and even ones who shill sugary breakfast cereal. If you are a vampire fan definitely check this book out. If you are wanting to see how long they have been a part of our pop culture this is also a book to take a look at.
January 30, 2014
Incredible amount of research in this reference book makes it an enjoyable read from cover to cover. Kudos to the author for the amount of work involved.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews