The Official "I LOVE CARNIVALE" Thread

[Groo The Perverted]

This is, quite possibly, one of the top 10 Television series of all time. Definitely one of my top 5.

This show was simply brilliant, and it made me ANGRY to realize that HBO just gave up on this show before it could end.

How many people loved this show and are angry that it ended after two seasons?




Catch up on CARNIVALE:


Season 1 DVD


Season 2 DVD

[SquidPuppet]

I'm not angry, but it was a truly brilliant show that ended prematurely. Spooky in all the right ways. Some really cool characters too.

It cost a fortune to shoot on location and move such a large cast and crew around.

[Lord_Stewie]

was this the show on HBO like 2 years ago?

I never got a chance to see it.

[Groo The Perverted]

I just finished watching the "Paley Festival" footage on Season 2, and it's INCREDIBLY IRONIC to hear Daniel Knauff say on the stage, (sitting beside the woman from HBO) that it was refreshing to have someone that wouldn't pull the plug early on the show, and that HBO was dedicated to seeing it through to the end. lol.

He said, and I'm paraphrasing, "there's nothing worse than getting to page 450 of a 900 page manuscript and having someone rip it out of your hands and throw it out the window", and then said that luckily they didn't have a situation like that, because HBO was going to see it through to the end.

How funny (in a sad sad way) is that comment, considering what happened?

[Groo The Perverted]

Originally Posted by shadblz

was this the show on HBO like 2 years ago?

I never got a chance to see it.

Carnivàle was produced by HBO and ran for two seasons between September 14, 2003 and March 27, 2005.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Dreaming in Blu

I just finished watching the "Paley Festival" footage on Season 2, and it's INCREDIBLY IRONIC to hear Daniel Knauff say on the stage, (sitting beside the woman from HBO) that it was refreshing to have someone that wouldn't pull the plug early on the show, and that HBO was dedicated to seeing it through to the end. lol.

He said, and I'm paraphrasing, "there's nothing worse than getting to page 450 of a 900 page manuscript and having someone rip it out of your hands and throw it out the window", and then said that luckily they didn't have a situation like that, because HBO was going to see it through to the end.

How funny (in a sad sad way) is that comment, considering what happened?

Painfull IRONY. HBO has a track record of genius shows, and sadly, decapitating them mid-life.

[Groo The Perverted]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Painfull IRONY. HBO has a track record of genius shows, and sadly, decapitating them mid-life.

Really? I never thought that was true, because almost without fail, they tend to see shows through to the end, even when ratings aren't that good.

The Wire is a great example of them sticking with a critically acclaimed show despite bad ratings.

Six Feet Under they stuck with, Sex & The City they stuck with, Dream On ran for close to 10 years I'm thinking (BTW We need that entire series on DVD, STAT!).

I always thought that Carnivale was a break from the norm as far as seeing the shows through the typical five year run.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Painfull IRONY. HBO has a track record of genius shows, and sadly, decapitating them mid-life.

Originally Posted by Dreaming in Blu

Really? I never thought that was true, because almost without fail, they tend to see shows through to the end, even when ratings aren't that good.

The Wire is a great example of them sticking with a critically acclaimed show despite bad ratings.

Six Feet Under they stuck with, Sex & The City they stuck with, Dream On ran for close to 10 years I'm thinking (BTW We need that entire series on DVD, STAT!).

I always thought that Carnivale was a break from the norm as far as seeing the shows through the typical five year run.

Carnivale, Deadwood and Rome were genius and killed prematurely.

While I enjoyed Six Feet, Sex &, The Wire, I wouldnt consider them genius. Hence my statement about the IRONY of the genius ones being killed off early. My 2 cents.

[Groo The Perverted]

The Wire is, in my opinion and many many others, the greatest television series to ever air.

Simply brilliant in every way shape or form.

[charlieray1]

My wife and I both loved the show. I didn't see it until it was off the air, but we were given the DVDs and just loved it. Such a shame that they never got the chance to do the complete story arc.

The 2nd season finale (with Brother Justin on the Ferris Wheel) was incredible.

Easily one of the most impressive series I've ever seen.

[solarrdadd]

i loved that show, and it had really come into it's own by the end of season two and what a finale for the season, we're all waiting for season 3 because it's gonna be kick ass and HBO (those humps) cancelled it. i hope that they release it on blu and i don't know why, but i'm praying someone will revive it!

[Groo The Perverted]

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

i loved that show, and it had really come into it's own by the end of season two and what a finale for the season, we're all waiting for season 3 because it's gonna be kick ass and HBO (those humps) cancelled it. i hope that they release it on blu and i don't know why, but i'm praying someone will revive it!

Knauf said that the reason that wouldn't happen is because HBO owns the right to the show and characters.

[Hendershot737]

A great show...one of my favorites...I was even hoping for a comic book or a novel to finally close the story, if nothing else (of course a revival on HBO or another 'cable' network would be amazing yet unlikely)...so no rumblings of any sort of 'alternative' way of telling this great story? And, seeing as this is a blu-site...any word on the blus for this show? Day-1 for me!

[Zen_Amako]

I loved this show, but it wasn't the kind of show you could just have on in the background. You had to watch carefully and pay attention or you would be lost due to the show's rich mythology. "Lost" has actually become a bit like "Carnivale" in that way. I remember having to explain the plot to my parents, even though they were watching it every week ("See, he has to kill the previous generation's creature of darkness in order to receive his boon." "???") The huge amount of time between season 1 and season 2 probably didn't help.

[SDon1969]

Older thread, but instead of creating a new one....

I picked up Carnivale when Amazon had a great sale on the two seasons ($18 each if I recall), and I have torn right through the episodes. I have two left, the final two episodes of the last season (which is, tragically, only the second season).

I love the show. Excellent production values all around, a strong cast, historically accurate vehicles and clothes, eerie music from the dust bowl era, and a weird, almost David Lynchian vibe to the storytelling.

Although I have read about the six seasons being rudely truncated to two seasons, the story seems to be coming together pretty well. With two episodes to go, I'll soon find out.

I have yet to watch a HBO series that I didn't like, such high quality shows.

I'll have to figure out what to watch next, as I have some other TV series waiting in the wings. My choices are Terminator (2nd season, though I will probably rewatch the first again), Fringe and John Adams. I also want to watch all my Lost BDs at some point (I am up-to-date with the show itself, though). I am leaning towards Fringe as the next in line.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by SDon1969

Older thread, but instead of creating a new one....

I picked up Carnivale when Amazon had a great sale on the two seasons ($18 each if I recall), and I have torn right through the episodes. I have two left, the final two episodes of the last season (which is, tragically, only the second season).

I love the show. Excellent production values all around, a strong cast, historically accurate vehicles and clothes, eerie music from the dust bowl era, and a weird, almost David Lynchian vibe to the storytelling.

Although I have read about the six seasons being rudely truncated to two seasons, the story seems to be coming together pretty well. With two episodes to go, I'll soon find out.

I have yet to watch a HBO series that I didn't like, such high quality shows.

I'll have to figure out what to watch next, as I have some other TV series waiting in the wings. My choices are Terminator (2nd season, though I will probably rewatch the first again), Fringe and John Adams. I also want to watch all my Lost BDs at some point (I am up-to-date with the show itself, though). I am leaning towards Fringe as the next in line.

I liked Fringe a lot. I have to say rewatching season 1 of Sarah Conner made season 2 a lot more enjoyable for me.

[SDon1969]

I am fairly pleased with the way the excellent two-season set wraps up. The storyline is, for the most part, complete. I don't see the ending as a serious cliffhanger, more of a hint of a possible continuation (which of course, didn't happen). Still worth every penny and every invested minute.

Squid (or other Carnivale fans), regarding the ending...

[Show spoiler]So Sophie, she was the Preacher's daughter, and therefore became evil, just like Ben was Sudder's son on the opposite end of the spectrum (although to me, Scudder didn't seem like much of a good guy). I didn't see that coming, with Sophie turning to evil! Now when the show ended, and the carnivale was driving away, what was your take on the corn dying? Was that because Sophie was somehow healing Justin Crowe in the cornfield? Or was it simply because Ben was leaving the area?

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by SDon1969

I am fairly pleased with the way the excellent two-season set wraps up. The storyline is, for the most part, complete. I don't see the ending as a serious cliffhanger, more of a hint of a possible continuation (which of course, didn't happen). Still worth every penny and every invested minute.

Squid (or other Carnivale fans), regarding the ending...

[Show spoiler]So Sophie, she was the Preacher's daughter, and therefore became evil, just like Ben was Sudder's son on the opposite end of the spectrum (although to me, Scudder didn't seem like much of a good guy). I didn't see that coming, with Sophie turning to evil! Now when the show ended, and the carnivale was driving away, what was your take on the corn dying? Was that because Sophie was somehow healing Justin Crowe in the cornfield? Or was it simply because Ben was leaving the area?

I perceived the show the same way; the ending wrapped up the immediate story, characters, and conflicts well-enough and I was satisfied for the most part. It was just in the last few minutes, with the scene you described, where they left it wide open again for more seasons... But as it is, I can live with it...I think...

Regarding the final scene (not to cut in on Squid's answer though ), I believed

[Show spoiler]that it was the first scenario you described; Sophie has a healing power and was using the corn's life to ressurect Justin.

.

Come to think of it too, there was one aspect I wondered about; if they made more seasons, would the story have cut into World War II at all? That could have been flippin' epic!

Also, I would love this show on Blu-Ray!

[SapGoblin]

well I'm just chiming in to say...

I read & heard nothing but positive reviews of the show, I eagerly waited for the DVD prices to go down...and I've still not seen it!

PUT IT OUT ON BLU-RAY, so myself and countless others can enjoy!!!

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by SDon1969

I am fairly pleased with the way the excellent two-season set wraps up. The storyline is, for the most part, complete. I don't see the ending as a serious cliffhanger, more of a hint of a possible continuation (which of course, didn't happen). Still worth every penny and every invested minute.

Squid (or other Carnivale fans), regarding the ending...

[Show spoiler]So Sophie, she was the Preacher's daughter, and therefore became evil, just like Ben was Sudder's son on the opposite end of the spectrum (although to me, Scudder didn't seem like much of a good guy). I didn't see that coming, with Sophie turning to evil! Now when the show ended, and the carnivale was driving away, what was your take on the corn dying? Was that because Sophie was somehow healing Justin Crowe in the cornfield? Or was it simply because Ben was leaving the area?

That is my speculation. See your spoiler bolded. But I think it (intentionally) could have been a couple things. I wish I had a more definitive answer, but I think they left it vague deliberately.

Epic scary battle between good and evil. I loved the atmosphere of the show.... dripping with realism from the depression.