The Hunger (TV series)
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| The Hunger | |
|---|---|
| File:The hunger dvd cover.jpg
DVD cover (1st season)
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| Genre | Drama Erotic horror |
| Created by | Jeff Fazio |
| Presented by | Terence Stamp (1st season) David Bowie (2nd season) |
| Country of origin |  Canada United Kingdom |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 44 |
| Production | |
| Production location(s) | London, UK Montreal, Canada |
| Running time | 30 min. |
| Release | |
| Original network | Sci Fi Channel Showtime (U.S.) The Movie Network and SuperChannel (Canada) |
| Original release | July 20, 1997 – March 5, 2000 |
The Hunger is a British/Canadian television horror anthology series, co-produced by Scott Free Productions, Telescene Film Group Productions and the Canadian pay-TV channel The Movie Network. It was created by Jeff Fazio. Though it shares a title with the feature film The Hunger, the series has no direct plot or character connection to it.
Originally shown on the Sci Fi Channel in the UK, The Movie Network in Canada and Showtime in the US, the series was broadcast from 1997 to 2000, and is internally organized into two seasons. Each episode was based around an independent story introduced by the host; Terence Stamp hosted each episode for the first season, and was replaced in the second season by David Bowie. Stories tended to focus on themes of self-destructive desire and obsession, with a strong component of soft-core erotica; popular tropes for the stories included cannibalism, vampires, sex, and poison.
Contents
Reception
Though notable for the quality of the authors who wrote for the series (episodes were penned by well-known authors Graham Masterton, Gemma Files, Poppy Z. Brite, and Harlan Ellison among others), The Hunger did not receive great critical acclaim. Many of the criticisms directed against the series had to do with the limitations of the broadcast medium; unlike later series such as Showtime's Masters of Horror, the largely Canadian-based production was restricted in terms of the imagery and language permissible by broadcast standards, and by the budget and production values typically available to small-screen productions.[citation needed] Often broadcast late at night in keeping with requirements for adult material, The Hunger never accumulated a significant audience.[citation needed] However, in later years the show obtained a small cult following.[citation needed]
In 2011, episodes began airing in the US on the Chiller cable channel.
Episodes
Season 1 (1997–1998)
| Series # |
Season # |
Title | Directed by | Written by | Original airdate | Production Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "The Swords" | Tony Scott | Howard A. Rodman, Robert Aickman (story) |
July 20, 1997 | 101 |
| A man starts dating a nightclub star who can apparently survive being stabbed with swords. Stars Balthazar Getty, Amanda Ryan, Timothy Spall, and Jamie Foreman. | ||||||
| 2 | 2 | "Ménage à Trois" | Jake Scott | Jordan Katz, Vincent Ngo, F. Paul Wilson (story) |
July 20, 1997 | 102 |
| A young nurse is hired as a live-in caretaker for an older woman who lives with her young, good-looking handyman. Stars Karen Black, Lena Headey, and Daniel Craig. | ||||||
| 3 | 3 | "Necros" | Russell Mulcahy | Steven Salzburg, Audrey Salzburg, Brian Lumley (story) |
July 20, 1997 | 103 |
| A beautiful young woman is the constant companion of an older man, but their relationship may not be what it seems. Stars Philip Casnoff, Céline Bonnier, and Leonardo Cimino. | ||||||
| 4 | 4 | "The Secret Shih-Tan" | Russell Mulcahy | David Preston, Graham Masterton (story) |
July 27, 1997 | 104 |
| A gourmet chef is offered a great deal of money to prepare a meal from a secret book, Shi-Than. Stars Jason Scott Lee, Gregoriane Minot Payeur, Kenneth Welsh, and Robert Ito. | ||||||
| 5 | 5 | "Bridal Suite" | Erik Canuel | Clair Noto, Graham Masterton (story) |
August 3, 1997 | 105 |
| A newly married couple on their honeymoon discover that the bed in their room is supposed to be cursed. Stars Sally Kirkland, Karen Elkin[1] and Colin Ferguson. | ||||||
| 6 | 6 | "Room 17" | Erik Canuel | Craig Miller, Mark Nelson | August 10, 1997 | 106 |
| A man rents a motel room in order to watch some special erotic films privately. Stars Curtis Armstrong, Kim Feeney, and Penny Mancuso. | ||||||
| 7 | 7 | "Anaïs" | Darrell Wasyk | Terry Curtis Fox, Graham Masterton (story) |
August 17, 1997 | 107 |
| An architect spends his time fantasizing about a made-up woman he calls "Anaïs" but the imaginary woman begins to have real desires. Stars Ilona Elkin and Nick Mancuso. | ||||||
| 8 | 8 | "No Radio" | Howard A. Rodman | Marianne Ackerman, Mickey Friedman (story) |
August 24, 1997 | 108 |
| A kidnapper gets more than he expected when he abducts his married lover. Stars Bruce Ramsay, Amanda De Cadenet and James Rae. | ||||||
| 9 | 9 | "But At My Back I Always Hear" | Patricia Rozema | Marianne Ackerman, Patricia Rozema, David Morrell (story) |
August 31, 1997 | 109 |
| A professor is stalked by a young female student. Stars Cary Lawrence, Michael Gross and Karen Elkin. | ||||||
| 10 | 10 | "Red Light" | Christian Duguay | David J. Schow | September 21, 1997 | 110 |
| A supermodel refuses to be photographed because she is convinced that the camera will steal her soul. Stars Tomas Arana and Liliana Kamorowska. | ||||||
| 11 | 11 | "I'm Dangerous Tonight" | Russell Mulcahy | Gerald Wexler, Cornell Woolrich (story) |
September 21, 1997 | 111 |
| A red dress by a famous fashion designer causes strange behavior in the people who wear it. Stars Marie-Josée Croze, Dorothée Berryman and Esai Morales. | ||||||
| 12 | 12 | "The Sloan Men" | Darrell Wasyk | Bruce Smith, David Nickel (story) | September 28, 1997 | 112 |
| Through a shocking revelation by her future mother-in-law, a young woman comes to realize her fiancé and his father aren't exactly human. Stars Clare Sims, Gregory Calpakis and Margot Kidder. | ||||||
| 13 | 13 | "A Matter of Style" | John Hamilton | David Shore | October 26, 1997 | 113 |
| A young inept burglar is bitten by a beautiful vampiress, who tries to teach him how to be a vampire. Stars Daniel Brochu, Chad Lowe and Isabelle Cyr. | ||||||
| 14 | 14 | "Hidebound" | Jeff Fazio | Gerald Wexler, Gemma Files (story) |
January 23, 1998 | 114 |
| A young female security guard is attacked by a murderous spirit visible only to her. Stars Brooke Smith and Paul Hopkins. | ||||||
| 15 | 15 | "Fly-By-Night" | Yermo Mishot | Terry Curtis Fox, Gemma Files (story) |
January 31, 1998 | 115 |
| A mental patient haunted by horrible wartime flashbacks gets shut up with a vampire. Stars Giancarlo Esposito and Kim Feeney. | ||||||
| 16 | 16 | "A River of Night's Dreaming" | John Warwicker | Bruce Smith, Karl Edward Wagner | February 6, 1998 | 116 |
| A female convict escapes from a prison transport and hides at the home of an elderly woman. Stars Marni Thompson and Ann Terkel. | ||||||
| 17 | 17 | "The Lighthouse" | Darrell Wasyk | TBA | February 20, 1998 | 117 |
| A lighthouse-keeper, trapped at his post during a hurricane, begins to question his sanity. Stars Bruce Davison and Vlasta Vrána. | ||||||
| 18 | 18 | "The Face of Helene Bournouw" | Robert Ciupka | Harlan Ellison (as Cordwainer Bird) | February 27, 1998 | 118 |
| A reporter investigates a woman whose beauty literally drives men mad. Stars Stephen McHattie and Jayne Heitmeyer. | ||||||
| 19 | 19 | "Plain Brown Envelope" | Michel David | Terry Curtis Fox, Lyn Wood (story) |
March 6, 1998 | 119 |
| On a cold and snowy night, a young hitchhiker stows away in the back of a large truck that turns out to be the warehouse of a sex fantasy salesman. Stars Jesse Borrego, Doris Milmore and Stephan Cloutier. | ||||||
| 20 | 20 | "The Other Woman" | George Mihalka | David Taylor, Lois Tilton (story) |
March 20, 1998 | 120 |
| The mistress of a married man has visions of being murdered by his wife. Stars Joanna Cassidy, Nicholas Campbell and Lisa Bronwyn Moore. | ||||||
| 21 | 21 | "Clarimonde" | Tom Dey | Gerald Wexler, Théophile Gautier (story) |
March 20, 1998 | 121 |
| A strange beautiful woman seems to get a thrill from seducing men about to become priests. Stars David La Haye and Audrey Benoit. | ||||||
| 22 | 22 | "Footsteps" | Jimmy Kaufman | Gerald Wexler, Harlan Ellison |
March 27, 1998 | 122 |
| A lovely vampiress who seduces and drains a different man every night meets a man who claims to be a vegetarian. Stars Jean-Guy Bouchard and Sofia Shinas. | ||||||
Season 2 (1999–2000)
| Series # |
Season # |
Title | Director | Writer | Original airdate | Production Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | 1 | "Sanctuary" | Tony Scott | Bruce M. Smith | September 10, 1999 | 023 |
| A successful but unbalanced artist takes in a young and seriously wounded drifter who is on the run and looking for a place to hide. Stars David Bowie, Giovanni Ribisi and Richard Jutras. | ||||||
| 24 | 2 | "Skin Deep" | Luke Scott | Christa Faust (Story) Bruce M. Smith (Teleplay) |
September 17, 1999 | 028 |
| A lonely woman seeks for comfort with a sadistic lap dancer. Stars Kate Vernon and Sarain Boylan. | ||||||
| 25 | 3 | "The Dream Sentinel" | Chris Hartwill | Poppy Z. Brite (Story) Gerald Wexler (Teleplay) |
September 24, 1999 | 026 |
| The ghost of a murdered detective seeks solace with a young stripper, who is mourning the death of her ex-lover. Stars Eric Roberts and Alice Poon. | ||||||
| 26 | 4 | "And She Laughed" | Jean Beauchemin | Liz Holliday (Story) , Jeff Fazio (Teleplay) |
October 3, 1999 | 039 |
| A woman's nightmares about a Peeping Tom become real. Stars Ben Bass and Jennifer Beals. | ||||||
| 27 | 5 | "Nunc Dimittis" | Russell Mulcahy | Tanith Lee (Story) , Gerald Wexler Teleplay |
October 10, 1999 | 029 |
| Princess Dracula's dying faithful companion tries to fulfil his last wish: find his own successor. Stars David Warner, Philippe Ross, Jacob Tierney and Marina Orsini. | ||||||
| 28 | 6 | "Week Woman" | Daniel Grou | Kim Newman (Story) Terry Curtis Fox (Teleplay), |
October 17, 1999 | 033 |
| A newlywed is disturbed by his wife's inexplicable mood swings, so he decides to do something about it. Stars Martin Watier and Brooke Smith. | ||||||
| 29 | 7 | "The Night Bloomer" | Erik Canuel | David J. Schow (Story) , Mark Nelson (Teleplay) |
October 24, 1999 | 036 |
| A corporate researcher offers to help an ambitious businessman advance his career, but he's unaware of the price. Stars Glenn Plummer, Gillian Ferrabee and Serge Houde. | ||||||
| 30 | 8 | "The Diarist" | Alain Desrochers | Gemma Files | October 31, 1999 | 041 |
| A witch with a penchant for vengeance is romantically spurned by a man and decides to get even with him by casting evil spells to ruin his life and possibly bring him under her spell. Stars Sheena Larkin and Ian M. Watson. | ||||||
| 31 | 9 | "Sin Seer" | Daniel Grou | David Fletcher (Story) Peter Lankov (Teleplay) |
November 7, 1999 | 044 |
| Mano is a man who has a unique gift - he can look into people's eyes and see their darkest secrets. For years, he has avoided eye contact with people but, for even longer, he has avoided mirrors... but what should happen if he looked into one? Stars Robert Brewster and Brad Dourif. | ||||||
| 32 | 10 | "Triangle in Steel" | Adrian Moat | Thomas Raddall (Story) Gerald Wexler (Teleplay) |
November 14, 1999 | 034 |
| A young man goes to work at a steel mill with Native Americans, and becomes involved with the boss's wife. Stars George Gilbert Scott, Joe McComber and Victoria Sanchez. | ||||||
| 33 | 11 | "Brass" | Jeff Fazio | David J. Schow (Story) Jeffrey Cohen (Teleplay) |
November 21, 1999 | 032 |
| When a young man inherits an ornate mirror following the death of his Satanist father, he finds that it reveals his mother attempted use of black arts. As the dead man's son continues his father's work, he puts the lives of those around him in danger, particularly when he forges a link to Hell through the power of the mirror. Stars Max Martini, Polly Shannon, Richard Normand, and Philip Pretten. | ||||||
| 34 | 12 | "Replacements" | Bruce M. Smith | Lisa Tuttle (Story) Bruce M. Smith (Teleplay) |
November 28, 1999 | 038 |
| A doctor becomes determined to find out what is happening to the women in his town, after they appear to be turning against the men and becoming obsessed with something unknown. They seem to have found animalistic replacements for their husbands. Stars Howard Rosenstein. | ||||||
| 35 | 13 | "I'm Very Dangerous Tonight" | Alain Desrochers | Cornell Woolrich (Story) Terry Curtis Fox (Teleplay) |
January 2, 2000 | 025 |
| A dress causes strange things to happen to every person that wears it. Stars Martin Simms. | ||||||
| 36 | 14 | "Wrath of God" | Russell Mulcahy | Bruce M. Smith (Teleplay), Gemma Files (story) |
January 9, 2000 | 024 |
| A landlord is visited by a powerful stranger who wants to observe evil in all its forms. Stars Anthony Michael Hall. | ||||||
| 37 | 15 | "Bottle of Smoke" | Jean Beaudin | Gemma Files | January 16, 2000 | 043 |
| When an elderly woman, who travelled widely in her youth, dies, she leaves her possessions to her young niece, which includes a bottle of smoke that promises the ultimate in sexual fulfillment. But such pleasure comes at a price. Stars Soo Garay and Cathy Moriarty. | ||||||
| 38 | 16 | "The Perfect Couple" | Darrell Wasyk | David J. Schow (Story) Gerald Wexler (Teleplay), |
January 23, 2000 | 031 |
| A modern day cupid arranges for two people to come together and believes them to be the perfect match. Four years later, though, he revisits them to see how they fared and finds their relationship is troubled. Was his mistake just that... Or is his poor matchmaking deliberate?. Stars Claudia Besso, Aldo Tirelli and Noël Burton. | ||||||
| 39 | 17 | "The Sacred Fire" | Russell Mulcahy | Charles de Lint | January 30, 2000 | 040 |
| Luann is a kind and generous woman who volunteers to help the homeless find food and shelter, but when she meets Nick, who lives on the street, he warns her that there are street people who are actually demons in disguise, intent on killing humans. Stars Kim Huffman and James Marshall. | ||||||
| 40 | 18 | "Approaching Desdemona" | Jason Hreno | Lenny Kleinfeld (Story) Terry Curtis Fox (Teleplay) |
February 6, 2000 | 027 |
| In a story that will be familiar to many Internet users, a couple's life together deteriorates when he finds an adult website that offers bizarre sexual fantasies. Stars Christina Colburn, William McNamara and April Telek. | ||||||
| 41 | 19 | "The Seductress" | Alain Desrochers | Ramsey Campbell (Story) Mark Nelson (Teleplay) |
February 13, 2000 | 030 |
| When a novelist reads a suicide note from a former lover, she begins an affair with a mysterious man, but their romance is not all it seems and the boundaries between reality and fiction appear to fall away. Stars William Katt, Laura Mitchell and Rachel Hayward. | ||||||
| 42 | 20 | "Double" | John L'Ecuyer | Karl Edward Wagner (Story) Bruce M. Smith (Teleplay) |
February 20, 2000 | 042 |
| The myth of the Doppelganger has lasted for centuries and receives a modern updating here as two identical women meet but realise the differences between them are in their personalities - one is normal whilst the other is plagued by nightmares. Their meeting, however, results in a battle for their souls. Stars Lori Petty, Daniela Akerblom, Larry Day, and Rachelle Lefevre. | ||||||
| 43 | 21 | "The Falling Man" | Daniel Grou | Bruce M. Smith (Teleplay) David J. Schow (Story) |
February 27, 2000 | 035 |
| A muse inspires a gifted young architect, but she exacts a terrible price from him when he fails. Stars Maria Bertrand and A Martinez. | ||||||
| 44 | 22 | "The Suction Method" | Darrell Wasyk | Rudy Kremberg (Story) Gerald Wexler (Teleplay) |
March 5, 2000 | 037 |
| A middle-aged married man cheats on his wife with the carpet cleaner lady. But there's a bigger story behind the mysterious lady---she's there to get the unwanted "dirt" out of the house. Stars Fisher Stevens, Jeannie Walker and Valérie Valois. | ||||||
DVD releases
Region 1
Entertainment One released both seasons on DVD in the US in 2009. Season 1 was released on June 2, 2009 and Season 2 on October 13, 2009.
Alliance Home Entertainment has released the entire series on DVD in Canada for the very first time.
Region 2
Infinity Video released both seasons on DVD in the UK for the very first time on October 31, 2005 as Amazon exclusives.[2][3] Season 1 and 2 were re-released as full retail releases in 2007.
| DVD Name | Ep# | Release Dates | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region 1 (US) | Region 1 (CAN) | Region 2 | ||
| Season 1 | 22 | June 2, 2009[4] | June 8, 2010[5] | July 23, 2007 |
| Season 2 | 22 | October 13, 2009[6] | June 8, 2010[7] | July 23, 2007 |
See also
- "Replacements" by Lisa Tuttle (adapted as episode 12 of season 2)
- Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond
- The Outer Limits
- Night Gallery
- Tales from the Crypt
- The X-Files
- Masters of Horror
- Masters of Science Fiction
- Science fiction on television
References
External links
- Lua error in Module:WikidataCheck at line 28: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). The Hunger at IMDb
- The Hunger at TV.comLua error in Module:WikidataCheck at line 28: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
Categories:
- Pages with broken file links
- Articles with unsourced statements from September 2009
- 1997 British television programme debuts
- 1997 Canadian television series debuts
- 2000 British television programme endings
- 2000 Canadian television series endings
- 1990s British television series
- 2000s British television series
- 1990s Canadian television series
- 2000s Canadian television series
- British drama television series
- Canadian drama television series
- Erotic television series
- Horror fiction television series
- Television series by Scott Free Productions
- Television series by Entertainment One
- British anthology television series
- Canadian anthology television series
- Showtime (TV network) original programs
- Syfy original programs
- Television shows set in London
- Television series produced in Montreal
