The Chronicle

I'm sure that from the previews, a lot of people were ready to write this one off as a total rip-off of X-FILES, with echoes of KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER and even a tip of the hat to MEN IN BLACK. I know I was, but knowing how Greenblatt and Janollari have given Alan Ball free reign on 6FU, I decided to give the pilot a try and cut them some slack.

What a pleasant surprise! In less capable hands, the cliches would've dropped off the screen with thuds so loud, you could hear them all the way to Collinwood. Nice to see that Silvio Horta (of URBAN LEGENDS infamy) knows how to infuse the writing with the same kind of cheeky brashness that freshened up THE INVISIBLE MAN, and the dearly departed GOOD VS. EVIL.

The principal cast members may be young, (so young that they might not even remember MELROSE PLACE), but they deliver engaging performances and they seem to have a handle on the characters already, a plus when you consider that it almost always takes a half-dozen episodes of any new show, before all the character 'bugs' are worked out. Jon Polito is especially good, bringing his considerable experience to bear as the curmudgeonly editor who has a sweet spot for slime demons, illegal aliens (the galactic and paranormal kind) and the other assorted flora and fauna of worlds we've never considered existed alongside our own.

The peek at future episodes shown at the end of the two-hour special has me hoping that the writers can sustain the rapport that already exists between the characters, even if the plotlines start to run out of steam.

If sci-fi/fantasy is your cuppa, this show is definitely worth a look.

I was very disappointed Sci-Fi Channel cancelled this teriffic show. The Chronicle provided just the right combination of humor, action, and wit which worked out very well about this series about the weird and unusual stories the reporters investigate for this Enquierer-type newspaper. From alien abductions to rich elderly people paying to relive their youth via body switching to vampires at an Elvis convention, The Chronicle was very imaginative and quite entertaining. In particular, there were quite a number of episodes that explored the human psyche. Remember, the magic pizza oven that sucked its victims into a weird dimension where they were exposed to their worst fears? How about the episode where high school cheerleaders were actually willing to become bionic women. Remember in that episode when the reporters went undercover as students, they made references to Beverly Hills 90210 as their reason they could pull it off. Pretty funny for sure! There was even an episode where a so-called superhero had psychological problems of his own. The Chronicle was one show that not only explored the weird and unusual, but took on current issues of human behavior as well. With the series' great writing and blending these issues together, the results really paid off as an overall funny, dramatic and entertaining show. The cast of Chad Willet, Rena Sofer, Reno Wilson, Don Polito, and Curtis Armstrong (as Sal the Pigboy) were all excellent in their roles. They all had great chemistry and really looked like they had fun doing the show. Let's hope they have as good success in their future endeavors now that the show is unfortunately over.

This show has been screening several episodes at a time over the past year It's great that a show like this was made but it's a shame that a well written show like this, head and shoulders above most of the stuff on TV gets cancelled after only one season. The channel that shows this also showed 'The Lone Gunmen' this year, another well written SciFi/Comedy/Mystery that only lasted one season. Are these types of shows unpopular or are they given bad timeslots in the US? I suppose these shows wouldn't have been made if room wasn't made for them by the cancellation of other shows, but I wonder what needs to change to ensure that a good show stays on when it comes along.

The Chronicle is one of the best science fiction shows ever created. It has wonderful acting from Rena Sofer (The Stepsister, General Hospital, Melrose Place) and the others actors. I give The Chronicle a perfect 10. Let's just hope it lasts long enough for syndication.

I began watching "The Chronicle" during the middle of its first season (I was looking for a prospective replacement for "The X-Files"). At first, I found it an odd-blend of sci-fi/mystery/comedy, and in many ways, seemed to be a simple parody of "The X-Files." But I got hooked, and with each new episode, it got better and better.

By the start of its second season, "The Chronicle" finally came into its own! It's storylines were becoming more original and far-out, proving that the writers finally realized that there were no limits to what they could do, and whatever their imaginations could come up with would work (although, some better than others). It even began to develop its own "X-Files"-like mythology that only really picked up halfway through the second season. And then it was canceled.

It's a shame that "The Chronicle" was on for such a short period. Sci-Fi Channel really underestimated the show's ability to entertain. Along with the stories, the cast was excellent (especially Rena Sofer) and they all seemed to have fun making this show.

If you ever get a chance to see the reruns, I'm sure you will love this beautiful, gem of a show. Especially if you're lucky enough to see the episodes "The King is (Un)Dead" (about the vampire-Elvis impersonators) or "A Snitch in Time" (the series-finale).

***1/2 out of ****