Eerie, Indiana

This was a wonderful and quirky TV series that somehow didn't succeed. Part of this was because the show was marketed as a kids' show--limiting its appeal--even though the show was great for the entire family. Part of this was because the network moved the show around--a sure death knell for a TV show. It's a shame, really, as the show was very good. Now this isn't to say that every episode was gold, but this was also the case with "The Twilight Zone" and other anthology shows--there are great ones and not so great ones.

The show is about friends Marshall and Teller--two kids living in the ultra-bizarre town of Eerie, Indiana. In this town, every weird thing on the planet comes to life. In the opening credits you see Elvis (among others) walking down the street and the show took advantage of numerous crackpot conspiracy theories and did them in a very funny tongue in cheek manner.

My favorite of these bizarre tales was the second episode. This is where the kids discover that after a friend gets braces, he can somehow hear the thoughts of dogs--and the dogs are apparently plotting to take over the world! However, most of the episodes have a similar weirdness about them and it was hard to dislike the show due to clever writing.

Considering they only made 19 episodes, it's surprising that the series was actually released to DVD--a testament to its cult appeal.

I fondly remember watching reruns of this show on MoviePlex two or three years ago, when I was twelve or thirteen. Even back then, I knew how much better this was than the more popular shows of the time--"Are You Afraid of the Dark" and "Goosebumps." There are so many reasons, I don't even know where to begin.

I'd say the principal reasons this show was so good was mostly because A) it didn't take itself too seriously and B) it didn't talk down to kids. Too many shows underestimate a child's resilience, and so they throw tired plots and cheesy "scares" at them, thinking (and unfortunately, they are usually correct) that these children will be satisfied. I only believe this works because most kids don't know until later what they are missing. But the thing that irks me most about Goosebumps (and, sometimes, Are You Afraid of the Dark) is that they take these cheesy scares so seriously that it quickly becomes not just silly, but in fact plain ridiculous. Not so with Eerie. Here, the plots are outlandish, unbelievable, and perhaps outright absurd, but the makers realize this, and so they are never _silly_. For example, one episode I remember concerned a group of ladies who are obsessed with a brand of Tupperware called "Foreverware," or some such thing, which keeps all food products fresh forever (one lady comments that she packaged some peas "when Jimmy Carter was president, and they're still as fresh as the day I opened them"). But, Marshall and Simon discover the ladies use Foreverware for more than just food storage--like remaining eternally young! Sounds about as frightening as a killer sponge under the sink (*cough R.L. Stine cough*), but not only do they make it work, they make it fun! I don't believe the intention of the show was ever to frighten (although it does get suspenseful at times). I think it was made to cause wonder, explore some of life's little mysteries, and perhaps even spoof the world we live in. I wouldn't go so far as to call it a satire, of life or of other horror shows, but it definitely has a tongue-in-cheek approach to things, and a dry sense of humor is usually present.

To conclude, I can only say I really hope this is out on video somewhere. It's better than Goosebumps in every way imaginable, and more consistent than Are You Afraid of the Dark. And best of all, it won't induce an urge to puke, groan, or even roll your eyes.

Eerie, Indiana is usually shown on Channel 4 in the hollidays in our country and I never miss it even though I have taped most episodes. My favourite episodes had to be the ones with Dash-X(Jason Marsden). I was upset when I realised there was only 5 or 6 in that series and it was then cancelled. There was so much that wasn't answered, for example, where did Dash-X come from? Why did he have grey hair?

This is The X-files but for kids and don't watch Eerie Indiana The Other Dimension because it doesn't have what the original series had (it doesn't even have any of the original characters). So if this is on TV watch it and see for yourselves that this is a good and entertaining show that shouldn't have been cancelled.

My sister and I saw Eerie Indiana when it was first screened on UK TV. We became instant fans of this funny quirky show. It's a rare kind of kids programme in that it is one that adults can enjoy. My sister and I were 13 or so when it was first aired, and now at almost 23 we're still huge fans! It was repeated a few years ago, and we made sure we recorded them all. They don't seem to have aged a bit, and certanley are not 'childish' at all. Omri Katz is just brilliant (come out of retirment Omri!!) and Justin Shenkarow and Jason Marsden are fab too. I recommend this to anyone, kid or adult. A gem that they just don't make anymore.....

Hi :) When i first saw "Eerie" as i now affectionately dub it, I was 8. I lived in England and i remember it was on Channel 4 (pretty good memory since i am now almost 17). I adored it. Omri Katz (Marshall Teller) reminded me of my older brother and I sometimes wished my brother was as cool. 3 years ago, i saw the title "Eerie Indiana" in the Cable TV guide here in Oz. And all my fond memories came rushing back. I remembered 3 episodes quite clearly. This show made an impact on me so large... i don't know how to explain it! Luckily i got to see it over and over again on cable. I can't believe they axed "Eerie" after only 19 episodes, leaving me with only 6 episodes with my now favourite actor Jason Marsden. If you can, watch an episode of Eerie Indiana, no matter what age you are. You will love the references to other TV shows, and common knowledge, the kooky music.. characters, plotlines. And.. perhaps, you will see that there were some programs which tried to be revolutionary. Shame the kids of that era (minus myself of course) didn't see it, coz it's a cult classic now!