With the fall television season upon us, we can once again look forward to the attempts of network executives to capitalize on the recent surge in horror films, especially as it pertains to your favorite fanged blood-suckers and mine, vampires.  There are several returning series, with Supernatural and Fringe topping the list, as well as new forays into the genre.

First up, returning champion Supernatural.  I’ve called this the best horror series on television, and nothing has changed to dethrone the reigning champ-een.  When last we left our heroes, Sam and Dean Winchester, Sam was on demon juice and Dean was playing lackey to angels.  Last season ended with the release of Satan upon the earth, thanks to Sam’s murder of demoness Lilith.  The new season begins at the moment the last ended, and it looks to be a good one.  Sure, the good-looking Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles bring some teen appeal, but don’t let that fool you.  There’s some sharp writing being done here and the show is, thankfully, willing to go to the mattresses with their storylines, unafraid of creating their own universe.  If you haven’t seen it, yet, give it a shot.

Who would have thought vampires would be as popular as they are in today’s world?  And yet, HO has scored big time with its Louisiana-based series about vampires who have come “out of the coffin” and revealed themselves to the world.  True Blood was an addiction when the first season arrived on DVD, and is now a ritual for me.  I love the characters, I love the over-the-top plots and the sense that the tiny parish of Bon Temps is a place where anything can happen.  After a strange finale, the stage is set for a new season of psychic Sookie and bloodsucking boyfriend Bill to greet new horrors.  To say more is to give too much away to the uninitiated, and that would be criminal.  Experience it.

boyfriend Bill to greet new horrors.  To say more is to give too much away to the uninitiated, and that would be criminal.  Experience it.

Dexter is a thoroughbred contender to the best horror show on television.  Sly and smart, the show follows the titular character, a serial killer who has “standards” and goes slash-for-sash with other killers on his Miami turf.  With Michael C. Hall as the conflicted Dexter, the show features some sound acting and a fuzzy morality that makes a serial killer who attempts to fit into normal life while satisfying his bloodlust a heroic character.  

After a shaky start, J.J. Abrams’ Fringe came into its own at the end of last season, creating an environment where his X-Files-esque FBI vs. the weird series can more certainly become its own entity.  Starring Anna Torv as Agent Olivia Dunham and Joshua Jackson as Peter bishop, protector of John Noble’s Walter Bishop, the show has grown more conspiratorial and a lot gooier in its depiction of the forces at work against the protagonists.  This is a show poised to hit its stride this season more than any other.

earth, thanks to Sam’s murder of demoness Lilith.  The new season begins at the moment the last ended, and it looks to be a good one.  Sure, the good-looking Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles bring some teen appeal, but don’t let that fool you.  There’s some sharp writing being done here and the show is, thankfully, willing to go to the mattresses with their storylines, unafraid of creating their own universe.  If you haven’t seen it, yet, give it a shot.

Who would have thought vampires would be as popular as they are in today’s world?  And yet, HBO has scored big time with its Louisiana-based series about vampires who have come “out of the coffin” and revealed themselves to the world.  True Blood was an addiction when the first season arrived on DVD, and is now a ritual for me.  I love the characters, I love the over-the-top plots and the sense that the tiny parish of Bon Temps is a place where anything can happen.  After a strange finale, the stage is set for a new season of psychic Sookie and bloodsucking boyfriend Bill to greet new horrors.  To say more is to give too much away to the uninitiated, and that would be criminal.  Experience it.

Dexter is a thoroughbred contender to the best horror show on television.  Sly and smart, the show follows the titular character, a serial killer who has “standards” and goes slash-for-sash with other killers on his Miami turf.  With Michael C. Hall as the conflicted Dexter, the show features some sound acting and a fuzzy morality that makes a serial killer who attempts to fit into normal life while satisfying his bloodlust a heroic character.  

Though there are some shows that hover around the ghostly, such as Ghost Whisperer and the CBS-acquired Medium, only Ghost Whisperer is rooted firmly in the horrific.  After catching a handful of episodes, I can say it’s surprisingly watchable, but plays things a bit safe when compared to the aforementioned series.  Which brings us to the new entry of note.

The Vampire Diaries, based on a series of novels by L.J. Smith, debuted last week on the CW network.  I’m trying my best to get through the pilot, gang, but it’s not easy.  Clearly an opportunity to cash in on the success of Twilight, the show features high-schoolers and the undead, who still come out during the day and seem more concerned with their hair than being vampires.  The show opened to low ratings, so if you’re interested in this one, act fast.  I’ll work on finishing the premiere, but it’s not easy…  Bad dialogue, sorry excuses for vampires…  But enough about Twilight, back to Vampire Diaries.  Kevin Williamson of Scream fame lends his name to the project, but this is nowhere near the deconstructionist take on vampires that Scream’s pedigree may have implied.  

With the silver screen serving as a letdown for most of us fear freaks, there’s still our old pal television to bring us some genuinely good horror entertainment.  And to babysit our children.  ‘Til next time, spooksters!