SERIES PREMIERE: It almost had to happen. When AMC’s
The Walking Dead became a phenomenon – the most popular scripted series on cable TV (and the second most popular scripted TV series right now, period, behind only CBS’s
NCIS) – AMC concocted a spinoff talk show,
The Talking Dead, just to discuss what had happened each week in zombie land. But starting tonight, the network presents an official prequel, featuring an all-new cast of characters, and set on the other side of the country from
The Walking Dead. Kim Dickens stars, and the action begins about when Rick, in the parent program, lapses into his coma. It’s a deliberately slow start, but it’s certainly captivating – and since the characters don’t yet know they’re at the beginning of a zombie apocalypse, their ignorance, in itself, is very dramatic. For full reviews, read and hear my review on
NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross website, and check out
Ed Bark’s Uncle Barky’s Bytes.