The acclaimed horror writer-director — and executive producer of MGM+ series Let the Devil In — shares the shows that helped define him.
My favorite show as a child: The Monkees
As a kid, I was obsessed with The Monkees, and I didn't understand the concept of syndication, so I thought it was a new show. The Monkees were so funny, and I loved the music and the silliness. I've seen every episode, and I have all of their music. I parody the end credits in my student film Restaurant Dogs, which is on YouTube.
Shows that inspired my work in horror: Darkroom, Tales from the Crypt, Elvira’s Movie Macabre
Horror TV was very scarce when I was a kid. There was a TV show called Darkroom that I remember being very scary, and they took the unaired episodes and released it as a movie called Nightmare.
I loved Tales from the Crypt. Seeing that on HBO was the first time I got to see real horror on television. It gave me that anthology horror fix, because they were really, really gory episodes. And then, of course, Elvira’s Movie Macabre. I met Cassandra Peterson recently and got to fan out around her. Every Saturday night I was watching Movie Macabre at midnight ‘til 2 in the morning. That, for me, was so important. Of course I had such a crush on Cassandra, as we all did.
The show I consider to be ahead of its time: Twin Peaks
For me, the show that was like the game-changer — the mind-blowing show — was Twin Peaks. I was very lucky to work with David Lynch and Angelo Badalamenti for many years, and Angelo did music for [my film] Cabin Fever — and Cabin Fever is very much a Twin Peaks vibe.
In terms of aesthetic, David Lynch was such a big influence on me. And Angelo’s music, the mood of Twin Peaks, and obviously the style. I worked with Kyle MacLachlan and worked very closely with David, who became a friend. That show was about as big of an influence as you could have on someone.
The shows that are must-watch weekly viewing for me: The Studio, Severance, Squid Game
I was very happy that I got a name check in The Studio, even if I wasn't included on camera in the horror episode — but, whatever, there's always season two. I got addicted to it. That became appointment viewing for my wife and me. Severance is like that as well. Squid Game. But really, The Studio, for me, has been the show.
The show I love that may surprise people: Love Is Blind UK, The Office (UK)
I thought Love Is Blind UK was fantastic. I will get fully into that when it’s on. My wife and I, we’re super into it. And people who know me know that I will never stop quoting the British Office. I still quote and meme and gif Ricky Gervais. But not even the obvious ones, just super off-the-cuff, deep, obscure lines from that series. That show is my favorite. It's probably the best television show ever produced, I would say.
Let the Devil In is streaming now on MGM+
