With this absorbing text, Giannini takes a deep dive into Supernatural, an immensely popular horror TV show thatâ"despite a then-unknown castâ"defied expectations and garnered legions of fans. Giannini considers the showâs wide-ranging influences, including Route 66, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Roseanne, and The X-Files. She also looks at the role that each of the showâs four showrunners had in shaping the series and the exploration of the main charactersâ arcs. The book discusses the role of religion, politics, and folklore in the series and pays special attention to Supernaturalâs numerous metafictional episodes, in which the writers comment on the overall narrative, as well as the activism of the dedicated fanbase. Finally, Giannini explores Supernaturalâs evolution as the television landscape changed, its impact on other CW television shows, and the showrunnersâ later work. In an appendix, she reveals her selection of must-see episodes. An insightful and entertaining analysis that fans of the series will devour.
â" Library Journal
Erin Gianniniâs Supernatural: A History of Televisionâs Unearthly Road Trip is an impressive road map through one of televisionâs most-loved cult series. Giannini weaves together expert knowledge of television history and network production with a passion for Supernatural in her discussion of this show that defied the odds. Filled with the insight and conviction of a Winchester, this book is ideal for both the newcomer and established Supernatural fan, longing to revisit their favorite show.
â" Stacey Abbott, author of âUndead Apocalypseâ, coauthor of âTV Horrorâ, and coeditor of âTV Goes to Hell: An Unofficial Road Map of Supernaturalâ
Supernatural defied the odds since its beginningâ"a rare horror genre television show, surviving the crash of its network in its first year, and premiering in 2005 when the media landscape was changing dramatically. Despite those challenges, the show not only survived but thrived. Giannini investigates and ultimately explains Supernaturalâs success, writing from her perspective as both a media scholar with a vast knowledge of television and a fan of the series, to allow an in-depth understanding of the showâs enduring appeal.
â" Lynn Zubernis, author of âFangasmâ, âFamily Dont End With Bloodâ, and âTherell Be Peace When You Are Doneâ
In Supernatural: A History of Televisionâs Unearthly Road Trip, Erin Giannini delves into the phenomenon of this cult series and its devoted fan base. Covering all 15 seasons, including the series finale that aired in 2020, this book examines the showâs predecessors, characters, major storylines, and fan activism.
â" Forces of Geek
