As a seasoned gamer with a soft spot for 80s nostalgia and a keen eye for societal commentary, I must say that Peacock’s new series, Hysteria!, has truly captured my attention. The show, set in the late 1980s, seamlessly blends elements of my beloved era with thought-provoking social themes that resonate strongly with today’s world.
Peacock’s forthcoming Satanic Panic series titled “Hysteria!” (releasing all episodes on October 18) is set in the late 1980s, yet it serves as a thought-provoking reflection on the troubling issues prevalent in our contemporary society.
Matthew Scott Kane, co-creator, showrunner, and executive producer, shared with USA Insider over Zoom that he was inspired to create the project in 2019 as terms like “fake news” were gaining traction. He likened this phenomenon to people from the ’80s who jumped to unfounded conclusions about Satanic cults, ritual sacrifices, and Dungeons & Dragons.
The Real World Origins of Peacock’s Satanic Panic Series Hysteria
Kane points out an observable link between our current cultural state and its past, stating, “It seemed like we were experiencing a phase where facts and our perception of reality were becoming distorted. Everything appeared more subjective than it perhaps should have been.” Working on shows like ‘American Horror Story’ and ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’, Kane found this period intriguing, as it mirrored the Satanic Panic era where facts and realities were often manipulated.
Simultaneously, he aimed to portray elements often overlooked in ’80s nostalgia trips, like John Hughes’ work, video nasties, and hair metal. These were his major creative influences. As a result, a massive production that combined horror, crime, comedy, and thriller genres was born, as he mentioned.
As a passionate fan, I jumped on board with the project when I first laid eyes on the exceptional pilot script penned by David A. Goodman – a seasoned TV producer known for his work on iconic shows like “Family Guy” and “Futurama”. The story he crafted about a teenage heavy metal band seizing an opportunity amidst their town’s fear of the occult captivated me instantly, making it one of the best pilot scripts I’ve ever encountered.
He notes, “The story is filled with many individuals taking poor choices, which I believe is a significant reason why the project turned out to be as grand and dramatic as it does. Fundamentally, it’s about teenagers and their parents struggling with decision-making issues. The struggle for communication and the fear of not knowing what your teenager might be doing are valid concerns because that teenager is often making poor choices. This aspect of Matt’s script really resonated with me, and I believe this recurring theme throughout the series makes it relatable to a broad audience.
Why are the ’80s so hot right now?
1980s-themed shows and movies such as “Stranger Things”, “Red Oaks”, “IT” and its sequel, “IT Chapter Two”, “Summer of 84”, “Pose”, “Joker”, “The Goldbergs”, “Snowfall”, “Love Lies Bleeding”, “GLOW”, “Physical”, “Paper Girls”, “Wonder Woman 1984”, “MaXXXine”, “Lisa Frankenstein”, and “Totally Killer
Why does Hollywood seem particularly captivated by the Reagan era right now, as if there’s no end to their fascination with it?
According to Goodman, it seems that the feeling of nostalgia brings us back to the era before the internet, when everyone shared a universal connection. This period was characterized by mutual experiences in music, television, and movies. In contrast, the digital age with its streaming services has led people into their individual niches. There’s an allure in reconnecting with that time when we all understood each other better because of our common cultural references.
According to Emjay Anthony, who portrays Dylan Campbell, a social teenage outcast and heavy metal musician, there was no such thing as cell phones or social media back then. He suggests that people tended to live more in the present moment.
Chiara Aurelia (Dylan’s friend and bandmate, Jordy), adds, “Something special is lacking nowadays with everyone focused on their phones and today’s fads.” She believes that people are growing weary of this trend, making it refreshing at times to revisit the classics. She finds that era, with its styles and trends, to be delightful. To her, exploring those classic elements is enjoyable and fun.
Actress Anna Camp, known for her role as Tracy Whitehead, adds her thoughts: “The ’80s were a time when people dared to push fashion and music boundaries in a truly radical way. I believe it was a very rebellious era. Every generation seems to yearn to challenge their predecessors, and the ’80s perfectly encapsulated that spirit of teenage defiance in an extraordinary manner. I think its impact remains relevant today because everyone continues to strive for independence from the past. This rebellion is something we will always carry on.
How to watch Hysteria!
Starting this very Friday, the 18th of October, you’ll find all eight thrilling episodes of Hysteria! exclusively streaming on Peacock. But here’s a bonus for those who prefer traditional TV: every Thursday night at 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time, these episodes will also be airing live on USA Network. So grab your controller, it’s game time!
Jordan Vogt-Roberts, known for “The Kings of Summer” and “Kong: Skull Island”, directed episodes 1 and 8. He also takes on an executive producer role, working alongside Matthew Scott Kane and David A. Goodman; Chris Bender, who has worked on “The Last Voyage of The Demeter”; Jake Weiner, from “Mulan”; and the co-directors of “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves”, John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein.
How to subscribe to Peacock
Peacock provides two monthly subscription options: The regular Premium plan costs $7.99 per month (with advertisements) and the upgraded Premium Plus plan costs $13.99 per month (without ads and download access for select titles). If you’re a student, you can take advantage of the Premium plan at a special rate of only $1.99 per month for an entire year!
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2024-10-16 21:16