The Boys’ Eric Kripke Loves ‘Spending A S–t Ton Of Money’ On His Shows. Why He Thinks Shows Like Supernatural Are So Valuable

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As a seasoned film enthusiast and someone who has spent countless hours binge-watching shows on various streaming platforms, I have to admit that Eric Kripke’s perspective on genre television is truly enlightening. Having been captivated by his work on Supernatural, The Boys, Timeless, and Revolution, it’s clear that he possesses a unique talent for crafting engaging narratives that resonate with audiences.

Having followed the evolution of streaming services over the years, I can see how the landscape has shifted towards prioritizing high-budget productions that boast feature film quality. It is no secret that viewers today have come to expect nothing less than visual and narrative grandeur from their favorite shows, especially those falling under the genre umbrella.

What Eric Kripke said about the value of shows like Supernatural is particularly insightful. As a fan who has witnessed the growth of the genre-nerd community over the years, I can attest to the fact that streamers are indeed shifting towards spending big bucks on a select few shows in an attempt to meet the ever-increasing demands of viewers.

That being said, it’s refreshing to hear Kripke acknowledge the importance of lower-budget series like Supernatural, which provided him with valuable lessons in stretching his creative muscles. As someone who appreciates a good underdog story, I can only hope that more young showrunners and producers will have the opportunity to learn from such experiences and continue to contribute to the rich tapestry of television entertainment.

Lastly, let me add a little humor to lighten the mood: It’s a shame that streaming services are becoming increasingly selective with their spending, as it means fewer opportunities for us viewers to enjoy Eric Kripke’s delightful penchant for NSFW language, violence, and flaming penis scenes. Who knows? Maybe one day we’ll see a Kripke-produced show where the entire cast is made up of flaming penises. Now that would be something worth spending a shit ton of money on!

As a passionate cinephile, I can’t help but express my excitement over the phenomenal success of “The Boys” on Amazon Prime Video. With Season 5 of this captivating superhero satire just around the corner, it’s clear that the series has solidified its status as one of the streaming service’s crown jewels. This recognition brings with it a sense of trust and influence, especially from the perspective of the platform that serves as the show’s home.

The critical and audience acclaim has afforded showrunner Eric Kripke a generous budget, a fact he openly acknowledges with his signature charm. He relishes the opportunity to splurge extravagantly on his shows, yet he also values series like “Supernatural” as invaluable treasures.

What Did The Boys’ Eric Kripke Say About Why Shows Like Supernatural Are Valuable?

Eric Kripke is widely recognized as a master of his craft within the genre world, having spent a significant portion of his career breathing life into stories about superheroes, time travelers, and eerie nighttime entities, bringing immense joy to millions of viewers. While he’s also known for creating cult favorites like the NBC series “Timeless” and “Revolution”, it was his work on The CW’s hit show “Supernatural”, which ran for 15 seasons, that truly cemented his reputation. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter about whether genre shows are more straightforward to produce, Kripke remarked:

As a longtime fan of television series, I’ve seen my fair share of shows with varying budgets. From the glossy, high-budget productions to those that manage to tell captivating stories despite their financial constraints, I appreciate them all. However, when it comes to “Supernatural,” I have to say that its relatively modest production cost was truly impressive. Compared to other shows, like “The Boys” or the latest hits on streaming platforms, “Supernatural” seemed almost quaint in its budget.

When I first started watching the show during its early seasons, it was like discovering a hidden gem. The network it was on, known for shows like “Gossip Girl” and “90210,” was not typically associated with genre content. But as “Supernatural” gained popularity, the tide began to turn. By the time the series ended, it had transformed the entire landscape of television, making room for more genre-focused stories and nurturing a community of fans who share a passion for the strange and supernatural.

In today’s market, it seems that the demand is for big-budget productions like “The Boys,” “Fallout,” and even “House of the Dragon.” While I enjoy these shows, I can’t help but miss the simpler, more humble beginnings of “Supernatural” – a show that proved you don’t need a massive budget to tell an engaging story. And though its production cost may have been smaller, it left a lasting impact on me and countless others who were drawn into its world of demons, angels, and the unknown.

Initially, streaming shows appeared to enjoy a favorable position over their broadcast and cable counterparts, as they could survive for multiple seasons without generating much buzz. However, the post-pandemic era has significantly altered this landscape, with streaming series that have dedicated (though not massive) fanbases being canceled increasingly often, sparking outrage among viewers.

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I’ve noticed that some of my favorite series seem to be rushed or lack the necessary time to develop fully, leaving their stories incomplete for us viewers. Eric Kripke, a TV creator, thinks that if streaming shows don’t meet the standard of “feature film quality,” especially those within specific genres, they risk being overlooked. This trend indicates that streaming platforms are becoming increasingly discerning, preferring to invest heavily in a few genre series rather than spreading their resources as generously as they once did.

Kripke, who earlier confessed to living in constant fear while expanding the on-screen world of “The Boys”, acknowledged his preference for shows with substantial funding. However, he also expressed appreciation towards lower-budget series like “Supernatural”, stating that they too are worth investing time and energy into producing. In simpler terms, he likes working on well-funded projects, but also values the production of smaller-budget series such as “Supernatural”.

I strongly lean towards investing vast amounts of resources into extensive productions, extending the filming duration by threefold. This approach has undeniably lowered my stress levels. However, for budding showrunners, it’s a pity that channels like Syfy and The CW no longer exist as they once did, offering an apprenticeship-like experience in managing resources effectively, both in scriptwriting and production. This kind of training was incredibly beneficial to me, and I wish more people entering the industry had the same opportunity. It would foster a healthier and more capable workforce ready to take on major projects when they arise.

In this instance, his perspective is quite logical: If you can achieve a great deal with minimal resources, then when provided with ample resources, you should be even more prepared to deliver outstanding results, all within the given time and budget constraints. I have full faith that Kripke will continue to do just that as The Boys moves into its fifth and final season.

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2025-01-01 03:09