OT: Stephen King did NOT invent Kingdom Hospital

[Randallw]

Actually as it happens, Stephen Kings "Kingdom" was mentioned by someone in a thread recently about books. I was quick to point out that he did not invent it, as I saw it on television here in Australia years ago.

edit: and heres the thread
http://www.shrapnelgames.com/cgi-bin...3;t=010629;p=1

[ March 04, 2004, 08:46: Message edited by: Randallw ]

[PvK]

Coming soon - PvK's Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back... well, I hope the actually creative people behind the original Kingdom get a share of the mass-market loot. They deserve it for making something different and interesting.



PvK

[gregebowman]

I tried to watch it Last night, but kept on nodding off. NOt due to the story, but just from plain tiredness, plus I was sitting in my recliner. Bad mistake. But I did notice the credits said something about US adapation, or U.S. story by Stephen King. I was curious about that, and I read that earlier post, but didn't know all of the history of it. Still, from what I saw of it, it was pretty good. Should have recorded it, but I'll probably buy the dvd when it's released. Maybe the original will be released also?

[Roanon]

Stephen King is notorious for adding his name to things he wasn't involved in very much. There are a lot of "Stephen King" books which he hasn't written, there is just too much difference in style and quality.

[DemoMonkey]

The Danish producer of "The Kingdom" was an exec producer on the new series. That said, there ARE quite a few differences between the two. I don't really see enjoyment of one competing with enjoyment of the other.

As for why Stephen kings name is so prominently attached to it...Stephen King's name is on it because his name sells. Network executives like money.

Mmmmm. Money.

[PvK]

Yes, the reason is pretty clear - shameless greed. I'm glad at least some of the original folks get to cash in a little, but is it really helping King to grab more money or credits? Not a big deal. It just seemed like a particularly silly example and the thing to do was to yell loudly so some people who didn't know, would.

I thought the original was a very good and entertaining mix of eerie spookiness, comedy, and "what's the heck is going on here?" Though, it's in Danish and not very high-budget, so those might be impediments to some people's enjoyment. It's also quite long and what many would perhaps label "slow". Those contributed to a major aspect of what I liked about it: that it seemed fairly unique and quirky (not like, say, the King story about "big rig" trucks and cars that decide to hunt humans which is extremely ridiculous and lame). So, re-hashing it under the generic "Stephen King's" (TM) brand name seemed particularly ironic.

PvK

[ March 04, 2004, 18:37: Message edited by: PvK ]

[sachmo]

The show clearly states that this series is based on the series "The Kingdom", and then states that Steven King wrote this teleplay. Maybe he bought the rights?