"Carnivàle" (2003) TV series 2003-2005

Creator:

Daniel Knauf

Seasons:

1 | 2

Genre:

Drama | Fantasy | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Into each generation is born a creature of light and a creature of darkness.

Plot:

1934, America. The Dustbowl. A fugitive named Ben Hawkins finds refuge within a traveling carnival comprised...

Plot Keywords:

Preacher | Carnival | California | Tarot Card | God

Awards:

Won 5 Primetime Emmys. Another 9 wins & 25 nominations

Cast

 (Series Cast Summary - 27 of 83)

Michael J. Anderson	...	Samson (24 episodes, 2003-2005)
Adrienne Barbeau	...	Ruthie / ... (24 episodes, 2003-2005)
Clancy Brown	...	Brother Justin Crowe (24 episodes, 2003-2005)
Debra Christofferson	...	Lila (24 episodes, 2003-2005)
Tim DeKay	...	Clayton 'Jonesy' Jones / ... (24 episodes, 2003-2005)
Clea DuVall	...	Sofie (24 episodes, 2003-2005)
Cynthia Ettinger	...	Rita Sue Dreifuss (24 episodes, 2003-2005)
Carla Gallo	...	Libby Dreifuss (24 episodes, 2003-2005)
Toby Huss	...	Felix 'Stumpy' Dreifuss (24 episodes, 2003-2005)
Amy Madigan	...	Iris Crowe (24 episodes, 2003-2005)
Nick Stahl	...	Ben Hawkins (24 episodes, 2003-2005)
Brian Turk	...	Gabriel (24 episodes, 2003-2005)
Craig DeSilva	...	Promo Announcer (24 episodes, 2003-2005)
Diane Salinger	...	Apollonia (17 episodes, 2003-2005)
Patrick Bauchau	...	Professor Lodz / ... (16 episodes, 2003-2005)
Ralph Waite	...	Reverend Norman Balthus (16 episodes, 2003-2005)
John Savage	...	Henry 'Hack' Scudder (15 episodes, 2003-2005)
Scott MacDonald	...	Burley (14 episodes, 2003-2005)
Michael Stellman	...	Fire Eater (13 episodes, 2003-2005)
John Fleck	...	Gecko (12 episodes, 2003)
Karyne Steben	...	Alexandria (12 episodes, 2003)
John Carroll Lynch	...	Varlyn Stroud (12 episodes, 2005)
Sarah Steben	...	Caladonia (12 episodes, 2003)
Robert Knepper	...	Tommy Dolan (12 episodes, 2003-2005)
Blake Shields	...	Osgood (12 episodes, 2003-2005)
Larry Vigus	...	Carny (12 episodes, 2003)
Nicholas Garren	...	Roustie (11 episodes, 2005)

Also Known As:

La feria ambulante (USA: Spanish title)

Runtime:

60 min (24 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

French | Russian | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Certification:

Australia:M (some episodes) | New Zealand:R13 | USA:TV-MA | Finland:K-15 (DVD rating) | Argentina:16 | Portugal:M/12 (DVD rating) | Spain:18 | Australia:MA (some episodes)

Filming Locations:

California State University Channel Islands - One University Drive, Camarillo, California, USA

Company:

Home Box Office (HBO)

Trivia:

While ratings began agreeably, by the end of the first season they were down significantly. During the second season, the ratings slowly rose toward the end; however, the show became increasingly expensive to produce at the same time. Many fans suspected that, due to HBO's tradition of carrying shows through to an end, and Daniel Knauf's six-year-plan, the show would be renewed, but in May 2005, it was leaked that the series would not be returning for another season. HBO confirmed that the show had been canceled on 11 May 2005. The show's ending after its second season and leaving so many plot lines unfinished has outraged many viewers. Some of them organized petitions and mailing drives to HBO to get the shows renewed. According to HBO's president this generated 50,000 emails in one weekend to the network.

Goofs:

Continuity: In Episode 20, Stumpy invites Jonesy to dinner as the talk next to the Colossus Wheel. Near the end of the conversation, Jonesy's hair parts to the other side.

Quotes:

Prof. Lodz: Have you seen my bear?

Movie Connections:

Featured in Making 'Carnivàle': The Show Behind the Show (2003) (TV)

Brilliant

Carnivale is absolutely brilliant. I am amazed at every episode. The story unfolds with wonderfully colorful layers that constantly change the way you look at it. At times, the acting seems a little forced. With a cast of such talented actors I have to believe that that is the fault of the production itself. Nick Stahl, however, gives an absolutely flawless performance every time. He's really grown into his talent (and looks!). I am most impressed by the writing, the way the human aspect of the characters is so well interwoven with the macabre imagery. A production with this kind of theme and these kind of characters could easily turn campy and yet it doesn't. There's no way a show like this should be believable, but it is.