Carnivàle (2003–2005)

During the Great Depression, an Oklahoma farm boy and a charismatic minister learn that they are key players in a proxy war being fought between Heaven and Hell.

Creator:

Daniel Knauf

Stars:

Michael J. Anderson, Adrienne Barbeau, Clancy Brown

Won 5 Primetime Emmys. Another 9 wins & 25 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
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)
Diane Salinger	...	Apollonia (17 episodes, 2003-2005)
Patrick Bauchau	...	Professor Ernst Lodz (16 episodes, 2003-2005)
Ralph Waite	...	Reverend Norman Balthus (16 episodes, 2003-2005)
John Savage	...	Henry 'Hack' Scudder (14 episodes, 2003-2005)
Scott MacDonald	...	Burley (14 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)

Storyline

1934, America. The Dustbowl. A fugitive named Ben Hawkins finds refuge within a traveling carnival comprised of a tarot card reader and her catatonic/telekinetic mother, a blind mentalist, a bearded lady, and conjoined twins, amongst others. The carnival is owned by the mysterious and unseen Management, who has designs on the young Hawkins, for the boy is concealing an untapped gift: he can heal the lame and raise the dead--at a price. Ben also finds himself disturbed by cryptic and prophetic dreams, which he shares with a Methodist preacher in California, Brother Justin Crowe. Brother Justin, convinced by his dreams he is following God's will, has begun to practice his own extraordinary talents, although the preacher's plans increasingly lead to disturbing and tragic consequences. In this "last great age of magic," Ben Hawkins and Justin Crowe are moving toward a great conflict between Good and Evil, although it not yet clear on which sides these men will stand.

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Plot Keywords:

preacher | carnival | tarot card | great depression | california | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Details

Official Sites:

HBO

Country:

USA

Language:

French Russian English German

Also Known As:

La feria ambulante

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

3 Arts Entertainment, Home Box Office (HBO)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (24 episodes)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

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.

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Goofs

The "Russian" that Iris and Justin are speaking is actually gibberish.

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Quotes

Rev. Norman Balthus: In desperate times, the good Lord looks over the flock and chooses one man to inspire the multitudes; one man to accomplish the impossible; one man to offer hope where there was only hopelessness; and who are we to judge the wisdom of the Almighty? He chooses his servants to fit his plan and when he chooses his servant from the flock and gifts them with talents, it is a grave sin to bury them in the earth.

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Connections

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

User Reviews

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.