Creepy (AKA Creepy Canada) ran three seasons on the Outdoor Life Network in Canada, as well airing internationally.
Created, and primarily directed by William Burke the series was one of the earlier examples of the “Paranormal Genre” combining reenactments, interviews and investigations of allegedly haunted locales across Canada and, in it’s third season, the United States.
The show was based on a spec pilot directed by William Burke, and shot with virtually no budget, and a lot of favors in the grueling heat of the Mohave Desert. The pilot caught the attention of CTV, and the series transformed into Creepy Canada, re-titled simply Creepy for international markets.
Canada’s size, and the remoteness of many locations made this production a very challenging experience. Over the course of the series over four hundred actors, appeared in the show’s reenactments, usually cast on location through professional or amateur theatrical companies. The grisly aspects of most ghost stories created some very unique onscreen statistics for the series; fifteen child murders, eleven decapitations, nine people drown, eight hangings, seven murdered prostitutes, six ghostly serial killers; always something for the entire family to enjoy. These were all very challenging scenes to present on a limited schedule and budget. There was also no budget for a separate interview crew to proceed the reenactments, so every shoot was “anything can happen day” with the actual stories unfolding on the day of.
In answer to some peoples questions – yes, the show was deliberately a bit campy and over the top. It’s only a shame it wasn’t in 3D, just to add to the camp factor. Who knows, maybe it will rise again.