Creepshow/Public Television of the Dead

Public Television of the Dead
Season 2, Episode 1B
Release date	April 1, 2021
Written by	Rob Schrab
Directed by	Greg Nicotero
Produced by	Mitchell Galin
← 2x01A Model Kid	2x02A → Dead and Breakfast
Creepshow — Season Two

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Public Television of the Dead is part of the first episode of the second season of Creepshow, and the seventh episode overall.

Starring: Mark Ashworth (Norm Roberts), Marissa Hampton (Claudia Aberlan), Coley Campany (Mrs. Bookberry), Peter Leake (Goodman Tapert), Todd Allen Durkin (George), Ted Raimi (Ted Raimi)

Guest Starring: Jason Kehler (Announcer)

Additional Cast: Andy Rusk (Stunt Coordinator), Bret McKee (Stunt Burned Tedite), Mike Endoso (George Stunt Double), Philip Dido (Stunt Tedite Firehead), Constance Palmer (Stunt Norm Fire Breather), Jessica Erin Bennett (Stunt Wardrobe Female), Troy Faruk (Stunt Utilities)

Plot Overview

A public access TV station comes under siege by the Evil Dead.

Trivia

The Show

• The ashtray from "Father's Day" is seen on the vanity mirror in Mrs. Bookberry's dressing room.

• Brenner's cane from The Companion can be seen on the wrecked set of The Appraiser's Road Trip.

• JBN World News, the news network from Shapeshifters Anonymous, is advertised on a poster in the station hallways.

Allusions and References

• This story is one long homage to the Evil Dead franchise. In addition to its faithful use of the Deadites and the Necronomicon (although the aspect of the lock and key are added), there are several other allusions throughout:

• Norm Roberts' first painting seen is of the cabin and blown out bridge, two key locations in the first two films.

• The host of The Appraiser's Road Trip is named Goodman Tapert, a dual homage to David Goodman, who was the transportation coordinator for the first two films, and Robert Tapert, who was a producer for all the films and Ash vs. Evil Dead.

• Goodman's guest is Ted Raimi (playing a version of himself), who played roles in the Evil Dead trilogy and in Ash vs. Evil Dead. He mentions that the Necronomicon was collecting dust in his fruit cellar, alluding to his role as Henrietta Knowby in Evil Dead II and Ash vs. Evil Dead, where the character was found buried in the fruit cellar. He also says it's been in his family for years, likely alluding to his brother Sam Raimi, who created and presided over the franchise through various writer/director/producer roles.

• Mrs. Bookberry's puppet is named "Henrietta", the same name as the long-necked Deadite from Evil Dead 2.

• Similar to the films, there is a POV sequence of the Evil traveling the halls of the building.

• After Norm's attack on the Deadites with the Civil War dollars, George exclaims "Groovy," a popular catchphrase by the series protagonist Ash Williams.

• Norm Roberts is clearly based on Bob Ross, from having a public access painting show to his gentle and kindly demeanor.

• Similarly, Mrs. Bookberry and Henrietta are based on Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop.

• There is also a poster that features a chef who bears a strong resemblance to Julia Child, beloved hostess of The French Chef.

• The programs broadcast by WQPS are based on actual PBS programs.

• Mrs. Bookberry's Magical Library is a mashup of Reading Rainbow and Lamb Chop's Play-Along.

• The Love of Painting is a parody of Joy of Painting.

• The Appraiser's Road Trip is a parody of Antiques Roadshow.

• The display cases on The Appraiser's Road Trip hold props from various movies:

• The mask worn by Michael Myers in the Halloween films.

• A bust of Bubo the mechanical owl from Clash of the Titans.

• The idol from the Indiana Jones film Raiders of the Lost Ark.

• The animate Zuni doll from Trilogy of Terror.