Don't be afraid of the dark

What a grey day. EdiSteve and I ventured out, and quickly ventured back in again, settling down with this box set of selected Dark Shadows episodes. We're too young to have seen the original US soap, which ran from 1966-71, but have heard of it. I think I saw an episode or two of the Ben Cross remake ...

Anyway, in preparation for the upcoming Tim Burton movie version - which, surprisingly, stars Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, we settled down with the original. Bonkers isn't the word - vampire Barnabus Collins is reborn in the 20th century and gets involved in adventures involving witches, ghosts, time travel, parallel worlds and bad haircuts. It's rather marvellous, actually, and while it's meant to be taken seriously, I doubt the Burton spin will ruin anyone's memories. And a few of the original cast members, including Barnabus himself (Jonathan Frid, who died recently) cameo. Can't wait!