Recalling The Blair Witch Project's TV special that preceded the movie - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 07-13-2019, 01:35 AM

https://film.avclub.com/before-the-b...eci-1835852476

The Sci-Fi Channel helped promote the horror film with the special Curse Of The Blair Witch that aired three days before the movie's release in July 1999. "Schlock-doc cable television reached its highest (or maybe lowest) point in the late ’90s," says Andrew Paul. "During that era, random channel-surfing could almost always turn up a grimy true-crime exposé, history of American UFO sightings, or countdown of the most haunted hotels in America thanks to shows like Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, Forensic Files, and History’s Mysteries. So prevalent were these offerings that few batted an eye when Syfy (then the Sci-Fi Channel) got in on the craze, premiering an hour-long special entitled Curse Of The Blair Witch on July 11, 1999."

dakert · 07-13-2019, 11:44 AM

What was ridiculous was some people at work the next day thinking it was real. I went to see the movie but didn't care for it. Oh wow, it was 20 years ago.

Torgo · 07-13-2019, 11:59 AM

Big Blair Witch fan, love all of the tie-in specials. Whenever I watch the first Blair Witch I always follow it up with Curse. The Burkittsville 7, which focuses on Rustin Parr, is my second favorite of the tie-ins.

Blair Witch 2 has grown on me over the years. Sadly the 2016 sequel was a disappointment. Too bad we never got the proper part 3 that had been planned for years by the original directors.

But yeah, the original started my love for found footage/POV horror films.

07-13-2019, 01:35 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,305	Recalling The Blair Witch Project's TV special that preceded the movie https://film.avclub.com/before-the-b...eci-1835852476 The Sci-Fi Channel helped promote the horror film with the special Curse Of The Blair Witch that aired three days before the movie's release in July 1999. "Schlock-doc cable television reached its highest (or maybe lowest) point in the late ’90s," says Andrew Paul. "During that era, random channel-surfing could almost always turn up a grimy true-crime exposé, history of American UFO sightings, or countdown of the most haunted hotels in America thanks to shows like Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, Forensic Files, and History’s Mysteries. So prevalent were these offerings that few batted an eye when Syfy (then the Sci-Fi Channel) got in on the craze, premiering an hour-long special entitled Curse Of The Blair Witch on July 11, 1999."

07-13-2019, 11:59 AM	#3
Torgo Omaha & Fritz Forum Star Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 19,033	Big Blair Witch fan, love all of the tie-in specials. Whenever I watch the first Blair Witch I always follow it up with Curse. The Burkittsville 7, which focuses on Rustin Parr, is my second favorite of the tie-ins. Blair Witch 2 has grown on me over the years. Sadly the 2016 sequel was a disappointment. Too bad we never got the proper part 3 that had been planned for years by the original directors. But yeah, the original started my love for found footage/POV horror films.
	__________________ "I'm going to go do something productive. I'm gonna go watch television." - Ray Peterson, The 'burbs "I am the literary equivalent of a Big Mac and Fries." - Stephen King "There's nothing wrong with G-rated movies, as long as there's lots of sex and violence." - Elvira

07-13-2019, 11:44 AM	#2
dakert Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 10, 2007 Location: Altoona PA Posts: 3,411	What was ridiculous was some people at work the next day thinking it was real. I went to see the movie but didn't care for it. Oh wow, it was 20 years ago.