The Top Ten Television Werewolves
With the launch of the new Teen Wolf TV series trailer, we thought it might be cool to take a look back at other television lycanthropes that have graced the small screen:
10. She-Wolf of London
I remember fondly this short-lived TV series from the early 1990s about a grad student who gets bitten by a werewolf on the Moors. From what I remember this TV show, which initially aired in first-run syndication on USA, it was a bit risque for the time -- probably perfect for a series showcasing pretty Kate Hodge as the head wolf!
9. The wolves of Wolf Lake
Here's another of these obscure werewolf TV shows that might be worth a second look. Basically, think a soap opera with lots of fur and fangs...no not Dark Shadows, that's further on our list. But sorta like Dark Shadows, only starring Lou Diamond Phillips and Tim Matheson as citizens of a small town with a (you guessed it) dark secret...
8. Wolfie from Groovie Ghoulies and Howler from Drak Pack
I always get these two animated shows confused, I have to admit -- I think Ghoulies had an actual musical band ("Come to the ghoulies get-together..."), while Drak Pack was more action oriented. Hands-down, Drak had the cuter vampire. But the werewolves, Wolfie and Howler, are kinda similar.
7. Werewolf
Rick Baker provided the special effects for this FOX TV show, which gave it an added bit of awesomeness. Eric Cord (played by John J. York) was yet another college student bitten by a werewolf (lesson: if you want to avoid wolf attacks, avoid college).
6. Eddie Munster from The Munsters
Eddie might be part vampire -- but he's all werewolf. You have to wonder how he stays so hairless...maybe at puberty he just started hairing-up. He also never seems to get very feral, with his prim and proper Little Lord Fauntleroy suit. I think we definitely need a reality show "child monsters: where are they now?" follow-up for this one.
5. Alien werewolves from Doctor Who
There have been several werewolves in the many incarnations of the Doctor Who TV series, but I am here specifically thinking of the ones in the Tenth Doctor episode "Tooth and Claw" -- including, possibly Queen Victoria herself! The events of this episode lead into the creation by Victoria of the Torchwood Institute -- to presumably stop alien furballs from harassing Britain any longer!
4. Quentin Collins from Dark Shadows
This sexy wolf might be a precursor to Twilight's Jacob Black (there, I said it...I'm sure Dark Shadow fans don't mind having their fave franchise compared to ol' sparkly vamps, no sir...). Just reading over the long, angsty, convoluted history of Quentin Collins makes me want to drink hard liquor. Fun fact: Quentin Tarantino was named after Quentin Collins. No, no really. Well, maybe. OK, I just don't know. They have similarly-shaped heads.
3. Werewolf Flanders
1999's Simpsons Treehouse Of Horror X featured a lupine Ned Flanders. In "I Know What You Diddly-Iddly Did," Flanders is tragically run over by the Simpsons -- though it is later revealed he was also bitten by a werewolf seconds before the accident. Some guys have all the luck -- or is it divine intervention?
2. George from Being Human (BBC version)
George is from a long line of well-meaning, slightly awkward gentle fellows who also turn into ravenous fanged creatures of doom when the moon is full. While Josh, the werewolf from the SyFy Channel version, is a little bit abrasive/neurotic for my taste, Russell Tovey in the British original strikes juts the right balance and you will be in a state of continual empathy/pity watching his misadventures.
1. Oz from Buffy The Vampire Slayer
C'mon, you and I both know this was going to be numero uno. Oz is chill, a good friend, a great musician, and an all-around awesome regular dude -- until he becomes a scary-ass hairy killing machine. It's almost like we're willing to let the lycanthropy slide just to hang out with the guy. That's what makes Seth Green's Oz our #1 Television Werewolf!
Will the upcoming Teen Wolf, debuting June 5th after the 2011 MTV Movie Awards, be the next contender in the TV werewolf stakes? Check out the trailer right now and see for yourself!
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