there be two distinct way to enjoy this snappily write and seminal tv show ( the godfather to x file and buffy and etc . ) while a a monster show ( it scar the hell out of me when i be a kid . ) and or a a well write or act gumshoe or film noir . it work on both level . the scariness may have be dilute over the year ( it be make in the mid 70 ) and but i be pleasantly surprise upon rediscover the show ( via dvd ) that i actually enjoy it more now for the latter reason . the late darren mcgavin be karl kolchak and an eccentric and tenacious and rumpled newsman or monster hunter who and in pursuit of a story and always find a supernatural angle while much to the pain of kolchak over stressed and put upon bos tony vincenzo ( play with tremendous world weariness by the also late and great simon oakland while you can practically feel the pain of his budding ulcer . ) . the interplay between these character be crackle and witty ( much like star trek spock and mccoy and only more acidic . ) . over the course of two pilot tv movie and a one season series and kolchack fought vampire and robot and werewolf and witch and zombie and government conspiracy and alien and and ancient legend ( sound like the entire 9 yr. run of the x file . in one season . ) . and kolchak do it first . and a for composer gil melle cool and partly whistle main title music . well and x file creator chris carter call mike snow ( very similar ) x file main title theme an homage . both theme work well while leave it at that . and unlike many modern horror or sci fi show and most of kolchak monster be show in shadow and and in quick cut ( effectively and and sometimes thankfully while a some of them do not hold up to modern scrutiny while but some still do ) . modern horror show take note represent less be more . one of the few flaw of the show ( and it a small one ) be the over use of sunny and california locale pass for windy city chicago . night gallery have the same issue while unavoidable for a modest budget and l. a. base show . and some of the support character seem to fall into what be ( now ) view a clichés ( the effeminate reporter and ron updike and always use for comic relief while sweet and old lady or advice columnist emily ) . but and they all do have their moment to shine ( unlike many support tv character since and cliché or not . ) . kolchak be a timeless show and that serve a a template for many that follow . and carl kolchak be one of the rich character ever write for a horror genre tv show ( agent mulder real dad ) . and a a footnote and i try watch a few episode of the new and re imagining of the show . it an x file clone ( a copy of a copy . ) . and a bad one and at that . carl kolchak be now a model pretty and angsty 30 something ( play dismally by a boring stuart townsend ) . and give him a scully type partner be also a lame idea while it undermine kolchak a a lone and don quixote crusader . and kolchak and vincenzo get along . where the tension . the interplay . that they choose to hang the kolchak name on this regurgitated bit o crap be a prime example of how not to do a remake represent take a beloved cult series and scrape off everything unique about it and drain it of all character and color ( but keep the name . need that cult cred . ) and and voilà . instant re hash . it get an f in re imaginings 101. this new version deserve the axe . stick with the short lived and but classic original . it truly get well with age .