Regular Cast: Janet Montgomery, Shane West, Seth Gabel, Ashley Madekwe, Xander Berkeley, Tamzin Merchant, Elise Eberle, Iddo Goldberg
WGN makes original shows now. I suppose there are not enough cable TV networks airing original scripted series, so WGN offered to jump into the fold. I didn’t even know WGN was still around. I stopped watching WGN when I grew out of Bozo The Clown. Anyhoo, enough about WGN…. this review is to tell you whether or not you should bother getting invested in Salem (which already has been renewed for a second season).
An interesting premise, indeed, but a B-list cast tends to ruin the show. Seth Gabel does a pretty good job, but Janet Montgomery is just not a strong enough leading female, and Ashley Madekwe is horribly miscast. She doesn’t feel ‘period’ at all. It’s almost like The CW made the show, because the pretty cast involved in Salem acts like they’re on Salem. Shane West is trying his best here, but he’s out of his depth. Really, everyone is except Seth Gabel (Fringe).
The premise of the show is that basically the witches are in control of the witch hunt, and are using it to purge Salem of the puritans. Of course, a lot of people are really stupid, and easily manipulated, because… why not. Clearly innocent people are executed, because everyone is really, REALLY dumb.
I understand that Salem is a buzzy show, and WGN is happy to be moving into scripted programming, but this show wouldn’t survive on a different network. The CW… maybe. It’s probably best suited for The CW.
Should you watch Salem? If you think American Horror Story on The CW would be a good series, then Salem is probably for you. Otherwise, if you’re expecting a serious drama that might get Emmy love… for anything other than costuming…this is not the show for you. This is not a prestigious drama. This is silly.
FINAL GRADE: C-
