The King of Dreams

One of the many things that has always impressed me about Stephen King is that he is equally adept at penning short stories as he is at novels. It's been my experience that few writers can master both forms consistently. Some of King's best books have been his short story collections including Night Shift, Skeleton Crew, and Everything's Eventual.

The King anthology Nightmares and Dreamscapes is being adapted as a mini seres for TNT in what is being touted as a Four Week Television Event. Eight King stories are being presented in a one hour format not unlike The Masters of Horror series. Presumably this format will better suit the story than a full length film treatment. Movies like Maximum Overdrive and Children of the Corn were hard pressed to expand the story to feature length.

Nightmares and Dreamscapes premieres Wednesday July 12 at 9:00 PM Eastern/8:00 PM Central with Battle Ground starring William Hurt, followed immediately by Crouch End at 9:50PM Eastern/8:50PM Central. The following three wednesday nights will bring two more episodes each. Cast and plot synopses can be found at the show's official website.