I've only seen 10 episodes of THE HITCHHIKER, but they were on a DVD anthology. So I'm guessing they represent the best that the show had to offer. If that's the case, then I would hate to see the worst episodes. THE HITCHHIKER was a smarmy, badly written TWILIGHT ZONE retread. It even took its name from a classic TZ episode. How could such swill have garnered multiple Emmy nominations? Payola?
I assumed each episode would begin with the Hitchhiker (Page Fletcher) getting out of the car of that week's main character and delivering his narrative. But that was never the case. And his monochromatic, soundbite-length attempts at profundity always fell short, particularly if one compares him to THE TWILIGHT ZONE'S Rod Serling.
THE HITCHHIKER focused on bad people getting their comeuppance, either by natural or supernatural means. Alas, the bad people in question are so one-dimensional, I didn't give a damn what happened to them one way or the other. The writing here is surprisingly weak for a show that lasted six years on a major cable network (HBO).
While THE TWILIGHT ZONE frequently served up timeless morality plays, THE HITCHHIKER, in a fashion typical of the 1980s, offered style over substance. While it may have been a stepping stone for up-and-comers like Willem Dafoe, Helen Hunt and Kirstie Alley, it was a decided low point for established performers like Darren McGavin, Peter Coyote, Margot Kidder and Gary Busey.
If you want an anthology series that appeals to the intellect and not the prurient interest, eschew this crap for THE TWILIGHT ZONE or THE OUTER LIMITS.
I assumed each episode would begin with the Hitchhiker (Page Fletcher) getting out of the car of that week's main character and delivering his narrative. But that was never the case. And his monochromatic, soundbite-length attempts at profundity always fell short, particularly if one compares him to THE TWILIGHT ZONE'S Rod Serling.
THE HITCHHIKER focused on bad people getting their comeuppance, either by natural or supernatural means. Alas, the bad people in question are so one-dimensional, I didn't give a damn what happened to them one way or the other. The writing here is surprisingly weak for a show that lasted six years on a major cable network (HBO).
While THE TWILIGHT ZONE frequently served up timeless morality plays, THE HITCHHIKER, in a fashion typical of the 1980s, offered style over substance. While it may have been a stepping stone for up-and-comers like Willem Dafoe, Helen Hunt and Kirstie Alley, it was a decided low point for established performers like Darren McGavin, Peter Coyote, Margot Kidder and Gary Busey.
If you want an anthology series that appeals to the intellect and not the prurient interest, eschew this crap for THE TWILIGHT ZONE or THE OUTER LIMITS.