DARK REALMS has been running again on Chiller. Eric Roberts was the (mostly ineffective) host of this short-lived horror/fantasy anthology series. Some episodes were downright silly, like the one about a tiger biting a lady -- in an office, mind you. Others were more convincing like the one about a guy who must face all the people he wronged in life and another about two brothers trapped in a house party that isn't quite what it seems. Problem is, the series, like TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE before it, was shot on the ultracheap with as few sets and actors as possible. And as little action as possible. And no special effects to speak of. And it shows, even in the best episodes. This is no "Tales From The Crypt" or "Twilight Zone," although heaven knows it tried to be. And it was a Canadian job to boot, which should tell you plenty. Only THE X-FILES could get away with being a Canadian job (notice how badly that show fell off when it relocated to L.A.).

I thought I had already written about this sappy horror show, but so be it. Here goes: Eric Roberts hosted a short-lived anthology series in 2000 that essentially was TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE all over again. The show stank to high heaven, with bad plots and scripting and worse acting. Roberts was even worse as the host, delivering his lines with all the indifference he could muster. Peter Fonda might have done a better job. Hell, a wooden Indian would have done a better job. I have probably seen most of the existing episodes, but one that stands out in my mind-- as it does with many others -- is the one where an office worker slowly turns into a tiger after having been bitten by one. In her office, mind you. It was simply a werewolf plot, substituting a tiger for a werewolf. If you watch this show, be prepared. You may have to rewire your jaw after it hits the floor.

***Contains Spoiler*** That was a total waste of 15 minutes of my life. I attempted to watch the episode Skin Deep. First of all, the main character was chased twice by a tiger in an office building. Now who would get chased by a tiger once, hide in a room for two seconds, and walk the halls again just to be attacked?!!! Stupid! Plus the writing and acting were HORRIBLE!!! Whoever wrote this script lacks skill, and the actors don't help the situation AT ALL! Also, the host was totally unneeded and thrown into the show. He also did a terrible job! I'm embarrassed for all who were involved in the creation of this show. I'm not surprised that it didn't last long. Don't waste your time.

The show is basically a poor mans X Files, with every week being a different story that involves the supernatural.Out of the episodes I've seen (its on at about 2am), the Curse of the Tiger Gang episode would have to be the funniest. A woman is bitten by a tiger (in her office mind you) and begins to grow nasty. A tatoo appears where the bite should be (although it jumped around from one side to the other) until she becomes a TIGER!!! What clever writing.And it would be Dark Realm without Eric Roberts mind boggling summaries at the end. Not only does it not make sense, but doesn't even fit what the show was about.If you like a good laugh at the expense of washed up celebrities, or just like really bad shows, then trust me, this is for you.