If Anthony Michael Hall has his way, his psychic character, Johnny Smith, will continue to see the dead and in-danger-of-being-dead characters beyond the fifth season of “The Dead Zone.”
Rumors that this season, beginning at 9 p.m. Sunday, is the last for “Zone” have been rampant, leaving fans to wonder: Will Season 5 foretell the end for the series based on Stephen King’s apocalyptic novel?
“I don’t know how that got [started],” Hall said. “The great thing about [TV] is the audience is in control. Our numbers were up last year. I hope fans of the show will return [this season]. And hopefully we’ll get more viewers.”
A USA spokeswoman said a sixth season still is in the cards.
When last we saw Hall’s Smith, he was desperately trying to find a way to save Miranda (Laura Harris), the girlfriend of evil Congressman Greg Stillson (Sean Patrick Flannery), from entering into un-holy matrimony with Stillson. Of course, Miranda, the daughter of a powerful senator, is but a pawn in Stillson’s diabolical grab for world domination.
” ‘The Dead Zone’,” Hall said, “is always about a moral and ethical dilemma. There’s a spiritual quality to it. The writers created this whole mythology.”
Hall, who also is a producer of “Zone,” probably is best remembered as the skinny nerd in ’80s teen comedies “The Breakfast Club,” “Sixteen Candles” and “Weird Science.” He also still holds the distinction of being the youngest troupe member of “Saturday Night Live,” a gig he landed in 1985 when he was 17.
Taller, older–he’s 38–and thicker now, Hall bears little resemblance to his Generation X pipsqueak wiseacre.
“I had a tremendous desire and persistence, the dumb persistence that you have to have in this business,” Hall said.
He’s written several scripts, directed episodes of “Dead Zone” and continues to produce independent films through his production company. His latest project, “Aftermath,” is a murder mystery starring himself, Tony Danza, Frank Whaley and Chris Penn in his last role before his death in February.
Hall produced “Aftermath” with his stepfather. They’ll take it on the festival circuit in hopes of getting theatrical distribution. He’s also written a comedy, “Life After Death in Las Vegas,” which he hopes to direct. Wayne Newton is attached, he said. And Paris Hilton is interested.
“I look at the whole process differently now,” he said. “When you’re working on a small film, you really see who wants it.”
It’s the same work ethic he employs on “Dead Zone.”
“I’ve treated every episode like a $50 million film,” Hall said. “It’s been a wonderful opportunity for me.”
Hall’s dedication to the show is good news for fans.
“I had an acting coach that told me without the audience you wouldn’t have a job,” he said. “I take that very seriously. It’s really humbling.”
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