Stan Against Evil Season 1 Overview: "Ash Vs Evil Dead's" Cheap But Loveable Cousin

"Stan Against Evil" originally aired on IFC last year. All eight 30 minute episodes are currently available on Hulu.

"Stan" is in the horror comedy genre. You might consider it an "Ash Vs Evil Dead" knockoff. Sure it's low budget and completely preposterous but that's part of it's charm. I found myself laughing out loud several times at the silliness of it all.

The basic story is as follows. In 1692, 172 witches were burned at the stake in the small town of Willard's Mills, New Hampshire. As they burned they cursed the town's constable (since he was the one doing the burning). Since then, each successive sheriff has died violently. That is except for Stan Miller (John McGinley of "Scrubs" fame). His wife (ie "The Lady Who Knows") secretly protected him. Now she's dead and all hell has broken loose.

Stan is an old school kinda guy. He likes his beer, his WWII TV shows and his recliner. Oh and Bobby Orr. Stan doesnt suffer fools gladly. He has a million one liners such as "Has anyone told you you look like a bag of assholes"? This tends to make things worse since demons dont like smack talk.

Stan has been forcibly retired (errr fired). He beat up an old woman at his wife's funeral. Don't ask. A new sheriff named Evie Barret (Janet Varney) arrives. She's seems normal enough and initially doesnt realize what she's gotten into. Eventually Evie and Stan reluctantly work together to protect Williard's Mill from their supernatural foes. They are assisted by Stan's adult daughter Denise. She is a quirky and interesting addition to the team. Denise is either all knowing or doesnt have a clue what's going on. I'm not sure which. The team is rounded out by Deputy Leon Drinkwater. He's not the sharpest tool in the shed.

In season 1 the small group battles assorted baddies including: a goat monster, love demon and evil flowers. I, like Denise, would like a pet pig... but maybe not after watching this.

Grade: 4 Monsters (out of 5 total). "Stan Against Evil" is great if you take it for what it's worth. It's a fun, light horror treat. The characters are so bizarre as to be loveable. The baddies are laughable. Cant wait to see what else they have in store in season 2 (which airs November 1).