Anne Rice’s 1976 novel “Interview with the Vampire” comes with plenty of name recognition and an established fan base, but also considerable baggage from the disastrous 1994 movie starring the twin miscastings of Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. You can’t fault audiences who might be wary of AMC’s eight-episode adaptation, but I’m here to tell you: Let all of that go. The series is vibrantly written, tonally self-assured and unexpectedly funny. Yes, funny. I know!
The show comes from Rolin Jones, whose credits include everything from the drama “Boardwalk Empire” to the musical “Smash” to the comedy “Life in Pieces.” It’s a resume that perhaps speaks to an interest — and facility — with a variety of genres. This works to “Interview’s” benefit and clearly AMC is happy with the results; the show has already been renewed for a second season.
Some key changes have been made in this version. Louis de Pointe du Lac remains the chatty vampire of the title, but instead of a white Louisiana plantation and slave owner in the late 18th century when he gets that fateful bite to the neck, he is now the Black — Creole to be precise — proprietor of several brothels in early 20th-century New Orleans.
