GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

UPN has passed on Firefly

POSTED BY: SPAV
UPDATED: Saturday, January 11, 2003 18:50
SHORT URL:
VIEWED: 13985
PAGE 1 of 1

Thursday, January 9, 2003 12:46 PM

SPAV


from timminear.net:

[Jan 09, 03] We have received confirmation from a source at 20th Century Fox that UPN has passed on Firefly. Thank you, everyone, for your tremendous support.


NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, January 9, 2003 1:20 PM

HAKEN

Likes to mess with stuffs.


Bummers.

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, January 9, 2003 1:21 PM

SERGEANTX


Sorry for that first post (this is the edit). Very unhappy news on returning home from work. I'm so tired of living in a world full of semi-conscious cattle.

SergeantX

"..and here's to all the dreamers, may our open hearts find rest." -- Nanci Griffith

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, January 9, 2003 1:24 PM

BITTY


And thus, I mourn.

I need a "crying" emoticon.

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, January 9, 2003 1:30 PM

MOOSE


Okay. So where do I send my next batch of postcards to?

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, January 9, 2003 1:39 PM

RIV


How could they pass on this great show?! UPN is being if you ask me. With Buffy ending this season, they'll need a new show, and what better show then Firefly? After all, their newest show (Abby, I think) hasn't got wonderful reviews, but they'd rather have that then a show that was praised by many and loved by over 4 million people? Put, Firefly on after Buffy and call it "Joss Tuesday."

Okay, where can we send postcards now?

Something's going down tonight! Something with the man!

Two by two. Hand of blue.


NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, January 9, 2003 1:54 PM

BOBKNAPTOR


Geez.... I'm so depressed. damn. so... what's next? FX? USA? the dreaded SciFi?

______________
Don't feel bad. He makes everybody cry. He's like a monster.

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, January 9, 2003 2:08 PM

BROWNCOAT


Wow.....

I can't believe it's all over like that. You'd think the news would have spread very quick, and very fast, yet the only thing we have to show for it is a one liner on Tim's site.

Oh well..if it's for real, it won't stay a one liner on that site for very long....

geezus h....

I really had hope, you know? I really thought it was going to work....

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, January 9, 2003 2:15 PM

LIVINGIMPAIRED


Here's a thought.

It's common knowledge that while the finial decision has yet to be made, it is almost certainly the end of Buffy. Or is it? Perhaps UPN declined Firefly at first so it can use the series pickup as a bargaining chip for Buffy. Basically, now UPN is in a position to go to Joss Whedon and say, "How much do you love Firefly? Enough to make another season of Buffy?"

I know, it's a stupid conspiracy theory. I know it's out there. But it is also remotely possible.

Flame away.

________________

Your logic is insane and happenstance, like that of a troll.

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, January 9, 2003 2:26 PM

BROWNCOAT


It's a nice thought, but no.

UPN wouldn't play their hand that quickly. No corporate suit would. If they turn down Firefly now, they burn bridges that they don't want to or have to cross. Which probably means that they've given up hope of getting Season 8 out of Buffy. No...they've made their decision, and they aren't going to reneg on it. It's just that simple.

If I was Joss, I sure the hell wouldn't be amicable to helping UPN get Buffy 8 if they wanted it, but Joss is probably a better man than me, in that regard.

God damnit...I really really really had hope for this one thing in life. I know it's just a TV show, and it sounds silly, but it really turned into more than that..this struggle turned into an us vs. them fight..a metaphor for what little decency is left in popular culture vs. the mind-numbing crap that the networks continue to vomit upon us. I figured that fortune would favor the bold...so much for that....

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, January 9, 2003 2:58 PM

ZENROOM


Gutted!

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, January 9, 2003 3:38 PM

SHELL


I read here often, as a guest. Now I'm here spreading information. The following message was posted at Firefly:Immediate Assistance:

"According to a 20th Century Fox source, UPN has decided not to pick up Firefly. While the show appealed to them, they didn't feel it was a good fit with their current programming needs.

We'll have a new direction to point you in and several new graphics sometime tomorrow."

=====
There are other viable options besides UPN. For those of you who might not know, Kiba Rika is the woman who began the Firefly support campaign, long before Fox announced the hiatus. Tonight Kiba is coordinating and designing the campaign. Tomorrow we will begin another phase in our battle to save Firefly. Tonight we grieve; tomorrow we begin anew.

Please keep checking Firefly:Immediate Assistance ( http://www.fireflysupport.com) for updates.

Best,
Shell Branscum
mbranscum@earthlink.net
www.fireflysupport.com

edit: removing duplicate signatures

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, January 9, 2003 4:45 PM

MELEE


*Screams*

UPN

FOX

*screams some more*

Aaaah... I feel much better now.

Well, *rolls up sleeves and prepares to do all in her power to save Firefly* Here we go again!

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, January 9, 2003 4:53 PM

CHARLIEBLUE


Hey, there's always The Frog. They've already got a working relationship with Joss (through Angel) too, and I think Firefly would fit better there anyway--what with them actually having some good shows. (Well, okay, UPN has one. But it was stolen from WB.)

_
"HoYay! Academy. Where every exam is an oral exam."

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, January 9, 2003 5:24 PM

SKS


I've been an avid viewer of Firefly since it's introduction and have been wondering what happened to my absolute favorite show during the past several weeks. Firefly was one of the only truly fascinating new shows on TV which contained intelligent and surprising plots, interesting characters, along with spectacular graphics and effects. It's truly a sad reflection on the level of intelligence of the majority of TV viewers in this country that a fresh, interesting, and captivating show like Firefly did not draw enough attention, while the idiotic programs designed to please the lowest common denominator continue on. Of all the new series which premiered last fall, Firefly was the only one which I felt like was worth watching. Everywhere else was the same old lame regurgitations of the same tired, old themes that have inundated the airwaves ad nauseum all through the 90's and into this century. Current prime time drama can be broken down into 3 simple catagories - cops, lawyers, or doctors - displaying an equally sad reflection on the "formula-chaser" screenwriters nowdays. What can be done to save or revive Firefly, I do not know. I can only hope that Joss Whedon and others like him continue to dream their dreams and provide us with magnificent visions such as Firefly and to find an outlet whereby we as viewers can share those visions.

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, January 9, 2003 5:46 PM

SLOWSMURF


Ugh, I feel really bad I didn't send anything but email now.

I'm damn well going to send cards to the next target, a lot of cards.

Any idea who the next target will be?

WB? Sci Fi?(based on what I've read here that is thought to have little hope?)

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, January 9, 2003 6:49 PM

MUDDER999


Check Firefly Immediate Assistance tomorrow. News will be forthcoming. Don't lose heart!

Keep Firefly Flyin'
www.fireflysupport.com

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, January 9, 2003 9:46 PM

BRTICK


gorram bastards.

Keep Flying!

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, January 9, 2003 9:54 PM

TVDIR


A sad day

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Friday, January 10, 2003 12:01 AM

STRAYCAT


Disappointing as hell, I know, but guys - don't be so quick to condemn UPN the way all of us (including me) are condemning Fox.

Joss asked 'em to take a risk on a show that's already been dumped by another network - and they declined. I wish they hadn't, and I think they'd have profitted from the show... but I really can't blame them.

So - as another poster has said - let's find out who Joss is targetting next, and devote our energies to supporting the next campaign, rather than devoting energy to slamming UPN for making a business decision. We know it's the wrong decision. But from their perspective, it's not an unreasonable one.

Andy

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Friday, January 10, 2003 1:16 AM

GIRLIE


I just wish someone who cared would visit this and other boards so they could be impressed by the many wonderful reasons for saving "Firefly" and the intelligence of it's viewership. Who wouldn't want us for an audience. I would chew glass to keep this show going. I would even chew glass on a Fox Reality show. Just please someone with power come and look at us. We clean up good and can impress the hell out of ya, when we mean to. I don't think all the post cards in the world can say as much, as well, as I see on boards each day. Unfortunatly even if they did I don't think anyone will read them.
That said, we continue to fight the good fight. Since today I met someone on the "official Fox" board who has been posting for months,and who had no clue about "Firefly Imm. Assistance, I remind everyone: Even if you think they know mention it anyway. Every Person counts.

( http://www.fireflysupport.com)

If you can't say something nice....Visit the Joe Millionaire Board.

Joss Whedon For President in 2004

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Friday, January 10, 2003 1:28 AM

FIREFLY17UK


So What Happens Now?

I Mean That Cant Be It For Serenity. Dont They Know Good TV When The See It?

God Thats Sooo Annoying What About English Stations?

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Friday, January 10, 2003 4:06 AM

AVATAR


Quote:

Originally posted by Firefly17Uk:
So What Happens Now?
B]



Check out the Firefly by Subscription thread. Maybe you can help us figure out something.

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Friday, January 10, 2003 5:59 AM

BROWNCOAT1

May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.


So UPN declined? That sucks!!!

Did everyone see this thread:

[link] http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=2&t=1369 [/link]

Looks like UPN may have passed because they are in trouble and are looking to FOX for help. Fox of all networks! Looks like UPN will be nothing more than a glorified Fox if they allow Fox to call the shots.

I agree though, UPN was not our last hope. We watch the Support site and see where we go from here. Never give up hope!!!

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Friday, January 10, 2003 8:40 AM

CARDIE


Quote:

Originally posted by Girlie:
I just wish someone who cared would visit this and other boards so they could be impressed by the many wonderful reasons for saving "Firefly" and the intelligence of it's viewership. Who wouldn't want us for an audience.



Sadly, unless it's the local PBS station hoping that "viewers like you" will send in dollars during pledge weeks to support intelligent programming, networks do not want smart viewers. The reason for this is that advertisers want viewers whom they can easily sway to buy their products. The more thoughtful and analytical you are, the less they want you, because you don't make consumer choices based on slick advertising.

Cardie

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Friday, January 10, 2003 9:28 AM

THEFUTONCRITIC


Quote:

Originally posted by CharlieBlue:
Hey, there's always The Frog. They've already got a working relationship with Joss (through Angel) too, and I think Firefly would fit better there anyway--what with them actually having some good shows. (Well, okay, UPN has one. But it was stolen from WB.)



Actually the WB is an extremely unlikely option due to the very reason you listed. The transition from the WB to UPN by "Buffy" was an extremely ugly one. 20th Century Fox used its affiliation agreements with UPN to its advantage. They told UPN if they didn't pay through the nose for "Buffy" (and they are - $2.3 mil per episode, that's more than what NBC pays for "The West Wing") then Fox wouldn't renew its affiliation agreements with UPN. Since Fox owns 20% of UPN's affiliates (including some in critical markets like New York), losing Fox's stations would mean UPN would die. So UPN "had" to pick it up. The result of this was Fox screwing the WB out of a profitable show. It's a widely known fact that the WB and 20th Century Fox's relationship is strained at best. I'm sure that will be a factor concerning "Angel's" survival for a fifth season as its contract is up this year. If anything then because of UPN and 20th Century Fox's critical ties, UPN was "Firefly's" best chance to survive.

Furthermore (and not to be a wet blanket here) is that virtually all the cable networks are announcing their 2003-2004 season commitments this week at the TCA's Winter Press Tour. My point being if it doesn't have a deal now, chances are it can't get on their air again for a while.

Brian Ford Sullivan
Editor-In-Chief
The Futon Critic
http://www.thefutoncritic.com

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Friday, January 10, 2003 9:53 AM

SHELL


On 10 January 2003 the following was posted at Firefly: Immediate Assistance:

According to an 20th Century Fox, the next place they're looking to sell Firefly is the The Sci-Fi Channel.

Please send postcards with your demographic information (age, sex, income, number of adults in your household) to the following addresses. Indicate why you enjoy Firefly and why it would be a good fit for The Sci-Fi Channel.

MARK STERN
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING
THE SCI FI CHANNEL
1230 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK NY 10020-1513

Mr. Stern is an especially good target because he is new to the Sci Fi Channel and looking to establish himself. Additionally, he was a member of the production team for The Outer Limits when it moved from Showtime to Sci Fi, and thus has an understanding of what it's like to move a show from one network to another.

BONNIE HAMMER
PRESIDENT
THE SCI FI CHANNEL
1230 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK NY 10020-1513

PLEASE NOTE We are aware that some fans will be concerned that encouraging Sci-Fi to include Firefly in its programming schedule may hurt the chances of Farscape having another season. We have reason to believe this is unlikely, as our contact at 20th Century Fox stated that they are aiming to pitch Firefly as a miniseries or movie. This does not present a conflict of interests with Farscape, since Farscape is seeking an entire season of episodes.
==================

Shell Branscum
mbranscum@earthlink.net
http://www.fireflysupport.com

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Friday, January 10, 2003 9:58 AM

BROWNCOAT1

May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.


There you go people. You have your next objective! Let's get those postcards in the mail!

Thanks Shell!

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Friday, January 10, 2003 9:58 AM

EVANS


TO:
Brian Ford Sullivan
Editor-In-Chief
The Futon Critic
http://www.thefutoncritic.com

Thank you for all of your thoughtful, courteous, and informative posts.

m.
------------------------------------------------
"But ... not boring, like she made it sound." Wash, in ARIEL
"None of it means a damn thing." Mal, in OBJECTS IN SPACE

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Friday, January 10, 2003 11:21 AM

OPTI


Quote:

Originally posted by Cardie:
The reason for this is that advertisers want viewers whom they can easily sway to buy their products. The more thoughtful and analytical you are, the less they want you, because you don't make consumer choices based on slick advertising.



If we want to change this, we need make a list of sponsors of quality shows like Firefly, and a list of lead competitors to the sponsors of "Joe"-type shows. Then we use our thoughtful and analytical minds to select extra items from these lists.

If enough people participate, the advertisers will see positive returns from their ads on good shows. Much more important than ratings.

There are a lot of people crying about how these networks only care about money and not about quality television. Well, that's their job. If we want shows like Firefly to last on commercial TV, we need to vote with our purchases.

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Friday, January 10, 2003 12:48 PM

SDSOUTHARD


Hi, this is my first posting, but I am a fan of Firefly and the work of Joss Whedon.

A lot of what we are experiencing reminds me of a similar fight for a show called Cupid. Does anyone remember that? It starred Jeremy Piven and Paula Marshall and was out in 1999. It had a strong small fanbase and was very well-reviewed. The problem is ABC put it on Saturday night at 9 and it got lousy ratings. Then they moved it to Thursday against Seinfeld and the show died. There was a big mailing and newspaper campaign, but nothing happened. If you do a search on aintitcool.com, you can read a few postings by Herc about the campaign and his thoughts on it.

The reason I bring up Cupid is that like Cupid, Firefly leaves with no feeling of closure for the fan. There are two many unanswered questions and we, as viewers, feel cheated. It's like picking up a great book and having the last 40 pages missing.

I hope that this campaign to get Firefly back is successful, I definitely want to know what Joss was thinking with the characters. But with the avid attempt of the Farscape fan and nothing happening there, you can't help but feel that executives don't listen as much as they claim to. And I don't think we could ever hope to do more than those Farscape fans.

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Friday, January 10, 2003 1:05 PM

REYVNDARKNIGHT


Oh yeah. That's the ticket. Let's try to get a network that has already made one seriously bad decision on probably the best sci-fi series (cancellation of Farscape) to make a decision about Firefly.

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Friday, January 10, 2003 1:14 PM

BROLAN


Quote:

Originally posted by ReyvnDarKnight:
Oh yeah. That's the ticket. Let's try to get a network that has already made one seriously bad decision on probably the best sci-fi series (cancellation of Farscape) to make a decision about Firefly.



It's called desperation.

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Friday, January 10, 2003 2:22 PM

LIVINGIMPAIRED


Hey, SciFi may have cancelled Farscape, and therefore suck. And if they get Firefly, they may very well cancell that too. But if SciFi picks it up, and they make even one more episode of FF, then it's one episode more than we have now, and that's worth it.

________________

Kaylee: “Is that him?”
Mal: “That's the buffet table.”
Kaylee: “Well, how can we be sure, unless we question it?”

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Friday, January 10, 2003 2:33 PM

GALLAHAN


Sci-Fi channel may be the only answer but have you read about JMS, the creator of Babylon 5 dealings with Sci-Fi on a potential new series? They passed on what was they said was the best written of their projects in development because in JMS's words it was a "little too science fictiony, when they were looking to go for ideas that had more immediate mainstream appeal." They instead are developing a series about intergalactic vampires. I truthfully don't see much hope here folks. Of course maybe I'm just too much of a pessimist.

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Friday, January 10, 2003 3:43 PM

DELVO


Quote:

because of UPN and 20th Century Fox's critical ties, UPN was "Firefly's" best chance to survive.
Not at all; if UPN's as beholden to Fox as you say, then Fox would be expected to order UPN to be their accomplices in the destruction of a show that Fox chose to destroy.

As for Sci-Fi, that's a bad decision by whoever's making these decisions. If it's not proven yet that Sci-Fi is against science fiction, then it's not proven that the sky is blue. This isn't something about which there can be ANY doubt. It's not just about Farscape. They won't have anything to do with the entire genre. Better to try pitching the show to someplace where it has at least a miniscule chance of being taken.

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Friday, January 10, 2003 4:49 PM

SUINEGAGPF


Quote:

Originally posted by ReyvnDarKnight:
Oh yeah. That's the ticket. Let's try to get a network that has already made one seriously bad decision on probably the best sci-fi series (cancellation of Farscape) to make a decision about Firefly.



Yeah, but think of the irony...
(Besides 20th is only pitching FF as a mini-series or movie. Apparently, Sci-Fi must not be interested in anything that takes longer than one week to show?)

----

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Friday, January 10, 2003 5:02 PM

HKCAVALIER


I have a couple things to add here. First of all, seems to me us fans arguing about where Joss should shop the show is pretty pointless. I figure he's at least as savvy about the different networks and their interest in sci-fi as any of us. We alone are not going to get Firefly picked up by anyone. We're here to give Joss whatever juice a small and dedicated fan base can muster.

Also, TV networks are buying and selling art. Really, they really are. The fundamental reason anyone buys or passes on a work of art is simple: they like it, or they don't. Yes, they want to know that the art will sell well, but there is always risk and any network will take that risk for something they believe in. Firefly is not likely to be sold to a network as a guaranteed cash-cow. Firefly is going to be sold to a network because that network believes in Firefly. Our belief in Firefly, therefore, has some juice. We have no juice if it's a purely dollars and cents decission.

It's just my opinion, o' course, but all this arguing about where to send the show and all this cynicism about what a bunch o' morons people are is getting to me.

HKCavalier

Hey, hey, hey, don't be mean. We don't have to be mean, because, remember, no matter where you go, there you are.

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Friday, January 10, 2003 5:43 PM

MELEE


*sigh* I guess I'd be happy with a mini-series or movie... but... I'd much prefer andother season or two.

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Friday, January 10, 2003 7:39 PM

JEFFNS


Quote:

Originally posted by HKCavalier:
I have a couple things to add here. First of all, seems to me us fans arguing about where Joss should shop the show is pretty pointless. I figure he's at least as savvy about the different networks and their interest in sci-fi as any of us. We alone are not going to get Firefly picked up by anyone. We're here to give Joss whatever juice a small and dedicated fan base can muster.

Also, TV networks are buying and selling art. Really, they really are. The fundamental reason anyone buys or passes on a work of art is simple: they like it, or they don't. Yes, they want to know that the art will sell well, but there is always risk and any network will take that risk for something they believe in. Firefly is not likely to be sold to a network as a guaranteed cash-cow. Firefly is going to be sold to a network because that network believes in Firefly. Our belief in Firefly, therefore, has some juice. We have no juice if it's a purely dollars and cents decission.

It's just my opinion, o' course, but all this arguing about where to send the show and all this cynicism about what a bunch o' morons people are is getting to me.

HKCavalier

Hey, hey, hey, don't be mean. We don't have to be mean, because, remember, no matter where you go, there you are.



HKCavalier is quite right when he says that the tone of the posts here starting to become a little irksome. This tone is becoming rather more strident and negative as time goes on. There is no question but that there is more than enough regret to go around, and then some. But perhaps its time to stop venting and start inventing, at least as far as what we can do to help keep the show high profile in the minds of those people making the decisions about it.
That's all for now, I have to go write some more postcards. *L*

There's no place
I can be
since I found
Serenity.

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Friday, January 10, 2003 8:06 PM

SELNYC


Quote:

Originally posted by HKCavalier:
Also, TV networks are buying and selling art. Really, they really are. The fundamental reason anyone buys or passes on a work of art is simple: they like it, or they don't. Yes, they want to know that the art will sell well, but there is always risk and any network will take that risk for something they believe in. Firefly is not likely to be sold to a network as a guaranteed cash-cow. Firefly is going to be sold to a network because that network believes in Firefly. Our belief in Firefly, therefore, has some juice. We have no juice if it's a purely dollars and cents decission.



I don't want to play the cynic, but we are talking about Commercial Television Networks here, emphasis on the Commercial. We can talk about the art and we can talk about the writing (and I stand behind no one in my admiration of Joss/ME's productions), but in a very real sense episodic TV shows have ALWAYS been a way to sell something, the filler between commercials.

Fox is already making a good amount of money from Mutant Enemy; the 3rd season Buffy is the #3 bestselling DVD on Amazon, as were the two earlier seasons which sold quite well, too. Angel, season one, goes on sale February 11th.

What Fox wanted to see was if Joss's shows could play in the big leagues. That they chose to give the show indifferent support is most likely because of two factors:

1.) They didn't understand it or Joss. They were not familiar with his other shows, just the revenue they were capable of generating.

2.) Joss is not entirely blameless here, either. His source material, the Reconstruction and how people lived through that difficult time, was rock-solid, a rich source of stories and themes. I don't mind the weapons or the horses or the clothing. I fully understand the concept of dramatic liscense. I just wonder if there is another way to show a futuristic frontier that doesn't appear to have been designed by Howard Waldrop (SF author of alternative history stories -- my fave: "Ike at the Mike").Maybe some, but not necessarily all of these elements -- I'm not saying it MUST be so, just wondering out loud...

But Joss has never taken the easy way out and that's one the reasons I like watching his stuff. Firefly was a tough sell because it didn't appeal to a mass audience that wants to watch Fastlane (apparently, those Starsky & Hutch reruns just weren't cutting it) and reality programming, even if you could explain the premise. If Star Trek was Wagon Train in space, the you could say that Firefly was more like Have Gun, Will Travel in space, tha latter show being much more morally complex with a real anti-hero in the lead.

So, let's find some place where we can make those mini-series or periodic tv-movies. Let's try SciFi network, if that doesn't work, maybe the BBC or Telemundo. Let's just get this done!

I'm a mean old man

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Saturday, January 11, 2003 9:42 AM

HKCAVALIER


Quote:

Originally posted by selnyc:

So, let's find some place where we can make those mini-series or periodic tv-movies. Let's try SciFi network, if that doesn't work, maybe the BBC or Telemundo. Let's just get this done!

I'm a mean old man



Has it occurred to anyone that the "Big Three" might actually be interested in Firefly? All the other networks are poor and scrounging for whatever scraps of the viewing public they can get. And most of the shows on those chanels are (or at least look) cheap, cheap, cheap. Firefly has the best production values of any Sci-Fi show I've ever seen. And the most nuanced acting in Sci-fi this side of Patrick Stuart (and even he's only as good as the words he's given to say). The plot lines are as complex and compelling as anything on TV right now. Maybe it belongs on a "real" network, after Alias or The West Wing or something! Maybe, just maybe, we're not setting our sights high enough!

HKCavalier

Hey, hey, hey, don't be mean. We don't have to be mean, because, remember, no matter where you go, there you are.

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Saturday, January 11, 2003 9:51 AM

PYRRHA COTTONWOOD


The big three would be nice, but I doubt it. The 'big three' rarely show Sci-Fi because the audience expectations are so much lower (for the genre) and their ratings expectations are even higher than Fox's.

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Saturday, January 11, 2003 12:01 PM

MRGREEN


Quote:

then it's not proven that the sky is blue


Well, if you want to get picky about it, the skys not blue. We see blue sky because of the angle water droplets refract light into our eyes. Hence, red/orange sunsets, and if you look carefully enough, the 'green band' on the horizon when the sun has just set. Once the sun leaves, we see the real 'color' of the sky, which is clear, or you could say greyishly opaque when there is heavy cloud cover.

point being, i still have hope

rob

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Saturday, January 11, 2003 6:50 PM

SKULLNINJA


Quote:

Originally posted by gallahan:
They instead are developing a series about intergalactic vampires.



Oh, my God. I haven't laughed like that in weeks. I just keep getting images of that vampire from Buck Rogers. Mixing space and classic monster archetypes usually results in a big stinkeroo.

How the hell did the pitch meeting for this go? Well, you see, it's sort of like Battlestar Galactica, but with bloodsuckers.

At least it's not mummies from outer space. Time Walker had that concept cornered.
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0084796

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

YOUR OPTIONS

NEW POSTS TODAY

USERPOST DATE

FFF.NET SOCIAL