Whedonesque : Comments on 18042 : Dollhouse premiering on Friday, February 13.

Stupid Friday the 13th schedule. :(

"Joss Whedon's Dollhouse launches Friday, February 13th."

Umm...A Friday premiere? What happened to Fox not killing this show? I'm quite upset right now.

marvelknight616 | November 07, 00:55 CET

Confirmed here.

It's "Firefly" all over again! Friday the 13th. WTF?

Nebula1400 | November 07, 00:57 CET

Well, that's......scary. I am hoping it isn't "Firefly" all over agin, or they'd air the pilot last. This time, that episode will go first, but will Fox stick with this long enough to get some ratings traction? Let's hope so.

impalergeneral | November 07, 01:00 CET

Aint’t it Cool News is saying that T:TSCC will be joining Dollhouse on Fridays.

frak

Eric_Curtis | November 07, 01:03 CET

Whedon alert level: the cover of Rush's Moving Pictures album

AnotherFireflyfan | November 07, 01:06 CET

I have such an awful feeling about this. I was nervous about it before in the way that one might be worried about their child performing in a competition or something like that, but now I just feel awful. Friday signals death for any show, no matter how popular. What the hell is wrong with this network?

Benton | November 07, 01:07 CET

Are we splotchy magenta with a narrow bifurcated red streak overlapping a greenish-orangey color? Or what?

I remain calm, with a 80% slight chance of rain.

QuoterGal | November 07, 01:07 CET

Wasn't it supposed to be paired with American Idol or 24 or one of those shows, where Fringe is now, and that's why we weren't supposed to panic that it was "only" a mid-season replacement?

reebchan | November 07, 01:08 CET

Aint’t it Cool News is saying that T:TSCC will be joining Dollhouse on Fridays.

More accurately (and I'm going to do this because I hate it when AICN gets credited when it isn't their work), AICN says that Hollywood Reporter is reporting this.

The One True b!X | November 07, 01:08 CET

Wasn't this the date Angel was cancelled?

Jackal | November 07, 01:09 CET

Yeah, I should have credited them instead of AICN. theonetruebix

I was slightly freaking when I read it.

[ edited by EvilElecBlanket on 2008-11-07 01:16 ]

Eric_Curtis | November 07, 01:14 CET

Yes, Jackal, and Feb. 13 happens also to be my birthday.

A very unhappy one at that several years ago.

Really not thrilled with this news.

What the hell is going on??

Chris inVirginia | November 07, 01:15 CET

You know, I've been doing my best to not get pessimistic about the show, before it premieres. I've been trying to have faith in FOX. I've been patiently telling myself that accounts of there being behind-the-scenes creative turmoil have been taken out of proportion.

But seriously, there's a limit to how calm I can be about this show.

Knuckleball | November 07, 01:21 CET

I have to say I selfishly like that it's paired up with T:TSSC (makes programming my VCR much easier) but with Terminator having its own problems, it scares me a bit. Couldn't they have moved Bones to Friday and had a Terminator/Dollhouse block on Thursday? Bones' audience will follow them anywhere. :(

cabri | November 07, 01:23 CET

Black Friday? The anniversary of when Angel's cancellation was announced? Pfft. Oh well, I guess I'll be back from my field exercise by then so that's one benefit of the timing.

Why wouldn't they go for a Super Bowl premiere or something?

foreverwes | November 07, 01:23 CET

I removed this post.

[ edited by gossi on 2008-11-07 03:54 ]

gossi | November 07, 01:28 CET

I just found out the other half of the Dollhouse news. I'm guessing TSCC will be on at 8, followed by Dollhouse at 9. If they are hoping to get people to watch Fox on Fridays instead of the Sci-Fi Channel, it's an interesting idea. Someone suggested Thursday would have been better for both shows, but that's too competitive thanks to CSI, Ugly Betty, Supernatural and NBC' mostly comedy lineup (since Kath and Kim is part of it). Let's hope for the best.

Oh, and to foreverwes, NBC has the Super Bowl next year. Besides, when other networks try to premiere a new show after a Super Bowl, that doesn't always mean permanent success. Ask Jay Leno, who was on a cop show that had great post-game ratings that didn't last.

[ edited by impalergeneral on 2008-11-07 01:31 ]

impalergeneral | November 07, 01:28 CET

Yeah sure Friday the 13th. Perfect day. I will be hopeful. I will be hopeful. I will be hopeful. I will...No. Stupid Fox!

Likewithpie | November 07, 01:30 CET

I guess we'll just have to love it while we can.

"Dr, Horrible 2.0" may come sooner than we want.

Nebula1400 | November 07, 01:36 CET

What the fuck.

dark_tyler | November 07, 01:38 CET

OK, now my alert is on panicky-brown-red-enflamed. Buggering hell. Thanks, gossi.

NG: Yes. It really is this thing of executives loving the smell of their own urine and urinating on things. And then more execs come in, and they urinate. And then the next round. By the end, they have this thing which just smells like pee, and nobody likes it.

JW: There's really no better way to put it.

TIME, 9/25/05, Interview Neil Gaiman & Joss Whedon

QuoterGal | November 07, 01:39 CET

Friggin' FOX.

Although there is an element of "Fool me once ..." at play here. And I don't care that the regime has changed. It's still FOX.

Joss needs to strike up a deal with HBO or Showtime (both of which will at least give you one heavily promoted season) ... or just stick to the Net altogether.

rbt | November 07, 01:39 CET

If this be truenews, I'd say that's a 95% chance of goodbye to both shows at the end of the season, if not sooner.

jlp | November 07, 01:42 CET

I can't handle this. Did the network think they could sneak Friday past us? Whedonites happen to be all around television experts. Did they honestly think we wouldn't know that Fridays are the place that good television goes to die? Because we do. Having trouble breathing now. I knew this good streak of television had to die. Friday Dollhouse, no more Pushing Daisies, and the end of Battlestar Galactica. I'm so over you television!

[ edited by marvelknight616 on 2008-11-07 01:43 ]

marvelknight616 | November 07, 01:42 CET

:/

Last time I oozed pessimism, I was told that the actions I was basing my opinions on were done by the 'old' FOX.

This looks like there's plenty of old still in the new FOX.

Damn. Ugh.

:( I know that there are many, many reasons behind why a certain network is the one that aires Joss's shows, but why does it always have to be FOX? Sci-fi Channel, Joss. Not FOX. You'll have a bigger budget on FOX, and a larger audience (and make more money), but is that worth the heartache of having show after show sabotaged before it even begins?

What was so different about Buffy that it stuck?

VeryVeryCrowded | November 07, 01:42 CET

I feel like I have been punched in the stomach, now I know how Red Sox fans felt like before 2004. I still have faith that somehow Joss will make a brilliant show.

crazygolfa | November 07, 01:43 CET

I was all relieved by the headline because the new date doesn't conflict with my inauguration drinking plans. Now I'm just very sad.

[ edited by Sunfire on 2008-11-07 01:44 ]

Sunfire | November 07, 01:43 CET

As bad as it is, thank you for the truth, gossi.

NotaViking | November 07, 01:43 CET

I guess I'm kinda speechless now. I think with all the 'Don't Panic' press coming out I actually started believing that Fox would give Dollhouse a fair chance. 13 episodes on DVD it is then. Wonderful.

Leaf | November 07, 01:44 CET

"What was so different about Buffy that it stuck? "

It was made to be iconic. And it was aired on a fledgling network. In 1997.

marvelknight616 | November 07, 01:44 CET

Not too thrilled either. Will be DVRing the show and probably will never see it live.

Read something recently that networks like CBS have realized that Friday night just can't get the same numbers as other nights and keeps lower performing shows on the schedule. Will Fox do the same? I don't see any chance that this will be a breakout hit on Friday night. Or even a decent hit.

danregal | November 07, 01:48 CET

It's a good thing some of us widened the panic scale to include the nonvisible spectrum, 'cause it seems to be gamma ray time. Ahhh, yes. Very ionizing. Now I'm dead. That's fine.

I was so hoping for January. Now I won't even get to see it on a real tv.

dreamlogic | November 07, 01:49 CET

I'm a Neilsen Family person. I've been carrying around a little black box with me everywhere I go, for a month now. It is a pain but I figured that it was worth it because I will watch Dollhouse, tape it and watch it again and it will count!
Now, I'm not sure it will make a difference.

Lioness | November 07, 01:50 CET

Show's screwed. Sorry, can't pretend it's not. It went from being planned as a lead-in to one of FOX's biggest hits coming into a long awaited return, and now it's being sent to the worst TV ratings night of the work week to be paired with a show that's also struggling.

[ edited by KingofCretins on 2008-11-07 01:52 ]

KingofCretins | November 07, 01:52 CET

. . . . . . . . .

It's getting to the point where I don't even wanna watch it!

BTW, the prospects for this show over time have oddly mirrored the financial market (down big again today).

jam2 | November 07, 01:55 CET

What time on Fridays does BSG air?

The One True b!X | November 07, 01:56 CET

/facepalm

And that's very painful and awkward with glasses on. Excuse me while I try to clean and bend them back into a reasonable shape for wearing.

And b!x, BSG is on at ten so theoretically, this could be a three hour block of awesome before it all comes crashing down. (BSG hopefully on the highest note as I expect it will, only Lost has the potential to end half as well as BSG probably will)

[ edited by The Xan Man on 2008-11-07 01:59 ]

The Xan Man | November 07, 01:57 CET

Lioness, are you allowed to tell folks that you are a Nielsen Family person?

floofypooh | November 07, 01:57 CET

What's really sad is Fox will make a profit on this. And we can't deny it. We'll all watch it on TV (if we can) and then we'll all buy the dvd. Just like the half season of Firefly, Fox will be sitting in the black (financially) when the 5 year mark hits on Dollhouse. No matter how many episodes/seasons it lasts.

danregal | November 07, 01:58 CET

Let's just be grateful for any JW work we get to see, as we get to see it.

PaulfromSunnydale | November 07, 02:01 CET

Crap, seriously. My own personal Whedon-panic-meter is on bright umber and tipping the scale quickly. So we went from a 24 lead-in to the night of television death and possibly opposite BSG. (Hmm do you think there might be some audience crossover there?) Anybody else joining me in yelling curse words at the monitor? Maybe we should have a group scream later on.

onthedrift | November 07, 02:03 CET

*sigh* I should have listened more carefully to Mr. Whedon's posts, instead of just reading them. I offer awkward-cause-we're-strangers-and-who-even-knows-if-he's-a-hugging-person hugs. *If* this does mean what it seems (and as gossi believes) that's gotta hurt. Again.

kalia | November 07, 02:04 CET

This really, really sucks! :(

As AICN points out...

Sci-fi shows cancelled in Fox’s Friday Death Slot:

The Adventures of Brisco County Jr. (1993)
MANTIS (1994)
Strange Luck (1995)
Sliders (1996)
Millennium (1996)
The Visitor (1997)
Harsh Realm (1999)
Freakylinks (2000)
Dark Angel (2000)
The Lone Gunmen (2001)
John Doe (2003)
Firefly (2003)

I really don't think Dollhouse is going to make it anymore.

Hopefully Dr. Horrible continues to do well and Joss can continue to explore the web medium with new series there, without any execs getting in his way.

Matt_Fabb | November 07, 02:05 CET

Okay, I'm back for one more ill advised rant. I've been talking on Whedonesque recently about how FOX thinks it's "The Action Network", and how that's their biggest problem. I just want to make that point again. Its successful shows - AI, House etc - are not action shows. Its action shows - Terminator, Prison Break - are failing shows. It needs to stop thinking of everything in terms of action, action, car crash - as that leads to, well, a car crash.

Gorp. (That's the sound we're making).

Here's my radical FOX identity pitch I made here the other day: "The Quality Drama network".

[ edited by gossi on 2008-11-07 02:07 ]

gossi | November 07, 02:06 CET

I can't say I'm surprised. Who didn't see this coming?

Look, I'm going to take FOX's side for a minute (not a popular stance, I know; call me Captain Hammer, Corporate Tool if you must, but hear me out). They have a bottom line, and they have to protect it. "Prestige programs," which get better buzz than ratings, are not something most networks can afford more than one of, in these days of large numbers of channels. I'm sure they're just looking out for what's in the best interests of the network. Dollhouse just may not appeal to the demographic they want...and I want it to be understood that I don't mean anything negative or derogatory, unlike some people who have said similar things in the past. Different strokes, and all that.

Having said that, I will now officially wonder why Joss would continue working in mainstream television. Bottom line or no, it's gotta hurt to see his shows cancelled without being given much of a chance. Note to Joss: Go to SciFi or USA, and make some quirky yet smart shows that will last for a decade. Or start making films fulltime, either studio or independent. Or continue to work on the Internet, making little projects with big ambitions that bring in a ton of views. Or make series programs, and sell them straight to the fans, via DVD sets. You give them the general premise, they pre-order the set at $29.95 per copy, and then they get their copy. How much would a full season of Firefly or a similar show cost? $60 million, give or take? So sell 2 million sets, and you're in business. And you can make whatever you want. No networks. No suits. No restrictions. Just you, a computer, some blank paper, and whatever dreams you can bring to life.

[ETA: And you know that you have enough fans to sell 2 million sets of anything.]

[ edited by BAFfler on 2008-11-07 02:14 ]

BAFfler | November 07, 02:08 CET

Here is confirmation from Fox. Dollhouse is being paired with TSCC. I think the Friday spot may have more to do with Fox wanting to promote "Lie to Me" with Tim Roth, since procedurals seem to be succeeding more often than other shows. See The Mentalist, Bones, CSI...

ricetxpeaches | November 07, 02:10 CET

I seem to recall watching x-files on Friday nights on Fox... I remember when it moved to Sundays... but it was on Fridays when I started watching it...

witch_kat | November 07, 02:11 CET

Here is confirmation from Fox.

I'm pretty sure the original link here, to an official FOX source, was the confirmation from FOX. ;)

The One True b!X | November 07, 02:12 CET

Don Quixote has nothing on Joss, man, nothing.

:(

edit: Yes, what BAFfler said.

[ edited by dark_tyler on 2008-11-07 02:13 ]

dark_tyler | November 07, 02:12 CET

I wonder if this has anything to do with Fox's limited commercials experiment not working as well as they'd hoped.

cabri | November 07, 02:18 CET

Sorry, theonetruerubix. When I clicked on the link, it took me to Twitter, which didn't say that Dollhouse was paired with TSCC. Future on Fox is Fox's official blog. See the first entry. Notice the root of the website. It has laid out the premieres for the Fox shows in January and February, including the Friday pairing of Dollhouse and TSCC.

[ edited by ricetxpeaches on 2008-11-07 02:22 ]

ricetxpeaches | November 07, 02:19 CET

"Having said that, I will now officially wonder why Joss would continue working in mainstream television."

BAFfler, could not agree more. I have to admit that I couldn't understand why Joss would risk yet another heartache by involving one of the networks in his plans for creating quality television. Okay, so there is apparently a new regime at FOX that is (was) more open to giving genre shows a chance but why take the risk when you have wonderful series like Battlestar Galactica, Burn Notice, Eureka, Dexter and so on thriving on the likes of SciFi, Showtime and USA.

Joss, please stop punishing yourself like this and go to a channel that will really appreciate what you do. You deserve a hell of a lot more respect and freedom than you seem to be getting at FOX. Again!

Highlander | November 07, 02:20 CET

How can they know what demographic Dollhouse will attract since it hasn't been on the air yet?

NYPinTA | November 07, 02:22 CET

Damnit, why can't Fox just show dead air on Fridays!

Wait, I think there's a flaw in that argument somewhere...

Anyway, I'm just a bit disappointed it's not being packaged with 24 any more. Just cos, y'know, I like 24.

daylight | November 07, 02:25 CET

[sarcasm] They're suits. They know everything. [/sarcasm]

BAFfler | November 07, 02:26 CET

Being in the UK I wouldn't have been able to benefit from the Dollhouse/24 Monday night double anyway but it was a good feeling to know that Dollhouse was being paired with another show that I loved. Not to mention a highly popular one.

So, out of interest (and hoping that it hasn't already been mentioned further up the thread) what is going to be paired with 24 now? If both Terminator and Dollhouse are being ~~killed off~~ shown on Friday does that mean they already have a better option for Monday?

Highlander | November 07, 02:30 CET

Dollhouse, it was nice knowing you.

crossoverman | November 07, 02:30 CET

What are the chances we'll get resolution to any of the storylines that I can already feel hanging in the air? Thirteen episodes for a British series could be two seasons so it's definitely doable to still produce a good story even if it wasn't the one originally envisioned.

Of course it isn't cancelled yet and I really hope that it defies the odds and gets good enough ratings to be renewed.

Leaf | November 07, 02:32 CET

I don't even know how to respond to those people who seem to think - even after FOX has demonstrated a full show of support for DH thus far - that putting the series on Friday nights is going to automatically kill it. Yes, Firefly happened to air on Fridays, but, as I would think people would remember, it wasn't the ratings that killed that series... the ratings were simply an excuse. FOX killed the series because they put it on the air even though they didn't understand it, didn't promote it, and kept pre-empting it; they then used the poor ratings as their excuse/cover story for cancelling it.

DigificWriter | November 07, 02:35 CET

I have remained positive.

I have remained calm.

I have been annoyed with people who continue to pre-sadden themselves for the "obvious doomed nature" of Dollhouse.

Today, I join them.

bknick | November 07, 02:36 CET

"FOX killed [Firefly] because they put it on the air even though they didn't understand it..."

You're right. Good job they seem to be totally onboard with what Joss wants to do with Dollhouse then.

Wait... Damn! ;)

Highlander | November 07, 02:38 CET

Sooo.

Weeeelllll.

I was kinda determined to come in here and say "don't panic". Then I read gossi's post.

I'm certainly more pessimistic now. Then again: Joss did say he was kinda, totally, in love with the show again. So despite the executives urinating all over it, it apareantly still doesn't smell to Joss. Unless he's just trying to make us feel better. Which I think he wasn't.

Now, considering the fact that FOX is still under new management and that T:SCC has not yet been cancelled, when, really, with 'old Fox' it would've been canned a while back, I am still hopefull this show might succeed. If they accept that shows in a Friday night slot perform less than others, they might keep it on. Certainly given their experiences with the amount of DVD's sold from Joss properties. Although I'm not quite sure that the revenues from DVD sales go to the budgets of the people making the programming decissions, so they might not care after all.

All in all, much still depends on how well Dollhouse ends up doing. If it gets decent ratings for friday night and if the production costs are not too big, compared to what they're getting in return, new-Fox might decide to keep it on if the numbers aren't stellar. Then again: it still might suck as a show and go on the be highly succesfull. There's no telling untill Dollhouse actually starts airing.

But all in all, friday night slot? Bad news. Still, I don't think we should panic too much, even if the reasons do justify it more than previously, given these circumstances. If, after all, we, the core audience for this show in terms of loyal viewing, are ready to throw in the towel, I'm not sure 'regular Joe' will want to invest their time in it. Ofcourse, as we have discussed before, we also do not need to overestimate our influence (or that of the internet in general). But all in all: this still has the chance of becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. Which would suck.

GVH | November 07, 02:38 CET

................

sunshineguinn | November 07, 02:38 CET

This is horrible news. I hope Joss spends the next 3 months screaming in every Fox exec's ear he can find.

Wyndam-Pryce | November 07, 02:42 CET

From Future on Fox:

Monday Jan 19th
8/7c House moves to its new night
9/8c 24 moves to its regular timeslot

Other than AI, I think these are Fox's two biggest shows, and they're putting them on the same night? What sense does that make? It was my understanding that ideally you pair a new show with a strong performer to encourage viewership. Putting both the big boys on the same night defies logic.

pillboxed | November 07, 02:44 CET

Fuck you, Fox. Sorry, no idea if I can say that here. Delete if not but the sentiment remains.

The worst thing about all of this is what Gossi says. If the show were cancelled but managed to be great for 13 episodes I'd still be fairly happy. But the thought of it turning into a giant Agent Ballard hitting things with music scene infuriates me.

[ edited by Let Down on 2008-11-07 02:47 ]

Let Down | November 07, 02:45 CET

pillboxed, putting two sci-fi shows together, on FOX, on a Friday night means you're killing both shows. Which also makes no sense.

If Dollhouse finds a big audience, it will last. But Friday night? Come on, FOX. Oh, by the way, you also might want to tell people working on the show before you post it on Twitter to stop them finding out on Whedonesque. That'd be nice.

Let Down, I do not mean that's the entire show. Seriously. Dollhouse is, I believe, a good idea and may be a great show. It's just this whole idea of action for the sake of action kinda doesn't lead to the best product.

[ edited by gossi on 2008-11-07 02:49 ]

gossi | November 07, 02:46 CET

JOSS - CAN YOU PLEASE POST AGAIN? I NEED SOME ENCOURAGEMENT! lol

WheelsOfJoy | November 07, 02:48 CET

I was under the impression that Friday nights are where sci-fi/fantasy ("cult") shows are launched (The X-Files and Battlestar Galactica started on Friday nights), and then moved to Sunday nights when audiences catch up to the buzz.

Nerds are home on Friday nights, I guess is how the thinking goes?

TeddyKGB | November 07, 02:48 CET

If it's frustrating for us, imagine how it must feel for Joss and crew. I honestly feel really bad for them.

buffywrestling | November 07, 02:50 CET

gossi, are you saying the people involved with Dollhouse didn't know about this timeslot yet?

GVH | November 07, 02:50 CET

Nerds are home on Friday nights, I guess is how the thinking goes?

Hell, I'm home every night.

The One True b!X | November 07, 02:51 CET

I'm guessing not every night, bix. Surely, you go on vacation now and then ;).

GVH | November 07, 02:52 CET

Nerd.

Oh wait, me too.

NYPinTA | November 07, 02:52 CET

The X-Files debuted in a completely different world, TV-wise, and BG was on SciFi, not a major network.

Nothing a studio--er, network has any real hope for debuts on Fridays. It's death for TV, with a random success now and again.

EDIT: I changed studio to network, as I'm used to talking movies moreso. Funny how little things remind you how much of a nerd you are (a proud nerd, though).

[ edited by Dhoffryn on 2008-11-07 02:55 ]

Dhoffryn | November 07, 02:53 CET

I really wonder about the extent to which they'll lose viewers who now decide just to wait for the DVD. I'm now seriously considering doing that. I'm in Australia so that doesn't matter but maybe some of you Americans are thinking the same thing.

Edit: Thanks for the confirmation, Gossi

[ edited by Let Down on 2008-11-07 02:54 ]

Let Down | November 07, 02:54 CET

The bottom line is, Fox (or any network that doesn't cater to the higher-age demographics) doesn't put a show on Fridays because they think it can succeed there. They put it there because they don't like it, don't want it, and hope it goes away with minimal financial loss. If by some unlikely chance it does succeed, well, gravy; you can move it to a better slot.

jlp | November 07, 02:54 CET

FOX. Oh, by the way, you also might want to tell people working on the show before you post it on Twitter to stop them finding out on Whedonesque.

That's just unreal. What a fluster-cuck.

Eric_Curtis | November 07, 02:55 CET

......ooooo,I need a hug.

Ningjing | November 07, 02:56 CET

Critic Alan Sepinwall just posted his take
here.

pillboxed | November 07, 02:56 CET

Just to make a comment on the "Don't Panic!" side here, the historical reason for Friday sucking ratings wise is that young people are out having fun and not watching TV. But since I got my Sky+ (DVR) which automatically records what I want to watch and has it sitting there waiting for me the actual night a show is on is meaningless.
With DVRs and net streaming maybe Fox think those viewers will make up for the live-sit-at-home viewers?

They've kept the faith and supported TSCC, which old Fox would have kicked to the kerb months ago, so why would they not support Dollhouse if it gets less than stellar "Live" ratings?

zz9 | November 07, 02:56 CET

I really hope this is the last time Joss ever does anything for Fox. I really don't want another scenario where in 4 years time Joss starts working for 'Even Newer' Fox and then bad news slowly starts coming out again only for us to realise again why we hated Fox so much in the first place.
Man, I'm seething with anger right now.

Let Down | November 07, 02:57 CET

I suppose we can always hope that nerds staying home for BSG at 10PM will put FOX on for the two hour prior.

The One True b!X | November 07, 02:57 CET

Trying to remain (ever so slightly) positive about this, and keeping in mind that they are pairing it with Terminator, a show struggling in the ratings but still getting a full season order, the expectations for success are now lowered. And that can be a good thing.

If Terminator and Dollhouse are able to perform solidly for being on Friday nights, they may consider it worth keeping and consider that a decent two-hour sci-fi block to have.

Or think about it this way: if the show premiered with 24 on Mondays and got so-so ratings, it definitely would have been in trouble. But if it premieres with Terminator on Fridays and gets so-so ratings (which Terminator already gets and still got a full season), they may consider it a strong enough two-hour block worth keeping for Fridays.

Just trying to stay positive :)

Greenwood | November 07, 02:59 CET

The X-Files debuted in a completely different world, TV-wise, and BG was on SciFi, not a major network.

Nothing a studio has any real hope for debuts on Fridays. It's death for TV, with a random success now and again.

What are you, Dhoffryn - the devil? ;-P

I'm sorry this doesn't bother me as much as it seems to bother everyone else. Joss has built up amazing karma, gained legions of new fans with Dr. Horrible, has a great premise and a gorgeous star. It'll find its way.

TeddyKGB | November 07, 02:59 CET

by the way, you also might want to tell people working on the show before you post it on Twitter to stop them finding out on Whedonesque

Man. Now I feel guilty for posting the news even though I had nothing to do with it. Oy. That's just effed up.

The One True b!X | November 07, 03:06 CET

Hey, I'm the Lord of Arashmaharr. I call 'em like I see 'em. If you want to ensure Dollhouse's survival, or perhaps unparalleled success, I'm sure we could arrange something, if you wish...

Dhoffryn | November 07, 03:08 CET

Is there any chance that if Dollhouse does a bit better than what they usually have on on Friday nights Fox will allow it to stay in the slot?

Let Down | November 07, 03:08 CET

Is there any chance...

Well, the Sepinwall piece that pillboxed links suggests as a third of three possibilities that perhaps they

... do believe in the show, but also think it needs a more hard-core sci-fi show like "Sarah Connor" as a lead-in. And they also recognize that both shows are going to have niche audiences at best and are therefore placing them on a night where the bar for success is much lower.

That said, he also then says he's not optimistic that this is the case.

[ edited by theonetruebix on 2008-11-07 03:14 ]

The One True b!X | November 07, 03:13 CET

Don't feel guilty, bix. Not your fault.

I'm going back to bed as it's now, what, 2am. Somebody wake me up when they've mind wiped all of this, yes?

gossi | November 07, 03:14 CET

Screw you FOX! I honestly can't see why I'm surprised even when I expected something like this to happen.

On the positive side, we get Summer and Dollhouse on the same night and will soon have 13 amazing episodes of television on DVD. Hopefully in 2011 we'll get the movie.

hitnrun017 | November 07, 03:16 CET

Maybe this could be a good thing. If it did manage to stay on Friday nights where the ratings bar is set low, maybe there would be less executive interference with the making of the show. Though I have no idea how Fox works

Let Down | November 07, 03:18 CET

Greenwood, that's a good point.

ricetxpeaches | November 07, 03:19 CET

Damn. Just damn. Friday. Seriously.

I knew my whole sceptism (or whatever. It's late.) about FOX wasn't unjustified.

Yeah, sadly if I have the money I will still buy the DVD. XD

I just saw the new trailer recently. It wasn't bad. Kinda cool.

Off course, I could try and be optimistic here. XD It might not all go to hell, but please, that's so not me. I'm far too pessimistic. lol.

[ edited by druzilla on 2008-11-07 03:22 ]

druzilla | November 07, 03:19 CET

Sigh... I really had hoped that FOX had changed. At least we have 13 episodes to look forward to, if nothing else :(

IcedFlame | November 07, 03:29 CET

When I read the news, my jaw dropped open and I uttered something that sounds like: "mmeh? awwggg"

Why does this feel like I'm being pooped on?

cordelia_chaser | November 07, 03:30 CET

*blinks* Eh?

Braeden Fireheart | November 07, 03:31 CET

"Coming in the Fall of 2011. Her conscious mind has been awoken. Now, it's Echo's turn to take control... Active. A Joss Whedon film."

Barclay | November 07, 03:32 CET

Hate to rain on all the "at least we'll have 13 episodes" folks, but didn't Fox lower the order to 10 earlier in the week?

Edited for spelling, and then again to say oops, it was Castle not Dollhouse that was lowered to 10 eps.

[ edited by danregal on 2008-11-07 03:33 ]

[ edited by danregal on 2008-11-07 23:53 ]

danregal | November 07, 03:33 CET

Jace's take at Televisionary is here.

While he spoke glowingly of the original pilot script he read, he apparently isn't bowled over by the first two Dollhouse episodes, which he says he's seen.

pillboxed | November 07, 03:33 CET

Active. A Joss Whedon film.

Heh. Someone call Mary Parent.

The One True b!X | November 07, 03:34 CET

Nerds are home on Friday nights, I guess is how the thinking goes?

Hell, I'm home every night.

"I'm always home. I'm uncool!"

jam2 | November 07, 03:38 CET

My jaw dropped and my panic meter blew up when I first read this, but I'm trying to stay delusionally optimistic.

As some level-headed folks have already theorized, FOX could be moving T:SCC to Fridays so that it won't be competing against the multitude of other shows on Monday nights, and pairing Dollhouse with it could help both shows keep/build an audience under less ratings scrutiny.

And heck, if they advertise this right, with the Friday the 13th premeire, this could be a really good thing for Dollhouse.

Yep. Delusionally optimistic. That's me.

kasadilla | November 07, 03:40 CET

I wasn't gonna worry. I was certain there was no cause for alarm. I kept in mind the words of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - DON'T PANIC. Even seeing the news of the friday spot and february premiere didn't worry me - I'm in Sweden, I don't even have Fox, I would have had to wait longer no matter what. But then gossi started talking. I can't say I'm entirely unworried anymore. I'm not gonna lie. I'm a little worried. But I refuse to panic. There's still hope. A little. Please?
Actually, to be quite honest, I'm more worried about the Paul Ballard beating people up to music for an hour than I am about the risk of cancellation. But that's just me, I guess.
I'll be back with comments of panic and cursing the suits once it becomes abundantly clear that the steady, glimmering stream of fox urine has truly hit the fan.
Or, suits willing, I'll be back to sanity and calm once it seems plausible that it won't.

No offense to gossi, but I so hope gossi is full of sh*t.

GreatMuppetyOdin | November 07, 03:40 CET

Panic alert at puke green. This makes me feel a little sick inside.

ShanshuBugaboo | November 07, 03:42 CET

12 months of fandom freakouts must have increased my resilience to inauspicious news, because I remain strangely unaffected. (Brings 'much hardier cockroaches' to mind.)

If anyone can bring audience to Friday nights, Joss can.

Besides, pretty much every other night of the week is crowded. Weren't we freaking out over Monday nights' crowdedness just a few weeks ago?

Although I must admit, these people do have a sick sense of humour.

[ edited by Effulgent on 2008-11-07 06:12 ]

Effulgent | November 07, 03:46 CET

I just...I can't...I don't understand. I want to both vomit and cry.

pat32082 | November 07, 03:51 CET

No offense to gossi, but I so hope gossi is full of sh*t.

Unfortunately for this context, gossi is full of internet magics and Whedon knowledge. So yeah, this is bad.

Sunfire | November 07, 03:51 CET

Not thrilled either that it doesn't sound like the first two episodes are that great. I'm sure they're pretty decent - I trust Joss enough to think that - but it sounds like they would have been much better without interference. It seems like we're going to get the worst of both worlds: the show will be cancelled and it might not be all that good, or at least not as good as it could have been.

Let Down | November 07, 03:55 CET

Okay, I've removed my post from above as it was clearly adding to the freaking and it was made after getting a call while in bed, so it was probably made at the wrong time.

I'm just an idiot from Liverpool.

gossi | November 07, 03:56 CET

Go to bed Gossi. It's ok. We can panic all by ourselves!

Lioness | November 07, 03:58 CET

At least now I will have an excuse to stay in on a Friday night.

Litwal | November 07, 03:59 CET

I'm just an idiot from Liverpool.

John, Paul, George, and Ringossi.

The One True b!X | November 07, 04:08 CET

My mother's from Liverpool. (Ohio. Same thing, right?)

NYPinTA | November 07, 04:15 CET

I don't understand this "communication" problem between Joss and the execs. They bought something that was not the thing they thought they bought? I can understand that happening when you are, like buying cheese or exotic fruits, but for a prime time television show?

buffywrestling | November 07, 04:28 CET

I've been talking on Whedonesque recently about how FOX thinks it's "The Action Network", and how that's their biggest problem.

Frankly, I'm wondering if "acton" is all that successful on network television in general. Outside of 24 itself, which arguably works precisely because of it's real-time structure which no one else could duplicate without being seen as stealing, are there even any all that many examples of successful network action shows in recent times?

The One True b!X | November 07, 04:29 CET

The only one I can think of that even comes close to action-y is Burn Notice and that's a cable network.

ETA: I supposed Knight Rider is action-y, but that's an epic fail for NBC. Serves 'em right.

[ edited by cabri on 2008-11-07 04:38 ]

cabri | November 07, 04:37 CET

Fucking hell. I was one of those people who kept saying, "Have faith in FOX, they seem like nice folks this time around" and kept being bewildered by everyone running around like Chicken Little. But now I'm almost ready to run around wearing a sandwich board to alert the masses that the sky is indeed falling.

I'm trying not to overreact to this news. I don't want to look stupid. But it's hard to overreact to this, isn't it? This is just...this is absolutely horrible news.

Okay, if the show gets canceled. All right. That's completely awful, but all right. If it turns out to be not that good? Fuck-a-doodle-doo.

Joss is an amazing artist who has never made something I disliked. And judging from what I've heard, it sounds like if it's going to suck, it might be because of FOX interference (I say "might" because I know that Joss is not infallible).

I went from having an average day to having a pile-of-shit day. Fuck.

UnpluggedCrazy | November 07, 04:40 CET

I can't say I'm really surprised by this news. Even though Fox broadcasting may have new management, i.e. Kevin Reilly as president, the suits who hired Reilly are probably the same folks who killed off Firefly. Nevertheless, I'm not really bummed out by this because I've kept my expectations low. I'm only expecting 13 good eps (good for a DVD release) and anything more is bonus. I also don't feel Friday is necessarily a complete death slot as it used to be because Mondays for genre shows seems to be rather killer as well. Look at the low ratings Monday shows like Heroes, Chuck, Prison Break and Terminator are getting. As people have mentioned above, moving Dollhouse to Fridays may mean lower expectations for ratings and their resultant ratings may end up good enough for a season 2 order which is what we're all hoping for. I only hope Joss isn't too bummed out by the news and that he'll keep doing the best he can for Dollhouse.

As far as why Joss 'choose' Fox to make Dollhouse for, I assume it's mainly because the show was written for Eliza and she has a contract with Fox only.

spiralout9 | November 07, 04:46 CET

Then again, the guy whose blog was linked to earlier, the guy who says that the first two episodes of Dollhouse weren't impressive, well...he also says that he might stop watching The Office because of "last week's mind-numbingly awful episode."

While it wasn't classic, it was still very good. This proves the man may have questionable taste.

Either that, or I'm grasping at straws.

UnpluggedCrazy | November 07, 04:48 CET

Let's not unduly panic here. The primary reason Friday was the kiss of death for Firefly was because of football, which isn't an issue in the spring.

Maratanos | November 07, 04:54 CET

There's a link on the frontpage of latimes.com to a blog about this here. They claim Joss himself posted the link on Whedonesque.

The Operative | November 07, 05:00 CET

This is what happens when you try to do actual work on the job and not keep up with Twitter. I've just spent an hour more at the office reading this depressing thread.

For me, I'm already watching/taping several shows on Friday nights, including Dr. Who at 9 pm!! For Western Canadians, BSG is on at 7 pm, if the schedule is the same as before their hiatus.

I don't know what to say, I have so been looking forward to a new Joss show where I would be in on it with other fans from the beginning. (I watched Firefly from the beginning but was not online then.) Whatever happens and for however long it is on the air (I'll keep my fingers crossed for several seasons), I will be watching. Keep in mind that if you decide not to watch and wait for the DVD, Fox will be justified in cancelling it due to low numbers - and I don't think we can just assume that there will be DVDs. After all, we're still waiting for ones for The Inside and Drive!

I think my panic meter is orange sienna at the moment.

samatwitch | November 07, 05:03 CET

They claim Joss himself posted the link on Whedonesque.
WTF. Not only that, they give him crap for not posting with his usual witty and honest style. Kinda hard to do that if he isn't the one that posted the news.

Edit: Unless they think bix is Joss.

[ edited by NYPinTA on 2008-11-07 05:07 ]

NYPinTA | November 07, 05:06 CET

13 is my lucky number so I'm gonna bank on that. And I suppose that little talent thing Joss has.

deadbessie | November 07, 05:06 CET

Hey, Maria Elena Fernandez: I am not Joss.

The One True b!X | November 07, 05:08 CET

Are you perhaps Ross?

Sunfire | November 07, 05:10 CET

Ooooooh positive thought: if Dollhouse gets cancelled Joss can finally make Ripper! (And he'll probably write the final arc of the Buffy comics which he's been suggesting he's too overworked to do)

Other positive thoughts: Cabin in the Woods, Servant Girl, Dr Horrible DVD

Let Down | November 07, 05:11 CET

Oddly, although now I can't find it, I recently came across some other site that tried to conflate me and Joss. Which, in addition to being obviously wrong, sounds like it would hurt.

The One True b!X | November 07, 05:11 CET

VeryVeryCrowded said:

Sci-fi Channel, Joss. Not FOX. You'll have a bigger budget on FOX, and a larger audience (and make more money), but is that worth the heartache of having show after show sabotaged before it even begins?

Would Joss have even gone back to Fox if not for the chance to work with Eliza? I'm a bit ignorant about how talent deals work (plus from "shiny new" land and too lazy to check the archives), so does anyone know what sort of deals each of them has with Fox? Ie, if (and not "when" - I'm happy being a pessimistic optimist) Dollhouse is not that breakaway hit we all hope for, does that mean Eliza has the chance to develop another show with them? Or, gulp, that Joss is required to do more for that F(-ing) network?

tac_tics | November 07, 05:12 CET

BTW, did he really "vow" to never work with Fox again? (I mean Joss. Not bix. I know they get confused so easily.)

NYPinTA | November 07, 05:16 CET

Joss certainly isn't required to do any more work apart from Dollhouse. He just signed up for that.

I believe Eliza is signed on to Fox exclusively. Not sure for how long, though

Let Down | November 07, 05:16 CET

looks like maria heard you, bix

The Operative | November 07, 05:20 CET

Gahh, the L.A. Times article has been corrected. I was going to tell them to think before they blog, but now I cannot.

The article also says that episodes six and seven have been having major production problems, according to an "anonymous source."

?

UnpluggedCrazy | November 07, 05:21 CET

Interesting analysis by Zap2It:

Mondays -- What this move tells me is that FOX is really antsy about 24, and with good reason. The show is coming off an 18-month leave of absence following a season of dipping ratings and dipping quality. FOX knows that the only way to keep that franchise healthy is to give it a legitimate lead-in and basically force people to stick around to watch Jack Bauer. Dollhouse was never going to be that lead-in, however optimistic FOX was about it at the upfronts. As brilliant as I can only hope and pray Dollhouse will be, it was always going to be a Joss Whedon show and it was always going to play to a niche audience, even before the reports of creative tinkering began circulating. Wedging that new show into one of TV's most competitive hours was going to be death. House is down dramatically this season, but its 18-49 numbers are quite healthy and should combine with 24 for a very strong Monday for FOX.

More analysis when they get to Friday itself, but I don't want to reproduce half their article here. Click through.

The One True b!X | November 07, 05:22 CET

So Dollhouse will premier on my birthday? Sweet. If only Tahmoh's character was still going to be named Paul SMITH, all would be right with the world.

(Of course Angel was cancelled on my birthday, so the world has a lot to make up to me... but this could be a step in the right direction.)

Haunt | November 07, 05:28 CET

Well, bix, thank you. That's the sanest argument I've read thus far.

UnpluggedCrazy | November 07, 05:29 CET

IGN echoes (no pun intended) some of Zap2It's take:

... With no big hit paired with them, on top of airing on a low-viewership night, it means the expectations are down for the shows – which means they don't have to perform as well as they might in other circumstances to be considered a success and if they can pull in decent ratings, they might have a nice chance at coming back. ... When you factor in the returning Battlestar Galactica also airing on Friday nights on SCI FI Channel, you have one geek-friendly night of TV.

The One True b!X | November 07, 05:31 CET

Interesting. I hope he's right. Does anyone know whether Fox has allowed shows to keep going on Friday night when they're doing kind of okay?

(Also, an aside: is Fox News a separate channel?)

Let Down | November 07, 05:32 CET

@UnpluggedCrazy.

As the guy with "questionable taste" that you're insulting, I thought I'd respond your insulting remark. Comparing Dollhouse and last week's episode of The Office (and make no mistake it WAS weak) is like comparing apples and oranges. I read Dollhouse's pilot script last year and absolutely loved it. (My early review of the script validates that.) The finished product--both versions of the pilot and the second completed episode--did not live up to the expectations that I had about the series. While I've been a huge Joss fan for years, Dollhouse sadly isn't his best work. And FOX putting it on a Friday night doesn't bode well for the longevity of the series.

Jace at Televisionary | November 07, 05:34 CET

This I know: nothing Joss has a hand in will suck. The execs screwed with Firefly like all hell and it's still bloody brilliant. However much Dollhouse we get, it will all be beautiful and infinitely re-watchable.

It's been over five years since a Joss show was on the air. I'll schedule my Fridays around Dollhouse. I trust you guys to do the same. If hardcore fans start opting out before the show even starts, you're killing it yourself. Get a clue.

Sabbrielle | November 07, 05:34 CET

Did we go over our quota for happy news this week? Grrr.

Aviva | November 07, 05:34 CET

Okay, after doing a self mind-wipe of some of the things I’ve just read, I’m starting to think this could work. Like someone up the thread said, both shows won’t have much competition on Fridays. They should have a decent amount of cross-over appeal with them both being Sci-fi and the Whedon connection with Summer. T:TSCC seems to have done very well when it comes to DVD sales, and Fox must know that Dollhouse will do at least as well and likely better. If Fox also takes into account DVR and Hulu views along with lowering expectations because of the time slot, this might not be as much of a death sentence as we fear. Also, in bad economic times people tend to stay home more and watch TV instead of going out and blowing their money.

Or I’m really grasping.

Eric_Curtis | November 07, 05:35 CET

So... we shouldn't panic?

BTW, to nit pick the LA Times blurb again, no one actually said, "It's Firefly all over again!" And Firefly has only been mentioned about 5 times in this thread, most in passing. Someone did say they 'hoped it wasn't Firefly all over again', which is close, but not an "outcry" or the same thing at all really.

PS I don't see anyone opting out of watching Dollhouse, no matter what day it's on.

NYPinTA | November 07, 05:36 CET

So... we shouldn't panic?

I've become agnostic on this point. While I really have no opinion on the anonymous reports of trouble inside the production (I mean, how are we supposed to verify any of that?), the tradition in television does seem to be that Friday is where you put things to die.

But the Zap2It and IGN arguments are interesting, especially Daniel's (of Zap2It) take that from FOX's perspective, this actually, in a sense, balances their schedule across all five weeknights, which would be a plus for them, if it works.

[ edited by theonetruebix on 2008-11-07 05:42 ]

The One True b!X | November 07, 05:41 CET

EvilElecBlanket, I don't think you are grasping. Those are good points to take into consideration.

I will try to remain hopeful. The initial anger has worn off a bit.

ShanshuBugaboo | November 07, 05:44 CET

I've been sulking. That is until I read the Zap2It analysis. I still don't feel great about Dollhouse premiering on a Friday, Friday the 13th (really? I mean come on!), but maybe this is the best shot for Dollhouse to live past infancy on Fox. So while I got my hopeful feelings back about Dollhouse, I lost any good feelings I had for the "new" Fox.

Friday the 13th! Who does that!?! Fox does that.

Likewithpie | November 07, 05:48 CET

"It's been over five years since a Joss show was on the air. I'll schedule my Fridays around Dollhouse. I trust you guys to do the same. If hardcore fans start opting out before the show even starts, you're killing it yourself. Get a clue."

Well, they can just leave their TV on the right channel and go out. And then watch it later. I don't think people are bad Joss fans for deciding to go out on Friday night

Let Down | November 07, 05:49 CET

If the Joss fans that rallied post-Firefly came to Dollhouse's aid, I think it'll be fine. That's a big if, but if we all make a devoted effort to watch it or DVR-it, perhaps Fox will move it to a better time slot.

archon | November 07, 05:51 CET

I'm actually happy it's on friday. Now i'll be able to dvr it. Monday's are already too full for me.

jnr616 | November 07, 05:53 CET

I'm not going to rally behind a show I haven't seen yet. Just weird that way. I am going to watch and see what happens though.

buffywrestling | November 07, 05:58 CET

Jace at Televisionary, I apologize for my "insulting remark."

When I posted it, I thought about tacking "I'm grasping at straws, aren't I?" to the end, so maybe that'll give you more of an idea about my intent.

UnpluggedCrazy | November 07, 06:01 CET

I'm going to keep hope alive since I've gotten over my initial 'freak out'. I think it could be a good night if Fox promotes it well and the TSCC watchers follow along.

One thing, I thought it was starting in January. Now I have to wait another month!! Bah, I say!!!

Scaniano | November 07, 06:06 CET

I hope the Zap2it and IGN arguments are correct. I refuse to panic. It might be ok. Maybe. If not, we still get more than one movie worth of Joss stuff in one year.

Aviva | November 07, 06:08 CET

Grr. Argh.

I'm starting to wish we hadn't known anything about the show, or the creative process, until it was on the air. I've been through way too many emotions about something I haven't even had the chance to get emotionally attached to yet.

Do the networks have factor in internet viewings, or is it all about actual TV screens? Because pretty much anything I watch, I watch online--and I can't be the only one. People may not stay home on Fridays to watch the show, but if they're keeping up with it on hulu, that should count for something . . . shouldn't it?

erendis | November 07, 06:10 CET

Right now I'm physically incapable of saying any word other than "CRAP!" over and over again. :(

Ghalev | November 07, 06:10 CET

Ghalev, at least try using "POO!" instead, if only because it might reduce you to a fit of infantile giggles, which might help the mood.

The One True b!X | November 07, 06:11 CET

It's interesting that Jace said that neither version of the pilot was all that good. Of course, we might not agree with him if we'd seen them but it does tend to suggest that maybe it wasn't Fox's interference that made the beginning of the show not that great.

Let Down | November 07, 06:16 CET

kyrumption, Fox posts full episodes of all their currently airing shows on their own site, so I'm sure they keep track of that.

cabri | November 07, 06:16 CET

POO! POO! POO, I SAY!!!!!

:::hehehehehehehe:::

You're right, bix. That did lighten the mood.

BAFfler | November 07, 06:20 CET

Isn't change wonderful and awesome?

JadeHand | November 07, 06:21 CET

I too am feeling rather less bitter about the news than I was initially. But I'm still not regaining my optimism.

UnpluggedCrazy | November 07, 06:22 CET

Finally, I'll have something to watch on Fridays. Two somethings, in fact.

See me? I'm mellow. I'm like Oz, man, cool. No panic here. I'll watch (Or record if I won't be home) every episode of both shows we get, and then, when I have money again, I'll buy the DVDs of previous seasons to enjoy again and again. Like I am right now with Firefly.

I'm not going to write off a show just because of the night it's on - I'll watch it no matter where it airs, as long as I feel it's worth watching. When the pilot episode airs, I'll tune in. If I'm intrigued enough, I'll watch the next episode. If it keeps my interest, I'm there for the duration, be it 10, 13 or 48 episodes, or 5 years.

ShadowQuest | November 07, 06:33 CET

UnpluggedCrazy, I feel I must remind you that while posters may get away with questioning Joss's taste in music/movies/men's wear, you must never -- never -- question the taste of any of his critics. To do so is insultingly insulting.

ETA Cats is a great musical.

[ edited by Pointy on 2008-11-07 06:40 ]

Pointy | November 07, 06:34 CET

Oddly, although now I can't find it, I recently came across some other site that tried to conflate me and Joss.
Just as a bizarre aside, if you do a Google image search for my full name you get one, single, result. And that's a picture of Joss.
Weird.

zz9 | November 07, 06:45 CET

First the horrible narrator in the recent trailer, now a Friday timeslot? Well at least we elected Obama.

flak | November 07, 06:48 CET

Okay, I'm back for one more ill advised rant. I've been talking on Whedonesque recently about how FOX thinks it's "The Action Network", and how that's their biggest problem. I just want to make that point again. Its successful shows - AI, House etc - are not action shows. Its action shows - Terminator, Prison Break - are failing shows. It needs to stop thinking of everything in terms of action, action, car crash - as that leads to, well, a car crash.

Why does any major network try to corner itself into a niche like that? I mean I can understand that if they were a speciality channel(really the Action Channel), but for a major network channel? I mean I can understand grouping two similar genre shows together on one night to try to hook in the audience, but beyond that what's the point? If they have a good show on a certain night, it doesn't matter to me what they are playing other nights and if it mixes together.

Do the networks have factor in internet viewings, or is it all about actual TV screens? Because pretty much anything I watch, I watch online--and I can't be the only one. People may not stay home on Fridays to watch the show, but if they're keeping up with it on hulu, that should count for something . . . shouldn't it?

Unless you are one of the families being monitored by Nielsen, then really it doesn't matter if you watch it on an actual tv screen as it won't affect the ratings of the show. As for how much networks consider Hulu in their decisions, unfortunately I don't think it does. I could be wrong and that this has changed more, but it's my understanding that it's a separate part of the company that is pulling in that additional revenue and the network's main concern is ratings, as that's how that part of the business makes money.

[ edited by Matt_Fabb on 2008-11-07 06:53 ]

Matt_Fabb | November 07, 06:52 CET

Oh, God, flak, you're right. We're oh-for-three.

zz9: Could you give us your full name, so we may verify this astonishing result? And also, could you send along your SSN and driver's license number (with car tags, if possible)? Why? Oh, no reason... :::devilish grin:::

BAFfler | November 07, 06:53 CET

Not to be a downer, but I recall the, "If it's on Friday, expectations will be lower!" line echoed by Bryan Fuller back when Wonderfalls was on.

I know, I know. New regime. But still.

Jobo | November 07, 06:58 CET

BAF, being English, and therefore evil, I don't have a SSN. I have a NI number but it's not the big deal ID wise here so you you wouldn't be able to steal my identity. And if you do can you pay off my overdraft for me? :)

(I also have a Canadian SIN, but that's a whole other story...)

zz9 | November 07, 07:02 CET

I'm sorry but I am not going to be optimistic. I mean, Friday?? Friday?! That is a death sentence right there. This is just ridiculous. I want this show to do well, but I'm already losing hope... Do they really expect a large audience when they put the show on a Friday night? This show is not going to get big ratings at all. And we all know what happens when a show doesn't get big ratings on the Fox network. ugh this is just depressing.

ria | November 07, 07:04 CET

THE OPERATIVE
Do you know what your Canadian SIN is?

MAL
Aw, hell. I'm a fan of all 1.3 million issued per year.

The One True b!X | November 07, 07:07 CET

If you do a Google Image search for my full name, pictures of John and Yoko and the Angel characters show up on the first page of results. Though there's actually a reason behind that (I used those pics on a blog), it's still kind of cool.

Not as cool as zz9's situation, though.

(Damn you, zz9!)

Oh, and bix: EPIC WIN.

UnpluggedCrazy | November 07, 07:10 CET

So I'm thinking... besides ranting about the not-so-great timeslot here on Whedonesque and other online forums, what can we, the lowly fans, do to keep "Dollhouse" from meeting the big cancellation in the sky?

Letter-writing campaign? Pencils to FOX execs?

Ooh, DOLLS to FOX execs?!

Who's with me?

kasadilla | November 07, 07:11 CET

bix, 1.3 million? Is that thanks to all the Baldwins arriving because they said they would leave the US if Obama got in?

zz9 | November 07, 07:13 CET

We could, kasadilla, wait until the show actually airs and then wait to see what happens.

UnpluggedCrazy | November 07, 07:16 CET

Letter-writing campaign? Pencils to FOX execs?
Ooh, DOLLS to FOX execs?!

If one of my dreams ever does come true, and I become a showrunner. I'm going to make sure I have one character that loves eggs just for this reason. They wouldn't dare cancel the show. Muhahahahahaha

Eric_Curtis | November 07, 07:19 CET

Six days after my birthday? I'll take that birthday present!

electricspacegirl | November 07, 07:28 CET

Fucking hell.

At first.. my gothic imp inside was all giddy with Joss on a Friday the 13th.. and then my brain kicked in and said "oh fuck, Dollhouse will be on Fridays."

panic. panic. PANIC.

We have to do something. Petitions. Banners. Signs. Human Advertisements. We need to get another network to buy the show. We need to do something. Neeeds more Joss.

we also need to save terminator. needs more summer.

[ edited by almost cookies on 2008-11-07 07:38 ]

almost cookies | November 07, 07:38 CET

That's what I'm sayin', almost cookies! We'll send Cupie dolls to FOX execs! And... uh... little robots that take things literally.

kasadilla | November 07, 07:46 CET

Hmmm, I don't know, I think sending Fox stuff for T:TSCC sends the wrong message, like "How dare you give Terminator a full season order!!!" ;) I'm just grateful it's still on the air.

November 07 2008