Global TV says new season for Dollhouse coming this Fall - Dollhouse

It might be a misprint, I'm checking to see if FOX will comment. The upfronts are only a week away so I doubt they will at this stage.

gossi | May 11, 21:59 CET

Simon, sorry for the earlier entry.

Brasilian Chaos Man | May 11, 22:01 CET

I am guessing this is for Season one, or maybe this canadian channel be broadcasting season one exclusively, or, i don't know, I'm confused.

Stargyn | May 11, 22:02 CET

I'm confused too, especially after reading this.

Simon, sorry for the earlier entry.

Don't worry about it.

Simon | May 11, 22:04 CET

I am confused, or maybe they want me to be confused, or maybe I'm a doll, or is ben glory, so confused head asplosion, yes an asplosion much worse then an explosion....
yeah confused, you should throw that twitter link to this link as well.

also check out the may 10th entry about dollhouse and how good it would look on tuesday nights.

[ edited by Stargyn on 2009-05-11 22:08 ]

Stargyn | May 11, 22:07 CET

I've put up an article explaining what we know here.

gossi | May 11, 22:07 CET

Stargyn, they already showed season one. It sounds like they at least expect a second season. The question is whether they know if there really will be a second season.

ETA: After reading that tweet, I suddenly feel even more hopeful than before. Eliza can be such a tease.

[ edited by Michael on 2009-05-11 22:13 ]

Michael | May 11, 22:08 CET

michael, yes I just realized this when you typed it thanks to gossi, but yeah, I dont know what to think I need to be held, or wiped, memory wise....

Stargyn | May 11, 22:11 CET

Can only add myself to the confused party.. All these hopes ups-hopes downs are making my brain implode..
But, do you really think Eliza's tweet might mean that?
Holy W!

JotheCat | May 11, 22:12 CET

Maybe it's left over from when it aired and they haven't got round to updating the site?
Hope it means what it says tho :D

One of Many | May 11, 22:13 CET

But, do you really think Eliza's tweet might mean that?

Eliza's tweet could mean anything. But if you're a big fan of Dollhouse, you're going to think it could be about the show.

Simon | May 11, 22:14 CET

Huh.

QuoterGal | May 11, 22:15 CET

it also could mean she is finally going to tell the world how much she loves me, but lets be realistic, it's dollhouse and dollhouse only, she never tells anyone about us.

Stargyn | May 11, 22:15 CET

*hyperventilates*

sunshineguinn | May 11, 22:17 CET

Don't freak out, Jobo. Just stay cool. And maybe address yourself by your real name in the future.

sumogrip | May 11, 22:18 CET

I guess she could mean "wouldn't you like to know what I ate this morning" but I prefer to make a Dollhouse connection.

gyngyfromshrek, it can't be a leftover from season one because that didn't air last fall.

Michael | May 11, 22:19 CET

I like jobo, it's a very, authentic, ummm greek like, south east regioned, alabamamian like name.... I have no clue what it means I got nothing, but love.

Stargyn | May 11, 22:19 CET

if you're a big fan of Dollhouse, you're going to think it could be about the show.

I know, I did.. but I thought I was a fool-for-Dollhouse-love for doing so!

JotheCat | May 11, 22:22 CET

I don't think this means anything. At all.

buffywrestling | May 11, 22:23 CET

I thought Eliza's tweet might be in response to someone asking her where she'll be while in Kenya (she had just previously tweeted that they were taking a detour to visit because Kenya is right next door). So I didn't assume that she was twittering about Dollhouse at all.

embers | May 11, 22:24 CET

I'd like a treatment now. Please.

Maybe when I "wake up" there will be an official announcement for season two.

CrazyKidBen | May 11, 22:26 CET

It could mean that they wil show Ep 14, too. Who knows? But this seems as though it was written and released before Season 1 started. Otherwise, why not simply say, returning for a second season? This seems off to me.

[ edited by Dana5140 on 2009-05-11 22:29 ]

Dana5140 | May 11, 22:28 CET

No, the banner says 'a new season'. Why would a Canadian network be the first to post it somewhere, even before an official announcement. Isn't that illegal?

The banner looks pretty generic though, as if they use that design for every show and just put in the show title.

[ edited by J.I.G. on 2009-05-11 22:32 ]

J.I.G. | May 11, 22:30 CET

*covering ears*

LALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALA

didifallasleep | May 11, 22:30 CET

I don't think this is the way that S2 will be announced. Call me crazy.

cronopiogal | May 11, 22:32 CET

I'm trying not to be giddy. It's really not working out for me.

Scaniano | May 11, 22:33 CET

If it was written and released before Season 1 started, why would it say "Coming This Fall?" I also think, if it was written for the first season, it would say, "Series Premiere," instead of "New Season."

I know the ad wasn't there a few days ago. I've visited the GlobalTV Dollhouse page many times, and I've never seen it before.

Knuckleball | May 11, 22:34 CET

No, the banner says 'a new season'. Why would a Canadian network be the first to post it somewhere, even before an official announcement. Isn't that illegal?

Presumably, it would be unintentional. FOX decides they're gonna renew it, so they let their buddies up north know. Those buddies unwittingly start advertising it, for some reason... I dunno.

I'm taking this to be a good sign, and I'll suffer the crushing disappointment of having done so if I must. For now, I'm just happy.

sumogrip | May 11, 22:35 CET

I am sitting here waiting....waiting...ARGH! TELL ME INTERNETBRAINS!

bubblecat | May 11, 22:37 CET

This is me, trying not to get too excited.
I'll just wait and see.

maxsummers | May 11, 22:39 CET

I like Jobo's theory.

ShanshuBugaboo | May 11, 22:40 CET

But the text says this:

"Joss Whedon, creator of groundbreaking cult favourites Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly, returns to television and reunites with fellow Buffy alumna Eliza Dushku for a thrilling new drama, Dollhouse.

Echo (Dushku) is an "Active," a member of a highly illegal and underground group of individuals who have had their personalities wiped clean so they can be imprinted with any number of new personas. Hired by the wealthy, powerful and connected, the Actives don't just perform their hired roles, they wholly become - with mind, personality and physiology - whomever the client wants or needs them to be. Whether imprinted to be a lover, an assassin, a corporate negotiator or a best friend, the Actives know no other life than the specific engagements they are in at that time.

Confined between missions to a secret facility known as the "Dollhouse," Echo and the other Actives, including Sierra (Dichen Lachman), are assigned engagements by Adelle Dewitt (Olivia Williams), one of the Dollhouse's leaders. After each scenario, Echo, always under the watchful eye of her handler Boyd Langton (Harry Lennix), returns to the mysterious Dollhouse where her thoughts, feelings, experiences and knowledge are erased by Topher Brink (Fran Kranz), the Dollhouse's genius programmer.

Echo enters the next scenario with no memory of before. Or does she? "

This all reads like it is pre-S1, right? I mean, Boyd is no longer Echo's handler, and that first paragraphs is like it is describing a new show. There is nothing in this entire description that acknowledgesa anything that happened in S1 at all. So it just seems off to me.

Dana5140 | May 11, 22:40 CET

Great, just what I needed optimism.

Pretty_Hate_Machine | May 11, 22:40 CET

"Joss Whedon, creator of groundbreaking cult favourites Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly, returns to television and reunites with fellow Buffy alumna Eliza Dushku for a thrilling new drama, Dollhouse.

Right, but the NEW TEXT that is on the banner that wasn't there before today says "New Seasons... etc". Wouldn't be the first time Global has accidentally announced something. No one is talking about the text you reference, sir. In any case, it could all be nonsense, so :), directions: take with salt.

zeitgeist | May 11, 22:41 CET

Dana, how would they describe a second season before it's even been plotted or written? That banner wasn't there yesterday. Either somebody has messed up (probable) or they've let the dog out the nasty black bin liner (possible).

gossi | May 11, 22:43 CET

Is that true, zeitgeist? Has this happened in the past?

sumogrip | May 11, 22:43 CET

While perhaps we are grasping at straws, hopeful straws are better than straws of despair.

SteppeMerc | May 11, 22:45 CET

FOX decides they're gonna renew it, so they let their buddies up north know. Those buddies unwittingly start advertising it, for some reason... I dunno.

If Fox let them know, they would also say they haven't announced it yet, because they would make a point of being the first to say it.

For now, I'm just happy.

Me too, and if it's true, I think Fox will be pissed at GlobalTV. Fox pissed + us happy = best day ever.

J.I.G. | May 11, 22:45 CET

gossi reminded us earlier on twitter that ~~Global~~ CTV announced Drive's cancellation a day before Fox did. Oops!

My bad, gossi- corrected :)

[ edited by zeitgeist on 2009-05-11 22:50 ]

zeitgeist | May 11, 22:46 CET

I WANT TO BELIEVE.

archon | May 11, 22:46 CET

Oh geez... way to tease us, crazy Canadian network I've never heard of before!

Septimus | May 11, 22:47 CET

I think it was CTV who announced Drive's cancellation (in effect) a day or two before FOX, as they just removed it from their schedule and episode dates from their Drive website.

So, it's happened before in cancellation terms. I'm not saying it's happened here: haven't a clue.

gossi | May 11, 22:49 CET

Or maybe they are just f*cking with us.

This is why I should never get attached to anything new. This goes nicely with my existing rule of not getting involved with any African antelopes (yes, Gnu's).

alexreager | May 11, 22:49 CET

Let's tweet them.

J.I.G. | May 11, 22:50 CET

We (East Cost) Canadians also got new episodes of Buffy the day before they aired in the US... Not that that actually has any relevance to this... just gloating. ;)

Knuckleball | May 11, 22:50 CET

Oh, man. Down, optimism, down! I literally had this wild and crazy upsurge of hope that I've now got to squash 'til the upfronts.

swanjun | May 11, 22:52 CET

I'm not sure what to think. I had quick look through the their other show banners as they seem up to date.

Maybe FOX saw the number of pre-orders for the DVD and thought another season would be worth it? Hope springs eternal.

kmb99 | May 11, 22:53 CET

The studio gets the DVD money - if it's renewed its because Kevin and Peter think it deserves a shot.

zeitgeist | May 11, 22:55 CET

The studio could've done serious price-lowering based on the DVD presales though, yeah?

sumogrip | May 11, 22:56 CET

Maybe it's hoax to lure FOX into thinking they have already renewed it.

Pretty_Hate_Machine | May 11, 22:56 CET

Maybe we should just spread the word that Dollhouse is renewed. If enough people believe it, it will become true. It has been done this way before! With a certain US President I believe! Why not now (this is clearly as or more important).

insistondoubt | May 11, 22:57 CET

INT. TREATMENT ROOM

FOX BROADCASTING (sitting up in chair): Did I fall asleep?

TOPHER: For a little while.

FOX BROADCASTING (standing): Should I go now?

TOPHER: If you like... Oh, hey, you renewed Dollhouse, good work!

FOX BROADCASTING: I did, didn't I?

TOPHER NODS AND GRINS, EXCESSIVELLY, GIVING A 'MISSION ACCOMPLISHED' THUMBS UP BEFORE MAKING A 'SHOO' GESTURE WITH HIS RIGHT HAND.

zeitgeist | May 11, 22:58 CET

Can we fix it? Interesting theory Vorigun!

bubblecat | May 11, 22:59 CET

If Fox let them know, they would also say they haven't announced it yet, because they would make a point of being the first to say it.

Remember how we found out about the death slot? About the 14th episode not airing? The people over at Fox aren't great with PR. So I think it's possible this is a leak.

ShanshuBugaboo | May 11, 22:59 CET

If enough people believe it, it will become true.

That was tried for Angel season 6, Firefly season 2 and Serenity 2. Didn't quite work. And besides a fandom spreading false rumours gets looked on with great distaste from outside.

Simon | May 11, 22:59 CET

Gotta love ASN, Knuckleball!!

Buffy the Slayer Layer | May 11, 23:00 CET

Zeitgeist, when has that happened in the past?

How likely could it be that Global accidentally spilled the beans on this, and they would be in a position to know that it is renewed?

Trying not to get too excited about this...

(Also, what did Eliza tweet? Not really a follower of twitter...)

AnotherFireflyfan | May 11, 23:01 CET

The ironic thing about this is that even if Dollhouse comes back next season, there's a decent chance Global won't be around any more.

seasleepy | May 11, 23:02 CET

That was tried for Angel season 6, Firefly season 2 and Serenity 2. Didn't quite work. And besides a fandom spreading false rumours gets looked on with great distaste from outside.

Damnation! Was not aware of this. *back to the huge white-board of ideas*

insistondoubt | May 11, 23:02 CET

Okay, now they are messing with us:

@FoxBroadcasting just tweeted:

Did you miss "Omega", the Season Finale of Dollhouse? Catch it again here - http://bit.ly/6RTwX

[ edited by zeitgeist on 2009-05-11 23:04 ]

zeitgeist | May 11, 23:02 CET

Buffy the Slayer Layer, I still can't see that little ASN logo/music clip, without thinking a new episode of Buffy is going to start. Pavlovian conditioning, much?

Knuckleball | May 11, 23:03 CET

Can we please modify the title of this link to add in a Rumor: disclaimer or something? I got this crazy surge of hope that I don't really think is warranted from such feeble evidence.

AnotherFireflyfan | May 11, 23:04 CET

I see on Twitter that this "news" has been turned into Global TV funds new season of Dollhouse.

Simon | May 11, 23:04 CET

Well, it's not exactly a rumor... an official source has announced it. Just possibly incorrectly.

sumogrip | May 11, 23:05 CET

Simon - You left out the inevitable - "DVD FAN EFFORT BRINGS BACK DOLLHOUSE!!!!!!!!".

zeitgeist | May 11, 23:05 CET

This happens in the games industry all the time- news leaks due to misinformed PR people (and foreign press, in some cases) opening their mouths before they're supposed to. Often, it happens due to a related yet separate entity spilling the beans unknowingly (composers listing unannounced games on their website credits list, phone companies advertising their broadband service with surprise titles, etc), and it seems like that's exactly what happened here.

In the immortal words of a very famous doctor, "Good news, everyone!"

[ edited by adg1034 on 2009-05-11 23:09 ]

adg1034 | May 11, 23:06 CET

Eliza tweeted : "Wouldn't you like to know... Come on, can't really tell y'all EVERYthing. But keep coming back"

Make of that what you will.

Septimus | May 11, 23:07 CET

Give Twitter an hour and it'll be "@Global_TV funds 2 new seasons of #Dollhouse to combat #swineflu"

Sunfire | May 11, 23:07 CET

I've updated the entry with Fox's response. But really I didn't expect them to say anything different.

Simon | May 11, 23:08 CET

Of course Eliza's tweet was before any of this came out and in the midst of info about her Africa trip, so let's try to keep SOME perspective :).

zeitgeist | May 11, 23:08 CET

Z- I love you.

Guys, I'm FREAKING OUT HERE! I must know! Unless it's not renewed...then I don't want to know.

Harmalicious | May 11, 23:09 CET

I am surprised that fox has responded already, in other news my dog farted and it's stinky, but Everybody farts...

Stargyn | May 11, 23:10 CET

Not quite quick enough on the draw when sharing Eliza's vague tweet, but may as well still share the context.

Her last tweet prior to that was nine hours prior and stated: "Kenya's a lil detour cuz why the hell not?! She's rt nxt dr, & ALWAYS wntd 2 visit ;)"

Should we believe these two to be connected? Maybe.

Can we hope for there to be some connection to Dollhouse? Of course.

[ edited by CrazyKidBen on 2009-05-11 23:16 ]

CrazyKidBen | May 11, 23:12 CET

Update Fox tells End of Show: "The series has not been renewed yet. Any renewal announcement would be made at the upfront Presentation a week from today".

Duh.

brinderwalt | May 11, 23:15 CET

I love Eliza but her abuse of those poor words hurts me in my mindface... at least in the tweet we are rumbling about it has vowels... I feel that texting is sophisticated enough now that words can be written out.
knw wht i mean?

Stargyn | May 11, 23:15 CET

Woah, my heart stopped a little. I thought it was a legit announcement there for a few seconds. And those were a few unbelievable seconds. :(

a little pez witch | May 11, 23:16 CET

What's Dollhouse?

b!X | May 11, 23:19 CET

Stargyn Well, with 140 characters, some resort to txt tlk & some just get creative w/sent. struct.

zeitgeist | May 11, 23:19 CET

*struggles with urge to overanalyze verb tenses of FOX's response*

Taaroko | May 11, 23:19 CET

"Her abuse of the English language is such that I understand only every other sentence..." -from Giles' journal

In Eliza's defense, Twitter only allows for updates to include a max of 140 characters. But the idea of texting with unnofficial super shorthand drives me mad, too.

CrazyKidBen | May 11, 23:20 CET

Orly?

Simon | May 11, 23:21 CET

INT. TREATMENT ROOM

FOX BROADCASTING (sitting up in chair): Did I fall asleep?

TOPHER: For a little while.

FOX BROADCASTING (standing): Should I go now?

TOPHER: If you like... Oh, hey, you renewed Dollhouse, good work!

My boyfriend's comment on this: "FOX…trot?"
I kinda I love him. A lot. XD

sunshineguinn | May 11, 23:22 CET

I would also point out that she is txt'ing her updates from a mobile in the middle of Africa (almost said "IN THE MIDDLE OF AFGHANISTAN!!!" - damn you, Aaron Sorkin!) and may only have predictive txt on a phone keypad instead of full QWERTY - you know, unlesss she's rockin' that Palm Pre we saw her with a while back ;).

ETA -

O I C, Simon. Thx 4 that, ttyl m8!

[ edited by zeitgeist on 2009-05-11 23:24 ]

zeitgeist | May 11, 23:22 CET

Taaroko, I tried the "overanalyze Fox's grammar" thing, but I don't think it gets anywhere.

The "yet" seems hopeful, but they couldn't very well leave it of and just say "Dollhouse has not been renewed," if they don't want to announce it either way yet. Of course, they could have said something more convoluted like "We can neither confirm nor deny Dollhouse's status; nothing has been decided either way." But that's pretty awkward. And, the subjunctive "would" in the second sentence seems like covering their bets, since just saying "will be announced" would imply that it actually will be announced. So, yeah, carefully phrased to reveal nothing, I'm afraid.

Septimus | May 11, 23:24 CET

This is what is was like when we waited to see if Angel was getting renewed at the end of every season.

Simon | May 11, 23:26 CET

Did you also have Global having such strange wording in banners back then? :)

wiesengrund | May 11, 23:29 CET

Interesting, but I'm not going to get jazzed about a couple of lines of text entered by some web minion.

AlanD | May 11, 23:29 CET

@kristinalert: Despite what you might have read on the Internets, "Dollhouse" has not been secretly renewed (yet?) -jen

zeitgeist | May 11, 23:31 CET

This is what is was like when we waited to see if Angel was getting renewed at the end of every season.

And that worked out so well most of the time! See, my high hopes are totally justified.

sumogrip | May 11, 23:31 CET

Did you also have Global having such strange wording in banners back then? :)

Just stuff like this. But I do recall several situations where fans avidly seized on the slightest hints.

Simon | May 11, 23:31 CET

You know, it would be kind of nice if this time around a PR screw-up led to good news leaking out!

AnotherFireflyfan | May 11, 23:32 CET

Only several? Have you seen anyone about your memory loss? :)

zeitgeist | May 11, 23:32 CET

I'm glad I wasn't following ratings and renewals back when Angel was on, in that case. My nerves are cut to shreds with this Dollhouse business.

flugufrelsarinn | May 11, 23:32 CET

It would be cool if this were true, but it doesn't really add new information either way, since it could be construed as a leak or a flub. Has anyone asked Global TV to comment?

jkalderash | May 11, 23:34 CET

Bugger - that's not what I wanted to hear from Fox...grrrr

bubblecat | May 11, 23:35 CET

Well, it's clearly a mistake. The question is what kind of mistake? Inadvertent leak? Or, simple confusion?

What else has the Global TV website changed lately? Were they putting up new banners for a bunch of shows recently, or what? (If so, then it seems likely Dollhouse was just accidentally included. If not, then it seems like it may be a more significant error.)

Septimus | May 11, 23:37 CET

So... what's the inverse of picnicking?

AnotherFireflyfan | May 11, 23:38 CET

Yeah, Septimus, the "yet" is slightly hopeful, while the "would" rather than "will" kinda brought it back to neutral. Pity.

Taaroko | May 11, 23:38 CET

The inverse of picnicking? I feel we are going off-topic, but I imagine some kind of indoor situation in which people get eaten by food...

insistondoubt | May 11, 23:39 CET

Ugh, it would have to be Canadian network stirring the pot. Not to worry, i am Canadian as well; I'll have a sit down with Global after dinner and see what's up. *shaking head in embarrassment*

silent knight | May 11, 23:43 CET

I'm going to stick with the picnic. Picnics are good no matter what's happening.

b!X | May 11, 23:46 CET

Yes - cold meat and dips...a shindig it is not, but's it's on the same level of fun!

bubblecat | May 11, 23:47 CET

If Global said that, it could be that they've paid for it so they know something not yet announced officially.

See, I can speculate too.

redeem147 | May 11, 23:49 CET

Septimus - I just went through the other shows that have that style of page. The only one I remember that had "New Season" in that box was "Howie Do It." Most others list the date and time for the upcoming episode. Notably, "Life," which has been canceled, just says to watch the episodes online. So as far as I can tell, someone actually went and typed "New season, coming next fall" either in the Dollhouse page HTML or somewhere the Dollhouse HTML was generated, because it's not like it's showing up for a bunch of other shows.

Er. Except that I'm not going to get my hopes up.

ETA: Is it possible they saw that schedule for Spring 09 that was going around a few days ago? A lot of people fell for that.

[ edited by jkalderash on 2009-05-11 23:52 ]

jkalderash | May 11, 23:52 CET

Haven't been optimistic for a while. Nice one, Whedonesque.

Jaymii | May 11, 23:57 CET

Ok, I was digging through the code, and this is the flash object they used for the image.

In javascript they have the following:
var so = new SWFObject("/Entertainment/Media/Flash/ShowNewEpisode/GlobalTV_Show_New_Episode.swf","GlobalTV_Show_New_Episode",340,122,9);
so.addVariable("feed","1448181.atom");
so.addParam("quality", "high");
so.addParam("wmode", "transparent");
so.addParam("menu", "false");
so.write("flashcontent_schedule");

AnotherFireflyfan | May 12, 00:03 CET

*sigh* It's going to be a long week.

Septimus | May 12, 00:04 CET

Note the last line writes text into that Flash object:

<div id="flashcontent_schedule" align="center">

<div id="syndication29">

<div id="ShowNewEpisodePat"><div id="ShowNewEpisode"><div id="ShowNewEpisodeB"><div id="SNEContainer"><h2>New Season</h2><h1>Coming This Fall</h1><h3>DOLLHOUSE</h3><h4><P></P></h4></div></div></div></div></div>

</div>

It sort of looks like they edited it manually, but who knows.

jkalderash | May 12, 00:06 CET

*sigh* It's going to be a long week.

Well put.

brinderwalt | May 12, 00:07 CET

Interesting. I wonder if they edit things manually, or if they are done automatically? It may just say that because the last episode of season 1 has aired, and ordinarily it would be advertising the next episode.

AnotherFireflyfan | May 12, 00:10 CET

Someone wrote that - we just don't know why.....yet. They could have meant new episode.....but they bother?

bubblecat | May 12, 00:16 CET

Fillion tweeted a few days ago that he needs more Eliza on his tv. He's Canadian. Maybe there was some pull there ;)

[ edited by edcsLover9 on 2009-05-12 00:22 ]

edcsLover9 | May 12, 00:22 CET

I'm just wondering when they'll figure out and change the banner ...

alittledarkcorner | May 12, 00:23 CET

Just to stir up the pot some more:

"Dollhouse
The first season of Joss Whedon's science-fiction series comes
to a close. Don't worry, it's been renewed for another year."

Curiouser and curiouser.

mookey | May 12, 00:29 CET

Who's willing to bet the original source for that is this post?

brinderwalt | May 12, 00:35 CET

My hopes, they are up!! DAMN YOU GLOBAL!! If only every single American Show that I watch didn't come through you, I'd consider boycotting you.

Illyria | May 12, 00:35 CET

It's probably a mistake, but it gave me a smidgen of hope. I don't think Eliza's tweet was in reference to Dollhouse, though. Questions Eliza has been asked between her two tweets.

What are you going to Kenya for?
Is it true that you know sign language?
Are you going 2 the animal preserve while ur there-always wanted to go on safari?
How's the food over there?
Are you the real Eliza?!?
Loved the final episode of Dollhouse! Hope there's a 2nd series!! (I know, not a question, but her response does fit with this tweet, it was around the same time as her response, so it might have been posted after).

theclynn | May 12, 00:38 CET

mookey, that was posted 5 days ago. I suspect they just didn't check.

gossi | May 12, 00:39 CET

Well, this is why I love fandom, right here. Apart from the nerve-wrecking 'will they or won't they' renewal situation, this is great.

Where else does one obsess over a banner on the site of a Canadian network, dig into the code to see if this was an automated change or if someone went out of their way to change it and spin it every which way. If this wasn't so nerve-wrecking, it'd be very, very entertaining. Heck: on some level, it still is even now. It's almost like our own private renewal ARG ;).

So yeah: it's hard not to see this as at least positive. It might be getting our hopes up for nothing (I know mine are up right now), but that's probably preferable to getting our hopes squished for nothing, right?

But seriously, 8 posts in that old 'possible Angel renewal' thread? Really ;).

ETR: another rogue typo.

[ edited by GVH on 2009-05-12 00:42 ]

GVH | May 12, 00:40 CET

Fandom is fun!

If nothing else this generated a bit of buzz online. If they cancel it, the outrage may be a curious experience for all involved.

gossi | May 12, 00:45 CET

I'm hoping that the Fox people will think "Well, they think we're going to renew it, so we better renew it or we're going to create really bad blood," or something along those lines. I know, why would they care? But it sort of makes sense in my head.

Love the code deciphering. This is definitely fun, if not a little maddening.

ShanshuBugaboo | May 12, 00:49 CET

Gosh darnit you people have given me hope. Stop it. Let me be grumpy and resigned to my single volume complete series DVD set of the show that challenged and entertained me simultaneously during the spring of 2009.

I don't need your stinkin hope...grumble grumble.

Cyclopticxander | May 12, 00:52 CET

Right Twitter I forgot the shortened space I was being rude and snarky. anyways sorry about that and lets get a picnic meter for the site, seriously, someone make one and based on the news tell us if we should panic or picnic with a color coded system.

anyone web handy?

PS I know I am abusive to the use of capitals and punctuation but you know.... I'm a hypocrite.

Stargyn | May 12, 00:59 CET

Well, like others, I said before the beginning of the season that this would be the first Joss show I got to experience as a fan from the first. I guess this getting one's hopes up over renewal is equally part of the experience.

palehorse | May 12, 01:02 CET

palehorse me too! I watched buffy on DVD by the time angel was cancelled, then finished angel, then found firefly. Drive was as close as I got to being a veiwership( yes I made it p okay?!!!!!) member.

Stargyn | May 12, 01:04 CET

Stargyn, could you try NOT to be abusive to the use of capitals and punctuation? Because to continue with it would not make you a hypocrite, but more of a non-member.

Caroline | May 12, 01:09 CET

Very sorry. I will be polite to them.
Sadly I had to retype this three or four times. It was hard, this will be a good habit to get it. I was abusing it but not on purpose. I also over use ellipses. Or whatever the three periods for pause and or sarcasm are.
Sorry

[ edited by Stargyn on 2009-05-12 01:16 ]

Stargyn | May 12, 01:15 CET

The banner story at the top of the article about Epitaph One showing at ComicCon says "Dollhouse renewed? Not yet, says FOX."

madmolly | May 12, 02:03 CET

Sorry if this has been mentioned already, but have we weighed in on this from The Salt Lake Tribune:

"Dollhouse

The first season of Joss Whedon's science-fiction series comes to a close. Don't worry, it's been renewed for another year.

Watch » Friday at 8, KSTU Ch. 13"

ETA: But it's from the 7th, so I imagine it's just more people leaking unofficial and perhaps false news.

[ edited by Emmie on 2009-05-12 02:18 ]

Emmie | May 12, 02:17 CET

Dollhouse is also my first time watching a Whedon show as it airs. I actually started/finished Buffy, Angel, and Firefly last summer...

Chrisham2 | May 12, 03:07 CET

Please, please, please, please. I love Dollhouse so much.

Lunakitty | May 12, 03:08 CET

RE: The SLC Trib, where do they come up with this information?

Dana5140 | May 12, 03:11 CET

This is fun. Maybe tomorrow morning I will go sit down in front of the Global offices and refuse to get up until they confirm the news that it has been renewed. Anyone with me?

Lioness | May 12, 03:12 CET

Why am i more miserable thinking DH has a chance than when i just accepted that it was toast?:( This is playing with my emotions and it seriously isn't cool.

Cyclopticxander | May 12, 03:17 CET

Would Fox tell Global in advance if they renewed the show?

Riker | May 12, 03:29 CET

Would Fox tell Global in advance if they renewed the show?

I would imagine Fox would tell the various international 'partners' about any renewal so they can hash out the required foreign broadcast rights and arrange for any subtitling or dubbing required. So Global getting told ahead of the curve is not implausible, just extremely risky because of situations like this if the news turns out to be true. And since Global has shown the Canadian feed of the majority of Fox's primetime line up for quite some time, I would imagine they would be one of the first foreign buyers to get told of more episodes in the pipe...first refusal and all that.

BlueEyedBrigadier | May 12, 04:03 CET

The only thing that is keeping me mildly optomistic about a second season (miinus the most definite high DVD sales) is: "Well, hey... they renewed The Sarah Connor Chronicles for a second season!"

I'm a fan of that show too, but they probably should've cancelled it after the first season. Maybe they still really do want to try to build shows and potential franchises?

NathanG | May 12, 04:10 CET

Could be a good time to get your Dollhouse Season 1 pre-orders in on amazon...

GrrrAargh | May 12, 04:13 CET

@Lioness: Well, I should be starting my new job tomorrow, but I might take a lunchbreak at the Global offices if I knew I'd have a sit-in buddy :P

Illyria | May 12, 04:48 CET

My theory comes from the fact that because immediately following, and during upfronts, international bidding rights begin, I believe it to be plausible that major buyers (Canada for instance) would be told in advance, so as to plan their own budget for new shows and returning shows. An incentive to buy FOX?

However, that being said, I believe the decision has already been made either way. I don't believe fan reaction at this point to a small, premature image is going to sway them in one direction or the other. At the end of the day, FOX is a corporation who's goal is to make money. If the Powers that Be feel they can make money off the show (think News Corp vetoing Fox Broadcasting Corporation for 20th Century Fox Television), then they will. Joss Whedon has sold a lot of 20th Century Fox Film Corporation/Television/Home Entertainment properties (seven seasons of Buffy + licensing rights for books, comics, games etc, five seasons of Angel + licensing rights for books, comics etc, one season of Firefly + licensing rights for comics, feature film etc). Angel was too expensive for The WB (Remember, WB stood for Warner Bros.), and no one understood Firefly's demise. Remember why Joss went back to FOX? Different people, different circumstances. That is why I have hope.

And that is the end of my theory. Now, I shall retreat from the internet until next week.

Brisco | May 12, 05:31 CET

Loving all Canadians right now. And Utah press people too. And icky as it sounds, Fox too will get my love if this turns out to be true.

nyrk | May 12, 07:05 CET

I can't believe that they haven't taken down the image yet.

Simon | May 12, 07:21 CET

Yeah, that amazes me too.

I'm still at the level before I saw this: hopeful, yet cautious. I don't want to get my hopes up before they are dashed in a millions pieces like the Judge was in "Innocence".

crazygolfa | May 12, 07:31 CET

I do believe in ~~fairies~~ Dollhouse Season 2! I do, I do!

shinyEcho | May 12, 08:00 CET

Global TV's account on Twitter has been silent for 11 hours, although they don't seem to use it much anyway.

[ edited by The One True b!X on 2009-05-12 08:07 ]

b!X | May 12, 08:07 CET

"Coming this fall". It never even aired in fall for S1.

gossi | May 12, 08:17 CET

Wow, I was like yays, and then untill I read the update... I don't like the people who made that up. :( :(

Allen Doyle | May 12, 08:41 CET

Ooh... I don't want Canadians to dupe me. I like them! :|

Braeden Fireheart | May 12, 09:04 CET

What can I say? We Canadians are awesome. With any luck our networks will determine your reality. And please, please, pretty please ours.

WilliamTheB | May 12, 09:34 CET

Global is the network that, during ads for Dollhouse this season, their announcer could be heard saying "Josh Whedon" (they aired Firefly up here, so no excuse for getting it wrong).

As for the insta-rumors being spread earlier that Global would finance a second season ? They were having some financial issues last I checked. They aren't weathering the storm as well as a few other big Canadian networks. There was talk that next year might see certain newscasts throughout the day be repeats of earlier ones (ie, maybe a morning show, but the morning show would repeat in place of new material for an afternoon news update, that sorta thing. Likely less original Canadian programming too). There were articles about U.S. and even Australian investors possibly buying portions of Global. It's a great channel, I've watched shows on it for years, it often picks up Fox's shows for Canadian broadcast (though we also get Fox up here in many parts of Canada, so it's a little redundant in some areas), I don't wanna see it fail...

I wish they had planned to air the season finale/coda and ignored Fox on this, assuming they were given copies of the episode. They aired Buffy Season 3's "Graduation Day Part 2" (pulled due to sensitity over the Columbine massacre that year, same as "Earshot") the week after Part 1, while The WB pulled it. Many in the States had to wait until July to see it, but anyone who knew anyone online...well, it was fun mailing out tapes of the ep that year. We've had one or two other Joss-related gifts from the network over the years (we got "Surprise/Innocence" as a 2-hour Monday night Buffy event, while I think The WB spread it over Monday and Tuesday to transition the show to Tuesday nights, though I could have that wrong).

Kris | May 12, 09:52 CET

Actually, at least in Atlantic Canada, Global didn't even carry Buffy, ASN did. And I believe the only reason ASN aired Graduation Day, Part 2, was because the decision to pull it was so last minute. Since Buffy aired on Monday evenings in Canada, it was too late to stop it from being/having been broadcast. It didn't have anything to do with them ignoring The WB or 20th - I know they didn't air "Earshot," when it was pulled.

I miss the old days. :(

Knuckleball | May 12, 10:12 CET

"Coming this fall". It never even aired in fall for S1.

Was s1 originally scheduled to air on Global in the Fall last year?

Simon | May 12, 10:22 CET

Knuckleball, you're right, I forgot. It was an independant channel in my part of Canada that aired Buffy, not Global (CKVR/NewVR here, now called "The A Channel").

"Earshot"...I don't think I saw that until late into the summer. It was on a tape a friend had received for exchanging "Graduation Day Part 2" with someone from the States. Also on the tape was the 30-minute Buffy pilot !

Kris | May 12, 10:24 CET

I also cannot believe they have left the banner up after Fox's statement. Are they unaware, perhaps, of what's going on? Can anyone get to the bottom of this?

I loved "Omega" hard. I have not wanted a show to be renewed this badly in a long time. My little heart can't stand much more of the ups and downs and the continuing not knowing about renewal. One way or another we will know soon, thank our dear and fluffy lord.

phlebotinin | May 12, 10:27 CET

Simon, according to the Vancouver Sun it was planned to start in January.

gossi | May 12, 10:53 CET

I would imagine that settles the "was it an old ad from last year" debate.

Simon | May 12, 10:56 CET

Yesterday they updated their other show pages. Including Life (cancelled). Check it out.

gossi | May 12, 11:06 CET

Right now I'm seeing a computer dude not reading the memo, especially the "not-to-be-released-yet"-part too carefully.

wiesengrund | May 12, 11:16 CET

Or else Global don't really care about Fox's procedure for announcing renewals - they've been told that there's a new season, and want to tell their Canadian viewers that.

flugufrelsarinn | May 12, 11:17 CET

Hmm, now I'm inclined to think this might be a genuine leak of good news. We'll see; I'm still assuming the show won't be renewed

Let Down | May 12, 11:18 CET

I've realised that I am expecting a second season of Dollhouse, despite myself.

ThorpeWithoutShrimp | May 12, 11:30 CET

Same here, whether those are genuine leaks or not, this is still reaaaalllyyy torturing right now, just as I started rationalizing :)

maz | May 12, 11:34 CET

Agreed, totally need to stop hoping and agonising.... not going to find out till next week, and in the mean time it's distracting me from revision.

flugufrelsarinn | May 12, 12:02 CET

Has there been any precedent for a scripted show getting renewed with numbers this bad? I'm trying to get a sense of perspective here.

Squishy | May 12, 13:43 CET

ElizaPatricia
DOLLHOUSE talk's are goin' on~ it'd be an extravaganza bonanza to return 4 rnd 2!
1 minute ago from txt

ThorpeWithoutShrimp | May 12, 13:51 CET

extravaganza bonanza. LOL.

If you look at Eliza's earlier tweets, there's some amazing pics of her in Uganda. She truly is a mensch.

edcsLover9 | May 12, 13:57 CET

ThorpeWithoutShrimp wrote:

ElizaPatricia
DOLLHOUSE talk's are goin' on~ it'd be an extravaganza bonanza to return 4 rnd 2!
1 minute ago from txt

yeah, I just saw it and came straight here. Does she mean, it's really possible? Somebody gave me a good dose of pessimism stat, please.

nyrk | May 12, 14:06 CET

Has there been any precedent for a scripted show getting renewed with numbers this bad? I'm trying to get a sense of perspective here.

Well, it's hard to compare the current TV landscape with previous situations. Overall viewing, the economic situation and advertising markets are completely different now than, say, 5 years ago, so basically a valuable comparison is difficult to draw. I think the most often brought example of a genre show that started out on Fox on a Friday with horrible numbers and went on to become a hit is "The X-Files". It was renewed after being near the very bottom of the scripted show rankings of that season. But Fox was a small network then, looking for other things than they're looking now, it's almost impossible to compare the situations. I think "Cheers" is another example that started out with disastrous ratings in it's first season and went on to live long and prosper.

For a current show that got renewed despite horrible numbers there's "'Til Death", reminding everyone that FBC isn't only looking at ratings, and that a studio can adjust prices cleverly if they're in it for the long term plan. Which - so I've heard - is kinda Joss' thing.

[ edited by wiesengrund on 2009-05-12 14:32 ]

wiesengrund | May 12, 14:09 CET

I detest twitter and how you have to mangle words and try to say anything that makes any sense in 140 characters. So sue me.

Back OT: Blame Canada .... Blame Caanadaa!

Shey | May 12, 14:23 CET

:) Blame Canada!

J.I.G. | May 12, 14:31 CET

I detest twitter and how you have to mangle words and try to say anything that makes any sense in 140 characters. So sue me.

Well, you know what they say: "Brevity is the soul of wit."

that just makes me wonder what Shakespeare's opinion of twitter was. [historical anachronism intended]

brinderwalt | May 12, 14:56 CET

I'm excited by Eliza's use of the word "talks". Plural.
Because asking "Would you like our show to return?" and getting the answer "No thanks" doesn't usually require any further conversation.

Mind you, I'm still in denial about the 'Angel' cancellation, which was over 5 years ago!

missb | May 12, 15:00 CET

Brev. is dasoul ~ of wit
400 years ago from txt

Let Down | May 12, 15:00 CET

Yes! Sandwiched in a Shakespeare fight! 2B?nt2B???
Check out this article on what Shakespeare might be doing if he lived today.
The last line, which states "Shakespeare? He's too talented to be successful in today's market." really reminds me of...somebody.

[ edited by missb on 2009-05-12 15:13 ]

missb | May 12, 15:08 CET

Instead of the ad for a new season they now just have "Starring Eliza Dushku".

BTW, does anyone know what kind of ratings Dollhouse has been getting in Canada?

SharkyBoredNow | May 12, 15:09 CET

Thanks, Wies.

Squishy | May 12, 15:09 CET

I have some news: the banner in the GlobalTV web site is a small Flash plugin. By itself it doesn't contain anything specific to Dollhouse, instead it downloads the text from the file http://www.globaltv.com/entertainment/shows/dollhouse/1448181.atom. It's a web feed, so if you have a feed reader program you can subscribe to it.

This file was changed yesterday and again today, just an hour ago.

I have a backup on my site of both versions, with the XML code split in several lines for readability:

Yesterday: http://www.dollverse.eu/files/globaltv_dollhouse-20090511.xml

Today: http://www.dollverse.eu/files/globaltv_dollhouse-20090512.xml

The summary of the contents for yesterday's version is:

category: New Season
title: Coming This Fall
subtitle: DOLLHOUSE
updated: 2009-05-11T16:27:54Z (which means May 11, 12:27:54 EDT)

And the new version, from today's file:

category: Starring
title: Eliza Dushku
subtitle: DOLLHOUSE
updated: 2009-05-12T13:37:49Z (which means May 12, 09:37:49 EDT)

Lino | May 12, 15:53 CET

at least we know what schedule their web people work at ...

alittledarkcorner | May 12, 16:11 CET

I do think that Eliza twittering about Dollhouse talks is a good sign, because if Fox was only considering the Nielsen ratings then talks would already be over. I am hoping against hope...

[ edited by embers on 2009-05-12 16:15 ]

embers | May 12, 16:14 CET

Yeah, I noticed they went and changed it today. So they either jumped the gun on the announcement, or made a mistake. Eliza's twitter is making me hopeful, though. A few years back, they wouldn't even consider renewing with these ratings, so just having talks is a good sign.

AnotherFireflyfan | May 12, 16:24 CET

I think that the Global TV chapter is now over, I'll post a new link about what Eliza said for those who don't use Twitter.

Simon | May 12, 16:31 CET

Joss Whedon has sold a lot of 20th Century Fox Film Corporation/Television/Home Entertainment properties (seven seasons of Buffy + licensing rights for books, comics, games etc

Just to be really picky, I suspect Fox may have no stake (ha ha) in the comics. Writers have separated rights which means they can keep ownership of certain areas like stageplays, books etc. It's complicated, especially since Buffy started as a movie and then went to TV. Joss may own the comic rights to "Buffy" but not for Willow and Xander since they were created for Fox, for example.

I remember Joss commenting that he was writing Buffy comics during the writers strike, so that may indicate it has nothing to do with Fox.

Anyone who has a Buffy comic can check to see if it has "© 20th Century Fox" anywhere on it.

zz9 | May 12, 16:32 CET

Simon | May 12, 16:35 CET

Then Fox do get money for them. I take it all back. Thanks Simon.

Though now that I think of it, I remember it being said that Joss couldn't use Angel in the comics because of rights. If Fox presumably own Angel as well as Buffy then why would there be a conflict?

Ah well, nothing to do with the topic at hand....

zz9 | May 12, 16:54 CET

It's because IDW has the rights to Angel and Dark Horse has Buffy.

Sunfire | May 12, 16:57 CET

I'm guessing because Fox sold the specific rights to use "Angel the show" as comic books to IDW.

Simon | May 12, 16:58 CET

zz9, while FOX owns everything Buffy and Angel, different comic book companies have the comic book rights to each of the two series.

Kinda like how the WB had the television rights to Angel, while UPN had the television rights to Buffy, but FOX still owned both of them. During season 6, the two networks didn't want any cross overs. Same type of idea in the comics.

jfhlbuffy | May 12, 16:59 CET

Ah, never knew they were published by a different company.
I did say it was complicated....

zz9 | May 12, 17:19 CET

If the "love interest" 2-pager is indeed Angel and/or Spike, maybe that's why it's going to be short and delivered online for free?

Sunfire | May 12, 17:25 CET

@Global_TV:

#dollhouse Wishful thinking on the part of one of our producers. Decision yet to be made regarding show's future. Apologies for confusion.

b!X | May 12, 17:57 CET

Should this be posted? Like reposted or a follow up headline, that makes this all very different

Stargyn | May 12, 17:59 CET

I updated the link with the news.

Simon | May 12, 18:01 CET

And let the "They're covering their tracks!" vs. "See, it was a false alarm!" arguments begin :)

jkalderash | May 12, 18:02 CET

Awesome! I only ask because the number of posts that get deleted due to overlap I am never very sure. Simon always to the rescue.

[ edited by Stargyn on 2009-05-12 18:02 ]

Stargyn | May 12, 18:02 CET

Since when does "wishful thinking" translate into "make this change to the website"?

EDIT: I mean, outside of a fan site, that is...

[ edited by JMaloney on 2009-05-12 18:17 ]

JMaloney | May 12, 18:15 CET

Here's the scenario I'm envisioning:

Webmaster dude: Hey, I'm updating the website. What's going on with this "Dollhouse" thing? Is it coming back in the fall?
Producer: Oh, of course. Full season order, good timeslot, because Fox loves Joss Whedon and would never screw him over. (muttered too low for webaster dude to hear) I wish.
Webmaster dude: Well alrighty then. (updates website)

jkalderash | May 12, 18:20 CET

In ansswer to the question of a good show getting renewed with terrible ratings, again I refer to In treatment, which had lousy ratings but superb acting and a lot of credibility. And yes, it is on cable, but still. It could happen.

Dana5140 | May 12, 20:19 CET

Well, just this year we had Friday Night Lights (got renewed for TWO seasons thanks to DirectTV) and Til Death. Both got saved because an outside force offered extra money.

jkalderash | May 12, 20:30 CET

It's because my television prayers were answered with Friday Night Lights that I feel I don't have enough luck to get a Dollhouse renewal.

Knuckleball | May 12, 20:32 CET

"wishful thinking"

I don't buy it.

maxsummers | May 12, 23:17 CET

In ansswer to the question of a good show getting renewed with terrible ratings, again I refer to In treatment, which had lousy ratings but superb acting and a lot of credibility. And yes, it is on cable, but still. It could happen.

Yes, indeed, but going down that road is really looking at another perspective. Most premium cable shows (and even basic cable shows) live under totally different financial situations. Basically, every HBO show gets renewed without even bothering to look at the ratings. They don't need advertisers because they have subscriptions.

wiesengrund | May 12, 23:41 CET

Basically, every HBO show gets renewed without even bothering to look at the ratings. They don't need advertisers because they have subscriptions.

Deadwood and Carnivale would like to have a talk with you.

AnotherFireflyfan | May 12, 23:45 CET

No, wisengrund, that is not true. And I noted that it was cable. But the question was, were there shows that were renewed with bad ratings? And the answer is yes, there are.

Dana5140 | May 13, 00:20 CET

Surely even premium cable shows have to look at ratings. If no one watches the show then incentive to subscribe at all is that much less.

Squishy | May 13, 00:28 CET

AnotherFireflyfan, good point, but in the cases of Deadwood and Carnivale, the expense of sets, period costumes, and large casts also played a role (they had lots of extras too and those probably add a bit to the cast, even knowing how little extras usually get paid). Those were expensive shows. It wasn't just the ratings. In Treatment (which I keep forgetting to mention here, but it's fantastic and remarkably Season 2 is as great as Season 1 so far, but somewhat different in feel/tone) looks like it costs next to nothing (I don't mean it looks shabby or badly filmed, just not all expansive and epic-expensive for TV). 6 to 8 principal cast members, almost everything taking place in one room, the therapist's office/home.

Dollhouse seems like a show that could get by on a tighter budget. Angel Season 5-style (the set reminds me so much of a cross between Wolfram and Hart and La Femme Nikita, even though I know it isn't made up of pieces from either of those two shows). Just have more things happen within the Dollhouse, since that's where a lot of the intrigue lies anyway. Although ideally plot would dictate setting and set dressings, but if that were the case we would've had a lot cooler and bigger demons on the Buffyverse shows (animatronics or actual good-looking CGI!).

Kris | May 13, 08:20 CET

In the case of Deadwood and Carnivale we are still talking about a combined total of 5 seasons. Each of these very expensive shows got past their first season, and I can't name an HBO show that didn't get past its first season. On network TV 15-20% get past their first season. That's what I meant when I said that the situation is very different. Obviously, ratings don't disappear on cable, and obviously cable show can get canceled, but their lifespan is more stretched out than anything on network TV.

Anyway, yeah, let's agree that there are shows on both network and cable that got renewed despite horrible ratings. :)

wiesengrund | May 13, 10:51 CET

Kris, that makes sense for Dollhouse season 2. I was usually most interested by the stories within the Dollhouse itself anyway, and that set is already built. I know a lot of scifi shows save money by doing "on ship" episodes, so they could do more "in dollhouse" episodes. (Like "Needs", which was one of the most brilliant of the season).

I see your point, Weisengrund, the shows did at least get a second season (and a third for Deadwood). Tis still a shame when any great show gets killed, and I guess it comes more as a surprise when it's on a channel like HBO.

AnotherFireflyfan | May 13, 17:15 CET

wiesengrund, I can think of three HBO shows that didn't make it past a first season. John from Cincinatti (what David Milch did after Deadwood was canceled on him), Tell Me You Love Me, and Lisa Kudrow's The Comeback.

Kris | May 14, 07:55 CET

And I probably should have expected that. :)

Yeah, I have not enough data to talk about that stuff profoundly. My impression was that renewal past Season 1 was the rule on premium cable and the exception on network TV (hence my point about this being two very different situations for a show awaiting a Season 2 pick-up). Probably that impression is bogus.

wiesengrund | May 14, 10:36 CET

May 11 2009