Whedonesque : Comments on 4922 : Tru Calling on The WB?

Good god.

Good god.

Just greenlight Faith series.

Why can't this much effort be put into saving shows that are really GOOD?

Just let the "running show" die already. I'm sick to death of all the useless gabbing about this lame show. Of which I'm fully aware I just contributed to.

Willowy | September 23, 20:50 CET

rofl! The WB could not possibly be this stupid, can they?

sTalking_Goat | September 23, 20:50 CET

Not that I want Eliza's show to get canceled, but come on?!? This is just frustrating!

Inanis | September 23, 20:52 CET

Of course they're looking for another network to call home. I'm very doubtful they'll be successful. Then again, I saw the reviews of the WB's 'The Mountain' which replaced our AtS. Very bad. Even with that, I don't see them picking up TC.

Madhatter | September 23, 21:03 CET

Wow, I feel bad for saying this, but these are all decent signs the show will tank soon. And I'm more of a Faith fan than an Eliza fan...sooo....

Hey, it may never come to pass, but these are all good signs for a Faith spin-off, or at least a Faith tv movie. Not written in stone by any means, but if TC was a smash, I think we'd never see a Faith show in any form.

Rogue Slayer | September 23, 21:11 CET

It's going through the motions. I think all this means, is that the production company is making the obligatory phone call to other networks. They know it's not going to get picked up, just as Joss knew when he got in touch with UPN when Angel got cancelled. It's one of those things that has to be done.

Simon | September 23, 21:16 CET

Just greenlight Faith series.

Was there some news that this was even a remote possibility? I've heard nothing about a Faith series since she turned it down for Tru. I'm not even sure that it's ever been on a backburner.

Is there a recent interview with anyone on this?

Allyson | September 23, 21:33 CET

No there hasn't been any recent news about a Faith series. It's been dead in the water for ages.

Simon | September 23, 21:35 CET

I've never watched the show before. And if it does happen to get picked up by WB (which I think/hope is very doubtful) I'm going to be even more reluctant to tune in.

Lunacat | September 23, 21:39 CET

Something tells me the "highly credible sources" are the people who run the website this headline is linked to.

prufrock | September 23, 21:55 CET

Yeah, there is absolutely nothing to suggest that a Faith series is a certainty regardless of what happens to Tru Calling.

I think all people are meaning is that a Faith show will now become an realistic option again if Eliza is no longer commited to Tru Calling. Personally i do think that the possibility is there. She enjoys the role and has now had time away from it, Joss is still looking for a potential third show, he has already shown that he would be willing to run with Faith as the lead.

All the pieces could be falling into place, we just have to wait and see. Although a Faith the Series campaign probably couldn't hurt! ;)

The Watcher | September 23, 22:02 CET

Just greenlight Faith series.

Was there some news that this was even a remote possibility? I've heard nothing about a Faith series since she turned it down for Tru. I'm not even sure that it's ever been on a backburner.

Is there a recent interview with anyone on this?

It was more wishful thinking on my part:D

But a Eliza not doing another series like Tru, it becomes more realistc etc

[ edited by SeanValen on 2004-09-23 20:22 ]

SeanValen | September 23, 22:21 CET

Something tells me the "highly credible sources" are the people who run the website this headline is linked to.

FWIW, I believe them. As Simon said above, a courtesy call was likely placed to the WB by the producers. Fans will latch onto that for hope's sake, as unrealistic as it might be.

Allyson | September 23, 22:25 CET

I don't doubt a courtesy call was made, I just doubt that there's a "strong possibility" that the WB will air it. If UPN didn't want to appear to be taking table scraps with a beloved show like Angel I doubt the WB would want to do it with a reviled show like Tru Calling.

Of course, this is the WB, so boneheaded decisions are not to be unexpected.

prufrock | September 23, 22:42 CET

Of course, this is the WB, so boneheaded decisions are not to be unexpected.

Let's just hope the new guy at the WB doesn't go, "Oh! This gal was on Buffy! If we air her show, maybe we can win back some of those Angel fans we pissed off."

Hey, not logical, I know it. But the WB was never accused of being a logical company.

But then again, I'm probably overestimating how important the WB considers its fans too....

Rogue Slayer | September 23, 22:57 CET

I just doubt that there's a "strong possibility" that the WB will air it.

Oh, I agree with that doubt. I just don't doubt that the webmasters/campaigners were told there was a stong possibility, is all.

Allyson | September 23, 22:59 CET

I wonder why they called them "highly credible sources" then. It reeks of embellishment for the sake of making people think there's a chance.

I guess I'm still jaded after all of the false rumors with the campaign to save Angel. Although in this case I hope the campaign fails.

prufrock | September 23, 23:15 CET

I don't think for one second this campaign will make a difference to Tru Calling's fate.

To be blunt that show has neither the critical acclaim of the media nor the mass fan dedication that Angel had going for it. Angel wasn't able to be saved, Tru Calling does not stand to do any better i'm afraid.

Or not afraid, whatever!

The Watcher | September 23, 23:21 CET

I wonder why they called them "highly credible sources" then. It reeks of embellishment for the sake of making people think there's a chance.

Widen your scope. An example of a highly credible source could simply be that a producer is hanging all of his hopes on a network saying, "we like the show, sure, we'll get back to you."

Could be that a PA was walking by an office door and heard half a conversation and applied too much meaning to a statement.

Could be that they spoke with someone on set who didn't want to burst their dream.

Tons of possibilities. Doesn't mean any of the above ones happened, but I'm just tossing it out there as examples of what could have happened to make them believe.

I guess I'm still jaded after all of the false rumors with the campaign to save Angel. Although in this case I hope the campaign fails.

I feel sorry for them the same way I felt sorry for Angel fans. It sucks to lose your show. It's not hard to get to the source and dispell rumors. But sometimes, people want so badly to believe, that they'll find hope in a thimble full of belly button lint.

Allyson | September 23, 23:39 CET

I only can say i`m surprised :O

Angel TheVampire | September 23, 23:44 CET

I like Tru, but if this is what's going to happen...just pull the plug already! If 'Tru Calling' is given a second chance, then what does that say about good shows, like 'Wonderfalls', 'Firefly', or 'Birds of Prey' that were good, but due to poor ratings weren't given a second season? By the looks of Tru's future, well let's just say that Joss might want to start writing the Faith pilot and give while he's at it, he could throw James Marsters into the mix. Faith/Spike show would definetely be good, and as for Tru whatever happens happens and I mean really, after that good season finale where else can Tru go? It'll just become monotonous and I think we can all agree that Eliza should be playing Faith instead of Tru.

Gio | September 24, 01:21 CET

Hear hear.

Willowy | September 24, 01:42 CET

I would like to "hear hear" Gio as well with lots and lots of emphasis on the Spike/Faith bit.

lady_fantastic | September 24, 02:36 CET

The only reason I can see the WB doing this is to turn it into a quality program, build a cult-like following, then cancel it in its prime.

aftermac | September 24, 02:44 CET

Yeahh, let's face it. Tru's days of running through the city are over. Which is not surprising considering it was a mediocre show with low ratings.

But why Fox kept supporting it, and kept giving it chances, and give it a second season only to slowly kill it then anyway, before a single new episode even airs, is beyond me.

EdDantes | September 24, 03:33 CET

Firefly received the same criticism, Ed, that it was mediocre and received a poor share. What we learned is that all it takes is for one high level exec to be a champion for a show, and it will stay on the air for a longer time/be given another chance. It can be for personal reasons, or just that s/he took a shine to the idea and believes in it, and it will stick around a bit longer.

It can really be that arbitrary. Conversely, if there's a high level exec with a sour taste for a show, it'll be axed quicker.

Eventually, though, money will win.

Allyson | September 24, 03:47 CET

pfft!

ZachsMind | September 24, 06:01 CET

Yeah Allyson that's pretty much how it is. And with both Firefly and Wonderfalls it was clear the execs basically didn't 'get' it. They heard the 'western' aspect of FF and thought wholesome John Wayne-ness, not the darkly funny and ambivalent show it really was. I'm sure with Wonderfalls they were hoping for a perky Joan of Wonderfalls with a nice moral lesson every ep. Neither show ever got half the chance Tru did. Just has to piss you off.

EdDantes | September 24, 07:45 CET

True. I believe FOX sabotaged 'Firefly' because it wasn't the show they were expecting. And they couldn't understand 'Wonderfalls'. I too was mystified why FOX held on to TC as long as they did. I was pleased that they were showing strong support for TC. Yet, I was also furious that they didn't do the same for FF or WF. Oh well, no point getting worked up over spilt milk. Though I'm not a fan of TC, I do feel sorry for the people that are. Because I believe TC days are numbered.

Madhatter | September 24, 12:41 CET

I'm confused as to why Fox would put out the money to produce season 2 and then pull it before it airs. It can't be much worse than the rest of Fox's programming.

ktbear7476 | September 24, 17:52 CET

September 23 2004