Whedonesque : Comments on 7408 : The geek shall inherit the Earth -

*sighs* The official 'simple' version of what happened is getting trotted out again. I know it plays well to the press but Universal did not greenlight Serenity because of 'fan pressure'. I don't actually remember that much fan pressure if at all. The Whedonverse fandom at the time was campaigning for a sixth season of Angel. Universal wanted a highly talented director and they knew they could get a decent return on the sales of the movie's DVD. As for the Browncoats forum, it's not a blog. I know I'm being petty but it's not. The last five words of the quote I have no problem with.

Simon | July 31, 04:09 CET

Well, however it happened,

THANKS to Joss and our BDHs.

[ edited by SoddingNancyTribe on 2005-07-31 06:26 ]

rivergirl | July 31, 04:12 CET

Firefly "lasted only a few weeks on the Sci Fi Channel. Yet, it became a surprise hit on DVD, and the fan base spread through some officially endorsed Web sites."

Sad to see Sci Fi get blasted through this glaring error.

palehorse | July 31, 04:14 CET

I know what you mean Simon and I agree with you, but for marketing purposes "The Movie That The Fans Demanded" goes down better than "The Movie A Studio Thinks They Can Make Big Profit From", although I believe both should be true. This is more mainstream publicity for our DBM.

zz9 | July 31, 04:50 CET

"Fan pressure" surely is a huge part of why "Serenity" exists...not exclusively, but largely...even according to Joss.

The article's errors are silly, though. I mean, as they say in journalism, get the (network's) name right.

Also, given the incredible array of fans of this thing, it' s not just a "geek" thing....

Chris inVirginia | July 31, 05:15 CET

I thought there were a lot of mistakes in the article, as have been pointed out but, still, it's good publicity for the movie. The more the better. I did wonder if they were referring to Whedonesque as Joss' blog but I guess maybe it was the Browncoats forum.

And a lot of people seem to blame the Sci-fi network for not picking it up when Fox cancelled it. I never understood the animosity aimed towards them though. All my anger was strictly focused on Fox!

[ edited by Firefly Flanatic on 2005-07-31 03:21 ]

Firefly Flanatic | July 31, 05:19 CET

I was wondering what everyone thought of the first edition comic selling out so fast. Is this an indication that Serenity has captured the attention of the mainstream masses who love the sci-fi genre? And if so, is this an indication that the movie is going to do very well?

Firefly Flanatic | July 31, 05:23 CET

Good point about Sci-Fi, Firefly Flanatic. My understanding is that they had to pass on it because it was simply too expensive for them. I'm not bitter about that, hell, fullscreen issues aside, they've more than made up for that with rebroadcasting the 'complete series' (grrr...) and the great job they're doing promoting Serenity. I continue to harbour a seething hate for Fox that shall not pass but Sci-Fi is good in my books.

gorramit | July 31, 05:24 CET

Have not been watching on Sci-Fi...from anybody who has, have the audio problems been resolved? A few friends who watched last week at my insistence were vexed by the sound, even as they were interested by the show.

Chris inVirginia | July 31, 05:31 CET

I don't recall any sound issues. Could that have been a local problem?

Nebula1400 | July 31, 05:38 CET

Sound problems included louder effects and quieter (almot mumbled) dialogue, and some jarring boot clomping throughout.

C. A. Bridges | July 31, 06:22 CET

I always thought the vampires shall inherit the Earth. Damn.

[ edited by gossi on 2005-07-31 04:32 ]

gossi | July 31, 06:32 CET

gossi, I think it was the Old Ones, but hey, consider the source, right? ;-)

gorramit | July 31, 06:35 CET

Sunset Beach is on my TV and it's 3.42am. I don't think my brain is capable of, well, anything.

gossi | July 31, 06:42 CET

A geek isn't just a nerd or an obsessive; he - and it's almost always a "he"

Er, what? So my friends and I are just statistical aberrations? Please. There has always been a strong female presence in fandom. But I guess it's more fun to perpetuate stereotypes than to do actual research.

Airawyn | July 31, 06:56 CET

Indeed. One of the things I actually quite like about the Serenity fandom: it's a very high percentage (probably a majority) of non-geeky women. Can the same be said for football fandom?

gossi | July 31, 06:58 CET

CIV - yes, I definitely noticed the loud boot stomping and yes the dialogue was hard to hear!

And hey, I'm female and I consider myself quite the sci-fi geek (and also a major football fan - okay, maybe I'm not your typical female - also love playing xbox games!!)

Firefly Flanatic | July 31, 07:08 CET

Firefly Flanatic - marry me, please. Thanks.

gossi | July 31, 07:13 CET

Well, okay but my husband might get a little mad...

Firefly Flanatic | July 31, 07:19 CET

I'll live in the closet, he'll never notice.

I haven't proposed to somebody online for at least, what, a week? I must do it more often!

gossi | July 31, 07:23 CET

Okay but bring your own xbox - I have enough trouble trying to get the controller away from one husband - and if you propose to anyone else, they have to bring their own xbox too!

Firefly Flanatic | July 31, 07:26 CET

Wahey. I have 2 xboxes! I'm a bargain! I'll even throw a camel in too!

gossi | July 31, 07:28 CET

That's quite a dowry gift, there gossi. A girl can always use a camel! ;)

bl, hold out for a goat. They eat anything, and you can always make great cheese!

Willowy | July 31, 07:32 CET

Hmm, a goat would be good - I have two acres of land that constantly need mowing!

Firefly Flanatic | July 31, 07:39 CET

Sad to say, sloppy facts in Post-Diapatch writers' opinion pieces are not exactly an anomaly.

jaynelovesvera | July 31, 12:44 CET

Sloppy facts like Comic-Con attracted 6,500 fans? Hall H alone seats 6,500. I didn't go this year so I didn't hear any numbers on attendees. But last year I think it was something like 70,000.

batmarlowe | July 31, 19:31 CET

*sighs* The official 'simple' version of what happened is getting trotted out again. I know it plays well to the press but Universal did not greenlight Serenity because of 'fan pressure'.

Thanks, Simon. It's been giving me a stomachache lately. And i fear it's a story that's spinning way out of control.

Allyson | July 31, 20:14 CET

No reason to let the facts get in the way of a good story! I need invisotext to say that the fact-challenged, spin-rich nature of today's news media and government pr was right there on the screen in Serenity. The whole urgency to get out the truth felt very real to me. If only we had Mr. Universe's gear. Of course I'd be compelled to use it for other stories too but I promise I'd start with straightening out this false meme.

gingeriffic | August 01, 03:22 CET

And hey, I'm female and I consider myself quite the sci-fi geek (and also a major football fan - okay, maybe I'm not your typical female - also love playing xbox games!!)

I'm with you, FF, I now consider myself a true geek (considering the hours I can spend discussing anything Joss-related!), and am also a major football fan (CFL, of course). I also like the symphony and hockey - not necessarily together:). I believe our local Browncoat group is at least half women, and certainly most, although definitely not all, of our most active members seem to be of the female persuasion. I don't, however, have an X-box, so you're one up on me. (And I would definitely hold out for a goat!)

samatwitch | August 01, 05:53 CET

What do you mean "shall"?

catalyst2 | August 01, 09:24 CET

Samatwitch, are you perhaps a Doug Flutie fan? I know he was pretty big up there in the Canadian league for awhile. He's back in New England now as the back up quarterback (we're all guessing he's really there as a kind of unofficial coach).

Now, all you need to do is get out there and get yourself an Xbox (they have Buffy games for it!!!)

Firefly Flanatic | August 01, 09:53 CET

FF, I am definitely a Doug Flutie fan - and his brother Darren, as well. They both played for the BC Lions (in Vancouver), which is *my* team, when they first joined the league. For his sake, I'm glad he's back home in New England. Darren has stayed in Canada and is on TV broadcasts.

If I ever get an X-box, I'll come to you for recommendations:)

Back on topic, I realized just how much Buffy I was watching a few months ago when I walked past a pile of sticks and realized I was deciding which one would make the best stake!! Now that's a geek!

samatwitch | August 03, 00:04 CET

July 31 2005