The Kitten, the Witches and the Bad Wardrobe Willow & Tara Forever

by **helpful information perha** » Thu Jan 16, 2003 7:42 am

Fireflop is canceled and so far no one has picked it up

Levin at WB has Angel on the fence

and Buffy is on death watch

rather than having to track 3 or more threads for cancelation news on ME shows - I suggest this ME vigil thread

and for todays news

Head is saying this is it for buffy

it ends in MAY

www.myinky.com/ecp/entert...06,00.html

'Buffy' heads for last vampire roundup

By RICK BENTLEY Fresno Bee " Scripps Howard News Service

January 16, 2003

Buffy Summers' days of juggling biology homework and battling the undead are headed for a conclusion. Episodes of UPN's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" that air between now and May will be the last.

"It is coming to an end," says Anthony Stewart Head, who has played Buffy's mentor, Rupert Giles, since the show launched on the WB Network March 10, 1997. Right.

Anyone who has watched "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" knows that the only thing certain with the series is that dead doesn't mean the end. The death of "Buffy" was reported two years ago.

Legions of fans went into mourning when the WB Network canceled the show. There even was a proper sendoff as the always-heroic Buffy sacrificed her life to save the universe on the last WB episode.

Then UPN revived the show. Buffy was brought back from the dead. Fans cheered. And the show continued.

But Head is as determined as a vampire in a blood bank that this is the end for "Buffy."

"He (series creator Joss Whedon) brought it neatly back into full cycle in terms of telling Buffy's story," Head says. "He has dealt with how she has learned to deal with her gift and how it has affected her life and all those around her."

Buffy discovered her gift when she was in high school. She didn't need a career counselor to tell her that as a slayer she would spend the rest of her life staking vampires.

Weekly battles with vampires and demons have spawned an empire of merchandising and Web sites.

"We designed the show basically that every year we thought would be the last year, because we didn't know when we made the first 12 if we'd ever air again," Whedon says. "Eventually, there will come a burnout. Eventually, we won't be able to make it. Creatively, we'll just be too tired. I'm sure that will happen."

This year has been a creative stretch for Whedon. Besides taking care of "Buffy," he has directed operations of the spinoff "Angel" (on the WB) and his new Fox series, "Firefly."

This year, "Buffy" has ranked in the 90s on the weekly ratings list of all television shows. That's not bad for a UPN series, many of which hover in the lower numbers of the ratings. But low viewership keeps advertising rates lower than for more widely viewed shows, and the special effects of "Buffy" make it an expensive show to produce.

When the show moved from the WB to UPN, Whedon was asked if there would be only two more seasons, because his principal players were signed for only those two years.

He dodged the question.

Series star Sarah Michelle Gellar certainly wasn't happy that Buffy came back from the TV morgue. She has a career in feature films that's on hold.

Edited by: BytrSuite at: 1/17/03 10:02:07 pm

by **themagicpixie** » Thu Jan 16, 2003 8:06 am

I know this repeats what has been said elsewhere, but this is from the main BBC News site - its the biggest news site in Europe, and the BBC of course airs Buffy in the UK:

Bosses signal "end of Buffy"

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/enter...656649.stm

One section reads:

"The seven-year-old show, which stars Sarah Michelle Gellar, has suffered from poor ratings since it moved channels in 2001, from the WB network to UPN."

Maybe we should tell them it's the SEVENTH season that is suffering such bad ratings, after the nasty nasty sheer badness of S6.

by **helpful information perha** » Thu Jan 16, 2003 9:19 am

MP - who do we write? We should point out buffy opened with very large numbers on UPN - even bigger than it had on WB but that the numbers faded badly when buffy was paired off in a sexual relationship with spike and have taken a serious nose dive since Tara was killed and not brought back

by **kajo 2000** » Thu Jan 16, 2003 10:15 am

From The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/living/tv/0103/12updates.html

POSTED TUESDAY, JAN. 14, 11:05 A.M.

'Buffy's' fate: When will Gellar make a decision?

Hollywood -- It's official! There's NOTHING official about the fate of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," whose star Sarah Michelle Gellar hasn't decided yet whether to sign on for another season.

At Monday night's CBS/UPN party, James Marsters (aka Spike) was stuck on a couch for more than an hour, besieged by reporters trying to get any tidbits about the show's future. He admitted he would love to have a spinoff based on his character. As a sideline, he voiced concern that his actual age (40) has been finding its way into news articles, which could be a turnoff for the young-girl demographic the show draws.

"I don't look 40," he says. And he doesn't. So we say, 40 it is.

Meanwhile, Nicholas Brendon, who is not 40 and plays Buffy's pal Xander, seemed stoic about the show's future. He's recently married and doesn't seem to mind the possibility of having a little more personal time with his wife: "She's my life."

The person who best knew the show's possible fate was executive producer (and frequent writer) Marti Noxon. And she ain't talking.

"We honestly don't know anything," she said. "The truth is that [series creator] Joss Whedon has a very strong concept for a show that would continue." Without Gellar, she means. "UPN has totally expressed interest in that concept, and what that is, we're very much keeping under wraps. It would still be in the 'Slayer' universe, it would be a spinoff, but there would be a lot of continuation of similar characters, or the same characters."

The deadline for a decision is April, when "Buffy" -- or the spinoff show -- has to begin preproduction.

Edited by: kajo 2000 at: 1/16/03 8:16:33 am

by **helpful information perha** » Thu Jan 16, 2003 10:20 am

so hey - let them all travel back in time to the tower and have buffy jump again - leaving the scoobies to carry on wiser for not bringing buffy back this time

by **sam7777** » Thu Jan 16, 2003 11:33 am

Thanks HIP for creating this thread! Tracking the dissolution of ME's empire will be fun. Let's not forget Mr. Moonves' immortal works from the TCA:

www.thefutoncritic.com/cg...re&id=5301

Quote:
"I wouldn't bet that it comes back, but it's possible," CBS chief Leslie Moonves, whose responsibilities include UPN, said after a presentation at the press tour sponsored by the Television Critics Assn. in Hollywood.

Star Sarah Michelle Gellar is widely thought to be leaning toward focusing on her movie career, though Moonves added that "she hasn't said no" to reprising her TV role as a vampire killer.

But Moonves was emphatic on one point: The network is not about to hike its license fee for "Buffy," which currently stands at more than $2.3 million per episode. "We won't pay more than we're paying now," he said. "That I won't do. Remember, I didn't make (the previous 'Buffy') deal," he added, referring to UPN's previous management under network chief Dean Valentine. The network snatched "Buffy" from its rival, the WB Network, in a controversial deal in 2001.

_____________________

I see dead lesbian cliches

Edited by: sam7777 at: 1/16/03 11:51:11 am

by **tkheaven** » Thu Jan 16, 2003 1:45 pm

From SciFiWire

www.scifi.com/scifiwire/a...5/12.30.tv

Quote:

Buffy Cast Ponders The End

The future of UPN's Buffy the Vampire Slayer depends on whether or not star Sarah Michelle Gellar comes back for an eighth season—a decision yet to come—but cast and crew told SCI FI Wire they have mixed feelings about returning themselves. Executive producer Marti Noxon said in an interview that she's leaving the door open to coming back. "I had really mixed feelings, and I think one of the reasons I wouldn't want to come back would just be that I feel like we're still doing a really, really good show, and if Sarah leaves and the show changes, it might be time to just say, 'Look, we left while it was still fantastic.'"

Noxon added that she and series creator Joss Whedon are looking at possible spinoffs should Gellar depart. "Honestly, there are many possibilities, and there's no one that's been decided on," she said. "But there is an exciting spinoff idea that Joss has that I think is really going to be exciting to people."

For his part, cast member James Marsters (Spike) said in an interview that he remains open to more seasons in the Buffyverse. "I'm interested in continuing with the show," he said. "Contractually, it depends on if it's still Buffy or not whether I'm committed to it. That's the legal sense. But artistically I'm interested in continuing with the writers and producers."

Alyson Hannigan (Willow) is preparing herself for Buffy to end, her fiance, Angel's Alexis Denisof, said. "I think that she feels that they've done it, you know?" he said in an interview. "I think that's the feeling around there for most people—that, you know, they've told those many stories that make that one big story. And so if it were to carry on, obviously, they'd all get excited about it, whatever the new ... incarnation of it would be, but I think she's preparing herself for this being the last year, because that's the sensible thing to do psychologically. And things are going pretty good outside that [for her]. So if a show has to end, and it's always sad when it does, for her, it's probably not a bad time for that to happen."

Nicholas Brendon (Xander) said in an interview that he remains gung ho. "Hang it up? Yeah, I don't know. Hey, listen, I'm having a great time," he said. "I haven't heard that people think that this should be the last year of the show. We are [technically] on year six, because our first year was [as] a midseason replacement. So if people think we should hang it up, well, then, fine, that's what they think. But I haven't heard anyone think ... that we should hang it up. We're having a great time, and it's still a great show. I would love to [do another season]. ... I think we have some great stuff in it still."

Nick sounds like Xander in here..lol

Tk's new and improved "GrrArgg"...Tk's Heaven

"I've become really protective of her. I want to make sure if Tara comes back, it's for good reason." -Amber Benson
Tara ate her, devoured her from beneath. -The Edge of Silence giving new meaning to this season's catch phrase.
"Got it: that's a 'yes' to petals; a 'no' to pricks. I should remember that more often." -On Second Thought

by **gspiggott** » Thu Jan 16, 2003 9:17 pm

"I don't look 40." Oh please. I'd rather look at a healthy 40 year old man with some body hair and a beer belly than a man who is becoming the human equivalent of those racetrack greyhounds that are put up for adoption. Living on skim milk sandwiches helped send poor Monty Clift over the edge and he was much prettier than JM. IMHO.Do we have candles in the vigil section?Or maybe we can sing all the ratings stuff like it's Gregorian chant.

by **themagicpixie** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 5:42 am

helpful information perhaps:

The BBC News Online Feedback page is here:

news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/b...efault.stm

I am pretty bored of hearing this "the ratings slumped because Buffy switched networks" argument we keep hearing. We hear it a lot more in the UK, where it is harder to argue against it because we don't have access to the US ratings (except via the web, and a lot of people don't know about that) and where US ratings are only basically mentioned as part of a discussion about a show that is airing in the UK, and given the spin the writer wants them to have... A lot of reports over here seem to be suggesting it was the move to UPN that started the slide rather than Season Sux. I am not sure the BBC will want to hear how bad the season they are currently airing is! - but I for one might mail them and give it a try!

by **justastraightdog** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 1:10 pm

"the ratings slumped because Buffy switched networks"

No, they didn't. Here's the current situation, after 11 original episodes (feel free to copy and paste the table):

Saison	Total	Episodes	Average per episode	Changes in Rating Points	Changes in %
1	28.6	11	2.60
2	37.9	11	3.45	+0.85	+32.52%
3	46.4	11	4.22	+0.77	+22.43%
4	42.3	11	3.85	-0.37	-8.84%
5	39.3	11	3.57	-0.27	-7.09%
6	40.5	11	3.68	+0.11	+3.05%
7	32.4	11	2.95	-0.74	-20.00%

As you can see, the move to UPN actually helped the ratings. What you cannot see from these averages is the reason for the big 20% drop in season 7. If it was for the bad quality of S7, the ratings of individual episodes should be high in the beginning and then drop down dramatically. Like a premiere of 4.4 and an 11th episode of 3.5; or dropping from 3.9 to 3.0; or from 4.3 to 3.3. Unfortunately, these are the numbers for the 4th, 5th and 6th saison. The 7th saison has 3.0 for the first and 2.6 for the 11th episode - it was down from the very beginning. That it's still eroding, even on that low level, shows the lack of quality of the 7th season, but it doesn't explain the big drop from S6 to S7.

If it's not season 7, is it season 6? If we compare S6 to S5, we can see a very similar development. Good start, solid Nov, mediocre Feb, very bad ratings in the end of Apr / beginning of May and a decent come-back for the season's final. Which leads to the conclusion that it wasn't the overall quality of season 6 that caused the ratings drop in season 7.

So, what else? What got 20% of the usually very loyal core fandom so upset that they didn't come back after the summer? Are there any plausible reasons? And if so, did the production company any purposeful damage control - knowing that the show neither can survive nor justify any sequels or spinoffs if they don't get back as many of these former fans as possible?

Well, d'oh, guess we know most of the answers. And especially the last one is the reason we have this vigil thread. The lack of damage control was understandable (though not excusable) up until the end of November. Until then, there was the chance that either Firefly will be a success, so that ME doesn't need the Buffy franchise anymore, or that Buffy will find a new audience, so that they don't need the old fans anymore. Neither happened. So December was the time for ME to get sober. To get down from their "creative" trip, to analyse the situation and to plan further actions based on the facts and not on an oversized ego.

But what did we get instead? Jay-Dubya's infamous star-dissing Firefly interviews. A Buffy plotline that is obviously made to keep the old fans away from the show (if even Wrongda can see this...). Pain, pain, death and did I mention pain? on Angel - as if anyone has asked for it. And many embarrassing attempts to save the dead and rotten horse called Firefly.

To be honest, I can understand Jay-Dubya. He is in a difficult and painful situation. For five years he became madly jealous - all the actors and actresses of his shows were popular while nobody knew his name. But then came Firefly, the chance to create a show with only one star - Mr. Joss "God-like Visionary Genius" Whedon himself. Maybe it worked, maybe he is more popular now - like Cimino was more popular after Heaven's Gate. At the same time - when it comes to Buffy he still doesn't matter. Remember the NYT article about The WB I've posted here? They mentioned vampires, but they didn't mention Josswho?, not even Buffy or Angel - the only name they actually mentioned was... Sarah Michelle Gellar. Same now about Buffy's future. Read all the articles, the conclusion is: Josswho? may write the 7th as the final saison, but if SMG wants to continue (and the ratings aren't too bad), there'll be an 8th. Nobody will pay a cent more than before to get another saison from Josswho?, but they are ready to pay a lot more for SMG (and maybe also for JM or AH).

He started to believe what critcs and some fans told him, and now the facts have proven them wrong. He may have created the Buffyverse, but he's only a small cog in the machine of its success. On Angel it's getting obvious that Greenwalt isn't replaceable. The Buffy ratings show that no-one can replace Amber. But what about Josswho? Is he replaceable? I guess that's exactly what he fears most (why did he run all three shows - a producer with a brain would have given Greenwalt and Noxon full creative control on Angel and Buffy to concentrate on Firefly) - and slowly the realization sinks in that he is.

And that hurts. A lot. The work of destruction that was Buffy's 6th season was only out of jealousy and boredom. But now he's back with a verve. Disappointed, aggrieved, hurt ... angry. Hateful. It's his genius the people should praise - but everyone is talking about SMG, DB, JM, AH, CC - and some are even still talking about AB, shame on them. He begrudges all those who are more popular than him the air they breath. He has to destroy Angel and Buffy, in a way that makes any continuation impossible - except a sequel/spinoff with a complete new and nameless cast.

There's a reason that the abbreviation for Mutant Enemy is ME. Me, me, me - that's what it's all about.

Btw: The numbers in the table are correct, the "Changes" columnes are calculated directly ("Total" / "Episodes"), while the "Average per episode" column is rounded.

_______________________________
Though here at journey's end I lie in darkness buried deep, beyond all towers strong and high, beyond all mountains steep,
above all shadows rides the Sun and Stars for ever dwell: I will not say the Day is done, nor bid the Stars farewell.

by **helpful information perha** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 1:28 pm

JASD

are these changes calculated as change from previous year - or are they all change from year one?

and do each years 11 eps include the same number of first runs and reruns?

Edited by: helpful information perhaps at: 1/17/03 11:29:32 am

by **jixer** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 4:30 pm

Hello Kittens-

I'd like to disagree with JASD about JW. I'd also like to be rich and have Tara on BtVS. I guess its time to just admit I was hoodwinked and try to remember the good parts of the journey ME took us on. Now I wish I would have gotten off the train after Season 5 at the Denial stop.

Two things together could salvage the future DVD sales- and JASD has hit the nail on the head why we'll never see either Tara's return or Buffy going out on a note of hope. I actually feel sorry for JW and those close to him. One day I may be able to forgive him though I will NEVER give my time to his future efforts.

I'm off to write. Pens is the last place BtVS, let alone W/T still exists.

Jixer

by **ready4scully** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 5:10 pm

Speaking of DVD sales-I'm gonna have to really go against my obsessive nature to have complete sets of Television series...and stop after Season 5. There is no way I'm shelling out money for Seasons Sux and Severed. Part of me thinks they should release a OMWF dvd seperate, cause that's really the only reason I'd buy the season...

I'm in a same sort of situation with XF...the last two seasons can't compare to what the show was...Chris Carter's problem (or one of them) is he failed to see that the show was what it was because of Mulder and Scully...remove one, and try to reformulate it by introducing two new characters (who, in hindsight, I don't actually hate-they just don't belong on the X-Files) and you have problems. But I'll buy the last two seasons because as much as the fans protested, CC and the other writers at least showed a modicum of understanding. They might have not done anything about it, but that ear was still situated in our direction. And the characters of Mulder and Scully were basically consistent, to the end, despite some glaring inconsistencies-like Scully staying behind with her baby, etc.

I find it very revealing the silence we are getting from ME right now...where's Jane "The ratings are fine" Epenson? Where's the Drews, or Marti, or Steve DeKnight? And that all the press that we've been hearing about the end of Buffy has been actor, and specifically-SMG related. Which, in itself is both revealing and bothers me. I don't think that the awfulness of the past season and this current one should be placed solely on the shoulders of Sarah-and because it's her name that's out there, you have to be careful. But I think some people are beginning to see the madman in the guise of Joss.

And, the actors will all find work after Buffy. Sarah, most definitely. Amber's been getting a lot of press and rightfully so-and not just for her role as Tara. She's got a future, and I'll be there all the way. Emma Caulfield-super talented. Same with Aly, and even MT. The only ones I am not sure about are NB and James...although James is talented, it's hard to picture him in other roles. We shall see.

The point of all this is-Joss is going to surely be known in Hollywood, but not in the way that he wants, I'm sure. And that old adage that bad press is better than no press-not so positive this situation fits into that category.

Of all it needs to be born, what love treasures most is for a being to participate in an unknown life where that being's love can admit us. It is why women love soldiers and firemen; they think that they're kissing beneath the armor a different heart, adventurous and sweet. -Rememberance of Things Past

by **gspiggott** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 6:16 pm

Chris Carter's big future plan? Another X files movie. Lucy Lawless just mentioned that there might be a Xena movie,(apparently no one remembers the show's creator). JW with SMG nixing a Buffy movie, why he has a new idea for a spinoff.James Marsters should run or he'll be Spike forever and end up looking like the drunk dancer from Strictly Ballroom.He deserves better. Amy Palladino should write Amber into their GG's spin off series.Perfect fit.I agree about how quiet the ME writers are these days even when Droozy posted the other day he didn't want to talk about the show.

by **justastraightdog** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 7:14 pm

HIP, changes always calculated from the previous year. I only compare first runs (is "original episodes" the wrong term?), AFAIK WebWarlock has the numbers for all episodes, including reruns (though IIRC they show the same trend).

A little something about HTML tables and ezboards: You can use them, but make shure that you don't use any linebreaks within the table. Write

One

and not

One

to avoid unexpected effects (like many empty lines above your table). Best to create the table with an editor and delete the linebreaks with a search/replace before posting. The reason is ezboard's user-interface. All linebreaks in a posting are replaced by
when the posting is displayed. Which makes absolutely sense, except that you want to use HTML. Unfortunately
isn't allowed everywhere, it's not allowed between and for instance. So we get illegal HTML - and the browsers are free to do whatever they like. A very strict one won't show anything, some will simply ignore the
, others (like my Opera) will show all these
s as empty lines above the table.

Well, great, now I'm totally off-topic. It's just more fun to write about HTML as to think about anything ME, hope you can forgive me.

_______________________________
Though here at journey's end I lie in darkness buried deep, beyond all towers strong and high, beyond all mountains steep,
above all shadows rides the Sun and Stars for ever dwell: I will not say the Day is done, nor bid the Stars farewell.

justastraightdog

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Re: The vigil thread for ME shows

by JJtheCool » Fri Jan 17, 2003 11:20 pm

Quote:
At Monday night's CBS/UPN party, James Marsters (aka Spike) was stuck on a couch for more than an hour, besieged by reporters trying to get any tidbits about the show's future. He admitted he would love to have a spinoff based on his character. As a sideline, he voiced concern that his actual age (40) has been finding its way into news articles, which could be a turnoff for the young-girl demographic the show draws.

"I don't look 40," he says. And he doesn't. So we say, 40 it is.

Shoot, he doesn't even look 25.

I read about someone mentioning his actual age in another thread and thought they were joking. The age he'd given himself as, 30, certainly seemed plausible.

It's a shame people still feel compelled to have to lie about stuff like that, but that's Hollywood, I guess.

JJtheCool

*Sigh*

JJtheCool

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Re: The vigil thread for ME shows

by xita » Sat Jan 18, 2003 12:00 am

he looks 40 to me

If I had to live my life again, I'd make the same mistakes, only sooner.
Tallulah Bankhead

xita

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Re: The Deathwatch thread for ME shows

by BFR from Paris » Sat Jan 18, 2003 4:57 am

J'en ai marre de ceux qui voient la vie tout en noir, qui m'expédient dans le cafard - Alizée, 2003

BFR from Paris

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Re: The Deathwatch thread for ME shows

by dekalog » Sat Jan 18, 2003 6:51 am

me too xita - don't know how anyone could really believe he was under 36 or so.

Then again some people still believe that he could front his own spin-off. Ah to have such a mystical pair of rose-coloured glasses.

dekalog

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Re: The Deathwatch thread for ME shows

by kajo 2000 » Sat Jan 18, 2003 7:43 am

From ScoopMe.com:

www.scoopme.com/tv/articles/default.asp?article_id=88287

Inside Dish:

Playing nice (or not): Angel/Buffy/Firefly round up and upcoming goodies

by Coreen Kremer

1/17/2003

The only thing worse than a sore loser is a sore winner. This may come off as cliché but life is competitive and true sportsmanship is rare these days. Sure it can be said that the negative is easier to believe and placing blame on others seems to alleviate the sting of loss, however, when one finds themselves in front of the pack, biting remarks thrown at the competition is just not taking the high road.

Webster's defines Sportsmanship as fairness, respect for one's opponent, and graciousness in winning or losing. Let's try to keep that in mind and play nice with one another.

If my rant strikes anyone as odd, know it mostly stems from me craving some peace in my hectic life, not to mention the LA Kings losing streak and how badly my indoor soccer team lost last night. (We got spanked 9-3). Is it too much to ask for a little tranquility?

Foul mood already, but still maintaining graciousness in winning or losing, losing in my case, I read the comments made by Keith Marder, director of corporate publicity for The WB and found nothing tranquil there. Although the WB has had its share of disappointments this season, overall, the network is holding it's own and bringing in good numbers so why the verbal assault? Yeah, yeah, talk show hosts do it all the time, but they aren't running a network.

In his defense, the comments Mr. Marder made were not truly meant for the public's ears, eyes and knowledge but as a former TV critic himself, he must have known his "jokes" would be leaked for all to know.

And before anyone jumps all over me in defense of free speech, let me say that I am well aware that he isn't the only player to speak evils against other networks and I'm sure he won't be the last but that doesn't mean I have to condone it. Besides, I happen to like Shannen Doherty.

That said, let's play "fly on the wall" for a taste of his "stand-up" act performed during an event at the winter TV Critics Association press tour where he spewed these gems:

"The WB had a lot of firsts in 2002. For instance, we aired the classic movie The Wizard of Oz, which was the first time the Wicked Witch was on The WB, and it wasn't Shannen Doherty."

"For everybody who [doesn't know] what a dramedy is, it's a show that's part comedy, part drama. You know what you call a show that's neither comedy nor drama? Dinotopia."

Friends will be back for its 10th and third final season…Just in case the deal couldn't be made for another season, they were ready with the series finale, which was to be called 'The One Where [NBC Entertainment president] Jeff Zucker Craps His Pants.' "

"The Norwalk virus affected thousands of people who became violently ill on luxury cruise liners. There hasn't been this much nausea associated with a cruise ship since UPN's remake of The Love Boat."

CSI: Miami has been a great addition to the CBS lineup…I heard they're also developing CSI: Special Victims Unit, Dateline CSI and CSI: FOX, because everything's dying over there."

So much for playing nice.

Reigning in an abundance of Mutant Enemy news on and off the sets

Blame it on the approaching full moon or something in the cosmos perhaps, but this week Mutant Enemy dominated the news. Granted, the TCA press conference always generates a buzz but information on Buffy, Angel and even Firefly seemed endless.

First, congratulations are in order. Alexis Denisof (Angel) proposed to girlfriend Alyson Hannigan (Buffy) in December. Full details are available in ScoopMe!'s Side Notes.

Also to be congratulated is Andy Hallett (Angel) on his new status as a regular cast member. Beginning 02/26/03, with the episode "Release," Andy goes from recurring to regular cast member and fans can see Andy's names in lights, or rather in the new opening credits. "They just announced it two days ago (01/09/03), so you'll be seeing more of Lorne, which I never expected, by the way." Hallett said in a recent interview.

After all that good news, I'm pained to report some bad news for Firefly. According to Mutant Enemy president Christopher Buchanan, ABC, CBS, NBC, UPN and the SCI FI Channel have all turned down deals to resurrect the SF series, at least so far. "The status of Firefly as of today is, ... the clock is running down in the fourth quarter, and we're 90 yards away from the goal line, and the Hail Mary is coming up."

The Firefly team is still holding on to hope and Buchanan admits that the series' elaborate sets remain intact for now although, "We've explored some of the networks and haven't really made a lot of progress [because], the cost of the show, the timing, the fact that we didn't finish a full season and have other networks out there figuring out what they have in terms of pilots, what they have in terms of their own series cancellations. Timing is just horrible."

The fate of three original episodes that have yet to air also remains unanswered.

Moving on to Buffy; much has been rumored, denied, speculated and wished about the return of Buffy the Vampire Slayer for an 8th season. The clock is ticking down to a decision and everyone seems to have an opinion. While I'm a believer that opinions are a good thing, the abundance of them does nothing to clear up the question of "will it or won't it return." To further the confusion, CBS President Leslie Moonves, who also oversees UPN, said at the TCA press tour that UPN is currently in talks with the show producer 20th Century Fox, about keeping the show for another season, which raises the question of "if the shows returns, will Sarah Michelle Gellar?"

Most recently, various options for an 8th season have been tossed about. Though SMG herself has remained mum, those close to the set say she isn't likely to return in a fulltime capacity, if at all. If SMG opts not to return full-time, there is the possibility of her appearing part-time or creating a spin-off of sorts with a different slayer or actually canceling the show altogether.

Fortunately for fans, WB honcho, Jordan Levin knows how to play nice. After the UPN/WB feud when Buffy changed networks, crossovers have been limited to a spoken line here or there but Levin says he's "given Joss permission to reunite Buffy and Angel on UPN for Ms. Gellar's finale, if she's quitting the role. I told Joss that if it was creatively justified, and in the best interest of the show's storytelling, and something he feels is necessary, I certainly wouldn't stand in the way."

Marti Noxon, James Marsters and Nicholas Brendon had this to say about next season:

Executive producer Marti Noxon says she's leaving the door open to coming back, "I had really mixed feelings, and I think one of the reasons I wouldn't want to come back would just be that I feel like we're still doing a really, really good show, and if Sarah leaves and the show changes, it might be time to just say, Look, we left while it was still fantastic."

James Marsters remains open to more seasons, "I'm interested in continuing with the show. Contractually, it depends on if it's still Buffy or not whether I'm committed to it. That's the legal sense. But artistically I'm interested in continuing with the writers and producers."

Nicholas Brendon also remains open to returning, "I'm having a great time. I would love to [do another season]. ... I think we have some great stuff in it still."

Over on Angel, the cast and crew are also gearing up for contract renewal talks.

Additionally, Amy Acker mentioned in an interview that the team is currently filming the three-episode story arc with Eliza Dushku returning as Faith. On working with Eliza, Amy touts, "She's great. Fred and Faith haven't had too much interaction. But it's a good, you know, tough energy to have on the set."

Alexis Denisof, who worked with Eliza during his Buffy days says, "I love her character, and she's great to work with. She just gives you so much, and she's spontaneous and fun and dangerous, and it's a blast. I'm always happy when they put our characters together. Because I think exciting things happen when our characters are together."

Edited by: kajo 2000 at: 1/18/03 6:32:02 am

kajo 2000

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Re: The Deathwatch thread for ME shows

by DianaBouvier99 » Sat Jan 18, 2003 7:46 am

Spike looks a 134 to me, but hey, who's counting? And just to add Buffy looks like she's aged 50 years since season Sux. Here's hoping SMG will bounce back from this disaster! I think she could be one of the greats.

Thanks for renaming the thread! The other name was so classy I was worried I wouldn't be able to gloat in it.

Thanks for all the Helpful Information!

DianaBouvier99

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Re: The Deathwatch thread for ME shows

by urnofosiris » Sat Jan 18, 2003 8:45 am

Quote:

The age he'd given himself as, 30, certainly seemed plausible.

Well not once you've seen him up close and without make up it doesn't, and that isn't meant as an insult, he's pretty well preserved for his age.

Quote:

As a sideline, he voiced concern that his actual age (40) has been finding its way into news articles, which could be a turnoff for the young-girl demographic the show draws.

Hum I thought they were aiming for boy numbers this season. In any case it might not be so horrible if the young girl demographic tuned back in to watch the reruns when they are adults.

Quote:
Thus spoke the Noxon oracle of denial:

"I had really mixed feelings, and I think one of the reasons I wouldn't want to come back would just be that I feel like we're still doing a really, really good show, and if Sarah leaves and the show changes, it might be time to just say, Look, we left while it was still fantastic."

We are still on the same planet aren't we?

-------------------------

Coffee, Food, Kisses and Gay Love........Get it while you are hot
Edited by: DrG at: 1/18/03 6:47:09 am

urnofosiris

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Re: The Deathwatch thread for ME shows

by gspiggott » Sat Jan 18, 2003 12:30 pm

Planet Marti has an irregular supply of oxygen and you can see how it affects the brain. Someone should send her a tank.

gspiggott

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Re: The Deathwatch thread for ME shows

by Sheridan » Sat Jan 18, 2003 3:28 pm

Quote:
Levin says he's "given Joss permission to reunite Buffy and Angel on UPN for Ms. Gellar's finale, if she's quitting the role. I told Joss that if it was creatively justified, and in the best interest of the show's storytelling, and something he feels is necessary, I certainly wouldn't stand in the way."

the wording of that seems to confirm this a friendly gesture towards SMG, not Joss or ME.

Willow: ...I have to tell you....

Tara: No, I understand you have to be with the person you l-love

Willow: I am

Sheridan

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Re: The Deathwatch thread for ME shows

by Hair Annoyed » Sun Jan 19, 2003 12:57 am

Well, I thought the guy from WB was pretty funny, especially this bit:

Quote:

CSI: Miami has been a great addition to the CBS lineup…I heard they're also developing CSI: Special Victims Unit, Dateline CSI and CSI: FOX, because everything's dying over there.

I have a sneeking suspicion that there are some people in the entertainment industry who are taking great delight in Firefly's failure.

Hair Annoyed

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ding dong Buffy's almost dead

by Iamyouknowyours » Sun Jan 19, 2003 9:02 pm

I just gotta say: they're worried that word getting out about James being 40 will discourage the young girl demographic, but having him be a rapist ... that should just make them swoon and rush out to buy Spike panties, now shouldn't it?

"Yeah. You learn her source, and, uh, we'll introduce her to her insect reflection. Um ... that, that was funny if you, um, studied Taglarin mythic rites... and are a complete dork." - Tara "Oh, then how come Xander didn't laugh?" - Riley

Iamyouknowyours

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Re: The Deathwatch thread for ME shows

by kajo 2000 » Mon Jan 20, 2003 2:14 am

From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/living/tv/0103/20fox.html

TV Critics Association meeting

'Simpsons,' second 'Idol' help sly Fox breathe easy

By STEVE MURRAY

1.20.2003

Atlanta Journal-Constitution TV Critic

Hollywood -- The yellow-skinned folks known as Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie walked (well, Maggie crawled) through hotel hallways among TV critics. On the loudspeakers, Harry Shearer, in the role of Mr. Burns, invited writers to sit down for "our depressing presentation."

Luckily, little of Fox Broadcasting's presentation on the final day of the winter Television Critics Association Tour was depressing. In fact, it was highlighted by a jolt of pure joy: The cast of "The Simpsons" lined up onstage to perform a live table reading of an episode in which Lisa gets a crush on bad-boy Nelson.

The presentation helped Fox deliver an energy boost to members of the press, and the journalists were grateful for it at the end of 13 days of interviewing and schmoozing with the stars and creators of new and old series.

Fox's president of entertainment, Gail Berman, announced a list of new midseason shows, including the sitcoms "Oliver Beene," about a family in 1962; "The Pitts," about the unluckiest family in the world; and "Wanda at Large," in which comedian Wanda Sykes will play an opinionated TV reporter in Washington. They'll start airing after the February sweeps.

On Feb. 16, "King of the Hill" (renewed for another season) will feature the voice of Jennifer Aniston, followed by three "Simpsons" episodes, including its 300th. The animated show has outlasted "Ozzie and Harriet" as TV's longest- running sitcom. The evening will round out with "Married With Children Reunion."

In other sitcom news, Berman revealed that Lois (Jane Kaczmarek), the mom on "Malcolm in the Middle," will become pregnant in February and give birth in May.

But not everything is flourishing for Fox. Berman admitted that "Andy Richter Controls the Universe" is on shaky ground. "It doesn't seem to be catching on," she said. And cancellation of the sci-fi western "Firefly" has made for a sensitive situation between Berman and creator Joss Whedon, with whom she produces "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel."

"It's not easy when you have a show that's not working," she said. "We will work together again. I think Joss is licking his wounds right now."

Like the other networks, Fox is getting big energy from its reality shows, including "American Idol," which launches its second version on Tuesday, and the current hit "Joe Millionaire," about the construction worker posing as a rich man who woos and eliminates women who don't know he's really blue collar.

Despite the big success of "Joe," Berman said she couldn't see any way to make a second installment: "The secret is already out." And no, the producers didn't think far enough ahead to film two versions at the same time. "That would've made us much smarter than we are," said Fox Television Entertainment Group chairman Sandy Grushow.

Sykes noted that she's no fan of Fox's recent "Man vs. Beast" surreal reality special. "Does the animal really know he's competing?" she asked. "That's not fair."

Edited by: kajo 2000 at: 1/20/03 12:19:52 am

kajo 2000

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Re: The Deathwatch thread for ME shows

by xita » Mon Jan 20, 2003 2:46 am

Berman may work with Joss again but I don't know if FOX will.

Interesting that she takes a shot at him there really. Lick your wounds cause soon they are spreading.

If I had to live my life again, I'd make the same mistakes, only sooner.
Tallulah Bankhead

xita

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Re: The Deathwatch thread for ME shows

by VampNo12 » Mon Jan 20, 2003 3:15 am

Oh poor Jossie "is licking his wounds", I so feel for the man (snerk) !

I think anyone who can read between the lines, can see with Berman's statement that her relationship with Joss "blinded" her to the reality of the status of "Fireflop". Or in other words, her personal/professional relationship with Joss is the reason why "Fireflop" was given every chance to succeed even when the ratings didn't justify keeping the show on the air. And not that I want Berman to lose her job, but I can't help but wondering if some time in not too distant future, she will be sitting next to Joss "licking her own wounds" (ie risking her job security by putting her loyalty to her pal above common sense, with not canceling the show sooner)?

Edited by: VampNo12 at: 1/20/03 1:17:07 am

VampNo12

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Re: The Deathwatch thread for ME shows

by kajo 2000 » Mon Jan 20, 2003 11:49 am

Tim Minear visited the Buffistas.org message board this morning where Firefly fans were discussing Gail Berman's remarks. Some people were defending her so Tim decided to jump into the debate:

Victor: Just for the record? Everyone I spoke to for my Firefly article did nothing but sing Berman's praises, and everyone strongly wanted to point out that she fought hard for the show.

Tim Minear - Jan 20, 2003 11:43:23 am EST #5514 of 5571

And, without getting into detail, Joss fought for the show. That's who fought for the show. Joss.

And, of course, ya'll.

Sue: Hey Tim. I wanted to say that I just got to see Serenity on Friday for the first time. It was a thing of beauty, and I don't get why Fox didn't want to air it first.

Tim Minear - Jan 20, 2003 11:49:30 am EST #5519 of 5571

Because they didn't like it. Gail never liked it, I don't think she'd deny that.

www.buffistas.org/showthread.php?thread_id=46&post_id=5514

kajo 2000

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