Theory on why Fox cancelled Firefly
POSTED BY: killerbrain
UPDATED: Friday, December 2, 2005 07:25
VIEWED: 9026
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Maybe this has been said before... I'm new here. Saw the movie on opening day, then got the dvd and watched the series. And over Thanksgiving converted my brother and brother in law.
The series came out not long after 9/11. Fox is pro-government. Don't you think a series about a band of criminals, the government being bad, etc, would set off the Fox execs? If that Reilly guy got hold of the idea he would set off a tirade on what's wrong with America.
I'll bet someone talked to someone and didn't explain anything more than a mis-guided pitch on how it was a show about criminals (or maybe even called them terrorists). Once this bad-mouthing got around execs got cold feet and cancelled it.
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Really I thought it was because Fox Execs drowned puppies, ate babies, and worshiped Satan! But I guess a wave of neuvo right wing idealogues could have also killed the show. But when you consider the other "liberal" shows fox carries like the Simpsons, then the theory becomes questionable. I'm afraid at the end it all boils down to the almighty dollar.
Phaedra (a bad luck name)
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Honestly, I feel like I was raised on ANTI-corporate propoganda - for some reason, entertainment corporations don't seem to mind producing shows/music/etc that attack themselves.
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Don't get me started on Fox.
1) Firefly got off to a bad start
2) Advertising it as a sci-fi action/comedy didn't help it reach the intended market
Not sure on this one:
3) Fox DID pull it for being "politically unreliable"- After 2001, a lot of shows seemed to get very absolute and one-sided; Firefly did make subtle, but strong distinction between good and evil. Unfortunately, evil turned out to be government more often than not. While the independent style and 'vigilante' feel of the show might have cosmetically appealed to some viewers who like simple, straight-shooting solutions, it is really more complex. Fox didn't need a show that glorified individualism at a time when very few people wanted to criticize the government and worry about things like consequences.
"That's why I never kiss them on the mouth."
"When do I get to get sexed up?!"
"This is my most favorite-est gun..."
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That is so funny. I always saw Firefly as a more Conservative show. Lots of guns, first of all, but also the Independents fought for states rights! I guess everyone projects their own ideals onto the show.
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Put a gun in your mouth and see how many times you can pull the trigger.
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I've said exactly the same thing. Fox did not want a program right after 9/11 where the bad guys are the Feds.
As for government being more complex, it's only that way because people make it that way. Everyone says they favor individualism, yet everyone continues to vote for people supporting the same, broken systems that really aren't fixing much.
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Most people think it was just the fact that Fox messed up the marketing, didn't air the pilot first, that led to poor ratings for an expensive show, no politics involved.
But as Tim Minear says in some interview I heard (I thought it was The Signal podcast, but still searching around to find it again), they could tell Fox wasn't behind it from the start, when they didn't air the pilot nor even pop the DVD of their revised pilot into the player to see if they would consider airing a revised version. Fox's minds were probably already made up that it wouldn't be nurtured at all, or given time to find an audience. That frame of mind I'm thinking started with the political vibe they got from the pilot-- the Fed is the bad guy. They could see where this was going, some bigwhig got pissed, and it was doomed.
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I've been wondering about this myself, but I felt overly paranoid. Thanks for starting the thread so I don't feel alone!
Have you seen Outfoxed? I can so see Rupert Murdoch and his cronies killing Firefly because it goes against their political agenda. (Hey, just let me wallow in paranoia for a minute. It's squishy and fun!) I just hope their goal is not to keep the series from ever seeing daylight again.
m4p
Ask Dr. Science ... he knows more than you do.
"I have a Master's degree ... in science!"
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Hi gang,
Good points. However, the show died because it was placed in a death spot on TV. Most people that would enjoy this show are out doing other things on friday night. Hell, Jag., a wonderful gungho pro gov. propaganda show died in one season when it was moved to Friday night. That show was top 5 for 10 yrs.
I realy think it was as simple as that. They didn't get the numbers, the show was expensive to make, they never gave it a chance for the word to get around.
The same mistake was nearly made with the movie. There was little or no, promo on tv, or anywhere else. Heck. most of my friends thought it was some kind of chick flick, due to the name.
I didn't notice that it was the Firefly, Serenity, for over a week myownself, and I loved the show. I just hadn't heard that the movie was comming out.
Go to Scifi and lobby hard!!!!
Sir Marc
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