Exploring why FF/ Serenity wasn't more popular...

POSTED BY: chrisisall
UPDATED: Monday, April 10, 2006 01:38
VIEWED: 5177
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MILFORD

Thursday, April 6, 2006 7:47 PM

Dang! I meant to tivo that so I wouldn't miss People Disagreeing About Common Things Overheatedly and then Having Sex Together and Then Hating Each Other Again, While Precariously Perched on the Eiffel Tower and Trying to Decide Who was Who's Father and Got the Million Dollars from the Doctor who was Really a Woman.

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Leaning into the wind that used to carry me-Stavesacre
That's why I don't kiss'em on the mouth- Jayne Cobb

CHRISISALL

Thursday, April 6, 2006 8:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by milford:
People Disagreeing About Common Things Overheatedly and then Having Sex Together and Then Hating Each Other Again, While Precariously Perched on the Eiffel Tower and Trying to Decide Who was Who's Father and Got the Million Dollars from the Doctor who was Really a Woman.

Shoot! I really should check that one out. Fanty and Mingo go on and on about it.

Chrisisall, keepin' it real

RMMC

Thursday, April 6, 2006 9:32 PM

Nuclearday,

Man, my experience wasn't too different from yours. I'd heard of the new series Joss was planning (which was what had stopped the proposed Giles spinoff from Buffy that would have been for the European market) and was interested since Joss was warning folks from the start that it was a space western (I know a lot of folks who ignored that bit...most were initially unhappy about the western portion, but after an episode or two, changed their minds...at least just for FF). I had no problem with that.
I really got happy when I found out that not only was Gina going to be in it (I saw her in HtLJ not C2525) but so was Ron Glass, whom I'd admired since the 70's.
Did Fox advertise it? Not that I saw. Actually the only bit of publicity I remember was an article in Starlog. 'Course this is the same network that didn't know what to do with Brisco, and marketed X-Files to look like it was a live-action 'Weekly World News.' (Which is why it took some friends forcing me to watch it, for me to discover it wasn't...I sure couldn't tell that by the commercials I saw while watching Brisco.)
I loved what I saw...when it was actually on. You do remember rightly. Fox moved the show so often, it could have qualified for frequent flier miles. I hadn't seen such a blantant display of a network wanting to kill one of its shows since CBS did that to WKRP (They moved it...every week.)
I also side with the others here who partially blame the audiences as well. Too many folks don't want to have to actually (*gasp!*) THINK! IMHO our society has gotten too used to having others do many services for them: What to eat, who to vote for, what to think, what to wear. For them, if the herd likes it, it must be good. Go herd! Gak! So actually watching a program that not only makes them think...but make them think about Earth-that-is, well...many just can't cope.
Most popular TV shows are that way because they appeal to the lowest common demnominator. This is how networks work. They want MASS appeal. ('You want something intellectual? That's what PBS is for,' seems to be their viewpoint. ) Firefly, on the other hand, made assumptions that those watching actually had a few brain cells to rub together, hence, the smaller audience and the lack of enthusiam on the part of Fox. They wanted a quick cash-cow, not a long-term hit.
At least, that's been my take on it. YMMV.

****
RMMC

MILFORD

Friday, April 7, 2006 1:06 AM

There's definitely something of the "herd" mentality there for sure, RMMC, you're right.

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Customizeable handmade baby gifts personalized by my wife! Check them out at www.baby-bobo.com. All proceeds go towards international adoption.

Leaning into the wind that used to carry me-Stavesacre
That's why I don't kiss'em on the mouth- Jayne Cobb

FOLLOWMAL

Friday, April 7, 2006 5:39 PM

Has Stephen Spielberg joined the "herd mentality" folks?

I heard on CNN this morning that Spielberg is developing a "reality" show for FOX.

Something along the lines of "Idol" where directors compete to be recognized. There is going to be a panel of judges like on "Idol" with a Simon-type etc.

I don't have anymore details than that... was walking by the tv making breakfast to get folks out the door for work.. so my attention wasn't fully on it..

but c'mon... Spielberg?????!!!!!

The man has won Academy Awards, fer cryin' out loud!

" You hold. Hold til I get back." Mal

IANW

Friday, April 7, 2006 6:00 PM

I'm reading a lot of people responding that they regret not watching the show while it was on air.

We all agree that becuase this show was created differently than all other citcoms/reality/whatever right? My guess is that it probaly never would have taken off unless the fan base grew in the way it is now.

I remember watching some commentary to seinfeld season three- that's the season when the show started to get some major attention. I was 8 at the time so i don't remember it, but apparently it was just an average show untill that season and it exploded. The writers only made minor changes but yet, here they were, finnaly being reconized after three long years.

Now let's compare to firefly. Firefly has an evolving story line, hard to pickup from season two but not impossible. My point is, with releasing season 1, giving the audience time to digest it, spead through word of mouth, it will save some money and effort and release again when the time is right.

we all know that shows can come back to air, thanks to the family guy.

I bought the firefly season 3 weeks ago and I was surprised to find out that absolutely no one i know has a slight recolection of what the tv series or the movie exists.

I expect, liek me, with the movie reaching the people in a more efficient way, it will spread the word faster

KINROEDARKSTONE

Friday, April 7, 2006 6:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by ianw:

I bought the firefly season 3 weeks ago and I was surprised to find out that absolutely no one i know has a slight recolection of what the tv series or the movie exists.

Firefly season 3? I'm confused. What happened to season 2? Did I miss it again! Gorramit! j/k

Did you mean some other show?

--------------
Wash: Closing in.
Zoe: Planet's coming up a might fast.
Wash: That's just 'cause I'm goin' down too quick. Likely crash and kill us all.
Mal: Well, if that happens, let me know.

NUCLEARDAY

Friday, April 7, 2006 6:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by RMMC:
I really got happy when I found out that not only was Gina going to be in it (I saw her in HtLJ not C2525)

I'd totally forgot about Gina being in Hercules. Sorbo, man, Sorbo... (Come to think of it, wasn't there a love interest there between Gina's character and Hercules quirky blonde friend Iolus for a time? :)

Anyways, good to see I'm not the only one who had... troubles following Firefly's... creative scheduling.

Also, I think I agree with the many comments about the 'herd mentality' television seems to be aiming for. From what I've seen, the common factor among the 'coats is that we're not turned off by shows that don't talk down to us. Now, no intellectual am I, but I think I've seen enough of the same television shows over and over again that by the time Firefly came out, I was just about ready for something new. (And Sci-Fi AND Western? Those are my two favorite genres... that just went down like peanut butter and jelly to me :)

Maybe the public does just want different versions of the same old shows that have been around for eons. (Name me a sitcom, and I gaurantee there's an episode where the kid gets in trouble with a high-stakes card/pool/betting game and the 'uncool' dad has to step in and save the day :)

________________________________________________
You can take my hope when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers.

IANW

Friday, April 7, 2006 6:17 PM

sorry, i meant " I bout the firelyseason, 3 weeks ago"

damned comma

SIMONB

Friday, April 7, 2006 6:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BrownCoat1:
I do think that Joss focusing on creating a quality show instead of the typical Hollywood eye candy is part of why it was not more popular. To me Firefly was visionary, ahead of it's time, and the american viewing public was not ready for it. Viewers today seem to be more interested in T&A, sex, violence, reality tv, and huge explosions then they are witty writing, great chemistry in the cast, relatively unknown actors/actresses, and sci fi.

I think the blending of the sci fi & western genres hurt us a bit too. I personally love westerns, but I am the minority these days. Westerns have been on the decline in popularity since the 70s and let's face it, if it is not Star Wars or Star Trek the general population is not really interested in sci fi. Add the two together & it will chase off all but the most open minded.

Sadly, gotta say you hit the nail on the head. I hardly ever watch anything on TV these days as there's so much rubbish on. I tend to get things on DVD and watch those instead. TV has become something to rot the brain, and what I loved about Firefly was it was clever, WELL WRITTEN and intelligent with a great cast. How often does that happen these days in the cheap and brainless world of reality TV, sex, violence and explosions, car chases and plots that let viewers turn their brains off and coast?

So many good (or promising) shows have been killed off early - Tru Calling, Harsh Realm, Futurama (coming back though, woo-hoo!!) to name but a few of them (and...hmm, all Fox Network....interesting) that I really do worry if there will be a place for good, well made shows any more.

Thankfully we still have Lost, 24, Stargate SG-1/Atlantis and BSG to prove that good shows (IMHO) sometimes make it. But Firefly more than deserves to still be there with them as it was SO VERY good and (IMHO) the best of them all.

- Shiny. Let's be bad guys.

That is not dead which can eternal lie, and with strange aeons even death may die

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