When I re-watch the show I will make sure to have this by me.
I was thinking the same thing last night, but not just network TV, SyFy has basically cancelled all of its real Sci-fi shows and I don’t hear much about possible sci-fi shows in the future on the pay networks.
But I think it also marked the end of shows with long story-arcs on network TV for a long time, regardless of the genre.
Good news everyone! Fringe was picked up for its 5th and final season, something NO ONE was predicting. I wasn’t sure I was sure this show was going anywhere after most of this season, but its really picked itself up the last few weeks with a terrific flash-forward episode (reminiscent of Dollhouse’s Epitaph episodes) that might hint to the show’s endgame.
I’d like to think that the show having a renewed or more urgent sense of direction convinced Fox to renew the show, but most likely it was as a favor to JJ Abrams in that they couldn’t bring themselves to cancelling both of his shows. Then most people gave Alcatraz a better, though slim, chance of returning than Fringe, so you never know.
Trailer: FRINGE Season 5 | TVbytheNumbers
“Today is the day for which we were created.”
JJ Abrams’ Alcatraz concluded its first season last night. And much like the other Abrams mystery island show, Lost, it raised more questions than answers. The problem is, that this will, by all indications, Alcatraz’s only season, and that was its final episode.
Networks have never been too patient with serialized shows. Especially the traditional broadcast networks. But there was a small window in the early to mid 2000’s where they appeared more willing to try and make one work.
In the last 2 or 3 years, it seems that the serialized shows, heavy with mythology, those that require regular attention, have been the most frequent casualty of cancellation. Abrams first follow-up to Lost, Fringe, will also be cancelled, and its been a miracle its survived this long. Abrams’ Bad Robot company will be left with one mega-hit however, Person of Interest.
What Person of Interest is, is an inversion of the serial. It has a loose mythology, but works best as a weekly procedural. It’s high concept, but doesn’t require high levels of attention. While Alcatraz and ABC’s the River also tried a criminal or monster of the week approach, both also had heavy mythology which may have been why both of those shows had outstanding premieres, and sharp declines as the season went forward.
Part of what helped a show like Lost do so well as it went on was viewers who, inspired by positive word of mouth, were able to catch up on DVD. However, even 2 years later, DVD’s seem antiquated. Most people now watch shows on Netflix Instant, and the revenue just isn’t the same for networks selling the rights to a show and selling physical DVD’s (outstanding DVD sales was a big reason NBC has stayed with Community after its first season, and how Futrama came back from a near decade long hibernation).
Pay channels like HBO can afford to stick with serialized programming, and because they don’t stream on outlets like Netflix, still make money off of DVD sales (see Game of Thrones). While it streams its shows on Netflix, AMC only produces a handful of shows, and still makes a great deal of money off of repeat airings of movies like Batman Begins and The Shawshank Redemption.
What does this mean? It could be that TV, which for the last decade was seen as being less streamlined than ever, has, because of alternative avenues of watching programming, been re-standardized. That once again people are turning on their TV sets as ambiance rather than as a story delivery system. Looking at the top rated shows, scripted comedies have finally caught back up with reality TV shows, but of the most watched shows none require constant attention. Besides, why put up with pesky commercials when you can later watch the whole thing on Netflix or On demand?
This may be promising for Netflix (which expressed, then declined, interest in recently cancelled Fox sci-fi serial Terra Nova)and Comcast’s upcoming venture to streaming TV. It’s most likely not the end of serialized TV, but it may change how producers structure their programming. Shows could be more front-loaded, or begin to adopt a more UK style series approach, where a show does not anticipate a long run, rather a limited run.
Yeah, well maybe if Fox wouldn’t pull it off for 4 weeks at a time, bring it back relatively unannounced, and put it up against major sporting events (remember when they brought it back without telling anyone after the World Series ended a while back?) this wouldn’t happen as much. I mean, I know its a niche show and won’t get major ratings, but Fox hasn’t really handled it as best as they could have.
Fringe returns this Friday. From what I’ve heard this is going to be a key (answers will be given) and rather emotional episode.
Nearly every other show (other than Bones, Glee, Idol, and the New Girl) in the current Fox lineup is on the bubble.
-True Bubble Shows: The River, CSI: Miami, Rules of Engagement, 90210, The Secret Circle, Gossip Girl, Heart of Dixie, Alcatraz, Napoleon Dynamite, Raising Hope, Terra Nova, Whitney, Up All Night.
-Community actually looks safe for two reasons: 1) there are too many other shows on NBC’s chopping block and 2) NBC’s ratings on Thursday have dropped since Community left.
-But don’t relax NBC Thursday fans, 30 Rock is suddenly moving towards bubble territory, though good will can keep it safe another year or two, unless Alec Baldwin leaves. Also, Up All Night seems to be the most divisive show in terms of how safe it is.
-The only chance Fringe has of not being cancelled, is how close it is to the number of episodes to go into syndication.Most likely it’s finished. My question is, can Fox really cancel 2 JJ Abrams series in one year?
-The Winner of this year’s Viva Laughlin! award is the reprehensible Work it! which was cancelled after only 2 episodes. Seriously, who thought that show as a good idea?
TV Promo: Fringe
Not everything is as it seems. FRINGE returns with all-new episodes on Friday, Jan. 13 at 9/8c!
I guess now that the Grammy’s got things right this past year the Emmy’s are now the least relevant award show in the world:
Drama:
Game of Thrones deserved a lot of the technical awards. I’m not sure if was one of the 5 I guess they’re doing 6 now, best dramas, at least not this year. But I’d say it’s miles better than The Walking Dead which got the Golden Globe nod. I thought maybe The Killing would get in.
Is Boardwalk Empire any good? It seems like they did 5 episodes and HBO never shows any of them.
First snub: Treme. It’s not The Wire, but nothing is. Of the many Best show’s you’re not watching it’s one of the best.
Great to see Peter Dinklage getting the nomination, I’ve said it before I think he does the best acting on that show. But once again John Noble for Fringe seriously got screwed!!!!!
Seriously, in any role, any part, if you take into account what he does, he’s the best actor on TV. I guess the Emmy’s don’t like Sci-fi & related genres unless its on HBO or AMC. Because I think two of the best performances on TV the last ten years were in sci-fi shows: Mary McDonnel on BSG and John Noble on Fringe (and Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad (btw, Breaking Bad was off this last year, thus no nominations)). You could also ask why Edward James Olmos never got nominated too, but that was years ago so I need to start letting go.
Why only 5 Supporting Actress’ in a Drama? They couldn’t find 1 more? I can think of one: Sharon Gless from Burn Notice!!!!
Was Falling Skies not eligible?
Comedy:
Community!!!!!!!! Best comedy on TV. Not nominated. Louie, one of the top 3 comedies on TV! Not nominated. Seriously, is Glee a better comedy? How many people actually find themselves laughing during Glee? And Big Bang Theory? Why? If you’re going with a CBS comedy with a laugh track How I met Your Mother is your only real choice (Shawn)!!!!!
Can we all stop pretending Alec Baldwin actually acts on 30 Rock. Same with Tina Fey. I love them, but they’re not really actors. It was nice the first year, but this far along, come on!
No NPH? No Nick Offerman!?!?!?? No Rob Lowe!?!?!
All Emmy voters should have this picture in their office reminding them of what they just did.
I guess the Big C is a comedy? It’s really a great Dramedy. Should have a Best Comedy or Drama nod.
Miniseries/Movies: Ah, who cares.
Wait! Carlos wasn’t nominated in the major category but it was in everything else. How!?!?
Other:
Kudos to Maurice LaMarche for VO work in Futurama!!
Congrats to Adventure Time for Best Short Form Animated!!!
Congrats to Futurama on best Animated series!
Congrats to Old Spice for best Commercial (that’s a category?)If this doesn’t win it will be the biggest injustice in Emmy history.
Congrats to Degrassi for best Children’s Program…wait, what, who lets their children watch that?!?
Congrats to 30 for 30 for best documentary series
FromMetacritic who looked at 6 “experts” predictions.
Here are the shows that need your help and are worth saving. From what I’ve read and from the patterns each network has shown I’ve made my own % determining the show’s possibility.
BOBS BURGERS, Sunday, FOX Chance of cancellation: 60%
The Funniest animated show on Fox on Sundays. The problem is it’s not Seth McFarlane comedy that gets the young male viewership. It may be too quirky for Fox which has a horrible track record with quirky comedies, and Fox may want to try another Family Guy-type series in its place.
FRINGE, Friday, FOX Chance of cancellation: 50%
It’s been on this list each of its 3 seasons so far. It’s expensive, but it’s been doing much better with young males on Friday night. I’m thinking that Fox may try and have it both ways and give it half a season next year.
TRAFFIC LIGHT, Tuesday, FOX Chance of cancellation: 90%
A fresh comedy with British sensibilities; but having no stars and no promotion has sealed its fate. Fox has little patience with comedies like this.
THE GOOD WIFE, Tuesday CBS Chance of cancellation: 30%
One of the best Drama’s on TV but despite its critical acclaim it just doesn’t get the ratings the network thinks it should. I’m pretty sure it will be renewed but next season will be key for its long-term survival.
COMMUNITY, Thursday, NBC Chance of cancellation: 25%
The best show on TV period is maybe getting the buzz and word of mouth it needs. And with Outsourced on its way out (hopefully) maybe NBC can put this in a better time slot. The only fear is if NBC decides to change it’s comedy block on Thursday, but I’m not sure what they’d replace it with.
