Well, here's a rarity: a TV producer who wants you to watch a show illegally!
At least she's the only one who is admitting in public, that is. Weeds creator Jenji Kohan actually loves the fact that episodes of the new season are available online. In fact, she wishes that the entire season was online already:
"Revenue aside, I don't expect to get rich on 'Weeds.' I'm excited it's out there. Showtime is great, but it's a limited audience...if I had my druthers, the whole thing would be available right now."
This brings up something, though. At what point does a free copy of a TV show become harmful to a network instead of just free publicity? Unlike the other networks, Showtime doesn't have commercials and can probably manage something like this a lot better. The networks have been upset that their new pilots have gotten around, though some are wondering if the networks themselves are doing a lot of it to create buzz about the shows and see what fans think of them.
[via TV Tattle]















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-07-2007 @ 2:43PM
David said...
Good thing I already downloaded the first 4 episodes. :)
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8-07-2007 @ 2:49PM
Allen Mendelsohn said...
Wow, for once my download guilt is assuaged! Such an enlightened philospohy!
But I am sure Showtime is pissed.
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8-07-2007 @ 2:51PM
hub said...
Anybody who uses the word "druthers" is automatically on my awesome list. I'm tired of getting mocked for using it.
I love Weeds, but I damn sure ain't paying for Showtime to watch it. Though Mary Louise Parker is hot enough that if there was no other way, I might just have to.
To be honest, previewing the new Fall shows lets me pick winners and losers nice and early so I don't have to waste time on them later. It's too bad Pushing Daisies is too good to last on network television; it has some potential.
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8-07-2007 @ 3:04PM
Borat said...
4 episodes out of a 10-13 episode season is good way to get people interested. If they do get hooked, they'll want to get Showtime...if not, then there's no loss.
Unfortunately (or fortunately for some ;) ), the people who can download the first 4 leaked episodes can easily download the rest of the episodes without paying a single penny...so I don't really know how it helps Showtime a lot...instead of "leaking" the episodes, they should have released them for free on iTunes, since it attracts the mainstream.
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8-07-2007 @ 3:17PM
David said...
hub I'm doing the same thing with the fall previews. I have downloaded several shows and watched The Sarah Conner show and Reaper, both very entertaining shows. Too bad both will be treated like trash. i have not watched Pushing Daisies yet, but I have downloaded it. I think the networks should release the pilots to new shows to see if people are interested or to gather viewers.
Have you watched the "new" Weeds episode yet hub? Mary Louise Parker, who is wonderful, does a dirty dance on a pool table. :)
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8-07-2007 @ 3:45PM
hub said...
Definitely seen Parker's dance. And while it seemed out of place storywise, I certainly enjoyed it.
I really liked Reaper (though they need to work on the CGI, which I'm sure they will), as well as Chuck and Sarah Connor. Unfortunately, I have a horrible track record with new shows; every one I really like gets axed cause it doesn't have mainstream appeal. And while I generally tend to dislike the mainstream, it does keep shows on TV. God save us from reality TV.
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8-07-2007 @ 4:28PM
khamel said...
damn, only got the first 3. now that i have 'authorization' i'll go get the 4th. theres no way i would have watched californication had i not downloaded the first episode. now i can't wait. sad its only a mini-series.
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8-07-2007 @ 4:30PM
Nathan said...
What a great show. Kind of sucks that I am 4 episodes ahead. Now I will have to wait till show 5.
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8-07-2007 @ 5:49PM
David said...
Californication is a mini-series? i think that is just a cover. There is going to be 12 parts, that's longer than season one of Weeds. I'm sure if the ratings are good they will order another "mini-series", like they did with that terrorist show.
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8-07-2007 @ 5:56PM
David said...
Californication is a miniseries? Never knew that. But I think it will be a series of mini-series. Showtime has that American terrorists or whatever it's called that was a mini-series but then there was a second mini-series. I doubt they will end if if the show gets good ratings.
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8-07-2007 @ 5:57PM
David said...
Stupid comments never work for me, just ignore one of the comments or delete one if you can. :)
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8-07-2007 @ 5:58PM
MacGuffin said...
It's amazing how these shows are showing up "online" even before they air. I, of course, would never download an episode.
This really shows how much the entertainment landscape has changed. The idea of watching a show any time, any where has become a reality, just not yet for the mainstream. Once broadcasters find a way to monetize this and a better distribution method, watch out!
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8-07-2007 @ 11:19PM
David said...
MacGuffin, it is common for the first few shows to be on DVD for preview people to review them, so I think that is how they got out.
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