Fans of Dollhouse and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles know that both shows are not pulling in the live ratings that make Fox execs happy. As TSCC approaches the end of its second season (the finale airs April 10) and Dollhouse fails to improve in the ratings, it's time to face an ugly truth: At least one of these shows is probably going bye bye.
Our friends at Airlock Alpha seemed convinced that Fox will renew Dollhouse and dump TSCC. The site claims that lower production costs and good reviews might keep Dollhouse afloat while low ratings coupled with a high licensing fee might sink TSCC.
So will Dollhouse survive while TSCC gets canceled? Or will both shows get yanked?
TV by the Numbers says Dollhouse isn't safe yet. The site claims Fox will not consider renewing the show if it keeps pulling in low ratings among adults 18-49.
I'm not sure what to think at this point. Fox surprised a lot of fans by giving TSCC a full season pickup late last year. While the show's ratings have slipped since its move to Fridays in February, it has been a solid DVR performer. Same goes for Dollhouse.
I'd hate to see either one of these shows get canceled, but I do enjoy one more than the other. I've been a big fan of TSCC since season one. The show delivered a few duds in February, but it's also delivered some of the best and most compelling sci-fi TV of the season. (Watch last week's episode for proof.)
I enjoy Dollhouse, but the show hasn't really come to life the way I hoped it would. I'm more invested in TSCC and its characters – even the ones made out of metal.
Which show do you think might, or should, survive?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
4-07-2009 @ 2:38PM
eugene said...
other sites are confirming the terminator has been terminated:
http://www.fmqinc.com/terminator-cancelled/
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4-07-2009 @ 5:50PM
Ryan said...
By "other sites," you are apparently referring to that single one, which has been linked all over the terminator fan sites for the last week or so. Thus far, there has been no independent confirmation, and that report is generally regarded as a false rumor.
Not to say that T:SCC won't be cancelled, but there has been no reliable news to that effect yet.
4-09-2009 @ 12:23AM
bsgfan2003 said...
They are so very different and I hate to compare them, as I like them both. But, I care about TSCC characters more, and find the acting better on TSCC too.
I really wish we could keep them both.
Also, I there are so many Ryans around these sites, I can figure out whose who anymore.
4-07-2009 @ 2:49PM
Leroy said...
I have to disagree about Dollhouse. Have you watched the last 2 episodes? They are much better than the convoluted mess Terminator has become.
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4-07-2009 @ 3:58PM
Malren said...
That's just INSANE. Terminator isn't even close to a convoluted mess while Dollhouse keeps piling on the "layers of intrigue" that only serve to muddy the waters and confuse everyone and everything.
Are you sure you have your TV on when you're watching these two shows?
4-07-2009 @ 2:56PM
Franklin said...
I believe they'll both get canned, but that's mostly because I watch both and that seems to happen a lot with shows I like.
Personally, I've grown tired of TSCC and enjoy Dollhouse more with each passing episode. I'd like to see TSCC gone to free up Summer Glau to be a new doll on the other show.
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4-07-2009 @ 2:59PM
Ryan said...
I hope they save Dollhouse. It has gotten pretty good the past few episodes. Why it keeps falling in ratings is beyond me. Like how you anyone who saw that episode two weeks ago NOT tune in to last week's episode? The mind boggles.
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4-07-2009 @ 3:02PM
BDUB said...
I have not seen either series (I was hoping to watch Dollhouse on DVD) but there is something that I have been thinking. Don't you think that the Terminator franchise will have ample advertising this summer with the new Terminator movie coming out? I don't know about you but if there was a Batman TV show on this fall I would have watched it because I was riding a Dark Knight wave. I know Salvations won't be as popular as TDK but it will keep Terminator in people's minds all summer. Just a thought.
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4-07-2009 @ 3:20PM
oddworld said...
It's quite possible that TSCC will get a bump thanks to Salvation... but Salvation is hitting in May - TSCC would more likely get a late-fall intro to coincide with the DVD release of Salvation. There's also the sticky question of "what's canon and what's not?" Terminator 3 and TSCC are (somewhat) at odds with regards to what happens to John and Sarah Connor after the end of T2 - this can be partially explained through all the time-travel hijinks, but then you come to the question of "is TSCC real? is the future of the characters we love in TSCC evident in Salvation?" TSCC and Salvation may end up being thematically similar enough that they don't have to perfectly match up, but the idea of a bump in popularity due to the movie is kind of complicated.
4-07-2009 @ 3:02PM
David said...
I think it comes down to the Jeff Zuckerization of television. Are these shows sufficiently profitable (not in ratings, in $$$) to justify their budgets? My gut tells me they're both toast, because they're both expensive to produce.
It's a shame, too, because right now, T:SCC is my favorite show on television. :(
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4-07-2009 @ 3:16PM
Frank J Kuge said...
I watch both Dollhouse and Sarah Conner chronicles with my wife. We love the twists and turns that each show has. I find their simplicity quite refreshing. Sometimes all a person needs is a show that you don't need to do a brainstrain in order to enjoy it. They are simplistic yet surprising in their agenda. Bravo, keep up the good work!
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4-07-2009 @ 7:14PM
Dan said...
I personally think TSCC is gonna get canned because they ratings have been terrible and a lot of the ppl watch it even say it sux. I think Dollhouse still has a chance because I dont think Fox is gonna want to get rid of 2 sci fi shows. I just hope with Prison Break coming back up around the corner, Dollhouse will hop back on the train.
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4-07-2009 @ 3:36PM
mdisloki said...
PLEASE don't start an argument over which show is better or should stay on the air. Both shows are better than 80% of the crap on other nights.
We should all band together and scream until we have no voices left that Friday is one of the best nights of programming on TV at the moment. It would be a huge mistake to cancel either show. They both attract the same audience and interestingly enough they attract the type of people who, if they are going out on a Friday night, will DVR the shows.
PLEASE FOX, RENEW BOTH SHOWS!
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4-07-2009 @ 3:57PM
Liz said...
Pretty sure they will both be cancelled, which sucks because I enjoy them both. I just hope they give us some closure.
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4-07-2009 @ 4:05PM
SM1L3Z said...
if fox cancels TSCC im done with the network after prison break finally ends they have nothing good to offer and i hope they all die if my show gets canceled
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4-07-2009 @ 4:09PM
Cyantre said...
I'd prefer they keep T:SCC and dump Dollhouse.
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4-07-2009 @ 11:46PM
Phish said...
i second that!
4-10-2009 @ 1:12AM
Tom said...
I agree. I'm sullen at the thought of TSCC not getting another season, and even more disheartened that Dollhouse might get picked back up as opposed to saving TSCC. I think FOX should at least give it a chance to get a boost from the new movie this summer.
4-07-2009 @ 4:12PM
Diego M said...
I hope T:SCC survives. pull a family guy with good DVD sales and tie ins with the movie.
i make sure i make plans to leave my house at nine, i don't care much about doll house i DVR that show and it's just not the same maybe it's odd to watch in ot a saturday morning but it's not as good as TSCC. i think it's cuz i hate two of those characters, the mind erasing dude and the firgid ice queen, my dog leaves more personality on the lawn.
anyways, i would like to see them survive but if T:SCC lives at least 6 or 13 more episodes but no dollhouse i'll still be chillin
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4-07-2009 @ 4:23PM
John Heltsley said...
I watch, and love, both shows, but I'd rather they ditch T:SCC over Dollhouse. Not that T:SCC is a bad show, or lesser, but I think I personally find more enjoyment in Dollhouse right now.
That being said, Dollhouse fans, get ready for this to be cancelled. Why? It's a Joss Whedon show, and FOX already fraked him over once. They probably figure he should expect it at this point.
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