Lots of news coming out of the Television Critics Association press tour, and a lot of it makes you think that NBC is either a.) filled with mad geniuses who are so ahead of the rest of us that we'll all look back in a few years and realize how prescient they were, or b.) they have no idea how to run a network.The latest move that TV fans will be talking about is this: prime time entertainment chief Angela Bromstad says that Day One, the new drama from ex-Heroes producer Jesse Alexander, might only last one season and then be done.
She says "we've always looked at Day One as a big event for us and not necessarily a show that would be an ongoing, returning show for a second season."
TV fans have been up in arms the past few seasons (with all networks, not just NBC) because they'll get invested in a TV show, one with a continuing storyline, and then the show will be canceled. This, of course, is a different thing because NBC is actually telling us that the show might last only one season (though great ratings will change that thinking quickly), but that didn't help shows like Harper's Island, which was also meant to be a 13 episode, one season show from the start (you could probably put Daybreak and Kidnapped on that list too, though they were never announced as one season shows).
So does the fact that Day One might be a one season show make you want to see it more or will you simply assume it's not worth your time if NBC doesn't see a future for it?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-06-2009 @ 5:58PM
RustyDogma said...
Actually, when Prison Break first came out, I thought it was only a one season show. I loved the first season, and actually stopped watching it soon after that... kind of lost its charm for me when they left the prison.
I think that model can work... like an extended mini-series. It just has to be a very strong and engaging storyline.
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8-06-2009 @ 6:07PM
Avi said...
I'd love to see networks try this with more shows. Write a strong first season with a self contained conclusion. If it's a success and there is a logical next step give it a 2nd season, but the ability to have a 2nd season shouldn't be a requirement for making the 1st.
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8-06-2009 @ 6:12PM
Claire said...
The British use that type of model all the time with their shows. The extended mini-series approach works really well. Especially if you have the guarantee that it will last it's allotted amount. Plus it's nice to know the end is coming sometimes...no fear of X-Files fatigue.
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8-06-2009 @ 7:43PM
0megapart!cle said...
If NBC can assure us that the show will last the length of the first season, this won't neccessarily hurt the show. Doesn't sound like that is happening, however.
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8-06-2009 @ 10:26PM
Jimmy said...
Kinda like Reunion. Fox canceled it and, therefore the 22 episode story halted after 13 episodes, making it useless for anyone to continue watching or buy the DVD...
8-06-2009 @ 10:56PM
Jennifer said...
Actually this is very common in Asia, most shows have a fairly concrete end point (though some do drag on and on, and there are always sequels to popular mini-series).
I actually used to think it was weird that shows were expected to continue on and on every year in the US. It's like a never-ending book, at some point they start dragging things out and the quality of the plot and storytelling will degrade. It takes a lot of skill to map out multi-season story arcs and keep things tight and well-paced when you don't know your end-point.
Stars also get to do many more projects and showcase their versatility across roles, which is also a great thing to see.
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8-11-2009 @ 2:34AM
dtwr1701 said...
Either way I think the show's gonna rock... we shall see !
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8-11-2009 @ 6:36PM
ooglethorpe said...
Just goes to show that it's business as usual with NBC(Nothing But Crap). New execs being as weak and non-committal to their creators as the outgoing regime. Pathetic.
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