I'm a little worried about ABC's thinking behind this latest move. As announced, the remake of the classic '80s mini-series V will launch on November 4th. But now, after four consecutive episodes, it's going on an extended hiatus. The reason, per ABC, is the expected ratings dominance of the Winter Olympics.And though they're announcing the hiatus, they've not yet said when we can expect the show to come back. I hope this doesn't mean there are more problems on the set, like the one that shut down production for two weeks this summer. Regardless of the reason, we've seen countless times that long hiatuses on a new show can kill it.
However, if you think of the original V, it was a couple of mini-series followed by a regular series (best forgotten). So maybe these first four episodes will be written and set up like an epic mini-series with a bang-up ending that will sustain us through the break. I hope it's like that, otherwise they should just push back the entire series to 2010.















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-26-2009 @ 10:05AM
Brian said...
I think if viewers were more consistent in their viewership, then there wouldn't be such situations with regard to broadcasters being consistent broadcasting programs. For example, if viewers behaved in a manner where there were logical blocks of weeks, all year long, where they watched television series consistently, then broadcasters would program broadcast schedules that way. Instead, we have periods of the year were viewers get distracted by holidays, and event programming (like the Olympics). These are realities. Expecting broadcasters to operate as if reality doesn't exist is unreasonable.
An argument could be made that perhaps they should just plan on presenting series in the Fall that are simply nine episodes long. Period. That would fit in the space between when viewers start consistently turning their attention to television again, at the beginning of the fall, through just before when viewers become inconsistent in their viewership, around Thanksgiving. However, then you get people whining about how short the seasons are. Essentially, viewers, not only as a group but remarkably also individual viewers, have diametrically oppositional requirements that they seek to impose on broadcasters. Therefore, it is not surprising that viewers are dissatisfied.
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10-29-2009 @ 1:12PM
Gimpgeek1 said...
Look, Tv series need to be just that; a series. Putting a show on for four episodes, taking it off, then either re-running the episodes before putting new ones on OR having a long wait is ridiculous. I am, possibly, older than many of your bloggers, but I remember when a Tv season lasted over 30 episodes and re-runs were reserved for summer viewing. Is it any wonder the networks are dieing? Also, why re-do "V". How about a new show? Or, if you want a re-boot, why not the short lived but excellent series DARK SKIES?
I rest my case.
9-26-2009 @ 11:44AM
C.J. said...
This reminds me of the disastrous "mini-season" idea that 'Lost' had in Season 3. All we had to sustain us for three long months was "Kate, dammit, run!"
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9-26-2009 @ 11:50AM
Jimmy_MO said...
This makes me worry about the series. CBS tried this with Jericho and it never came back in terms of viewers. As pointed out already ABC tried this with Lost and viewership never returned to previous levels. If ABC is that worried about the series then they should just delay it until midseason and do it right the first time. I hope this isn't ABC getting all stupid about the fact that V is an in-your-face sci-fi series. Given the premise of the original classic, if campy, mini-series there's a lot of potential do something dramatic and exciting like Ron Moore did with Battlestar Galatica (if you forget the final hour of the series finale).
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9-26-2009 @ 12:32PM
IanP said...
When will the networks realize that they should start adopting the models the cable programmers have developed over the last few years? Obviously, its been proven that shorter episode runs, that let us view a complete story arc without interruption are more preferable to viewers than the traditional model. I think this show will get decent ratings and good buzz for a genre show, but this plan will kill it. I've pretty much given up on getting involved with network programs because of idiotic decisions like this. One more post-cancellation DVD set to look forward to owning.
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9-26-2009 @ 12:40PM
CParis said...
TV viewership reached its highest levels for summer this year. That was driven by the cablenets offering new, interesting programming and NOT endless reruns of L&O/CSI or reality show dreck.
9-26-2009 @ 3:12PM
tvod2009 said...
the rumor mill is saying that the series is in the shop for a major overhaul and rewrite. that could account for the hiatus.
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9-26-2009 @ 5:44PM
bowlby4 said...
I was going to give it a try, but with this schedule I probably won't.
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9-26-2009 @ 9:26PM
tv junkie said...
while i think Fall season launch works better than mid-season launch, this whole "pod" format scheduling is a bit worrisome. if they really do intend the first four eps to be like a miniseries, then i guess it's okay...otherwise, i hope ABC knows what they're doing. maybe they want to pair it with Lost, or that other ABC serialized drama Happy Town?
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9-27-2009 @ 1:38AM
Owloo said...
I am a full on OLYMPIC watcher so I like this
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9-27-2009 @ 4:15AM
Attorney Smith said...
This could be that perhaps only be planned in the submission of the series in the autumn are just nine episodes long. Period. That fit into the space between the moment when viewers start their constant attention to television again, at the beginning of the fall through right before viewers become inconsistent in his audience, around Thanksgiving. But then get people complaining about how seasons are short. In essence, viewers not only as a remarkable group of spectators, but also individually, have diametrically opposed needs to try to impose on broadcasters. Therefore, it is not surprising that viewers are not happy.
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9-28-2009 @ 2:27PM
JR said...
Why ABC? Why? Not everyone is glued to their tvs watching Olympic coverage. Especially since NBC does not do a great job in the first place. Bob Costas is not an Olympic athlete.
I like to have options on TV.
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10-29-2009 @ 1:49PM
Brian said...
@Gimpgeek1: Your analysis is faulty. Since you're that old, you must have realized how many OTHER aspects have changed over the years. What you're complaining about is a RESULT OF *those* changes, not the other way around. Viewers have changed not because broadcasters have changed them -- and the opposite is the truth. Broadcasters provide us the CRAP we demand, if that is what we demand.
Perhaps also you forgot all those wonderful series we used to have that essentially were just place-holders for ONE-OFF "series"... stories that lasted one or two or three episodes total.
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11-03-2009 @ 9:26PM
L3! said...
Television is becoming so "On-Demand these days with DVRs and web TV like Hulu and Netflix...viewers being consistent shouldn't be an issue, just DVR it or watch it whenever you want. Plus, I watch most of ABC's series off of their website like most.
What I want to know is why did they cut the last ten minutes of the series for Dancing with the Stars. All that build up for nothing. I know something happened but we didn't get to see it...at least not here in my area of Central NY.
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