She saved John Connor, but can she boost the ratings for another struggling Fox sci-fi show?Former Terminator fembot Summer Glau joins Joss Wheodn's Dollhouse on Oct. 30 for a recurring stint as Bennett, a programmer who shares a past with Eliza Dushku's Echo. During last week's episode of Dollhouse, the network hyped Glau's upcoming appearance with a special promo promising, "In three weeks, Sumer Glau joins the cast of Dollhouse!" I could be wrong, but it seemed like Fox was banking on Glau's star power to get more people to watch the show. Sadly, I don't think that's gonna happen.
I love Summer Glau. I was a big fan of TSCC and Firefly, and I'm eagerly anticipating her appearance on Dollhouse. I'm sure Whedon has crafted an interesting character for Glau, and I'm sure she'll be part of a compelling arc that will fold nicely into the Dollhouse mythology. But I doubt she'll be able to attract a ton of new viewers.
Glau couldn't save her own show, and Dollhouse isn't exactly designed to be a hit. The show works best when it's diving head-first into its complicated mythology ("Epitaph One") and when it's exploring the troubling implications of the Dollhouse itself – in this world, the rich and powerful can have dominion over people's bodies and minds while grabbing at their soul. It's definitely not easily digestible TV comfort food like NCIS or Dancing with the Stars, two of the highest-rated shows on the air.
Fox recently promised to honor the 13-ep commitment it made to Dollhouse. Still, the show probably won't be able to attract enough new viewers to keep it on the air for long, Summer or no Summer. It's a shame. Last week's ep was great, and it feels like the show is really starting to return to form. Let's hope the network learns how to count those DVR numbers.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-13-2009 @ 3:14PM
beergas said...
Yep, agreed. As much a fan of Glau after Terminator role she isn't on my follow me list. Nor is Dollhouse itself. But if she popped up in some more interesting fare, crime drama, even comedy appearance like a few spots of Big Bang or such then I'd be pleased to see her acting.
No idea of her future range or staying power from a narrow fan base right now.
Thanks for the heads up on interesting player.
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10-13-2009 @ 5:32PM
Frantic Monkey said...
Acting range on Big Bang. Oh Jesus, please. That's a lowest common denominator sitcom if ever there was one.
10-13-2009 @ 2:35PM
Mark said...
Yeah, just like she saved Firefly and Terminator...
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10-13-2009 @ 8:24PM
Ryan said...
She also played recurring guest roles on The 4400 and The Unit. Not quite Ted McGinley territory yet, but...
10-13-2009 @ 3:24PM
Doubting Thomas said...
I disagree with your opinion of Glau (I think she's truly terrible), but I agree with your opinion of her drawing power. She MIGHT add a couple of hundred thousand viewers, but that far below the million or so the show needs to get a back nine, much less a third season.
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10-13-2009 @ 4:33PM
Sandee said...
Send Dollhouse to SyFy and place it on the summer schedule right after Warehouse 13......
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10-13-2009 @ 4:34PM
Hank said...
She can save me from bachelorhood anytime...
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10-13-2009 @ 5:32PM
Frantic Monkey said...
Nothing can save Dollhouse. As much improvement as the show has shown so far this season, we all know that the execs at Fox are dumb as all hell. And disloyal to boot. Dollhouse isn't getting a back nine order or being picked up for a 3rd season. I'm confident they'd have canned Fringe at the end of last season if it'd been from anyone other than JJ Abrams.
http://hollywoodhubbub.com
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10-13-2009 @ 5:32PM
Cray said...
I think Summer Glau has more appeal than Eliza Dushku, so I think its going help the ratings a bit. But it's still a show that just doesn't have the meat to survive on a major broadcast station. It's like the premise just glosses over the whole premise of the show for a few money shots of Dushku and quirky Wheddonism. I'm sorry but it's just not enough to keep me interested.
I can't help to wonder if this show would've been better served as HBO, SHOWTIME or even CINEMAX program.
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10-14-2009 @ 8:56AM
Prhime said...
Glau and Whendon cant save it. Dollhouse will be destined to fail unless they bring something interesting other than terminator-surrogates offspring of a story line.
if they expedited the whole "i remember who i am" thing with Echo (great name now as it somewhat plays on her growing but faint memory of her past) sooner it may have worked.
I also agree with the above comment on Fringe. You don't cancel Abrams, he cancels you (at least until his star power decreases..if at all).
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10-14-2009 @ 8:58AM
rehabber said...
I will stick with Dollhouse because of Joss, but still think the show would have been better with Amy Acker as the star. Eliza is just to wooden in her acting? style. This year is much better than last year, the first 5 eps were just awful and I had to fight to stay with it. Glad I did.
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10-14-2009 @ 9:06AM
Galley said...
If those idiots at Fox had any sense at all, they would give Summer Glau her own network.
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10-14-2009 @ 9:33AM
rehabber said...
I am just happy Fox is going to let us have all 13 eps. Still have not forgiven them over Firefly, but different people in charge now and want to say a big THANK YOU FOX.
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10-14-2009 @ 9:54AM
Karen said...
Why, why, WHY couldn't we have had these patient, forgiving "suits" at Fox when FIREFLY was airing? That show was so much more engaging than Dollhouse - and this retroactive supportive-ness they're trying to give Whedon is too darn late! Can't get Firefly back; and don't care much what happens to Dollhouse - It's like the fire department charging in with sirens blaring - a week AFTER the house burns down. And now Dollhouse's general crappiness is gonna drain away all the good will and leeway the PTB were FINALLY willing to give Joss, the one and only time in his career it's not neccesary or deserved.
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10-14-2009 @ 12:04PM
Doubting Thomas said...
Because Firefly was boring, unoriginal rubbish with a poor cast spouting cheesey dialouge maybe?
Dollhouse isn't great, but it has a better cast and more original if not wonderfully executed premise.
10-16-2009 @ 5:51PM
niite said...
Haven't been a dollhouse fan, but I can guarantee I'll be watching starting Oct 30. Summer rocks!
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10-31-2009 @ 12:14PM
Alee Baigi said...
Glau cant act. end of. They should hire someone with more looks and talent to save dollhouse.
Thank God fox will be canceling the show
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