FOX Leaning Towards Dollhouse Renewal!

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charmingslayer

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The Fox network is just a step away from shaking up its Friday lineup for the 2009-10 season, canning one show and considering a move to a new night for a second.

Let's hit the good news first. Airlock Alpha has learned that Fox is looking to give its struggling "Dollhouse" a second season, to see if it can grow some legs on a new night. Fox had originally intended "Dollhouse" to air Mondays with "24," but Fox instead decided to move "House" to that spot to replace "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles," and to create sort of a genre theme night on Fridays.

The audience for "Dollhouse" are not exactly where Fox had hoped they would be, however, critical reaction to later episodes following its February premiere has grown more positive toward the series as it has had the chance to flesh itself out. Showrunner Joss Whedon had said ahead of its premiere that he had gone back to retool certain aspects of the show, including using a new premiere episode than what was originally planned, eventually canning what would have been the premiere.

The move seems to be an easy one for Fox. While the audience hasn't been as large as expected, it has instead remained stable. It's not a number that Fox uses, but "Dollhouse" carries a BlipNetwork Stability Index Rating of 92.0, better than every other network genre show currently on television outside of "Reaper" on The CW, which has a 94.7. A Stability Index Rating is the comparison of the show's highest overnight rating and its average overnight rating to see how much of its overall audience a show has retained.

Other factors in favor of the show continuing is that it's not as expensive as other Fox shows. Much of its upfront costs, including the construction of the elaborate set that is the dollhouse itself, were covered by funds that normally would've paid for a pilot (no pilot was made for "Dollhouse"). Also, while Whedon's Mutant Enemy Productions and star Eliza Dushku's Boston Diva Productions are tied to the series, 20th Century Fox Television is still the primary production company involved, which means its licensing fee is not as steep as it would be if the show was produced by another studio.

That, along with ratings, is one of the aspects killing "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles." That show is set to end its second season April 10 after a 22-episode run, but its sophomore season has been nothing but a complete struggle.

After a so-so debut on Mondays and never finding its grip after that with audiences, Fox teetered on canceling the show until surprisingly deciding to give it a full-season pickup and moving it to Fridays as a lead-in to "Dollhouse." Rumors were that Warner Bros. Television, which produces the show, slashed its licensing fee to prompt a pickup as a way to help it promote its upcoming "Terminator: Salvation," which premieres May 21.

Once "Salvation" premieres, it seems Warner Bros. will have little use to keep "Sarah Connor" on the air, and likely will not continue to provide a licensing fee discount for a third season. That almost assuredly will allow Fox to make the move it normally would've done before New Year's, and that's cancel the show.

Last year, "Sarah Connor" had the worst Stability Index Rating of all network genre shows, mostly from its inflated series premiere following the National Football League playoffs. This year, it's Stability Index Rating is stronger, but out of 14 network genre show tracked by Airlock Alpha this season, "Sarah Connor" is ranked 13th. Only "Life On Mars" had a worse Stability Index Rating, mostly from its freefall following its move from Thursdays against "Eleventh Hour" to Wednesdays following "Lost."

Of course, none of this has been confirmed by Fox, so it should be treated as any rumor would, meaning information can change, or could even be wrong.

"Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" airs Fridays at 8 p.m. ET on Fox. "Dollhouse" airs Fridays at 9 p.m. ET on Fox.
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Source

Oh my god!
FOX if your listenting PLEASE do it!
not only does it benefit us it benifits you.
 
*Deep voice* This is FOX. I listened, and I heard. Normally I am quite the bitca, but you all seem like nice boys and girls. FOX will give you season 2.
 
C
charmingslayer
Lol. Love your banner :)
H
Harley
[No message]
(What would really be weird would be for Joss to conclude the entire story, tie up all of the loose ends, send everyone hole in a "happily ever after" finale, and THEN Fox make the final decision to renew the show)

It's good news that "Dollhouse has a better shot at renewal. I'll miss "Terminator," though, if it does get canceled. (I wonder if Summer would like to be a doll? She would make a great Foxtrot)
 
Oh, oh, oh.. If only this were true! The arguments in the article sound quite reasonable and convincing, but then, in TV, nothing seems to be reasonable nowadays.

*crosses fingers*
 
Dollhouse is the only reason I watch Fox right now. If they cancel it, well, it's back to other networks. 😉
 
Given that I finally solidified my fan-love with the show with the "Needs" ep, just because it was finally getting to what I thought the show could really aspire to, I would be excited if they renewed it. But the ratings right now... meh. At least they're not as bad as TSCC, but then again, that show has gone off into la la land and it's no wonder the Terminator fans are leaving. Shame, too, because Summer Glau's just kickass, and Lena is trying really hard to rock with subpar material.

So if they renew Dollhouse (which I really feel like they will, just because it doesn't make more sense not to), plus move it to a better night, I can see it being around a while, easy.

Hope it's true!
 
I think they will renew it, I have for awhile.

I've always thought they'd move it's night, theres just to much to loose if it's canceled!

---------- Post added at 07:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:28 PM ----------

charmingslayer agrees: Whats to loose? Just wondering.
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I may just be thinking optimistic, lol!

But I do actually think there could be allot to loose.

After Firefly and Angel some fans were very pissed off, you do it a third time (Buffy didn't count, take came very naturally to an end) and your poking a bear!

Fox also risks the possibility to pissing off Joss, not really that big of a deal, except he's had 2 shows which did very well on their network. 1 that didn't but it's DVD sales and fanbase was enough to get a cinema movie made, not a crappy made for TV or straight to DVD movie, but one that was in cinemas! - a very impressive thing for a tv show that got 13 episodes. You could be totally destroying any chance of him working with Fox again

They may piss of Eliza, she came to Joss with this project, she is a producer and the lead actress, who currently has a deal with Fox to be with them for the next few years, you burn her baby now, it may get not so fun to work with her for the next few years, especially since it seems she's so close to Joss.

They stand to loose allot of money, Dollhouse is gonna do well in DVD sales.

I think at the very least move it around next year, maybe not a full season order, on it's ratings it doesn't deserve that, but another 12 episodes, testing it out on a real night which you can actually judge ratings on. I'd be surprised if they outright canceled it.
 
C
charmingslayer
Whats to loose? Just wondering.
Airam
Airam
I'm with you, I think it'll be renewed too.
Black Eye Guy said:
After Firefly and Angel some fans were very pissed off, you do it a third time (Buffy didn't count, take came very naturally to an end) and your poking a bear!
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And how many people does that include?

Oh right, yeah not enough to give this show the ratings to make it a sure fire hit.

If Dollhouse is cancelled then it will either be replaced with another genre show that people will either watch or won't or a reality show that people will either watch or wont.

If we were talking large numbers, I'm sure Fox would not even consider cancelling but look at the ratings.

Black Eye Guy said:
Fox also risks the possibility to pissing off Joss, not really that big of a deal, except he's had 2 shows which did very well on their network. 1 that didn't but it's DVD sales and fanbase was enough to get a cinema movie made, not a crappy made for TV or straight to DVD movie, but one that was in cinemas! - a very impressive thing for a tv show that got 13 episodes. You could be totally destroying any chance of him working with Fox again
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Joss is not the only person doing TV shows. So what if Joss is pissed off, so far he's got two cancelled shows under his belt and another that has poor ratings - hardly the Holy Grail of TV making.


Black Eye Guy said:
They may piss of Eliza, she came to Joss with this project, she is a producer and the lead actress, who currently has a deal with Fox to be with them for the next few years, you burn her baby now, it may get not so fun to work with her for the next few years, especially since it seems she's so close to Joss.
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Eliza signed to Fox - she isn't gonna cut off her nose to spite her face so if they cancel the show, she'll still work for them.

Black Eye Guy said:
They stand to loose allot of money, Dollhouse is gonna do well in DVD sales.
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Thats only gonna be proven after its been decided if the show will be cancelled or not.

Black Eye Guy said:
I think at the very least move it around next year, maybe not a full season order, on it's ratings it doesn't deserve that, but another 12 episodes, testing it out on a real night which you can actually judge ratings on. I'd be surprised if they outright canceled it.
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Its been given its chance. Its not getting the ratings and OK, its on on a Friday night when people have lives, but to be fair the ratings should be comparative to other shows on that night.
 
I don't see why FOX would renew Dollhouse based on what we've seen. Who knows, maybe the execs have seen a few eps in advanced and the show really picks up, but right now it's just mediocre, deserving the ratings it's gotten. And stacked up against Chuck and Burn Notice (the other two "undercover mission of the week" shows airing right now) Dollhouse is nowhere near as entertaining, imo.

And while I enjoyed "Needs" it really removed all of the character development we've had, and it wasn't much to begin with. It also showcased that Topher, the only source of comedic relief, is a pretty terrible person.
 
Edmund Blackadder said:
And how many people does that include?

Oh right, yeah not enough to give this show the ratings to make it a sure fire hit.
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It's allot, worldwide it's allot. It's enough to turn a show into a movie, enough to turn Buffy into a comic, and enough for the comic buyers to put Dark Horse into the top 10 lists for the first time ever (From what I remember it was the first time, or the first time they had done it reoccurring)

Joss is not the only person doing TV shows. So what if Joss is pissed off, so far he's got two cancelled shows under his belt and another that has poor ratings - hardly the Holy Grail of TV making.
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True hardly the holy grail, but Buffy has been over since what 2003, and we're all still here, and when Joss decides to do a web series we watch it, and when he decides to do dollhouse we all start talking about it, and we get excited about it and we watch it.

So if you don't think they take into consideration that Joss has a loyal fanbase that want more of his work, your crazy.

Eliza signed to Fox - she isn't gonna cut off her nose to spite her face so if they cancel the show, she'll still work for them.
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I didn't say she wouldn't but, it would be allot easier to show you tried to help her show, which she (according to the story from her own mouth) Pitched, stars in and produced.

[QUPTE]Its been given its chance. Its not getting the ratings and OK, its on on a Friday night when people have lives, but to be fair the ratings should be comparative to other shows on that night.[/QUOTE]

No the ratings shouldn't be competitive to whats on, if it's a mistake. Dollhouse is aimed at teens to 30 years old, im assuming.

Who are most likely to be out on a firday night? Same group.

And whats doing excellent on that night and being watched the most, Supernanny. A Show about a women that help out older people with their demon children, who's gonna be home watching a show about that, the people at home with their hellspawn.
 
Black Eye Guy said:
It's allot, worldwide it's allot. It's enough to turn a show into a movie, enough to turn Buffy into a comic, and enough for the comic buyers to put Dark Horse into the top 10 lists for the first time ever (From what I remember it was the first time, or the first time they had done it reoccurring)



True hardly the holy grail, but Buffy has been over since what 2003, and we're all still here, and when Joss decides to do a web series we watch it, and when he decides to do dollhouse we all start talking about it, and we get excited about it and we watch it.

So if you don't think they take into consideration that Joss has a loyal fanbase that want more of his work, your crazy.



I didn't say she wouldn't but, it would be allot easier to show you tried to help her show, which she (according to the story from her own mouth) Pitched, stars in and produced.

[QUPTE]Its been given its chance. Its not getting the ratings and OK, its on on a Friday night when people have lives, but to be fair the ratings should be comparative to other shows on that night.

No the ratings shouldn't be competitive to whats on, if it's a mistake. Dollhouse is aimed at teens to 30 years old, im assuming.

Who are most likely to be out on a firday night? Same group.

And whats doing excellent on that night and being watched the most, Supernanny. A Show about a women that help out older people with their demon children, who's gonna be home watching a show about that, the people at home with their hellspawn.
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I can tell you that FOX cares little about the international audience. Even if in the long-run an international audience can help a show make money, networks don't think that way. FOX cares about their advertisers who help them make money now. And advertisers only care about viewers who can buy their products.

And FOX doesn't really have to worry about pissing off every single Buffy fan either. I love Buffy, Angel, and Firefly, but frankly have found Dollhouse to be mediocre at best. While I wish the best for Joss and Eliza and all the fans in regards to it being renewed, I'm not going to boycott FOX if it gets cancelled. 24 is a FOX show and seven years into it's run, I'm finding it more fresh and entertaining week after week than Dollhouse.
 
It's allot, worldwide it's allot. It's enough to turn a show into a movie, enough to turn Buffy into a comic, and enough for the comic buyers to put Dark Horse into the top 10 lists for the first time ever (From what I remember it was the first time, or the first time they had done it reoccurring)
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Fox TV aren't really interested in the rest of the world though for comics and a movie that only just made enough to warrant it being made, not enough to warrant a sequel.

True hardly the holy grail, but Buffy has been over since what 2003, and we're all still here, and when Joss decides to do a web series we watch it, and when he decides to do dollhouse we all start talking about it, and we get excited about it and we watch it.

So if you don't think they take into consideration that Joss has a loyal fanbase that want more of his work, your crazy.
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Do we watch it?
Cause the ratings are hardly setting the TV schedules alight!

We're still here talking about it, thats fine, but how many of us are there?

Thousands?
Hundreds of thousands?

These numbers don't make for a successful TV show so while the studio will take into account he does have a loyal fanbase, they would be the crazy ones to let it dictate to them anything.

I didn't say she wouldn't but, it would be allot easier to show you tried to help her show, which she (according to the story from her own mouth) Pitched, stars in and produced.
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So because not enough people are watching a show, the business makes a decision to take it off air and not throw more money at it because its not fiscally sound, she's gonna be a diva with the studio and behave like a brat?

OR she's gonna take it on the chin, understand that not everything works and be professional and do whatever is in her best interests?

Hmmm - toughie!

No the ratings shouldn't be competitive to whats on, if it's a mistake. Dollhouse is aimed at teens to 30 years old, im assuming.

Who are most likely to be out on a firday night? Same group.

And whats doing excellent on that night and being watched the most, Supernanny. A Show about a women that help out older people with their demon children, who's gonna be home watching a show about that, the people at home with their hellspawn.
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I said 'comparative' not competitive.

Long ago it was worked out what percentage of the age groups are in are watching TV on a Friday night, its how they sell to the sponsors, so you can take that number and mathmatically work out how well it would do on another night.
Obviously there would be some fluctuations but you can still get a a good idea of when a show will succeed.

You have 10 people watching TV.
2 are under 18
2 are 18 to 30
3 are 31 to 45
2 are 46 to 60
1 is 60+

Your target audience is the 2 at 18-30 and maybe some of the 31-45 years olds.

Your show if getting ratings of 4 out of 10 which on first glance looks bad considering 10 people could be watching.
BUT if you look closer you see that its the 2 from 18-30 and 2 from 31-45.

You're hitting the exact people you aim at.

So while the number might not be high, the demographic, thus the people the sponsors are aiming for, are there so you can comparatively work out that this show is doing fine.
 
I just started watching DOLLHOUSE last week . . . and already I'm hooked. It's like an odd mixture of the 2005 movie, THE ISLAND and the 1975 movie, THE STEPFORD WIVES. Weird. I hope it hangs around for a few more seasons.
 
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