Stupid Fox, this probably wouldn't be so tanking so bad if they didn't air it on Fridays. And they need to move Fringe away from Thursdays. Why they moved it in the first place, I'll never know...

Amen.

I don't know anyhting about Dollhouse, never seen as much as a second of it, so I have nothing to really add. But I do have to say every time I see this thread title I crack up a little.

This is the first year where Fox can do really well in sweeps so dumping 3 low-rated shows for a month and repeating two of their best (House/Bones) makes sense for them.

This thing would be tanking no matter what day it was on.

Not that this really surprises me. IMO, Dollhouse , despite all evidence to the contrary, was given a second chance by Fox. While it was not explicitly stated, it could definitely be inferred that they wanted this season to start more like the last season ended with fewer stand-alone/filler eps at the front. They didn't make them that way, so it's getting dumped. Fair enough. It's obvious Whedon didn't expect this show to even come back and isn't 100% into it anymore, so better to let it go away.

I just hope he keeps his tradition of utilizing actors in other roles once something else hits the skids. He needs to take the actor who plays Victor in this one and pair him with Neil Patrick Harris for a Dr. Horrible follow-up.

Fixed.

However, I think it was the strong second half of the first season that led FOX to decide that it was worthy of at least 13 more episodes.

What's your reasoning for this inference? I haven't read anything anywhere that states what FOX's desire for this season is, except that it'd be cheaper.

It's doubtful that FOX would dump a show just because of differences over the format, if such differences existed. FOX was able to push the standalone eps into the first season, so it seems unlikely that they didn't have input on how this season developed. If the show gets dumped, its because of its low ratings.

It's likely that Whedon and cast/crew were at least skeptical of its chances for renewal, hence "Epitaph One." However, I don't see how it's "obvious" that Whedon is less than 100% committed to the show. Is it because a few episodes this season were sub-par?

A Dr. Horrible follow-up is in the works.

Fox is trying to get on Whedons good side right now (renewing Dollhouse, making sure it airs all 13 episodes, allowing him to direct Glee). You'll see why in the next year.

Hmmmm.

The plot thickens.

I don't think it failed because of lack of interest from Whedon. I think it failed because of network interference, Friday time slot, and a general lack of faith in Whedon's vision. There is very little tolerance for shows that don't command good ratings immediately. Not many shows are given a chance to build an audience. Not to say that Dollhouse was a slam dunk every week, because it had some weak episodes, but it really didn't have time to blossom. I think it is finally going to do that, but it will be too late. I am not really sure why season 2 didn't come flying out of the gate with episodes to parallel the end of last season. It seemed to take too long to establish the new direction. However, the serial killer episode really showed me its full potential. My guess is the next few episodes are going to be pretty good, then it will seem like they are just burning them off after November.

I wish they had had this patience with Firefly.

I won't argue with you on that one.

My reasoning is that Fox wanted the eps. to be more up to par, thus attracting more viewers and maybe getting a ratings boost. If you're given a second shot, you need to start strong, not subpar. I agree that a show needs time to find its ground, but unfortunately time and patience is something network execs. don't have.

Again, I'm not saying it was the format, I'm saying it was the quality of the eps. It just so happens that the standalone eps. pale in comparison to the serialized/mythos based ones. Let's face it, this season really hasn't been that great.

Aside from the first one, I would say all the eps. this season have been sub-par with some stand out moments. I guess that what I am getting at is that if you're show is on the chopping block due to low ratings and you're given a second shot, the last thing you need to do is make sub-par eps.

Is "we want the episodes to be good and/or popular" really a unique network desire? However, what I was replying to was your assertion that FOX wanted "fewer stand-alone/filler eps at the front." I don't think there's any evidence as to what FOX wanted plot-wise from this season; namely whether they wanted less stand-alone eps or not. For all we know, FOX may have again expressed a desire for standalones at the beginning of the season to attract new viewers.

Well, that's your opinion. It's unknown what FOX's opinion on the quality of the episodes is. However, it's more likely that the ratings of the show are going to be the deciding factor in whether it continues.

I'm pretty sure they didn't try to make sub-par eps.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but Dollhouse is not even close to Buffy or Angel -- ESPECIALLY season 2 of Buffy.

It is watchable and OK, but I don't find myself in anticipation of the show. I just can't get that interested in the arcs. Perhaps it will be better on DVD where I can watch w/o scanning through commercials and without waiting a week or two for the next ep.

Who the hell changed the title of this thread? The title was great!

Dammit!

here.

[hopeful, yet fully aware of the improbability]

...the return of Firefly

[/hopeful, yet fully aware of the improbability]

Seriously. I'd love to start threads like that for many shows I don't like.

lol @ the thread title change

be realistic... the show could air at any timeslot and it would still suck

they were actually doing it a favor by hiding it on fridays

I do like this show, watch it every week, enjoy all these discussions about it but I just thought it was a very funny thread title, is all.

Damn it Gizmo. Always dropping hints.


Firefly renewal?


jk, but that would be awesome

You know, it seems like anytime a crew member of Serenity shows up on another Whedon series they're up to no good.

Nathan Fillion was a bad guy in Buffy while Ginna Torres was one at the same time on Angel, and then Adam Baldwin was one then next season. Alan Tudyk was obviously bad as Alpha, and in December, judging from the early footage, seems like Summer Glau will be up to no good as well.

Nathan Fillion was the hero in Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog...sorta. Other than that, I think you're right. And while not a crew member of Serenity, Mark Sheppard (who played Badger in Firefly) was kind of a bad guy in Dollhouse insofar as his dealings with Ballard were concerned.

"Faith the Vampire Slayer" would be a good reason for cancelations...