If you are an avid Joss Whedonite, you’ve probably already heard this news, soeither bear with me or skip to the third graph. If not: Given the cautionary example of thecancellation of Whedon’s cult-fave Firefly series, among other ill-fated genre shows past,fans have united to save the sci-fi/fantasy guru’s Dollhouse (starring Eliza Dushku, pictured). According to Wired.com,DollhouseForums.com is leading a campaign to "urge followers toorganize viewing parties, watch the trailers online, buy Dollhouse-endorsed merch and create more fan sites."One poster, ultamatt, even suggests making "little cardboard dollhousesand set them up all around towns…. A viral marketing campaign that gets peoplethinking "WTF are all the dollhouses for?" All well and good, save one small detail: The show hasn’t failed yet. Dollhouse isn’t set to air for anothereight months.
Is this a case of super-fandom gone a tad super-crazy? Or in aworld where presidential candidates battle it out for the nomination for more than a year,is there no such thing as revving up a campaign too soon? Personally, I thinkit’s a little silly, especially in light of the fact that Dollhouse seems builtto last — Wired claims the show was greenlit even before the pilot was shot, andseveral other sites are reporting that the seven-show season was upped to 13. And as filmjunk.com points out, why not wait to see ifDollhouse is actually a show worth fighting for?
Assuming Dollhouse is sturdy, what fall network shows are youhoping get nixed? Which ones are you fighting for? And how far would you go (shortof physical harm to network execs) to save a show that you love?
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First of all, since it is airing on FOX, it is never to early to try and save a show. I don’t know of any network that destroys so many shows by poor promotion or constantly moving around the day that it airs on.
I have yet to see watch or read anything of Whedon’s that I didn’t find to be of the highest caliber. So I think it is okay to get started before we see the actual show.
Whedon fans are fanatical (with good reason) so I am glad that people are trying to make sure the Dollhouse lasts.
why not wait to see if Dollhouse is actually a show worth fighting for?
It’s a Joss Whedon show. That’s all I need to know to decide it’s worth fighting for.
I’m still angry about Drive being cancelled. Admittedly, April was a terrible time to start a series like that. I look forward to Dollhouse but I just don’t trust America to watch it in large numbers.
“Prove me wrong kids. Prove me wrong!”
I adored Buffy to the point of obsession. I was indifferent to Firefly – I never even bothered to see Serenity. It’s nice that people love and appreciate the worlds that Joss Whedon has created, but COME ON. Trying to save a show that has never aired? Who knows if it’s any good or worth the effort? Dollhouse might prove be the best show in the history of the world. It has an equal chance of being so bad that it both sucks and blows. Seriously, the sun does not shine out of Joss Whedon’s ass. This kind of silliness makes me weep for fandom in general.
I don’t see how someone can say it has equal chance of being good and being bad. Like it is just a flip of a coin? I love all of Whedon’s stuff so obviously I have the same taste as him, and thus am pretty positive I will love this.
Once a show is canceled it is too late to save it, that is why people start early. If it really sucks then it will be canceled because only his most rabid fans will stick with it.
Seriously, if I find him to be gifted in his craft why is is so silly to believe he will continue to churn out the same level of work. Joss doesn’t get the credit he deserves and it gets infuriating after awhile, so people are trying to avoid the heartbreak. Just because you don’t agree doesn’t mean you should demean them.
From their first good series (Brisco County, Jr.) to their latest (New Amsterdam), Fox has always shown a willingness to kill an intelligent, well-written show and replace it with something that demonstrates their severe underestimation of the viewing public. Any time I see something really intriguing on Fox, the first words that come to mind are, “Great. But doomed.”
I too am worried about Dollhouse’s chances on Fox, which is quick to reject many poorly-rated, high-quality series. However, Kevin Reilly is now in charge and he’s the genius who nurtured My Name Is Earl and The Office, along with other good shows on NBC. He has proven that he has patience and is willing to let audiences catch on to a show. Because its Whedon, I’m sure he’s going to give the show every chance that he can.
“Is this a case of super-fandom gone a tad super-crazy?”
Yes.
A lot of good points. But if these superfans start getting on people’s nerves, there may be a backlash.
Fox does kill shows. but….(and this said as a whedon fan)…you can’t save a show before it airs. the show might be horrible. it might be great…but it might just not be all that good. we just don’t know. and if it is really bad…it’s almost like putting all whedon fans and even him in a bad light. dont think thats a good thing.
Crazy? Maybe. But well-intended I guess. In the end though, I fear FOX: THE SHOW KILLER is going to gobble this Sci-Fiian up, just like the dozens of others in the past few years.
I say this more of a preemptive strike then a campaining, but what do I know
With the sheer lack of original programs coming to television this year, Dollhouse might just have a chance! Hopefully, FOX doesn’t flush it down the drain after two episodes.
Kinda afraid to even start watching this or “Fringe”, based on FOX’s track record. I’ve been avoiding them since they dumped “Firefly.”
Also, still smarting from the burn of CBS canceling “Moonlight.”
It is getting harder and harder to want to invest in watching new shows on the “major” networks, since their chance of survival is so low. And, yes, I know they don’t stand a chance if no one watches to begin with, but it doesn’t seem that I am being counted as a viewer anyway, based on the current ratings system.
BTW – Someone bring back “Moonlight”!
Vampire Solidarity. RAH! RAH! RAH!
I have to say, that this sort of thing could potentially backlash. I am a casual fan, and seeing this kind of rabid campaigning before a show even starts is turning me off to wanting to try the show. I want to watch a show, not a cult.
I make my opinion up about shows based on the shows themselves, not who makes them. (I didn’t like Buffy, liked Angel but don’t understand all of the fuss, and own Firefly on DVD, but never campaigned for the show or anything.)
As of now, I’m planning to watch the pilot episode and seeing if I like the premise; however, part of the fun for me with a lot of shows is interacting with people in fandom, and if fandom seems like it is going to be crazy obsessed, I may have to rethink my plan.
I think the networks listen to campaigning only in giving the show a last year and a bad time slot like with Star Trek, Enterprise, Jericho, etc etc
Personally, I don’t like Whedon’s shows, so I won’t be watching or trying to save it.
I’m a Whedon fan and I a Sorkin fan. I was so excited before “Studio 60″ started just because it was Sorkin making it. And it was his devoted fans who were most disappointed. I think Joss is brilliant, but I’m going to wait and see. After all, George Lucas made a movie about a duck. Great artists can make mistakes. I love the sound of Dollhouse and feel good about it, but I won’t be a fan until I see it.
If Whedon’s shows are having trouble finding network-demand size audiences, maybe he should go to cable (F/X, Sci-Fi).
I still don’t understand all of this backlash… why aren’t more fans supporting other fans SUPPORTING the show? It’s insane. Beggars can’t be choosers. Lost was fortunate to have a similar campaign (although this one seems more aimed at just promoting the show as much as possible… not “saving” it) and it worked out amazingly!
CHOOSE YOUR BATTLES!
I agree with Conn!e, where is the support? Does anyone honestly believe there will be a ‘backlash’? Do you think you will be accosted in the streets by rabid fans shoving doll houses at you? Or they will pay for commercials and inundate the airwaves?
What they will do is get their friends and other Whedon fans to watch it, and maybe put up signs in appropriate places. My mom likes all of Whedon’s shows but without me telling her about this one she wouldn’t know to watch. It is more about getting the word out than anything else.
So stop over exaggerating what is going on here.
Wait until the show airs, then decide if you want it to be ’saved.’ Personally, I’ve never found Joss Whedon’s shows to be any good. I think they’re all extremely overrated and boring. So to everyone wasting your time trying to save a show that hasn’t even aired yet, GET A LIFE.
It’s Joss and he’s been able to add “his” people to the cast. Of course it’s going to be good.
Fox never gave “Firefly” a real chance. It refused to show the pilot (until after it was cancelled) and did not show the eposides in chronological order. (Isn’t it interesting how many people LOVE “Firefly” when they watch the eposides in order?) Fox killed “Firefly” before it even started. I think it is great that Whedon fans are rallying around “Dollhouse”. rallying to make save “Dollhouse.” Hopefully, if enough people show interest early on, Fox will understand that people want to watch the real Joss Whedon and not the Fox’s version of him.
I would like to see FOX continue “New Amsterdam.”
I’m looking forward to Dollhouse (being a big fan of Angel/Buffy), but those fans are crazy.
I think it’s a fantastic idea. If ad campaigns for movies can start a year before the film is released, why not talk up Dollhouse? As for those people who don’t like Joss Whedon, I’ve never been a fan of CSI or Law & Order or any of those other procedurals, yet you don’t hear me talking about how overrated and boring they are. I’m smart enough to realize that just because a show doesn’t appeal to me doesn’t make it bad, it just makes it a show that doesn’t appeal to me. If you think it’s silly to promote a show that hasn’t aired yet, then don’t. But don’t put down other people who have seen good shows cancelled again and again (I’m not the only one who still mourns the loss of My So-Called Life) just because they want to try and prevent it from happening yet again. Thanks.
WAY TO GO TOMMY! That is exactly what I was thinking. More power to anyone who is putting effort towards supporting their favorite writer’s new show. Those fans are not hurting anybody, and when the show succeeds they may be singing their praises.
If fans don’t want anything to do with this idea, don’t bash it. After all, I don’t think they’re all bashing you and calling you lazy or something. Have some respect for your fellow fans!
I loved Buffy and Angel. I was devoted to those shows and own every season. Eliza is an awesome actress and shes so cute i have no idea what this show is about but i will watch and decide for myself. I don’t know which show should be cancelled but I love Prison Break and Bones. Yes PB got kinda lame for a while but they’ll fix it, and Bones well nothing Boreanaz does is wrong. I don’t know what I’ll do if these shows get cancelled but ask again if they do cause I remember the “save Angel” campain.
yeah, whedon makes good shows. can’t deny that – i own angel and firefly and enjoy them thoroughly. but it must be recognized that cancellations of his shows are primarily related to the man’s ego, especially in the area of him making demands to networks when his shows don’t pull in sufficient ratings for him to have the power to make such demands. his biggest enemy isn’t studio execs, its his own rampant sense of self-importance and desire for full control.
i really don’t think this fan campaign for a not-yet-aired show will do anything – people *promising* to watch doesn’t mean squat.
yeah, whedon makes good shows. can’t deny that – i own angel and firefly and enjoy them thoroughly. but it must be recognized that cancellations of his shows are primarily related to the man’s ego, especially in the area of him making demands to networks when his shows don’t pull in sufficient ratings for him to have the power to make such demands. his biggest enemy isn’t studio execs, its his own rampant sense of self-importance and desire for full control.
i really don’t think this fan campaign for a not-yet-aired show will do anything – people *promising* to watch doesn’t mean squat.