It's not too early to save Joss Whedon's 'Dollhouse'

emmapeel Wed, Jun 4, 2008 at 07:59 PM EST

Remembering what FOX did to the best tv series EVER - FIREFLY - its just a logical consequence that fans want to avoid the same situation all over again. Of course its kinda strange, as the first episode has even been aired yet - but I think in todays world, where interests of people come and go from one day to another, its great to see that people can actually be passionate about something, even if its just about a damn tv show - it proves people are still alive.

...and you all remember:

YOU CAN`T STOP THE SIGNAL !

Jeff Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 02:44 PM EST

It's almost like they're not confident this will be a good show. I was a huge Buffy/Angel fan and I liked "Firefly" just fine, but never felt like it had the same emotional punch that Whedon's other work did. However, I paid my money to see "Serenity" like the rest of the fans. This pre-save-the-show-party is kind of interesting in that it's unprecedented, but it could be something that can lead to over-hyping of something that may find its own cult following. I would love to say that if a show is good, it will survive, but we all know that isn't true. It would just be nice if it were.

K Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 02:38 PM EST

Jonas -- but how could people know it's worth watching if they haven't seen it yet? I think Dollhouse is going to be amazing...I'm telling everyone I know that I'm excited for it. But how can I campaign for it before I've seen it? It just makes the whole thing lack integrity.

Ames Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 02:21 PM EST

Well, I'm glad Dollhouse seems to be OK. I actually never watched Firefly when it was on TV since before it even aired Fox was threatening to cancel it. Why do networks even bother to show a pilot they do not want to support?

wg Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 01:50 PM EST

As someone who worshipped and adored Buffy, but couldn't stand Angel or Firefly and thought Eliza's last show Tru Calling was too boring to watch, Dollhouse is still THE new show of the season for me. I'm also curious about Fringe and the two remakes of British shows (Life on Mars and The Eleventh Hour), and I'm sending lots of pixie dust to the delightful Pushing Daisies in hopes that it will continue to fly. But oh, my poor dear lost in limbo Blood Ties, we hardly knew ye. :(

Jonas Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 12:35 PM EST

I don't understand why people are saying that this will only hurt the show in the long run. Fans are campaigning for this show BECAUSE the television industry is so fragile right now and they believe that this show is a must-see and does not belong in the GREAT-BUT-CANCELED category. They're not stating that it's a show that should be canceled, they're stating that the show shouldn't be canceled because it's worth watching.

fab Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 12:24 PM EST

I really have nothing to contribute to this discussion, other than to say that this photo of Eliza Dushku is absolutely stunning!!

Lady K Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 11:04 AM EST

Really looking forward to Dollhouse. I am a huge fan of Firefly, Buffy, and Angel. As for which shows I am fighting for, I am a part of the campaign to bring back Moonlight!! I am calling, e-mailing, snail mailing, and campaigning like mad to get Moonlight picked up somewhere else. We are a Tribe and we are determined!!! We want our Moonlight!! As far how far I will go to save a show that I love, please see above but note, we have only begun the fight! Personally, I am looking forward to the moment that The Ex-List bites the dust trying to fill Moonlight's timeslot. Goodness knows I won't be watching any CBS shows again, ever! Vampire solidarity... rah, rah, rah!

K Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 10:06 AM EST

This is coming from a huge Whedonite, and someone really excited for Dollhouse...

but this seems a bit premature. I understand the impulse to want to prevent cancellation, but I think this sends a message that the show is in trouble...those ensuring that many out there will have the "I won't watch because it'll just get cancelled" attitude. It also takes away credibility from the very people that are obsessing about the show, because they are judging it worthy of "saving" without ever having seen an episode. So while I do agree with the sentiment...that Fox has cancelled one too many great shows, I just feel this sort of thing can do more harm than good.

Unless this tactic results in an enormous amount of press for the show (both, I feel, are unlikely), or actually does impact ratings, I think it could only hurt the chances of the show.

mark in nyc Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 09:53 AM EST

while I think it is a bit early to save a show that has not yet been on....I think it is safe to paraphrase when I say "no one has ever gone broke overestimating the stupidity of TV executives"
Seriously, if you have an IQ of an average adult you are not in the TV buisness.
So start saving your shows now!

miora Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 07:45 AM EST

There is a new exec in charge of FOX, that's true. It's also true that there will be a dearth of new programming due to the strike. This all seems to point towards success for the show, right? It all does point towards success. BUT, this is FOX and regardless of new management it does have a reputation for killing shows in infancy. FOX did treat Firefly very shabbily. So if fans are trying to pump people up, which is how I see this group of fans, what's so wrong about that? As for Whedon's ego, I have no idea which show you are claiming was ruined because of it. When Buffy left WB for UPN, the show deserved the extra money. I mean the show was one of the big reasons that the WB had success in its early years. With Angel, I seem to recall that the WB was going to launch a re-imagining of Dark Shadows and didn't want competition for it, again not the man. Firefly...well that's been well established as not his fault. Anyway, in January...I'll be watching!

Nix Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 07:35 AM EST

Ah, but CSI and its misbegotten procedural ilk have never been rated highly (except in the ratings), so they cannot be overrated. Whedon is often professed by fans to be the greatest storyteller since Shakespeare. He isn't. He is a competent TV writer with a particular ouevre and a thing for superstrong young girls.

elly Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 07:17 AM EST

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.

elly Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 07:16 AM EST

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.

bren Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 12:10 AM EST

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.

Steven D Sun, Jun 1, 2008 at 11:39 PM EST

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!

Tommy Marx Sun, Jun 1, 2008 at 12:51 PM EST

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.

Why oh why Sun, Jun 1, 2008 at 12:16 PM EST

I'm looking forward to Dollhouse (being a big fan of Angel/Buffy), but those fans are crazy.

Sun, Jun 1, 2008 at 11:08 AM EST

I would like to see FOX continue "New Amsterdam."

Kelsey Sun, Jun 1, 2008 at 12:05 AM EST

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.

diane Sat, May 31, 2008 at 10:14 PM EST

It's Joss and he's been able to add "his" people to the cast. Of course it's going to be good.

common sensse Sat, May 31, 2008 at 09:58 PM EST

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.

Mary Sat, May 31, 2008 at 02:07 PM EST

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.

Conn!e Sat, May 31, 2008 at 01:13 PM EST

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!

Rahul Sat, May 31, 2008 at 12:59 PM EST

If Whedon's shows are having trouble finding network-demand size audiences, maybe he should go to cable (F/X, Sci-Fi).

Zandra Sat, May 31, 2008 at 12:25 PM EST

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.

Ben Sat, May 31, 2008 at 08:31 AM EST

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.

Meredith44 Sat, May 31, 2008 at 07:58 AM EST

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.

mjade27 Sat, May 31, 2008 at 07:26 AM EST

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!

peaches Sat, May 31, 2008 at 03:31 AM EST

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.

Luis PJ Sat, May 31, 2008 at 02:36 AM EST

I say this more of a preemptive strike then a campaining, but what do I know

ewanspotter Sat, May 31, 2008 at 02:12 AM EST

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.

carr Sat, May 31, 2008 at 01:19 AM EST

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.

Rob Grizzly Fri, May 30, 2008 at 11:18 PM EST

A lot of good points. But if these superfans start getting on people's nerves, there may be a backlash.

The One True b!X Fri, May 30, 2008 at 10:42 PM EST

"Is this a case of super-fandom gone a tad super-crazy?"

Yes.

Jane Fri, May 30, 2008 at 10:22 PM EST

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.

Jame Scholl Fri, May 30, 2008 at 09:44 PM EST

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."

Chandra Fri, May 30, 2008 at 09:01 PM EST

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.

Angela Fri, May 30, 2008 at 08:07 PM EST

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.

Bruce in NC Fri, May 30, 2008 at 07:59 PM EST

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!"

hanncoll Fri, May 30, 2008 at 07:39 PM EST

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.

Chandra Fri, May 30, 2008 at 07:02 PM EST

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.