Follow @DaytimeRoyalty
| Hello, soap fans -- and welcome to Daytime Royalty! For those unfamiliar, we are an uncensored community for fans and lovers of the daytime genre. We have a no-holds-barred atmosphere in regards to the shows, writers, actors etc. but we do not allow member suffering succotash in any form. You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. Join our community! If you're already a member, please log in to your account to access all of our features. |
- Pages:
- 1
- 2
| 'Lone Star' Canceled! | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: Sep 21 2010, 11:33 PM (1,922 Views) | |
| Nubia | Sep 21 2010, 11:33 PM Post #1 |
![]()
The Queen
![]()
|
'Lone Star' faces cancellation after one episode Pilot drew dreadful ratings despite critical acclaim By Andrew Wallenstein Now 20th Century Fox can claim to have produced both a Death Star and a dead "Star." That the Fox drama "Lone Star" is on death watch is no surprise after its disastrous debut Monday, the first night of the fall TV season. But unlike most series that experience television's ultimate indignity -- cancellation after one episode -- "Star" isn't being ushered out of existence to schadenfreude-fueled peals of laughter in the industry. That's because unlike most shows consigned to the one-and-done club, the "Star" pilot drew critical acclaim and stood out from the pack of new pilots for being something different than the increasing glut of procedural hours. "No one in TV should be happy about this," said one agent who reps a writer on "Star." "This is going to have a chilling effect on networks taking chances on anything but cookie-cutter shows." Though flameouts are a ho-hum occurrence in the TV world, the demise of "Star" was dramatic enough to send shudders and winces in an industry hoping it will be more an anomaly than an omen. Though Fox declined comment, it's possible the network is delaying the announcement of a formal decision, perhaps waiting for the cover that will be provided today by its announcement of the "American Idol" judges. That "Star" will be canceled is being treated in industry circles as fait accompli, a matter of if, not when. Tellingly, while most underwhelming TV debuts are often followed by entreaties from counter-spinning execs magnifying glimmers of hope in the ratings data -- "did you see that uptick in the last quarter-hour among women 25-34?" -- the back-channel phone calls were silent from network and studio execs. That's because the ratings for "Star" were so bad that there was no silver lining to find on this mushroom cloud. The 4.1 million total viewers who showed up was a shockingly low number, especially given it had a strong lead-in from the season premiere of "House," from which its audience tumbled 68%. "Those are Friday night numbers on a Monday night premiere," said Brad Adgate, a veteran TV analyst with Horizon Media. "That's a nice cable audience." Rejection came swift if the quarter-hour numbers are any indication. The final quarter-hour of "House" notched an audience of 11.5 million, which scattered instantly; by 9:15, the viewership had more than halved to 5.1 million, and successive drops registered until 3.3 million by "Star's" final quarter-hour. The free-fall undoubtedly has a lot to do with how competitive the Monday 9 p.m. slot was, between the second hour of the season premiere of "Dancing With the Stars," the season premiere of "Two and a Half Men" and "Monday Night Football" on ESPN. But that didn't impact in the same time slot another series premiere of NBC's "The Event," which was clearly the preferred new flavor of the night. That another new show could thrive in such a tough climate means there may be more to the implosion of "Star." For one thing, the very attributes that drew raves from reviewers -- Metacritic scored it at a healthy 73 -- might have repelled viewers. "Lone Star" A chronicle of a con man juggling two unwitting women, "Star" may have been hurt by its very originality, the way it didn't fit the usual molds that hourlong dramas can come in. With its Texas setting, handsome cast and corporate intrigue, Fox seemed to be selling it as something of a "Dallas" for the 21st century. But that might not have been a reference point that resonated with viewers. While unknown "Star" lead actor James Wolk was hailed by some as nothing short of the second coming of George Clooney, it may have been the unfamiliarity of his face that hurt the show in a season where the more recognizable mugs of Jimmy Smits and Michael Chiklis are among the more marketing-friendly names. The fact that "Star" is a serialized drama, as opposed to the standalone dramas of a procedural, may not be so much a factor because it doesn't seem the audience gave it enough time to even gauge what stripe of show it is. Even in an industry where programming patience is a perennial subject, there is something jarring about the one-episode cancellation. It's not rare, but not common either; the last instances came in 2008 with unscripted series "Secret Talents of the Stars" (CBS) and "Anchorwoman" (Fox). The last scripted instance was the 2006 ABC sitcom "Emily's Reasons Why Not." Even Steven Bochco has one to his credit, 1996's "Public Morals," as does one of Hollywood's lesser acclaimed thespians, NFL washout Brian Bosworth with Fox's 1997 action series "Lawless." If there will be a stay of execution on "Star," mercy will have to come from the soul of Fox programming chief Kevin Reilly, who made "Star" a pet project insiders say he fussed over to its completion. What will likely weigh heavily on the decision is the quality of the four episodes already in the can. Known for his creative acumen and a willingness to make unconventional choices, he was no doubt second-guessing himself Tuesday morning. Fox could be waiting on a few factors before making a decision. DVR ratings could provide an healthy uptick, especially on a night where plenty of TiVos were whirring amid so many choices. In addition, fan appreciation is a consideration, though no candlelight vigils were scheduled and the URL SaveLoneStar.com is still available. Rather than permanently pull it from the schedule, Fox also could elect to move it to a different night once it has seen how its other new entries perform. Or, there's the option of putting it in deep freeze for an eventual relaunch, perhaps with the mother of all lead-ins in its corner: "American Idol," which was crucial to other Fox launches like "Glee." A more ignominious fate: getting its episodes burned off in the dog days of summer or December, or -- gulp -- on Hulu. Fox could even make the masochistic move of just keeping it where it is in hopes of carving out a cult following. But while it's not unprecedented to survive a bungled bow, Adgate says the sheer horror of "Star's" numbers likely means the network won't see this show get off the canvas. "This was the show they were hanging their hat on," Adgate said. "Now they're just hanging their head." source: THR.com |
![]() |
|
| Deleted User | Sep 22 2010, 12:06 AM Post #2 |
|
Deleted User
|
Beautiful! |
|
|
| Nubia | Sep 22 2010, 12:10 AM Post #3 |
![]()
The Queen
![]()
|
Woulda been better off on its sister network, FX. |
![]() |
|
| sungrey | Sep 22 2010, 04:22 AM Post #4 |
![]()
|
I was just thinking the same thing. I don't know how much they're paying Jon Voight per episode, but I think he and David Keith are the only actors who could command slightly higher paydays. I wonder with four million viewers if this would have worked better on cable. |
![]() |
|
| KMan101 | Sep 22 2010, 07:36 AM Post #5 |
![]()
|
It seems like a cable show for sure. Maybe they can move it to FX or someplace and try it? |
![]() |
|
| px780 | Sep 22 2010, 11:47 AM Post #6 |
|
Streetcorner Philosopher
![]()
|
I didn't watch it but...what was so original about it? From the promos it came across like a well-produced soap opera/telenovela. |
![]() |
|
| Matt | Sep 22 2010, 12:07 PM Post #7 |
|
Classic Soap Fan
![]()
|
The promos were awful and I can't say that the ratings are a suprise. To be honest, I was excited to watch the series UNTIL I saw the promos, which quickly turned my enthusiasm into "meh". I've got the 1st ep DVRed, but I haven't gotten around to watching it, yet. Having a job that involves working evenings really fucks with my prime time TV time. |
![]() |
|
| ~bl~ | Sep 22 2010, 12:17 PM Post #8 |
![]()
|
I have too many other shows to watch on Monday nights. I think it would have made more sense on cable too. |
![]() |
|
| Mason | Sep 22 2010, 12:52 PM Post #9 |
![]()
|
I think it's a shame. The pilot didn't blow me away by any means, but I think the show had potential. Plus, now network execs will probably more convinced than ever that people don't want to watch serialized dramas (which I don't believe is true), so we'll be forcefed more medical/legal/crime dramas (as if we don't have enough). |
![]() |
|
| Grandpa Hughes | Sep 22 2010, 02:20 PM Post #10 |
|
"Dedicated to the brotherhood of healing. "
![]()
|
And don't forget :puke: reality shows! I know I'm in the minority here but I loathe them!! :drunk: |
![]() |
|
| Mason | Sep 22 2010, 03:37 PM Post #11 |
![]()
|
I don't think networks have been as bad about reality shows the last few seasons. This isn't like 2000-2003, where every other show on was some stupid reality show -- thank God. |
![]() |
|
| Grandpa Hughes | Sep 22 2010, 03:49 PM Post #12 |
|
"Dedicated to the brotherhood of healing. "
![]()
|
I guess I'm thinking more of the cable networks and my sister's fascination with some of the shows like "The real housewives of doucheville" or the ones where washed up rap and rock stars try to find "love"! :puke: |
![]() |
|
| ~bl~ | Sep 22 2010, 06:23 PM Post #13 |
![]()
|
There are a lot less reality show than there were. Some reality shows are put into the reality category, but don't really fit it. I'm sorry in some people's opinion Antiques Roadshow is a reality show, it is unscripted yes, but it isn't people being followed around looking for dates and being sleazy. |
![]() |
|
| KMan101 | Sep 22 2010, 06:50 PM Post #14 |
![]()
|
Fox has said it will air as normal next Monday ... |
![]() |
|
| darraholic | Sep 22 2010, 07:04 PM Post #15 |
![]() ![]()
|
Exactly how I feel. They did a shitty job promoting the show. |
![]() |
|
| ilovemydays | Sep 22 2010, 07:23 PM Post #16 |
![]()
|
IA that the promos didn't do the show justice. I WAS going to watch The Event but at the last minute I opted to DVR that show and watch Lone Star instead. After watching both shows I can honestly say that I'm not interested in The Event (although I will probably continue to record it for a couple of weeks and watch them later) and I'll be looking forward to watching Lone Star live for as long as it lasts. I can only hope that there are more people, like myself, that were less than impressed with The Event and more interested in Lone Star. Ratings from Monday night. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RrObyQ3XzcY/TJjP11sZlbI/AAAAAAAA02M/AGQy50m_erc/s1600/SS-2010.09.21-16.31.28.png |
![]() |
|
| Rick | Sep 22 2010, 08:14 PM Post #17 |
|
Dreamlander
![]()
|
So what was the last soap that actually worked on network TV? |
![]() |
|
| Mason | Sep 22 2010, 08:28 PM Post #18 |
![]()
|
Desperate Housewives (or Grey's Anatomy, if you consider that a soap, which I do). Edited by Mason, Sep 22 2010, 08:28 PM.
|
![]() |
|
| Deleted User | Sep 22 2010, 08:37 PM Post #19 |
|
Deleted User
|
Nope, they aren't soaps. |
|
|
| Rick | Sep 22 2010, 08:46 PM Post #20 |
|
Dreamlander
![]()
|
Everyone says the Primetime soap is dead but Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, Brothers & Sisters, Private Practice and True Blood score excellent ratings so maybe Lonestar was just shit? LOL |
![]() |
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
| Go to Next Page | |
| « Previous Topic · Primetime Discussion · Next Topic » |
- Pages:
- 1
- 2














7:31 PM Jul 10