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Low ratings put "Dollhouse" in danger of going to the attic foreverOh no, is Fox ready to pack up the Dollhouse and banish it to the attic forever? The show is just two episodes into its second season, but already talk has begun of possible early cancellation due to disappointingly low ratings.
The series from creator Joss Whedon and star Eliza Dushku debuted to only 2.6 million viewers. Last week it had its weakest showing to date, dropping by 20 percent and attracting only 2.1 million viewer. It even got beaten by SyFy series Stargate Universe by about a quarter of a million households. When a cable show beats a network show, that’s bad — very, very bad.
On Monday, Dollhouse news site Dollverse.com sent up a distress flare saying the series was in real danger of being yanked soon, meaning fans could be left hanging without a resolution to the complex multiple lives of Echo and company. The warning sound like more than just fan hand-wringing. The Los Angeles Times reported that both Dollhouse and freshman Fox comedy Brothers (which the complicated drama is inexplicably paired with on Friday night) “are struggling and likely will be gone in weeks.” The Hollywood Reporter’s James Hibbard and TV Guide’s Matt Roush have also noted the show’s dismal ratings and possible early demise.
The complex series has been ambitious for sure tackling such heady issues as high-tech human trafficking, brainwashing, genetic manipulation and the very nature of the soul. So you can see why it might be a leap for some people to get on board. Two and a Half Men this ain’t. It’s also been a slow starter, not fully finding its stride until late last season. So, where does that leave fans? In a fighting mood, of course. In this age of internet activism, series faithful have already started up a “save this show” campaign online at ActivateDollhouse.com. Fans are being encouraged to stream the show at Hulu.com, buy episodes on iTunes, buy the Season 1 DVD and add banners and icons to their websites.
The site has already rallied people on Twitter, urging fans to add Dollhouse twibbons to their avatars and use the hashtag #dollhouse. Series stars Dichen Lachman and Miracle Laurie have already taken to their Twitter feeds to help save the show, as has writer Maurissa Tancharoen. For her part, Eliza has taken to the late night talks show circuit. She was on David Letterman Tuesday night and will be on Jimmy Fallon Wednesday.
But the real question remains: Will it help? Well, it’s hard to say. The fact that the struggling series got a second season in the first place is a minor miracle. So it needs to prove itself early. But, still, a big push a la the Save Chuck/Subways campaign couldn’t hurt. Though finding a comparable sponsor might be tricky for Dollhouse. I mean, I guess they could team up with whoever dresses all the actives in all those form-fitting yoga togs.
So, do you think Dollhouse should be saved? And how can fans best help save the show? Discuss. Submitted by on October 7, 2009 - 12:00pm. |
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Crapola!!!
I love this show, damn!, don't cancel it or I'll die, ok I won't die but I'll be dead inside for a least 5 minutes.
NOOOO!!
This is horrible, horrible news..
geo-blocking
this is indeed devastating news, i mean, who in their right minds would cancel a show that brings us publicity shots like that first one of eliza?!
But, i think this highlight another issue. I'm in the UK and absolutely love Dollhouse, unfortunately the only way i can watch it is by *cough* illegally *cough* streaming it. I cant access Hulu because of the whole geo-blocking issue. I would even pay for it in itunes if i could if it helped save the show, as i know many other Brits and Europeans would.
anyhoo, i'm gonna sit back and enjoy what i can get of this fab show, i suggest y'all do too!
God have mercy on the man who doubts what he's sure of - Springsteen
Actually you can buy US
Actually you can buy US iTunes cards from eBay and buy from the US iTunes store that way. Also, if you get one of those IP blocker thingies you can watch Dollhouse on Hulu.
You can also help by visiting the Dollhouse imdb page, which counts towards its movie meter rating thingie which will make it show up on the front page of imdb pro. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135300/
Here's a link to some info on what can be done :) http://community.livejournal.com/blank_dolls/315115.html
thanks :)
heya, thanks for the info. its a miracle i find the episodes online as it is, nevermind trying to find ways around stuff, lol :-)
God have mercy on the man who doubts what he's sure of - Springsteen
This show should stay
I love Dollhouse, it would be a horrible mistake if they yank it out. Come on, Eliza Dushku is all we need to keep this show going.
_________
vivono nella speranza
Must have my Joss & Dollhouse fix!!!
Why oh why do people just not get the awesomeness that is Joss' brain?!
It just baffles me that Two and a Half Men has been on the air for years, yet fabulous, fresh shows like Dollhouse are in trouble and Pushing Daisies is gone.
You can betcha I will be tweeting #dollhouse and streaming from Hulu.com, etc! Must keep having Eliza on my TV!!!
PS---to the incredibly witty, humor-after-my-own-heart Ms. Snarker....ADORE YOU!!
You might want to fix the link to Hulu.com in your article...as it is actually going to Twitter instead. :)
Deja Vu
I mean didn't they do this with Sarah Cornor. You get a good show and then cancel it. Really when Sarah Cornor was on Monday nights it was doing fine, then they moved it to Friday. Come on people it does not take a genius to know that shows like this should not be on Friday nights. Most people go out on these nights including myself. Thank goodness for hulu!
Deja Vu
I mean didn't they do this with Sarah Cornor. You get a good show and then cancel it. Really when Sarah Cornor was on Monday nights it was doing fine, then they moved it to Friday. Come on people it does not take a genius to know that shows like this should not be on Friday nights. Most people go out on these nights including myself. Thank goodness for hulu!
Get it off of Fridays. No
noo
i like this show. got my copy of season 1 in the mail today. :D
i hope it will continue, for the love of Joss!
http://ikkegoesblogging.blogspot.com/
NOOOO!!!
damn!
they never give these shows a chance do they??!!
grrr....argh!
"Life's too short to be cool" -Shirley Manson-
www.myspace.com/grbgfreak1
Fox
I just don't understand why Joss went back to Fox after the way they treated Firefly. He should just go to cable and screw network TV. SyFy or FX would do a much better job of supporting the show, plus they air it multiple times, so it's much more likely to be seen.
I never see ads for Dollhouse. The only show I watch on Fox is So You Think You Can Dance, and that's a good audience to advertise Dollhouse to, but all I see are ads for Fringe and House.
It's clear that Fox doesn't value Joss or his shows.
Eliza has the deal with Fox, not Joss
he had lunch with her and suddenly wanted in on the deal because he had a brilliant idea for her show. and in faireness to Fox they did renew after pretty abysmal ratings last season, but i completely agree they dropped the ball on advertising big time.
tell your friends
add a signature to your personal emails asking people to give the show a whirl. lend people your DVD set of season 1. play it on Hula even when you're not watching. go to ActivateDollhouse and see what else you can do. it's about ratings - more eyes mean more episodes.
in other words - don't just moan and wring your hands, help.
Oh yeah
Just like Firefly was...it's
Just like Firefly was...it's ahead of its time. Dollhouse is paying the price for people misunderstanding it and missing the entire concept altogether.
If you want tips on how to help push ratings up please take a look at the following LJ community...
http://community.livejournal.com/blank_dolls/We can't lose this show.
http://www.femslashfanfiction.com/ - Femslash Fanfiction
RT from dichen
p.s.
have you heard there's a sci-fi western show in the works at FOX!? can you believe that!? arg.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/cont
Fox seems to have it out for Mr. Whedon
When the show was originally moved to Fridays before it even aired, we all knew we were going to be in for a struggle. Now with Fox putting all of their money into advertising GLEE, there's nothing left for this poor struggling Friday night show.
Smart move would be to pair it with Fringe. The two sitcoms that precede Dollhouse are dismal; it's no wonder the viewers don't stay tuned in - they're not watching the lead-ins in the first place.
I'll be crushed if Dollhouse gets the axe. Joss is pretty darn brilliant and writes smart, intriguing shows. Many people don't realize that until it's too late and the shows are gone. :(
I blame the Americans.
I got 7 people to watch and love the show, but we don't count cause we are all ilegal-downloading foreigners.
If every American who loves the show gets a few people hooked on it- the Dollhouse will be saved!!
[No offence to all you Americans, It's just my frustration speaking]
Not Surprised
I was a big fan of this show last season, but as an avid tv watcher and tv blogger I didn't even know the new season was airing until hours before the premiere. That, in itself, is a huge sign that the publicity for this season sucked thus probably contributing the low ratings.
Secondly, I had to fight the urge to change the channel to keep watching it last week. Worst episode yet. I watch and find myself wondering if there are some secret hidden online episodes I missed or something. I fancy myself to be a smart girl, but not only are the episodes sometimes hard to follow, but the acting just sucks.
I keep watching because I like the stories and Friday night is notoriously lacking in good tv entertainment, but, in all honesty, I think I'll be completely indifferent if it ends up getting cancelled.
Also, I could have sworn I saw an article online about how Joss wasn't happy with the second seasons scripts and halted production for a while. Maybe something like that shouldn't have been made public.
http://bitchyamazingrace.blogspot.com/
I think maybe you missed
I think maybe you missed Epitaph One? it was the 13th ep and didn't end up airing in the US. It is however on the DVD and I think was put up on iTunes (but I'm not sure). Epitaph One is a futurey ep and kinda makes a whole bunch of thigns make sense.
As for the not liking the scripts and halting production: I think you're thinking of season 1, where he scrapped the pilot and started again.
People not in the US: if you
People not in the US: if you wanna help, you can buy a US iTunes card from eBay and buy the show from US iTunes that way. You can also use IP blocking do-hicks to watch Hulu and Fox On Demand.
If You are in the US:
If you have a ratings box: watch it live!
If not: Tivo or DVR it as they count towards ratings. If you don't have a ratings box and watch it, it doesn't count towards ratings.
Please? This show is too awesome to be canned.
More info here on what counts towards ratings: http://community.livejournal.com/blank_dolls/315115.html
I tried
I'm not going to lie I
I'm not going to lie I didn't even bother with the last episode and I didn't dare to miss an single episode last season.
The show has two problems.
2. They jumped the gun this season with Echo's storyline.
1. Eliza Dushku just is not that good of an actress. Sorry.
-I speak in random thoughts
To be honest I think Eliza's
To be honest I think Eliza's acting style is a little hard for some people to take. It reminds me very much of Lucy Lawless' acting style. A little bit hammy, quirky, hard to put in a box.
The problem I think - in this case - stems from the show putting too much emphasis on her character. The rest of the characters seem to have been put on the backburner somewhat this season and I think it's to the detriment of the show as a whole.
We also need less Ballard stuff - I get the feeling from the community at large that Ballard is not winning friends. His simpering, creepy stalker thing with Echo is a turn off.
But the show IS worth more airtime. It's better than so much of the crap out there it's not even funny.
It just needs better support, and Fox to get outta the kitchen.
http://www.femslashfanfiction.com/ - Femslash Fanfiction
from the previews
this Friday is Victor centric which will be wonderful. but it is Eliza's deal and, to a large extent, her show so of course Echo is emphasized more than the other characters. having said that i also wish the other actors were getting more screen time because as a whole (TP aside) they're once again remarkable finds with real talent and any of them could easily carry a show of their own (even Ivy).
the other thing to keep in mind, and whip us all up into a frenzy, is the fact of Summer Glau slated to become a reoccuring character this season. no Dollhouse, no Summer, no more Amy Acker (unless you watch Happy Town, which my plans for would be not), and no chance of Alan coming back as Alpha. so email your friends and ask them to play episodes on Hula or Fox.com even if they don't watch them, just as a favor to you. then lend them your copy of the first season and after make them watch the unaired pilot and E1 so they will have an inkling about where the show might go if, as Dylan says, Fox gets outta the kitchen. and it survives.
Agreed.
Eliza really isn't a good actress. Her and FBI guy can piss off. Supporting cast is fantastic though.
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Sudol the King: "She's really not very good."
*sigh*
What really irks me about this, is the fact that once Fox renewed the show, they still stuck it in the Time Slot of Death. Most people I know (myself included) will tape, DVR or whatever any shows on Friday nights, and watch them later on. It would be nice for network execs to wake up and realize that in the 21st century relying on something as archaic as the Nielsen ratings is about as smart as eating a loaded tripple burger with a side order giant fries and a gallon or two of pop.
___________________________________________________
"Come fly away with me, right in the land of eternity"
...
I think the show should be cancelled because people has spoken that they dont like it. But i think it would have been better if fox ask the people why they dont like the show. Improvement or something...ahem.. *nudity* :D
Where/when is the lesbian story line episode??
Having been a huge Firefly
I'll definatly agree with
I'll definatly agree with the fact that it got off to a slow start, but man did it ever pick up. I personally think this show has a lot to offer and has interested me much more then Firefly did. This is not just me being a crazy Joss fan.... well, it sort of is.
"When you stop talking, you start communicating." - Joss Whedon
Dull
I loved Buffy, Firefly and Angel but this is just dull. I couldn't even watch the ful first episode I fell asleep watching it. I have no desire to see anymore episodes as it was just terribly average and not very interesting at all. Buffy, Angel and Firefly were interesting from the start and I'm not going to watch a show that take 5/6 episode to get started.
no Hulu for Canada either :(
Legal Thing
It's a contractual obligation.
And that's the problem with places like Hulu. Yeah, it's the only thing that makes it legal. But it's got to be very annoying.
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Sudol the Recluse: "Fucking network!"
Let's See
No Support.
No Advertising
Nothing to let anyone know the show was coming back for a second season.
Time slot of death.
They don't want the show to succeed. Period.
I'm not surprised Sci-Fi (I refuse to use the 'y'.) beat it. Sci-Fi fans don't get out much.
However.
X-Files got the time slot of death as well. But this was at a time when TV on the interent hadn't been thought of. DVRs? Never. So people actually stayed home to watch it. FOX noticed, gave it a better time slot, and it became one of the most popular dramas of the 90s.
That said, all these things (distractions if you will) are competeing for the same marketshare. And some lines are being blurred and even erased. I watch television online now. I'll sacrifice the hour or two it takes to cut out the comericals and upload/stream.
That being said. Services like Hulu are gaining some steam.
Now if they'd only get rid of the fucking comericals.
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Sudol the Whedon: "Not Watching? You assholes are why Firefly got canceled!"
SAVE DOLLHOUSE!!!
I need my weekly Eliza fix idk wat i would do if i lost out :(
~*~"That's what we all dream about isn't it? Someone who looks so deeply into our soul that...they'd find something worth dying for."---Gabrielle~*~
Just heard
about this show recently...is there a lesbian character on the show? Have no idea what it's about. Fox shd have advertised better, I would have given it a shot just for the hell of it.
Nooooo!
why does this always happen to the good shows? there are plenty of shows that need to be cancled, why must they decide to end the ones people actually like?
and Eliza's an amazing actress. you can't just cut that kind of talent.
ugh not again...
total bs!
i love dollhouse, and while it does have some terrible ratings right now i don't think they should even consider cancelling it until they move it to a decent time slot.
as much as i like watching eliza in leather and rolling around for about 46 minutes an episode... it's just not enough to keep me in on friday nights!
come on! >:I pick it up fox!
dollhouse
I too would be dead on the inside
I absolutely love the show and Eliza Dushku and I would be devastated if it got cancelled. The friday night time spot is horrible and if Fox would change it to a different night, I'm sure it would do better. I'm not a fan of Hell's Kitchen or So You Think You Can Dance and I wouldn't be against seeing those shows go.
And why would you want to get rid of Eliza?
Ahh, no!! I love this
Dollhouse is hit and miss for me
I want the show to stay on.
Miracle Laurie who plays November is hot!
Some episodes are awesome! But, others are a bit redundant. I get that Echo is special. I get that she's not easy to program, that's all the plot that they've covered so far in the show...it's not new information. We knew that last season.
But, November looked so hot last friday!!! I was happy!
Agreed!
It is hit and miss