Huh.
TV You'll Want To Pay For - How $2 downloads can revive network television.
With a photo of the cast of
Firefly,
with the caption, "Firefly: Could it have been saved by on-demand TV?"
Until now, broadcast television has followed a predictable pattern. If a show does not attract enough viewers, it goes off the air. Sometimes this system functions perfectly (e.g., Who Wants To Marry My Dad?), but it often fails in spectacular fashion. Many of the most innovative shows of the last two decades—shows that generated critical acclaim and cult followings—have been early casualties of the ratings wars.
When such shows get canceled, there are generally two explanations: Either the network didn't know how to market or schedule the show, or the series grew too complex and unwelcoming for casual viewers and latecomers. (Joss Whedon's Firefly is an example of the former, while David Lynch's Twin Peaks exemplifies the latter.) Both scenarios are symptoms of the same problem. There's still an assumption that if a show is good enough, a sizable audience will be sitting in front of the television when it airs. In an age of DVD boxed sets and TiVo, such a belief is fatally flawed.
Skipping again (I have verything threadsucked, like 2000 posts, and I will read them, each and every one! No, really!). Just wanted to post that "Serenity" won't be shown in regular cinemas in Israel. The one screening, at that science-fiction convention, where I saw it, seems like the only one. Which is stupid, considering they already had somebody translating the movie and everything, but, well, sigh.
So most likely no second viewing of more-critical-eyes and let's-think-about-things-now for me. At least, not on the big screen. And quite a few friends who were waiting for the movie to be released won't be able to watch it on the big screen, at all. Sigh for them.
That's really too bad Nilly. Sorry!
Watching the silent
Tumbleweeds drifting in thread
No posting for days
In the spirit of keeping the thread alive, on Amazon.com's top sellers list, Firefly is currently at #9 with Serenity breaking in at #19. I sound like I'm announcing a horse race.
Serenity breaking in at #19
Not bad, considering it's not out yet.
Boston area Buffistas - the cinema at the mall near the Quincy Center T stop has SERENITY starting tomorrow. I've never been there, so I don't know how nice it is, but it's a $2.50 theater (definitely a second run place).
Yeah, Serenity's in the second-run ($1.50! $1.00 on Wednesdays! $0.50 on Mondays with groups of three or more!) theatre here in Eugene starting this weekend. I'm actually sort of surprised it only spent a week in between-theatre limbo. But I know several people who were waiting to see it till it was at the dollar theatre, so yay! that they can see it now.
I miss Eugene. Tell it "hi" for me.
