CBS has canceled its Stanley Tucci medical drama "3 Lbs." after three low-rated airings. The show most recently drew 8 million viewers. It marks the second new CBS drama to crash in the Tuesday 10 p.m. slot this fall, following the Ray Liotta crime saga "Smith."
Is there some scientific aspect, such as aliens or technology, or is it just some kind of "lost world/civilization/monster" type of scenario?
There's definitely a scientific aspect, but they tend to shy away from specific explanations of the bizarre goings-on at the island. IMO, real SF (no true fan calls it 'SciFi') thrives on explanations. This is more like the amalgram of science fiction, fantasy and horror that tends to dominate 'genre' shows and films, aimed at a much wider audience than reads hardcore SF. Battlestar Galactica is obviously real science fiction, but they also have been shying away from definitive explanations of what's happening--I'm pretty sure they have some, though.
With regards to Lost, they've been wary of committing themselves to the point where you could definitely say there's something going on that present-day science couldn't explain, though it's increasingly impossible to see how it could. I'd consider it a total cheat if they said it's all just a hoax--I don't think the island exists in our world at all. But I'm sure there are people who'd be equally disappointed if they came up with a science fiction or 'paranormal' explanation.
Remember Twin Peaks? It was obvious to me, from the very start, that there were supernatural forces at work, and this was not just an ordinary murder case. But as soon as they came out and admitted this, early in the second season, the ratings started falling. A lot of devoted TP viewers felt like it was a cheat. Because they just did not understand where David Lynch was coming from. Of course, it didn't help that having solved Laura's murder, they then followed up with some vastly inferior story arcs. David Lynch is one of the very few bonafide geniuses who ever worked in television, but for that very reason, he stunk as a showrunner--he got bored with the show before the audience did.
The consensus that Lost needs a definite exit date is growing--Variety just published an article by genre TV specialist Brian Lowry, calling for ABC to say the show ends in May of 2009, no matter what.
Lowry knows what he's talking about--he wrote the first two Official Guides to The X-Files. That's the ultimate example of an arc show that ended badly--to the point where I'd say there were more bad seasons than good ones, and the bad ones basically spoiled the good ones for me. I was a rabid fan of that show, and I haven't watched an episode in years.
Originally posted by Marc Berman: I would hide under the table if I were them!
Good one, Marc!!!
Seriously though, could they be putting all of their eggs in the Name That Tune basket?? I normally don't watch the show, but I was channel-surfing and caught an interview on The Insider between Lara Spencer and Donnie Osmond last night. Donnie was really pimping the show.
If the show is moderately successful during a January try-out, I can see CBS putting it on Wednesday at 8:00 and moving Jericho to Tuesday at 9:00 with The Unit at 10:00.
If the show is a break-out hit, CBS might put it on Thursday at 8:00, move Survivor to Wednesday at 8:00, and go with NCIS/Jericho/The Unit on Tuesday.
Other than that, CBS' only option is to turn its Stone movies and Comanche Moon mini-series into limited run series, a la TNT's Into the West and Dreamscapes & Nightmares, and air them on Tuesday at 10:00 in conjunction with crime repeats and specials.
Is there some scientific aspect, such as aliens or technology, or is it just some kind of "lost world/civilization/monster" type of scenario?
There's definitely a scientific aspect, but they tend to shy away from specific explanations of the bizarre goings-on at the island. IMO, real SF (no true fan calls it 'SciFi') thrives on explanations. This is more like the amalgram of science fiction, fantasy and horror that tends to dominate 'genre' shows and films, aimed at a much wider audience than reads hardcore SF. Battlestar Galactica is obviously real science fiction, but they also have been shying away from definitive explanations of what's happening--I'm pretty sure they have some, though.
With regards to Lost, they've been wary of committing themselves to the point where you could definitely say there's something going on that present-day science couldn't explain, though it's increasingly impossible to see how it could. I'd consider it a total cheat if they said it's all just a hoax--I don't think the island exists in our world at all. But I'm sure there are people who'd be equally disappointed if they came up with a science fiction or 'paranormal' explanation.
Remember Twin Peaks? It was obvious to me, from the very start, that there were supernatural forces at work, and this was not just an ordinary murder case. But as soon as they came out and admitted this, early in the second season, the ratings started falling. A lot of devoted TP viewers felt like it was a cheat. Because they just did not understand where David Lynch was coming from. Of course, it didn't help that having solved Laura's murder, they then followed up with some vastly inferior story arcs. David Lynch is one of the very few bonafide geniuses who ever worked in television, but for that very reason, he stunk as a showrunner--he got bored with the show before the audience did.
The consensus that Lost needs a definite exit date is growing--Variety just published an article by genre TV specialist Brian Lowry, calling for ABC to say the show ends in May of 2009, no matter what.
Lowry knows what he's talking about--he wrote the first two Official Guides to The X-Files. That's the ultimate example of an arc show that ended badly--to the point where I'd say there were more bad seasons than good ones, and the bad ones basically spoiled the good ones for me. I was a rabid fan of that show, and I haven't watched an episode in years.
I would agree with this. Lost is not a show that should run past a natural point, otherwise you're gonna get an X-files type fiasco. The natural end point probably would to the end of the key actors contracts to avoid suddenly having to write in a bunch of explantion for the absences for those who will inevitably want to leave screwing up any long term story arcs th writers are planning.
quote:
Originally posted by pisher:
quote:
Is there some scientific aspect, such as aliens or technology, or is it just some kind of "lost world/civilization/monster" type of scenario?
There's definitely a scientific aspect, but they tend to shy away from specific explanations of the bizarre goings-on at the island. IMO, real SF (no true fan calls it 'SciFi') thrives on explanations. This is more like the amalgram of science fiction, fantasy and horror that tends to dominate 'genre' shows and films, aimed at a much wider audience than reads hardcore SF. Battlestar Galactica is obviously real science fiction, but they also have been shying away from definitive explanations of what's happening--I'm pretty sure they have some, though.
With regards to Lost, they've been wary of committing themselves to the point where you could definitely say there's something going on that present-day science couldn't explain, though it's increasingly impossible to see how it could. I'd consider it a total cheat if they said it's all just a hoax--I don't think the island exists in our world at all. But I'm sure there are people who'd be equally disappointed if they came up with a science fiction or 'paranormal' explanation.
Remember Twin Peaks? It was obvious to me, from the very start, that there were supernatural forces at work, and this was not just an ordinary murder case. But as soon as they came out and admitted this, early in the second season, the ratings started falling. A lot of devoted TP viewers felt like it was a cheat. Because they just did not understand where David Lynch was coming from. Of course, it didn't help that having solved Laura's murder, they then followed up with some vastly inferior story arcs. David Lynch is one of the very few bonafide geniuses who ever worked in television, but for that very reason, he stunk as a showrunner--he got bored with the show before the audience did.
The consensus that Lost needs a definite exit date is growing--Variety just published an article by genre TV specialist Brian Lowry, calling for ABC to say the show ends in May of 2009, no matter what.
Lowry knows what he's talking about--he wrote the first two Official Guides to The X-Files. That's the ultimate example of an arc show that ended badly--to the point where I'd say there were more bad seasons than good ones, and the bad ones basically spoiled the good ones for me. I was a rabid fan of that show, and I haven't watched an episode in years.
Posts: 1664 | Location: Great White North | Registered: 10 November 2006
I think from a creative standpoint there's still a lot of gas left in Lost. However, I worry that when it comes back after a three month absence facing Amercian Idol and a growing Criminal Minds (sigh) its audience drop off in the fall will appear miniscule. Critics will blame the material. The rest of us who actually watch the show will blame the network gurus.
Posts: 1664 | Location: Great White North | Registered: 10 November 2006
Originally posted by Marc Berman: I would hide under the table if I were them!
Good one, Marc!!!
Seriously though, could they be putting all of their eggs in the Name That Tune basket?? I normally don't watch the show, but I was channel-surfing and caught an interview on The Insider between Lara Spencer and Donnie Osmond last night. Donnie was really pimping the show.
If the show is moderately successful during a January try-out, I can see CBS putting it on Wednesday at 8:00 and moving Jericho to Tuesday at 9:00 with The Unit at 10:00.
If the show is a break-out hit, CBS might put it on Thursday at 8:00, move Survivor to Wednesday at 8:00, and go with NCIS/Jericho/The Unit on Tuesday.
Other than that, CBS' only option is to turn its Stone movies and Comanche Moon mini-series into limited run series, a la TNT's Into the West and Dreamscapes & Nightmares, and air them on Tuesday at 10:00 in conjunction with crime repeats and specials.
I think that Jericho would make it on Tuesdays at 10pm. The show simply feels like it would work with the Unit better than any other show on CBS's roster.
I think that Jericho would make it on Tuesdays at 10pm. The show simply feels like it would work with the Unit better than any other show on CBS's roster.
The 10:00 hour is a little too late for it, especially when it appears that they may be amping up the teen storylines. However, it should fit comfortably between NCIS and The Unit at 9:00.
