[Slynky]

Originally posted by Slynky:

quote:

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Originally posted by geoschmo:
B5 suffered from the same inconsistant scheduling in my area, at least until the Last couple seasons. I never knew when the show was going to be on the first couple years. And a lot of times it wasn't on even when it was supposed to be according to the schedule. By the time it settled down to a consistant time slot the story was so far developed I couldn't get into it.

So Slynky, you got a juicy conspiracy theory for us concerning Firefly?

Fortunatly, rumors to the contrary, their is no "trilateral commision" in charge of making sure quality TV shows fail. It's simply short sighted programming executives that have to score big Ratings quickly or they get fired by even shorter sided upper managment. Shows like firefly that go against the flow take a while to develop a following. Networks don't take the long term view enough and give good shows a chance to develop that following. Cookie cutter formula shows get mroe slack because "something like this worked before", regardless of whether they have any virtue of their own.

Geoschmo

Juicy theory? Sure. But in a moment. I need to waste time trying to convert people who didn't give it a chance.

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Sorry for the long quote.

But...

Imagine a series where:

(1) The chief mechanic was a female;

(2) One of the main characters was a professional prostitute (displayed in some sort of acceptable lifestyle).

(3) The smartest, most intelligent person on the ship was a female (River).

(4) Second in command was a female (Zoe).

NOW, you have a recipe for failure when considering the currently elected government (Republicans who embrace "keeping a woman in her place"). I have it on acceptible authority (well, as acceptible as comments made by cast members) that the Rebublican administration contacted the producers (FOX) and made comments that they didn't appreciate them (FOX) protraying women in a positive light who held positions in the series that were not in line with what they wanted a female role to be. After all, putting females into a position where they were 2nd in command, kept the starship running (Kaylee...who was shown in one episode having sex in the engine room), and "glorifying" the profession of being a "prostitute" was NOT what the administration wanted.

Think I am cynical or wrong? Then you should read the forum frequented by the actors themselves...which is just one other things that I think separates the Firefly series from the ST stuff. Ever see Shatner (a murderer?) or anyone else hop on a forum and chat with fans? Ever see the ST cast respond to Queries about how they felt about the recent Iraqi war? Well, maybe if they got paid!

Finally, it cost nearly 2 million dollars an episode to make. Just one other consideration when a network decides to cancel something.

So, I have spent some (wasted) time trying to give my viewpoint on why the series wasn't given a chance. After all, FOX didn't even air the pilot until mid-season! (How often have you seen THAT approach?)

For those who didn't give it a chance...I'm sorry for your loss. For those who embraced the series, I am also sorry for your loss. BUT, there is discussion of making a movie. It may never happen (and I hope it wouldn't be made without the original characters) but it is proof of the many fans that have shown support. And, perhaps, proof that there IS potential in the original scriptline.