The Problem With Serialized Drama
December 28th 2006 06:47
The problem with serialized drama is that the networks won't see them through. People tune in to a pilot episode out of curiosity or as fans of particular actors. It doesn't take many seasons for a viewer to know which new shows are going to make it and which will be pulled before their time.
When I watched the pilot for Day Break, I knew that it wouldn't be renewed, and therefore stood a good chance of being cancelled. It was a show with a limited arc and a definite ending. And that was how ABC designed it--so that it would start when Lost began its hiatus and end with a big mystery-solving finale (and big ratings) right before Lost started up.
ABC hoped to keep Lost's average 17 million viewers on their network every Wednesday through the break. When viewers realized the show couldn't be renewed, I think a lot left, believing that it would be cancelled. It's a great show, but why stick around to watch only half a mystery unravel? Again, it all boils down to how the networks run their business, cancelling shows quickly, before they've had a chance to start.
Even after it became clear that Day Break was ratings-challenged, I still thought ABC would keep it on. After all, they had already paid for the show. All the episodes had been shot before airing. They had a limited opening for a new show to take hold if they cancelled Day Break because of Lost's return. Besides, what else would they put there? A sitcom? Reruns? Apparently, yes, even though those shows won't hold Lost's audience either.
Day Break had everything going for it: a strong plot, intriguing mystery (both whodunit and why is the day repeating), excellent cast and characters, and fine writing. Action, romance, and twists galore. One of the biggest things it had going for it was the fact that we knew we would have the answer by Jan 31st.
ABC drove the ratings down with their business model. Viewers will continue to leave quality series as long as there's a better than even chance the series won't finish.
That's a long rant and thanks for sitting through it. Day Break is gone and it doesn't look like it will be shown online. Everything goes to DVD these days, so maybe we'll find out the answers. Someday.
When I watched the pilot for Day Break, I knew that it wouldn't be renewed, and therefore stood a good chance of being cancelled. It was a show with a limited arc and a definite ending. And that was how ABC designed it--so that it would start when Lost began its hiatus and end with a big mystery-solving finale (and big ratings) right before Lost started up.
ABC hoped to keep Lost's average 17 million viewers on their network every Wednesday through the break. When viewers realized the show couldn't be renewed, I think a lot left, believing that it would be cancelled. It's a great show, but why stick around to watch only half a mystery unravel? Again, it all boils down to how the networks run their business, cancelling shows quickly, before they've had a chance to start.
Even after it became clear that Day Break was ratings-challenged, I still thought ABC would keep it on. After all, they had already paid for the show. All the episodes had been shot before airing. They had a limited opening for a new show to take hold if they cancelled Day Break because of Lost's return. Besides, what else would they put there? A sitcom? Reruns? Apparently, yes, even though those shows won't hold Lost's audience either.
Day Break had everything going for it: a strong plot, intriguing mystery (both whodunit and why is the day repeating), excellent cast and characters, and fine writing. Action, romance, and twists galore. One of the biggest things it had going for it was the fact that we knew we would have the answer by Jan 31st.
ABC drove the ratings down with their business model. Viewers will continue to leave quality series as long as there's a better than even chance the series won't finish.
That's a long rant and thanks for sitting through it. Day Break is gone and it doesn't look like it will be shown online. Everything goes to DVD these days, so maybe we'll find out the answers. Someday.
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and Batmanuel was a great character. Die Fledermaus was hilarious, too, but he didn't quite make it out of 
.
