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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Comment by katyzzz
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I can feel your disappointment.
You described the situation clearly and elegantly, there's something of the flamingo in you, a quiet beauty.
katyzzz......and no, I did not mean eloquently although it was that too.
Comment by Nina
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Comment by Bhumika
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Comment by Adele
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Thanks for the compliment. I often wonder if my writing is as clear as I think it is.
Comment by Adele
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It sure is. I hesitate to get involved in most serials because of that, but I figured this one had a good chance of making it. I was wrong.
Comment by Adele
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Wow! Men on Trees is terrible, isn't it? It gets 11 million viewers, so it gets to stay.
Comment by Anonymous
real_g21@hotmail.com
Comment by Adele
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Adele
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Adele
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ABC has a contact page. I think all it does is end up as a tally mark on a spreadsheet somewhere.
TV Finale has a petition going.
I think Day Break is dead. Even if they realized there is an audience for it, they have no place in the schedule now.
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Adele
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It was pretty sudden! It's frustrating not to know who did it.
Comment by Patrick, LA
Comment by DayBreaker
I believe it was a good show but mismanaged. Here is an update in case you guys were wondering:
Matt from TV Guide.com is trying to get answers about the remaining online videos. His last post was 1/4/07.
Why it's not online (Dec 21):
TV Guide
His quest to get answers (Jan 2):
TV Guide
His last post (Jan 4):
TV Guide
Another person from Chicago Tribune trying to get answers here. (Dec 22)
In case you want to write to a live person involved with the show (be courteous!):
1. ABC Media
2. Touchstone TV. Click on contact us at the top.
I found it on Wikipedia and we've been trying to keep it updated here.
Short clips of the show here. Scroll down to select it.
I actually found a website that had full episodes but that's another story.
I've also seen that petition from tvseriesfinale.com and they've reached the 3,000 mark. If it's not saved then at least seen online or DVD. Hope we get it released soon!
Comment by Anonymous
Hmm. Seems like a self-fulfilling prophesy.
Comment by Adele
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That's a fantastic list! I'll put those together in a post (with credit to you, of course) so that the people on RSS won't miss out.
Comment by Adele
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Lost Fanatic
Day Break TV
I think it is a self-fulfilling prophecy. As viewers, we know how the networks will act, so why watch?
Thanks for commenting.
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous