Redux:Your Show got cancelled, here's why...
I am reposting this to go along with the start of the new fall season. Cuz you know it is important to understand the process.
I was roaming the Internerd, and ran across a conversation that I see a lot about how the networks are keeping the good shows off the air for the purpose of the big hit.
While that is sorta true, I mean who doesn't want a big hit, people don't take into account the whole process of TV. For one, it isn't free. It is paid for by the commercials you don't watch. Because of that economic restriction you have to play pretend. Pretend that the audience IS watching the commercial, we the network will guarantee that so many 18-35 year old eyes will watch it during the Wacky Adventures of "Soon To Be In Rehab". Of course when the audience sees thru the "talents" of the star of STBIR, then the network has to make up for the lack of audience for those commercials. Hence it is cheaper to rerun the show "That Put Her in Therapy", then to show even 3 episodes of STBIR
So you are saying that it is impossible for anything new to get a chance?
Yeah but here's the thing you are forgetting:
Heather Graham is perceived as a huge star draw. SO the ad sales (not to mention the endless promotion) were huge. then it comes back with a number that makes the WB look like it is running new episodes of "ER vs CSI" SUPA INSTANT FLOPU! As much as people complain, smaller shows will get given more of a chance if they are:
- Cheap, like Seinfeld and Cheers. those were easy to produce set shows with a cast of largely unknown or "don't care abouts"
- Show some kinda growth from episode to episode...All I can think of at the moment is Dawson's but that is a bad example. OH! 24 and The OC!
- do HUGE numbers demographically. Buffy was never a true ratings winner but it had great teen girl numbers. this is actually the case for most of the WB shows. So from there the network could guarantee specific marketing and charge bigger ad money.
Once you start screwing around with lots of stars or expensive producers (Arrested Development I am looking at youuuu) or huge casts and lots of OUTSIDE locations (Still looking at you AD and EYES, you can't hide either) then the only thing that will save a show is if it gets a high placed exec behind it to champion the show (and risk her/his career).
Huh, that was kinda informative...
