Below is a comment posted on our blog yesterday by "Chris". I don't know Chris, but I don't think he has it in for Dollhouse either, having predicted its 13 episode pickup for season two as early as March 14, 2009.
Given how bad the ratings have been, I doubt the notion of needing to improve the ratings or risk being pulled off the air are rumor-mongering, especially with Dollhouse writer (and Jed Whedon's wife), the multi-talented Maurissa Tancharoen posting things on her Twitter account which might be seen as "HELP!!! PLEASE HELP!!!" messages if you're prone to reading not all that deeply between the lines.
One thing is for sure, Dollhouse definitely won't air on 10/16 because of a baseball playoff game. How important is Dollhouse's numbers for this Friday (10/9) to whether it is back on the schedule on 10/23? We won't have to wait long to find out...
Here's yesterday's comment from "Chris":
God, I can’t say who I am (publically) but here’s what I know and I will stand by this and bet money it will be confirmed:
There was a meeting today in which staff were basically told ratings need to go UP in order to get a hold and come back on the 23rd, stay the same and they’d consider.. though likely haitus, and if it goes down, it’s out.
Advertisers were basically told that as far as month-by-month ad-buy ins for the network Fox’s schedule has some changes in it, including Fox being TBA for Friday nights after the 23rd.
Fox is concerned that the problem with Dollhouse isn’t fixable, and that they believe that they might have better options Friday night.
That includes a lot of talk about rotating “Glee” to a repeat on Friday night to give it a double-viewing for a while to pickup steam in a show it really believes in, and that it sees as a potential money train.
Sell it to Syfy.
^You’re assuming Syfy is willing to buy it.
I can’t wait to see the Dollhouse fans crying when Fox pulls it. The fans better start mailing their miniature dollhouses now.
How much does it have to go up, I wonder. If it’s 1.0 in the finals, would that be good enough? Or do they mean UP! Like, 1.2 or so?
I just dont care anymore about this show. They have done so many bad eps that i just am sick of this show. I hope they axe it soon and put people out of there misery
The Summer Glau curse is almost in full effect!
FOX should have never renewed it. I still think Kitchen Nightmares would have done better in Dollhouse’s slot. Maybe if Dollhouse improves just a little bit it could be kept to air more episodes. Otherwise, Glee repeats are likely.
Dollhouse never should have been renewed for season 2.
I actually might start watching again. I love the “throws of death” period for shows. Remember when Fox gave a similar ultimatum to “The O.C.” and suddenly Marisa and Seth’s Girlfriend became lesbians for no apparent reason and began making out regularly….Good Times
(and Olivia Wilde found a niche, she’s been at least 1/2 lesbian in just about every role since then)
@ Joe
Dollhouse sucks with or without Summer. I hope people dont seriously think that she being on the show affects its future. Maybe if they made good episodes that might make people watch but sadly they aint making good eps.
After all the hype and the promises from Joss and Eliza to fans who stuck with the show, I really have to say I’m completely disappointed. I watched the premiere and new the show dug its grave. Now I have no network shows I watch anymore.
Not surprised at all, there is very little chance this airs in November sweeps with those kinds of ratings.
At this point I don’t see Dollhouse returning (after the 23rd) until Summer or even DVD.
Nick C said they were actually negotiating a back 9 order
I thought the season 2 premiere was brilliant. I was astonished that others didn’t think the same. This isn’t out of a “everything Joss does is wonderful” feeling, either; there were certainly some lame Dollhouse episodes in S1. But I thought the premiere engaged brilliantly with all the issues the show is dealing with, and the scenes with Kranz and Acker were fantastic.
Perhaps the problem is that the engagement is largely intellectual, not emotional, and you can’t carry a show on intellectual engagement alone.
personally i really like season 2 especially the premiere its too bad they lost Amy Acker (though she is contracted for to more episodes somewhere in the remaining 13 but definately not ep 3 or 4)
Didn’t Prison Break tank on Fridays last year too?
It’s not about the show. It’s about Fox not even giving the show a fighting chance. Pulling it won’t make a single difference in the long run. The crappy death slot will still be there and eat whatever lesser show they air instead of Dollhouse.
They may as well have kept Terminator on. At least that one had a killer brand identity and an insane fanbase both at home and abroad.
I would love it if, miraculously, Dollhouse became a summer series for SyFy. However, that’s not going to happen in a million years. This show is flat-lining and it won’t be resuscitated.
I’m a big fan of the show but it’s a terminal cancer patient. You have to prepare yourself for the worst and say your goodbyes because Dollhouse doesn’t have a lot of time left.
About time, I’m amazed dollhouse is still on the air, the first two episodes were even worse than last season. And to people who think the show will pick up – L O L.
@ Eric,
You don’t have to wait to see people crying, just look in the mirror!
It’s Joss Whedon, not Jed. Just trying to help you before the crazy fans come after.