Comments on: Flash Forward's Future Increasingly In Doubt

By: ryacal1

ryacal1 — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 10:25:55 +0000

The problem with Flashforward is that #1- there is absolutely ZERO comedy/quirkiness in it, and #2- the story line revolves around the same things every single week. The story just doesn’t move forward (no irony intended). Each week it is like “I had no flashforward…i am gonna die!”, “I was drinking in my flashfoward”, “I was cheating on you in my flashfoward”, “You are gonna cheat on me”, “You are going to start drinking and didn’t tell me”, “I am gonna die!!!!”. It is annoying. Like the first two episodes seemed like the show had great potential. The video of that one guy in the stadium walking around while everyone else is on the ground “Flashing forward”, and then the giant tower in the middle of Africa, those were awesome! But then the show just started moving SO SLOWLY after that. There is no “villain” yet, no resolution at the end of any episode. Really all the nine episodes so far could have easily been compacted into three maybe even two. And if they really don’t want to add any comedy, then maybe the actors could smile every once in awhile. LOL.

By: adwin

adwin — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:05:53 +0000

FF is cool at the first episode but it getting slower and nothing interesting anymore. who care about olivia getting divorced with mark, who cares demitri will married or not. we care about why Flash forward happened and who is the people behind this events. We don’t care about mr nice guy who can turn into black skin in the next 6 months.

Wish they make FF 15 eps. or make it looks like 24 which is more fun and thrilling.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:21:06 +0000

Woah! They need to hold off on the “cancel” button and realize that a LOT of us DVR or HULU this show (just like Heroes, Lost, etc.) Add in those ratings and I’m sure it will go up…

By: carmen

carmen — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:42:10 +0000

I just now discovered ‘The Middle’ and its not half bad. It may be one of those shows that take a little time to catch the publics interest. Patricia Heaton is great and very likeable (as always). The kids are good and can be developed. The problem, I fear, will be the husband. He seems to be the weak link, but I haven’t seen enough shows to say that unequivically. . .but the husband seems the weak link.

With Castle, I think that it is catching on with word of mouth. I’ve always had the thought when watching it, that it would be a better fit on USA network along with shows like Monk, Psyche, and now Blue Collar.

By: Flash Forward flaquea con sus últimas audiencias en EE.UU.

Flash Forward flaquea con sus últimas audiencias en EE.UU. — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:12:19 +0000

[...] no está siendo del agrado de muchos y la serie está recibiendo muchísimas críticas tras una bajada en su audiencia. En mi opinión y criterio, los capítulos uno, dos y cinco fueron los mejores, en el resto la [...]

By: Petrie

Petrie — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:20:43 +0000

I think that FF absolutely has other stories to tell past the April 29th depending on what they make the cause of the FF be. My current theory is the world of FF is actually an AU with the characters flashing on the other world. This could stretched into other seasons easily. Now whether that is their plan or not, IDK.

Now that said, the show is enjoyable but nothing I wouldn’t miss rain or shine, unlike say LOST where it would take a lot to get me away from the TV on the night it airs. And not like Chuck where I would feel the need to take steps to avoid the cancellation of the show. That could change but right now I am just watching it, no strong passion for the story one way or another.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:10:39 +0000

I believe that if ABC happens to move Betty to 8pm and Lost to 10pm wednesdays, THe Middle will be moved to 9:30 airing post Dancing. ABC cant keep airing Modern Family repeats in the recently vacant 8:00 slot if they want to hold up.

By: Diogo

Diogo — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:06:12 +0000

Because mediocrity is a subjective concept. I find CSI Miami the highest form of Mediocrity one could imagine (on scripted tv), and yet, it keeeps killing the competition, so, I have to at least give it that much respect for it. One Person’s mediocrity, is another person’s appointement television. That’s basically why people get passionate about TV, there’s always someone somewhere that loves something, even if it is, was or has become completely unwatchable.

By: S.

S. — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:56:05 +0000

Reasons why people comment on the probable demise of a show:the ratings warrant it. This is a ratings site.

If the ratings are bad it is likely that the show is going to be canceled. Nothing emotional, or negative about that. Just a fact of life.

What is worrisome, is the people that refuse to see that the ratings point to cancellation just because they like the show. Those people that are so delusional that one is almost tempted to say they need to up their medication or seek professional help.

What is strange, is the people that get so emotional about a TV show that they mount stupid campaigns, annoy the crap out of potential viewers they should be wooing on random internet sites, or attack anyone that is coldly and rationally analyzing the numbers, just because they state the obvious. One is almost tempted to say that some people need a life, or a cat.

The only happiness derived of a cancellation is that the time slot will be freed for something new, and hopefully better. It’s life, things die, we mourn, we move on.

Has for the defense of a job argument, if the people losing the job are competent and talented, they will find other work. The others, the not competent and talented, wouldn’t even have the guarantee of keeping their jobs if the show would go on longer. So, why are we talking about protecting mediocrity?

By: Riff Rafferty

Riff Rafferty — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:09:27 +0000

I can rest fine about “The Middle,” thanks. It’s shown growth out of its lead-in every single time it’s aired on Wednesday and had perfect retention out of a “Modern Family” repeat in a Friday rebroadcast (and will get another chance to do so on December 23). Nothing against “Hank” but that show had problems and was bleeding viewers as a result. It didn’t do “The Middle” any favors. “The Middle” has nothing wrong with it. It’s a first-class show with great laughs and great heart, and I know ABC knows that. All ABC needs to do is find their “Cosby Show” for Comedy Wednesday and “The Middle” will be their “Family Ties.”

Not that I want to see ABC bounce “The Middle” all over the place, but I’d certainly laugh if ABC gave it “Cougar Town’s” time slot. Eileen Heisler’s and DeAnn Heline’s first show, NBC’s “Three Sisters,” used to air after a show Steve Levitan and Chris Lloyd produced, “Frasier.” And it did great after “Frasier.” It surely would have run for a long time if America’s favorite dickbag, Jeff Zucker, who inherited it, hadn’t kicked it out from under “Frasier,” saddled it with unwatchable lead-ins (including Emeril Lagasse’s fondly-recalled sitcom and a 2-week-wonder that I’m sure Katey Sagal no longer has on her resume), given its time slot to Bill Lawrence’s “Scrubs,” and then when he hadn’t shit on it enough, yanked the last 4 episodes off the air. Would certainly be poetic justice 8 years after the fact for a Bill Lawrence show to get kicked out from under a Levitan/Lloyd show in order to give to a Heisler/Heline show.

By: Dave M

Dave M — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:23:03 +0000

I can see ABC giving FF a second season in a different time slot to see if it improves. Otherwise it would be done. Its dragged the story along instead of making things interesting.

By: aznfratboy

aznfratboy — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:57:22 +0000

Over in Australia, the one hour dramas that Channel 7, a channel in Australia, has picked up have been alot of the “you can’t miss an episode” sort of drama, eg. Prison Break, 24, Heroes, Lost etc etc, what I have found is FlashForward seems to be way too character driven, the characters have good storylines, but let’s face it, the ENTIRE world is in danger, there’s a bigger picture than the personal lives of FBI agents, they don’t seem to be addressing that issue enough. Granted I never really watched Heroes or Lost, from what I’ve seen in 24 and Prison Break, the plots keep you at the edge of your seat, and the main story is what keeps the viewers hooked, and the characters backstories as a secondary storyline. FlashForward needs take a page out of 24 and Prison Break and focus their attention on the “fate of the world” and keep the personal conflicts the characters face, otherwise by the time May rolls round, it’s gone.

By: Diogo

Diogo — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:27:42 +0000

I’d love to see an article on the following subject: Did Lost Spoil Viewers’s patience for serialized drama? Nobody’s denying it’s a wonderful show, but it sure took (and takes) its time to produce answers. Is the declining ratings of V and FlashForward a sign that people are not yet ready to sign on to another long ride, when they’re just about to end their first one, and that took 6 years?

Other serialized shows have had some success, but 24, for example resets every season, so it’s only partially serialized. Desperate Housewives and GA rely on comedy and romance to get them through the season, even if people care less and less about the new neighbours and their misteries, and those misteries Reset also, after season 2. There’s little to no presence of the original one (except maybe for the narration of Mary Alice).

So, have we become a world that has the attention span and the patience to only enjoy procedurals 40 odd minutes at a time?

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:24:32 +0000

I am with Julia on this, I liked the first couple of episodes and am rapidly losing interest.

Give them a season and finish it off correctly!

By: U.S. FALL T.V. SEASON … MEDIOCRE « OLD // NEW // MEDIA BLOG

U.S. FALL T.V. SEASON … MEDIOCRE « OLD // NEW // MEDIA BLOG — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:12:51 +0000

[...] FLASHFORWARD’s premiere was decent, but every new episode is a further step towards boredom & bad writing. The show’s ratings are not looking good either. [...]

By: lukas84

lukas84 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:09:54 +0000

betty hold on!!!!!!!!!!!

By: ABCfanatic2009

ABCfanatic2009 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:26:21 +0000

damn ABC Needs a new hit!

By: Richard Steven Hack

Richard Steven Hack — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:21:16 +0000

I’ll be sorry to see Eastwick go solely for two reasons: Lindsay Price, who I discovered on that show to be super hot, and Rebecca Romijn, always super hot. Otherwise the show wasn’t all that great, but it could have been.

As I’ve said before, Flash Forward has absolutely no where to go once the date of the flash arrives. That was the case with the book, and that is the case with the series. It’s a one season show. Period. I’m surprised anyone thought they could do more without a major rewrite of the concept.

V won’t make it past one season either unless they pick up the pace and feature more Mitchell vs. Tudyk, and do some other cosmetic changes. Still has a chance but a huge hiatus is just brain dead. WHY do the networks make these huge hiatuses? A show needs MOMENTUM to succeed – a hiatus KILLS momentum! Are they complete morons? I really start to believe that the execs in charge are just deliberately killing shows with their scheduling just because they can, just to elevate their departments over the more creative departments in the network.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:09:31 +0000

Networks from best to worst in numbers

CBS
FOX
ABC
NBC
CW

ABC is the middle network. Not struggling like NBC or CW but not doing amazing with their series like FOX and CBS. ABC is just staying afloat. ABC needs strong dramas, but it already looks like the have a handful for midseason.

By: H.B.

H.B. — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:59:30 +0000

ABC is not the worst network by far – that title goes to NBC. Look at their ratings and network ranking. I hate The Middle, Hank, The Forgotten, Flash Forward, Eastwick and V. Wow, that’s a lot of shows, lol. Anyway, at the end of the day I still watch ABC more than any other channel. I love their programming. When I first heard the news that ABC was moving Ugly Betty to Fridays I knew it was bad news. A network doesn’t put a hit show is the graveyard lineup on Fridays, at the horrible 9PM hour. If the network loves the show they’re definitely have a funny way of showing it by giving it the kiss of death. Ugly Betty needs to move back to a normal night where viewers can actually find it and love it again! Such a waste for a cute show. I can’t wrap my head around V and I can’t even watch Flash Forward because I don’t understand the plot. There are way too many storylines and twists to keep up with here and shows like that never survive long. And so far I’ve only found one episode of Castle worth watching but it has potential. Eastwick is a complete joke. Who came up with this show idea? Eastwick is a lame sexed up rip off of the Aaron Spelling’s much better show CHARMED. Hank and The Middle (a bad rip off of Malcolm in the Middle) were the worst comedies I’ve seen this season and while I enjoy watching Modern Family I don’t find it as amazing or great as everyone else thinks. It’s my opinion that Cougar Town is the best new comedy of this season, which is weird because I wasn’t really a big Courtney Cox fan – until now. Just my two cents.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:41:04 +0000

FlashForwards fate can go one of two ways. It can do moderately well throughout the season and get a second year or it can do badly and end the season with a series finale. But based on ABC’s recent track record with serial dramas, its future doesnt look great. Then again ABC doesnt have much else. Eastwick has already been axed and The Forgotten has been given a stay of execution with 5 more eps but that wont save it from being axed next May. Castle also seems on the fence but its true fate will be known once Dancing departs and The Bachelor returns. With ABC’s so multi cam Hank axed, comedies Modern Family and Cougar Town look safe for 2010-2011 and The Middle is 50/50. Moving to wednesdays or staying on fridays, Ugly Betty is gone after this year and so is Lost (which was announced May 2007 BTW) Everything else is safe.

By: JVO

JVO — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:30:34 +0000

Smallville, The Bachelor is taking that slot in January and DWTS returns in March.

By: thedemonhog

thedemonhog — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:19:52 +0000

I really want to root for ABC because they always seem to be trying to offer innovative-ish shows, relative to the other broadcast networks, but it seems like they often forget to actually make their shows good. People say, "oh, pair FlashForward with Lost, those are a good fit." On the surface, they are, but digging deeper, it is not necessarily going to work because before people watch Lost for its ensemble cast, serialized storytelling and science fiction edge, they watch it because it is a high quality show, unlike FlashForward.

By: Smallville

Smallville — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:58:00 +0000

Can someone anwser my question please what show is gonna replace DWTS before Castle airs on mondays on abc?

By: Tommy

Tommy — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:36:10 +0000

Well said Gleebo!

By: Gleebo

Gleebo — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:26:03 +0000

If they told me today that Lost was going to go 4 more seasons but none of my questions would ever be answered I would still be watching it and calling it my favorite show. There is no way the end of Lost will ever live up to the journey it took to get there, which sadly will probably tarnish its lasting legacy after it ends for some people.

By: gavin

gavin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:01:13 +0000

Are viewers getting tired of series in a continuing form? If Lost viewers were told at the start that they would have to watch another 120+ episodes (or 5 days straight) to find out the answers, would they have carried on watching?

I enjoy Flash Forward, but if you told me it will still be running in 2013, I think I’ll take up another hobby. Keep it to 1 or 2 seasons, conclide the story and move on to another series.

By: jenn

jenn — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:43:12 +0000

ABC is honestly the worst network. Ugly Betty this season has been amazing and ABC knows that.
They WAY over promote shows like V that has already lost almost half its audience in just 2 weeks. Cougar Town is so medicre, I dont know why its doing so well. Desperate Housewives is just plain boring. They WAY OVER HYPE Grey’s, it’s honestly not THAT good. Eastwick was actually pretty good compared to Hank, The Middle and the forgotten.

And the thing is….Housewives and Grey’s will only last them so long. Its been a while for both the shows and its only a matter of time till they end and ABC will be left with nothing…even lost is over after this season

By: Gleebo

Gleebo — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:32:43 +0000

At this point ABC has a handful of struggling or borderline rated dramas that could go either way. There are a lot of holes that will need filled come next year. Sadly ABC is gonna have to continue relying upon Desperate Housewives and Grey’s to keep the network going for as long as they can do so. Where would Private Practice be if they hadn’t put it after GA last year? Probably canceled. Would Brothers and Sisters still be around with a less compatible lead in thatn DH? Who knows.

We can already pretty much assume that

Eastwick is gone
the forgotten is gone
Ugly Betty is on life support
Lost is in its final season
Castle is treading water in a hurricane
V & Flash Forward probably fighting each other to see a 2nd season

V, Flash Forward, Modern Family and Cougar Town all had great starts and only the two comedies have been able to continue on with any sort of success from those starts. And when Idol starts, as many have said, those comedies will take a heavy hit.

They aren’t down to the level of NBCs struggles but without Dancing and those two aging dramas (GA & DH) they probably wouldn’t be too far away.

By: Tommy

Tommy — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:20:02 +0000

The 8PM comedies will be hurt by Idol, and I think ABC is ready for that. The 9PM ones may hold up better then most people think they will. I’m sure an Idol infused Glee, or Human Target will dent them, but I don’t see them failing miserably.

By: Diogo

Diogo — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:19:08 +0000

If Idol does hit ABC’s comedies hard… it must give more of a chance to FlashForward and/or V to continue. I mean, there’s gotta be something ABC wants to keep for next year, other then Grey’s and Desperate Housewives, right? Am I just grasping at straws?

By: Gleebo

Gleebo — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:18:23 +0000

If FF and V would just combine the good stuff from each show they would have one hell of a great show. As it stands now neither one is strong enough to keep a Lost-esque fan base for a serialized show. Lost is probably one of the last of a dying breed in that genre…and easily my all time favorite show.

By: CK

CK — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:15:12 +0000

The ABC Wednesday comedies will be damaged when hurricane Idol hits. The DVR %’s will go up, but those numbers are just for fun and don’t really mean anything.

By: Diogo

Diogo — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:03:42 +0000

I love FlashForward! I can recognize its faults, but, the idea is too good to last just one season. Plus, the writers have already confirmed that we’ll go beyond April 29 this season, and, according to their current plan, when FF is done, season 1 will be considered merely an introduction to better things to come. Now, I trust that’s true, and that’s why it pains me to hear about the possibility of not being able to see that.

I love Nathan Fillion as an actor. Serenity and Firefly were good, ill fated, projects, but Castle is just one more procedural. Is that what TV has boiled down to? Another version of CSI or NCIS, with enough of a twist, to be broadcasted by ABC and not CBS?

Flashforward is unique, and I do belive it has a chance, if only because, so many other things appear to be certain goners already. Let me count the ways:

Hank and Eastwick got canceled
Lost is saying goodbeye
Ugly Betty and the forgotten are already in the coffin.
We don’t know in what shape V will be in when it returns in MARCH(!), in tv terms that’s in forever, and people may well not remember it or care when it comes knocking at their TV’s again.

Brothers and sisters and Castle are virtually in the same position as FlashForward, though B&S has the syndication advantage. Will ABC risk a complete revamp of the schedule next fall. From the looks of these results it looks like they should at least give a second chance to a couple of the mid level contenders, for next fall, and I do hope that’s this show. It’s just too good, even if you account for (some) bad accents.

By: forg

forg — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:56:32 +0000

I just hope FF goes back up. But I’m predicting come May ABC will choose between FF and V on which to renew, I don’t think they will cancel both.

I’m worried about the Wednesday comedies once Idol comes. I hope they could held steady.

About Ugly Betty, I read over at E! that the producers are ready for a series wrap up, so I guess the fans should be at least happy about that.

By: Tommy

Tommy — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:47:17 +0000

Tony it needs to level off now and trend back up in order to get renewed. A 2.6 demo is well below ABC’s average and unless it can get more people to watch it live it’s in trouble. I do think it’s one of the shows that ABC will try to save by possibly moving it to a less competitive time slot because that have invested so much into promoting it (Promos started last year during Lost.) The only problem with that is where can the move it to? 10PM Tuesday or Wednesday are the only timeslots I can see being possible for such a move, and I don’t know if that would help or hurt the show.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:45:04 +0000

FlashForward is still looking way better than Castle, and airs against much tougher competition. And at least it’s trying to do something different, rather than being a retread of dozens of other shows before it.

By: Tony

Tony — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:35:40 +0000

I am sure FlashForward will be renewed. And to all those people who say whats to happen after they reach April 29th the day the flashfowards were. Think about it. The aftermath people. And something very interesting will obviously happen to keep us interested and the writers know where their going. But I also think the writers need to not try so hard. I am losing a little interest in the show but will contnue to watch because I know I won’t be disappointed in the long run come April 29th. : )

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:15:30 +0000

Julia (and others) Tuesday or Wednesday night the comedy block isn’t going to be able to avoid Idol and frankly the only show that’s worth protecting in that block is Modern Family so the question then becomes, which will do more damage Past Life or Human Target and Glee? Frankly I’d prefer to see Modern Family go against Idol assisted Past Life than Idol assisted Human Target and Glee given that Past Life looks poor to say the least.

By: spotupj

spotupj — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:01:23 +0000

I don’t think FF would be canceled if it stayed at a 2.6 for the rest of the season, but I also don’t think it will stay at a 2.6 all season.

By: vsaint

vsaint — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:51 +0000

It doesn’t look too good for season 2. But with no LOST next year and the amount of time they put into it, i say it gets renewed, but revamped, budget cuts.
It’s very much following Heroes 1, SAve cheerleader save the world.
Once Blackouts are solved, only hardcore fans are going to watch.
They did hire a new show runner, and i believe Goyer is taken on more responsibility, but unless he’s writing, directing, it’s not going to do too much.
It was so hyped to be the next big thing. LOST, X-Files.
It’s really becoming the next Prison Break/Jericho.

By: coffeecrisp7

coffeecrisp7 — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:58:37 +0000

As much as I love FF, I agree with everyone who’s said that 1 season may be the way to go. They’ve got a full order now, and to be honest, again, as much as I love Lost, I don’t want FF to turn into another show like it where they just keep on complicating things and introducing new mysteries… An end date might do the show some good. Maybe have a smaller second season?

By: tvwatcher

tvwatcher — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:56:48 +0000

How are dvr/online viewing numbers factored in here? Or are they? Two days ago there was a report that FlashForward was gaining another 33% in online viewers… Castle seems to pick up online viewers as well.

By: Smallville

Smallville — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:17:56 +0000

Im not one to give up on my shows unless i know it is done for and flash forward and castle have a future!

Also, uh, does anyone know what show is gonna replace DWTS before castle?

By: stacy

stacy — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:10:47 +0000

STUPID SHOW Yea get it off the air. Started watching it with the family then girl on girl action confused my children NO business on t.v. good for cable. Let the show die!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: JG_nycChop

JG_nycChop — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:45:07 +0000

i think networks need to revisit the one and done mentality of latin american tv

By: Tommy

Tommy — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:18:34 +0000

Well that answers that, thanks Tar. I don’t look at international ratings so I had no idea how it was doing in other countries.

By: Tar

Tar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:09:15 +0000

FlashForward WAS a hit international its ratings fell everywhere too it went from huge to close to cancellation in many countries

By: Tommy

Tommy — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:53:34 +0000

David, Ugly Betty won’t be moving to another network. There isn’t anything to motivate another network to pick it up. Ugly Betty is produced by ABC studios, and with it’s poor ratings I don’t see anyone one else wanting it.

Aman Sanghera, it’s interesting to know that FlashForward is doing well overseas. I wonder how well it does in other overseas markets. If it’s a hit elsewhere maybe international licensing fees will work in it’s favor. That’s a slim chance, but if it ends up on the bubble this year it may just be enough to push it over the edge.

By: David

David — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:48:03 +0000

FlashForward is already dead. From 12 million viewers to 8 million. If I were somebody working at ABC Studios I’d cut the episodes to 13 again and cancel it. The storyline got stupid and even I stopped watching it. And the show really IS a 1-season-show. I think 25 episodes are completely enough.
And for Ugly Betty….. man, it got REALLY ugly! There’s no way surviving for another season. Well, maybe if it moves to another network(it would be interesting if it was on CBS or NBC). If Betty stays on ABC, the show is doomed to be cancelled and forgotten.