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‘The Nine,’ ‘Black Donnellys’ — dead shows revived?
Dead? Alive? Somewhere in between?
It’s about time for network execs to come up with a term to fit shows that are dropped, revived and then returned to limbo. Maybe semi-axed?
NBC brought back “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” in late May, but never with the intention of reviving the series for another season. The Aaron Sorkin drama just never caught on with viewers, but “burning off” the remaining six episodes at least recouped a few of the ad dollars.
Now comes word that ABC is bringing back its failed fall serial drama “The Nine.” After debuting with strong ratings, favorable reviews and healthy promise last September, “The Nine” was yanked after only seven episodes. It was said to be “trending downward” by the number crunchers.
But beginning Wednesday, Aug. 1, the show will return to burn off its remaining six installments.
Wouldn’t it have made more sense to run all episodes of both those series to their conclusion? Maybe viewers would have come back, and if not, at least die-hard fans wouldn’t have had to wait half a year to see the end of their shows.
Sigh … I guess burning off episodes months later is better than nothing at all. At least we got a satisfying end to “Studio 60.”
On the heels of the successful campaign to revive CBS’s “Jericho,” fans of the short-lived but fabulous NBC crime drama “The Black Donnellys” is pleading with HBO to pick up the series.
You may recall that “Jericho” fans sent 50,000 pounds of nuts to CBS, driving home the point that the cancellation was nuts to begin with. “Donnellys”” fans are sending packages of Zesta crackers, munchie items featured in a lounge owned by one of the characters, to HBO execs.
If you want to join the crackers brigade, check out the movement’s new Web site.
It’s probably just a matter of time before “Joey” comes back.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: Entertainment
Comments
By Robert Hardin
July 8, 2007 7:00 PM | Link to this
Rights to the skin on Tom Bergeron, Diane Sawyer, Kathryn Morris, Scott Pelly and undisclosed KTRK Houston employee's faces were sold to an undisclosed buyer.
By ILoveTommy
July 8, 2007 8:14 AM | Link to this
HDNet is wonderful to air the entire season 1 of The Black Donnellys so those who can't view online can see it. NBC did a poor job of advertising it. It is a series worthy of another season, totally different from any other mob drama. We believe HBO would be a good fit but don't rule out other networks as well. We won't give up until we succeed. Thanks for the mention of our campaign, Diane!
By tammy
July 7, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this
Thank you for your blog on the show The Black Donnellys. Thank you for supporting the fans efforts by mentioning that HBO is being targeted for a second season of the show The Black Donnellys by shipping crackers. The Black Donnellys is a great a show that deserves a secons season.
By austinights
July 7, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this
Studio execs are to blame with the fall of television - bar none. When you put on good programs and spread them out all over the spectrum viewers are going to bail. In some cases, such as Jericho, second chances are given. But, I read an article that said they are bringing it back for about eight episodes and will only keep it around if fans can prove its worthy of staying around. Haven't they done that already? I believe the future is new media - where TV shows will stream online and will be available on demand. Huge studios are pouring millions of dollars in platform development and I think it the next 2-5 years it will become Online Viewing - or OV instead of TV. Watch and see.
By Paige
July 7, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this
Hi Diane! Thank you for mentioning The Black Donnellys. Yes, we have sent our first shipment of crackers to HBO and more shipments will follow! We are also sending quarters, shamrocks, etc to give our fans a variety of ways to participate!
The first season is currently being aired on HDnet on Wednesday nights. So, TBD is "somewhere in between". Our hope is that HBO or other networks won't see that TBD was cancelled due to poor viewership but that it wasn't marketed well from the beginning and really didn't have a chance to thrive!
The story deserves to be told and hopefully you will see TBD in 2008 on HBO!!
www.savetheblackdonnellys.net
www.firecrackerdonnellys.blogspot.com
Thanks again!
By Patrick2H
July 6, 2007 7:15 PM | Link to this
Another mob serial (albeit NYC Irish) on HBO? Why not petition FX? This is arguably the best network on "free" cable when it comes to original series. Check out "The Shield", "Rescue Me", "The Riches", and "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia". This is what cable was supposed to be- cutting edge, realistic and daring.