I often wonder what television executives are thinking when they make programming decisions. I look at some of the shows that actually receive a time slot in a networks lineup and stand amazed. There’s so much crap out there and it seems like so many good shows don’t even get a fair chance.
I’ve already chronicled the tales of Jericho in this blog. For those unfamiliar with that situation, basically CBS killed Jericho after the first season. After receiving 25 tons of peanuts in protest from fans, they realized that they made a huge mistake and agreed to bring it back. It’s funny though because even though CBS says that they’ll do what it takes to make the show successful, they’re also sending a lot of mixed messages to the fans. It’ll be interesting to see how it all shakes out and if the Jericho Rangers get a third season.
So CBS killed Jericho. I thought that it was the best show to ever not be given a fair chance but I was wrong. It’s one of the best, but there is another. Firefly was a science fiction series created by Joss Whedon, the same guy who did Buffy the Vampire Slayer, that aired on Fox in 2002. The series is set in the year 2517, after humans have arrived at a new star system, and follows the adventures, or misadventures as it were, of the renegade crew of Serenity, a Firefly-class spaceship.
Despite the facts that Fox kept changing the time slot and aired the series grossly out of order, Firefly quickly developed a cult following. In 2005, New Scientist magazine’s website held an internet poll to find “The World’s Best Space Sci-Fi Ever”. Firefly came in first place, with its cinematic follow-up Serenity in second. Also, as of May 2007, it is the highest rated science fiction show of all time according to an online poll conducted by tv.com.
Thanks to strong DVD sales of the first and only season, a movie, Serenity, wrapping up the series was released in 2005.
Like Jericho, Firefly did not get a fair chance. In fact, it seems as though Fox tried to destroy the show before it even got going by airing the intended pilot episode which introduced all of the characters after already airing ten other episodes. Also like Jericho, Firefly was well written and had characters that were very likable. Unlike Jericho though, Firefly was not given a second chance and was not renewed for a second season.
This is another example of why I should be running a TV network. If I were in charge, shows like this would be all over and shows like most of what’s out there would be gone. Fortunately fans seem to have more clout now after the Battle for Jericho. Hopefully in the future, network executives won’t be so quick to destroy their fans by airing high-quality programs only to rip them off of the air weeks later.
If you haven’t seen the series, I recommend picking it up. I recently saw it at Target for $17. Serenity is also amazing and can be had for the price of a DVD. They’re both money well spent if you ask me. Since this is my blog though, no need to ask; I’ll just tell you.
Firefly
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Serenity
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