Fox Sucks

Faith_Fan · 09-14-2004, 01:29 PM

Fox nips 'Tru' in the bud

Sun Sep 12, 9:17 PM ET

Josef Adalian, STAFF

Fox is cutting back on "Tru Calling" before the show's second season even begins.

Net Monday announced that the skein won't premiere as planned on Thursday, Nov. 4. Instead, the timeslot will be filled by Hawaii sudser "North Shore."

What Fox didn't announce, however, is that the net seems ready to scale back the production order on the Eliza Dushku (news) starrer from 13 segs to just six episodes. Decision could be a death blow to the 20th Century Fox TV/Original show, insiders conceded.

Fox execs made much of the decision to bring back "Tru" for a second season, hailing the call as evidence of the net's willingness to be patient and give shows with potential time to find an audience. It's the same rationale the net used to pick up season two of the critically-hailed "Arrested Development."

What's more, Fox execs are said to have liked the direction "Tru" writers have taken in early season two episodes.

So why the change of heart? Insiders said simple economics may have played a role.

With "American Idol" set to invade Fox's sked again come January, and reality skeins such as "Renovate My Family" and "Trading Spouses" off to a strong start, net may not want to spend the coin on a full order of "Tru," insiders claim. That's particularly true now that Fox has ordered "Point Pleasant" (also from 20th/Original) for a possible early 2005 bow.

But there's also evidence senior News Corp. management believes that "Tru" may simply be too narrow in its appeal, and that the skein will never be able to break out. While scaling back to six episodes is not the same as canceling a show, it's rarely a good sign.

One caveat: Some industry insiders believe there's still a shot "Tru" could produce its full 13-episode order, if only because under some scenarios, making the shows might be cheaper than not doing so. There's also a chance Fox might try the show on Friday night, some insiders said.

The "Tru Calling" move was just one of several schedule shifts announced Monday:

09-14-2004, 01:30 PM

already posted here ;)

Faith_Fan · 09-14-2004, 01:32 PM

We need an all out counter offensive to let Fox know how many fans out there. What pisses me off more than anything is that this is a death blow for any creative, genre/sci-fi type of shows. If Fox thinks that TC can't appeal to broader audience, then we'll never see another scifi or genre show again.

Visit SupportTruCalling.com for more campaign information. Please spread the word.

Things to do now:

1) Email ASK FOX at askfox@foxinc.com and tell them how much you love the show. Include your demographics (age and gender)

2) Send a postcard or letter to Gail Berman, president of Fox at:

Gail Berman
Building 100 Room 4450
10201 W. Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90035

3) Pre-order the Tru Calling DVD from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...pporttrucal-20

Faith_Fan · 09-14-2004, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jonny:
already posted here ;)

Well, wanted to draw more attention to this. This is serious, folks.

[ September 14, 2004, 12:37 PM: Message edited by: Faith_Fan ]

09-14-2004, 01:40 PM

Alrighty [img]smile.gif[/img]

09-14-2004, 01:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
Faith_Fan Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 611 My Profile	Fox nips 'Tru' in the bud Sun Sep 12, 9:17 PM ET Josef Adalian, STAFF Fox is cutting back on "Tru Calling" before the show's second season even begins. Net Monday announced that the skein won't premiere as planned on Thursday, Nov. 4. Instead, the timeslot will be filled by Hawaii sudser "North Shore." What Fox didn't announce, however, is that the net seems ready to scale back the production order on the Eliza Dushku (news) starrer from 13 segs to just six episodes. Decision could be a death blow to the 20th Century Fox TV/Original show, insiders conceded. Fox execs made much of the decision to bring back "Tru" for a second season, hailing the call as evidence of the net's willingness to be patient and give shows with potential time to find an audience. It's the same rationale the net used to pick up season two of the critically-hailed "Arrested Development." What's more, Fox execs are said to have liked the direction "Tru" writers have taken in early season two episodes. So why the change of heart? Insiders said simple economics may have played a role. With "American Idol" set to invade Fox's sked again come January, and reality skeins such as "Renovate My Family" and "Trading Spouses" off to a strong start, net may not want to spend the coin on a full order of "Tru," insiders claim. That's particularly true now that Fox has ordered "Point Pleasant" (also from 20th/Original) for a possible early 2005 bow. But there's also evidence senior News Corp. management believes that "Tru" may simply be too narrow in its appeal, and that the skein will never be able to break out. While scaling back to six episodes is not the same as canceling a show, it's rarely a good sign. One caveat: Some industry insiders believe there's still a shot "Tru" could produce its full 13-episode order, if only because under some scenarios, making the shows might be cheaper than not doing so. There's also a chance Fox might try the show on Friday night, some insiders said. The "Tru Calling" move was just one of several schedule shifts announced Monday:

09-14-2004, 01:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jonny Posts: n/a	already posted here ;)

09-14-2004, 01:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
Faith_Fan Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 611 My Profile	We need an all out counter offensive to let Fox know how many fans out there. What pisses me off more than anything is that this is a death blow for any creative, genre/sci-fi type of shows. If Fox thinks that TC can't appeal to broader audience, then we'll never see another scifi or genre show again. Visit SupportTruCalling.com for more campaign information. Please spread the word. Things to do now: 1) Email ASK FOX at askfox@foxinc.com and tell them how much you love the show. Include your demographics (age and gender) 2) Send a postcard or letter to Gail Berman, president of Fox at: Gail Berman Building 100 Room 4450 10201 W. Pico Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90035 3) Pre-order the Tru Calling DVD from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...pporttrucal-20

09-14-2004, 01:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
Jonny Posts: n/a	Alrighty [img]smile.gif[/img]

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