Second series of Dollhouse? An update.
Question: 2010?
Answer: Yes.
Question: Do the cast know if the show is returning?
Answer: No. They’re waiting to hear like we are.
Question: Would Joss return in a hands on role for a second series?
Answer: Good question, that.
Question: Does the season/series finale wrap up the series?
Answer: It’s a bit like the Buffy season one finale – according to Joss, it wraps up several of the key elements, but asks a bunch of questions at the same time.
Question: Airlock Alpha say Fox want to make another series. What’s that about?
Answer: The story has some issues. They cite the high “BlipNetwork Stability Index Rating” as a reason for why the series may get renewed. BlipNetwork is a company owned by the article author, Michael Hinman. They’re quoting figures they’ve made up with their own system. Fox uses Nielsen and it’s own in house analysis to determine the financial viability of a show – they don’t rely on systems made up by people on the interweb. Dollhouse just finished at a season low rating for Friday’s episode (episode 8, Needs).
Question: Can you report anything about a second series, then?
Question: Can you give us some good news?
Answer: Yes. The Dollhouse set is still up, at stage 19 on the Fox backlot. That’s because it cost a lot of money, and they haven’t made a decision yet. Also, the may 8th episode of Dollhouse is a brilliant hour of television. Really.
Question: Did you just interview yourself?
Answer: Yes. I’m a lonely man.
Question: Yes, I noticed.
Answer: I’m not sure what’s going on. Mummy…
Update: I mistyped the stage number as I’m a less Neo, more idiot. So I fixed that. Also removed the Prison Break thing with regards to Airlock Alpha as I was sadly and entirely mistaken.
14 Responses 
“They’re quoting figures they’ve made up with their own system. Fox uses Nielsen and it’s own in house analysis to determine the financial viability of a show – they don’t rely on systems made up by people on the interweb.”
To be fair, AA do actually make this point fairly explicitly in their own report, so this is hardly a champion de-bunking.
Still, nice to see all the facts, rumours, and speculation nicely summarised. Thanks
Nice overview, Kevin.
The Airlock article reads as a promo piece for their self-created “Stability Index” which doesn’t have any basis or correlation to network decision-making.
As I’m sure you’ve seen, a more sensible “Renew/Cancel” index is used by TVbythenumbers, which posits a different outcome for Dollhouse
Barring a sudden, unexpected uptick in Nielsen ratings/share, I’m afraid we’re going to have to be realistic about the show’s prospects.
In addition to its lagging ratings, there’s a likelihood that Dollhouse may become a victim of network politics.
With Peter Liguori pushed aside, his friend Kevin Reilly may also be on the outs, without a strong supporter at the network. Reilly was the reason that Dollhouse got picked up, but he’s apparently butted heads with FOX’s Preston Beckman, the head programmer and scheduler– the guy who was ultimately responsible for putting Dollhouse on Friday.
Thanks for letting us know, Kevin. It may be naive of me, but I’ve still got hope. A second season would tickle me pink, but even if that doesn’t happen, I’ll still be more than happy to buy the DVD…I think after an initial sadness I’d be satisfied with that.
There are also two big things nobody really knows yet.
On the business side, we will find out which way the numbers trend the last month. It’s not looking good so far. Episode eight, against no special competition – the NCAA tournament was on Saturday – returned Dollhouse’s worst rating of the year.
On the creative side, we have to see to what extent Joss’ desperate promises to fix everything actually come true. Theoretically, great things can be done concluding season-long arcs. David Chase brought every season of The Sopranos to a terrific satisfying smash-up that vanquished all of Tony’s enemies for that year.
But, you know, at the risk of sounding skeptical, David Chase wasn’t doing The Sopranos while also cranking out his Northern Exposure comic books and running his it’s-not-porn-I-swear-it’s-not Northern Exposure internet role-playing game where you could have sex with moose, or whatever. David Chase was putting all of his creative energy into The Sopranos.
We’ll see how Joss does. Personally, I think if he writes his way out of this mess it’ll be the most impressive thing he’s done since Buffy.
”they plan to air all episodes of the first season”. we all know that episode 13 will never air… dirty liar! WHO IS THE PERSON TALKING IN THE INTERVIEW??
There actually is no reason for any Joss fans to get too upset over the airing or not airing of the 13th episode. It airs too late to really affect the pickup/cancellation decision. And for Joss, it has to be all about that.
If Dollhouse doesn’t get a second season and the 13th episode doesn’t air, it just becomes a powerful incentive for Dollhouse fans to buy the DVD. In the no-second-season scenario, Joss actually does better if it doesn’t air. Remain calm, Whedon faitful.
I’m just saying, the whole thing is about whether there’s a second season or not. If there isn’t, Joss would probably rather have episode 13 as a first-class extra to sell DVDs.
You’ll get to see episode 13 one way or another. It’s just a matter of whether it’s free or not.
It’s not acceptable to threaten FOX executive’s lives here. It’s just a TV show.
The really questionable behavior of a small but noticeable part of the Whedon-ite community is a story that could be told about Dollhouse. The smart and thoughtful Roco who ran watchingdollhouse.com was also subject to personal attacks for voicing his perfectly legitimate creative disappointment in the show.
Anonymous, there’s always a fringe element, I ignore it.
I can understand why people get upset – when you’re in love with something, even a TV show, you get protective.
If You Give It A Chance It’s AWESOME!
It started off slow (IMO). Once you get into later episodes of the show it becomes filled with juicy plots and a deeper understanding of the characters. I believe there’s so much more this show has to offer and we have only seen the tip of the iceberg.
I really hope some television network picks up Dollhouse because it’s great, heck I think ABC should pick it up and teach Fox a lesson if they don’t like a television show that: is entertaining, makes one question their own ethics, and sparks the imagination. We can think of it as ABC’s What Would You Do in a SciFi way!
Also it’s worth mentioning I really enjoy looking at the atmosphere and design (The Set) they created for the show.
I am not bashing Fox by any means if this is what they choose to do, but I would hate to see a great show not continue simply due to a networks decision. Shows have been picked up by other networks before: I Dream of Jeanie, Family Matters, Get Smart, Taxi, Jag, Bionic Women etc… I personally never watched Bionic Women, but from what I understand it aired on ABC for two seasons (1976-1977) and was cancelled from ABC and then picked up by NBC for only 1 season from (1977-1978) See Wikipedia. I realize that it may have not been successful on NBC, but my point is at least give Dollhouse a CHANCE to succeed. Parents don’t throw their child out, because they haven’t hit their peak yet. They give them time to grow and succeed and if Dollhouse has to be adopted by a new network so be it!
Did you mean Second *Series* of Dollhouse or Second *SEASON* of Dollhouse?
This show rocks.
I hope that there will be a second season.
I love the show
big fan from belgium
Second series is british for second season. They say things differently over there.