Clearing up some bullshit about Dollhouse being cancelled
I’ve noticed a bunch of TV ratings blogs and comments popping up on Twitter and here about the show being cancelled.
Well – it is not cancelled.
FOX took it off air during sweeps as they wanted to jack up their ratings so they met their advertising viewer level commitments from the upfronts. It’s that simple.
The show returns in December. If FOX didn’t want the show on air, why on earth would they bring it back? Why not just keep airing repeats of other shows in its place if they got a bigger audience?
Last season, we had to sit through a variety of different articles pronouncing the show dead. In fact, those articles started before it even shot its first episode. Well, into the early hours of this morning Dollhouse was shooting its 10th episode of season two – the last episode to air before Christmas. I remember months ago, one big site said the show was “99.9%” not coming back for season two. Several days later, it got picked up a second season.
The big secret the network is sadly keeping from everybody right now is the episodes in December are pretty big ‘event TV’ episodes. Week 1, you’re going to go so far down the Rossum Corporation hole you’re going to get punched in the face by Summer Glau. Week 2, you’re going to get your face horrifically messed up by Alpha. Week 3, you’re going to learn more the Dolls and the Dollhouse than you could imagine. It ends on an episode written and directed by the folks behind Epitaph One and Belonging – generally considered the two best episodes of the series to date – and it’s hilariously messed up.
Oh, and then the show is back in January with an episode written and directed by Tim Minear of ‘Omega’ and ‘Belle Chose’ fame – two other fan favourite episodes.
So, you know. People keep saying Dollhouse is dead. And they just keep being so very wrong.
You know what is going to end? Society. The world. And Dollhouse is going to show you how that happens, and who causes it piece by piece.
42 Responses 
Amen, Kevin.
“FOX took it off air during sweeps as they wanted to jack up their ratings so they met their advertising viewer level commitments from the upfronts. It’s that simple.”
Does that mean we can expect Dollhouse to get the much needed advertising it deserves?
I hate to think that Dollhouse could follow in the steps of recent series such as Pushing Daisies and Sarah Connor Chronicles which were axxed despite being tremendously entertaining and thought provoking shows.
The only way it is going to succeed in December is if the network advertise it properly. That likely means throwing more money at it than they had anticipated for a few weeks – which I hope they do.
I wonder what November sweeps really mean in the end if all the networks’ schedules are doped up and punctually tailored to artificially raise the audience. Are them ad agencies simply clueless by that much???
“Underestimating it is usually the last mistake most civilizations ever make.”
I AM getting some satisfaction from the fact that Friday’s ratings were a tiny bump for FOX. They don’t seem to understand that there’s a reason Friday is called ‘The Death Slot’.
Hilariously the ratings will have overall gone down yesterday, as House repeats are not very DVR’able. So they will have bought down the C3 numbers – so in other words, taking Dollhouse off air during sweeps worked out less profitable for FOX. Lessons learned and all that.
I’ve been wondering about this for a while now. If Fox say they aren’t going to make a renewal decision/back 9 decision until after all 13 episodes air, how will they even have the back 9 TV ready? It looks as though Dollhouse will be finished filming all 13 mid-December and episode 13 won’t be airing until late January. Would they even be able to restart production for 9 more? They’d have no scripts and then there’s pre-production and all that to go through. So while I know the show isn’t canceled, I am worried that this is all we’re ever going to get because there’s so little chance for the show to turn around ratings wise before they finish producing the 13. I don’t really know how all that works, I just find that worrying! If you can clear that up for me, I would love that.
I wondered this exact question Steph, so I asked ‘em. They plan to leave the sets up and decide about more episodes later.
Some perspective – season one wrapped filming its 13 episode order in January this year. They then let the set sit there empty until renewal time.
Season one was also optional back 9 and had a Fall premiere date envisioned when the show was first greenlit in November 2007 (exactly 2 years ago today).
It’s basically exactly the same situation as the first season, except they will wrap a few weeks earlier this season.
If Fox take down the sets, THEN the show isn’t coming back.
The only reason people keep writing that it’s been cancelled (other than to have a bloody headline) is that they care about the show and by drawing attention to it and the travesty it would be to cancel it, they are in some small way helping, even if the rumor mill counteracts that.
Contrast that with FOX taking the show off for a full month just after the new season has gotten legs. How many people will forget all about the show come December, or just won’t care anymore. I understand why FOX is doing what they’re doing, but it will most likely be at the cost of Dollhouse.
I’m just saying that I might stop worrying once I see the overall next-day viewing numbers for Dollhouse — and not just DVR, but also Hulu and Amazon and iTunes, if those are countable. I mean, if you’re looking at the fanbase buying merchandise, then Dollhouse is already a winner: the DVD sold more than 64,000 copies in the first week alone, which is more than $1 million dollars straight back into the hands of the studio. As Whedon & Co. have already proven this season (and also more ably in “Epitaph One”), Dollhouse can be shot on a markedly reduced budget and still turn out A-OK.
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At this point, what I’d love is to keep the Dollhouse seasons at the 13 episode length, and get it renewed three more times — as we all know, Whedon and Dushku have a “five-year plan” for Dollhouse. It’d be friggin’ awesome if they could just fill out those five seasons and then end the show. And, I mean, with CBS absolutely OWNING the ratings every Friday night, if Fox is still considering next-day viewing, Dollhouse is literally the only way they’ll get their foot in the door of stepping away from the lowest rung of the totum pole called “the Friday night death slot!”
Gossi, your article is an interesting piece of sarcasm. It deserves an stand-up ovation. I agree that people enjoy cheap journalism, gossips, and particularly they enjoy armaggedon stories. Dollhouse is the best tv show out there in its type and I wish it’d have a long run. I doubt it, but I can always wish for it.
If FOX would give more credit to the work of art that episodes like “Belonging” are, they would probably invest more in advertising Dollhouse and less in cleaning up their own mess.
i agree, nice little speach gossi
“Dollhouse is the best tv show out there in its type”
Um.. .Dollhouse is the ONLY TV show in it’s type on the networks… And the latest offerings from Syfy… well… be kind to ‘em – Stargate: Universe is no BSG.
Thanks for clearing that up. When I wrote and asked about the supposed cancellation, I was referring to rumor that it will not be picked up for season 3 and that is why Joss stated in some interview that he is providing some closer in this season. Of course, he provided closer in every season of Buffy in case it didn’t get renewed either, so we will just have to wait and see. It would be nice if Fox came out themselves and disputed these claims or actually purchased a full 22-episode season of the show.
I’ve noticed that the networks, other than renewals of major hit shows, have now defaulted to ordering show in 13-episode “half-season” production runs instead of 22 or 26 (ah, those were the days) seasons. This of course is so that they have the more comfortable option to drop a show halfway through a year if its dying in the ratings. Execs are less comfortable canceling a show if they’ve bought 22 episodes and there are still like 12 unaired. Still, they yanked Firefly with 3 eps in the can.
The “life-after-death” possibilities of DVD release of marginal shows changes the equation.
So, modern shows have to be successful by the 6th-7th episode or face summary death. On the other hand, I recall ST:The Next Generation’s shaky debut. They took the whole first year to get on their feet with the characters, and especially the writing. If the show was on the line at 13, TV history of SF would have been VERY different.
So while OUR favorite’s “House’s” fate is not been announced, or set in stone. FOX’s actions, track record and lack of support have not been encouraging. I will be very surprised to see a third season.
PLEASED. But surprised.
Kevin, ask us a question: Do Dollhouse has any chance to be picked up by some cable channel? Is there any talks going around this? Because despite the ‘crappy’ ratings DH provides to FOX, it would be one top program on a cable channel.
So please, clear our doubts! =]
I think Dushku has some kind of engagement (:P) with FOX and couldn’t leave for a cable show.
I was so upset when I tuned in last friday and there was no Dollhouse. Now I’m depressed that it won’t be showing. Does anyone know who and how to complain to Fox Network about them pushing back Dollhouse? I missed the bandwagon about Firefly only discovering the show just before Serenety showed in theaters.
Thank you.
I sent them an e-mail using the FAQ e-mail they have on the site:
E-mail: askfox@fox.com
Site: http://www.fox.com/community/askfox/
i hope they give this show a chance but when i saw house’s repeat on a friday night, i read an article that its live rating did an impressive 50% increase, that made me wanna go damn…but at the same time you have to take this into account. Their live ratings actually went down when you factor in their regular run’s, and that made me smile. Fox might see that they need to move this into a new night (next season) and put it up with another sci-fi show (ala fringe). I know its a shot in the dark, but i dont care. Every dark cloud has a silver lining. You just gotta have faith.
Having recently arrived in Canada from the UK, it took me a while to track down my favourite shows. One of the things I was happiest about was being able to watchDollhouse Season 2 ahead of when I would have seen it in the UK. I was majorly miffed when it failed to appear two weeks in a row, since I’d seen nothing to indicate any sort of hiatus. Only following Eliza Dushku and others on Twitter has given me any explanation, as well as making me feel like a stalker.
I will admit to being guilty of taping all of the “Dollhouse”s so far this season. Hey..it’s not like anyone calls, writes, or has a box in my house to track what i’m watching, y’know ? Then i read the rumors about the show possibly being cancelled, and was like “damn..not again..
Well, i watched all of the episodes from this season in one sitting. All i could say was this:
Fabulous !
“Belonging” was truly outstanding.
Even though you are saying that the show will return because that’s what you have been told (and goodness knows i hope you are right), i am still nervous about Fox. I’ve seen too many shows over the years never return from hiatus, even when the networks have sworn up and down that the show will be back.
It’s my understanding that Eliza has this 5 yr. developmental deal with Fox. If Fox should happen to ‘throw shade’ when it comes to “Dollhouse”, is it possible for the show to jump to cable (say like SyFy, for example) ? Don’t get me wrong, because Eliza is my girl, so i’m not suggesting she be abandoned.
If there’s any one thing “Epitaph One” and “Belonging” has shown, it’s that the scripts are so tight, and the actors are SO good, “DH” can stand without Eliza..for a little while. They could refer to Echo from time to time, and bring her back when her deal with Fox is up.
Is that possible ? I swear i don’t want this show to go away !
If the Series Jumps to another Network, They Could Easily write out Both Echo and Paul. As Seen in E1, They Both Left at some Point. They could come back in the Final Season and lead the other Dolls to Safe Haven.
That’s true, but i dig Echo. I can live without Paul, but i don’t want to see Echo gone for good. I liked it better when she was with her old handler. He grew to care for her almost like a father or big brother. Paul’s dynamic with Echo is a little creepy to me. You can tell he’s falling for her. Sorry..it just feels kinda icky to me.
So excited about the next eps – November is gonna be a long month to get through…
may everything you say be true
This puts me in mind of the time The Globe Theatre burned down in 1613 “causeing muche angst and suffering whylst spectators were forc’d to awayte its re-construct’n in thee 1990′s for compleyt’n of a performance of Henry V”. Why can’t Fox recognise that great shows like this need the right scheduling and recognition of DVD sales/ fan responses to monitor a show’s true success (quite apart from its artistic values)? Let’s hope we in Merry Olde England – and you chaps in the colonies – don’t need to wait too long for Echo’s Henry speech before The Storm comes…
*applause* Amen to that!
Dollhouse is a great show..The first half of season one was a little hokey though. Good single episodes, but no real story arc, basically the filler episodes. Joss was always good with that, especially with Buffy, the story arc basically lasted about 16 of the 22, with the rest being “freak of the week” episodes thrown in randomly to complete the run of 22. I assume that was done with Dollhouse for fear of not making it past 6 episodes, thus leaving an incomplete story, but once they worked the story arc in, the show really took off..Perhaps, the lack of that initial arc turned off too many people too soon..Who knows? But the shows turned into one of the best on tv…Sadly, the main thing I’m taking as an indication of cancellation, isn’t the month off, but the scheduled 2 episodes per night in December…It’s the same thing that was done with Drew Carey, they doubled up the episodes during a time when no one was gonna watch no matter what was on, just to get them out of the way as soon as possible and meet the airing agreements…I hope I’m wrong, but am fearing that I’m right.
If they cancel Dollhouse, I’m giving up on Fox…And the only possible way they could redeem themselves after that is to bring back either “Tru Calling”, “Point Pleasant” or “Firefly”.. Three of Fox’s biggest injustices, just behind the original cancellation of “Family Guy”.
WOW..didn’t know about the doubling-up of the episodes in Dec. Yeah..that’s pretty scary. Networks seem to do that when they’re trying to burn through the episodes they have to air. After that, the shows seem to just go away. Not a good sign.
Um..should we start writing to other networks now about “DH” ? I mean, of course we will still write to Fox, but is it too soon to get a jump on this with another network ? The more i read, the more nervous i get about the future of this show. I just don’t want it to go away.
so fox is airing reruns instead of new episodes of this show because the reruns get better ratings and you thinl the show has a chance? you people are insane! (/guess you have to be insane to like this show in the first place). at least TTSCC was watchable ((4
If TSCC was still on air it’d be taken off for sweeps too! The Terminator franchise is dead.
I’m sorry… Which show is still on the air? TTSCC? NO! Dollhouse is!
I’m not a TTSCC hater(I love Summer), but I’m just sayin’.
Lets not turn this into a TSCC vs Dollhouse thing anymore. I know fans have been pissed off at the fact that Dollhouse is on…I dont blame them for being angry, but u should be angry at fox not DH fans. We arent in high school, and fighthing on forums makes all of us look kind of childish.
Agreed. “TSCC” fans seem to have misdirected their anger from the network to “DH” fans. Instead of fighting, if Fox trips out and cancels “DH”, perhaps we should join together instead of fight each other.
I’ll make the same suggestion for “TSCC” as i did for “DH”..see if SyFy would be interested in picking the show up, showing the original run of the shows if possible, and making new shows during that time.
It’s not like this is an impossible thing. I think TNT is supposed to be picking up “Southland”, which was displaced when Leno went to 10 PM. Not sure if they’ll be airing the old shows, but they are supposed to be making new ones (if the deal was indeed completed). Does anyone else know about this, and/or if it was fan response to NBC’s cancellation that prompted the network change ?
It really sucks that we have to wait almost two months to see a new episode and know what will happen next. But lets hope that the new episodes will be worth the long wait.
i am in total agreement with mzkiki, we all should band together. Sci-fi shows nowadays have no luck on network t, well unless you’re into lost (which i kinda like, but getting tired of the constant “mystery”); shows like dollhouse and TSCC die because network tv isnt behind them 100% which they should. We’re going into november and i miss my show. I want to know what happens.
Did anyone catch the Rossum website made up? It makes it seem so real, when u read the mission statement, vision, and etc, it gave me the chills in a good way. I kept tellin myself, this is cool http://www.rossumcorporation.com/index.html
http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2009/11/dollhouse-shuts-its-doors.html
Well, it’s no longer bullshit. Hopefully, Josh can come up with a killer series ending.
Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value.