How Angel Got Cancelled
Jun. 18th, 2018 09:24 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shadowkat Why Angel the Series Got Cancelled -- halfway through the Marsters Q&A, James reveals how Angel got cancelled. Whedon pissed off his boss one too many times. The previous year, after S4, word came down in the summer that they were cancelled -- which put all the crew and cast out of work, and they didn't have any time to get another show or work for the next year -- so would be out of work for the full next year. Whedon felt really bad about it. So in S5, some of the Buffy cast came over full time (Marsters and Harmony), and the ratings improved by 80%. So Whedon went up to the network sort of cocky after the 100th episode and said..."I need to know if we're renewed for S6."
Network: Eh, John Wells from ER is giving us a Dracula show, once we see how that tests, we'll let you know.
Whedon: No. I need to know now!
Network: If we tell you now, you're cancelled.
Whedon: Fine.
Network: Cancelled.
Whedon: sorry guys, I screwed up.
Note -- the John Wells Dracula Show tested really badly. If Whedon hadn't pushed they might have remained on the air.
Also it should be noted that it is NOT ratings that gets shows cancelled, it's other factors, such as advertisers. You want to get a show cancelled or renewed, figure out the advertisers. Ad dollars pay broadcast channel network exec's salaries. Subscriber dollars pay premium channel and streaming channel network exec salaries.
Roseanne got cancelled not because of ratings, but because her tweet pissed off the "advertisers" who most likely called the network and said -- we're pulling out. Bye now. Doesn't matter how great your ratings or how many people watch -- what matters is whether advertisers want to place ads on your show. Ads pay for the show's air time. It's always been like that...used to be worse. That's why they are careful about certain things -- do not piss off the advertising sponsor who pays our rent.
Network: Eh, John Wells from ER is giving us a Dracula show, once we see how that tests, we'll let you know.
Whedon: No. I need to know now!
Network: If we tell you now, you're cancelled.
Whedon: Fine.
Network: Cancelled.
Whedon: sorry guys, I screwed up.
Note -- the John Wells Dracula Show tested really badly. If Whedon hadn't pushed they might have remained on the air.
Also it should be noted that it is NOT ratings that gets shows cancelled, it's other factors, such as advertisers. You want to get a show cancelled or renewed, figure out the advertisers. Ad dollars pay broadcast channel network exec's salaries. Subscriber dollars pay premium channel and streaming channel network exec salaries.
Roseanne got cancelled not because of ratings, but because her tweet pissed off the "advertisers" who most likely called the network and said -- we're pulling out. Bye now. Doesn't matter how great your ratings or how many people watch -- what matters is whether advertisers want to place ads on your show. Ads pay for the show's air time. It's always been like that...used to be worse. That's why they are careful about certain things -- do not piss off the advertising sponsor who pays our rent.
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Date: 2018-06-20 02:41 am (UTC)Also, when you spend a great deal of time in the public eye -- you sort of put on a persona of sorts.
I think there is a diplomatic element, as you indicate. While people have reputations and it's likely agents know what you really think - I'd imagine many actors worry that saying anything too out of line might make it harder to get more work. (Whether from Joss, or someone else) So there's an incentive to be positive, promote your show, and promote the people you work with and for...