I really, really hope that you are right. But when it comes to cult sci-fi shows on tv, I'm a tad cynical. Have burned too many times.
I think it's not gone yet - for a couple of reasons:
1) The writer's strike - it delayed pilot season and didn't give the networks much to choose from to put in certain time slots. (I think we can thank the writer's strike for giving us Dollhouse, more episodes of Pushing Daisies, etc.)
2. They are busy figuring out their schedule and budget. There's quite a few shows up for grabs. Also the survival of shows on the edge of the cliff - is partly based on potential syndication, DVD, and dual cable deals. Friday Night Lights was just saved by a deal with Direct TV - which is picking up a lot of critically acclaimed shows with lots of fans - in order to steal subscribers from Cable. So, it is possible Sarah Connor could jump to satellite, which means if you don't have satellite - you may just have to wait for the DVD releases.
3.) They are probably waiting to see how Prison Break and a few other shows fare in the same slot - Prison Break has been cancelled. (sigh, about time, that show is just ridiculous now). But, they may be testing the slot. They want a sci-fi presence, because they want that demographic which the other networks don't have. It gives them a nitch. But, sci-fi shows are expensive to make and they may ditch Sarah Connor and Dollhouse for Fringe and a show similar to Fringe. Horror with gory monsters and lots of violence (more than Sarah Connor) seems to do very well for some reason. I don't understand it, personally. But to each their own. (They did the same thing with 24 and Prison Break.) They like shows that are easy to market, easy to syndicate (syndication is still far more lucrative than DVD sales believe it or not), and cheap to make, which give them critical acclaim and a media presence. House is golden. Bones is also great although it doesn't garner the critical acclaim House does - let's face it David Boreanze is no Hugh Laurie. But it does do great in syndication. As does Fringe. 24 got critical accliam and media attention. Sarah Connor has gotten media attention here and there, and has a good fan base - which has kept it afloat, but it is wickedly expensive to make. We'll see...
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branchandroot
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Date: 2009-04-12 03:50 pm (UTC)Have burned too many times.
I think it's not gone yet - for a couple of reasons:
1) The writer's strike - it delayed pilot season and didn't give the networks much to choose from to put in certain time slots. (I think we can thank the writer's strike for giving us Dollhouse, more episodes of Pushing Daisies, etc.)
2. They are busy figuring out their schedule and budget. There's quite a few shows up for grabs. Also the survival of shows on the edge of the cliff - is partly based on potential syndication, DVD, and dual cable deals. Friday Night Lights was just saved by a deal with Direct TV - which is picking up a lot of critically acclaimed shows with lots of fans - in order to steal subscribers from Cable. So, it is possible Sarah Connor could jump to satellite, which means if you don't have satellite - you may just have to wait for the DVD releases.
3.) They are probably waiting to see how Prison Break and a few other shows fare in the same slot - Prison Break has been cancelled. (sigh, about time, that show is just ridiculous now). But, they may be testing the slot. They want a sci-fi presence, because they want that demographic which the other networks don't have.
It gives them a nitch. But, sci-fi shows are expensive to make and they may ditch Sarah Connor and Dollhouse for Fringe and a show similar to Fringe. Horror with gory monsters and lots of violence (more than Sarah Connor) seems to do very well for some reason. I don't understand it, personally. But to each their own.
(They did the same thing with 24 and Prison Break.) They like shows that are easy to market, easy to syndicate (syndication is still far more lucrative than DVD sales believe it or not), and cheap to make, which give them critical acclaim and a media presence.
House is golden. Bones is also great although it doesn't garner the critical acclaim House does - let's face it David Boreanze is no Hugh Laurie. But it does do great in syndication. As does Fringe. 24 got critical accliam and media attention. Sarah Connor has gotten media attention here and there, and has a good fan base - which has kept it afloat, but it is wickedly expensive to make. We'll see...
I hope I'm wrong. But I've seen this before.