View Full Version : TV option not picked up.
thomas7g
December 10th, 2003, 09:37 PM
Sandy released this info on the Cylon.org forums. Its rumor, but the rumors come from good sources.
The Scifi execs were overjoyed at the increased ratings. But its a matter of costs. it cost a fortune and there isn't the amount of money available to go into a full tv series production.
Though this isn't a dead end. The series just isn't picked up for this next year, maybe the next. Maybe it will be sold like Buffy was to the WB or JAG to CBS. Who knows. BG revival has always been a ship with termite problems.
This isn't 100% reliable, but I trust Sandy. And I thought you would prefer to hear about this than wonder.
:)
thomas7g
December 10th, 2003, 09:40 PM
Btw- I ask people on both sides to show some consideration for the other side.
Lets work together and be one community. Not two.;)
Spectre
December 10th, 2003, 09:46 PM
Shoot...Even if they TOTALLY re-wrote it to be way more like the old show...I'd be happy.
What I mainly love about the new show is the FX and "look."
dec5
December 10th, 2003, 10:34 PM
I would rather have a mini series conclusion.....anyway...
Oscar
December 11th, 2003, 04:35 AM
The mini's strong ratings result means the chances of an alternative revival, be it a continuation or whatever, are now much greater.
It's all good. I just hope the extremely talanted Tom DeSanto takes command of any continuation, and not Mr Larsen with his crappy-sounding Pegasus concept.
Titon
December 11th, 2003, 05:35 AM
Oscar, this is exactly what we were actually looking for. It proves now beyond a shadow of a doubt that Battlestar Galactica is a viable property.
Again though, it makes no sense for scifi. If they had no intention on taking this to series then why in god's green earth did they take the time to make it? Don't get me wrong, i'm still a pro contination advocate but it goes to show you how inept the scifi channel truely is.
Belloby
December 11th, 2003, 07:10 AM
I think made the mini for two reasons:
1. To see if the franchise is viable because Star Trek is on death's door and they want to tap into the fandom market.
2. They purchased some kinda deal for the BSG rights and they've got to use it. It's also my guess about Ron Moore. They must've had him on contract and needed to use him...because he was going to get paid for nothing.
This is what I love about BSG fans. You guys are so wonderfully optimistic about your series. It is so refreshing to see people who truly love their series. But you will learn, in the most painful ways possible, that TPTB ESPECIALLY ONES THAT COME FROM THE STAR TREK STABLE don't give a damn what the fans think. And when you do, it will really, really hurt.
I'm being very harsh here, and I will continue to be, but it's because you guys are such a nice group...and I hate to see nice people getting used.
Dean Martin
December 11th, 2003, 07:32 AM
Again though, it makes no sense for scifi. If they had no intention on taking this to series then why in god's green earth did they take the time to make it?
Yeah, I really don't get that.
malachi42
December 11th, 2003, 08:49 AM
I'm am hearing the opposite. No final decisions have been made, but the series is currently being discussed as to how it would be done.
malachi42
December 11th, 2003, 08:52 AM
And I believe Ron Moore has been under contract to HBO for the last two years, not Universal. Studios are usually quite happy to pay out a producers contract for a million dollars than spend 15 million in production as a way of getting their moneys worth. Wouldn't be very logical business practice.
thomas7g
December 11th, 2003, 03:35 PM
I think I can answer the why scifi did this question.
They seem to have a policy of producing one or two high budget projects a year, then basically feeding us really bad crap the rest of the year. Shows that cost nothing to produce but shows a profit if anyone tunes in, cause it cost nothing to make. Like Scare TActics, Crossing Over, etc.
The hope for Battlestar Galactica was that it would produce a high enough ratings to go to full series. But the amount of negative word of mouth probably spooked the scifi execs. So they reasoned they needed to really flood the market with expensive advertising to overcome us fans badmouthing it. They figured they had a big hill of viewer dislike they had to get over, but once they passed the peak it would be a smooth wonderful ride. In that they were partly successful.
But the ratings were really low considering all the advertising they put in it. Yes it hit a 3.5 then a 3.8 rating, highest of cable on that night. But compared to a bad network show, its a flop. Most of the cable competition wasn't putting out competitve shows. Alot of it was reruns. A good network series hits around a 8. A 3.3 was Scifi's MINIUMUM expectation that they guaranteed sponsers.
They execs were relieved their show wasn't a bomb, but its not enough of a hit to warrant series. Not yet. Especially not if they have to spend this much money to make it work. Remember, Scifi as of this date is still a small (relatively) company that is a small division of Vivendi which was a financial disaster. There ain't alot of money to take daring risks.
thomas7g
December 11th, 2003, 03:38 PM
mal- Tom Desanto at the Galacticon mentioned Moore was part of this project as a writer under the DeSanto team back when 9-11 hit.
DeSanto had to leave to do Xmen, and Scifi took over and put Moore in the driver's seat.
Micheleh
December 11th, 2003, 03:46 PM
What?!? Why didn't anyone mention this before? (I didn't get to see the panels, remember?)
So Moore was on as an asssitant to DeSanto, and only got jumped up becuase Tom had to honor prior commitments? That expalins a LOT, from Moore's inexplicable presence to his over-sell, defensive arrogance, and inability to listen to *anyone*. He was probably seething the whole time, thinking, "I can do better than DeSanto". Then viola, he has the chance. He sets his mind, and goes at it h*ll or high water, his ideas or death.
*sigh*
AlternityOrange
December 11th, 2003, 04:30 PM
Moore never worked for Desanto on BSG. What Desanto said at his panel was,
"Believe it or not, one of the top names on my list to work on the [potential] series was Ron Moore. But he was busy with Pern at the time and unavailable."
That's somewhat paraphrased but I do have this weird recording memory thing.
Anyway, had Moore not been working on Pern he would have jumped at the chance for employment with Desanto. The question is, assuming it still fell through would Moore have felt any loyalty to the original project when he was contacted by Eick? Personally, I doubt it.
malachi42
December 11th, 2003, 04:37 PM
But cable networks never compare their ratings to the networks. They only compare them to other cable networks. If they compared themselves to networks. they'd have to pack up te Sopranos and all the other cable shows and go home.
I wouldn't be too hasty in sounding the death knell on a series. The word is around town that the network is very, very happy with the ratings and is currently discussing the details of what exactly tyhe series would be, story outlines etc.
malachi42
December 11th, 2003, 04:39 PM
Wow, does everyone here know Ron Moore really well? Does he post here?
thomas7g
December 11th, 2003, 05:36 PM
A couple of people here have met him. Sandy aka TwoBrainCylon knows him best.
I don't think he has ever post here. He registered, but never posted. I don't remember though what the login was. That was last year before I was an admin here.
malachi42
December 11th, 2003, 05:56 PM
It sounds like a lot of people are very close to him, close enough to know his inner motivations.
michaelfaries
December 11th, 2003, 06:35 PM
Originally posted by AlternityOrange
Moore never worked for Desanto on BSG. What Desanto said at his panel was,
"Believe it or not, one of the top names on my list to work on the [potential] series was Ron Moore. But he was busy with Pern at the time and unavailable."
That's somewhat paraphrased but I do have this weird recording memory thing.
I'll second that. Furthermore, Ronald D. Moore was one of three writers whom Tom had in mind, ironically.
Michael
:colwar:
michaelfaries
December 11th, 2003, 06:36 PM
Originally posted by conundrum7g
A couple of people here have met him. Sandy aka TwoBrainCylon knows him best. I don't think he has ever post here.
Oh, he visits alright. (Hi Ron.) I've gotten private e-mails from him on postings I've made. Posting online, I don't think so.
Michael
:colwar:
thomas7g
December 11th, 2003, 06:59 PM
Well if he ever decides to decloak, We'll do everything to keep him from being flamed. Critiques good, flames bad.
Now that the mini is over, its like a safety valve has released pressure. And we can actually do what we've wanted for the last month. To just promote the love of galactica, and to have fun. :D
jeditemple
December 12th, 2003, 10:39 AM
Maybe we should play the game "Seven Degrees of Ron Moore."
Just kidding... ;)
Dean Martin
December 12th, 2003, 10:42 AM
Seven degrees of all the shows he fouled up?
I know he had a big hand in DS9 and to be honest that is the only trek I really did not like. It wasn't like STar Trek, like the new BSG isn't really like TOS.
Why doesn't someone hire Ron Moore to come up with an original idea. If he truly wants to do something different, stop crapping on other people's work.
jeditemple
December 12th, 2003, 10:58 AM
Amen brother. I think a lot of people will be scared to use Ron Moore now, because he's poison to any series. He'll always be known as the man who screwed up Galactica and will hopefully fade into obscurity. Lord help him if he shows up at any more cons...he may get tarred and feathered.
jewels
December 12th, 2003, 11:32 AM
Originally posted by Micheleh
What?!? Why didn't anyone mention this before? (I didn't get to see the panels, remember?)
Oh, Micheleh, ask Richard sometime. I think he has a Ron Moore story that will blow your mind. Just keep in mind where Ron is held into a structure (TNG) he does OK.
On 7 degrees of Ron Moore:
I'm 2 degrees I think: I didn't meet him at Galacticon (that was a good thing for him: would have told him his mini director sucked and probably told him just how much we women like the charming ladykiller playboys like Starbuck, Bond, about any role Sean Connery plays, etc.) but I know people that know him.
At least Tom DeSanto I can say I met. :) Like that man.
Karman
December 12th, 2003, 01:11 PM
The Scifi execs were overjoyed at the increased ratings. But its a matter of costs. it cost a fortune and there isn't the amount of money available to go into a full tv series production.
Isn't it ironic? "Great ratings, but too expensive to produce" was the same reason they cancelled TOS!
Dean Martin
December 12th, 2003, 01:19 PM
If I met Ron Moore I would politely tell him that his Mini was an interesting 'take' but he missed on what made Galactica great.
Tyrol
December 12th, 2003, 10:39 PM
I don't have the definitave answer but i do know that the studio has until the 31st to pick it up or not and some of the cast have contract options for 5 years and one member in particular is negotiating thier deal as we speak. The sets are in storage in Vancouver ready to be puzzle pieced back together. Eddie was in Vancovuer a couple of weeks ago looking for a home and he told me, "See you in february." at the premiere. I would be very surprised if, at this point it didn't go.
Dean Martin
December 12th, 2003, 10:47 PM
Are you really Aaron Douglas? If so, great job. You were one of my favorite characters in the show.
I for one am looking forward to it coming back. I would like to see what they can do with a few more episodes under their belt. I liked the gritty, documentary sort of look. At times it seemed like there were ominous things going on, without really showing exactly what was happening.
If it does return I hope to see you in the role of Tyrol.
thomas7g
December 12th, 2003, 10:52 PM
Who knows how good scuttlebutt rumors are. :)
The one thing that made me tend to believe this one is they were talking in terms of financial planning and funding. Stargate has a go for a big expensive movie project. And if what my friend told me is right, that doesn't leave BG with a large budget to ensure success. Especially with advertising costs. He mentioned there was talk of selling the package to be developed by someone else.
But again. Its all hearsay. All rumors. Who knows what is real.
jeditemple
December 12th, 2003, 11:00 PM
Originally posted by conundrum7g
He mentioned there was talk of selling the package to be developed by someone else.
I can't even begin to imagine what that incarnation would look like. Maybe Starbuck will get a sex change again? :D
Hope they at least keep Tyrol onboard...:thumbsup:
Dean Martin
December 12th, 2003, 11:04 PM
I can't even begin to imagine what that incarnation would look like. Maybe Starbuck will get a sex change again?
Honestly why couldn't that happen? Stranger things on shows have occurred. A whole new Darren on bewitched, the disappearance of Richie's older brother on Happy days...
Maybe there is hope. It seems most of the fans who like the mini still hate the female starbuck. for me, that would be a change that would help my support a lot.
thomas7g
December 12th, 2003, 11:22 PM
Look at Stargate, Jag and Buffy. Those shows were all sold to another network.
GalacticanCajun
December 13th, 2003, 05:10 AM
I really liked Tyrol. His character was a very likeable kind of guy. I especially appreciated how he tried to look out for those under him. I think he may become one of the most liked characters if the series is picked up.
malachi42
December 13th, 2003, 07:34 AM
Actually Ron Moore is considered very hot in town these days Jedi. I believe the rsults of Galactica have brought him an incredible amount of positive attention in the industry, most of which have no knowledge whatsoever of the Galactica controversy. And in this town controversy is not a bad thing.
He won't be fading away anytime soon.
sihirvyth2
December 13th, 2003, 12:41 PM
Sandy's post on CA left me extremely puzzled.
You have the BSG DVD, the Video game, and the mini all hitting the market around the same time and doing well financially. I'm not that convinced that it's just a chance to make a quick buck. The suits realize they have a successful brand that is virtually untapped, but is still bringing in money after 25 years.
I realize Sci-Fi doesn't do things intelligently, but to me this all seems like a pretty organized campaign to get BSG back in the minds of Science Fiction fans.
As others have pointed out, with Star Trek pretty much 'worn out', it's really the perfect time for Universal to step up and fill the void. Not only is BSG well known, it was only on for one season. Since there are so many major things from both the original series and the mini left unresolved, it's the perfect property to make into a series. It's basically the best of both worlds.
And all this can only help Larson's movie, even if he goes into another direction. Trek has little continuity between series and movies and is still sucessful. Paramount just puts out movies because they'll make money. So Larson and continuation fans have everything to gain from this going to a series and doing well.
Dean Martin
December 13th, 2003, 01:26 PM
Trek has little continuity between series and movies and is still sucessful.
It does?
Tyrol
December 13th, 2003, 01:55 PM
Look at Andromeda. It has no network. Just a bunch of German investors. Maybe that is all that BSG needs
And thank youall for your very cool thoughts about Tyrol. it means a lot to me to hear.
On another note, maybe Starbuck is a Cylon and can have detatchable parts like Kryton on Red Dwarf. They could get product placements from Hoover. That way she/he could be both.
Westy
December 13th, 2003, 02:03 PM
LOL...reminds me of song..."Detachable <censored>".
Tyrol
December 13th, 2003, 02:08 PM
In the case of the east coast right now maybe a detachable snow blower?
Westy
December 13th, 2003, 02:15 PM
That'll work! It's weird for us to get this much so early...I'm over this winter already. What's it like where you are? Where are you anyways?
Tyrol
December 13th, 2003, 02:16 PM
Right now I am in Vancouver and it is overcast and about 50 degrees
Westy
December 13th, 2003, 02:36 PM
50 degrees?...hmph. must be nice Aaron....send some of that this way. It's 28 here now, it'll be 10 tonight, and tomorrow some more snow. 50 degrees...sigh
Tyrol
December 13th, 2003, 02:39 PM
yikes!!!! Well here's hoping.
Westy
December 13th, 2003, 02:47 PM
Oh wow, just saw ur in I, Robot. Sweet....bout time they made a movie of it. I'll be looking for that when it comes out.
ViperAce
December 13th, 2003, 02:48 PM
Vancouver ... hmmm ... I don't suppose you would venture over and dig up some info on the latest from StarGate SG1 camp? LOL
thomas7g
December 13th, 2003, 02:55 PM
On another note, maybe Starbuck is a Cylon and can have detatchable parts like Kryton on Red Dwarf. They could get product placements from Hoover. That way she/he could be both.
ya know its kinda funny ya mentioned starbuck being a cylon. She has incredible aim, incredible flying abilities. She seems to be an outcast in socieity unable to relate to most of humanity. Plus she doesn't seem to like most humans until she forms a close attachment. :)
maybe her passing Zack in training was a ploy to get him killed and drive a stake into Adama's heart, weakening his ability to command?
Yes, its ALL a cylon plot. ;)
Tyrol
December 13th, 2003, 02:56 PM
I've done two SG1's. the new spin off is starting in the new year and Richard is doing the first episode or two to get it going and then SG1 is done. That is all I really know. Just the local rumour mill. I know Peter Deluise fairly well and when I see him next I'll try to get some stuff that he will let me 'leak'. I cannot and will not say anything that could jeopardize them or the show but I can hint....right?
I Robot should be very good. Alex Proyas is a very good director and he is very passionate about making a very good film as he is a fan as well.
Westy
December 13th, 2003, 02:57 PM
Hi Tom, what's going on? The chat the other night was cool, thanks for having me.
Tyrol
December 13th, 2003, 02:58 PM
Plus she doesn't seem to like most humans until she forms a close attachment. :)
or do you mean 'clone' attachment
Tyrol
December 13th, 2003, 02:59 PM
maybe Zack isn't dead. did we see him die? is there a body?
thomas7g
December 13th, 2003, 03:02 PM
btw, although I STRONGLY miss the warm strong family like closeness of the original cast, but I will say the determination to be serious and focus on writing a good script is a trend I hope to see continued in scifi. I'm tired of how scifi shows seem to think its okay not to have scripts with any depth. :)
thomas7g
December 13th, 2003, 03:03 PM
maybe Zack isn't dead. did we see him die? is there a body?
Hmmmm... they never did say if any of the 12 cylon models could be made to impersonate a pre-existing person. Maybe he transfered out his conciousness. ;)
Tyrol
December 13th, 2003, 03:06 PM
maybe that is where they get the human forms from. Maybe some people have been 'captured' and thier DNA has been used to make copies of other people. Maybe Zack is in a tank somewhere and someday Adama will come face to face with himself and one will be killed but the 'right one'? And for the fans who don't like the mini....which would be the 'right one' to die?
Ain't I a stinker?
Westy
December 13th, 2003, 03:08 PM
Zack huh? That'd be an interesting twist. Hell, even Tyrol could be one for all we know. We know the female looking Cylons are fully...er...functional, can they have babies? Could have a few little Cylons running around. Might be too Children of the Corn maybe.
Tyrol
December 13th, 2003, 03:09 PM
Cylondren of the Capricorn?
Westy
December 13th, 2003, 03:14 PM
LOL, that'd work.
LadyImmortal
December 13th, 2003, 07:38 PM
SHAME ON YOU!
::huffs::
Just kidding! Well, that wasn't something I had thought of (and people think *I* am evil! I've just been outevilled!)
That's one of those comic book adages. They aren't dead until you see the body. And then it's only have certain.... so it's entirely plausible to bring him back in one fashion or another. But the Cylon Adama/Real Adama idea... ::shudders:: evil, Aaron. Very evil. And I gotta go to bed now. Nightmares for sure. Evil! =)
--Rhonda
shapeshifter
December 13th, 2003, 08:19 PM
Originally posted by Tyrol
maybe that is where they get the human forms from. Maybe some people have been 'captured' and thier DNA has been used to make copies of other people. ... That's more of what I had in mind when I suggested that there could still be a human Boomer on board the ship. "Captured" in the sense that an image or text is "captured" by using copy & paste.
thomas7g
December 13th, 2003, 08:30 PM
The truth is....
They're all cylons.
Its a farscape plot to get even with scifi channel.
The 14th Colony
December 13th, 2003, 08:41 PM
Originally posted by Tyrol
...On another note, maybe Starbuck is a Cylon and can have detatchable parts like Kryton on Red Dwarf. They could get product placements from Hoover. That way she/he could be both.
Hoover, as in the vacume cleaner company?
Oh great, give her an attactment that sucks...isn't there enough sex in the mini already? :D
In the case of the east coast right now maybe a detachable snow blower?
Now you've got me remembering Spaceballs! "Look! She just went from suck to blow!"
Kaith Rustaz
December 13th, 2003, 09:17 PM
Originally posted by The 14th Colony
Hoover, as in the vacume cleaner company?
Oh great, give her an attactment that sucks...isn't there enough sex in the mini already? :D
Now you've got me remembering Spaceballs! "Look! She just went from suck to blow!"
:blink: :cool:
I'm just wondering if thats a cut scene that will be on the DVD.... :D
callsignfalcon
December 13th, 2003, 10:47 PM
a plot? perhaps... after all Farscape was canceled due money(at least that had a big play in it)..... LOL
Westy
December 14th, 2003, 10:56 AM
I'd be specially interested in seeing episodes where Tyrol first suspects Boomer of being a Cylon, in fact, the whole story arc would be fascinating I bet. Suspicion, confirmation, resolution....it might rival a greek tragedy if done right. :cry:
jewels
December 14th, 2003, 01:15 PM
Originally posted by conundrum7g
The truth is....
They're all cylons.
Its a farscape plot to get even with scifi channel.
One never knows what those crazy folks at Henson will come up with next! ROTFLMAO
I think they are busily reconstituting freeze-dried hero and heroine at this point--sorting the dna into 2 piles. ;)
If Henson brings Crichton and Aeryn back as lightship-type beings I will completely flip though...
Jewels
jonahlee
December 14th, 2003, 02:47 PM
Originally posted by Dean Martin
Why doesn't someone hire Ron Moore to come up with an original idea. If he truly wants to do something different, stop crapping on other people's work. I am not a huge fan of his work in the Sci-Fi genre, but I have to say that CARNIVALE is one of the most original shows I have seen in a long time. He certainly has some original ideas, so I wouldn't write him off completely.
HollyKnight55
December 14th, 2003, 03:01 PM
Originally posted by Westy
I'd be specially interested in seeing episodes where Tyrol first suspects Boomer of being a Cylon, in fact, the whole story arc would be fascinating I bet. Suspicion, confirmation, resolution....it might rival a greek tragedy if done right. :cry:
Would that make it, uh, ah... Geek Tragedy? ;)
I LOVED the new mini series, and if it doesn't get picked up I'm going to start a riot here in New Brunswick... of course, with all the snow we've been getting I don't expect a great turn out... maybe I'll enlist the penguins, polar bears and reindeer.
I have to admit, I don't have much of a memory of the original series, being a mere 30 years of age - but I assume it has similarities that are going to make me pick it up. The dynamic between the Military and the Civilians. The fact that rather than relying on a hook like new tech, or aliens, or new ships or what have you... it relied on storytelling and characters. Fantastic.
thomas7g
December 14th, 2003, 03:02 PM
Too true, my Jane :)
ViperAce
December 15th, 2003, 08:35 PM
Aaron ... Not to intentionally get off on an unrelated subject ... but which 2 SG1's did you do, an already past episode, or one coming in January? I've become a somewhat dedicated SG1 fan over the last 3 seasons, so I'm fighting with my memory to recognize you ... (Friday TV ... thank God for Digital Video Recorders) lol
Just say my memory is fine and you did Azgard voice-overs ... or played a Jafa in full armor ... lol
Michael Hinman
December 16th, 2003, 01:24 PM
Hi, everyone ... a newbie here. And just to let everyone know that I heard there was a pickup Monday evening, however, we were working to get it corroborated, which we did early this afternoon. So, we are reporting that the series has been greenlit.
Now to respond ...
Originally posted by conundrum7g The hope for Battlestar Galactica was that it would produce a high enough ratings to go to full series. But the amount of negative word of mouth probably spooked the scifi execs.
If you are going to answer for Sci-Fi, I think it might be best that you have a better understanding of Sci-Fi execs. There was "negative" word of mouth since the announcement. Sci-Fi, if they were really all that concerned, would've pulled the plug before spending the money they did.
Just to let you know, programming on commercial networks and such live and die by RATINGS. That's why ratings are so important.
[qupte]So they reasoned they needed to really flood the market with expensive advertising to overcome us fans badmouthing it.[/quote]
I can guarantee you that the mass advertising campaign was planned from the start, and would accompany any major project. The same was done for "Taken," and I don't recall hearing a single bad thing about it.
For some reason, you are in this understanding that everyone who is a potential viewer visit message boards like this, or even Web sites like mine, and hear all of everything. I can safely bet that the commercials that aired on Sci-Fi, and then on other networks just before the premiere, was the first time many people even knew a BSG project was being put together. That's the way the world really works. If it worked the way you claimed, this board would have 4 million people reading and posting right now.
But the ratings were really low considering all the advertising they put in it. Yes it hit a 3.5 then a 3.8 rating, highest of cable on that night. But compared to a bad network show, its a flop. Most of the cable competition wasn't putting out competitve shows. Alot of it was reruns. A good network series hits around a 8. A 3.3 was Scifi's MINIUMUM expectation that they guaranteed sponsers.
The 3.3 was Sci-Fi's PROJECTED expectation. It wasn't a minimum. When they were selling this project to advertisers, they told the advertisers that they projected that a 3.3 would be achieved, thus justifying whatever rates they were charging. The advertisers ran their own numbers, decided it was possibly correct, and went from there.
Please note that Sci-Fi based its advertiser rates on a 3.3. If they felt that the projections would be significantly higher, they would've charged for a higher rating. If they felt that the mini would do no better than a 3.3, and they required something like a 4.5, they wouldn't have still referred to it as a back-door series, and likely wouldn't have even gone ahead with the project.
It's safe to say that the Sci-Fi Channel ratings threshold here was around 2.8. If the series did lower than that, the channel would simply have to do make-goods for the advertisers.
Also, you cannot compare a program on expanded cable to a program on a network. I am not going to get into the same discussion here that I got into in Cylon.org. You are comparing apples and oranges, especially as it goes to market penetration and such. Anyone with a good antenna and living somewhat close to a television market can pick up a network. An expanded cable channel requires the purchase of cable or satellite, and sometimes, you even have to pay more for those channels, as part of an "expanded package."
Those are two entirely different animals.
"The Osbournes" on MTV is considered a major success despite the fact it averages about 2.5 million viewers. Compare that to the major success of networks. Like the 20 million people who tuned in to see the finale of "Survivor" last weekend.
I've been covering ratings for years now. It was a difficult thing to learn, to understand where the numbers came from, why they are collected, how they can be affected, and so on. I've written several pieces about ratings in the past, and I am pleased to say that they have met with strong endorsement from people in the television business, and journalists from newspapers and magazines who cover television.
They execs were relieved their show wasn't a bomb, but its not enough of a hit to warrant series. Not yet. Especially not if they have to spend this much money to make it work. Remember, Scifi as of this date is still a small (relatively) company that is a small division of Vivendi which was a financial disaster. There ain't alot of money to take daring risks. [/B]
This statement makes no sense. Of course a lot of money was spent on the pilot, the most money ALWAYS is spent on a pilot. The overhead of those expenses usually are pro-rated through the course of the show's first season, which always explains why first seasons are the most expensive of most dramas.
They had sets to build, special effects to create, etc. But those sets are not struck and rebuilt for each episode. They are there. Those expenses are not repeated.
I respect Sandy, but not his "source" of information. It made no sense, even without sources, that a decision would be made based on overnights only. Decisions are not made on the spur of the moment, or on incomplete data -- especially decisions that affect millions of dollars of investment.
And I'm tired of hearing this "no money" thing. Sci-Fi is owned by General Electric now. Trust me. They have the money. Plus, money is generated by advertising. I'm sure a 1.8 is sufficient to keep a series of BSG in the black.
Michael Hinman
December 16th, 2003, 01:27 PM
Originally posted by conundrum7g
A couple of people here have met him. Sandy aka TwoBrainCylon knows him best.
I don't think he has ever post here. He registered, but never posted. I don't remember though what the login was. That was last year before I was an admin here.
Actually, a lot of people are familiar with RDM through his former postings in the AOL Star Trek area when he was still with DS9.
I talked with him briefly several months ago about the BSG project and such. He's very open with fans, and is very fan-friendly. He's also a nice and humourous guy, too.
Michael Hinman
December 16th, 2003, 01:29 PM
Originally posted by jeditemple
Amen brother. I think a lot of people will be scared to use Ron Moore now, because he's poison to any series. He'll always be known as the man who screwed up Galactica and will hopefully fade into obscurity. Lord help him if he shows up at any more cons...he may get tarred and feathered.
Hmmmm ... success with DS9, success with TNG, success with "Carnivale" (which is critically-acclaimed and was recently picked up for a second season), and achieved the third highest ratings of all time for Sci-Fi.
Yeah, that sounds like damaged goods to me.:rolleyes:
Michael Hinman
December 16th, 2003, 01:30 PM
Originally posted by Karman
Isn't it ironic? "Great ratings, but too expensive to produce" was the same reason they cancelled TOS!
Ratings weren't great enough if they weren't making enough money to continue production.
Michael Hinman
December 16th, 2003, 01:31 PM
Originally posted by Tyrol
I don't have the definitave answer but i do know that the studio has until the 31st to pick it up or not and some of the cast have contract options for 5 years and one member in particular is negotiating thier deal as we speak. The sets are in storage in Vancouver ready to be puzzle pieced back together. Eddie was in Vancovuer a couple of weeks ago looking for a home and he told me, "See you in february." at the premiere. I would be very surprised if, at this point it didn't go.
40 seconds. That's all I needed.
Great writing, for a great actor. You were key in making the Galactica feel real for me as a viewer. I didn't say that in my review, but I only had so much space, lol. You brought Tyrol to life exceptionally well!
Michael Hinman
December 16th, 2003, 01:35 PM
Originally posted by conundrum7g
[B]Who knows how good scuttlebutt rumors are. :)
The one thing that made me tend to believe this one is they were talking in terms of financial planning and funding.
But what's funny is that no one could actually provide figures to back those statements up. The only figures they were using were ratings, and the ratings were above studio projections. I don't know how that translates into "no series."
Stargate has a go for a big expensive movie project. And if what my friend told me is right, that doesn't leave BG with a large budget to ensure success.
My God ... if Stargate is made into a major motion picture, it will be done by Universal, not Sci-Fi. Sci-Fi Channel doesn't do big-screen productions. They basically own the television rights to SG1, which is produced by other companies. Kawoosh! Productions VII, Double Secret Productions, Gekko Film Corp. and Stargate SG-1 Production to be exact.
Also, Sci-Fi is owned by General Electric, which -- trust me -- has more money than God.
Michael Hinman
December 16th, 2003, 01:37 PM
Originally posted by sihirvyth2
Sandy's post on CA left me extremely puzzled.
You have the BSG DVD, the Video game, and the mini all hitting the market around the same time and doing well financially. I'm not that convinced that it's just a chance to make a quick buck. The suits realize they have a successful brand that is virtually untapped, but is still bringing in money after 25 years.
I realize Sci-Fi doesn't do things intelligently, but to me this all seems like a pretty organized campaign to get BSG back in the minds of Science Fiction fans.
As others have pointed out, with Star Trek pretty much 'worn out', it's really the perfect time for Universal to step up and fill the void. Not only is BSG well known, it was only on for one season. Since there are so many major things from both the original series and the mini left unresolved, it's the perfect property to make into a series. It's basically the best of both worlds.
And all this can only help Larson's movie, even if he goes into another direction. Trek has little continuity between series and movies and is still sucessful. Paramount just puts out movies because they'll make money. So Larson and continuation fans have everything to gain from this going to a series and doing well.
In case anyone missed this post ... this hit the nail squarely on the head.
sdwebguy
December 16th, 2003, 02:11 PM
Originally posted by conundrum7g
Sandy released this info on the Cylon.org forums. Its rumor, but the rumors come from good sources.
The Scifi execs were overjoyed at the increased ratings. But its a matter of costs. it cost a fortune and there isn't the amount of money available to go into a full tv series production.
Though this isn't a dead end. The series just isn't picked up for this next year, maybe the next. Maybe it will be sold like Buffy was to the WB or JAG to CBS. Who knows. BG revival has always been a ship with termite problems.
This isn't 100% reliable, but I trust Sandy. And I thought you would prefer to hear about this than wonder.
:)
No offense, but I'll wait until I hear this from a source like Vivend (or)GE or Sci-Fi Channel.
callsignfalcon
December 16th, 2003, 03:48 PM
ima gonna wait to here from either a cast member or an official channel... people are human, thus they can always make mistakes... or rumors can start up ;) so i don't automatically take things to be true... i learned that when readung about btvs(spoilers and such) for so many years!
Michael Hinman
December 16th, 2003, 06:10 PM
Originally posted by callsignfalcon
ima gonna wait to here from either a cast member or an official channel... people are human, thus they can always make mistakes... or rumors can start up ;) so i don't automatically take things to be true... i learned that when readung about btvs(spoilers and such) for so many years!
Ummm ... Aaron Douglas on another thread, who played Tyrol in the mini, said that he has heard this as well. Isn't that a castmember?
But I don't blame you. As someone who has run a news and rumor site for five years, you definitely should take any rumor with a grain of salt, until you get official word. =)
BST
December 16th, 2003, 06:43 PM
Originally posted by Michael Hinman
Ummm ... Aaron Douglas on another thread, who played Tyrol in the mini, said that he has heard this as well. Isn't that a castmember?
But I don't blame you. As someone who has run a news and rumor site for five years, you definitely should take any rumor with a grain of salt, until you get official word. =)
Folks,
Michael is correct. Rumors are just that, rumors. No matter how good or trusted the source, all should be "taken with a grain of salt until you get the official word".
BST
The Rain
December 19th, 2003, 01:10 AM
Originally posted by Tyrol
maybe that is where they get the human forms from. Maybe some people have been 'captured' and thier DNA has been used to make copies of other people. Maybe Zack is in a tank somewhere and someday Adama will come face to face with himself and one will be killed but the 'right one'? And for the fans who don't like the mini....which would be the 'right one' to die?
Ain't I a stinker?
Good answer! We didn't see all 12 models. Sounds like a good sub-plot for another mini!
jewels
December 19th, 2003, 08:25 AM
Originally posted by Michael Hinman
Ratings weren't great enough if they weren't making enough money to continue production.
ABC didn't have the contractual smarts to get a piece of the theatrical movie and merchandising pie at the start: It cost a lot more money in comparison to 2-3 room set sitcoms that were their bread and butter. They footed most of the production costs and Universal raked in the gravy money (merchandising, syndication, theatrical releases, book and comic rights, etc.) Don't ever think BG didn't make a ton of money. It just didn't completely wipe All in the Family off the face of the planet.
BlueSquad2001
December 19th, 2003, 09:22 AM
This is a good statement that Jewels made, and I agree. BSG, was just not handled correctly and we lost an important saga because of it. There is not a person I have spoken to that has agreed with liking BSG2003, and Ron whatever his name is, he raped it of its true premise and just mauled the characters. I'm sick of this, c'mon Larson and De Santo, fix this mess that has been created.:mad:
The Rain
December 19th, 2003, 10:39 AM
blah blah blah :rolleyes:
wrong forum, bud.
BlueSquad2001
December 19th, 2003, 10:43 AM
Nope, no wrong forum, just my thoughts. But thanks for your two-cents rain. Just sharing my random thoughts.:salute:
SAR Pilot
December 19th, 2003, 01:11 PM
Blue,
I would have to disagree with you about the remake. I have spoken with alot of people around the fleet, and friends and neighbors who really enjoyed the original, but enjoyed the remake and its characters. The consensus I have heard from people is that the like the more gritty, more military feel of the mini, and everyone seems to enjoy the more human feel of the main characters in the mini.
And those are my random thoughts! :salute:
BlueSquad2001
December 19th, 2003, 01:24 PM
Now that is in line with what is being talked about, and although I don't agree with you, I appreciate your opinion. That's what this forum is all about, not ...blah,blah,blah:D And Larson just may pick up on the more military type aspects,that about the mini, I also enjoyed. But that was about it.:salute:
thomas7g
December 19th, 2003, 02:11 PM
Originally posted by The Rain
blah blah blah :rolleyes:
wrong forum, bud.
forums are fairly loose and fun things. :)
:maitai: :maitai: :maitai:
thomas7g
December 19th, 2003, 02:13 PM
I'm closing this thread cause the initial post reflected a decision that was changed.
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