Who will Whedon kill when he directs Glee?
When it leaked today that Joss Whedon will be directing an episode of Glee later this season, the twitterverse practically exploded with squeals of fanboys across the world. To be fair, I just retweeted the original report from TVGuide’s Mike Ausiello … I did not, in fact squeal. The good news for Dollhouse fans (all three of us) is that this commitment will in no way affect Dollhouse’s chances for a back nine pick up. Because, really … Does anyone expect a pick up at this point?
Screw saving Dollhouse! Save Joss Whedon!
Even months before FOX’s Dollhouse premiered, campaigns to save the show appeared on the Internet. Still haunted by the memories of the treatment their beloved Firefly received by the very same network, Whedon fans were desperate to see their master’s new work last. In some ways they were right to be scared. News of the pilot being reshot caused alarm bells to sound, especially when it seemed to be against Joss’s plans. Yet, the show did make it to not only air, but it carried out the complete season and got a surprising renewal.
During its first season, those “Save Dollhouse” campaigns were little heard from. Apparently, even the ratings not being so hot — and the show in danger of not getting a second season pickup — didn’t worry the fans. The renewal was granted, and there was much celebration. And Dollhouse was no longer in need of being saved.
Dollhouse – It’s better to burn out, than fade away
Dollhouse is in a bit of a weird place. To call the renewal a surprise would be an understatement. In his letter to critics, Whedon himself called it “a hilariously unexpected non-cancellation.” That leads to a choice between two very different paths. Should the powers that be down at Dollhouse HQ try and reinvent the show, hoping to finally attract those eyeballs that eluded them last season? Or should they look at season two as playing with house money (pun intended), and make the show for the audience they already have, as small as that audience may be? It gets right back to the question I asked when the various casting announcements started coming out. Is Whedon preaching to the choir? Yes, he most certainly is.
Update: The numbers are not good. 2.57m/1 Lowest rated episode of the series. Worse? It was beaten by Brothers.
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Rumors around Dr. Horrible and JOSS WHEDON — Webisode Clack
With the recent cameos of Dr. Horrible and Captain Hammer on the 61st Emmy Awards, there are rumors zooming across the Great Wide Interweb of a potential sequel to Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog. In fact, during a recent interview to promote the second season of his FOX series Dollhouse (yes, we can’t believe it either), Whedon pretty much said that there would be a sequel. But, before you go screaming down the aisles of the comic book store repeating this good news, there are a few things to take into consideration.
Angel blew the hatch with Wesley’s road to bad-assery
This example of Hatch Blowing is going to sound familiar, if you read my previous one on Veronica Mars. As I said then, the transformation of Logan Echolls from unlikeable punk to likable suitor for Veronica was remarkable. Along those same lines, Angel had an amazing transformation to behold, with the depussification of Wesley Wyndam-Pryce. However, unlike Veronica Mars’s Logan, the road to bad-ass “rogue demon hunter” Wesley took seasons to accomplish in full.
Eleven ways Dean Winchester is like Buffy Summers
While I was gleefully devouring all four seasons of Supernatural for my Diary of a Supernatural Virgin column, I couldn’t help but notice all of the similarities between Dean Winchester and my favorite ass-kicking blonde slayer, Buffy Summers. There’s no denying that Eric Kripke owes much to Joss Whedon for paving the way with his ground-breaking iconic series, but I also think he instilled in his hero, Dean, many of the same qualities that make Buffy the well-rounded character that she is.
It even goes beyond qualities and encompasses actual story elements that touched both characters. I’m going out on a limb here and saying that Kripke didn’t borrow without rhyme or reason: I think he paid homage to Whedon in the ways he subtly carved Dean’s complex character to be similar to Buffy’s duality — the lighthearted banter masking the inner angst.
Dollhouse season 2: Is Whedon preaching to the choir?
If you’ve been following along at home — and if you count yourself as a Whedon fan, you have — you must be aware of the guest cast that is coming for season two of Dollhouse. We had already heard about Jamie Bamber (Battlestar Galactica), Michael Hogan (Battlestar Galactica), and Alexis Denisof (Angel). The latest news is that Summer Glau (Terminator: TSCC) will be joining the show in a recurring role. That’s all great and I’m looking forward to seeing all of them. But then, I’m a Whedon fan from way back, and already sold on the show. The more troubling question is whether or not this list of guest stars is going to do anything to increase awareness of the show for those that don’t already watch. Read the rest of this entry »
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