To look at me, you wouldn’t think that I possessed the Hand of Doom, would you? I’m an ordinary bloke, I don’t have any nasty vices – well, not many – yet everything I start to enjoy seems to turn to dust the minute I discover it.
Long time readers may remember a post I did some time back about DC Comics. I had been a lapsed reader of comics for over 35 years but have been tempted back to the fold by the fact that Jim Shooter, the guy who wrote my favourite title in the late 1960s when I (and probably he) was a nipper, was back in harness to write some brand new stories for that self-same title (The Legion of Superheroes, since you ask). So there I was, happily enjoying each issue immensely when, guess what? Yes it’s been cancelled. Axed. Why? No idea. It has a monthly circulation of about 25,000 copies which is not stellar but is double the figure for several other DC titles and are they being axed? No. They have also cancelled Shooter’s run 4 issues short of the agreed term so that the plot arc has to be foreshortened and everything rushed to a conclusion. Great!
This also happened to a TV programme I liked called ‘Tru Calling’ which starred Eliza Dushku (‘Faith’ from Buffy, for those who know) as Tru Davies, a morgue assistant who relived days on the request of dead people in order that she save them from their fate. Sounds weird, I know, and is probably why it got the chop, but I liked it and so did many others judging by the comments on Amazon. This series ran for 20 episodes in its first season and was then 6 episodes in to its second, just as it was getting into its stride, when it was removed from the schedules leaving most of that season’s plotlines hanging. Thanks Fox! Couldn’t they just let the series run for a bit to tie up all the loose ends?
There are more instances but I won’t bore you with them. Actually, it is amazing how some things we take for granted struggled initially. Star Trek only managed three seasons and then only because of concerted fan demand that a third season be made. Yet today we are overrun with the Trek franchise and can’t seem to escape the damn thing.
The burning question is, where will the Hand of Doom strike next? I daren’t interest myself in anything these days in case it gets the old heave-ho. On the other hand, if you wish anything removed from the schedules, let me know and I’ll see what I can do...
4 comments:
Here state-side ABC canned a fun show called "Pushing Daisies" where a guy could bring the dead back to life for a minute by touching them, thus allowing him to investigate who killed them.
A fun show with a great narrator that had a "Cat In The Hat" feel to it. Creative, well produced, well acted, fun to watch... but POW! Gone.
Since I was a Network News TV guy for a while, here is an interesting fact for you (well, for USA viewers): Both M*A*S*H and "All In The Family" would have been canceled by today's network ratings standards. Shows were given two or three SEASONS to build an audience and style back then. Oh, and the final episode of M*A*S*H was most watch single episode EVER (if I remember correctly) But what if the damn thing had been canceled 10 years earlier? No one takes chances anymore and shows are given the axe WAY too fast these days.
I hate TV Networks, which is why I left the business. It's secretly run by monkeys...
:)
Hi Byron! Why doesn't this surprise me? Everything gets canned from TV progs to bands when the initial stuff doesn't sell a million yet 'Dark Side of the Moon' was the Pink Floyd's EIGHTH album - as was the Beatles' Sgt Pepper.
Who are these monkeys? Have they no stamina?
BTW - those wishing to see some great comics that don't get cancelled - see Byron's webcomic '1977' at www.1977thecomic.com (or see link under 'Activity on my fave blogs' on sidebar)- For those us old enough to remember...
Happy New Year!
Gosh, where to deploy the Hand of Doom next?! Can it stay away from QI and Top Gear? But by all means point it at the Setanta Sports channel.
I'm just trying to think if I have ever got into a series that was then cancelled. I never seem to watch things at the same time or year as anyone else, so this never happens to me. Usually by the time I get into a series, most of the actors have expired of old age.
Hi Jayne - Happy New Year! I only stray into Top Gear occasionally so it should be safe. I don't have Setanta so probably have no influence but you never know...it only seems to work for things that I really care about. Two bands have split up just after I toiled for hours to buy tickets to see them (see future post coming soon!)
Perhaps I should wear gloves...
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