Surprise: Fox RENEWS 'Dollhouse'

UPDATED: In a stunning move, sources say Fox has renewed Joss Whedon’s “Dollhouse” for next fall.

The official announcement will not be made until Monday at the network's upfront presentation, but sources confirm a deal has been struck for another 13 episodes. Fox plans to continue the show on Fridays next fall.

The low-rated series was last seen given up for dead by the media in a field somewhere.

But the show's DVR numbers are huge (averaging a 40% bump), online streaming is strong. It’s a sci-fi show, which tend to bring in strong ancillary revenue such as DVD sales for sister-company studio 20th TV. And it’s said that Fox execs rather like the series, especially the latter half of the season. Besides, a show airing in the fall on Fox is a bit like running in midseason on most networks -- it’s not the network's strongest part of the year and maybe ... maybe ...

All right, fine.

The move is tougher to explain than most, especially based on the show's ratings. A “Dollhouse” pickup is a shock, an underdog comeback that blows away NBC’s will-they-or-won’t-they hand-wringing over “Chuck” (psst, they almost certainly will). In fact, "Dollhouse" might very well be the lowest-rated in-season scripted drama to ever get a renewal on a major broadcast network. Almost certainly if based on where the show concluded -- a 1.0 among adults 18-49.

Basically this is a case of a bunch of minor decision-making factors successfully ganging up on the biggest factor (ratings). In addition to DVD sales, streaming and DVR influences, Fox received some serious budget concessions from 20th TV and Whedon to continue the show, with 20th now shouldering a greater portion of the load.

Another factor was the show's unaired 13th episode, which Whedon shot on a shoestring budget for the "Dollhouse" first season DVD set. Whedon presented it to the network as an example of how "Dollhouse" can achieve a high-quality production with a lesser budget.

The renewal also means Fox is bringing back all three of its freshman dramas for a second season -- "Fringe," "Lie to Me" and "Dollhouse" -- which is a nice boast in challenging year for broadcasters.

Along with NBC renewing low-rated "Friday Night Lights," and strongly considering modestly performing "Chuck," and the CW stations considering bringing back very weakly rated "Reaper," there's seeming trend this spring toward networks looking beyond live-viewing ratings when contemplating the fate of shows with passionate fanbases that they can monetize in non-traditional ways.

Last year, in the wake of CBS canceling fan favorites "Jericho" and "Moonlight," the sense was that vocal minorities could no longer sway the suits.

This year, cult TV shows have been like creatures in a George Romero movie; you can never trust that they're dead.

Source: THReviews

Dollhouse News: Episode 13 not airing

'Dr. Horrible’s', Felicia Day twittered earlier, ""Man, day getting worse and worse. Found out my Dollhouse ep, #13 isn't gonna air. Only on DVD. Such a great part too. Thx Fox. :( ..."

And so the story begins... or shall we say ends? Cleverly annoying network, FOX has decided to cut the 13th episode, "Epitaph One" directed by Whedon from the first season of Joss Whedon's 'Dollhouse', leaving Day's appearance to be scattered into the pile of DVD extras or online bonuses.

The 'Dollhouse' closer airs May 8, titled "Omega," and represents the show's 12th episode aired.

Reps from the 20th Century Fox studio and from the network declined to comment, but sources say the network has a different point of view on this news.

Many are arguing that FOX's entire season order was filled as the original pilot was never aired, another of the network's fantastic decisions (another nail in the coffin) and so therefore with the network's retooling, Whedon reshot the pilot. Therefore, the argument is that if "Epitaph One" airs it's almost as if the studio are paying for 14 hours instead of original 13.

Sources say the story in the "Omega" season finale is more or less Whedon's original vision for how the season would end, so fans watching the show should have some degree of closure.

Except fans of the show (including myself) are now thinking, there is yet another episode out there which won't get shown on television- despite the slowing increasing numbers in the ratings.

All parties, including the nuturing FOX, have insisted this is not the cancellation of 'Dollhouse' though the network declining to air an episode isn't encouraging. The most recent episode of 'Dollhouse' earned a 1.5 rating among adults 18-49, with companion 'Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles' pulling a 1.3. Sources say the odds of 'Terminator' surviving are pretty slim, but the closed-door verdict on 'Dollhouse' is not in yet.

Producer Tim Minear, says the episode will definitely be on the DVD and confirms FOX's "we're gonna count the scrapped pilot" stance: "Okay. So maybe I can help clarify this somewhat. Because we scrapped the original pilot -- and in fact cannibalized some of its parts for other eps -- we really ended up with 12 episodes. But the studio makes DVD and other deals based on the original 13 number. So we created a standalone kind of coda episode. Which is the mythical new episode 13. The network had already paid for 13 episodes, and this included the one they agreed to let us scrap for parts. It does not include the one we made to bring the number back up to 13 for the studio side and its obligations. We always knew it would be for the DVD for sure, but we also think Fox should air it because it’s awesome."

"Omega" finale description: "Alpha's reign of terror continues as his obsession with Echo endangers Caroline's survival. Ballard must make a life-changing decision, and one Doll is permanently deactivated while another's shocking past is revealed."

To see 'Dollhouse' not come back for a second season would be a catastrophe, rumours say that production costs would be less as sets are already built and despite a slow start, a following for this show has already begun and recent episodes have shown strong numbers because the show is finally starting to explore some of it's inherent mythology. The thing about 'Dollhouse' and the reason why the Network and unaccepting fans wouldn't give the show a chance is because it's new- it was trying to find its feet and explore slowing, giving time for an audience to build and for us to be able to care about the characters. Let this not turn into another cult classic from those FOX people like the amazing 'Tru Calling' or 'Drive'.

If you have feelings about the last episode not being aired, check out:

DollVerse

Further articles can be read here (via @foxbroadcasting) :

HitFix

E! Online

The Hollywood Reporter

Mamma Mia! Breaks UK Film Record

The stage version of Mamma Mia first appeared in 1999

Musical Mamma Mia!, starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan, has become the highest-grossing British film at the UK box office.

The film, which features the songs of Abba, has taken £67.2m in the UK since its release in July - and continues to be shown in British cinemas.

It is now the second highest-grossing film in the UK behind Titanic.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, which grossed £66.1m, was the previous holder of the British record.

Mamma Mia! could be on its way to beating Titanic's box office haul of £69m as cinema-goers continue to flock to see it.

Now in its 16th week of release in the UK, the film has also become the number one film of the year in 13 countries including Germany, New Zealand, South Africa and Sweden.

TOP BRITISH FILMS AT UK BOX OFFICE 1. Mamma Mia! - £67.2m 2. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - £66.1m 3. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - £54.8 4. The Full Monty - £52.2m 5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - £49.4m 6. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - £48.8m 7. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - £46.1m 8. Bridget Jones's Diary - £42m 9. Love Actually - £36.9m 10. Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason - £36m Source: Neilsen EDI

Sing-along versions of the film in cinemas have also helped boost the film's success.

"What is interesting is the speed at which it has gotten to this level," David Kosse, president of Universal Pictures International told industry paper Screen International.

"We are ahead of Harry Potter and continue to be ahead of Titanic at this stage, and we think it still has some life in it.

"One driver is the multiple viewings with people going back to see it again and again. It really is happening on a scale that we haven't seen before."

The three women who created the worldwide stage hit - producer Judy Craymer, writer Catherine Johnson and director Phyllida Lloyd, repeated their roles in bringing the musical to the big screen in the British/US collaboration with Universal Pictures.

The rest of the top 10 highest-grossing British films in the UK is completed by the Harry Potter and Bridget Jones franchises, comedy The Full Monty and romantic comedy Love Actually.

Source: BBC News

The DVD is due to be released on 24th November in the UK and December 16th in the US - I recommend you see this one!

Crash: What do you think?

In 2004, Paul Haggis wrote and directed one of the greatest films of the 21st century, Crash. The film was powerful and bought to the forefront of film about dealing with race and gender. It surprisingly won "Best Film" at the Oscars beating "Brokeback Mountain" and went on to have great DVD sales.
Now... four years later, Starz have a new original drama, Crash, made by the producers of the film and starring Dennis Hopper. It's based on the film with similar ideas and characters plus new ones including a Mexican who has illegally crossed the border.
Here's the trailer, what do you think?

Clever Adverts and Stupid Movies

Clever Adverts and Stupid Movies
Having been searching through YouTube recently for new ideas & videos, I found 'Future Shorts'.

“THE LARGEST SHORT FILM NETWORK IN THE WORLD

Future Shorts is one of the leading and most innovative short film labels. Since 2003, Future Shorts has created a rapidly expanding network that allows filmmakers the opportunity to have their work seen on the largest theatrical platform worldwide. Passionately believing in getting short films seen and creating a culture around the medium, Future Shorts is recognised by filmmakers, the industry and press alike as the cutting-edge short film label. Future Shorts is a worldwide monthly film festival as well as a distributor, sales agent, consultancy service and DVD label. This is fresh cinema- Future Shorts.”

From Future Shorts

After watching some of their videos and subscribing, I found myself involved in a whole new situation. The short film, not to keen among the average Hollywood action viewing public, it is usually a showcase for the new writer or director and the aim is to present themselves. In the past many have started their career's through short films and in actual fact- even those who have already made it still continue to quench the thirsts of over enthusiastic film lovers by filling in the time between major releases, for example, a personal favourite, David Lynch (Favourites include The Boat and The Amputee).
Anyway back to the point, I was in the cinema today and saw 21 (Starring Jim Sturgess, Kevin Spacey and Kate Bosworth) highly recommended and before the film started it was time for the ads and trailers. The first to appear was endorsed by Future Shorts and was entitled "Procrastination" and for the next minute and a half, I was treated to a very dreary voice describing his day while the pictures were being drawn. At first, you wonder what the point is, but as the day continues, the dots become connected and what turns from a day for him to do 'his stuff' turns into a day of anything other.
Below is the video

This made me smile, I will be glad to let you know that I could not only see the intelligence that was put into this but that artist's handiwork on screen was so simple that it was ingenious and very intriguing. As the minutes goes on, you start to want to guess what happens next and if this 'stuff' is ever going to get done.
Another reason for me to mention this is the fact that short films are finally getting their time in the spotlight. Most people get to the cinema in time for the ads and so by placing this at the beginning, massively increased the viewership and hopefully some of those people remembered the name 'Future Shorts' and checked them out when they got home.
The term, 'clever ad' reminds me of the recent Ford campaign of the stupid dogbot and that there are two sides to everything, read between the lines, is the saying that comes to mind. But in the last decade we, as the viewing public, have been presented with adverts which don't stretch our mind and either just clearly advertise an item or try in vain comedy (Daz or Bounty) to entertain the audience. But I feel that the new era of ads have arrived, they not only want to amuse the audience or incline them to buy their item but also want to make the viewer feel comfortable within their situation or expand their brain activity!
To this end, I suggest a stand against watching just any rubbish, if films and television are searched through for the best and most hard hitting then why must we accept anything less from our advertising?
I felt a trend coming and after watching "Procrastination", Adidas' new advert came on. After being treated to images of dingy London, the voiceover was making it clear that the only way to be happy with the environment you live in, is to make it your own and this was then followed by a small group as they buy plants and then during one night, plant them along a path near a bridge. We are then told the only way to make it right is to 'Leave Your Mark.' Here is another prime example of the new trend of advertising, which is made to make one happy- to look at what is being done and think, that if each of us did this, we could produce something pretty amazing.
You may be wondering how I am able to speak about ads for so long but here is the complete contrast, the lights dimmed in the cinema and the trailers for upcoming films began. Films in recent years (Crash, Babel and The Hours) have climbed in quality as they include accomplished casts and actual meanings that make people think. They are not scared to show the problems with the human condition, Crash's main premise is just that, the only way for people to communicate, to think about each other is to crash, to collide, to cause conflict and this sort of movie, although becoming more popular these days are still being trumped for films like Sex and The City (The Movie) & What Happens in Vegas!
Now, do understand that from time to time a good comedy, a feel good movie, something which won't really change my life is always good but with the bombardment of so many all at the same time! Is this really what the filmgoers among us yearn for?
Congratulations to HBO for really launching the career of actresses like Sarah Jessica Parker and for giving the world a comedy drama like SitC- the first proper look at city life from the working woman's point of view but in 2004 the series that really did influence our look of TV finished and now, four year later, the team reunite to show what happened afterwards. Do we really need to see our TV on the big screen? Is this what they signed up for when they first started- sure the money must be great but does this at all go against what the show first stood for. It was easily accessible for most people and with DVD sales on the rise, these days, I am sure that the show was doing well... Is it really the right time for the likes of Mr. Big and the lives and loves of Carrie Bradshaw to hit the big screen when there is so much more to write about, when talented writers with something really important to say are turned down by big producers and therefore find it hard to make their point?!!!
Now, people I have spoken to recently about this next topic, can't understand what my problem is... but here it is... I can't stand Indiana Jones... I think the whole franchise is flawed and although I would not want to take away from the massive amount of work gone into these films in the past 20 years, I do find that the idea is repetitive and that somewhat so archaic that it should stay in the past! Supposedly the biggest expected film of the year, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is, I am sure, already creating Oscar Buzz and yet, I can't see the Indie fever... No need for prescription drugs for me, I would be very happy for Harrison Ford to put away his whip and perhaps find retirement as a likely option.
Where are the new ideas? They are being back benched by producers who find the tradition formula works well and therefore don't want to step out of their safety zones (like our ad's!) and yet I wonder what people said to Spielberg and Lucas when they first created the idea of I Jones... So he swings from trees (Have you seen Tarzan?)
Seriously people, put down the mainstream and think about opening your mind... Step away from the DVD boxset and make a stand... where are the new writers? Well hopefully one is right here and within just one person there are a lot of ideas!!! Hopefully, one can make their mark!
As you can tell, the path of this post has gone slightly away from what I originally thought, it was meant to be a jibe at second rate rom-coms and a big thumbs up for a new strand of ads and yet, I have sidetracked... let's have the new ideas... take a stand and don't be handed just the traditional formula... it's time for a breath of fresh air!

Ollie///Beauty is nature of my day

It's Wednesday, I'm sitting here writing this post and watching My Family on DVD, has anyone noticed how much Zoe Wanamaker smiles in this?
Anyway, I have the common cold or 'acute viral nasopharyngitis' as I like to call it. I have not slept properly in the last two nights because when you lay back, your nose blocks up and so you spend about 20 minutes trying to get into the right position with the large number of pillows, the height of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Did not go to school yesterday, so I caught up on my lying down, my moping around, to be completely honest, I can't bare not going to school, I hate catching up on work.
Before I continue, I am going to give you my playlist for the week.

1. Van Tramp - Help Me Make It (See video below)



2. Elvis Ain't Dead- Scouting for Girls
3. Ride A White Horse- Goldfrapp
4. Ready for the Floor- Hot Chip
5. Highness- Envy & Other Sins
6. Middle of the Night- Sherwood
7. Broken- Lifehouse
8. Moving to New York- The Wombats
9. If I Had Eyes- Jack Johnson
10. Leave It Alone- Operator Please

Over the past few weeks, an idea has been forming, that idea... The McGillian. To make things clear, the house I am a part in at school is called McGills and because of my partiality to a bit of writing, I thought, 'hey!' why not start up the house magazine again?
Well to cut a short story, shorter, three weeks later, several conversations and hours of computer publishing, the magazine has been created *Dr.Frankenstein's laughter, it's alive!*All I need now are the articles, the modern and intellectual magazine about the house, for the house includes all the latest news about the pupils, what they have taken part in and what we have done to make the school a better place. Of course that is not it, in the 12 pages, we also have reviews, discussions and interviews. There are plenty of pictures and hopefully will be well received, so far, the few friends who have seen the design have liked it.
Brain storm the other, was had, says Yoda. I thought, why just a magazine? Why not bring the tradition into the 21st century? 100% of the aimed readers have computers with internet connection, so why not open a website as well? http://themcgillian.blogspot.com was then created, this will have all the articles from the current issue but because of the half termly release date, the site will be updated with all the latest news as it comes in... My head is full of ideas... OOO... :D
In other news, let's look at more reasons why this blog is not just another nobodies blog, why read the commons's student's blog? As well as the mind boggling discussion? The reviews, the works by myself and of course practice for my massive career LOL///
The beauty of the nature of the day, was the topic of choice and today was filled with very little but in the magnificent void that was today, I planned many journey.
The life list ATM!:
1. Get AAAB at AS
2. Get AAA at A2
3 Get into a gr8 university (There are some in mind :D)
4. Do brilliantly there and decide on the career of my choice, I want to be one of those gifted people who gets the choice...
5. Get jobs///Find love///Move country///Be happy...
Of course the very last point will take a very long time and as Peter Vardy (philosopher...) said last Friday at a special lecture for RS students, people always want to be happy. He was not being cynical, he was being (what's the word- it's when he is not talking rubbish and although you may not like the truth, it is the truth!) Anyway, he said that people always want to be happy but they won't be because something is always bound to go wrong, well if that is the case Mr.Vardy then don't let my succeeding get in the way of your opinions.
Between each of my life list points of course are things for the here and now- like I hope the first issue of The McGillian is liked and that maybe at some point in an English lesson we will be able to finish 'Heart of Darkness' and that we will finish 'The Second Coming' in R.S!
Tell you something funny...(who is he talking to?) Today in Media, the best subject I (Heart) Media! Um... well yesterday on my sick day, my class watched Britz for the exam and so I watched it at home but saw further than my class saw, well let's say I used the wrong word and changed the meaning... I said to my teacher, I surpassed you, when I meant to say passed you... he found the joke in this, HEHE!
We were learning about Type A today in Psychology- if you are Type A then you have a set of characteristics that includes being impatient, excessively time-conscious, insecure about one's status, highly competitive, hostile and aggressive, and incapable of relaxation. The Type B personality, in contrast, is patient, relaxed, and easy-going. There is also a Type AB or Type X mixed profile for people who cannot be clearly categorized and have a combination of both types of personality. In case you are interested, I am a mix of the two, Type X!
Time for another piece of music, number 5 for the list above, Envy & Other Sins



Hope you liked :D

And to finish, time for a poem:

River Sins

She moved out across the stepping stones,
Head in hands,
Her tears fall slowly,
And the blood flows thickly.

As she feels the pain of the her murder,
She looks upon the meaning,
As she see’s his ghost,
They were once lovers,
Within each other.

Her baby kicked hard,
His baby kicked harder,
Slowly she looks up,
And see’s the darkness around her.

She played the game,
And she lost,
She saw the game played,
And joined.

The devil met her beyond the river side,
They met beyond the sea,
In another world the baby cried,
Blood of tears,
And river of hate.

She looked at a book,
In which says we are sinners,
And she reviews her situation,
She reads,
And her life is in review.

Watch out for a review, coming any day now :D
Beauty...