Disheartening, but not disastrous, news - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

Tabitha · 20th December 2002, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Lastly, two series previously in limbo - "Street Time" and "Odyssey 5" - are each heading in different directions. Showtime has committed to a second season of "Street Time" with the number of episodes still being negotiated. The series returns for the second half of its first season (seven episodes) on January 15 where it will air Wednesdays at 10:00/9:00c.

As for "Odyssey 5" the prospects are looking worse and worse. With the network's newly configured Friday lineup and its commitment to "Dead Like Me," it's looking less likely Showtime will carry a third sci-fi drama or have two nights devoted to the theme. While nothing is official, it seems unlikely the series will return beyond its six remaining episodes in the can. No start date has been named for those episodes.

The fat lady isn't quite singing, but she is definitely taking deep breaths.

william · 20th December 2002, 04:21 PM

Hopefully Showtime sees what a good show Odyssey 5 is, and will renew it for further seasons... but I won't be surprised... alot of new shows, with alot of potential for greatness have all been dumped.

Krystal · 20th December 2002, 08:30 PM

Well, I hope things change. Would like to know what is the new Friday lineup they mean. And is that "Dead Like Me" is part of it. For me will be a surprise is they cancel it, because I was thinking Odyssey 5 have more viewers than Jeremiah, and they renew Jeremiah for a second season. Hope they confirm later a new season, hope is the last to lost.

Krystal

william · 21st December 2002, 01:13 PM

WHY !

I found this at www.scifi.com

Showtime may order a pilot for Clive Barker's Lord of Illusions, a supernatural horror series based on the 1995 movie that starred Scott Bakula, Variety reported. The series would focus on a private investigator whose expertise is the supernatural. The pilot is tentative because the budget could be prohibitive, the trade paper reported.

Meanwhile, Showtime has renewed Jeremiah, with Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings) joining the cast as a regular. But the cable network has yet to make a decision on a second year of Odyssey 5, which probably won't make it to a second season because Showtime is reconfiguring its Friday lineup to make room for only one SF series, the trade paper reported.

This doesn't sound great

I guess we, the Odyssey 5 fans can argue the fact that the show isn't really scifi... it's really a family drama series with a slight twist

I honestly don't care if the series isn't on a Friday Night, as long Showtime keeps ordering more seasons. Then again I live in the U.K, so which night they place it, doesn't affect me. But cancellation does

Krystal · 24th December 2002, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by william

I guess we, the Odyssey 5 fans can argue the fact that the show isn't really scifi... it's really a family drama series with a slight twist I honestly don't care if the series isn't on a Friday Night, as long Showtime keeps ordering more seasons. Then again I live in the U.K, so which night they place it, doesn't affect me. But cancellation does

Yeah, they can put it any other day, anyway is a good series. One of the best they have right now. I hope they see the light.

Krystal

Krystal · 24th December 2002, 10:27 PM

I don't know is this is true, but someone post this in the Scifi forum of Farscape. I'm so angry, hope the thing they mention about Sony/Columbia approaching the Scifi to pick it up come true, but since Scifi is doing so many strange things lately I don't know.

showtime cancels 'odyssey 5'

In an e-mail posted to the rec.arts.sf.tv newsgroup, "Odyssey 5" producer Alan Brennert confirmed that Showtime has canceled the freshman sci-fi drama:

Alas, Showtime canceled ODYSSEY this week--despite our being their highest-rated original series! Apparently the powers-that-be want to get out of doing sf (they picked up JEREMIAH, as I understand it, because it's part a longstanding deal with MGM). Sony/Columbia has approached the Sci-Fi Channel about picking it up but we won't know anything until January. For now it's just a lump of coal in our Christmas stockings."

The news comes after several reports of the series' future being in danger. While ratings data available for Showtime is scattershot at best, we can confirm "Odyssey 5" opened to a stellar 3.6 rating in Showtime homes (791,000 of its 21.6 million subscribers) for its June 21 premiere, well above Showtime's 2.7 average rating in its Friday, 10:00/9:00c time period for June of last year. "Odyssey" also ranked well above recent pickup "Street Time," which bowed to a 3.2 rating (690,000 homes) on June 23 with subsequent episodes scoring everything from a 1.4 rating (296,000 homes on July 21) to a 2.1 rating (465,000 homes on August 11). (No rating information beyond the pilot for "Odyssey 5" is available.)

Among Showtime's other series, during the month of April original episodes of "Queer as Folk" scored a 4.1 rating in Showtime homes while "Stargate SG-1" closed its run on the network that same month to a 3.2 rating. Fellow sci-fi series "Jeremiah" managed a 2.6 rating for that period with "The Chris Isaak Show" averaging a 1.9 score. Keep in mind however that as Showtime is not an ad-supported network, renewal decisions are not always based on ratings.

As a whole, Showtime has seen its numbers plunge by 17% from 2001 to 2002 with the network's primetime schedule going from a 2.3 average rating in Showtime homes in the first half of 2001 to a 1.9 rating for the first half of 2002. The pay cable network hopes to rebound from such troubles with three new original series, all set to bow this summer: the Pam Grier/Jennifer Beals lesbian drama "Earthlings," the teen/sci-fi drama "Dead Like Me" and the Eric Stoltz/Felicity Huffman relationship drama "Out of Order." Showtime will also add a new late-night line-up in January, beginning with the comedy/reality series "Penn & Teller: ********."

As for the potential move to the Sci Fi Channel, it certainly paid dividends when "Stargate SG-1" moved to the network from Showtime. The series went from averaging a 3.2 rating (691,840 homes) on Showtime during its final month on the network to a 1.7 rating (1,320,000 homes) on Sci Fi Channel during its summer run, an increase of almost 91%.

Credit: Posted by Davron in the Scifi
Farscape Forum.

Krystal

Dave · 28th December 2002, 01:54 PM

I just read the same thing via SciFi Wire.

They also quote the email:

Quote:

Showtime has canceled its SF drama Odyssey 5, according to a post on the rec.arts.sf.TV newsgroup. The post cites an e-mail from an unnamed member of the show's production staff, who writes, "Alas, Showtime canceled Odyssey this week, despite our being their highest-rated original series! Apparently the powers that be want to get out of doing SF (they picked up Jeremiah, as I understand it, because it's part of a long-standing deal with MGM)."

The e-mail added, "Sony/Columbia has approached the SCI FI Channel about picking it up, but we won't know anything until January. For now it's just a lump of coal in our Christmas stockings."

The pay cable network hasn't made an official announcement about the freshman series' fate yet. Six original episodes remain to be aired in the series' first season.

I don't understand the "want to get out of SF" part. Showtime having had six seasons of 'Stargate' doing fairly well for them.

Tabitha · 28th December 2002, 02:13 PM

This just makes me want to yell profanities at the screen.

Why do they put all this effort into making obviously great shows and then killing them almost at birth? It is just so frustrating. Do you think we are perhaps moving away from multiple series television? Perhaps in a few years the idea of any SF show lasting more than one or maybe two seasons will be quite novel...

I think what really galls me is that out of all the SF series running at the moment, the dullest, Enterprise, seems to be the one with the most secure future.
Sorry to Enterprise fans - I watch it, but it is a bit of a disappointment to me, especially in comparision to slightly more daring fare like Firefly, Jeremiah, Farscape, and our beloved O5

Krystal · 29th December 2002, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tabitha

Why do they put all this effort into making obviously great shows and then killing them almost at birth? It is just so frustrating. Do you think we are perhaps moving away from multiple series television? Perhaps in a few years the idea of any SF show lasting more than one or maybe two seasons will be quite novel...

Yeah, I have to agree that is really frustrating. I hope things improve more, I don't want to think that sooner the only programs will be reality shows or things like that.

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave
I don't understand the "want to get out of SF" part. Showtime having had six seasons of 'Stargate' doing fairly well for them.

Stargate was definitely one of the best they have and should prove to them that SF have potential. An Odyssey 5 is one of the new series that more potential have show to have for them. That is why this take me by surprise.

Krystal

RangerOne SG13 SOR · 3rd January 2003, 10:16 PM

Im suprised to hear this already. I so agree with Tabitha that Enterprise is at best "dull" its a very bad for a "trek" series.

Stargate my fave is now dieing a slow death, they dont know which way to take the show some of the acting and plots are just comical for me the magic is lost.

O5 was and is a real breath of fresh air. Its not been done before and it is being written wonderfully.

Well same old story for us fans losing out again!!

Ive seen ads on BB2 for a speilberg series called "Taken" looks like a alien abduction thing, anyone know how good it is?

Ranger

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20th December 2002, 04:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
william Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Scotland, UK Posts: 30	Hopefully Showtime sees what a good show Odyssey 5 is, and will renew it for further seasons... but I won't be surprised... alot of new shows, with alot of potential for greatness have all been dumped.

20th December 2002, 08:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
Krystal Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 2,264	Well, I hope things change. Would like to know what is the new Friday lineup they mean. And is that "Dead Like Me" is part of it. For me will be a surprise is they cancel it, because I was thinking Odyssey 5 have more viewers than Jeremiah, and they renew Jeremiah for a second season. Hope they confirm later a new season, hope is the last to lost. Krystal

21st December 2002, 01:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
william Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Scotland, UK Posts: 30	WHY ! I found this at www.scifi.com Showtime may order a pilot for Clive Barker's Lord of Illusions, a supernatural horror series based on the 1995 movie that starred Scott Bakula, Variety reported. The series would focus on a private investigator whose expertise is the supernatural. The pilot is tentative because the budget could be prohibitive, the trade paper reported. Meanwhile, Showtime has renewed Jeremiah, with Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings) joining the cast as a regular. But the cable network has yet to make a decision on a second year of Odyssey 5, which probably won't make it to a second season because Showtime is reconfiguring its Friday lineup to make room for only one SF series, the trade paper reported. This doesn't sound great I guess we, the Odyssey 5 fans can argue the fact that the show isn't really scifi... it's really a family drama series with a slight twist I honestly don't care if the series isn't on a Friday Night, as long Showtime keeps ordering more seasons. Then again I live in the U.K, so which night they place it, doesn't affect me. But cancellation does

24th December 2002, 10:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
Krystal Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 2,264	I don't know is this is true, but someone post this in the Scifi forum of Farscape. I'm so angry, hope the thing they mention about Sony/Columbia approaching the Scifi to pick it up come true, but since Scifi is doing so many strange things lately I don't know. showtime cancels 'odyssey 5' In an e-mail posted to the rec.arts.sf.tv newsgroup, "Odyssey 5" producer Alan Brennert confirmed that Showtime has canceled the freshman sci-fi drama: Alas, Showtime canceled ODYSSEY this week--despite our being their highest-rated original series! Apparently the powers-that-be want to get out of doing sf (they picked up JEREMIAH, as I understand it, because it's part a longstanding deal with MGM). Sony/Columbia has approached the Sci-Fi Channel about picking it up but we won't know anything until January. For now it's just a lump of coal in our Christmas stockings." The news comes after several reports of the series' future being in danger. While ratings data available for Showtime is scattershot at best, we can confirm "Odyssey 5" opened to a stellar 3.6 rating in Showtime homes (791,000 of its 21.6 million subscribers) for its June 21 premiere, well above Showtime's 2.7 average rating in its Friday, 10:00/9:00c time period for June of last year. "Odyssey" also ranked well above recent pickup "Street Time," which bowed to a 3.2 rating (690,000 homes) on June 23 with subsequent episodes scoring everything from a 1.4 rating (296,000 homes on July 21) to a 2.1 rating (465,000 homes on August 11). (No rating information beyond the pilot for "Odyssey 5" is available.) Among Showtime's other series, during the month of April original episodes of "Queer as Folk" scored a 4.1 rating in Showtime homes while "Stargate SG-1" closed its run on the network that same month to a 3.2 rating. Fellow sci-fi series "Jeremiah" managed a 2.6 rating for that period with "The Chris Isaak Show" averaging a 1.9 score. Keep in mind however that as Showtime is not an ad-supported network, renewal decisions are not always based on ratings. As a whole, Showtime has seen its numbers plunge by 17% from 2001 to 2002 with the network's primetime schedule going from a 2.3 average rating in Showtime homes in the first half of 2001 to a 1.9 rating for the first half of 2002. The pay cable network hopes to rebound from such troubles with three new original series, all set to bow this summer: the Pam Grier/Jennifer Beals lesbian drama "Earthlings," the teen/sci-fi drama "Dead Like Me" and the Eric Stoltz/Felicity Huffman relationship drama "Out of Order." Showtime will also add a new late-night line-up in January, beginning with the comedy/reality series "Penn & Teller: ********." As for the potential move to the Sci Fi Channel, it certainly paid dividends when "Stargate SG-1" moved to the network from Showtime. The series went from averaging a 3.2 rating (691,840 homes) on Showtime during its final month on the network to a 1.7 rating (1,320,000 homes) on Sci Fi Channel during its summer run, an increase of almost 91%. Credit: Posted by Davron in the Scifi Farscape Forum. Krystal

28th December 2002, 02:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
Tabitha Save Angel! Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 3,638	This just makes me want to yell profanities at the screen. Why do they put all this effort into making obviously great shows and then killing them almost at birth? It is just so frustrating. Do you think we are perhaps moving away from multiple series television? Perhaps in a few years the idea of any SF show lasting more than one or maybe two seasons will be quite novel... I think what really galls me is that out of all the SF series running at the moment, the dullest, Enterprise, seems to be the one with the most secure future. Sorry to Enterprise fans - I watch it, but it is a bit of a disappointment to me, especially in comparision to slightly more daring fare like Firefly, Jeremiah, Farscape, and our beloved O5

3rd January 2003, 10:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
RangerOne SG13 SOR Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Posts: 215	Im suprised to hear this already. I so agree with Tabitha that Enterprise is at best "dull" its a very bad for a "trek" series. Stargate my fave is now dieing a slow death, they dont know which way to take the show some of the acting and plots are just comical for me the magic is lost. O5 was and is a real breath of fresh air. Its not been done before and it is being written wonderfully. Well same old story for us fans losing out again!! Ive seen ads on BB2 for a speilberg series called "Taken" looks like a alien abduction thing, anyone know how good it is? Ranger