Wonderfalls

There's something sad about being a fan of television shows that fail. I've liked Tim Minear's work since "Lois and Clark" and I loved his scripts for "Angel" and "Firefly". Since Tim's already had one of his creations hideously put down in its infancy by network stupidity. I hoped we can avoid it happening so soon. Anyhow, this is what Tim wrote on "Aint-It-Cool-News". Please give the show a try, FOX at 9 pm on Friday.

Scott Bennie

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Hi. My name is Tim Minear and I write television. Usually. Right now I guess I’m writing SPAM. But I’m not asking you to donate to some shady or even worthy cause. I’m not offering to enlarge any of your body parts (though I haven’t ruled it out), and I make no claims of miraculous cures for exotic diseases. What I can offer you is sixty minutes (really about forty five, minus commercials) of quality entertainment if you do one thing: turn on your TV to Fox this Friday night at nine.

For the last year or so I’ve been working with a bunch of really talented people to make a new show for Fox called “Wonderfalls.” We’ve made 13 episodes so far, and I really want you to see them.

Some of the folks at the network are telling me that “Wonderfalls” is the best reviewed new series they’ve had in ages -- maybe ever. I’m currently sitting on a stack of raves from all over the country, from major magazines, newspapers, small dailies, internet sites, etc. They seem to be doing me no good. Also, uncomfortable because of the sitting.

The big brains at the network, while happy with the reviews, tell me that good reviews don’t bring in an audience. Guess they were right. We premiered on Friday, March 12th to less than great numbers.

There are several things stacking the odds against us. Our time slot, charmingly known as “The Fox Friday Death Slot” is quickly living up to its name. There has been much confusion and differing opinion over just how to promote this odd little series. Maybe the unique charm, heart and volcanic snark aren’t coming through. I dunno. Fact is, I have no power over network promotion, I can’t force Fox to air “Wonderfalls” on Monday nights, I don’t have a Nielsen box or know anyone who does.

But I do have this keyboard, my cable-modem and a relationship with genre fans all over the world because of the internet. All of the shows I’ve worked on in the last several years have had loyal internet followings. From “Lois and Clark” to “The X-Files,” from “Angel” to the short-lived but much-loved “Firefly.” Ever since I’ve been associated with genre television I’ve had the extreme honor and pleasure (and sometimes hair-pulling madness) of interacting with fans of these shows via the internet. You are the most dedicated, passionate and, frankly, smartest fans around.

And I’m turning to you now because I believe you’re a huge untapped resource.

I know that every one of you is connected to many others that I can’t reach. If you can give a hand here, you might be keeping us afloat long enough for us to catch the tide. Worth a shot, anyway.

I know the network wants this show to work. They’re willing for it to work. And if there’s any way that my plea now will help Friday’s numbers tick up just a touch, I think that would be a tremendous sign to them.

The next new episode of “Wonderfalls” airs Friday, March 19th at 9:00pm on Fox. Please tune in and mention it to someone else. Preferably someone with a Nielsen box.

So anyway, I thought I’d mention it. Oh, also, the network is going to repeat our pilot on Thursday, March 18th at 9:00pm after “Tru Calling.” So if you missed it last Friday, here’s your chance to catch it.

Thanks --

Sincerely,

Tim Minear

If you have so much invested in a show, why would you put it in a Friday or Saturday-evening time slot? Those are the worst nights of the week for TV shows.

Fox really is a strange network: They will take chances on shows that no other networks would even consider, but they will stick said shows in lousy time slots and then wonder why they aren't getting good ratings.

Take Family Guy, for instance. At the first sign of low ratings, Fox started shifting it around to different time slots without advertising it, preempting it for other programs, etc. With this kind of treatment, it didn't take Fox long to decide that the show was a failure and cancel it.

However, when the show entered syndication on Cartoon Network, Fox was surprised to learn that it was very popular. A while later, the seasons of Family Guy were released on DVD and sold very well, again surprising the Fox executives.

So now, Fox is considering bringing Family Guy back, claiming that the show was "ahead of its time" the first time it aired and that is why it failed. I guess it still hasen't occured to them that the show failed because of the shabby treatment it got from the network.

Sorry if I went off on a tangent... but then again, it is semi-related to the topic. Besides, Fox is still better than, say, NBC (I swear, NBC, how many sitcoms do we really need about young, attractive yuppies living in New York City?!).

Dark Jezter said:

Sorry if I went off on a tangent... but then again, it is semi-related to the topic. Besides, Fox is still better than, say, NBC (I swear, NBC, how many sitcoms do we really need about young, attractive yuppies living in New York City?!).

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Depends, just how attractive are the yuppies?

Just a note that I watched Wonderfalls last Friday (the pilot) and found it very entertaining, a show that I'd regularly watch.

Except that I only watch TV on Fridays about 2 or 3 times a year, as the rest of the time I'm involved in some social engagement or another. Unless they move it to a different night (not Friday or Saturday, and preferably not Wednesday) then I'll probably never see it again.

Fox is a network for younger folks and the folks with a young outlook. Those same folks are very rarely home on Friday night. As such Fox + Friday Night = Dead Shows. Doi.

Yep -- my wife may've suckered me into watching two episodes of The Apprentice, but this week we're preempting it to show some loyalty to the man who helped bring us Angel and Firefly, two of our all-time favorite shows.

Daniel

Don't put on Friday night timeslot. It's better to put it and Tru Calling on Thursday night timeslots since Friends is ending. Damn mainstream shows!

Dark Jezter said:

Take Family Guy, for instance. At the first sign of low ratings, Fox started shifting it around to different time slots without advertising it, preempting it for other programs, etc. With this kind of treatment, it didn't take Fox long to decide that the show was a failure and cancel it.

However, when the show entered syndication on Cartoon Network, Fox was surprised to learn that it was very popular. A while later, the seasons of Family Guy were released on DVD and sold very well, again surprising the Fox executives.

So now, Fox is considering bringing Family Guy back, claiming that the show was "ahead of its time" the first time it aired and that is why it failed. I guess it still hasen't occured to them that the show failed because of the shabby treatment it got from the network.

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Actually (and you probably already know this), Family Guy is definately coming back. Whether it is on CN or FOX remains to be determined.

As for Wonderfalls: Great show so far. First episode was quite funny and witty. I meant to post about it but I had a busy weekend. I highly recommend this program and really hope it doesn't get cancelled.

John Crichton said:

I highly recommend this program and really hope it doesn't get cancelled.

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Good going John, now it will get canceled. Maybe even before Thursday night.

Welverin said:

Good going John, now it will get canceled. Maybe even before Thursday night.

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Oop! *looks around*

Er, I mean - it stinks! I'd rather watch reality TV. Ick. Uncreative garbage. Not funny. The lead actress had no charisma and is ugly to boot. That's an hour I'll never get back!

John Crichton said:

As for Wonderfalls: Great show so far. First episode was quite funny and witty. I meant to post about it but I had a busy weekend. I highly recommend this program and really hope it doesn't get cancelled.

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Synopsis of "Wonderfalls"

A Niagra Falls souvenir shop worker's life is turned around when she has a nervous breakdown and finds that inanimate animal characters - figurines, cartoons - are talking to her. Their cryptic messages inspire her to help those in need.

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And THIS is good? You promise?

I'll try it Thursday night (I believe CSI is a rerun). Normally, a tagline like that would make me steer clear of a show, but I guess I'll give it a shot. If Minnear is behind it... *crosses fingers*