Fables on ABC

[LightPhoenix]

Comic Book Resources > CBR News: Story Time: ABC Brings "Fables" To Life

Fables is one of my favorite comic books, so this made me really excited. ABC is apparently ordering a pilot episode for a TV series.

Of course, I'm a little cynical. For starters, Fables can be a pretty brutal comic at times, and I think a lot of that will be lost on the transition to TV, and especially ABC. Second, Pushing Daisies got cancelled, and that was very fairy tale-like as well. If audiences couldn't handle PD, I'm not certain they could handle Fables either, especially since the Fables are not very much like their fairy tale counterparts. Finally, it sounds like they won't be following the comic's story, which is one of the best parts, IMO.

Still, the idea of Fables being on TV is exciting.

 

[Mark]

Thanks for the heads up. Brothers Grimm suffered from trying to keep an expanded demographic while flirting with the darker side of their tales. Since this is network, it may find the same problem afflicts its efforts. Still, as you convey, hopes can be maintained until we see what they do with it.

 

[Umbran]

If audiences couldn't handle PD, I'm not certain they could handle Fables either...

A show is canceled due to lack of ratings. Lack of ratings in no way suggests that the series is somehow beyond the grasp of the audience. It is more probable that the audience simply didn't like the show, rather than that they "couldn't handle" the show.

And, honestly Pushing Daisies really wasn't much like the Fables comic.

 

[Felon]

A show is canceled due to lack of ratings. Lack of ratings in no way suggests that the series is somehow beyond the grasp of the audience. It is more probable that the audience simply didn't like the show, rather than that they "couldn't handle" the show.

Six or a half-dozen, Umbran. Whetehr we say they can "handle" American Idol or Deal or No Deal, or they simply "like" them, it's evident that inanities survive when more ambitious projects fail. Hate to sound elitist, but I have trouble seeing the lasting appeal of a "game" that is basically just people choosing suitcases at random and hoping they have a big number inside.

I don't know if Fables can work in the current climate of network TV, because I'm not sure what that climate is. In the movies, audiences want big spectacles, in TV--from Wife-Swap to the Sopranos--audiences want the mundane and picayoon

 

[horacethegrey]

I'm really not a big fan of Fables. Forgive me for saying so, but while I thought the comic was well done, I'm not so keen on postmodern takes on fairy tales (the rare exception being The Princess Bride, of course ).

Still, I'll take a look at this when it comes out, though I suspect my friends will be freaking out at this news, as they're big fans of the comic.

 

[Darth Shoju]

Hate to sound elitist, but I have trouble seeing the lasting appeal of a "game" that is basically just people choosing suitcases at random and hoping they have a big number inside.

LOL -- and hosted by Howie Mandell no less. I'm not a fan of game shows (other than Jeopardy), but the appeal of that show is really lost on me.

As for Fables, while I'm encouraged that networks are looking for interesting properties like this, I'm hesitant to believe that it will catch on, or that it won't be watered down in some way.

But, I would love to be surprised.

 

[LightPhoenix]

It is more probable that the audience simply didn't like the show, rather than that they "couldn't handle" the show.

And, honestly Pushing Daisies really wasn't much like the Fables comic.

Perhaps "handle" wasn't quite the right word, nor the word I intended to use. I do believe that the combination of rapid-fire clever dialogue and the fairy-tale subtext to the show ultimately prevented it from gaining mainstream appeal. However, I would then argue that most shows I have liked and seem to be credited at least as well done often don't draw mainstream appeal.

PD and Fables are very different, but they're both hung on the same subtext - fairy tales. That was the comparison I was trying to draw. Although, I would guess based on the article that they won't be covering (spoilers for the entire run so far)

Spoiler

anything with the Adversary, especially as they mention Prince Charming... though I suppose he would definitely regenerate or be reborn, being so popular. I certainly don't see them having Bigby shout "I'll tear your f-ing head off." It is Disney/ABC after all

I'm really not a big fan of Fables. Forgive me for saying so, but while I thought the comic was well done, I'm not so keen on postmodern takes on fairy tales (the rare exception being The Princess Bride, of course ).

See, I can understand that. There's genres and tropes I'm not a fan of either. So you're forgiven. Unless it turns out to be awesome and you start raving about it.

 

[Hella_Tellah]

I do believe that the combination of rapid-fire clever dialogue and the fairy-tale subtext to the show ultimately prevented it from gaining mainstream appeal.

Naw, the rapid-fire clever dialogue is what kept it on the air as long as it was. The problem was that they didn't market it to fans of other, popular shows that featured rapid-fire clever dialogue. Had they advertised so that they could reach Gilmore Girls' audience, rather than Dresden Files', I think it would still be on today. They needed ads in Us Weekly.

 

[The Human Target]

Love the comic, am super skeptical about the show.

 

[LightPhoenix]

Naw, the rapid-fire clever dialogue is what kept it on the air as long as it was. The problem was that they didn't market it to fans of other, popular shows that featured rapid-fire clever dialogue. Had they advertised so that they could reach Gilmore Girls' audience, rather than Dresden Files', I think it would still be on today. They needed ads in Us Weekly.

There's a huge difference between PD and GG. The premise of GG is grounded in reality, whereas the premise of PD is grounded in fantasy. PD had that going against it from the start, and the rapid-fire dialogue was another hit against it. The reason rapid-fire dialog didn't hurt GG is because the premise of GG (mother/daughter figuring out life) was easier to accept than that of PD. I would be willing to bet that if PD wasn't as quick as it was, it would have had more viewers. Of course, then it wouldn't have been as good either. Stupid Catch-22.

I've never seen GG, so I can't speak to the quality of dialogue, though I'm assuming it was of equal value to PD, seeing as how that's one of the things GG is known for.

This is really getting off topic though, so to drag us back...

Comic Book Resources > CBR News: Willingham: "Fables" Pilot a Surprise

This is not a good sign at all. Willingham not involved at all? The writers of Elektra are? Oof. My hopes for this just plummeted a lot. At least they have a good direcor lined up.