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"Alias" is changing...
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Posted by: Rosenkavalier
...according to this story at Salon.com: http://www.salon.com/ent/tv/diary/2...lias/index.html
Relevant portion of the story:
quote:
Nobody really understands why "Alias" is not a ratings smash. Critics love it, fans are obsessed with it, ABC is behind it and star Jennifer Garner has had more magazine covers than she's had hot meals. So what, exactly, is the problem?
The only explanation -- and the brain trust's current thinking -- is that the plot is too confusing. And it is. It is staunchly, proudly and maddeningly impossible to follow. You can't just drop in and out of "Alias." You have to account for your whereabouts. "Alias" demands loyalty, devotion and the ability to keep even the most Byzantine convolutions straight. And once you get into it, you really want to. You want to do it for Sydney, the most beautiful, sensitive, ass-kicking, tortured and put-upon double agent in the history of fictional counterintelligence.
But 9.3 million viewers aren't enough, so as of Sunday, after the Super Bowl, a new, revamped "Alias" hits the airwaves. Weekly cliffhangers will disappear and new episodes will be more self-contained, requiring less knowledge of the previous week's episode. ("Alias" is such a teased-out serial that each week's episode is preceded by a detailed rundown of the previous week's episode.) Victor Garber, who plays Sidney's double-agent father, Jack, told reporters last week, "There are some big changes coming up in the next few weeks. The Super Bowl episode is like starting over. It's almost like a pilot episode."
In some ways, it makes sense for "Alias" to become more episodic. But at the same time, this new push for clarity threatens to undermine the murky emotional complexity that has set "Alias" apart from the cartoonish, tough-guy spy genre until now. Early on, the show was described as an action comic starring a hot babe. But it quickly became apparent that "Alias" was actually a family drama about a sensitive and committed hot babe -- with car chases and fabulous costume changes thrown in. What at first seemed like a casting gimmick has turned out to be a genre-bending coup: The Spy From the Dysfunctional Family.
...
With any luck, the new Super Sunday format won't mess with the old formula. The last thing we want is to see Sydney reduced to a workaday spook. After all, she's a spy we can relate to; the perfect spy for the post-Cold War, post-Bond era: A Gen-X workaholic with good intentions, serious doubts and a truckload of emotional baggage, kicking ass for a better, more loving world.
As far as I'm concerned, this is really unfortunate. The cliffhangers and the complex, interwoven storylines carried across multiple episodes was what made the show so exciting and refreshingly different. Sigh... I had almost managed to forget that "Alias" is an ABC show...should have seen this coming.
Posted by: TiVoLance
Well since I never got into it (mainly for the reasons the article states) I think I'll try to catch the "revamped" show. I always wanted to like it :)
Posted by: jlb
This was posted not too long ago. At least quote from Garber.
Anyways, I won't like it as much, but if it helps keep the show on the air, then it's fine with me. Look at Smallville. In general, each episode of that is self contained, yet they still manage to have certain thins carry over, like discovering a new power or the like.
I wonder if they will change the nature of Sydney's mom plays into all of this.
And let's hope we get to see more of Marshall in the field......
Posted by: Fleegle
I'm expecting to delete this season pass soon. The continuing plot is why I watch Alias. I can see it getting either smarmy or a parody of itself very soon.
Posted by: ClutchBrake
I'll still watch it, but I hate the idea of losing the continuing storyline. We have a lot invested in these characters.
Maybe we will be able to dump Francie and see more of Dixon. Dixon rules... but not as much as Marshall. ;)
Posted by: Crrink
Bummer, I always enjoyed looking over at my wife at the end and seeing the same furstration on her face that I had one mine - IT CAN'T BE OVER YET!!!
Well....at least we still have 24 for good cliff hangars.....
Posted by: Muzzy
Well. There goes that Season Pass. I guess the only drama worth watching on TV now is The Shield.
Posted by: jlb
I lot of neat forum info over at www.sd-6.com
Most people there are bummed about the change in format, but are generally willing to accept it if it keeps the show going.....
Posted by: grecorj
quote:
Originally posted by fleegle
I'm expecting to delete this season pass soon.
If the ratings continue to suck wind, you won't have to.
Posted by: Turtleboy
But what specifically are they going to change?
I wouldn't be surprised if they got rid of SD-6 all together, and just make her a CIA agent going on CIA missions. And I also wouldn't be surprised if they got rid of all of that Rimbaldi nonsense - they already cut back on it this season.
Posted by: brahamt
I must say that I enjoy Alias, and despite its promises to re-invent itself, I will probably continue watching. There does seem to be a pattern of shows with a good deal of story arc not getting huge ratings. Which in turn prompts shows to become more episodic. The success of a show like CSI, prompts CSI Miami, Without a Trace, etc. I like these shows and watch each of them, but I still want some variety. Some arc shows, some episodic shows.
Posted by: bobjohnson
I don't like the idea of dumbing it down too much, but I am elated that they are getting rid of the dumb cliff-hanger thing at the end. It always seemed like a cheap attempt to get people to watch next week, and that kind of thing doesn't sit well with me. If it's a good show, people will continue to watch. Trying to shanghai the viewer every week is tacky.
Posted by: scottivo72
Leave it to ABC to fix what is far from broken. I swear, they have absolutely No Patience over there. Alias is pretty much the only thing on ABC I watch now (besides MNF). Hey, I got an idea - turn it into a half-hour sitcom like that crap on Tuesday nights. I'm surprised they decided to move The Practice instead of cancelling that too, as has been their habit in the past [read: Spy Game, Sports Night, Push Nevada]. Any other network would at least try a show on a different night or different time - but now I'm getting off-track. :confused:
Figures that Alias wouldn't pass the change-or-cancel test of just about any other ABC show I've gotten into! :rolleyes:
:cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:
Posted by: MalachiNY
I think there is a way to do both. Have a story arc and a "1 episode" conclusion.
They dont always have to be a "1 episode" conclusion ... why not 2. People will come back to see it next week if its they know it'll be concluded.
OR
They can conclude it @ 55 minute thed add lil cliffhenger for next weeks show every so often ... then just review or reply that cliffhanger prior to start of next show.
I dont like the change either but I started tro get lost on that Rimbaldi stuff too
Posted by: debtoine
quote:
Originally posted by ClutchBrake
Maybe we will be able to dump Francie ...
My guess is this will happen, since the actress can now be seen on NBC's Mr. Sterling.
deb
Posted by: MacThor
....it's the timeslot. Maybe they should wait until after the move to 10PM to see if more viewers tune in. I can think of several reasons for the poor ratings other than the story arc:
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Malcolm in the Middle & Andy Richter
Angel (since moved to Wednesday)
Sopranos/The Wire/Oz
Even the CBS Sunday Movie
Fox and CBS have football lead-ins and relentlessly plug their shows. The L&O franchise has a loyal following, as does the Buffyverse.
Posted by: ClutchBrake
quote:
Originally posted by debtoine
My guess is this will happen, since the actress can now be seen on NBC's Mr. Sterling.
deb
WooHoo!!! Her character is lame and useless. Being the only one left not in on the secret makes her character way too limited.
I watched Mister Sterling last week and have been meaning to start a thread on it. I mainly listened to the episode so I didn't realize "Francie" was in it.
Posted by: MacThor
quote:
Originally posted by debtoine
My guess is this will happen, since the actress can now be seen on NBC's Mr. Sterling.
deb
Huh? Different actresses.
Posted by: Otto
Well, I'll probably stop watching it then. They're bound to screw it up.
I'll keep watching for now, but if it begins to suck, then it's gone. Jennifer Garner is a hottie, but not hot enough to make me sit through a crap show. The continuing story is the only reason left to watch, as it passed my technical jargon and nonsense BS threshhold quite some time ago.
Posted by: zaknafein
Leave it up to ABC to ruthlessly massacre a good show.
I am surprised they are even keeping it. Normally they'd just can the show and insert a couple new Dharma clones into its timeslot.
Posted by: Muzzy
quote:
Originally posted by MacThor
....it's the timeslot. Maybe they should wait until after the move to 10PM to see if more viewers tune in.
This would put it on the same time as Boomtown (or Kingpin - depends on what NBC decides to do with this timeslot). Since my TiVo can only record one show at a time (sniff), I guess I'd be losing Alias anyway.
.
Posted by: cmontyburns
This has been coming for quite some time. The storylines this season are already quite a bit simpler than the ones from last. It's a shame. ABC has far worse problems, ratingswise, than this show. And those other shows have no buzz, which is not a problem for Alias. History is rife with examples of shows that performed below expectations for their first few seasons before building into very reliable, and sometimes dominant, performers. Alias has always reminded me of The X Files, both in story structure (simultaneously self-contained and ongoing) and in ratings (relatively low at first). The X Files turned into a very consistent draw. Would that ABC give it similar time before screwing it up. Sigh.
(On a similar note, I don't buy the argument that complicated storylines in and of themselves are keeping viewers at bay. The Sopranos, for example, has a far more complicated plot structure than Alias, and people are willing to hang with it across breaks of over a year!)
Posted by: TivoDaddy
As soon as Sydney and Vaughn kiss, it's sayonara for me.
Posted by: Lord Nimon
Comparing the Sopranos with Alias is unfair, because the Sopranos is on HBO, a channel you have to pay extra for. If you're going to pay for a channel, then you're going to watch it consistently.
Not only that, but I reject the notion that restricting the story lines to single episodes will dumb it down. Why is it necessary to have an episode's plot rely on things that happened three months ago in order to be good? That's EASY to do! Coming up with a good script that fits in 60 minutes is the real challenge.
I love Alias, but often I choose something else because I'm not always in the mood to watch something that could make my head explode. That's why I don't watch 24 this season. Well, the main reason I'm not watching 24 is because of that stupid blonde daughter.
Posted by: Rob Helmerichs
I'm astonished at how many people are talking about abandoning the show not because of what they're doing, but because of what you're afraid they might do. Why don't you wait until they screw it up before your start talking about abandoning the show?!?
Sheesh...
Posted by: KLB
Garber tries to not say the words "the network wants us to dumb down the show so the folks in the Podunk, Arkansas can figure it out..."
This is the same thing that so many other networks (and movie studios) have done or are going to do.
Thanks ABC.
quote:
re: Francie:
My guess is this will happen, since the actress can now be seen on NBC's Mr. Sterling.
No way... you are teasing me. I know you are. Your telling me that Santa DID get my letter???? :eek:
Posted by: cmontyburns
quote:
Originally posted by Lord Nimon
Comparing the Sopranos with Alias is unfair, because the Sopranos is on HBO, a channel you have to pay extra for. If you're going to pay for a channel, then you're going to watch it consistently.
I disagree. Many people subscribe to HBO because of shows like the Sopranos. They aren't watching just to justify having subscribed. Appointment TV is appointment TV. And heck, I pay DirecTV to give me my locals even though I can get them all just fine with rabbit ears. I'm not watching more network TV as a result.
Posted by: Attack
quote:
I'm astonished at how many people are talking about abandoning the show not because of what they're doing, but because of what you're afraid they might do. Why don't you wait until they screw it up before your start talking about abandoning the show?!?
Hmm, Did you watch Andromeda? Story arc went bye, bye and so did the shows quality. And yes I have tried watching it but each episode seems to get worse. If the next episode sucks then it's gone from my SP.
Well, If Alias stops having a story arc I am gone. Since this is the main reason I like this show, oh and {URL=http://www.geocities.com/alias_faq/index.htm]The online Alias puzzles[/URL]
They should have made a DVD box set of Season One before Season Two started so people could get it and become interested, like FOX did with "24".
Hell I still have every Alias episode on my TV and over the summer I watched the season three times with three different friends that didn't watch it during the regular season. Since I talked about how good the show is they decided to watch the first three episodes and then they wanted to watch the rest of the season.
Posted by: smak
Alias started not only with non-contained stories, but with stories that started 50 minutes into 1 show, ended up with a cliffhanger, and continue until 50 minutes into the next show.
Whatever her mission was, it would usually end around 45 minutes into the show, and she would go on another mission afterwords which would end up at the end of the next show.
That would be really confusing for people who haven't been watching.
I actually think they are not going to change much, since they have already changed that type of thing quite a bit, but will get a lot of viewers after the "big game" (ha), and are trying to get the word out that it's easier to follow, and people can start with the "big game" episode and be ok.
-smak-
Posted by: Rob Helmerichs
Yes, Andromeda sucks...now that I've seen the changes they made (and I admire your fortitude in sticking it out this long; I was gone after about three episodes this season). But we haven't seen the changes Alias is making yet; for all we know, they might actually improve the show (although that's kinda hard to imagine).
And one HUGE difference between Andromeda and Alias is that Alias's creator is working with the network on the changes; Andromeda's producers fired the creator and threw out everything he had done. I have much more confidence in JJ Abrams than in Majel Roddenberry.
Posted by: Songlian
A little over a month ago, I got a tip from an insider that they were getting rid of SD-6. I didn't understand why or how they would manage to do that, but I guess this whole reformatting thing is the answer! Now the tip is finally starting to make sense!
I say we all just set our TiVos to record and then compare notes on Monday to see how we all liked it. That way we can save ourselves the headache of second guessing ABC.
Also, I am not a big Francie fan, and I also can't stand Will's voice! He's not bad looking, but I try imagine spending more than 30 seconds with that voice and it's like fingernails to the chalkboard. It's just a weak sounding voice and kind of whiny.
It's so great to hear other Alias fans' opinions! I don't have any friends who love it like me!
Stephanie
:D
Posted by: KLB
uhhh... if SD-6 goes down--- what? We're going to have Syd go full time for the CIA and each week will be "mission of the week"?
I don't know.
I have agree with other people here and hold hope that JJ Abrams will protect the show.
Posted by: Hoffer
Being that I've seen every episode, I have no problem with the complex storyline. I know what's going on.
To be honest, I don't care that they are doing this. If it brings more of an audience and keeps the show around, that's good.
Posted by: debtoine
quote:
Originally posted by MacThor
Huh? Different actresses.
Hmm, you're right. But, I know I saw "Francie" in a commercial for another show and thought to myself, she must be leaving Alias. We have definitely seen less of her lately.
Of course, commercials going by in 3X FF speed could be impairing my vision and I really did think they were the same actress.
deb
Posted by: Graymalkin
The actress on "Mr. Sterling" (who plays his chief of staff) is Audra McDonald, who is a big Broadway star. This lady can sing! Francie is just clueless -- she's the show's Xander, the one "normal" person.
Posted by: awexton
Hey, whoa. Let's not be sullying Xander here. He serves large amounts of purpose on Buffy and often plays a key role (like, saving the world (see last season's finale)). Francie, not so much.
Posted by: mrboo
Coincidently, they're filming Alias next door to here tonight.
Posted by: DancnDude
OK so if they get rid of SD-6 then what is the point of the show? It is called "Alias" for a reason... This is my number 1 favorite show and I'll be very disappointed if they screw it up :(
Posted by: jlb
Excellent article in today's USA Today on the 1/26 episode. They give it Four stars.
I guess at this point nothing in the article would be considered a spoiler, but be warned:
All I have to say about this, is that we have a great article here, and the episode is sounding like it is going to be great!!!!
http://www.usatoday.com/life/televi...-23-alias_x.htm
Text:
quote:
Here's an image that should grab a Super Bowl fan's attention: Jennifer Garner in black scanties. Oh, there's much more to Sunday's fabulous post-Bowl episode of Alias than those opening shots of Garner, undercover and underdressed as CIA agent Sydney Bristow. But the scene, and the humorous twist it takes, is a prime example of how knowing and witty this show can be, and how eager it is to get the kind of ratings it has long deserved. Besides, if there's a TV star who can carry off that opening (and that outfit) with more style than Garner, I don't know who she is. Garner is not just the sexiest spy since Emma Peel, she's one of the few actresses who can stand up to comparison with Diana Rigg. Sunday, she has the kind of showcase that actors dream about : a heart-stopping, plot-packed adventure that lets her hit just about every emotional note. And the good news extends beyond Garner. Seldom has Alias produced a more exciting hour or one more user-friendly for newcomers to the show. Conveniently enough, Sydney is introduced to a new class of CIA recruits, which allows Alias to reintroduce its premise: Sydney and her father, Jack (the invaluable Victor Garber), are double agents assigned to destroy SD-6, one of 12 cells that make up the criminal syndicate The Alliance. And they have just been handed a new tool: a secret computer that can reveal the location of all Alliance agents. Naturally, there are complications. The Bristows have a new boss at SD-6 (played with cool authority by Rutger Hauer), and he has questions about their job performance.
Revealing much more would spoil the fun.
What sets Alias apart? For one thing, there's writer J.J. Abrams (Felicity), who knows how to surprise you without making you feel as if you've been duped. He also has been smart enough to hire actors who are as talented as they are attractive and who are able to keep the often outrageous plots grounded. This week, watch Carl Lumbly as Sydney's partner and see if you don't believe every move he makes.
Action, suspense and a last-minute twist: Sunday's Alias provides everything you'd want from a show following the Super Bowl and, for that matter, from the Super Bowl itself. Whether the game will deliver, I can't say, but the postgame show is a champ.
Posted by: Sirius Black
The only twist is guessing when it will start. In my guide I have "superbowl post game show set to start 10 mins early. Then I have the next show set to end 30 mins late and then the news and then Jimmy Kimmel Live. All with appropriate buffers to make sure I don't miss it.
Posted by: cmontyburns
quote:
Originally posted by jlb
Excellent article in today's USA Today on the 1/26 episode. They give it Four stars
I was just going to post this. I'm glad to read it. Bianco has been a big fan of Alias from the start and I'm always glad to see him promoting it in his column.
One interesting detail from his review, and I'll be vague in case anyone considers it a spoiler. Interesting news about the Rutger Hauer character. What does it mean for Sloane?
Posted by: Graymalkin
Jennifer Garner in black scanties? To heck with continuing storylines!
If they had put Gillian Anderson in black scanties, I'm sure X-Files would still be on the air. :D
Posted by: Otto
quote:
Originally posted by Medieval Guy
I'm astonished at how many people are talking about abandoning the show not because of what they're doing, but because of what you're afraid they might do. Why don't you wait until they screw it up before your start talking about abandoning the show?!?
Sheesh...
When a network starts messing with a show, then they invariably screw it up. Name one case where the *network* messing with something made it better.
The point being that a show's creators and writers should be able to make a show without having to bow to stupid network demographics. If they want to appeal to a wider audience, that likely means "dumb it down" which is going to ruin this show for me. It's pretty simple, really.
I'm hoping they don't screw it up, but whenever a *network* starts talking about changing a show, it's a bad, bad sign.
Posted by: jlb
Of course a dumbed-down Alias with JG in "black scanties" is better than no Alias at all.......
Posted by: Lord Nimon
quote:
Originally posted by cmontyburns
I disagree. Many people subscribe to HBO because of shows like the Sopranos. They aren't watching just to justify having subscribed.
You're not disagreeing with me, you're agreeing with me. Read my original post more carefully. Nowhere do I imply that a subscriber is watching to justify the subscription. That's just plain stupid.
Posted by: Rob Helmerichs
quote:
Originally posted by Otto
Name one case where the *network* messing with something made it better.
Law & Order (change from two related stories to one per week).
Seinfeld (change from a sitcom about the life of a comedian to a comedian and his friends).
Both of those went from tedious bombs to smash hits after network interference.
Now, you're absolutely right that often network interference is a recipe for disaster. I just think it's amazing that so many people are writing off the show WITHOUT EVEN SEEING IT! It is not a success right now. They want to save it instead of cancel it. That's already a good sign. Let's just cross our fingers that Abrams (like Wolf and Seinfeld & David) takes this as a challenge to excel, not as an excuse to give up.
Posted by: Otto
quote:
Originally posted by Medieval Guy
Law & Order (change from two related stories to one per week).
Don't watch that one, but as I understand it, there's far more than one "Law & Order" on per week. :p
quote:
Seinfeld (change from a sitcom about the life of a comedian to a comedian and his friends).
Now, I watched Seinfeld from the very beginning to the bitter end, and I don't know what you're talking about here. It was always a show about the group and their antics.
quote:
Now, you're absolutely right that often network interference is a recipe for disaster. I just think it's amazing that so many people are writing off the show WITHOUT EVEN SEEING IT! It is not a success right now. They want to save it instead of cancel it. That's already a good sign. Let's just cross our fingers that Abrams (like Wolf and Seinfeld & David) takes this as a challenge to excel, not as an excuse to give up.
Bunk, they don't want to save it, they want an "instant hit". They think the shows ratings are high enough that by tweaking it and dumbing it down, they can fix the perceived problems (which are in fact the *strengths* of the show), to make it appeal to a wider audience.
Network execs are idiots, and no amount of chat will convince me otherwise. The best shows get cancelled and reality crap like Survivor has ratings out the wazoo. I'm writing off the show not because of the show, but because of the fact that the network is going to **** it up like they **** up everything else.
If the ratings are not high enough, put it in a better timeslot or give it time to develop. Networks don't want development time, they want instant success or bam, it's trashed. I see this time and time again. If they'd let shows mature and develop then they'd have lots of great stuff. As it is, only the most purile crap that gets instant ratings makes it, because every Joe Schlub can laugh at fart jokes and goggle at skimpy clothing...
It takes time to build a good show, and having idiots who want an instant hit mucking with it is *never* a good thing.
Posted by: ClutchBrake
You guys are forgetting about Firefly! Just think of how awful that show would have been if the creator had his way and the real pilot was shown first and the following episodes in order.
FOX execs really saved the day with their brilliant rewrites to that show. I'm sure the brains behind ABC will do the same with Alias...
Posted by: dmaneyapanda
quote:
Originally posted by Otto
Now, I watched Seinfeld from the very beginning to the bitter end, and I don't know what you're talking about here. It was always a show about the group and their antics.
Well, in the first year or so it always began and ended with a Jerry stand-up monologue (thematically related to the rest of the show). This definitely changed in the second season. But I'm not sure I agree that it was a big change, nor necessarily a change for the better.
Posted by: WinBear
Would you believe I have a friend who will not watch "Alias" because two of the writer/producers were involved with Hercules: The Legendary Journeys? In her mind, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Occi wrecked several of the best aspects of Hercules and she hasn't forgiven them.
Posted by: Turtleboy
quote:
Originally posted by Medieval Guy
Law & Order (change from two related stories to one per week)..
I'm not sure that's right. As far as I know L&O always had one story per episode, even in the first season. I think maybe they divided the Law and the Order part more strictly, but that's about it.
As for Seinfeld, there was a pilot (not to be confused with the episode called, "The Pilot") called the Seinfeld Chronicles in which there was no Elaine, Kramer was different, and the show sucked, and they did eventually cut out the monologues, but I don't think that there was major changes.
Posted by: DLiquid
I always thought the story arcs on Alias were corny. Fun corny, but still corny. Rimbaldi? Dead wife not dead? Is mom really a good girl now? :p
If you pay attention to what happens in each episode, it's pretty formulaic. Yes some story lines arc over several episodes, but most episodes still follow roughly the same formula.
To me, it's an entertaining action show with a little Felicity thrown in. It doesn't sound like that's going to change. At least I hope not.
Posted by: Rob Helmerichs
If they wanted an instant hit, they would have cancelled it a year and a half ago. They're giving it every chance. It isn't performing. They're working with the producers to give it a boost, instead of cancelling it.
Am I nervous? Sure. Do I assume that they're going to **** up? No. This isn't Andromeda, where the owners fired the producer and went their own way. This isn't Firefly, where the network hated the show and only put it on in the first place because of their relationship with Whedon. This is a show that has an intense but smallish following, and needs a larger one to be profitable. Unfortunately, ABC is not a charity, and can't continue to air the show just for the sake of the too-few people who watch it.
I agree that moving it might help, although it could be argued that this is a time slot where several shows with a similar target audience have flourished (X-Files, Sopranos, Law & Order CI). They've decided, probably with some justice, that the show as it is constructed now can't build the audience, because people just tuning in can't figure out the premise of the show, let alone what's happening. If they can come up with a way to make the show more accesible without screwing it up, more power to them...I'd rather watch an altered but still good version of the show than not watch the current version (because it's been cancelled).
As for network execs being idiots, for the most part your problem is that people are idiots. Survivor keeps going because lots and lots and lots of people keep watching it. Good shows die (usually) because most people don't want to watch good shows. They want to watch Survivor.
The problem with network execs isn't that they're idiots (although some of them clearly are), it's that they've chosen to cater to the easy money---the idiots who watch John Edwards--instead of taking on the harder task of building an audience for a smart show like Farscape. (OK, I know, for you that's a bad example, but you're wrong.) Getting 50% of the people who would watch Survivor to tune in is a lot more profitable than getting everybody on Earth who would watch Firefly to tune in, and a whole lot less work.
The problem isn't that netwrok execs are idiots; it's that they're business people. They're out to make as much money with as little risk as possible. Catering to idiots is almost risk-free. Catering to smart people is very risky indeed.
Will they screw up Alias? I don't know. I fear they will; I hope they won't. But I won't complain about what they do until they do it, and I see it for myself. Call me quirky.
Posted by: smak
I don't think they'll screw it up that terribly, because Abrams and Garner can just leave. He can already go out and write major films (Superman) and she can already go out and be a film star.
If they are 100% against the changes that ABC wants to make they have big options.
And i think the changes are not going to be major. Instead of a Rimbaldi type arc which may last 1/3 of a season, they'll try to whittle things down to 2-3 episodes.....
-smak-
Posted by: brott
quote:
Originally posted by Turtleboy
I'm not sure that's right. As far as I know L&O always had one story per episode, even in the first season. I think maybe they divided the Law and the Order part more strictly, but that's about it.
I've been watching L&O for years. I can only remember one single episode that did not follow the normal format. However, I do recall one season there was a two (or perhaps three) part "episode" that covered multiple shows. The one episode that did not follow the normal format was when Jill Hennessy's character was killed off.
Posted by: Rob Helmerichs
In the first season, they had a half-hour cop show followed by a half-hour lawyer show. Each followed the same case, but they were completely separate in terms of cast; they even had separate credits. It was incredibly mechanical and clunky, and the network made them change it. Thank God for the network! (And how often do you get to say that?) Since then, the relationship between the cops and lawyers has been much more fluid and natural.
As for Seinfeld, my memory mostly failed me. There was one pilot episode that aired a few months ahead of the main series; it was after that the the network stepped in and made them emphasize the interactions among the cast more, and the stand-up aspect less. I had thought it was a six-episode run or something like that.
Posted by: kitsap
quote:
Originally posted by Medieval Guy
As for Seinfeld, my memory mostly failed me. There was one pilot episode that aired a few months ahead of the main series; it was after that the the network stepped in and made them emphasize the interactions among the cast more, and the stand-up aspect less. I had thought it was a six-episode run or something like that.
My memory is the same as yours; I could have sworn it had a run of about six episodes before being retooled and coming back some weeks later. I remember loving the initial episodes, and I definitely remember being appalled at how they changed it and really messed it up in the process. Of course, that's just my opinion, and a bazillion other people liked the "new" version.
Posted by: vertigo235
Bad Idea
Posted by: Turtleboy
And BTW, this has been said elsewhere, but
DON'T FORGET TO PAD THE HELL OUT OF YOUR RECORDING!!!
This is scheduled to run after the Super Bowl. We know that no matter what, it will run long. You will in all likelihood miss the end of Alias if you don't pad it.
I gave it an hour. That oughta do it (hopefully).
Posted by: Sirius Black
I am recording everything from 10 mins before the end of the game till 30 mins after Jimmy Kimmel Live. That should do it for me. :)
Posted by: Graymalkin
I'm doing a manual recording from 5:15 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. That ought to do it.
Posted by: bobjohnson
quote:
Originally posted by Graymalkin
I'm doing a manual recording from 5:15 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. That ought to do it.
The sad thing is, at the moment, that sounds like horrible overkill, but chances are, you're the only one who's going to be prepared when it actually does run that long.
Posted by: Element
I just recorded the Superbowl, Post game show, Alias with 30 minute pad, and Jimmy Kimmel Live with 5 minute pad before and 30 minutes after. That basically covers from 6 to about 130 each as an individual recording rather than one large one. Think I'm prepared too. :D
Posted by: rasheed
Alias is running late. If you did not pad the airing, I'm sorry that you missed at least 15-30 minutes of the show.
Pad at least one hour (this will go into Jimmy Kimmel's and latenight news listings).
Rasheed
Posted by: Graymalkin
Alias is now 40 minutes behind schedule. My padding wasn't enough. Now I'll have to stay up and watch it.
Posted by: Rob Helmerichs
You can add padding on the fly...
[edit] They're just running the closing credits of the postgame show. So I cancelled the Alias recording that was going, then hit record, and padded it an hour. That way, when I wake up tomorrow, I'll have an Alias recording starting just before the beginning...
Posted by: Graymalkin
quote:
Originally posted by Medieval Guy
You can add padding on the fly...
[edit] They're just running the closing credits of the postgame show. So I cancelled the Alias recording that was going, then hit record, and padded it an hour. That way, when I wake up tomorrow, I'll have an Alias recording starting just before the beginning...
Excellent tip, Medieval! Thanks!
Posted by: Knative
Still waiting for Alias in Tampa. Still watching live shots of various Super Bowl parties with the requisite comments of "WHOOOOOO!!!" from the fans. The fireworks have tapered off a bit, though. :D
Posted by: zaknafein
Spoiler Alert! (highlight to read)
First shot is a full, extended view of Jennifer Garner in black lingerie.
Maybe this won't be so bad afterall.
Posted by: Metaluna
If this episode isn't a good argument for getting HDTV, nothing is :) :)
Posted by: Knative
I just called the station here in Tampa and it's scheduled for 12:15 a.m. tonight/tomorrow. So it's a TiVo manual recording and no HD-Jennifer for me this time around.
Posted by: KLB
Changed channel just as superbowl was ending and then went back and started ALIAS recording at about 11:05 with an hour pad.
Man, you can see the network had a LOT of notes on this episode---
"Point 1: Skin. More of it.
......"
Posted by: Graymalkin
I don't know about you folks, but I'm liking this episode a lot.
Posted by: Fleegle
quote:
Originally posted by Graymalkin
I don't know about you folks, but I'm liking this episode a lot.
Sure, the first 5 minutes were great!:D
The problems started after that and didn't end. They've just completly destroyed the whole concept of the show. WAY too quick to resolve these issues.
Posted by: gschare
Anyone know if/when tonight's episode will be re-run? I didn't use any padding an only recorded the first 15 mins. Given how late the game ran on the east coast, I have to believe that ABC will run it again before next Sunday. Fox is great about showing 24 multiple times during the week. Is ABC in the game???
Posted by: DanT
Call your local ABC station and ask if they're going to rerun it.
Posted by: TomK
gschare, good luck on getting a rerun on your local channel. I doubt if it happens. You may need to get a tape (yuck!) from a friend who recorded it the old fashioned way.
Posted by: grins
I don't know. Loved 90% of it. I thought the exchange with Dixon in the oil field was verging on badness. Ever since 24, the code between my SO and I is 'Blam......BlamBlam' for the shots ringing out, killing someone important.
Spoilering, just in case you haven't seen it
Spoiler Alert! (highlight to read)
I expected shots to ring out during the kiss...didn't get 'em. Then Francie finally gets off the show, exactly the way we've wanted for months. Right between the eyes! :D :D and then Evil twin? whassupwiddat?
Posted by: cwerdna
Wow! I didn't start reading this thread today and it's funny how much of it came true, like
Spoiler Alert! (highlight to read)
Vaughn and Syndey kissing, SD-6 being destroyed, and Francie being gone (well sorta, but my guess is her "replacement" will be gone once she's discovered)
Interesting. I wonder how many people will be deleting their SPs now? It's hard to say if I'll still like it, but I know in the past, it was VERY difficult to explain all the plot of Alias to someone who's never seen the show other than the basic double agent premise...
Posted by: AndyK
quote:
Originally posted by gschare
Anyone know if/when tonight's episode will be re-run? I didn't use any padding an only recorded the first 15 mins. Given how late the game ran on the east coast, I have to believe that ABC will run it again before next Sunday. Fox is great about showing 24 multiple times during the week. Is ABC in the game???
If you have broadband, you can download the binaries from alt.binaries.multimedia.alias . It's about a 500mb d/l, forget about it if you have dial up.
Posted by: JSY
quote:
Originally posted by Medieval Guy
Law & Order (change from two related stories to one per week).
A bit of an old response, but I don't think L&O has changed all that much from its incarnation. That is - one half mainly devoted with the police work and the second half devoted to the prosecution. They do comingle a little more, but I think it's still the same formula. I've been watching it from the start and if as far as I can remember - it's always been amongst the top rated shows. What kills me is David Wolf changing the cast at will... Even though some were voluntary (I wish Jill Hennessy never left), some were IMHO stupid (Chris Noth assigned to S.I. beat cop.). Glad they got rid of that horrow show, Dianne Wiest, though. Never liked Benjamin Bratt. Had a hard time with Moriarty and Sorvino gone, but adjusted to like Orbach and Waterston a lot. Still don't know about Elizabeth Rohm after two years - sometimes she's not very believable to me at all. Started to get used to Carey Lowell, then started to get used to Angie Harmon, but why is Sam Waterston's assistant literally always at political ends with Sam? Death penalty differences always come up every year. Anyway, it's still my #2 show (was #1, but Alias pushed it down a notch, but just barely, if not a tie) and I love it. Not too crazy about the spinoffs, though.
Whoops, this is an ALIAS thread!
Posted by: Rosenkavalier
quote:
Originally posted by AndyK
If you have broadband, you can download the binaries from alt.binaries.multimedia.alias . It's about a 500mb d/l, forget about it if you have dial up.
Or check out Bit Torrent: (Main site) and (Download page).
Once BT is installed, go to #tvtorrents Home Page (which has the Alias ep) or the #bittorrent Main Site.
The key to BT is getting connected very soon after the Torrent is released. The more people connected to the same Torrent, the faster the d/l speeds.
Posted by: rbird
VERY interesting looking program. Don't mean to send the thread off topic, but if your download speed is based on uploads, does that mean your first file downloads really slow, since you have nothing to upload?
Bob
Posted by: Rosenkavalier
quote:
Originally posted by rbird
VERY interesting looking program. Don't mean to send the thread off topic, but if your download speed is based on uploads, does that mean your first file downloads really slow, since you have nothing to upload?
It's a little different than that. Typically, you only have one Torrent window open at a time, which deals with one 'file' (which can be a folder, but that's more confusing to address). Each Torrent is bi-directional: you can download from any/all peers currently connected with that file, and anyone can upload from you what data you currently have. So even as you download the first bytes of the file, you can then be sharing those with the other users on that Torrent. (This is the greatness of the model: the more people connected to a Torrent, the faster everyone gets the file.)
Each file has its own unique Torrent: when you disconnect from that Torrent, you are no longer sharing with other users. (This is why BT etiquette requests that you keep the Torrent window open after your download completes, to assist others in finishing their downloads. My rule of thumb is at least one hour for smaller files [~400 MB and below] and at least two hours for files bigger than that.) I've had collision problems when I ran multiple Torrents simultaneously, so I recommend sticking to just one at a time.
It's an awesome program for those of us with broadband. Strongly recommended. (If you want to discuss this further, we'd better create a new thread under a different area.)
Posted by: cwerdna
quote:
Originally posted by Rosenkavalier
The key to BT is getting connected very soon after the Torrent is released. The more people connected to the same Torrent, the faster the d/l speeds.
Sorry for adding to the OTness. This sounds very much like the way Kazaa works. When you d/l something, the UI shows that you are receiving different pieces of the file from different people.
Posted by: Otto
eDonkey/eMule does the same thing, but a bit better than BT or Kazaa, IMO.
http://emule.sourceforge.net
Already got emule? Then here's a link to the Alias episode:
ed2k://|file|Alias.S02E13.Phase_One...885baaab7f80b|/
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