Fox Says "Not Cancelled": The No Spin Zone

by **editor** » February 10th, 2005, 9:33 pm

Some people have posted responses from Fox PR where Fox says the show is "not cancelled." This is 100% pure spin.

Cancellation means that Fox takes a show off the air. What happened is Fox reduced the episode order from 22 to 18. So, technically speaking, Fox did not cancel the show.

The truth is, most shows don't actually get cancelled, per se. With other shows, Fox has reduced episode commitments, then simply not renewed the show. No "cancellation" occurred, so Fox is true to its word.

Now, if you're happy to just see the remaining 8 episodes, you can trust Fox's spin. Don't worry that Fox has previously stood by other shows as "innovative" and yet still never bothered to air episodes from a reduced episode committment.

What I think people are fighting for now isn't the 8 remaning episodes, it's a third season. With this week's announcements, Fox said they don't need quite so much of season 2. In my opinion, that's tantamount to saying, we don't need season 3.

If my boss told me, "Hey, we don't have enough work here, we only need you to work 25 hours a week instead of 40" I'd be worried about my job, even though it would be true that he didn't fire me. My opinion is that this situation is the same.

Now, some may say this is running around going coka-coka-coh, the sky is falling. For the sake of the show, I hope they're right, but I'm not so optimistic, at least based solely on some form letters from Fox PR. I'm optimistic that there's still time to make a difference, though.

by **LadyofLiteracy** » February 10th, 2005, 10:08 pm

I really hope this isn't the case but it very well might be. I don't think FOX has the cahones to cancel the show right in the middle of the season; they would get TONS of flack for that. I agree that they would just not renew it (the coka coka way to do it).

What I don't understand is why FOX doesn't cancel (or euphemistically (is that a word?), not renew) That 70's Show. They get a similar amount of viewers (6.4 mil vs. Arrested Developments 6.1 mil) and surely they don't expect to get nearly that many next year with Ashton Kutcher and Topher Grace leaving. Now, I'm not trying to attack any other show or say that it's one show vs. the other, but it just doesn't make sense to cancel Arrested Development.

First off, it has critical acclaim (and Jason just won an award a month ago; why are they not milking that?!). Second-of-ly, it's not even the show with the lowest ratings on the network (I'm not sure what is but I know it's not Arrested Development). Why are they in such a hurry to get rid of this show? It's not bringing their network down or anything; all their scripted programs have suffered this year [Malcolm averages 6.2 mil which is virtually the same as AD, and Malcolm hasn't even won any awards (I think; but certainly not any Emmys) and Malcolm's ratings are just going to get worse as Frankie Muniz gets uglier every year (cheap shot, I know, but I'm angry)]. I just cannot fathom why Fox would do this, even from their (greedy, money-hungry) stand point. It logistically does not make sense.

And question: What other shows on FOX have won Emmys? (I'm not asking this question sarcastically, I genuinely am wondering).

by **Beatrice** » February 10th, 2005, 10:25 pm

only the simpsons comes to mind...

by **ExGirlfriend** » February 10th, 2005, 10:30 pm

LadyofLiteracy wrote:

Malcolm hasn't even won any awards I think, but certainly not any Emmys

And question: What other shows on FOX have won Emmys? (I'm not asking this question sarcastically, I genuinely am wondering).

Actually, Malcom in the Middle has won a few emmys. Mostly just for directing and writing.

Some Fox shows that have won emmys are 24, Ally McBeal, The Simpsons, Futureama, Fastlane, Firefly, Family Guy :roll:

, The Bernie Mac Show, Boston Public, MadTV :roll:

, The X Files... and I just searched from '99 till '03.

But you're right... Frankie Muniz is just getting uglier and uglier. Lord knows I haven't watched that show in years, even though I loved it when it first came on the air. It just keeps getting dumber and dumber as the show goes on. Not all that funny anymore.

Then again, I think this is all just cancelation rumor backlash. I've seen it once before, but that show actually did get cancelled. :cry:

Anyway, lets see how the rest of this season goes before we get our panties all in a bunch.

[/quote]

by **unfortunaterhyme** » February 10th, 2005, 10:32 pm

Ah, let us not forget The Ben Stiller Show, which was cancelled something like seven months before it won an Emmy?

by **LadyofLiteracy** » February 10th, 2005, 10:35 pm

ExGirlfriend wrote:Actually, Malcom in the Middle has won a few emmys. Mostly just for directing and writing.

Douche chill! for me on that one.

It actually depresses me to see the list of shows that won Emmys. I didn't know Bernia Mac won an Emmy (I always thought that show was pretty good); but they still get their show shuffled all the time, never having a consistant time slot. Is it still on? See, I don't even know.

by **ExGirlfriend** » February 10th, 2005, 10:39 pm

LadyofLiteracy wrote: Is it still on? See, I don't even know.

yeah, I've seen a few commericals for it during the OC tonite. I'm not sure what time it's on, but I know that if I'm not working that nite, I'll watch it. I really like that show. It's not as funny as some Fox shows, but it's still better than most others coughFamilyGuyMadTVcough.

Sorry, my throat is dry.

by **dontcallmesurely** » February 10th, 2005, 10:43 pm

That's exactly it. They can say they're not "cancelling" it all they want, but until they announce that the show has been renewed for another season, we cannot just sit back and trust their word.

I am not at all trusting of network execs now, because I was burned by another campaign for an actor on another show. Until we get that renewal, we can't let up.

I think we need to be specific in our letters and say exactly what we want: SEASON 3!!!

by **lazysean** » February 10th, 2005, 11:20 pm

Considering it's FOX, I probably wouldn't even trust a renewal at this point. Where's Tru Calling? They "renewed" that show for a second season, and then quietly shut down production without even airing the few episodes they had shot. Rock on!

I say regardless of FOX's renewal decision, if it's possible for them to jump ship to a real network, they should go for it. Why continue to beg and plead for the honor of being treated like dirt?

by **bavalon18** » February 11th, 2005, 1:33 am

Well, call me crazy but I choose to be optimistic. I'm still participating in all of the campaigns and sending my letters (because we can't bury our heads in the sand about this) but I chose to believe. It just makes me feel happier.

by **RabidChipmnk** » February 11th, 2005, 1:36 am

To quote a much better Fox (Mulder): "I want to believe."

by **Gleebo** » February 11th, 2005, 6:56 am

lazysean wrote:Considering it's FOX, I probably wouldn't even trust a renewal at this point. Where's Tru Calling? They "renewed" that show for a second season, and then quietly shut down production without even airing the few episodes they had shot. Rock on!

Yeah this is what irks me the most about FOX. I watched Tru Calling. The low ratings it got all of last year did prepare me for no second season. It wasnt my favorite show by any stretch of the imagination but the fact that FOX could say a show was renewed and then pull this crap makes me lean towards never trusting the SOB's.

by **editor** » February 11th, 2005, 7:07 am

bavalon18 wrote:Well, call me crazy but I choose to be optimistic.

I've edited my original post to clarify. I'm not optimistic that the Fox PR messages means the show isn't in any trouble. Fox would say anything to make you watch a show.

However, I am still optimistic that the show can be renewed--though only with a lot of effort from fans, critics, awards, and a slate of crappy Fox pilots. Judging by the large and immediate response, there are more than dozens of us out there -- and all of us doing some small thing sends a powerful signal.

by **Gleebo** » February 11th, 2005, 10:09 am

I wonder when TWOP's boards are gonna be back up. They are instrumental to our shows immediate future. I am sure they are working on it.

I hope that some media cover this today to get it more exposure. Or at least calm our fears a bit more.

by **Gleebo** » February 11th, 2005, 4:55 pm

Did everyone else see that Zap2it posted an article about Gail's release and also included our fund raising efforts?

Fox Says "Not Cancelled": The No Spin Zone

Fox Says "Not Cancelled": The No Spin Zone

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