NBC Puts A Hold On/Cancels Heroes: Origins; Pending Writers' Strike Likely The Reason

FilmCritic3000 · 10-31-2007, 08:57 PM

http://www.variety.com/article/VR111...goryid=10&cs=1

Quote:

NBC holds 'Heroes' spinoff
Possible strike might have influenced decision

By JOSEF ADALIAN

NBC is putting the kibosh on "Heroes: Origins" -- and the possibility of a strike may have contributed to the decision.

Net has indefinitely shelved production on the planned six-episode spinoff of its Monday hit. Skein was set to unfurl next year while "Heroes" was on hiatus.

Now NBC has decided to not move forward with the production, at least for now.

Peacock wasn't talking Wednesday, but people familiar with the situation said NBC U entertainment co-chairs Ben Silverman and Marc Graboff didn't want to move forward with the project given the financial uncertainties of a possible WGA work stoppage. Indeed, it's believed that all unproduced NBC production commitments are being re-evaluated in light of a likely strike.

Insiders cautioned that "Heroes: Origins" isn't completely dead and could yet be revived at a later date.

Move comes as the original "Heroes" has been taking a drubbing from critics, who've complained loudly about storyline direction on the show this season. Ratings for the show have also been disappointing, with any hopes of a season-two surge in the ratings now faded.

Separately, NBC has put its musical quizzer "The Singing Bee" on hiatus for the November sweep. Its absence will be filled by an expansion of "The Biggest Loser" to two hours.

BTW, there will be another meeting between representatives from the Writers' Guild, reps from the studios, and a mediator tomorrow at 10:30AM Pacific time. The current WGA contracts expire at midnight tonight.

jsmeeker · 10-31-2007, 08:59 PM

Damn.

Kevin Smith was going to direct the first episode.

MickeS · 10-31-2007, 09:01 PM

Good. They need to focus on the original show first and foremost anyway... it's in dire need of all the resources they can muster.

Turtleboy · 10-31-2007, 09:06 PM

The whole point of Origins was going to be that the viewers were going to get to vote another character on the show.

That's not what it needs right now.

spikedavis · 10-31-2007, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turtleboy

The whole point of Origins was going to be that the viewers were going to get to vote another character on the show.

That's not what it needs right now.

No kidding-if anything we should be voting on what character to kill off!

EVizzle · 10-31-2007, 09:34 PM

This strike thing is a little confusing to me. What exactly is going on?

jsmeeker · 10-31-2007, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EVizzle

This strike thing is a little confusing to me. What exactly is going on?

The contract for the writers union is set to expire. When union contracts expire, it's pretty common for members of that union to go on strike.

NJChris · 10-31-2007, 09:56 PM

So, instead of putting it on hold, they cancel it because of a possible strike?

mattack · 10-31-2007, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EVizzle

This strike thing is a little confusing to me. What exactly is going on?

One bit is that *supposedly* writers don't make ANYTHING when shows go to DVD, are sold electronically, etc..

nrrhgreg · 10-31-2007, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJChris

So, instead of putting it on hold, they cancel it because of a possible strike?

I'd imagine it has a lot more to do with Heroes very quickly diminishing ratings than the strike. They're probably just using the strike as an excuse.

astrohip · 10-31-2007, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nrrhgreg

I'd imagine it has a lot more to do with Heroes very quickly diminishing ratings than the strike. They're probably just using the strike as an excuse.

+1

The writer's strike will be a fallboy for everything. If they could find a way to blame Hero's ratings drop on the writers, they would (or will!).

FilmCritic3000 · 10-31-2007, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astrohip

+1

The writer's strike will be a fallboy for everything. If they could find a way to blame Hero's ratings drop on the writers, they would (or will!).

Per the studios, if it rains tomorrow it's because of the strike.

ewolfr · 10-31-2007, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattack

One bit is that *supposedly* writers don't make ANYTHING when shows go to DVD, are sold electronically, etc..

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...=moreheadlines

According to this article the writers, actors and directors split 20 cents from each dvd sale while the manufacturer gets about 50. I know that they are really anxious to get a cut from internet sales I just wonder how long they can hold out since the directors and actors contracts dont expire until next year.

bicker · 11-01-2007, 05:21 AM

I hope the networks to start looking for content from other sources, so they are more resilient in the face of these strike threats.

anom · 11-01-2007, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bicker

I hope the networks to start looking for content from other sources, so they are more resilient in the face of these strike threats.

They are. If the strike happens you can look forward to wall to wall reality programming.

Also reruns of Curb Your Enthusiasm and the original The Office on network tv.

MickeS · 11-01-2007, 07:19 AM

Personally, I hope for a strike. I have tons of backlogs of shows to catch up with.

TivoZorro · 11-01-2007, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeS

Personally, I hope for a strike. I have tons of backlogs of shows to catch up with.

My thoughts exactly! I am sooo far behind! It would be nice to have a coupe of months of breathing room. But if I didn't have anything to watch because of it I wouldn't be happy.

Here's an article about the looming strike:

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-f...ack=crosspromo

allan · 11-01-2007, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anom

They are. If the strike happens you can look forward to wall to wall reality programming.

Also reruns of Curb Your Enthusiasm and the original The Office on network tv.

They must have had more strikes than I thought, since they were practically doing that anyway.

It's probably better for them to cancel it before it starts instead of airing two episodes and then canceling.

Fahtrim · 11-01-2007, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nrrhgreg

I'd imagine it has a lot more to do with Heroes very quickly diminishing ratings than the strike. They're probably just using the strike as an excuse.

qft

jlb · 11-01-2007, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anom

.......Also reruns of ..........the original The Office on network tv.

Oh cool. And along that line, Fox should grab Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares from BBCA to run in place of the US version.

bicker · 11-01-2007, 11:17 AM

Does anyone know off-hand how many scripts a typical show has stocked up at this point? I think I remember reading that they're set until, and perhaps February sweeps, which would mean we won't notice any impact until then.

Skittles · 11-01-2007, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bicker

Does anyone know off-hand how many scripts a typical show has stocked up at this point? I think I remember reading that they're set until, and perhaps February sweeps, which would mean we won't notice any impact until then.

I recall reading an article that said a lot of shows went into production early, specifically to help cover the gap in the event there were a writer's guild strike. I think that article mentioned being covered until February, as well.

ewolfr · 11-01-2007, 01:51 PM

I saw an article this morning that said any scripts that were completed prior to the contract expiring last night can be used and turned into episodes. The directors and actors are apparently under orders from their higher ups to keep working even if the writers actually go on strike. I guess this explains why I kept seeing "this show got an order for 4 more scripts and this show got an order for 6 more."

Sparty99 · 11-01-2007, 01:58 PM

Isn't the biggest issue late-night TV? Well, not issue, but most imminent threat? If the writers go on strike, it's pretty much bye-bye Leno/Letterman/Kimmell, not to mention the Daily Show and Colbert Report.

Wonder what that'll do to Colbert's presidential campaign.

MickeS · 11-01-2007, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by serumgard

Wonder what that'll do to Colbert's presidential campaign.

Make it easier to comply with campaign laws?

IJustLikeTivo · 11-01-2007, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattack

One bit is that *supposedly* writers don't make ANYTHING when shows go to DVD, are sold electronically, etc..

I never understood that logic. TV writer's get paid to write stuff but they take none of the risks, why do they or the actors for that matter get a dime once they get paid to act or write. Now, if they want to share the production/marketing etc and take no salary, then they get part of the back end.

When I wrote software, I was paid to write it, I got nothing on the sales, nor should I. I didn't pay the rent or the phone bill or anything else, why would I get a piece of the action?

DevdogAZ · 11-01-2007, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IJustLikeTivo

I never understood that logic. TV writer's get paid to write stuff but they take none of the risks, why do they or the actors for that matter get a dime once they get paid to act or write. Now, if they want to share the production/marketing etc and take no salary, then they get part of the back end.

When I wrote software, I was paid to write it, I got nothing on the sales, nor should I. I didn't pay the rent or the phone bill or anything else, why would I get a piece of the action?

The difference is that you didn't have a union fighting for you "rights" as a software writer. There's absolutely no reason the writers should get residuals when their show airs/sells again, but since someone is getting that money, and the writers have a union, they're demanding a piece of it.

MickeS · 11-01-2007, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IJustLikeTivo

I never understood that logic. TV writer's get paid to write stuff but they take none of the risks, why do they or the actors for that matter get a dime once they get paid to act or write. Now, if they want to share the production/marketing etc and take no salary, then they get part of the back end.

When I wrote software, I was paid to write it, I got nothing on the sales, nor should I. I didn't pay the rent or the phone bill or anything else, why would I get a piece of the action?

Yep, I agree completely. I've never understood why they should get paid until the end of eternity just because they happened to work on a project once. But it's because they CAN get paid over and over again. Great scheme if you can get it to work.

Hunter Green · 11-01-2007, 05:06 PM

They just don't get paid as much up front and then get paid more later. The reason that system came into being in the first place for things like books and music, I suspect, is to encourage the creative types to try for success.

MickeS · 11-01-2007, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunter Green

They just don't get paid as much up front and then get paid more later. The reason that system came into being in the first place for things like books and music, I suspect, is to encourage the creative types to try for success.

I don't think they have any problem trying for success. What the system actually does, of course, is encouraging mainstream blandness.