Stargate SG-1 has been cancelled: thoughts...

[wraithfodder]

Just my thoughts on this news that just broke...

There's probably not a single Stargate fan who hasn't heard the news, as it's spreading like lightning.

Multichannel News (a legitimate trade paper) reports.... People close to the production of Stargate SG-1 said Sci Fi Channel canceled the series on the eve of its 200th episode, which aired last Friday night, making the show the first cable scripted series to reach such a milestone. The announcement came in sometime before cast, crew and executives gathered to celebrate the historic airing at a Saturday-evening bash held at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver, British Columbia, where the series is shot. Spinoff series Stargate Atlantis -- which also airs Friday nights on Sci Fi and shares producers and production facilities with the older SG-1 -- was said to be unaffected by the cancellation. Atlantis is currently in its third season. 

(expletive deleted), that sucks for the cast/crew, but to me, it wasn't surprising. The massive shove, push, etc. for SG1's 200th episode was suspicious, at least in my book. I've watched TV too long to know that once a milestone is made, and a series is old, the executioner is standing outside the door with a sharpened axe. MGM/Sony, whowever the owner is (NBC?) was obviously pushing for the 'record ten years,' while giving the Stargates little in the realm of promotion. Plus USA Network's Monk and Psych were doing great guns, another nail in the coffin. SciFi showing a wrestling series, for pete's sake???

ARGH!

While I suspected that season 10 would be it, I thought Scifi would show more tact in delivering the bad news. Ah, let's dump the news on cast/crew at a party in celebration for the show. Man, I've been there, done that. It's NO fun. Losing one's job sucks, but in that business it happens a LOT, but still, doesn't make it any less painful.

To the cast/crew of SG1, you've given us a lot of fun stuff (and yeah, I've bitched about the quality of some writing - can't and won't retract that, but that doesn't mean I still don't watch every episode and own all the DVDs) and it's been fun. It will be odd NOT to see SG1 on the schedule as I've been watching it ever since the Showtime days.

I am happy that Atlantis got renewed - it deserves a chance to grow and its ratings did, yes, outpace SG1 this year. It has the potential, I hope, to reach SG1's longevity. I only that SG1 fans can see this and not attack the show. I've already seen snarky comments cropping up on the boards, very much in the manner of  some Farscape fans who attacked SG1 for being picked up. Someone up at the top, in a business suit, not an actor or a producer, made the decision to axe Stargate. The actors are blameless and we should be thrilled that Atlantis will remain and that some folk still have their jobs. There is no doubt that there will be a migration, at least for some, of production crew, from SG1 to SGA. Some have pulled dual duty already, so now they'll concentrate on one show, not two. I have no doubt that there may be some SG1 guest shots on SGA in season four. It just seems inevitable now.

My hope though- and I wish not to be shot for this or flamed (flaming comments will be summarily eradicated)- that SGA remains in its present form, and that the producers/executives/whoever, do NOT bring much if any SG1 material over to the show. I like the writers we have now, I LOVE the cast. I don't want to see any cast members shoved aside to 'make room' on a permanent basis for someone from SG1. I'm not be mean or catty, but SG1 has had a decade (well, 9.5 years so far) and I want SGA to get its chance.

I'm sure that in the next few days, fans will be clammoring for closure of one kind or another (the Sam/Jack 'ship', Jonas returning, etc. etc. etc.) but I hope that in the final episode, which I assume has yet to be written that a) nobody dies, that b) we get no resolution. I want to see an open-ended finale that leaves us with hope for a potential movie down the road.

The news is still fresh, very fresh, so for all we know, something could change (well, I sorta doubt the cancellation order will be rescinded) so I'm waiting to see what the legitimate press gets out to the fans. Multichannel News has been good on following SG1, so folks should check that one or just go to www.google.com/news and search for Stargate.

Comments

[atlantis-fan.livejournal.com]

I totally and completely agree 100% with everything you said here. Especially the fact that Atlantis deserves an equal chance to stand on it's own and be recognized as the truly awesome show that it is, just like SG1 is.

[(Anonymous)]

Now you know why they're doing the connecting stargate gate thing. Guest appearances for everyone!

[sp23.livejournal.com]

I agree that I hope that the old cast, while maybe guest-starring on the rare occasion, don't show up permanently on Atlantis. They've had their show, and the cast of SGA deserves theirs.

[tex.livejournal.com]

I think you worded this very well and I agree wholeheartedly with your hopes for SGA. It deserves to stand on its on, without "help" from the SG-1 cast

[kodiak-bear.livejournal.com]

I feel the exact same, word for word.

SG-1 had it's day, and I've been a fan of it, own season 1-6, and loved it, but it's in its tenth season and all good things, right? But SGA deserves it's shot at being its own show and I really hope they let it be its own. I love the cast 'as is' and would hate to see it change and take a 'cast off' from SG-1.

[(Anonymous)]

I like the writers we have now, I LOVE the cast. I don't want to see any cast members shoved aside to 'make room' on a permanent basis for someone from SG1.

I keep having these visions of them, um, tapping Amanda Tapping to come aboard and continue those wacky Rodney/Sam hijinx, finally culminating in a romance for the ages. *shiver*

[sgafan.livejournal.com]

Word!! I totally agree with you. I've never understood why SG1 "critics" many of whom admit they never watch the show, constantly try to trash it. Can they not see that SGA was a benefit to the fandom? I know people that started watching SGA THEN caught on to SG1 after that. Since recently, SGA's ratings have been consistently beating SG1 well.. ;)

SGA has enormous potential and I"m glad to see the network giving it a chance to stand on its own. My challenge to the "critics" who constantly bash SGA is to come at it with an open mind. Give it a chance to prove that its worthy to carry the franchise forward. Don't dog it just because it isn't SG1. Thats silly.

Thanks for your thoughts, they're wonderful! :D

[somedaybitch.livejournal.com]

My hope though- and I wish not to be shot for this or flamed (flaming comments will be summarily eradicated)- that SGA remains in its present form, and that the producers/executives/whoever, do NOT bring much if any SG1 material over to the show. I like the writers we have now, I LOVE the cast. I don't want to see any cast members shoved aside to 'make room' on a permanent basis for someone from SG1. I'm not be mean or catty, but SG1 has had a decade (well, 9.5 years so far) and I want SGA to get its chance.

they've always felt to me like completely separate shows, and on purpose, so i can't personally see that happening.

[melibabe.livejournal.com]

One of my hopes is that certain SG1 writers (who shall remain nameless) will be too busy trying to work on whatever is next for that half of the franchise (mini series? movie? third series?) to come over and try to write SGA episodes.

Leave us Gero and Binder and Cooper (and Wright on occasion too) and we'll be happy.... :)

[ts5000.livejournal.com]

Oh, I agree totally. As much as I enjoyed SG1, I am loving SGA and I really don't want the cast of SG1 taking up residence in SGA. A rare guest appearance may be nice, but not if it distracts from the SGA story arc and side-lines the SGA characters.
I'll probably get flamed for saying that, won't I? *sigh* I am sorry for the cast and crew of SG1. I have enjoyed the last two seasons very much.

[nikkih27.livejournal.com]

I'd like to see occasional appearances from maybe Daniel and Sam, but keep the main cast of SGA the same for now. We've only begun to learn about the characters and their backstories and I'd hate to see them pushed aside.

[zyna-kat.livejournal.com]

that SGA remains in its present form, and that the producers/executives/whoever, do NOT bring much if any SG1 material over to the show.

I wholeheartedly agree with you. I was already getting nervous, because I think there's already too much SG-1 infiltrating SGA (especially in the beginning of season 3); I became even more nervous after this announcement.

[yellow-freshia.livejournal.com]

See what happens when you don't read lj for a couple days? Stargate get's cancelled and you apparently are the last one to hear about it! Argh!
Sigh - it was bound to happen one day. Thanks for the information!