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wraithfodderAtlantis has sunk, and the Wraith didn’t do it – Stargate Atlantis’ demise + where to write
I refrained from posting my feelings last night (too late to really think coherently), but left open the post (right before this one) for anyone who wants to vent and get it out of their system… So, here is my opinion of the mess.
You hit episode #100 and what do you get for it? Walking papers, it seems…
THE AUTOPSY
Less than a year ago…
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117974591.html?categoryid=14&cs=1
The Sci Fi Channel has given a fifth-season renewal to "Stargate Atlantis," commissioning 20 fresh episodes.
" 'Atlantis' truly came out from under the shadow of its sister series this year and proved that it's a hit in its own right," said Sci Fi's Mark Stern, exec veep of original programming. The show's predecessor, "Stargate SG-1," ran for 10 seasons on Sci Fi before completing its run last year.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3ifcd8e3f7380913c3a16a2745ffc8c7fc reported “The series that gets the most boost in the 18-49 demo from DVR playback is Sci Fi Channel's "Stargate: Atlantis," which on average doubles its numbers when factoring in Live+7 data.” … [You’d think this is what they want, the 18-49 demographics, people who watch the show, but…]
It’s dead, Jim. Yup. The Multichannel article at
(http://www.multichannel.com/index.asp?layout=talkbackCommentsFull&talk_back_header_id=6550871&articleid=CA6589329) said “Space drama Stargate Atlantis will conclude its run on Sci Fi Channel after the current, fifth season ends next January [2009] -- but the network has greenlit a two-hour Atlantis movie to run after that and says the show will live on as a network franchise. After airing on Sci Fi sometime next year, the untitled Atlantis movie will be sold as a home-video title by producer MGM, Sci Fi told Multichannel News on Wednesday. … Longtime Stargate writers and producers (and Atlantis show runners) Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie will write the Atlantis feature script. Other details, such as how many cast members would participate or who would direct, were not immediately available.”
So, instead of 20 hours of entertainment, we get two hours, and whether it will be good is still debatable. I’ve never been a fan of Mallozzi’s overall writing style, as he tends to emphasize bang over characterization. (I know some folks love his work, but not me.) Carl Binder did the best when it came to delving into the characters complexities, something that honestly was not done enough in the show. I have the sinking feeling that we’ll either get replicators again, or worse, two hours of tying up the Michael storyline, something that should have been taken care of long ago (like mold under a carpet). Unless they can evolve him into a more complex villain, I do not look forward to the cardboard villain he became in his last episode. Nor do I want any Stargate SG-1 characters to appear in this movie. Sorry, they have their own movies.
I suspect the almighty dollar is what has caused the cancellation. The show is expensive to produce …salaries, etc. The success of the SG-1 movies in DVD format probably made MGM go “huh? Why do we need to pay people for 9 months out of the year to make a product when we can do one month, tops, and reap in profits cuz look at how well Ark of Truth and Continuum did in sales and downloads.” Networks/execs don’t take into consideration the people getting laid off (corporations rarely do), so I feel for Joe F, David, Rachel, Jason and the rest. Heck, they’ve all got families to support, although I suppose Joe F will not miss flying back and forth to Vancouver every weekend, but still… unemployment sucks. However, I think Joe F, David and Rachel are all signed with six-year contracts, so they are probably still under MGM’s reach (to do the movie, if nothing else). Not sure if Jason has a similar deal or not since he came in midstream. I am very much hoping that they go onto better things, that we’ll see, and not end up on * gag * SciFi channel movies with crappy CGI monsters and horrid dialogue (but hey, if they do, I understand, gotta pay the bills!) But acting is a transitory business, and they all know shows can get axed at the slightest whim, so they had a good run. Ditto with the crew. Gah, hope David H and David N keep up their blogs! Truthfully, I think Mallozzi’s blog will drop in visitors once he no longer has SG details to dangle…
MGM/SciFi, yes, both are culpable in this fiasco. I won’t say disaster, as that word should be reserved for the real thing, like the Spain plane crash (very sad). SciFi owns a stake in the show and has input into it, but MGM, who holds the lion’s share (oh, bad pun) probably saw a more profitable way to suck cash off the fans by doing movies. I think this move has been in the works for a while. Creation is ending all but two of their Stargate cons. Part of the reason is they’re not making the money they want, but I think they knew the end was near.
SciFi may not have had a total say in it, but it may suffer for treating the show like the unwanted stepchild (heck, they retreaded ad copies for two seasons, and couldn’t even spell Ronon’s name correctly in their television ads!). Their SciFi Friday lineup is now toast. What’s left? Stargate was the lynchpin. BSG is doing its swan song. Doctor Who is something they buy and must wait to get. So far the ads for Sanctuary don’t scream “watch me” but I probably will just to see Chris Heyerdahl, as I like his acting. I”ve tried Ghost Hunters, etc. and they don’t appeal. Eureka is cute, but if I can save some bucks and cut the Skiffy channel…
Despite my quibbles, I do like Stargate Atlantis. It’s my favorite show as I adore the characters. I think the show could been a lot better had they brought in new writers, instead of seeing retreads of SG1 episodes. The show was fun, but it wasn’t exceptional. It wasn’t Masterpiece Theater, but it was comfort TV, which is hard to find these days. Every week you tuned in to see your favorite characters (unless the writes/producers decide to smite them for the sake of, sigh, ratings, or some other inane but not explained reason (Weir)). I gave upon spoilers this year as the expectations sometimes ran too high. I’d rather have no expectations, as that way I wouldn’t get disappointed. While I love SGA, season 1-3 are the ones I watch the most. Season 4 was good, but… it was lacking. I think it was because Carter had no direction, and at times, it was like the kids were running the base (except for “Adrift,” which was good drama and hard decisions). Season 5 has been good, but still, something is lacking again. Woolsey is a better commander, but I cringe at some plot holes, their medical mistakes (argh!) and am not looking forward to a future season 5 episode with Keller in the woods (did we not already do that kidnap-tied-up-Keller stuff in season 4??) I think that’s why when I read the news last night, I said a choice swear word, but well, not much else, besides posting the news around. If they had killed the show in season 1 through 3, I would have been a lot testier about it.
THE GOOD
The fandom. I gotta say one of the best parts of Stargate Atlantis has been the fandom. It’s been great for the most part, with intelligent conversation, great fanfic, hysterical photomanips, etc. I’ve made some great friends, have read some marvelous fan fiction (hey, MGM, let some of these fans write the movies!)
The next couple months are going to be… interesting. The Save the Show campaigns have already started (lemons or bottled water? It’s hard to sort out right now, but then the news is only a day old). I don’t think that MGM/Skiffy will budget because movies will be cheaper for them, but I’m going to spend some time and stamps and write into MGM and SciFi and let them know what I think about their decision.. Crap, I need my Sheppard and McKay fix! When the show’s final episode ends, a certain percentage of fans are going to drift away. Some fans just need active shows to be involved in a fandom, whereas fanfic writers, mostly, don’t. While we’ll all go through withdrawal, we’ll also now have no constraints – no episodes to contradict what we just wrote. We can go wild! (As if we haven’t already.)
On another plus side, we don’t have to watch SGA decline horridly when the writers truly run out of ideas and them write really gawdawful episode, like Rodney is kidnapped by the ghosts of vengeful playboy bunnies and then the Ghost Hunters® must come in an rescue him (yes, a crossover to boost ratings), and then the next week, Wraith Ringside Wrestling to tie in with that awful WWE (awful to me, at least).. There, said it, they can’t make ‘em into a movie now. I own the copyright! ;)
IF YOU FEEL LIKE WRITING, and why not?
Anyway, here are addresses scoured from various boards, LJs, etc. who have been involved in Save Our {fill in name} campaign related to SGA (mostly for cast changes). I don’t think we’ll change MGM/SciFi’s minds; they’re looking at the bottomline, but, if there is an overwhelming amount of support, this could push for maybe two movies in 2009 instead of one. The more people WANT the product, the more the producers will think “okay, we can make money, let’s do it.”
Some advice. Emails are quick and easy, but…
1) Spend the dime and call up SciFi and express your displeasure (don’t rant or scream or threaten to burn down the building – just makes you look, er, unstable). Instead, tell them what this decision means to you – and to them. If you only have SciFi for SGA, let them know that you’ll be dropping their channel once SGA ends its run. But threatening a boycott does squat
2) Send snail mail. They’re a nuisance. They must be opened, sorted, COUNTED. I can’t tell you how important snail mail is. You’re talking about half a dozen letters, a couple bucks in postage. Don’t write in crayon (unless, of course, you’re a kid and then it’s okay).
3) Yes, write BOTH MGM and SciFi. Both entities are involved in the series (Just read the press releases), both stand to profit (or not, if people cancel their SciFi channel subscriptions). If SciFi gets flooded with mail, etc., they might just send it all over to MGM.
SCI FI CHANNEL:
Viewer Comments line: 1-212-664-3571
SNAIL MAIL:
Chris Sanagustin is in charge of overseeing Atlantis and was at Comic Con
Ms. Chris Sanagustin
VP Original Programming
NBC Universal - Sci Fi Channel
100 Universal City Plaza
Bldg. 1400, 14th floor
Universal City, CA 91608
Fax: 1-212-664-3890
Ms. Sanagustin reports to Mark Stern:
Mr. Mark Stern
Executive VP Original Programming
NBC Universal - Sci Fi Channel
100 Universal City Plaza
Bldg. 1400, 14th Floor
Universal City, CA 91608
Dave Howe
President
NBC Universal - Sci Fi Channel
30 Rockefeller Plaza, 21st Floor
New York, NY 10112
Thomas P. Vitale
Senior Vice President, Programming and Original Movies
NBC Universal - Sci Fi Channel
30 Rockefeller Plaza, 21st Floor
New York NY, 10112
E-MAIL
David Howe
Dave.howe@nbcuni.com
Thomas P. Vitale
Thomas.Vitale@nbcuni.com
mark.stern@nbcuni.com
mark.stern@unistudios.com
GENERAL E-MAIL FEEDBACK
feedback@scifi.com
scifiweekly@scifi.com
programming@ scifi.com
FAX
212-413-6509
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MGM
Charles E. Cohen
Senior Executive Vice President
MGM Finance and Corporate Development
MGM Television Entertainment
10250 Constellation Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA, 90067
General Phone Number: 310.449.3000
One site lists his phone as 310-449-3102
Email: ccohen@mgm.com
EMAIL
There is a general email as well
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAMPAIGNS TO SAVE SGA
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/SaveSGA/
http://community.livejournal.com/fight_for_sga/ (URL fixed)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TO WRITE THE PRODUCERS, OR CAST
(crew or cast name)
Stargate Productions
Bridge Studios
2400 Boundary Road
Burnaby, BC
V5M 3Z3
Canada
Fax: 1-604-292-8550
What could it hurt if every fan who enjoyed the show just sent one letter, or postcard, to the cast/crew of SGA and say “great job, enjoyed the show’?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER PEOPLE.
Various entertainment and science fiction magazines.
culttimes@visimag.com
dreamwatch@titanemail.com
Entertainment Weekly: ew_letters@ew.com
sfx@futurenet.co.uk
starburst@visimag.com
stargate_sg1@titanemail.com
tvzone@visimag.com
xpose@visimag.com
Email TV guide: letters@tvguide.com
OR do a JEER here: cheers&jeers@tvguide.com
Thanks to the following folk for addresses:
http://www.savecarsonbeckett.com/addresses/
which has even more advice, so if you’re going to write, check them out first
http://community.livejournal.com/save_weir
LASTLY, SciFi’s press release + Joe Mallozzi’s comments, which explains a tiny bit, but well…
http://nbcumv.com/scifi/release_detail.nbc/scifi-20080821000000-scifichannelgreen.html
SCI FI CHANNEL GREENLIGHTS 2-HOUR FILM FROM MGM BASED ON POPULAR 'STARGATE ATLANTIS' SERIES
Published: August 21, 2008
New York, NY – August 21, 2008 – Building upon the successful Stargate franchise, SCI FI Channel today announced it has greenlit a two-hour movie based on the hit science fiction adventure series Stargate Atlantis. SCI FI will have the exclusive worldwide television premiere of the yet to be titled Stargate Atlantis film, which will then be released on DVD by MGM. The movie will be written by Stargate Atlantis' executive producers Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie, who also serve as series showrunners. The movie is set to follow the fifth and final season of Stargate Atlantis, as it draws to its thrilling conclusion in January 2009.
"We're excited to tell Atlantis stories on a bigger canvas. The successes of the two original Stargate DTV movies The Ark of Truth and Continuum have shown us the opportunities that the movie format offers. We have plans for both SG-1 and Atlantis to remain vital as we expand the franchise, " said Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper, co-creators of Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis and who both currently serve as executive producers on Atlantis.
"We share in the producers' enthusiasm to move forward in this direction and we look forward to a strong and continued relationship on Stargate Atlantis in this new format," said Thomas Vitale, Senior Vice President Programming & Original Movies.
Stargate Atlantis follows the adventures of an intrepid team of military and civilian explorers who travel the distant Pegasus galaxy by means of a Stargate, a portal created long ago by a highly advanced alien civilization called the Ancients. In their never-ending quest to seek out other technologies left behind by the Ancients, the Atlantis team encounters alien cultures – some friend, some foe.
The series will reach a milestone with the 100th episode airing in January 2009. Atlantis is executive produced by Brad Wright, Robert C. Cooper, Joseph Mallozzi, Paul Mullie, Carl Binder, and Martin Gero. Mallozzi and Mullie share the reins as showrunners.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music, and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units including Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., Ventanazul, MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching approximately 120 countries and territories around the world. MGM ownership is currently as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), Texas Pacific Group (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit www.mgmchannel.com.
SCI FI Channel is a television network where "what if" is what's on. SCI FI fuels the imagination of viewers with original series and events, blockbuster movies and classic science fiction and fantasy programming, as well as a dynamic Web site (www.scifi.com <http://www.scifi.com>) and magazine. Launched in 1992, and currently in 93 million homes, SCI FI Channel is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies.
###
Contacts:
Michelle Rosenblatt
212.664.4759
michelle.rosenblatt@nbcuni.com
Jeff Pryor
310.449.3446
Granados, Maureen
Junior Publicist - SCI FI Publicity
Phone: (212) 664-4143
Fax: (212) 703-8533
Email: maureen.granados@nbcuni.com
Division: SCI FI
August 21 2008
http://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2008/08/21/august-21-2008-all-good-things/
By now, I assume you’ve all heard the news. This will be Stargate Atlantis’s fifth and final season. I’m disappointed but not surprised. We came into this year knowing that renewal would be a longshot. With 100 episodes under our belts, rising production costs, and the US dollar’s steep decline, the odds were stacked against us. Still, we’d heard no definite word either way and if SG-1’s surprising 10-year run taught us one thing, it’s that anything is possible. The circumstances that contributed to SG-1’s longevity were very different but, back then, we hadn’t expected it to get a sixth season pick-up either. Furthermore, with our strong premiere numbers and the equally impressive showing of the ensuing episodes, some of us were, if not exactly upbeat, then cautiously optimistic. We watched. We waited. And, finally, received word the other day.
We told the cast first, then headed down to set and broke the news to the crew. These are people who have given so much of themselves over the show’s five-year run and we felt it only right that they hear it from us rather than finding out about it elsewhere.
It’s been a bittersweet couple of days. On the one hand, I’m sorry to see the series end but, on the other hand, I’m extremely proud of what we’ve accomplished. 100 episodes is pretty damn impressive feat and, as evidenced by the quality of recent stories and the uptick in the ratings, we’ll be going out on a high. Even though I see a lot of anger directed at both MGM and Sci Fi, the fact is we couldn’t have done it without their support. And we’re going to count on that support as Atlantis continues its adventures as a movie franchise.
Episode 20, Enemy at the Gate, will mark our 100th episode and, contrary to online speculation, we will not be ending things with a cliffhanger. Regardless of whether we got the pick-up or not, we had always planned a clean conclusion to our 100th episode, one that would hopefully leave fans satisfied yet eager for more. And that “more” will come in the form of the Stargate Atlantis movie…
About a month ago, with so much uncertainty about the future of the series, Rob Cooper pitched out the idea of shooting the SGA movie at the end of this season. His thinking was that if the series did end, we would have a movie in hand. If, however, the series was picked up, the “SGA movie” (codenamed Project Twilight) would simply become the opening two episodes of the show’s sixth season. Alas, this notion never got past the consideration stage and, as a result, we won’t be rolling right into it as planned. On the bright side, however, the network has greenlit the movie and we do have a terrific idea in mind. Obviously, I can’t say much about it at this point but suffice it to say that it should include the entire cast in addition to a certain gaunt and pallid flowing-locked guest star. And, if it proves anywhere as successful as the first two SG-1 direct-to-video features, you can be assured that this will be the first in a long, long line of Stargate Atlantis movies.
Like my grandmother used to say: Whenever a gate closes, a hyperspace window opens…
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no subject
Date: 2008-08-22 12:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-08-22 06:28 pm (UTC)And, the way it was handled was very, crappy, very underhanded on the part of JM & PM.
Broken Ties was "eh" The Seed was better, but again, still just lacking...
S&R - needed more on the medical side of things to explain how in the world Keller would agree to let him go after Teyla.
Ghost in the Machine - F.R.A.N. looks like she could be a younger Lizabeth, plus, she did her homework and even sounded like Liz. However, the dialogue needed serious help. It was just sooooo painful!
We will see how tonight's ep goes....
no subject
Date: 2008-08-23 12:13 am (UTC)sigh. and now they kill the show.