As the Stargate Turns, or the future of the franchise

[wraithfodder]

I couldn’t help but just shake my head and sigh when a tweet popped up about Stargate Universe being cancelled. I wasn’t really shocked, or surprised, well, maybe just a tad bit surprised because SGU had been SyFy’s golden child but then again, the way they shifted it on the timeslot, ignored advertising, etc. did not bode well.

So while SyFy ramped up the advertising for the new golden child, Being Human, SGU got the axe with the how-dumb-do-they-think-the-audience-is explanation of “we’re not making any more episodes.” CANCELLED! An esx-show! Dead as a doorknob, etc.

This reminds me soooo much of when Stargate Atlantis got the axe. However, SyFy seems to be refining how badly they do cancellations by letting some of the cast/crew find out via internet sources (Deadline.com and/or Twitter, etc.). At least the SGA cast got the notice on set (as a I recall) and didn’t MGM tell the SG1 cast ‘adios’ at the 200^th episode party?? Pfft.

I’m not crushed SGU is gone, except that it unemploys a lot of folk who enjoyed working with each other. For that, I’m sad, having done the unemployment bit myself more than once. Otherwise, as much as I tried getting into SGU, it was dark and bleak and not what I enjoyed in Stargate. My brother came into the room on more than one occasion to ask why I was watching Battlestar Galactica and I’d have to tell him it was Stargate and he said, uh uh and would leave. Many of my friends had the same reaction.

Unfortunately even though there are a lot of SGA/SG1 fans who did not like SGU, its demise is something to take notice of because it’s the franchise that is endangered.

http://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2010/12/25/december-25-2010-christmas-marty-g-and-the-return-of-the-mailbag/ wrote on Xmas …

“6) What can us fans do to ensure SGU gets another season/movie and that SG-1/SGA gets their movies?”
Answer: Honestly?  Watch the show, pay for your downloads, and purchase the DVD’s if you’re so inclined.
Paloosa writes: “1) How can we fans contact MGM to let them know that Stargate (SG-1/SGA/SGU) still has a huge and lucrative fan base?”
Answer: Again, letters and emails are nice and all but, at the end of the day, the studio is more likely to look at things like iTune and DVD sales when making a decision.
“2) I think you mentioned that if there were another Stargate show, that you wouldn’t be involved?”
Answer: There are no plans to create or move forward on a new series.  We love the one we have now.
“3) If the SGA movie is a go, would you still be involved as the writer and/or producer?”
Answer: I’m sorry to say but the cancellation puts the brakes on whatever progress the SGA movie had made in the past month, shelving it indefinitely.
Mike McGinnis writes: “Is there any chance of the SGA movie anymore if you guys can’t save SGU?”
Answer: See above.  Contrary to what some may think, the cancellation of SGU is very bad news for those looking forward to an Atlantis movie.

And there’s a little more at his blog. It’s a darned shame that the network (SyFy/MGM/whoever) are going to look at the ratings of the last Stargate series to determine the viability of say, an SGA or SG1 movie. There’s still a strong fanbase for those two from what I can see on the web. I won’t hazard a guess on the sales or downloads of the shows, but I do get Google notices all the time about downloading SGA, so, guess there’s still interest in the show!

 

If they had to do movies, they should do SG1, then SGA, and lastly, SGU, cuz face it, you gotta look at the age of the cast. Sgu has the youngest, therefore, you can wait the longest… but if I had my way, it would be an SGA movie FIRST cuz I think that one has the potential for the most entertaining movie. I really haven't looked much more at Mallozzi's blog, so don't know if he's added anything, although I may not care, since he does have a horrid habit of baiting fans.

Comments

[katikat.livejournal.com]

I think that that's the difference between the SG and BSG's TPTB: Caprica gets canceled -> BSG's TPTB starts working on a new show on the spot. SGU gets canceled - SG's TPTB starts stomping their feet, proclaiming "our way or the highway." O-kay...

[carmen silva ciocolata (from livejournal.com)]

In my humble opinion "they" canceled SGA because it was too good, too many truths were being told, too much ancient history was uncovered, and this is not good, people should eat garbage movies and they are supposed to stay the dummies "they" think created. Well, sorry to disappoint them in this regard but many "stomachs" are being deranged and cannot stuff them with crap anymore. Anyway, thanks for SGA and congrats for doing it for as long as you did, you surely made your point, and of course thanks for the post, you really got guts! Hopefully soon things will change for the best, that's my Christmas wish and they usually come true. Merry Christmas to you too and a lot better year to come!

[flingslass.livejournal.com]

TPTW

I thought you did a typo until I worked out what you meant! :D

[wilson-wolfie.livejournal.com]

I'm normally a Lurker because my written english is not that good but I must comment at the "the fans didn't even try to support SGU" statement

On this years German FedCon Convention they showed one episode SGU in one of the big halls because SGU is pretty new here in germany.
I didn't wanted to watch it because I already saw some episodes and didn't like it. But all my friends hadn't seen the show before and wanted to.

The room was packed with Stargate fans to get a chance to see a the new show in cinema like conditions.
10mins in the episode my friends asked me If we could rather grab some food than continue watching. So we left with a steady stream of other watchers.

After we ate I noticed that I forgot something in the room so I returned. So I came back and there were only about 10 people left! In a room were we started out with about 200 people! I never witnessed such a thing at fedcon! Even some crappy fanfilm that was shown hadn't such a big decrease in viewers.

Just my little comment. The fans certainly tried to support it but what can I say? We fans are not so stupid to like every show just because they put a SG before the U ....

[medaviolet.livejournal.com]

Seriously, I could not see much future for SGU... D;

But after recent events, though dark and without much plot was still getting a little interesting ... It is sad that it cancel the truth I'm just waiting to see the film of Atlantis more than anything else.

It's disappointing really... Because I was starting to fall though the characters...


Well, what can we do...? But really blame us fans? D:<

Really do not understand why both insisted Universe if Atlantis was further... I'm still very disappointed with his decision to cancel ;___; I was even more interesting than the last few seasons of SG1

*crying*

By the way... Merry Christmas!!! ♥

My apology for the delay... D;

[tavabean.livejournal.com]

I think this is all just spiteful behavior on Brad W and Joe M's part. I am so disgusted at this point, I can't even think of anything coherent to say. Bleh.

[naniwahine.livejournal.com]

I couldn't agree with you more - I gave SGU a chance too. Four episodes to be precise. And my dislike of it increased with every single one I've watched. I just had to give up. It wasn't the Stargate I've grown to love. Heck, it wasn't even a Stargate there anymore...

Also, I never really had any hopes that SGA movie would be made and thought that was just a way to keep fans hanging on, sort of this dangling carrot. I honestly don't think that SGU cancellation made matters worse for SG-1 and SGA movies. I'd love to see SGA movie made, but it is very unlikely it'll ever happen. Unless JoeF would make it happen ;)

As to franchise being dead - perhaps it was time for it to end. The creative "powers" behind it were quite obviously burned out. Maybe there can be a reboot in a few years in fresh hands. But most of all, there's a lot of great FF out there where SGA 'verse and its people live on :)

[naniwahine.livejournal.com]

Oh, boy, don't get me started on Mallozzi. I and a few other Stargate fans have a few theories as to why he's so anti-hero. And you know what? TPTB (with Mallozzi at the helm) made a joke of Sheppard in the last two seasons of SGA, turning him into this juvenile horny frat-boy. IMO, Mallozzi and his complete lack of respect and any affection for SGA verse is the reason the show died. He despises it with a passion and avoids any mention of it like a plauge, unless of course it's to berate its fans.

And now all he can say about cancellation of SGU, as he dines on $150 "casual" lunches in Japan, is that he chooses to concentrate on the positive. Yes, a cancelation and end of the franchise MUST have a silver lining... Oh yes, the $$$ he made on backs of us fans who supported the franchise for years and then were ridiculed and insulted by him. That man is beyond callous and egotistical.

Sorry for the rant. I'm zipping it.

[naniwahine.livejournal.com]

LOL! somehow, this doesn't surprise me...

[naniwahine.livejournal.com]

Wow - it seems like us fans are pretty p'ed off ;) And I have a feeling that at least some of the crew will find jobs at Sanctuary, Eureka and a few other GOOD shows being filmed in B.C. :)

[naniwahine.livejournal.com]

TPTB can luuuuuve it all they want, but if the fans - US - don't, then they won't watch and they won't buy the DVDs... Hence poor ratings, hence cancellation. For someone working in the business for that long, you'd think he's have a clue... :/

Re:

[astrumporta.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's amazing that people would walk out of a free screening. I have to say I was equally shocked when I was at the last Creation Convention in LA. As it came time for Brian Smith's talk, the huge Stargate hall had at most 30 people in it. This was just after Ben Browder's talk in the Farscape hall had 400! I was actually embarrassed for Smith. People trickled in during his talk, but honestly no one gave a crap about the SGU actors.

I don't blame Syfy for this at all, except that they let BW and RCC go forward with a "vision" that most of us could see was a completely stinker before they even cast the first actor.

When the Christmas episodes of WH13 and Eureka got DOUBLE the ratings of SGU in the same time-slot, I knew SGU was finished.

It kills me that JM is now saying SGA's 2M viewers wouldn't happen today because of increased DVR use. And blaming poor SGU DVD sales on the DVD collapse. That's all crap.

[duffy-99.livejournal.com]

I was at cons in both Chicago and LA last year, and it was indeed embarassing how few people showed up for the SGU actors. (I peeked in the room; I personally had no interest in seeing them since I never watched the show.) TPTB can tell themselves whatever they want and do whatever they want; I don't give a damn. I'm happy rewatching my SGA dvds and wallowing in SGA fanfic where I know the people writing it actually *care* about the characters. I look forward to watching Joe and David and the rest in their new endeavors. And I hold out a little stubborn hope that the franchise could be rebooted in a few years by some people who know what they're doing.

[the-other-sandy.livejournal.com]

TPTB must have balls of titanium to blame Stargate fans for the failure of SGU after telling us we weren't wanted or needed because we were the wrong demographic (i.e., too old and too female), then choosing to court the younger male demographic with...a soap opera in space. Yeah. Clearly we're the problem. ::snorts::

[gelbes-gilatier.livejournal.com]

I so very much agree with everything you said about Mallozzi! Actually, I'm relieved that the SGA movie is shelved because I still shudder at what he thought was a great idea of how Atlantis fared since EATG. I'm just hoping that he never gets to foist his stupid head canon on us now. You're really so right with everything!

[black-raven135.livejournal.com]

"............balls of titanium...."

****thumbs up in total agreement****
and is highly amused also.

[nialla]

Depending on the context, he could have meant that his character in Change of Plans was very similar to Sheppard, but one can certainly hope.

I saw him at a con a while back, and you could tell he was very frustrated with TPTB. He tried to give some input (and I think other actors as well, but JF was the "spokesperson" as the lead actor), and were ignored, being told the script was done and it wasn't changing. That and other incidents apparently put JF on Mallozi's Shit List.

A more recent con report had JF outright saying he was talking to some people about reviving SGA without the current "egos" involved. Not sure who he was talking to or if they'd listen, but he does seem to "get it" about the show and the characters.

[nialla]

I think we have a very good reason to be, considering how TPTB have continually put the blame on fans for their failures.

There's still a viable TV and film industry in B.C., and I'm sure another production or two would be very happy with Bridge's space.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Wow, just came back and was pretty surprised at all the chatter here in the comment section! I also have left or rarely visit some fan venues becuase I'm tired of the blame game, just in general. I don't know how anybody can point fingers at Atlantis (or SG-1) fans for the demise of SGU. It's the Nielsen viewers who simply did not watch. There are lots of Stargate fans who did give SGu a try, but just did not find it their liking. It's simply a matter of taste. I hate to say it, but I don't hold high hopes for the survival of the franchise (except maybe in paperbacks and fanfiction!)

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's bizarre to blame fans for not watching a show. Sort of like pointing fingers at people who no longer frequent a restaurant because the menu changed. You make change, you need to face the consequences.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

I had heard that the SGU panels were more lightly attended than the SGA/SG1 ones (to be polite). Personally, I probably would have attended as I do like the cast, except I wouldn't know what to ask them as while I do watch SGU, I tend to watch it just once. TPTB need to realize they changed the format, lots of fans didn't care for it, and that's what bumped off SGu.

Re:

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

I actually won a visit to the NYC premiere the day it aired on SyFy. It was really fantastic to see Lou Diamond Philips and Ming Na, and meet other Stargate fans. After watching the pilot on the 'big' screen, I did notice that there wasn't really much applause from anyone, and I honestly did not know what to say. I thought... maybe it will look better on the smaller TV screen? Alas, that didn't help. Whereas I like the acast, their enthusiasm, etc. the writing and just the darned dark bleak atmosphere did nothing for me. The bleak darkness, especially. I mean, it's fine in a movie like say "Reign of Fire" (that dragon flick with Christian Bale) but not for episode after episode....

[naniwahine.livejournal.com]

We sure do have a reason to be p'ed off. Have you read Mallozzi's Dec 26, 2010 post and how SGA, with better numbers than SGU has ever had, just doesn't compare..? Apples to oranges, DVD sells in the crapper, everyone downloading... SGA was on a different playing field. Well, even with all those changes, I believe SGA would still pull better numbers today than SGU.

Oh, and Mallozzi calls himself one of the "bigger suporter(s)" of SGA movie, since he wrote the script and all... *eye roll*

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Yup, they changed the format... Stargate is like a pizza. Same pizza, but the toppings changed, so some folk went "forget it." What I really liked about the Stargate franchise (SG1/SGA)is the friendships, the comraderie, the fact that for the most part, they had uplifting endings. cripes, I can get enough bad news in real life I don't care to watch it on TV every week.

As for movies.... not holding my breath, alas.

[nialla]

I call bullshit on just about everything Mallozzi says. He acts as if he has any say-so regarding the future of the franchise, when the fact is he really doesn't have a job now unless he weasels into another one.

Apples to apples, SGU's ratings didn't measure up to other shows on the same network, even in the same timeslots. The DVD sales didn't measure up to other DVD sales either. Very level playing fields there, but considering the ratings were on a downward climb right from the start, it didn't matter how level things were.