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

[suekay-87.livejournal.com]

One thing that's left a sour taste in my mouth is the fingerpointing that some of both the cast and crew of SGU have been doing since the announcement, and that's blaming the fans for the cancellation.

I'm sorry if that's the way they feel, but the vast vast vast bulk of people only watch TV on TV, and only the tiniest minority of fans go online to talk about their fave shows, and only a minority of those download TV shows.

As well as that there's been undertones of them blaming 'embittered' SGA fans for not giving the show a chance. I did give it a chance, I didn't like it and quit watching. That's almost like saying I didn't watch Enterprise because I was a Voyager fan.

So I guess I'm left wondering why I should support the franchise at all, and I think the SG1 and SGA actors knew all along that Syfy and the boys at the bridge were done with them, hence why I don't even think they could get the casts together for a movie anymore due to conflicting schedules :(

At the end of the day MGM/Syfy have left it too long to make SG1/SGA movies that are marketable - the hardcore fanbase has moved on, and the shows are only distant memories to the casual viewer. And SGU never seemed to have the support or the casual viewership to sustain it anyway :(

I hope I'm wrong, but I think the franchise is as dead as that parrot on Monty Python....

Sorry for the rant :(

[black-raven135.livejournal.com]

Ah yes blame the fans mentality.....that always works doesn't it??
The fact that it has SG in front of the U would mean that I would automatically like it?? Am I getting this right???
:D

[stella-pegasi.livejournal.com]

I was unaware that the cast was calling the fans out. That's Mallozzi talking. If that's how they feel, they get what they deserve.

I don't think the hard-core fan base has moved on, if you remember, Star Trek came back, its base never left. Star Trek was only on the air for three years. It really became popular in syndication. I imagine there are more SG fans than we know who are most likely not involved in the fanfiction and the like.

Who knows...but at least we had two great shows and lots of great fan fiction.

[alyssa22.livejournal.com]

Agree with you 100 percent. I tried to watch an episode of two, but to be honest, it looked like crap to me. Confusing crap especially in the case of the first ep. I watched half of that one and gave up. Then I watched one other and felt no connection to any of the characters.

TPTB have nobody to blame but themselves. They tried to make it a hybrid of so many shows. And I have no doubt that they were most likely recycling episodes as they did with SGA.

[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 :)

[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!)

[stella-pegasi.livejournal.com]

I agree with you about SGU...it was bleak, humorless, with unappealing characters. I was lost when Eli was introduced in a poor imitation of "The Last Starfighter". I loved that little cheesy movie and if the writers did, they should have made a joke of it, not written into the story as if it really happened. It was ridiculous. I watched only a few more minutes of the show after that and I was done.

Mallozzi...whoever allowed him near a SGA set should be banned for life from any science fiction production. He comes across to me as a bitter, egotistical, bastard. He will never allow an SGA movie to be made If he has anything to say about it. His comment of a few months ago was that that he had a "deep-seeded disdain for heroes" (yes, the quote on Gateworld said deep-seeded). I think he meant John Sheppard (or Joe Flanigan) Anyone who hates heroes will not give the majority of us what we are looking for.

I do hate the SGU cancellation for the fans of the show. SGA fans know all too well how badly it feels to lose a show that you love. But I couldn't find a character in SGU that I could like. I love Lou Diamond Phillips but hated his character. Young was not a hero, he wasn't even an anti-hero. There was just no one to like. Even BSG had it moments when there was some humor, some real life feel to it. SGU missed the mark all the way around.

I could go on...but it's shame...that a bastard like Mallozzi has control. We may have lost the best of the scifi franchises because of him and his need to have a show without heroes.

I hope we get a SGA movie...I miss them so much!!! We all do....

[black-raven135.livejournal.com]

".........bitter, egotistical, bastard....."

Exactly
If the cast is placing blame, then why not direct it where it is deserved???

[alyssa22.livejournal.com]

His disdain for heroes probably comes from the fact that he's a loser nerd and they beat the crap out of him and flushed his head when he was at school.

The guy is just a joke. Of the worst kind!

[black-raven135.livejournal.com]

If they had to do movies, they should do SG1, then SGA, and lastly, SGU.......................

That is NOT going to ever happen in the second case..........
Mazolla hates it so much that he would never allow it.
Sad but true.

The fact SGU has been cancelled is hardly noteworthy given these people cancelled something that was working.....
therefore, only natural that something that is not would be on the chopping block as a matter of fact.

I agree with you tho about the endangered franchise.........

[nialla]

There are no plans to create or move forward on a new series. We love the one we have now.

Too bad your love couldn't create ratings. I'm always bummed when I hear about people losing jobs, but I won't shed a tear over this asshat losing this job.

Meh, I wouldn't put much stock in what Mallozzi has to say about the end of SGU meaning there's a reduced chance of an SGA movie. I think the chances are exactly the same, which is to say zero.

They don't like SGA, view SG-1 as rather long in the tooth, and only want to concentrate on continuing SGU despite overwhelming bad news in the ratings and DVD sales. If this lot of TPTB are still in control, you betcha there isn't going to be an SGA movie. The big question is whether or not MGM considers the failure of SGU as based in the franchise of Stargate itself, or how these TPTB have screwed things up.

The SGU axe wasn't unexpected at all, it actually came later that most were predicting. I think they wanted to see a comparison by running it on Tuesday, where other shows were doing OK. It didn't improve, but one-shot holiday episodes of other programs that aired after the mid-season finale got good ratings.

SyFy has canceled it, but they still have the second half of season two to air and five eps of the also canceled Caprica. I've been told they're going to burn off Caprica in a marathon, but they might just air SGU as usual, then that's all they wrote.

It doesn't strike me as unusual they're ramping up advertising for the faux Being Human now, because it airs in January. They gave similar advertising to SGU when it first aired. SGU's ratings steadily declined from the start, but I don't think lack of advertising is to blame.

Deadline.com scooped the cancellation story, it wasn't announced, but the SyFy twitter account did respond about it, because it was already being blogged elsewhere.

I've never watched SGU after how the Boyz at Bridge acted (i.e. assholes to fans), but I have been watching the cancellation play out while drinking some fine schadenfreude wine. Couldn't happen to more deserving TPTB. ;)

[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. :)

[gatedialer.livejournal.com]

I stopped reading Mallozzi's blog after SGA was canceled because the guy has some ego issues, but I had no idea he had said some of the things mentioned in the blog and comments. Regarding the SG movies, I hated The Ark of Truth, loved Continuum and am content with just the two. I had heard there was another in the works that was RDA centered. No thanks. I was irked when SGA was canceled because it had become my favorite series and had a lot of potential for information and growth (in my opinion) and the cast was fantastic. I was anti-SGU but I watched it anyway and liked it. To hear of its cancellation doesn't surprise me because whenever Syfy has a new show, they cancel another (Caprica, is an example as well). Frankly, I don't care an iota for an American version of 'Being Human' because it is a cheap knock off of the British version. I won't watch it. It seems that Syfy is canceling a great deal of shows that I like. Once Eureka and Warehouse 13 are canceled, so is my subscription to that retarded channel.

[sgafan.livejournal.com]

“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."

*blink*

Honestly? I have never seen a more tone deaf, rock-headed group of people in my life. I don't like U, though I did give a fair chance at first. (contrary to what BW thinks about people like me, I actually gave it a chance) But I think the "time slot" etc etc excuses really ignore the simple fact that *people didn't watch it* (at least not enough to get ratings). Excuses can be made for downloads etc, but when reruns of Eureka air a week after U's mid season premiere and post higher ratings, (if I remember correctly, pretty significantly?) well, that says something. ;) And Atlantis faced the same download challenges and still had higher ratings.

They may "love the one they have now" but its pretty clear that fans overall and viewers really don't. The ratings and the cancellation show that. They have a responsibility to their own artistic needs, yes but they also have a responsibility to the franchise that they're stewards of and if they continue to make a product that people don't want, all the creative ideas in the world won't do them any good because they won't have an outlet for them anymore.

At the end of the day, if the franchise is in danger of ending, people like JM and BW can blame no one but themselves. But of course they blame the fans. After telling the fans that they're not a big enough group to have any impact, only to blame them for vindictiveness, and then ask them to support the franchise.

SGA (and the fans and viewers who are... oh, possibly important to the continuation of said franchise...) deserves a movie to at least tie up their storyline, so naturally, the Atlantis movie is shelved. BW is pursuing another SG1 movie and they "love" U so *of course* everyone will be excited to see a movie for that show. *facepalm*

Arrogance, egos and tone deafness by TPTB are what's really killing the franchise, and its regrettable. Its like watching an impending train wreck, you know what's going to happen but you just can't look away. They're jumping off the proverbial bridge and taking the entire franchise with them.

errr.. sorry for the rant... *shuts up*

[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... :/

[cimmerdeux.livejournal.com]

Far be it from me to actually defend Syfy but they didn't cancel SGA (and said so in a press release but only once so this is what they get for being kiss a** with the producers at the time). Wright and Cooper pulled SGA from production. They tried to say that Syfy 'canceled' the show for ratings so the fans wouldn't yell at them but that's not what happened and it came out in the 'wash' as time went on.

As for the cast finding out via tweet and internet? Well considering that all these guys are in the entertainment business and the way a lot of actors find out they don't have jobs is by reading the script or finding out in the 'dailies' and it's been this way for decades, I'm not surprised that tweeting has become another method. Very rarely do they gather people round to tell them the bad news. I mean at most corporations you get the pink slip on Friday (after the rumors of who's losing their job have been going round for awhile) and you clean out your desk while security watches. I guess what I'm saying is most companies, entertainment or otherwise are not exactly 'polite or courteous' in passing on information like 'you're fired' ahead of time because they don't want to deal with any kind of 'emotional meltdown' so they do it in the most clinical way possible.

I know a fair amount of actors. While some actors aren't the brightest bulbs in the box, many are quite savvy (have to be quick on the uptake, they haven't chosen the most stable of careers after all) and they can read ratings' reports as well as the fans. They knew they were probably going to get canceled. I suspect they knew after the second ep of this season especially after the poor showing of last season, so if they're 'shocked' then they're in the wrong business.

I don't expect the Stargate franchise to go away but it may take a rest. I do think if and when it comes back, it needs new blood. I suspect an SGA movie could pull in at least as high a ratings as SGU has been pulling but whether these particular PTB will be doing any further SG movies or shows, about that I have serious doubts.

[the-scary-kitty.livejournal.com]

*snorts* I tried to give SGU a chance, but finally gave up after eight episodes. Honestly, SGU proved more interesting by reading the transcripts rather than watching the episodes.

At this point, I'm even more convinced that Torri Higginson's ouster was in part a test run for dumping SGA altogether. Wasn't one of the reasons BW stepped down as showrunner at the end of SGA S3 because he was already starting development on the SGU concept? I think in the back of their minds, they were already looking ahead to abandoning what they saw as an albatross to grasp at the shiny new pretty. Fortunately, most of us didn't drink that Kool-Aid.

Unless MGM gets a clue and replaces TPTW with people who actually respect the material and the fans, I'm afraid the franchise is just going to continue futilely spinning its wheels in that muddy ditch it got stuck in back in 2007.

[flingslass.livejournal.com]

TPTW

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

[nakedwesley.livejournal.com]

Oh, I love how Mallozzi infers there was suddenly, amazingly, 'progress' on the SGA movie, only to be cut short by the SGU cancellation. *snort* How convenient.

I don't believe a word he says. He's so full of it. Just because he has no plans for the franchise in the future, doesn't mean MGM doesn't. None of it is up to JM or Brad Wright or any of those cronies. If MGM is smart, they'll dump the lot and set their sites back onto SGA, while there's still time. (I still have hope it's not too late.)

Even if the franchise is put aside for a bit, anything is better than leaving it in the hands of those incompetent hacks.

[sgafan.livejournal.com]

*giggle*

Sorry.. had to comment on your avatar... ROFL!

[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.

[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!

[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 ....

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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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::

[black-raven135.livejournal.com]

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

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

[esteefee]

belated popping in to say: JoeM's comments about the SGA movie are obviously just spiteful (and obvious, transparent) lies meant to hurt SGA fans. but that carrot rotted on the stick a long time ago. it's been apparent ever since the eBay auction that they didn't plan to film the movie, and since SGU was exceeding its episode budgets and taking even more resources than allotted, where would the money come from, anyway?

what kills me is how arrogant he was thinking his new baby would, of course, ride on how amazing it was, on the backs of its brand-new fan-base of young, hip kids, and now that it's failed so abominably, he turns around and actually blames the old fanbase, as if it's our fault somehow? for not liking, like you said, wraithfodder, his nouvelle cuisine raw shrimp with wasabi and peppercorn when I came here for my usual turkey sandwich on whole wheat? I watched the first two episodes and thought: not for me. sorry. if I wanted bleak despair and vicious backstabbing in my life--oh wait, already have plenty of that going in the daily paper.