Brad Wright comments on sagging ratings
- Thread starter Samurai8472
- Start date
The schedule move hurt, sure. I don't think most of us have any doubt about that. But it's not what's killing the show; the writing is.
^ You can literally delete that post, you know. 
The scheduling move does hurt SGU, but the whole thing about the fans hurting the show is silly, at most a few thousand(I doubt it is even that many) were upset enough about SGA getting canceled to not watch SGU. Less than ten thousand.
The most worrying thing by far is that Wright, and presumably the rest of his writing staff actually believe they are putting out a good product. That they can watch the episodes they're producing and say, "That is perfect, don't change a thing" with a straight face and utter sincerity is not a good sign for the show at all.
The most worrying thing by far is that Wright, and presumably the rest of his writing staff actually believe they are putting out a good product. That they can watch the episodes they're producing and say, "That is perfect, don't change a thing" with a straight face and utter sincerity is not a good sign for the show at all.
That's almost word for word what I was thinking.
They were making comments like this when it was announced Cooper was leaving and that's when I decided it was time to bow out. I liked the show for a while but the final four episodes of season one turned me off and I pop in here to see if things have improved and it doesn't look like they have.
Worrying thing? Why is that?
I don't see why believing the show is a good product means that they think the show is completely perfect. That's absurd.
SGU is generally a good show. There is also a lot of room for improvement. I haven't seen anything that the producer has stated which goes against that.
Why? Quite simple really. If there is no critical eye inside SGU's production, and it does not seem like there is, then there will be no impetus to change the show and make it better.
Blaming Sheppard/McKay fanboys for why SGU is tanking in the ratings is not constructive nor will it help SGU improve.
And as much as I am critical of SGU I would very much like to see it improve.
Blaming Sheppard/McKay fanboys for why SGU is tanking in the ratings is not constructive nor will it help SGU improve.
And as much as I am critical of SGU I would very much like to see it improve.
What I meant is that they are obviously aware that the show isn't working in some capacity (and that there's a critical eye.) In numerous interviews they've stated that they heard the audience and are making the show 'lighter' and more action packed. They know that the show isn't perfect. The insinuation that they think the product is perfect is absurd.
I'd agree that quality isn't killing the show, it's just a very niche type of show. Too many people wanted it to be like SG-1 and Atlantis, so when it wasn't, the people who liked that sort of thing were disappointed and left, while peoplei nterested in character drama weren't interested in the first place, leaving just the cross section of viewers that are interested in both. I think something similar probably happened to Caprica too.
It's not absurd. They pulled this same shit on Atlantis and on SG-1 when both of them were obviously going downhill, Atlantis especially. They need new writers, writers who are willing to take chances and not revert back to the status quo (Mallozzi). At this point it's moot, though, because the ratings are really low. If it does somehow get renewed then it'd be great if they did get some new showrunners in there now that Robert C. Cooper is gone.
If SG:U get's renewed they'll just assume whatever they did was the right thing. Which means they'll continue with it in season 3
I've read the comments by various production folks about making the show more fun and action packed.
And I want to believe them.
But we're what, five or six episodes into season two and it feels exactly the same as season one.
When are we going to see changes? 2x10? The second half of the season? A third season that might never happen?
These same producers and writers promised changes during Atlantis' third, fourth and fifth seasons and did those changes happen? Not really. Rotating in a new CO or doctor does not change the tone or structural problems of a show, and SGU isn't even doing cosmetic cast changes yet.
And I want to believe them.
But we're what, five or six episodes into season two and it feels exactly the same as season one.
When are we going to see changes? 2x10? The second half of the season? A third season that might never happen?
These same producers and writers promised changes during Atlantis' third, fourth and fifth seasons and did those changes happen? Not really. Rotating in a new CO or doctor does not change the tone or structural problems of a show, and SGU isn't even doing cosmetic cast changes yet.
I'd say the pilot, all three parts of it, is what killed the show. Slow moving with lots of unnecessary character conflict, it was never going to be a people drawer, especially the third part with its utterly pointless religious imagery that smacked of BSG and the "fix everything in the last five minutes" ending. The writing has always been the weakest part of SGU, followed by the directing, which is why the show has been going down hill ever since the pilot.
I'm personally not too concerned with episodes being action packed, and I consider character-based shows to be just as fun as a show (and in some cases, more so) than a show with a great deal of action. The problem, of course, is that most of the quiet character pieces on this show are handled ineptly, and the ones that are handled well are few and far between. I quote Caliburn's post here due to the second half of the quote. We're up to episode 7 of this season tonight, with 3 more episodes to go until we hit the hiatus period. As things stand right now, after "Trial and Error," I'm not seeing much of a reason for me to come back for the second half of the season. I'm hoping, however, that these remaining 4 episodes will convince me otherwise, though I'm not exactly "holding my breath" (to employ a cliché) that they will.
I think he's partly correct about being moved off of Fridays. However, blaming the fans is never a good idea, biting the hand that feeds you and all.
Actually, I wanted to like this new series. I like the change from the previous series. I like the premise. Unfortunately, the poor characters drag it down. They've tried making it a character centered series but they don't have the high caliber characters to support that. They do action OK and if they switched gears to emphasize that they might just salvage the series. They well not have the time to make those changes. They should've started out season 2 with a focus on action/adventure. It wouldn't have to be same flippant/comedic tone prevalant in the other series, just a change in focus but keep the tone.
Mr Awe
Actually, I wanted to like this new series. I like the change from the previous series. I like the premise. Unfortunately, the poor characters drag it down. They've tried making it a character centered series but they don't have the high caliber characters to support that. They do action OK and if they switched gears to emphasize that they might just salvage the series. They well not have the time to make those changes. They should've started out season 2 with a focus on action/adventure. It wouldn't have to be same flippant/comedic tone prevalant in the other series, just a change in focus but keep the tone.
Mr Awe
Agree in general, but in this case, focusing on the characters means that the series is focusing on its weakness, rather than its strength.
Mr Awe
Oh, definitely with you there. The characters who have some glimmer of being interesting are the supporting characters who don't get much screen time, whereas most of the main cast are just bland and boring as hell. Those who are an exception are given ridiculous characterization just as, if not even more so, often as good characterization (i.e., Rush- the "flashbacks" to his life pre-Stargate Program compared with the "hidden agenda" nonsense).
The ratings are bad because of... poor episodes. Out of the first 30 episodes or so, how many people can actually remember more than two or three being great? I can't.