Instead of Smallville...

[Admiral_Young]

Just because it ran for ten seasons doesn't mean there were all good ten seasons. Have you not paid attention to the weekly discussion threads? LOL. Not to mention in past threads I've pointed out how their formula doesn't work. Not going to repeat myself here.

 

[Greg Cox]

But in the real world, nobody regards SMALLVILLE as a cautionary example on what not to do. I mean, can you imagine a Hollywood pitch session going this way?

"So, this new superhero show of yours. Is it going to be anything like SMALLVILLE?"

"Are you serious? And risk running ten years and making millions of dollars? Why on Earth would I want to copy SMALLVILLE?"

"But somebody might make fun of your show on a fannish message board!"

"Good point. Better to produce a cult show that gets cancelled after one season. God forbid we should have another SMALLVILLE on our hands!"

 

[Admiral_Young]

I never said anything about the real world Greg. Granted, I'm talking about a very small fraction of the series fan base feels the way I do about the series but that doesn't make my point wrong, that just means my percentage isn't vocal enough. Anyways I'm not having this old debate again. The series is coming to an end. Whatever happens after it I can only hope those show runners are able to learn from the various mistakes that have occurred in the past ten years.

 

[Greg Cox]

I never said anything about the real world Greg. Granted, I'm talking about a very small fraction of the series fan base feels the way I do about the series but that doesn't make my point wrong, that just means my percentage isn't vocal enough. Anyways I'm not having this old debate again. The series is coming to an end. Whatever happens after it I can only hope those show runners are able to learn from the various mistakes that have occurred in the past ten years.

Fair enough. I just kind of scratch my head when people talk like the show was a mistake or failure.

The show clearly connected with tv audiences in a way that previous superhero shows never did, which is something that shouldn't be taken for granted.

Future superhero shows will be lucky to run as long as Smallville did.

 

[Admiral_Young]

We could debate about why "Smallville" went for as long as it did but that would get us no where. Frankly it's extremely lucky that it was on a network like CW/WB. Remember too that it basically was close to getting axed on several occasions. Any other of the major networks it would not have lasted as long as it did. The numbers prove that. Look at "Heroes" for instance.

 

[Greg Cox]

We could debate about why "Smallville" went for as long as it did but that would get us no where. Frankly it's extremely lucky that it was on a network like CW/WB. Remember too that it basically was close to getting axed on several occasions. Any other of the major networks it would not have lasted as long as it did. The numbers prove that. Look at "Heroes" for instance.

Possibly, but that applies to most genre shows. NextGen, Babylon-5, or Buffy probably would have died on NBC, too.

Smallville found an audience that could sustain it for ten years. That's better than most shows ever manage, which counts as a success in my book. Heck, it lasted longer than BATMAN, WONDER WOMAN, and LOIS & CLARK combined.

If I was producing a new superhero tv show, I would not be in hurry to dismiss SMALLVILLE as a a model. They clearly did something right.

 

[Jetfire]

What is the "Smallville formula"? After school special style plots, soap opera dialog...massive retcons & a sprinkling of anvils???

 

[Mr Silver]

I think what makes Smallville work is its ability to connect with fans and casual viewers. Most episodes, particulary in the early seasons could be watched without having seen every episode up until then. I think because of Superman's impact on popular culture, people can easily work it out. Not just these things, but theres a big element of real life issues featured, including a lot of stuff that Teenage audiences can relate to.

Whats more, Smallville has had a definite end, from the beginning. Everybody knows how Smallville is going to conclude and where the story is going and the focus of the story is how Clark gets to where he is going. Throw in a load of popular DC characters and references and you've got a long running, successful show.

 

[Admiral_Young]

We're derailing the thread which wasn't my intention. Moving on now...

 

[Greg Cox]

Okay, getting back on on-topic, I doubt we'll get a literal spinoff using any of the SMALLVILLE characters. But the RAVEN thing has potential.

A half-human, half-demon teenage girl fighting the darkness inside her? Sounds like a good companion for SUPERNATURAL or THE VAMPIRE DIARIES.

 

[JD]

Is that still in the works then? I haven't heard anything more about it since the initial news story a couple months ago.

 

[Mr Silver]

Okay, getting back on on-topic, I doubt we'll get a literal spinoff using any of the SMALLVILLE characters. But the RAVEN thing has potential.

Maybe not right away, but its a possibility. The CW will have a big gap to fill when Smallville finishes and while i'm sure they'll quickly snap up some new drama aimed at a similar audience, theres always teething problems when a popular show finishes and the new show that replaces it in the timeslot doesn't measure up in terms of ratings or reviews. Add to that the pending 2012 releases of The Dark Knight Rises and Zack Snyder's 'Man Of Steel', I think WB would do well to capitalise on the DC Hero movie buzz and perhaps produce a new series. A Smallville spin off, might be a possibility, especially with an already established fandom. But then again, we could argue that they should do another series based on a different DC character, like Captain Marvel and before you can SHAZAM! we have a new ratings hit.

A half-human, half-demon teenage girl fighting the darkness inside her? Sounds like a good companion for SUPERNATURAL or THE VAMPIRE DIARIES.

Oh yeah, something like that would definitely would fit alongside the likes of those shows. But I think one thing thats missing from TV Drama at the moment is Quality. So many of these shows have been produced at the peak of interest in all things Vampire and the like. Now thats cooled down slightly, I don't think commisioning anymore will attract similar viewing figures or rave reviews.

 

[Greg Cox]

A half-human, half-demon teenage girl fighting the darkness inside her? Sounds like a good companion for SUPERNATURAL or THE VAMPIRE DIARIES.

Oh yeah, something like that would definitely would fit alongside the likes of those shows. But I think one thing thats missing from TV Drama at the moment is Quality. So many of these shows have been produced at the peak of interest in all things Vampire and the like. Now thats cooled down slightly, I don't think commisioning anymore will attract similar viewing figures or rave reviews.

I like the SHAZAM idea, especially since the movie seems to be stuck in development limbo.

But who says that VAMPIRES DIARIES doesn't equal quality? That's an incredibly addictive show. And when did comic book superheroes embody "quality" more than vampires and demons?

I've always thought DEADMAN would make a great tv show. It's GHOST meets the THE FUGITIVE, with a bit of QUANTUM LEAP thrown in . . . .

 

[Admiral_Young]

"Blue Beetle" and "Raven" are under consideration. Not under development. I'm guessing that they're still waiting to see what to do next with their genre programming.

 

[Greg Cox]

"Blue Beetle" and "Raven" are under consideration. Not under development. I'm guessing that they're still waiting to see what to do next with their genre programming.

I believe there's some sort of VAMPIRE DIARIES spinoff under consideration as well . . . . which could make RAVEN redundant.

 

[Admiral_Young]

It's possible either series could find their way onto the pilot flurry next fall. I believe ABC is developing their "Incredible Hulk" series for the fall 2012 series. Same with the Jessica Jones thing and the possible "Cloak and Dagger" series which I've not read any further info on.

 

[Greg Cox]

It's possible either series could find their way onto the pilot flurry next fall. I believe ABC is developing their "Incredible Hulk" series for the fall 2012 series. Same with the Jessica Jones thing and the possible "Cloak and Dagger" series which I've not read any further info on.

Meanwhile, on the DC front, I'm hoping HUMAN TARGET survives, although that's probably wishful thinking.

(Too bad. I would have loved to write a HUMAN TARGET novel.)

 

[Thestral]

I like the SHAZAM idea, especially since the movie seems to be stuck in development limbo.

Wait, there's a Captain Marvel series in discussion?

 

[Greg Cox]

I like the SHAZAM idea, especially since the movie seems to be stuck in development limbo.

Wait, there's a Captain Marvel series in discussion?

Nope. A previous poster had just suggested the idea. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Thestral]

Darn.