Shake Up With Heroes - Loeb OUT!

[the Dagman]

This news in over at Comics Continuum:

JEPH LOEB FIRED FROM HEROES

According to Variety, Jeph Loeb, co-executive producer of NBC's Heroes, has been fired from the series.

Loeb and fellow co-executive producer Jesse Alexander were let go on Sunday as part of a shake-up for the series, according to Variety.

The report indicates the firing stemmed with NBC's frustration with Heroes, which has struggled in the ratings -- as well as with audience reaction -- in its third season.

Loeb had been with the series since its first season. He is a comics writing veteran, most recently as an exclusive with Marvel Comics, and has frequently teamed with artist Tim Sale, whose work has also been featured on Heroes.

I have to say that I am surprised he lasted this long. The writer of Teen-Wolf and Commando and formerly of Smallville has long been regarded as just a comic book writer. And even there he has a large following of people who hate his work. Now it looks like Hollywood is cutting ties with him. Does this mean there will be a conclusion to Ultimate Hulk vs. Wolverine now?

 

[Hermiod]

Whoever is responsble for what they've done to Peter should be fired, sure.

 

[Good Will Riker]

I actually bailed out a few episodes into season 2.

I guess I did not miss much after all.

 

[RJDiogenes]

I am generally not unhappy with the way things are going on Heroes (although I agree about the Peter situation). I wonder how this will affect the show.

 

[JAG]

I doubt it would affect it too much for this season at least. Most of the episodes are probably written by now I would think. I could be wrong though.

 

[JonathonWally]

I can't wait till season 4 when someone, be it Peter or Hiro jumps to the future sees it's bad comes back and tries to fix it while inadvertantly being an asshole. That seems to be the formula of the first 3 seasons so far.

 

[Professor Zoom]

I'm glad there's a shake up. Quite frankly after two seasons of lack luster stories and character assassinations, it's time for pay back.

 

[OmahaStar]

I can't wait till season 4 when someone, be it Peter or Hiro jumps to the future sees it's bad comes back and tries to fix it while inadvertantly being an asshole. That seems to be the formula of the first 3 seasons so far.

Agreed. It's getting old.

 

[Hermiod]

I can't wait till season 4 when someone, be it Peter or Hiro jumps to the future sees it's bad comes back and tries to fix it while inadvertantly being an asshole. That seems to be the formula of the first 3 seasons so far.

Agreed. It's getting old.

I wouldn't worry, they've fixed half that problem.

 

[Mr Light]

Hurum. I've really been enjoying this season. It's had more action, villains, and powers than any previous year. And I really like the new characters (Gateway, Lady Flash).

I absolutely agree they need to do away with the "vision of apocalyptic future" garbage, though.

 

[Shurik]

I can't wait till season 4 when someone, be it Peter or Hiro jumps to the future sees it's bad comes back and tries to fix it while inadvertantly being an asshole. That seems to be the formula of the first 3 seasons so far.

Agreed. It's getting old.

I wouldn't worry, they've fixed half that problem.

Then, it'll even more predictable.

 

[Hermiod]

Then, it'll even more predictable.

Well, no, since one has sworn off using his powers and the other has lost them.

At this rate next season will consist of the main cast sitting around at watching TV.

 

[TheArsenal]

On top of the ratings drop, NBC couldn't have been happy with the rash of critical articles about the show's direction and how to "fix it" articles like the recent EW cover story.

PROBLEM 2: ABSURD PLOT TWISTS

SOLUTION: MAKE THE HEROES SMARTER

Nothing undermines creative integrity like making characters act out of character just for the sake of advancing plot. Yet Heroes has recklessly committed this sin more than once this season. Included in the hard-to-swallow idiocy was a suddenly powers-hungry Suresh, as well as flying man Nathan Petrelli's (Adrian Pasdar) utterly unconvincing religious conversion and boneheaded choice to heed career advice from his dead nemesis Linderman (Malcolm McDowell). But the most egregious development has involved one of the show's best assets, Hiro. Having him blithely embark on a potentially world-destroying adventure simply because he was bored? That's just lazy writing. According to one insider, some of the actors were bothered by these leaps in character logic, but were told they were necessary evils as part of a larger reboot plan.

Interesting article overall. The criticisms on this board appear to be shared.

 

[Mistral]

I still watch-and I still hope. Maybe this will help. Some spoilers I read re 2cn half of season sound interesting...

 

[Mike Farley]

Maybe HULK will come out on time now?

Naaahhhh...

 

[Smiley]

I've been pretty happy with the third season so far. I agree that character motivation is one of the low points of the series recently, but it's been far and away more interesting than season two. I'm willing to see where it all goes from here.

By the way, are we going to get any more episodes penned by Tim Kring in the near future? The ones he's written in the past have tended to be of high quality and impact.

 

[ClayinCA]

Does this mean there will be a conclusion to Ultimate Hulk vs. Wolverine now?

Well, since Loeb has nothing to do with that particular book (which is written by Damon Lindelof of Lost), these developments probably have no bearing on its completion.

 

[Hermiod]

Does this mean there will be a conclusion to Ultimate Hulk vs. Wolverine now?

Well, since Loeb has nothing to do with that particular book (which is written by Damon Lindelof of Lost), these developments probably have no bearing on its completion.

Indeed, it's the oft-delayed Hulk that Loeb writes. That and the abomination known as Ultimates 3.

 

[S. Gomez]

Oh, are people not liking this season? I've been watching, but haven't read any reviews or the threads on this board at all. I generally find it about as entertaining as I always did. Of course, I never go into it expecting Shakespeare so maybe that's the secret to why I keep tuning in.

 

[Top41]

I can't wait till season 4 when someone, be it Peter or Hiro jumps to the future sees it's bad comes back and tries to fix it while inadvertantly being an asshole. That seems to be the formula of the first 3 seasons so far.

Yeah, I'm really kind of floored that after all the flack last season, they stuck to the same old, same old formula this season. It's very tired.

On top of the ratings drop, ABC couldn't have been happy with the rash of critical articles about the show's direction and how to "fix it" articles like the recent EW cover story.

ABC's probably quite happy. NBC, on the other hand...

PROBLEM 2: ABSURD PLOT TWISTS

SOLUTION: MAKE THE HEROES SMARTER

Nothing undermines creative integrity like making characters act out of character just for the sake of advancing plot. Yet Heroes has recklessly committed this sin more than once this season. Included in the hard-to-swallow idiocy was a suddenly powers-hungry Suresh, as well as flying man Nathan Petrelli's (Adrian Pasdar) utterly unconvincing religious conversion and boneheaded choice to heed career advice from his dead nemesis Linderman (Malcolm McDowell). But the most egregious development has involved one of the show's best assets, Hiro. Having him blithely embark on a potentially world-destroying adventure simply because he was bored? That's just lazy writing. According to one insider, some of the actors were bothered by these leaps in character logic, but were told they were necessary evils as part of a larger reboot plan.

Interesting article overall. The criticisms on this board appear to be shared.

Agreed--I think most fans are disliking the same aspects about the show. I agreed with most of the article as well.