Dollhouse (Joss Whedon)

[arthurracoon]

I am so stoked. Just a word those though expecting typical Joss flavor....he said in an interview that the first few episodes are not his typical type episodes. The network made him write more generic type "hook" episodes to try and get a general audience in the door. Supposedly, the more typical Joss story arc flavor kicks after the first few. The network is making him cater to the general audience before the Whedon fans.

right on the money

 

[Covert Rain]

"You have to admit that I am very British" lol

You can definitely tell when this show has turned from formulaic-network TV to something that was more in Whedon's vision. It has my interest (so does Dushku in that dress and stockings from the last episode - YUMMY) and I hope FOX gives it a decent shot of catching on but I'm not sure they will with the timeslot they gave it. Friday nights are where shows go to die

Agreed. I tried to post that earlier in the forums for those that didn't know that the first batch of episodes were just going to be blah. You can completely tell the difference the last couple episodes.

My fear is that because of Fox's typical interference, they might have chased away the very audience they were trying to hook.

 

[Darth Llama]

Agreed. I tried to post that earlier in the forums for those that didn't know that the first batch of episodes were just going to be blah. You can completely tell the difference the last couple episodes.

My fear is that because of Fox's typical interference, they might have chased away the very audience they were trying to hook.

It's numbers sadly weren't great this week...

http://thetvaddict.com/2009/03/28/tv-ratings-friday-march-27-2009/

It's ratings aren't horrible for a new show in the Friday Night Death Slot. I'm hoping the ratings will be good enough that Fox will gamble on trying it in a prime time slot. I would like to see it get a shot at the tuesday slot after idol.

 

[Evil Ash]

It's numbers sadly weren't great this week...

http://thetvaddict.com/2009/03/28/tv-ratings-friday-march-27-2009/

It's ratings aren't horrible for a new show in the Friday Night Death Slot. I'm hoping the ratings will be good enough that Fox will gamble on trying it in a prime time slot. I would like to see it get a shot at the tuesday slot after idol.

The share aspect may be more of a deciding factor then ratings in terms of a deciding factor for the network. Nothing gets high ratings on friday nights except for sporting events - as I'm sure FOX will give some leeway for last week and this week since it was going against the tounament.

If FOX execs were smart they would involve other factors such as:
- interest (fan discussion like this)
- purchases on pay sites (Dollhouse seems to be doing well on iTunes)
- even DVR numbers to a certain extent due to the time slot (these numbers are often ignored due to the assumption that people record the shows are going to fast forward through the commercials and sponsors control alot of what is on TV. This was the death nail for Journeyman as most people recorded it but few people stayed up and watched it.)

Hopefully that should be enough to give it a better shot. Lets just hope they see it that way as well

 

[Covert Rain]

- even DVR numbers to a certain extent due to the time slot (these numbers are often ignored due to the assumption that people record the shows are going to fast forward through the commercials and sponsors control alot of what is on TV. This was the death nail for Journeyman as most people recorded it but few people stayed up and watched it.)

That's why DVR #'s are so freaking frustrating. Dollhouse has good DVR numbers. I remember that shows like Angel did towards the end and Journeyman is a great example. It proves people are watching the shows but as pointed out, people are not watching it live and not watching commercials when they do watch them through the DVR.

I was part of a study with Neilson where they were going to create a hybrid ratings model including DVR viewing. However, in that study, they did not take raw DVR #'s. They only used the DVR #'s as a factor. So, in the end, they still were not counting all the DVR #'s. I found that stupid because the sampling from the DVR's was greater then their own sampling of Neilson data and probably more accurate.

It was a saving face move on Nielson's part because people were complaining that there method of calculating ratings was antiquated. Now they can say "we look at DVR data".

 

[Darth Llama]

What they don't consider is that most people DVR this show because it airs on Friday Night. I usually DVR it and watch it on Saturday as well. Most people have stuff to do on Friday Night, what are you going to do, tell your friends "I can't go with you guys tonight, Dollhouse is on?"

That's why they make DVR's. The only reason I don't normally watch it "live" is because of it's time slot. If it was on during a weekday evening, I would watch it every week.

 

[Chaplin]

What they don't consider is that most people DVR this show because it airs on Friday Night. I usually DVR it and watch it on Saturday as well. Most people have stuff to do on Friday Night, what are you going to do, tell your friends "I can't go with you guys tonight, Dollhouse is on?"

That's why they make DVR's. The only reason I don't normally watch it "live" is because of it's time slot. If it was on during a weekday evening, I would watch it every week.

They can figure out DVR ratings as well. It's something I do at work--I don't launch full episodes of our shows until 3 days after they air. (In some cases it's up to 5 days later)

 

[Darth Llama]

They can figure out DVR ratings as well. It's something I do at work--I don't launch full episodes of our shows until 3 days after they air. (In some cases it's up to 5 days later)

Then maybe you would know the answer to a question..

How exactly do they know how many people DVR a show? If I set my DVR to record something, does it send that data to Cox or to someplace that tracks it?

I don't care if it does, just curious if my personal preference is recorded, or if it's done through a system like Nielsen houses?

 

[Chaplin]

Then maybe you would know the answer to a question..

How exactly do they know how many people DVR a show? If I set my DVR to record something, does it send that data to Cox or to someplace that tracks it?

I don't care if it does, just curious if my personal preference is recorded, or if it's done through a system like Nielsen houses?

I believe it does, although I don't know any specifics. I would also think that kind of data would be a lot better than Nielsen because you could potentially track every DVR receiver, not just those households with Nielsen's equipment. But again, I'm not sure.

 

[Covert Rain]

Then maybe you would know the answer to a question..

How exactly do they know how many people DVR a show? If I set my DVR to record something, does it send that data to Cox or to someplace that tracks it?

I don't care if it does, just curious if my personal preference is recorded, or if it's done through a system like Nielsen houses?

If your DVR is connected through a phone line or if you have a Sat Receiver with DVR, your viewing habits are recorded and sent. There are a few sites that post the DVR data and Neilsons for instance gets the data as well. The data is available. It's how they use it that bugs me. It's more accurate because of the number of DVR's out there is much larger then the Neilson equipment in peoples homes.

 

[Darth Llama]

If your DVR is connected through a phone line or if you have a Sat Receiver with DVR, your viewing habits are recorded and sent. There are a few sites that post the DVR data and Neilsons for instance gets the data as well. The data is available. It's how they use it that bugs me. It's more accurate because of the number of DVR's out there is much larger then the Neilson equipment in peoples homes.

Makes sense, mine isn't hooked up to anything other then the cable line. Thanks for the explanation though. I can see why they don't like to count DVR info, because the sponsors don't like it (because you can skip commercials,) but it is an important part of determining a shows popularity. I DVR a show because I like it and don't want to miss it. Shame that doesn't count the same as if I actually watch it in it's time slot.

 

[Chaplin]

Makes sense, mine isn't hooked up to anything other then the cable line. Thanks for the explanation though. I can see why they don't like to count DVR info, because the sponsors don't like it (because you can skip commercials,) but it is an important part of determining a shows popularity. I DVR a show because I like it and don't want to miss it. Shame that doesn't count the same as if I actually watch it in it's time slot.

I think as the system becomes more and more refined, you'll see those numbers used a lot more. But they will most likely be internal numbers, because as you said, they are pretty much worthless to advertisers. It's a tough situation to be in for a production company. The show may get great numbers from the DVR stats, but if the regular ratings don't bear that, advertisers won't want to pay for it. And if the advertisers aren't giving them any money, well, then the show can't be produced.

 

[Griffin]

I've really liked the last few episodes. The show is getting better, I hope they keep it up and hope Fox doesn't give up on it too soon.

 

[TBaslim]

It's a really interesting contrast between the first 5 eps and the rest. Was watchable for the first 5, but nothing really special. Now it has all the hallmarks of a Whedon show, and is definitely getting better.

Please do not 'Firefly' this one, Fox!

 

[arthurracoon]

If this show and Chuck get cancelled...

another awesome episode

 

[Darth Llama]

If this show and Chuck get cancelled...

another awesome episode

Dollhouse won't get canceled, at least not this year. It's numbers are actually really good for a new show that premiered in the Friday Night Death Slot. I don't see the show being in any danger right now, if anything Fox should consider moving it to a better time slot to see if they can really cash in on it.

Fox is determined to build a strong Friday lineup. I don't know if that's really possible, but if any show can do it, it's Dollhouse. The only show I know of off the top of my head that actually thrives on Friday night is WWE Smackdown. Sadly for this show, they are on opposite of that show, as is Terminator.

 

[arthurracoon]

Dollhouse won't get canceled, at least not this year. It's numbers are actually really good for a new show that premiered in the Friday Night Death Slot. I don't see the show being in any danger right now, if anything Fox should consider moving it to a better time slot to see if they can really cash in on it.

thats good

 

[TBaslim]

Another great episode tonight. Telling the story from multiple perspectives, time jumping, reveals, twists, spies like us, the whole package...

I'm starting to really dig this show. Olivia Williams is the bomb-diggity.

 

[arthurracoon]

 

[Darth Llama]

Yep, another solid episode, very entertaining. This show has been consistently solid week in and week out.

 

[Louis]

Sierra is getting hotter with each episode.

With that said Echo in leather and partial cheek shots. I'm game.

Good ep.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

By the way, haven't posted in this thread yet, but i'm a huge fan of the show...I was skeptical about what they could do with the concept, but damn if it's not awesome and entertaining.

Great episode on Friday...cannot wait to see where this all goes.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Man, Fringe started out interesting to me, but it went absolutely nowhere. Huge disappointment. I'm hoping these episodes keep getting better. The only reason I stuck after the first one was because of Joss Whedon. The second was much better. I need the next one to be just as much an improvement, because the show hasn't hooked me. Yet.

Wow, that's crazy...I thought Fringe was interesting, but then got better and better...

 

[Stout]

Wow, that's crazy...I thought Fringe was interesting, but then got better and better...

Fringe was definitely interesting for a few episodes...and then it wasn't. It turned into--freaky problem, the old man had inspiration from past, his son doubted him, Olivia went to the corporation for a favor or help. And that was it. Every time. That got really old really quick.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Fringe was definitely interesting for a few episodes...and then it wasn't. It turned into--freaky problem, the old man had inspiration from past, his son doubted him, Olivia went to the corporation for a favor or help. And that was it. Every time. That got really old really quick.

Too bad you didn't stick around, that formula didn't last, the plot thickened, Olivia had more to do with things than anyone realized, etc.

It's gotten really, really good.