WB Picks up Fox's Garbage - Maybe we should look for a new network?

[Sxygrrl Huntress]

I just came across this article which infuriated me.

From The Hollywood Reporter:

WB Net clips 'Birds' ' wings, picks up 'Grounded' sitcom
Nov. 19, 2002

The WB Network is about to say goodbye to the leather-clad Batgirls of "Birds of Prey" and hello to the portly dad and perky kids of "Grounded for Life." The WB has struck a deal with Carsey-Werner-Mandabach to pick up the family comedy "Grounded for Life," which had been on the fence for a full-season pickup at Fox.

WB is picking up garbage that even Fox doesn't want!!! But they can't pick up a show that has amazing potential. They truly suck!

From what it seems, the part of the show that costs the network the most is the part that we like the least! We want good dialogue and character development. Now how much does that cost? Pay the actors and writers, lose the computer department!

UPN has some open time slots don't they? Maybe we should hound them to pick up Birds Of Prey.

I'm grasping at straws here. Anyone think it's worth a shot?

[LisaM]

I definitely think it is worth a shot. I asked the webmasters whether they have any contact with the producers. If they do, we can find out whether they are interested in having the fans clamor to move the show to UPN. If it is feasible...sure...I would love to make noise.

EDITED to add: I just left a voice mail at Tollin/Robbins Productions, the producers of BOP, telling them that millions of people love this show and would like it to continue. I asked if there is a chance that production could continue if the show is moved to UPN. I told them that the fans would spearhead a campaign to move the show - if it is feasible on their part.

[Gothic Knight]

Sindication is the way to go. Look what happened to Baywatch after it was cancelled from NBC, it went into sindication and it became a phenomenom around the world. that's what Tollin/Robbins Productions should be thinking about if they care about the show as much as we do.

[Sxygrrl Huntress]

Lisa - can you send me a PM with the phone number for Tollin/Robbins. I want to call the WB later today and I would love to call T/R as well. It's 6am now, I'm goin' to bed. If possible, would *love* the number by 2pm Pacific time :)

Put my professional voice on and see what info they can/can't give me.

This show's got potential! Just bad writers! That CAN BE FIXED!!!

PM me soon... thanks! :)

[LisaM]

Sxygrrl: The phone number for T/R is 818 766 5004.

[Ted]

Hey! I happen to like "Grounded for Life" and it's not as if picking up that show is the reason for dumping BoP (especially since it's not even apparently going into that time slot). Black Sash started production on November 4th and has an end run for shooting in January of next year, so I guess they'll shuffle that in there.

As for getting onto UPN, I dunno - doesn't Warner Brothers own the creative license for Batman, Catwoman, etc.? I would think that'd make it infinitely harder.

[Sxygrrl Huntress]

Thanks LisaM! I'll try anthing at this point. I'm fighing for that last 2% that maybe we can do *something*.

Angie

[Sxygrrl Huntress]

Didn't mean to insult your show Oracle, I would have picked on any show including one *I* loved in the context of that article I read.

My frustration isn't that Grouded would replace BOP - it won't. But the fact that WB would buy a show that another network is throwing away yet they give up on a fantastic concept as BOP.... I want to scream.

I love BOP - I do have issues with the writing but I know it could do so much better if given the chance. Yeah, I think WB does own the creative license but money talks. Maybe they could work some deal out? I did say I'm grasping at straws here.

I did give them feedback on the WB website. Said if I wanted to watch a martial arts show, I'd rent the Karate Kid, not tune into some Karate Kid wannabe.

Wanna know the sick truth? I'll probably tune into that show and like it, just like I enjoy every other WB program! But they seriously disappointed me with BOP. It could have been awesome. They really didn't put much effort into it. WHY CAN'T THEY CORRECT MISTAKES INSTEAD OF CANCELLING???

I'm still going to see if there's any hope of switching networks.... Yeah, it did work for Baywatch. BIRDS OF PREY is an incredible concept - it deserves attention! I don't want to see my Huntress taken away!

Angie :(

[AJ2002]

Having it on UPN is the worst thing for this show! UPN is causing Buffy to die a slow death, so what makes you think BoP would do any better on that horrible network?

If they do keep it around, than sindication, along with a lower budget, maybe the way to go.

[Psychic Oracle]

UPN has a lower distribution then the WB. Less viewers get UPN, which is one reason why Buffy is starting to die ratings wise, but have a comeback creative wise.

Sindication would be a good idea... but that's very difficult. Hopefully they (producers) are looking into that.

[sailordom]

It's not really fair, IMO, to compare BIRDS OF PREY with GROUNDED FOR LIFE. The WB picked up the latter for completely different reasons--namely, the WB is desperately trying to develop a successful comedy slate. The one hit they really have is REBA and they need something else to build with.

I dunno. I guess I just have a different perspective than many here; I can't blame the WB for canceling the show. My honest opinion is that the show just wasn't very good. If it had been (or even if I'd gotten the impression that the production team had put their hearts into it, which I didn't get from this show), then I'd be more upset. But I can't really get mad at the network for canceling a show that squandered it's own potential. That's the show's creative people's fault.

My guess would be that the show's only hope now is possibly cable, but I doubt it could hold its own in ratings on cable. I don't see it moving to UPN; their schedule is pretty full-up now. Unless it gets rid of its Friday night movie, but BoP would probably fail miserably in that timeslot and UPN would also have to find another hour's worth of programming to round out the night. Then there's licensing issues--somehow I don't see AOL Time Warner giving UPN the show, but maybe I'm too cynical.

It could be, too, that BoP is a victim of the buzz (or lack thereof) in superhero properties lately. My understanding is that Hollywood feels as if there's currently a saturation of superhero properties right now. (Which is probably true.) But I suspect that if the show had gotten critical acclaim, the WB might have stuck with it, no matter if superheroes are "hot" anymore or not.

Lita

[Gothic Knight]

Look how Andromeda, Mutant X, Stargate SG-1 is doing. If BoP would have gone in sindication it would have already renewed for a second season. Instead thanks to That "Big Network wanna be" Is not going to happened unless Tollin/Robbins decides to try to go to sindication.

[TheWraith]

Keep fighting, but I'm afraid BoP is dead. Enjoy the episodes remaining, but it's over.

[Kea]

Well http://www.tvguide.com/showguide/networks/index.asp has a list of the networks so take your pick.
I am just waiting for what LisaM hears from Tollin/Robbins Productions.

[Philzilla]

sorry, BOP isn't going to be moved to a new network. It is the property of WBTV, made for the WB network. Batman and related characters are properties of DC comics, a subsidiary of AOL/TW. It's not likely they will allow control of one of their properties to fall on another network. Syndication is really the only logical option.

[Gothic Knight]

In Sindication BoP would have better chances of survival.