View Full Version : Levin and BoP at a New Station?
AngelQueen
12-09-2002, 04:07 PM
I was wondering about this. I've heard some people say that Levin doesn't want Birds of Prey back on the WB, or any OTHER network.
My question is why? I can understand why he doesn't want the show back on the WB network (though I think he's a total loon for those reasons), but why is he so against having it on a different network?
I mean, he has to have SOME idea of how much the fans love this show!
Any thoughts?
AQ
SevenSlave
12-09-2002, 04:21 PM
Levin is kidding himself; he doesn't have the power to "bury" a series.
Levin has a boss of his own to answer to: Jamie Kellner, CEO of Turner Broadcasting, Inc. (The WB's parent company).
Levin is not the final authority on the matter; Turner Broadcasting is. Turner can, will, and HAS sold a series out from under The WB (That's what happened to Buffy last season. In the past, it also happened to Roswell and Forever Knight).
DizzyOracle
12-09-2002, 04:23 PM
The question is, can any network raise the money to buy BoP?
SevenSlave
12-09-2002, 04:24 PM
^ I wouldn't worry about that, DO. Money is not usually a problem for a TV network. ;)
The Godfather
12-09-2002, 05:01 PM
BOP's rights shouldn't be terribly expensive.
It's a young fledgling show...
Now royalties to DC..that could be something. However ABC is paying for the Starman rights so they're hardly prohibitive...
-Shawn
AngelQueen
12-09-2002, 05:23 PM
Goodie! So Levin isn't top dog and doesn't have final say on the absolute final fate of the show! *cheers* It can still be brought back on another network!
I just don't understand why he's so against having BoP come back on a different network. *shakes head*
AQ
SevenSlave
12-09-2002, 05:44 PM
If the truth be told, he never wanted the series in the first place.
The story is that Levin wanted a series about a young Bruce Wayne; the WB movie division put the kibosh on that idea, however (they're currently developing a "Batman: Year One" film with Frank Miller as the screenwriter -- they were afraid that a young Bruce Wayne series would futz up the continuity for THEIR baby).
As an alternative, the WB managed to secure the rights to use Superman/Clark Kent instead of Bruce Wayne (out of all that came "Smallville").
Apparently, Levin and/or someone else in the network still wanted a Batman show; BOP was what they were offered in return -- it was a take-it-or-leave-it situation. Levin never wanted to develop the series in the first place.
There's a war going on inside The WB; in exchange for keeping their jobs, the Pro-BOP forces have been forced to broker a peace agreement with the network's Anti-BOP forces (this camp includes Jordan Levin, President of The WB). Cancelling BOP after 13 eps was part of the deal; had the series been allowed to continue on The WB, the jobs of a lot of powerful people at the network would've been at stake.
Ultimately, it was network politics -- not ratings -- that sunk BOP.
Levin is against a different network?
If that's true why? I mean selling a show like that will still bring in money.
Well I sent off my letters and comics today. Levin honestly does not seem to like this show. What he doesn't like the fact that you have three women kicking butt? But the show is too dark my A..! Has he watched Angel lately. Oh yeah that's all happiness and goodtimes on that show. Oh sorry long day. Oh I feel an article coming on!
All I can say is come on Jamie Kellner! :D Be a hero! Look at the ratings!
Too bad we can't call Jamie Kellner!
SevenSlave
12-09-2002, 05:53 PM
Originally posted by Kea
Levin honestly does not seem to like this show. What he doesn't like the fact that you have three women kicking butt?
Ironic ... seeing as how this is the network that gave the world Buffy The Vampire Slayer. :rolleyes:
Ironic ... seeing as how this is the network that gave the world Buffy The Vampire Slayer. -SevenSlave
True but look where Buffy ended up. On UPN!
And if you ask me Angel's not going to last long either!
SevenSlave
12-09-2002, 06:04 PM
^ Buffy went to UPN only because it -- and not The WB -- was the highest bidder. ;)
You just may be right about Angel ... THEIR fans are getting nervous about the move to the Wednesday suicide slot. :(
I know but still! ;) Now when/if I watch Buffy I get a nice pink picture because of my so called UPN station!
So yes I would rather watch BoP all in pink colors then have it canceled! ;)
As for the Angel fans I really wish more of them would join our fight. They write in saying they don't want Angel to move and also mentioned saving BoP. Its not that hard!
Cause look at the two shows that were 'on the fence'. And they both are BoP and Angel! Not looking good!
AngelQueen
12-09-2002, 08:25 PM
Kea said:
Levin is against a different network?
Indeed, that's what I've heard. That's why I was so confused. If sold to another network, BoP would definitely bring a bundle of money into the WB. So when I heard that he was against selling it as well, I was confused.
Many of the exec's over there are looking at the entire thing from a "business" point of view, so why don't they sell the show? It would bring in money for them to spend on some other dumb show that fit's Levin's frame of mind.
Too dark my behind! *snorts* Like everyone said, look at Angel or Buffy. *rolls eyes*
I'll never understand business men.
AQ
AngelQueen you don't mind my asking but was this in an article?
Because that really does not make sense at all. If Bop just goes away yeah they might make some money down the line with DVD's (if they make DVD's) but basically there would be no money coming in.
If the show is sold to another network this brings in money from a show they don't want plus the merchandise possibilities are endless.
So it would be a factor of no money vs. getting money? Ok?!?!?
I still want to try Sci-fi or UPN though. You never know.
And so true. Angel for me has gone to the 'dark' and 'eww' why 'did go and you show that' area.
To add a little to an earlier thought:
A few years back Turner Entertainments Prime Ratings Ticket World Championship Wrestling was in trouble ratingswise. Ted Turner was against a sale to Vince McMahon Jr (Head of WWF now WWE), Kellner was one of those responsible for overturning Turner's decision. From this we can gather that Levin in fact is nowhere near the last word ;)
Interesting. You learn something new everyday. Glad that we have another option besides Levin. Just hope Kellner listens to a lot of fans have to say who are sending in comic books! :)
Jesse321
12-09-2002, 11:08 PM
Think about it ... if BOP goes to another netwrok and is successful it will leave Levin with some MAJOR egg on his face. I say forget LEvin in the campaign and target more of our efforts on Turner Broadcasting and Tollin Robbins. Its obvious that Levin is against the show, so we need Turner Broadcasting to override him or Tollin / Robbins to push hard enough for another network.
SevenSlave
12-10-2002, 01:29 AM
As I said earlier, Levin's a case.
He treated Dina Meyer like trash! :fume:
AngelQueen
12-10-2002, 05:17 AM
Kea, I don't think I read it in an article, but I've heard several people say it here around the boards and I was just wondering if that was really true. It made absolutely no sense, but what Jesse said does make sense. If BoP was sold to a different network and becomes a big hit, Levin would have a ton of egg in his face. Heck, amongst the BoP fans, he'd practically be a laughingstock!
SevenSlave said:
As I said earlier, Levin's a case.
He treated Dina Meyer like trash!
You said it, hon! What a jerk, to do that to her! *growls*
AQ
But couldn't you lease the rights or something like that? Sorry can't think well today. Fighting a cold. Not fun.
Levin already has egg on his face.
He has insulted the fans who lets face it watch the show, get others to watch and buy the merchandise.
He insulted Dina Meyer which really shocked me!
And he would be having egg on his face if he sits on a show that could make a lot of money for them in return in the long run.
Yeah I sent in Levin a comic and a letter. But I am more interested in Turner Broadcasting and Tollin/Robbins.
I had way to much fun sending them in because the little note we attach to the comics that reads 'Keep the Birds of Prey Flying'. Well I sort of cut out a little batarang and glued it on there as well! :D I had fun.
Still am going to try my hand at sci-fi no matter what!
SevenSlave
12-10-2002, 03:30 PM
Originally posted by Kea
Still am going to try my hand at sci-fi no matter what!
There's always FanFiction.Net (http://www.fanfiction.net/). :D
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