Dollhouse to Get 13 Episodes, Likely No More

Image from source, nj.com

I've been championing the Joss Whedon show, Dollhouse, for its entire existence. But the writing seems to be on the wall, and I'm going to have to face the reality that it will likely die an early death. Brilliant but cancelled, as they say. And it's a damned shame.

As brilliant as Whedon's shows are, they've never really had mass appeal. They're probably too smart, too different and too niche-y. Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel had an easier time of it due to the low expectations of the (now defunct) UPN and WB networks. Neither show ever got great ratings, though the number of people watching them then vastly outnumber those watching Dollhouse. Thank the splintering of media, the mainstreaming of the internet and the dumbing down of America for that one.

Firefly, Whedon's sci-fi/western hybrid from a few years ago is still lamented for its early cancellation. Firefly, like Dollhouse was also on FOX, but at a time when viewership hadn't eroded to the present abysmal levels. Both of these shows are densely plotted, and require a viewer's attention. Sometimes to the point of requiring multiple viewings to catch all of the layers. People just don't seem to want to invest so much brain wattage (or maybe most don't have it in the first place) to let a show like this grow. Or rather, they don't care to seek it out on a Friday night on FOX. Fortunately, shows like Lost, FlashForward, Fringe and Heroes (yes, I'm still hanging on to that one) have managed to have viewers show up in large enough numbers to keep those programs on the air.

The saddest thing about the likely cancellation of Dollhouse has more to do with its creator than the actual show. I fear after having two low-rated shows on a major network, either that Whedon won't try again, or that no one will let him. While I'm quite sure he'll continue to be creative in other venues, I think it would be sad if his big juicy brain didn't get the opportunity to create a real mainstream hit.

But I'm not ready to give up hope for what we already have. Dollhouse has had dismal first-run ratings, true. But it's doing big DVR numbers, I'd suspect decent Hulu numbers, and has a fervent--if small--fanbase. Maybe, just maybe, there's a way to keep this thing going.

[Excerpt]

Can DVRs save 'Dollhouse'? Probably not.

. . .First, the good news: Fox scheduling chief Preston Beckman said that, in light of this news, all 13 "Dollhouse" season two episodes will air. Though you'll note he didn't say when they would air, and admitted they might have to pull the show off the schedule for November sweeps. . .

Read more at: NJ.com