Brian K. Vaughan developing new sci-fi tv show: Smokers

[Fizz]

http://www.deadline.com/2010/09/sam-raimis-stars-road-sets-3-tv-projects/#more-70774



The Fox project, Smokers, comes from comic book and TV writer Brian K. Vaughan, best known for creating the comic book series Y: The Last Man, and for his work as a writer on ABC's Lost. The high-concept drama, based on anoriginal idea by Vaughan, is about a documentary crew following working class heroes who exterminate alien threats in deep space.I'll be glad to get anything new from BKV.

Although let's hope it has better luck than most other Fox sci-fi shows....

[Tim Simmons]

Sounds cool.
Don't fuck this up, Fox.
Remember, we're still pissed at you for Firefly.

[dougmac]

I saw this earlier and didn't think it looked very promising or good. However, I would definitely give it a shot with the creator's pedigree

[tom daylight]

I don't like the title. I'm otherwise excited for this (or any Brian K Vaughan project). It WILL be awesome.

[ilash]

Good for him. Now can he please come back to comics. The whole medium is far worse off without him in it.

[TIP]

I don't like the title. I'm otherwise excited for this (or any Brian K Vaughan project). It WILL be awesome.

Howabout Smolderers instead?

[Ben]

Wish he was developing a new sci-fi comic book...

[TIP]

Wish he was developing a crush on my impressive 1 Volstagg-sized mini-van. :heybaby:

[tom daylight]

Howabout Smolderers instead?

I'd just like to see something distinctive - even something like "Smoke Smoke", which he used as a title in Ex Machina - without the negative connotations that come in my mind from "smokers".

[Adrian B AWESOME]

Sounds cool.
Don't fuck this up, Fox.
Remember, we're still pissed at you for Firefly.

Maybe you should've watched it when it was on...shows don't just magically disappear.

[Thudpucker]

Maybe you should've watched it when it was on...shows don't just magically disappear.

Networks also don't magically know when we watch.

Unless he happened to have been participating in the Nielsen Media Research program back when Firefly was on it doesn't matter if he was watching.

Since this seems important to you, Adrian, how many times have you participated in the Nielsen Media Research program? Are you enrolled in it right now?

[TIP]

I'd just like to see something distinctive - even something like "Smoke Smoke", which he used as a title in Ex Machina - without the negative connotations that come in my mind from "smokers".

Negative connotations? The title makes me think of Steve Miller self-immolating which brings a modicum of joy to my mind.

[TIP]

Since this seems important to you, Adrian, how many times have you participated in the Nielsen Media Research program? Are you enrolled in it right now?

Adrian has enough on his plate as he's currently running my Support Group for Lads formerly involved with Comic Creator's relatives.

[Slewo.O]

Maybe you should've watched it when it was on...shows don't just magically disappear.

They don't? :o

[TIP]

They don't? :o

Only when the ghost of Doug Henning is heavily involved.

In the case of Adrian this happens to be All The Time as Henning put a hex on his family back in the late 70s (Doug didn't take kindly to Adrian's father belittling Doug's Magic 'Stache when they shared a Piss Trough in the Men's Room at the theater Doug was performing at).

True Story.

[Ryan_ZOOM_Turner]

This show sounds like it has potential.

This thread however. :lol:

[HoldFastNow]

If it's BKV then I'll be there.

[Benel Germosen]

Wish he was developing a new sci-fi comic book...

He will once he filled his gold swimming pool with his television writer money.

[nick maynard]

kind of a weird description, but im excited nonetheless.

[Black Roman]

I don't like the title. I'm otherwise excited for this (or any Brian K Vaughan project). It WILL be awesome.

The title makes me think of Stephen King's The 10 O' Clock People.

[THWIP!]

That's fucking awesome!!! I'm there!

[PeterSparker]

FOX is just covering the bong hitting demographic with the title. A very wise move.

[Doug]

With BKV at the head, I'll give it a shot.

[Supreme Convoy]

BKV? Awesome, I'd watch it.

[Doug]

According to AICN this is coming from Sam Raimi's production house.

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/46777

[Fizz]

Networks also don't magically know when we watch.

Unless he happened to have been participating in the Nielsen Media Research program back when Firefly was on it doesn't matter if he was watching.


The Nielsen ratings system really does seem so outdated these days and it's all the more frustrating when it leads to great shows getting canceled too soon.

Just did a quick search and found this on Wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nielsen_ratings

Another criticism of the measuring system itself is that it fails the most important criteria of a sample: it is not random in the statistical sense of the word. Only a small fraction of the population is selected and only those that actually accept are used as the sample size. There are only 25,000 total American households that participate in the Nielsen daily metered system.[13] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nielsen_ratings#cite_note-12) The number of U.S. television households as of 2009 is 114,500,000.[14] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nielsen_ratings#cite_note-13) As a result, the total number of Nielsen homes only amounts to 0.02183% of the total American television households, meaning that 99.97817% of American households have no input at all into what is actually being watched. Compounding matters is the fact that of the sample data that is collected, advertisers will not pay for time shifted (recorded for replay at a different time) programs [15] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nielsen_ratings#cite_note-14) rendering the 'raw' numbers useless. In many local areas, the difference between a rating that keeps a show on the air and one that will cancel it is so small as to be statistically insignificant, and yet the show that just happens to get the higher rating will survive.[16] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nielsen_ratings#cite_note-15) As the possible choices increase so does the margin of error resulting in the sampling sizes being too small.[17] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nielsen_ratings#cite_note-16)

So frustrating.

I'm a big fan of BKV and just hope this gets a decent chance.

[dasNdanger]

I dunno. I got really tired of Stargate going around 'exterminating alien threats' in outer space. I guess I tend to lean more towards the Next Generation attitude when it comes to aliens.


das

[Rod Nunley]

Sounds great. But I am really getting tired of the style of "documentary" on scripted television shows.

[OzMan]

Stoked for it...

although I wish he was writing comics again.:cry:

[Black Roman]

Sounds great. But I am really getting tired of the style of "documentary" on scripted television shows.

I agree, but I think given the premise, a documentary style sci-fi show has the potential to be very interesting.

[Dark Sasha]

Hey, this can actually BE A DOCUMENTARY! Instead of just this thing to warrant the shakey cam.

[capntightpants]

The only thing that I'm judging the show on is the fact that BKV is writing it. He's gold. Premise be damned, it's all about the execution. And the dude is Bret Hart.

[Dan-C]

Howabout Smolderers instead?

As long as it lasts more episodes than Lone Star, I don't care what its called.

[Cth]

According to AICN this is coming from Sam Raimi's production house.

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/46777

And the original article if you visited the link ;)

[Stark Raving]

Can't wait to see the episodes out of order!

[Dan-C]

The Nielsen ratings system really does seem so outdated these days and it's all the more frustrating when it leads to great shows getting canceled too soon.

Just did a quick search and found this on Wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nielsen_ratings

Another criticism of the measuring system itself is that it fails the most important criteria of a sample: it is not random in the statistical sense of the word. Only a small fraction of the population is selected and only those that actually accept are used as the sample size. There are only 25,000 total American households that participate in the Nielsen daily metered system.[13] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nielsen_ratings#cite_note-12) The number of U.S. television households as of 2009 is 114,500,000.[14] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nielsen_ratings#cite_note-13) As a result, the total number of Nielsen homes only amounts to 0.02183% of the total American television households, meaning that 99.97817% of American households have no input at all into what is actually being watched. Compounding matters is the fact that of the sample data that is collected, advertisers will not pay for time shifted (recorded for replay at a different time) programs [15] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nielsen_ratings#cite_note-14) rendering the 'raw' numbers useless. In many local areas, the difference between a rating that keeps a show on the air and one that will cancel it is so small as to be statistically insignificant, and yet the show that just happens to get the higher rating will survive.[16] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nielsen_ratings#cite_note-15) As the possible choices increase so does the margin of error resulting in the sampling sizes being too small.[17] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nielsen_ratings#cite_note-16)

So frustrating.

I'm a big fan of BKV and just hope this gets a decent chance.

While Nielsen ratings may not be the most accurate of all systems,they're at least a consistent measurement for tv viewing. Nielsen has a pretty meticulous way they select a household to participate. There's an interesting article on it: http://io9.com/5636210/how-the-nielsen-tv-ratings-work--and-what-could-replace-them

Changing measurement systems this far into the game is going to require a big readjustment, and considering how many organizations and companies are a part of the television landscape, its not going to be easy. At best, we'll just start seeing additional measurements which add more color to the Nielsen ratings.

[GelfXIII]

I'm always astounded by the complete disconnect between the 2 halves of Fox's entertainment division. On the one hand, they green light the most interesting, coolest new shows of any network, bar none. These are the folks who gave us Freaks and geeks, Firefly, Space Above and Beyond, Futurama, Arrested Development, Sliders, Dollhouse, Tru Calling, Dark Angel, Millennium, Wonderfalls, Freakylinks, Drive, etc. They have to have one of the most creative selection departments of any network. But then there the dark side of Fox that has also CANCELLED each and every one of those shows before their time. They have to have the most penny-pinching, bottom line fixated programing department of any network. It's like the two departments hate each other and do these things to spite each other.

[Dan-C]

I'm always astounded by the complete disconnect between the 2 halves of Fox's entertainment division. On the one hand, they green light the most interesting, coolest new shows of any network, bar none. These are the folks who gave us Freaks and geeks, Firefly, Space Above and Beyond, Futurama, Arrested Development, Sliders, Dollhouse, Tru Calling, Dark Angel, Millennium, Wonderfalls, Freakylinks, Drive, etc. They have to have one of the most creative selection departments of any network. But then there the dark side of Fox that has also CANCELLED each and every one of those shows before their time. They have to have the most penny-pinching, bottom line fixated programing department of any network. It's like the two departments hate each other and do these things to spite each other.

because I'm a nerd: Freaks and Geeks was on NBC.

And to be fair, Fox renewed Fringe for 2 seasons, despite it not having great numbers. And this season even took a hit from last season, despite its fantastic season premiere.

[Taxman]

ABC's Lost. The high-concept drama, based on anoriginal idea by VaughanIs bartleby in this thread? I want to ask him whether Lost was as "high-concept" as Year One.

[Taxman]

...shows don't just magically disappear.Except for Viva Laughlin.

[Black Roman]

Except for Viva Laughlin.

And it's murderer will never be found.

[Taxman]

And it's murderer will never be found.Not with Orenthal in Lovelock it won't.

[Fizz]

While Nielsen ratings may not be the most accurate of all systems,they're at least a consistent measurement for tv viewing. Nielsen has a pretty meticulous way they select a household to participate. There's an interesting article on it: http://io9.com/5636210/how-the-nielsen-tv-ratings-work--and-what-could-replace-them

Changing measurement systems this far into the game is going to require a big readjustment, and considering how many organizations and companies are a part of the television landscape, its not going to be easy. At best, we'll just start seeing additional measurements which add more color to the Nielsen ratings.

Thanks for the interesting read.

I can understand the importance of demographic information and that implementing any significant change would a long and complicated process. I just hope that some kind of change happens in the future because no matter how you look at it, 0.02183% is a pathetic number.

Too many great shows have died too soon...

[tom daylight]

FOX is just covering the bong hitting demographic with the title. A very wise move.

But they don't bring in advertising dollars! They spend all their money on dope!

[tom daylight]

I'm always astounded by the complete disconnect between the 2 halves of Fox's entertainment division. On the one hand, they green light the most interesting, coolest new shows of any network, bar none. These are the folks who gave us Freaks and geeks, Firefly, Space Above and Beyond, Futurama, Arrested Development, Sliders, Dollhouse, Tru Calling, Dark Angel, Millennium, Wonderfalls, Freakylinks, Drive, etc. They have to have one of the most creative selection departments of any network. But then there the dark side of Fox that has also CANCELLED each and every one of those shows before their time. They have to have the most penny-pinching, bottom line fixated programing department of any network. It's like the two departments hate each other and do these things to spite each other.

I think Dollhouse had a good run for what it was. Nobody thought it would last a full season let alone two.

[Dan-C]

Thanks for the interesting read.


Too many great shows have died too soon...

I definitely agree. But if you look at some of the Live + numbers, the shows that get the biggest boost from DVR watching, are usually shows that do well anyway. Same thing with online viewing.

And I think in the case of something like Firefly; yes, it was a great show. But as the movie's Box Office results showed, clearly there just wasn't a large scale appetite for it.

But yes, there are always some shows that just don't last long enough.