Gotta Agree with TVGuide on This One

[shipperx]

Yeah, I've got to agree with TVGuide on this one. And it's further proof that 99% of show writer/producers are nimrods.:

It's Official: Deadwood Is Dead 

Deadwood creator David Milch has penned a statement that pretty much confirms our worst fears: TV's best acted, written, directed, costumed and photographed show will end after its upcoming third season — and before its natural conclusion. The entire statement is below. Read it and weep. 

I'm touched by the passionate response of many of the fans of Deadwood and understand the disappointment they have expressed that this is to be the final season of the show. However, I presented a new project to the network, John from Cincinnati, which they are very excited about. We worked together to try and fashion a plan that would have enabled us to produce a fourth season of Deadwood, as well as the new show. HBO, in fact, offered to commit to an additional six episodes after this season to conclude Deadwood. I felt the right decision creatively was to stop now and move forward with the new project. Deadwood has been a magnificent experience for both me and the cast and crew behind the show, and I hope that everyone who loves Deadwood will not allow their disappointment in any way to affect what we believe is a wonderful season to come. 


Ausiello: David Milch is a brilliant writer. And I'm sure he's a very nice man. But this is unforgivable —not to mention the height of selfishness. We deserved that six-episode wrap-up. Heck, we earned it. HBO was willing to do right by Deadwood fans. Too bad the same can't be said for Mr. Milch. Toss 'em in the pigpen, boys.

Comments

[nutmeg3.livejournal.com]

ITA! What a selfish prick, and what a huge slap in the face to everyone but his self-congratulatory, self-important self. I hope he's got a big ass, because as far as I'm concerned, he can shove John and Cincinnati both up there. I'll sure as hell never watch - and I plan to write and tell HBO exactly that.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

It's pretty astoundingly arrogant to admit it in print. And, yeah, someday producers will learn that people are loyal to the shows, not the producers. Just because they produce one hit doesn't mean that people will follow them to their new baby.

[mlgm.livejournal.com]

Pre-internet, the guy could have gotten away with this, as most tv watchers simply didn't really follow writers and/or creators as there was little or no access to that kind of info.

But now? That the guy got bored and couldn't bother to go back and tie up the first series makes me want to invest in the second series.

Idiot.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

It is kind of a "hah! You invested in this other show! Tough for you."

Really, though, it doesn't astound me that he's done it. God knows many have done the exact same thing in spirit (cough*Firefly*cough). It's flatly admitting it in the press that's surprising.

[mlgm.livejournal.com]

Doesn't it just make you love the Farscape guys all the more? Even after the lousy cancellation after being told they were renewed, they still came back and made a really superb miniseries so the fans could have closure.

The producers and stars of Farscape still set the standard for me.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

The Farscape guys seem to be one of the rare exceptions ot the rule. {{heart Kemper and O'Bannon}}

[paratti.livejournal.com]

Boggles.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Yeah, one thing is certain... the guy has steel balls.

[sourisvho.livejournal.com]

Producer ADD, aka "J.J. Abrams Disease," strikes another one!

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

I think JJ caught Joss-Firefly disease.

[petzipellepingo.livejournal.com]

Points to icon.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but the bunny makes the Pfffttt all too cute!

[sp23.livejournal.com]

That really is unforgivable. Most writer/creators would sell their souls to make sure their series are wrapped up properly when its time for them to be over. This guy had the chance and pissed it away. I hope his new show sinks like the Titanic.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

I think producers who AREN'T complete assholes are an exception rather than a rule. However, most of them at least want to rap up their stories on their own terms rather than just leaving them out there in limbo.

I just find it shocking that he's willing to openly admit it. In the press no less.

[rowanswhimsy.livejournal.com]

Wow. What an ass. He's probably best friends with Joss Whedon.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

You know combine those two with Mari Noxon and VM's Rob Thomas and you might just have the four horsemen of the TV apocalypse...

[deborahc.livejournal.com]

You know combine those two with Mari Noxon and VM's Rob Thomas and you might just have the four horsemen of the TV apocalypse...

Ha!

What an asshole. The arrogance he so blithely displays is mind boggling. He thinks, what - that we're going to be faithful to him and his future projects after the lack of respect and regard he's showing Deadwood and its audience?

You know, I'd just put disc 1 of Deadwood S2 (fresh from Amazon yesterday) into my DVD player when I sat down to check my FL and read this. What perfect timing. One thing I know for damn sure; that as I watch S2, every time I see Al Swearengen writhing and screaming in agony I'll be fantasizing I'm seeing David Milch there instead. Asshole.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Yeah. If I might have followed before this interview, but definitely not after. It's a shame, really, because he's damn talented.

[rowanswhimsy.livejournal.com]

Okay, now I've just inhaled Diet Pepsi and it's all your fault. :-)

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Sorry about that.

[owenthurman.livejournal.com]

Just what we should expect from this kind of producer.

Did anybody else notice how much unnecessary profanity there is on that show? I don't think I should allow my young ones to continue to watch unless they can refrain from repeating so much of it at preschool. But they do adore Calamity Jane.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Heh. The profanity is beyond belief... which is probably why after watching it for long you simply tune it out.

The bad part is that I don't actually have HBO... so I program my parent's TiVo to record it... and I can attest that in addition to scandalizing pre-schoolers, it also scandalizes retirees. :)

[deborahc.livejournal.com]

Jane is my favorite character too. I'm disappointed that Robin whatshername didn't do any commentaries for the second season dvd.

[queenofattolia.livejournal.com]

Well, I think I read somewhere (TWOP?) that he had taken to editing/rewriting each episode as they were filming it, which was a slight indication to HBO brass that there was no way he could do the surfing detective show (or whatever the hell it is) and Deadwood. They threw the six episode possibility at him and then just gave it up. I knew it was over the second I heard all the actors had been released from their contracts.

I'm disappointed, but not nearly as angry as I might have been had I not already known the un-fictionalized fates of the historical characters (who happen to be the people I care most about on the show). But you're right, it's pretty much unanimous (with the glaring exception of Rockne O'Bannon and Brian Henson): most TV producers/creators are egotistical jerks with little or no loyalty to their audiences.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

I know. I've ceased to be surprised when a producer turns out to be prick. I've begun thinking it's part of the job description.

[rahirah]

Wow. That's...dumb. I sure as heck wouldn't be flocking to the new thing, whatever it is.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

He must have been told that he made an ass out of himself and had done bad PR because today it was announced that there would be a four hour movie to finish up the series.

[rahirah]

Yeah, I saw that on Chase's LJ and thought it was an awful quick reversal...