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Was it right to axe 'Dollhouse'?
Published Thursday, Nov 12 2009, 19:00 GMT | By Dan French | 45 comments
After a tumultuous year or two (to say the least), Fox has finally laid Joss Whedon's baby to rest. But was it the right decision? Here, Tube Talk takes a look at the show's highs and lows to see if it ever really stood a chance (or if it had two chances too many).
November 1, 2007: Eliza Dushku announces that she's starting a new project with Joss Whedon. "It's going to have sex and heartbreak and violence and hilarity," she says. "That, to me, is a hot show." Not hot enough, apparently.
March 27, 2008: Tahmoh Penikett, Fran Kranz, Dichen Lachman and Enver Gjokaj are added to the cast as the show starts to gather an online following. Later, Angel actress Amy Acker comes on board.
May 16, 2008: Fox announces that Dollhouse is a major part of its 2008-09 lineup and will launch midseason.
July 23, 2008: The first of many problems: Joss reveals that he's shooting a new pilot for the show. "The fact is, I’m very proud of the ep we shot and the series is making me crazy with the excitement," he says. "But I tend to come at things sideways, and there were a few clarity issues for some viewers."
September 11, 2008: Production is suspended for two weeks to allow scripts to be rewritten. Uh oh.
November 7, 2008: Ahead of its debut, Dollhouse is moved to a Friday night slot in a midseason shakeup. Apparently, Fox thinks the ailing Sarah Connor Chronicles will be a good lead-in.
December 13, 2008: New delays mean that the show is pushed back again and will now premiere in February. Despite this, Eliza Dushku insists that "the scripts are tight, solid, fast, action, drama, comedy. It's really great."
February 13, 2009: The Dollhouse premiere fails to set ratings alight with 4.7 million viewers. Ouch.
March 20, 2009: Dollhouse heads to the UK! British broadcaster Sci Fi announces that it has picked up the first run UK pay-TV rights to the series.
April 10, 2009: Fox cuts the thirteenth episode - 'Epitaph One' - of season one, sparking outrage amongst fans. On the plus side, it does appear on the season one DVD.
May 16, 2009: In what appears to be some sort of miracle, Fox renews Dollhouse for a second season.
July 2, 2008: Sci Fi nabs the second season and the elusive 'Epitaph One'. Woo!
July 8, 2009: Keeping with tradition, Fox delays the second season premiere. The new date for the diary is Friday, September 25.
August 27, 2009: Sci-fi fans all over the world wet themselves with excitement when Summer Glau teams up with Joss again and lands a recurring role.
September 25, 2009: Dollhouse returns to its lowest ever ratings. If Summer Glau can't save the show, who can?
October 13, 2009: Despite the ratings issues, Fox insists that it will air season two in full. "We're not saying we're happy with those numbers, or accept them, but we don't have to overreact..." Yet.
October 22, 2009: Fox announces that Dollhouse will take a hiatus in November, with back-to-back episodes scheduled for December.
November 11, 2009: Fox cancels the series.
Phew! What do you think of Fox's decision to pull the series? Will you be sad to see it go? Cast your vote in our poll below then feel free to sound off in the usual place below. R.I.P. Dollhouse!
Your Views
45 Comments
Your Responses
Karmer, London, UK, on December 19th, 2009
No - it wasn't right to Axe Dollhouse. Fantastic show - rating system should be changed.
No - it wasn't right to Axe Dollhouse. Fantastic show - rating system should be changed.
Emerald Elsewhere, on November 28th, 2009
Personally I think Joss made a Dollhouse a show primarily based of what Grace & Tricia did as minor roles on BSG (Hot Avatars or multiple persona's in the same package) in a current day setting. The most memorable episodes for me where the ones with Dichen featured: Haunted, Epitaph & Belonging. I hope the rumors about her getting on the Star Wars TV series are true and Tahmoh is successful in the Riverworld remake. Thank you to all of the cast crew.
Personally I think Joss made a Dollhouse a show primarily based of what Grace & Tricia did as minor roles on BSG (Hot Avatars or multiple persona's in the same package) in a current day setting. The most memorable episodes for me where the ones with Dichen featured: Haunted, Epitaph & Belonging. I hope the rumors about her getting on the Star Wars TV series are true and Tahmoh is successful in the Riverworld remake. Thank you to all of the cast crew.
Ann, Cincinnati, on November 18th, 2009
It was pretty good, but it was definitely no Buffy or Angel. I love Josh's work, have all the Buffy Angel Comics, but it didnot grab my interest like his previous projects had. I hope the next will be better.
It was pretty good, but it was definitely no Buffy or Angel. I love Josh's work, have all the Buffy Angel Comics, but it didnot grab my interest like his previous projects had. I hope the next will be better.
Derek117, San Luis Obispo, on November 15th, 2009
Joss never got it right with this series. It only came to life with the last few shows of the First Season. But all along, it was obvious nobody knew where the show was going. And you had to be a blind, Joss Whedon groupie to believe there was any quality in the scripts. Tossing in the aborted "Epitah One" episode on the First Season DVD, and at Comic-Con, was also ill-conceived. That storyline is a cheap rip-off of the "Terminator" movies/TV series (tha Joss is now trying to become involved with), and was even more confusing that most episodes in the First Season. The last mistake, and reason the show should definitely have been canceled, is they failed to capitalize on landing Summer Glau for a few episodes. Not only does her character (from the stills available) seem bland at best, but they didn't sequence her story arc until mid-way through the Second Season, when they needed her in the first episodes to start off the season with a Bang! Now, the series has been canceled and the Summer Glau arc hasn't even aired yet! My only sympathy is for the very talented cast: especially Eliza, Amy, and Dichen Lachman, all of whom should rebound with better shows in the future.
Joss never got it right with this series. It only came to life with the last few shows of the First Season. But all along, it was obvious nobody knew where the show was going. And you had to be a blind, Joss Whedon groupie to believe there was any quality in the scripts. Tossing in the aborted "Epitah One" episode on the First Season DVD, and at Comic-Con, was also ill-conceived. That storyline is a cheap rip-off of the "Terminator" movies/TV series (tha Joss is now trying to become involved with), and was even more confusing that most episodes in the First Season. The last mistake, and reason the show should definitely have been canceled, is they failed to capitalize on landing Summer Glau for a few episodes. Not only does her character (from the stills available) seem bland at best, but they didn't sequence her story arc until mid-way through the Second Season, when they needed her in the first episodes to start off the season with a Bang! Now, the series has been canceled and the Summer Glau arc hasn't even aired yet! My only sympathy is for the very talented cast: especially Eliza, Amy, and Dichen Lachman, all of whom should rebound with better shows in the future.
David, Albquerque NM, on November 14th, 2009
I am a big Whedon fan. Well, to be specific, I -love- Firefly and Serenity. Big time! But I loathed Dollhouse. I tried, I really tried. I watched half of the pilot and got so incredibly bored that I turned the channel. Mid-way through the first season I tried watching Dollhouse again. Again, it was so bad and uninspired that I turned off the TV. Too bad as I like Whedon's writing in comics also. Thankfully, Fox put this uninspired show out of its mercy.
I am a big Whedon fan. Well, to be specific, I -love- Firefly and Serenity. Big time! But I loathed Dollhouse. I tried, I really tried. I watched half of the pilot and got so incredibly bored that I turned the channel. Mid-way through the first season I tried watching Dollhouse again. Again, it was so bad and uninspired that I turned off the TV. Too bad as I like Whedon's writing in comics also. Thankfully, Fox put this uninspired show out of its mercy.
JKL, UK, on November 14th, 2009
Eliza was great in a show that had been poorly concieved and was based on a truly disgusting premise. 1. First you have a pretty disgusting concept, coerced men and women being brainwashed and then repeatedly raped for the entertainment of rich men and women. I mean how many times is Echo screwed by people in Season 1? People who have control not over her body and but her sexual preferences. If that's not a show to turn people off, then I don't know what is. Yeah, she looked sexy in the dom outfit, but what if Caroline wasn't part of the scene? 2. Second you have an ill-thought concept. How do you make a profit from such a tiny niche market, when your overhead is so high? How do you avoid detection, when your ‘dolls’ are not just meeting rich guys in sequestered getaways, but are appearing with them at gala events–or in some cases, joining the entourages of major celebrities? How can a FBI agent, even one as dumb as Ballard, not find the place when all these rich people manage it? How do college professors afford an Active? Why would you spend so much money on what accounts to a hooker? Why hire a girl to be your child's mother, why not get a nurse? How would the deceased woman's family and friends not notice this weirdo thinking she was this kid's mother? The show was not thought through at all. 3. Third you have Caroline. Now, I admit she's probably a hero to liberals such as Eliza (who I love) and Joss (who I certainly don't), but to me and Middle-America? As you know, my gran and auntie died of cancer this year. My dad died of it when I was 8, my cousin's got it now. If killing a few thousand bunnies could have stopped all that, big whoop. But Caroline on the other hand. If she's into animal activism, fair enough, she's allowed her opinion and I think it's barbaric to test make-up on them. Going around handing out leaftlets, waving placards, and campaigning with petitions, fine. But breaking into a lab? In other words, she thinks her political beliefs are more important than the law of a democratic nation? She's not only arrogant, but she's pretty much akin to an anti-abortionist who breaks into a clinic or a Klu Klux Klansman who terrorises a black family. Does she deserve the Dollhouse? No, but it's hard to feel sympathy. 4. I also read the show's built on her assignments 'glitching'. Surely it abuses sense of disbelief that she'd glitch so much and they wouldn't send her to the attic? The cast were fine (except that BSG cast-off), but the writing and planning awful. All blame should go onto Whedon's shoulders but I imagine the teflon man will shift blame onto someone else. When instead, he should be sent to the attic.
Eliza was great in a show that had been poorly concieved and was based on a truly disgusting premise. 1. First you have a pretty disgusting concept, coerced men and women being brainwashed and then repeatedly raped for the entertainment of rich men and women. I mean how many times is Echo screwed by people in Season 1? People who have control not over her body and but her sexual preferences. If that's not a show to turn people off, then I don't know what is. Yeah, she looked sexy in the dom outfit, but what if Caroline wasn't part of the scene? 2. Second you have an ill-thought concept. How do you make a profit from such a tiny niche market, when your overhead is so high? How do you avoid detection, when your ‘dolls’ are not just meeting rich guys in sequestered getaways, but are appearing with them at gala events–or in some cases, joining the entourages of major celebrities? How can a FBI agent, even one as dumb as Ballard, not find the place when all these rich people manage it? How do college professors afford an Active? Why would you spend so much money on what accounts to a hooker? Why hire a girl to be your child's mother, why not get a nurse? How would the deceased woman's family and friends not notice this weirdo thinking she was this kid's mother? The show was not thought through at all. 3. Third you have Caroline. Now, I admit she's probably a hero to liberals such as Eliza (who I love) and Joss (who I certainly don't), but to me and Middle-America? As you know, my gran and auntie died of cancer this year. My dad died of it when I was 8, my cousin's got it now. If killing a few thousand bunnies could have stopped all that, big whoop. But Caroline on the other hand. If she's into animal activism, fair enough, she's allowed her opinion and I think it's barbaric to test make-up on them. Going around handing out leaftlets, waving placards, and campaigning with petitions, fine. But breaking into a lab? In other words, she thinks her political beliefs are more important than the law of a democratic nation? She's not only arrogant, but she's pretty much akin to an anti-abortionist who breaks into a clinic or a Klu Klux Klansman who terrorises a black family. Does she deserve the Dollhouse? No, but it's hard to feel sympathy. 4. I also read the show's built on her assignments 'glitching'. Surely it abuses sense of disbelief that she'd glitch so much and they wouldn't send her to the attic? The cast were fine (except that BSG cast-off), but the writing and planning awful. All blame should go onto Whedon's shoulders but I imagine the teflon man will shift blame onto someone else. When instead, he should be sent to the attic.
hjermsted, Seattle, on November 14th, 2009
Joss needs to abandon broadcast tv and go to a netlet (AMC, for example) or a premium channel (HBO or Sho) with his next project.
Joss needs to abandon broadcast tv and go to a netlet (AMC, for example) or a premium channel (HBO or Sho) with his next project.
Ed, New Jersey, on November 13th, 2009
Joss is a smart guy who makes smart TV shows for smart viewers. That is a recipe for disaster nowadays. DOLLHOUSE episodes have layers of meaning and the oft-maligned Eliza Dushku gives a solid performance. But all these traditional shows are built to fail. You either have to be a neurotic vampire cop doctor or a "real person" waltzing while eating live worms. I think Joss needs to find a non-network world and rule it.
Joss is a smart guy who makes smart TV shows for smart viewers. That is a recipe for disaster nowadays. DOLLHOUSE episodes have layers of meaning and the oft-maligned Eliza Dushku gives a solid performance. But all these traditional shows are built to fail. You either have to be a neurotic vampire cop doctor or a "real person" waltzing while eating live worms. I think Joss needs to find a non-network world and rule it.
Jen, Liverpool , on November 13th, 2009
So Eliza has a contract with fox & thats why Joss worked with them, Thats depressing! I mean as an actress wouldn't you want freedom to audition for roles you liked the sound of, like stuff on HBO or other less likely to wind up naked networks?? such a shame that she's limited to that one station, what a horrible situation to be in. I'm still looking forward to seeing Summer & the final episodes of Dollhouse :)
So Eliza has a contract with fox & thats why Joss worked with them, Thats depressing! I mean as an actress wouldn't you want freedom to audition for roles you liked the sound of, like stuff on HBO or other less likely to wind up naked networks?? such a shame that she's limited to that one station, what a horrible situation to be in. I'm still looking forward to seeing Summer & the final episodes of Dollhouse :)
AE in Texas, on November 13th, 2009
Overall, I liked the concept and the direction in which the show was heading. I think that there were several issueswhich kept it from gaining a wider audience. 1.) the Friday-night Death-slot. 2.) Lack of an appropriate lead-in after TSCC was cancelled. ('Til Death? Really?) 3.) Delays and premptions. I wonder if how different the ratings would have been if the show was on a better-performing night and paired with another genre show. Personally, I would have loved to see a Dollhouse-Fringe lineup and with Bones back next to House.
Overall, I liked the concept and the direction in which the show was heading. I think that there were several issueswhich kept it from gaining a wider audience. 1.) the Friday-night Death-slot. 2.) Lack of an appropriate lead-in after TSCC was cancelled. ('Til Death? Really?) 3.) Delays and premptions. I wonder if how different the ratings would have been if the show was on a better-performing night and paired with another genre show. Personally, I would have loved to see a Dollhouse-Fringe lineup and with Bones back next to House.
MrM, Harrow, on November 13th, 2009
The show is based on a fascinating concept and at its best is both thought-provoking and moving. The main problem, in my opinion, has been the overexposure of Eliza Dushku. She simply does not have a broad enough range to carry a show of this complexity. The most effective shows have been those where her appearances are reduced to a minimum, The supporting cast, on the other hand, has been almost universally excellent. They completely outclass Dushku and expose the show's main weakness even more. Finally, although Dushku is supposed to bve the "hot" character, Amy Acker blows her away in terms of class and sexiness when she appeares as Whisky.
The show is based on a fascinating concept and at its best is both thought-provoking and moving. The main problem, in my opinion, has been the overexposure of Eliza Dushku. She simply does not have a broad enough range to carry a show of this complexity. The most effective shows have been those where her appearances are reduced to a minimum, The supporting cast, on the other hand, has been almost universally excellent. They completely outclass Dushku and expose the show's main weakness even more. Finally, although Dushku is supposed to bve the "hot" character, Amy Acker blows her away in terms of class and sexiness when she appeares as Whisky.
amaranthisasin, on November 13th, 2009
The show started with the job of the week which was interesting but meaningless. Then at the end of the first season caught fire with actual story and plot movement. Then we came out with a bang in season two with more job of the week which wasnt working the first time....oh right. Im sorry but Whedon works when he moves his story. If he's not then nothings happening.
The show started with the job of the week which was interesting but meaningless. Then at the end of the first season caught fire with actual story and plot movement. Then we came out with a bang in season two with more job of the week which wasnt working the first time....oh right. Im sorry but Whedon works when he moves his story. If he's not then nothings happening.
Chester - London, on November 13th, 2009
Flashforwards is excellent I'm sad to see this go but it was likely as the network treated it like rubbish
Flashforwards is excellent I'm sad to see this go but it was likely as the network treated it like rubbish
dave, manchester, on November 13th, 2009
got too confusing for me and i stopped watching last month so its no surprise in my opinion. at least theres always Chuck to look forward to when the new season returns!
got too confusing for me and i stopped watching last month so its no surprise in my opinion. at least theres always Chuck to look forward to when the new season returns!
Tom, Surrey, on November 13th, 2009
I'm sad that another Joss show has been unceremoniously axed. However, it was no Firefly, and I can't say I'm that shocked by it's axing. The show's okay, but it is no great loss to the world.
I'm sad that another Joss show has been unceremoniously axed. However, it was no Firefly, and I can't say I'm that shocked by it's axing. The show's okay, but it is no great loss to the world.
Wil, Virginia, on November 13th, 2009
TSCC wasn't canceled to make way for anything. It was canceled because it's ratings were terrible and it was too expensive to produce. You Terminator fans need to stop scapegoating Dollhouse just because it was renewed. Besides, you guys got a full 22 episode second season so quit your whining already.
TSCC wasn't canceled to make way for anything. It was canceled because it's ratings were terrible and it was too expensive to produce. You Terminator fans need to stop scapegoating Dollhouse just because it was renewed. Besides, you guys got a full 22 episode second season so quit your whining already.
Ian, Leeds, on November 13th, 2009
Your poll is a bit biased. It's either, Fox was right to axe because I didn't like the show. Or Fox was wrong because the show is amazing. I feel the show is brilliant but Fox were right to axe it as the show was under performing.
Your poll is a bit biased. It's either, Fox was right to axe because I didn't like the show. Or Fox was wrong because the show is amazing. I feel the show is brilliant but Fox were right to axe it as the show was under performing.
Phil, Hampshire, on November 13th, 2009
Dollhouse started really badly, mostly due to Fox's interference. Whedon clearly had something intelligent and fresh in mind, but Fox were mostly interested in the whole "WhoreHouse" aspect to the show, and the first few episodes were bathed in the tawdry veneer of everything Fox make. Once that was out of the way, it was a half-decent show, but it was still being hampered by the talentless Eliza Dushku. Whedon has to take full responsiblity for (mis)casting her because he can't say he didn't know what a one dimensional actress she is. Once the crew realized that the show was being dragged down by her awful performances, and started to turn the show into an ensemble piece, it picked up dramatically, and the second half of the first season was excellent. Tahmoh Penikett, in particular, was very good. I guess the damage had already been done, and you just knew that Fox were going to pull the plug, because that's what Fox always do with Whedon's work. I only hope that Joss has learned his lessons (1. Don't work with Fox. 2. Eliza Dushku can't act. 3. Don't work with Fox. ) and look forward to whatever he does next.
Dollhouse started really badly, mostly due to Fox's interference. Whedon clearly had something intelligent and fresh in mind, but Fox were mostly interested in the whole "WhoreHouse" aspect to the show, and the first few episodes were bathed in the tawdry veneer of everything Fox make. Once that was out of the way, it was a half-decent show, but it was still being hampered by the talentless Eliza Dushku. Whedon has to take full responsiblity for (mis)casting her because he can't say he didn't know what a one dimensional actress she is. Once the crew realized that the show was being dragged down by her awful performances, and started to turn the show into an ensemble piece, it picked up dramatically, and the second half of the first season was excellent. Tahmoh Penikett, in particular, was very good. I guess the damage had already been done, and you just knew that Fox were going to pull the plug, because that's what Fox always do with Whedon's work. I only hope that Joss has learned his lessons (1. Don't work with Fox. 2. Eliza Dushku can't act. 3. Don't work with Fox. ) and look forward to whatever he does next.
ash, Suffolk, on November 13th, 2009
Noo! i love dollhouse and i HATE FOx! I agree with Jen - go to CW!
Noo! i love dollhouse and i HATE FOx! I agree with Jen - go to CW!
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