February 15

[Zeke]

[color=#000000ost_uid0]

Well, if you followed that link I posted yesterday, you know what I'm pissed about: [iost_uid0]Angel[/iost_uid0] has been cancelled. This doesn't come as a great surprise. Like [iost_uid0]Enterprise[/iost_uid0], its ratings are low by prime-time TV standards, despite a large and dedicated fan following. So the WB, always keeping the bottom line in mind, won't be renewing it for a sixth season.


Let me just take a minute to put this in context. [iost_uid0]Survivor[/iost_uid0] will be renewed. [iost_uid0]The Bachelor(ette)[/iost_uid0] will be renewed. [iost_uid0]Average Joe[/iost_uid0] will be renewed. [iost_uid0]Queer Eye For the Straight Guy[/iost_uid0] will be renewed. [iost_uid0]American Idol[/iost_uid0] will be renewed. [iost_uid0]My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance[/iost_uid0], [iost_uid0]WWE Smackdown[/iost_uid0]... these will all be with us for seasons to come.


In contrast, [iost_uid0]Angel[/iost_uid0] is cancelled. [iost_uid0]Firefly[/iost_uid0] is cancelled. [iost_uid0]Enterprise[/iost_uid0] is dangerously close to cancellation. [iost_uid0]Farscape[/iost_uid0] has grudgingly been cleared for a miniseries, four episodes to tie up the brilliant plotlines and character arcs that could easily have yielded another four seasons. Nor is it only sf series that suffer: the most intelligent drama series, like [iost_uid0]The Guardian[/iost_uid0], are usually "on the bubble."


What is this? Do we just not care about creativity anymore? How long before the television medium isn't allowed to offer anything but fictional, staged "reality," sickeningly fake human emotion, and commercials?


Anyway, while the chances of saving [iost_uid0]Angel[/iost_uid0] are slim, here are what links I can provide. This petition is growing very fast. RenewAngel.com played a role in getting the series picked up for Season 5 and is sure to do all it can now. And keep an eye on Sci-Fivers here at 5MV, because you can expect to see a reaction to the situation from us. Finally, before I leave this subject, here's a link to The Enterprise Project, a very worthy cause and one that'll get a full writeup from me on another link day.


There's still hope for [iost_uid0]Angel[/iost_uid0], and the Mutant Enemy crew are going to try everything they can. But with each piece of news like this I'm more convinced that there isn't still hope for television.[/colorost_uid0]