Sigh... now even the pilots that are actually ready to air aren't necessarily being sent out. The following lovely press release from the CW:"The CW and our studio partner CBS Paramount Network Television have made the strategic marketing decision not to screen "90210" for any media in advance of its premiere. We're not hiding anything . . . simply keeping a lid on 90210 until 9.02, riding the curiosity and anticipation into premiere night, and letting all our constituents see it at the same time."Now, everybody knows that movie studios don't screen movies that they know stink, and it's long been a tradition for the networks to not send out advance copies of any remotely controversial reality show, but for a network to sit on the pilot of a scripted show, especially one the media had already hyped so much, is a new -- but not necessarily surprising -- one on me.
Like I said last week when the Tori Spelling news came out, I'm beginning to think the new "90210" is going to please neither of its two potential constituencies: not enough old-school characters for the geezers like me, too much (really, any) '90s nostalgia for the younger audience (who allegedly don't watch anything on television anyway, based on the over-the-air ratings for "Gossip Girl"). Given the amount of alleged curiosity about the remake/sequel/whatever, there may be no way "90210" can be helped by going out in advance. (Even positive reviews could be seen as a detriment, based on that whole "Every parent's worst nightmare" campaign for "Gossip Girl.")
But if I'm the CW, a network struggling to justify its existence, and the show that's going to make or break my future is premiering the day after Labor Day, weeks before most people are going to be in the habit of checking out new shows, you'd think getting every bit of potential publicity would be the way to go, no?
Maybe they're banking on people like me being suckers and writing about the show sight unseen. I suppose a blog post like this one (which mentions the show's name several times and refers to the premiere date) suggests that I'm exactly that kind of sucker.
If "90210" does any kind of number when it debuts, I wonder how many other rookies get this treatment. In the meantime, Rich Heldenfels has now done five more recaps of vintage mom-jeans "90210," for episode 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
I bet this is all Brenda's fault!
ReplyDeleteOoooo, that Brenda. She makes me so mad.
I still dont understand the point of using the 90210 title, just make a new name and say its a teen drama similar to 90210, OC, etc. I guess using the brand has drawn more attention than naming the show "LA High", but in the end its not going to help. And to me using those old 90210 characters just seems like a desperate ploy to get ratings. It will get old quick once people realize they dont want to see a 35 year old Brenda Walsh.
ReplyDeleteI did catch some Gossip Girls episodes recently and Im going to try to make room for it this fall. The acting is not great and some of the show is so bad its painful to watch, but the two female leads are two of the hottest chicks on tv and they do a great job showing them off. Its a fun show
Hey, that's Michael from The Wire in the middle! Glad at least one of the kids found some good work.
ReplyDeleteMaybe this way if young viewers want to see the show first, they must watch it on TV on premiere night, because there won't be any leaked screener online. Do you think that could be it?
ReplyDeleteIf they're releasing this on 9/02, presumably to coincide the title with the date, shouldn't they wait until 2010 to debut the show?
ReplyDeleteCan I just say it's amazing that Lori Laughlin looks better than each one of the 17-25 year olds on that show? That woman is holding up well.
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