The WB has pulled the plug on “Global Frequency,” arguably the netlet’s most promising show of the season.
“Frequency” was to be an action-adventure hourlong that would deal, as readers of Warren Ellis’ brilliant graphic novel could surmise, with an elite and illegal network of 1,001 intelligence operatives charged with quashing dire and fast-emerging crises as they arrive all over the planet.
A kind of sci-fi “24," it was to star lanky Michelle Forbes (still fondly remembered as Ensign Ro on “Star Trek: The Next Generation”) as Frequency mastermind Miranda Zero. It was to be overseen by screenwriter John Rogers (“American Outlaws,” “The Core”). Its writing staff was expected to include both Ellis and “Tick” creator Ben Edlund (“Firefly,” “Angel”).
The WB announced it as a midseason series last May. The netlet ordered a pilot episode, but apparently had a change of heart about going forward with a series.
The good news? The producers can shop the show in quest of a new home. A Thursday statement from Rogers:
A kind of sci-fi “24," it was to star lanky Michelle Forbes (still fondly remembered as Ensign Ro on “Star Trek: The Next Generation”) as Frequency mastermind Miranda Zero. It was to be overseen by screenwriter John Rogers (“American Outlaws,” “The Core”). Its writing staff was expected to include both Ellis and “Tick” creator Ben Edlund (“Firefly,” “Angel”).
The WB announced it as a midseason series last May. The netlet ordered a pilot episode, but apparently had a change of heart about going forward with a series.
The good news? The producers can shop the show in quest of a new home. A Thursday statement from Rogers:
The good news? The producers can shop the show in quest of a new home. A Thursday statement from Rogers:
You can make it official. The WB has passed on the pilot. However, they've also been real gentlemen and released it back to the studio to be taken elsewhere. Many networks hold onto pilots out of spite, fearing that if it succeeds elsewhere, they'll look bad. Luckily the WB folk value the product over politics.
On a personal note, everyone -- my fellow producer Mark Burnett, the director Nelson McCormick, the actors, the DP and his cameramen, the production design down to the ridiculously hyper-efficient PAs -- worked their asses off and BELIEVED in the project. As executive producer I owe -- no, I have a deep responsibility it to those people, to Warren's talent, and to the book's enormous fanbase to run this bastard out down every road I can, to get this show on the air.
And, frankly, it would be selfish of me to keep to myself the little chill I get when I hear Michelle say the line "My name is Miranda Zero ... and you are on the Global Frequency."
We're scheduling meetings now between various studio humans to decide where to take the show from here. Fortunately for us the television landscape has changed. Midseason and summer launches, 13 episode runs, genre shows are now no longer longshots but viable strategies. DC Comics stands enthusiastically behind both the comic and the show, especially now that they've seen the pilot.
I only ask that when we come back to you and ask you to show the TV
humans that there IS an audience for a smart, hip genre show, you
answer the call. We'll keep everyone updated.
The move is not likely to endear the netlet to fans of quality television. The WB canceled its best show, “Angel,” last season in favor of “One Tree Hill” and “Charmed.” This season it launched two more hours of turgid nonsense, “The Mountain” and “Jack & Bobby.”
In any event, fans of Warren Ellis will be heartened to know the writer’s first produced teleplay, an Atom-centric episode of “Justice League Unlimited,” will air on Cartoon Network Dec. 11.
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