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See the ANDROMEDA That Got Wolfe Fired!!
SPOILER ALERT !!
Today, in most U.S. markets, they’re airing the “Bunker Hill” episode of “Andromeda.”
This is said to be one of the two episodes that got series mastermind Robert Hewitt Wolfe booted from the captaincy of the series, because:
a) “Bunker Hill’s” ending was considered too "downer" (which is to say, the good guys basically lose);
b) like "Labyrinth," it extensively uses the Andromeda universe backstory (mainly the ongoing war between the Nietzscheans, as well as the fledgling efforts to build a Commonwealth fleet), also said to rankle the “casual viewer”-obsessed powers-that-be; and
c) it wasn’t Sorbo-centric enough, focusing on characters other than Capt. Dylan Hunt.
This was also the episode “Buffy’s” James Marsters was supposed to return in, but Tribune Broadcasting, we hear, balked at what it would cost to bring back Spike's alter-ego.
Despite all the behind-the-scenes drama, our trusted spies assure us “Bunker Hill” actually turned out pretty well; enjoy it, because this episode and next week's are the last you'll see of Wolfe's Andromeda.
a) “Bunker Hill’s” ending was considered too "downer" (which is to say, the good guys basically lose);
b) like "Labyrinth," it extensively uses the Andromeda universe backstory (mainly the ongoing war between the Nietzscheans, as well as the fledgling efforts to build a Commonwealth fleet), also said to rankle the “casual viewer”-obsessed powers-that-be; and
c) it wasn’t Sorbo-centric enough, focusing on characters other than Capt. Dylan Hunt.
This was also the episode “Buffy’s” James Marsters was supposed to return in, but Tribune Broadcasting, we hear, balked at what it would cost to bring back Spike's alter-ego.
Despite all the behind-the-scenes drama, our trusted spies assure us “Bunker Hill” actually turned out pretty well; enjoy it, because this episode and next week's are the last you'll see of Wolfe's Andromeda.
c) it wasn’t Sorbo-centric enough, focusing on characters other than Capt. Dylan Hunt.
This was also the episode “Buffy’s” James Marsters was supposed to return in, but Tribune Broadcasting, we hear, balked at what it would cost to bring back Spike's alter-ego.
Despite all the behind-the-scenes drama, our trusted spies assure us “Bunker Hill” actually turned out pretty well; enjoy it, because this episode and next week's are the last you'll see of Wolfe's Andromeda.
Despite all the behind-the-scenes drama, our trusted spies assure us “Bunker Hill” actually turned out pretty well; enjoy it, because this episode and next week's are the last you'll see of Wolfe's Andromeda.
To order coffee mugs and boxer shorts adorned with the image of a green, handicapable “Alias” fanatic, click here.
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Somehow I just can't bring myself to care.
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I assume the Powers that Be attribute Star Trek: The Next Generation's success to casual viewers, in which case syndicated Sci-Fi is DEAD! Babylon 5 was never a well executed show, the directing and technical efforts were always amateurish, but the story and *most* of the acting was outstanding, a show well worth following. I've heard a lot of remarks that the strong story line alienated people, but I say BULL! Babylon 5 had a following BECAUSE of its strong arch, not in spite of it! People who wanted to just watch a little action or see some pretty FX once in a while would not have been disappointed if the show hadn't looked so cheap. But once the money is available, the producers want a repetitive "safe" show. It's like those Baptists putting down the money in Ed Wood. "We're paying for it, WE should have control." Only this time it's talented storytellers being creatively choked to death. So now Andromeda really will be The Erotic Space Adventures of Captain Hercules and His Gaunty Crew of Rufians, Rascals, and (non explicit) Sexpistols! Enjoy.
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The bean counters that run the networks took a look at Andromeda and realized that if they removed the story arc they could attract at least another five viewers. To this end, they removed the creative heart of the show and decided to have Hercules in space. The story arcs are gone, the central theme will probably be replaced by Dyllan and company (no longer an ensemble show) running around in their ship helping everyone they can. But what about the Magog worl-ship that's headed to town? Naw, screw that, we'll just say they got lost, or a flat, or something and couldn't make it.
It's a serious drag when the creative process is disturbed by the money men.
Mr. Wolfe, I will miss your efforts.
Cheers,
??Pseudo?? -
Jan 26, 2002 5:06:24 PM CST
This is weird them changing the show when it is already the #1 r
by imafreakingtroll
Makes no sense. Other than Sorbo's ego at not being the focal point like he was on Hercules. Hell more people watch this show than Roswell.
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I will start out with a quote from EW: In its Our Guide to 2002 issue, they talk with director Malcolm Lee and his movie Undercover Brother with Eddie Griffin. He says: "My whole thing (on that movie) was. 'Let's get into the characters, let the humor come out of that. But a flat-out comedy can't be done that way; it's gotta be set pices and one-liners...You're trying to appeal to a wider audience." And that's what happens when bean-counters run Hollywood. I'm not saying we should have no control over production, it's not the 1970's, but at least then, some people -like directors (and sometimes) writers had a say on how their movies and TV series were made. Andromeda falls into the increasingly dangerous habit that has befallen the film and TV industry. Up until the 1970's, most TV shows and movies appealed to some, while other stuff appealed to someone else -some were dumb, others brilliant. Now, something that started a decade or more ago, everything that gets made has to appeal to everyone. Now we get dumb-down TV shows like The 80's Show, Andromeda, Yes, Dear, Becker, I Am Sam, and other vanilla shows. Risk is no longer in the vocabluary of network executives. Today, miniseries like Roots would never be made, so we get Rose Red, a tired retread of Stephen King (who I have always liked). His novels and his miniseries are all safe and predictable. Which, it appears, what networks excutives "think" what American's want. hell, look at what's in development for fall on TV. Remakes of several King titles, like Carrie, The Dead Zone and 'Salem's Lot. Plus NBC has hit upon doing a remake of Lost In Space. Young Camelot NBC's answer to Samllville. What has befallen Andromeda has befallen most of TV and film. While I see the need to make something that appeals to everyone, I also think we need stuff that does apply to small groups. Showtimes Queer as Folk has broke out of just gays watching it. Whole groups of straight women watch it, and I even know a few straight guys who watch it (and that doesn't mean they're closet queens. Okay, maybe some are, and some women are closet lesbians). Given a chance, some shows will get its audience. But like everything else today, everyone wants quick returns. No one makes anything to last or have the leg's to stay. Short turn profits. Long term profits have been thrown out the window with the baby and the water. Andromeda was doomed, if only because of its star. Sorbo's
delivery is as wooden as Giant Red Woods are tall. The show lacks any appeal from its cast, so story-telling was going to be its only saving grace, but now that has been shoved away like a child who no longer wants to play with his toys. It's been replaced by carbon copy programming that has been going on since Lucy and Dragnet were on. Originality is left at the door, while producing and reproducing the same shit over and over again is okay. Only on a occasion, do shows break the mold -Malcolm in the Middle, Smallville (even if it was molded on Buffy) and even The Family Guy -which I hate -but it was built on the foundations of The Simpsons. Shows like Twin Peaks failed not because they were truly bad (well, except for the middle half of season two) but because they were different. They appealed to a different audience who think Dick Wolfe and his Law and Order franchise is getting long in the tooth -along with the Trek franchise. The bean counters "think" this is what is wanted. I think they just can't see beyond the bottom line. If this show does not appeal to everyone in the four corners of the US, well we have to change that. We want Mom, Dad, the kids, the Aunts, the Uncles, the Grandparents, the cousins, the step family all to like this. But who care if Andromeda does not appeal to everyone? Who cares if Trek X is only for the fans? Who cares if Stallone makes another Rocky picture or Rambo picture -okay, sorry about that. We all know there should be no more films made of these franchise. As a matter of fact, Stallone should never make another film. But that's my opinion. In the end, we as consumers do have a say in what we see. But I would also like to see the return of risks in Hollywood. Mulholland Drive was orginally a pilot for ABC. But they passed, now David Lynch will get Oscar nominations. Brilliance is shut down in the land of big dreams. Andromeda is just one more show that will be dumbed down. It won't be the last. If we do not change, we're are doomed to repeat ourselves over and over again. And proposing the same flawed ideas again and again, will not make it any better. -
What's with everyone's hair
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Jan 26, 2002 6:49:46 PM CST
Good lets get these two out of the way and then on with the good
by eyegore
More action. More space battles. Less "oooh what's up with the mysterious purple girl's secret past?" bullshit episodes. Not all Sci-Fi series need to aspire to the depths of plot driven goodness as B5 was. They don't ALL have to be like that. I'm looking forward to seeing what the future holds for Andromeda.
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Man, that would be great. That's one series that I'd love to see redone.
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That's what this show really needs.
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Hey, Why is everyone talking Babylon 5 Wolfe is The Man who saved DS9 fron shitsville after bringing Worf on the show. Worf,wolf,Wolfe Hmmmmmmmm -
I never did care for these canadian productions, because they all looked cheap. Down with runaway productions! Support the united states entertainment industry.
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Earth Final Conflict
-Stargate SG1-Andromeda-Viper (1996)-Tekwar-Robocop-any canadian produced show. They look extremely cheesey.
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You better cross Dark Angel, 24, Glory Days, Smallville, UC:Undercover, and the first 5 seasons of the X-Files off your list of watchables then too, superfly. Those all have canadian crews too, and were filmed in BC.
If the US government stopped screwing Canadians on oil, soft wood lumber, and potatos, I'd agree that productions should stop running north. But you can't have one way free trade. That's called economical dominance.
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You know, I was just starting to enjoy this damned show. The storylines weren't simplistic (at least for television), the tone was downbeat ("Feel-bad" T.V. Rules!), and Dylan Hunt was starting come to come off as less of a "Yo ho ho Superhero Guy" type and more of an obsessed borderline psychotic type. And now it looks like all the stuff that actually made "Andromeda" marginally interesting to watch is being flushed down the Sci-Fi T.V. crapper, because some dim-witted studio suits (and, it would seem, an equally dim-witted show's star) can't handle a little narrative / character complexity. Jeez, if I wanted moronic stories performed by sock puppets, I'd watch "Mutant X". I guess now I'll have to wait for Joss Whedon's "Firefly" for my next quality Sci-Fi T.V. fix.
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Since my market airs Andromeda right after SNL, I figured I'd go ahead and post SPOILERS, partly because Herc's synopsis of the episode was kinda thin. Mind you, I am writing this review and synopsis as the show is airing... STARTING SPOILERS NOW!!!! !!! !!! !!! ! !! !!! !!! !!! !! !! !! !! !!! ! Episode starts with the Andromeda in a battle with ships attacking a Sabra-Jaguar ship (Those would be the Neitzieans that joined the New Commonwealth a few months ago and who Dylan delivered the Bride Lady to. The Bride Lady is on the ship getting attacked, and after the fight she reveals what might be considered some harsh shit: The S-J is going to war with the Drago Katsov. Bride Lady is hitting on Dylan, and insults Charlemagne's winky... Pretty much Bride Lady demands that per the New Commonwealth charter, Dylan help the fight against them. Beka's looking a little less skanky in this episode so far. As a side note, Dylan explains that the Charter makes him supreme commander of the entire fleet (including the S-J fleet) and says he'll dictate battle plans. Before the first commercial break, Harper's cousin (Brendon) is sending him a message to drive the Dragons off Earth (since the ubers are taking more slave laborers to prepare for the coming war). After the first commercial break, Rommie is saying that Earth isn't important enough to liberate, but Dylan belives if they send Harper to Earth with Rommie and make the planet more important, they might be able to liberate it. So, off go Harper and Rommie. During the trip, Harper reveals the crap he and his friends used to do to the Neitzieans on Earth (think dog whistles). Immediately afterwards, Bride Lady is tempting Tyr with hopes of knocking those uber-boots, hoping for him to reveal Dylan's plans to her (which involves attacking the Dragon homeworld AND going to Earth). After that, we get a taste of how bad Earth is by Rommie's description as she and Harper approach the planet(nuclear fallout, craters, yeesh). After second commercial break, Brendon is explaining the current situation of the occupation and that they only have 5 people they can expect to fight the entire Neitziean army. Harper is trying to give his 'ID4 Speech' to the Bostonians, which is a little corny but in line with what Harper would probably say. Now we've gone back to Andromeda, showing the Andromeda and associated fleet (some of the other aliens that are part of the Charter) are actually WINNING against the Dragons in their plan to clear a path to assault the Dragon homeworld (which makes Dylan suspicious). Back to Earth, Rommie and Harper and arming the Bostonians and preparing them. Using the 'dog whistles on the Neitzieans entering the Boston Ghetto, the humans start an attack right before the commercial break on the disoriented Ubers. Back from break, a pretty bad battle for the Bostonians results in pulling back. Back on the Andromeda, we find out that all the Dragon ships that they beat are just empty shells. After the Sabra-Jaguars decide to defy Dylan, keep attacking, and get fucked when they launch their slipstream cores. After they end up in the middle of nowhere and alone, the Andromeda is left facing a huge bastard of a Dragon fleet... Another Commercial Break. Back from break, Dylan is running from the Dragons. Back on Earth, despite the poor showing of the humans agaist the Ubers, Rommie has it broadcast across the planet, inciting worldwide revolt. Bad news, though, as Dylan won't be able to be there and for the planned attack on Earth's Dragon army and Tyr manages to get the message to Harper. Ordering the humans from pull out, Harper pulls a gun on his cousin in order to force him to get the humans to pull out. Another commercial break. Back from break we learn that Harper's parents died trying to keep the Ubers from getting him. Finally relenting, Harper allows his cousin to keep the fight going with his blessings. Back to Dylan, Dylan has one of his 'desperate but risky plan', which involves Beka being put in damn near direct control of all the ships in the fleet as they fly through slipstream hell with the Dragons in tow (and Dylan getting a pretty good jab at the Dragon Fleet Commander regarding suicide). Right when smug ass Dylan plans to go to Earth Rommie reveals that the Dragons pretty much crushed the rebellion. Ending with another 'ID4' speech from Brendon on Earth, it's revealed all over the Dragon worlds humans are getting recordings of the speech... END SPOILERS
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I've personally like Andromeda. But i want to see what the show would be like without wolfe.. better or worse?
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I want to see how bad they screw up on the whole magog planet system.. i mean they cant just go poof we killed them effortlessly.. it has to be like a more than one episode
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At last the truth can be told about the recent and highly publicised sacking of script editor Robert Hewitt Wolfe from Andromeda."It had to stop," explained the show's star, Kevin Sorbo. "In the last script he had me saying the words 'unconsititutional' and unimagininativable' - it was getting out of hand!" The series - now simply called A, to cut down on the number of syllables Sorbo has to master - will concentrate on more simplistic, predictable and formulaic episode structures, a move echoed by the recent signing of Star Trek: Voyager's Jeri Taylor. - More at www.tachyon-tv.co.uk
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B5's technical stuff was not ameturish. It was better than Treks.....Sorbo's ego is at work
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I have never been able to sit through an entire episode of this dreck. Kevin Sorbo is a muscle-headed moron, and I find the shows that I have looked at derivative and cheap.It is amazing to me that this show gets the ratings that it does. Part of the explanation for that is that junk often sells well in this country while quality stuff languishes with low ratings (see "Freaks and Geeks", for example; a truly great show that did not bring in the ratings). In any case, too many people in America like junk and avoid good stufff. This is akin to the person who prefers chips and candy to good, well-balanced meals. This is America, an people devour this garbage instead of going for the good stuff. Oh, well, little accounting for taste. Barron out.
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Meaning that James Marsters will not be "the erstwhile Spike" until he leaves or the show ends. Grammar lesson over.
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After "Star Trek" was originally canned, Roddenbury spent years desperately trying to sell another series--and failed miserably. Now his golddigging wife is dredging up all of his old half-assed ideas and selling them easily, *just* because they're Gene's. Ironic, huh?
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Who is going to have more 'new' stuff come out under their name after their death?
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OK, I must admit when I first heard about Wolfe getting fired I was outraged. Yet another example of generic hollywood suits dumbing down everything to the lowest common denominator.
however after some reflection, and after seeing his last show, that supposedly was the straw that broke the camels back, I must say it is quite possible that the dismissal may have been deserved.
I thought back over the Andromeda episodes I had watched, and which I liked. I came to the realization that the ones I couldn't stand were any and all of the supposed arc episodes. Hoards of Maggog, people torturing the purple chick for no apparent reason, and now this disturbing piece of bleah that is "Bunker Hill". Just Bleah all around.
This show has actually been stronger with its stand alone episodes. Hopefully they can go back towards that. -
Jan 28, 2002 6:31:02 AM CST
I hope Majel Barret runs out of matchbook covers that Gene scrib
by st buggering
This is getting out of hand. But hey, "Andromeda" beats the hell out of "Earth: Final Conflict". But so does a frat hazing.
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GODDAMMIT, "Bunker Hill" is one of the Best eps this season, another being "The Prince" (which aired last week.) It ended on a hopeful note with plenty of potential to run with the plotlines it created (open rebellion against the Drago-Katsoff pride.) And those pussy studio exec didn't like it? Or was it Sorbo who felt his character was diminished by not holding center stage? Hell, Hunt was king-shit of his plotline, and I was glad to see a dual-plot episode where the two plotlines actually supported and interacted, as opposed to an A-story/B-story ep. Kevin Sorbo should thank his lucky stars he's got another hit syndication series so he doesn't have to continue starring in sword-and-sandal flicks of continually lessening quality, starting with Kull. ******* These fucking morons among the Powers that Be must not have a god-damned clue that syndication TV (especially SF) never has appealed to the widest audience possible without getting shitty and dropping in the ratings because they insult and drive off their core audience. They never did that with Babylon 5 which is why its fans remain fiercely loyal to this very day. Will Andromeda remain as popular with its present fans, or will it be just another Sliders/flash-in-da-pan? Stay tuned... I give Andromeda another season before it starts pissing off enough fans for its ratings to show it and get axed.
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Jan 28, 2002 3:55:58 PM CST
I think the problem is that the execs were looking for something
by bigw
And it looks like this episode had significantly more plot than "Cleopatra meets future chick with large breasts".
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Zerocorpse: "That one (and it was pretty early) made me roll my eyes and wish that Gene Roddenberry had just not scribbled notes on his cocktail napkins so that Majel could turn them into crappy TV series. I can't wait to see what series Gene Roddenberry wrote on his toilet paper!" LMAO!! I agree with you... ANDROMEDA is an example of the diluted crap tv producers will put on the air to take advantage of a dead man's name.
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Let's just admit it folks - when shows start "dumbing down" to the lowest common denominator, it's all over red rover. And Sorbo is an egotistical $%@#% who obviously hasn't got the brains to follow story arcs. *sigh* There goes another show down the gurgler....
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Who run These Fucking shows.. Alot of my favorite shows are getting assfucked this year..
Earth Final Conflict? Burned. Done, Dead. STUPID.. Went back to typical big bad aliens who suck humans for food shit. Interesting Aliens? Mystery? HA! Never!
Andromidea? Jesus H. Christ and all that is holy. Why not just have the old Capt Wear that brown cloth shirt he wore in Herc? Oh! Wait! Are they gonna add a short stupid sidekick as first officer? Oh.. BTW.. I wanted to see Earth Free. I mean, SHEESH Earth isn't important? WTF? And could those "scorched earth" Graphics be more cheesy? I can do better on my Powerbook. Oh well, at least I still wanna do Rommie.. Dig the hair..
Enterprise? Heh.. Hehehe... Sure...
--Begin Prayer--
Please o'Lord. Let the evil pukes at the networks leave my only show (Stargate SG-1) alone.. OH DEAR Wonderfull lord, please drive away the demons that love money..
Oh as I walk thru the valley of sucky sci-fi watch over me, for I need to rent Startrek II, and Alien from my local blockbuster..
Amen...
Yea. I know. It's late and I'm drunk.
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To quote Delenn, "the word [amateurish] was ill-chosen. My apologies." But the show looked cheap. It never felt like they had enough money, and it often seemed like they only had a handful of takes from which to choose for most scenes. Now the make-up was remarkable, the aliens did not all look like people with latex pasted on their foreheads. I also liked the costumes, they were more detailed and altogether *alien* than Trek looks even now. But the FX were certainly not better than most of Trek's on a technical level--though I do think they were more imaginative and more striking, convincing or not. As for Sorbo's oversized ego, I'm in full agreement. The spirit of Shatner lives on!
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