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Variety Sources: CARNIVALE

Published at:  Mar 31, 2005 1:32:37 AM CST


I am – Hercules!!



It looks like we're not going to find out what dustbowl dweller Ben Hawkins' connection is to a future nuclear holocaust after all!



Thursday morning’s Variety reports that HBO has already picked up “Deadwood” for a third season, but the same piece has this:



Sunday's season finale for "Carnivale" delivered an above-average 2.4 million viewers, but insiders insist the show is not likely to return.

An HBO spokeswoman said a decision has not yet been reached. "Carnivale" creator-exec producer Daniel Knauf, however, has already begun developing a comedy series project for rival pay cablercabler Showtime.

Read all of Denise Martin’s Variety story here.











Looking for bumper stickers, plush toys and girls’ underwear covered with cute cartoon double-amputees? Visit The Herc Store!




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    Readers Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 1:37:24 AM CST

    If this is true

    by virtual satyr

    I'm done with HBO...hello dish network, I would like to cancel my subscription to HBO. It's not TV...it's utter crap.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 1:37:56 AM CST

    I only saw the first two...

    by drworm2002

    ...but I wanted more of this show...how many years has it ran?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 1:39:20 AM CST

    I guess I will just start to watch...

    by drworm2002

    ...OZ again...starting with the first one and wait for season 5 to come out...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 2:28:12 AM CST

    which is the april fool?

    by herbshwartz

    Carnivale or Doctor Who? I think both items are bad news. I liked both shows

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 2:47:51 AM CST

    But No Decision So far...

    by nzguy

    My understanding is they have till June to make a decision. If they look at the ratings and the dvd sales, that should convince them a bit better.....hopefully.....that is.....ah shit!!!!!!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 4:29:13 AM CST

    April Fool?

    by dave patrick

    Neither the Carnivale or Doctor Who news is good news, but neither is an April Fool. At least the Doctor Who news isn't as terminal as Carnivale's.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 6:25:30 AM CST

    Damn

    by optimus122

    This would really suck if they dont pick this great series up for a 3rd season..we need to know what happens next for chri sakes..

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 6:26:37 AM CST

    DarkHawke

    by optimus122

    You may be first but your still a moron , this show rulez and uhh you don't..

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 7:17:11 AM CST

    Lost was rather lame last night.

    by prof. pop-cult

  • Mar 31, 2005 7:18:44 AM CST

    I Do Agree

    by cryptmagic

    I do agree, most of the ladies on carnivale are really ugly. They are all over weight, and look like they are very old. Wouldnt be surpised if it is cancelled, atleast HBO is come out with Rome. Its notlike Showtime, which canceled Dead Like Me to put on more "Queer" Shows.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 7:29:27 AM CST

    ...but there were umpteen seasons of Arliss

    by ima biggun

    Geez, is HBO going to be as bad as the networks? How do you introduce a story to over 2 million of your subscribers, get the totally involved, and not pay off with a finish.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 8:02:06 AM CST

    Son of a...

    by halloween68

    This sucks balls. This past season Carnivale became my all-time favorite HBO show. It figures though. None of these idiots ever know what they got till it's gone. First there was Twin Peaks. Then it was American Gothic. The animated The Tick. Farscape. Andy Richter Controls the Universe. Then Family Guy. Now it's Carnivale. At least those morons at Fox finally wised up and are bringing Family Guy back. But I tell you, I haven't been this jazzed to see a third season of a show since Twin Peaks went off the air back in the early nineties. Of course, just like now, I knew Twin Peaks wasn't coming back. I like The Sopranos, I like Entourage, and I like Deadwood. This season, Carnivale surpassed them all. It's a crying shame if they don't bring it back. It's a crying shame.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 9:10:34 AM CST

    I don't believe it...

    by cocolopez

    ... the only shows HBO has cancelled so far are K Street and... damn what else? Mind of the Married Mand? Probably Unscripted and Family Bonds aren't coming back- but who's missing 'em? However- if it really doesn't return- I might blame Daniel Knauf who's been jumping the gun and cavorting with the likes of Showtime trying to sell some shitty comedy way before the word is out on Carnivale. Nice going ace. Conflict of interest anyone? If it wasn't for that- the last four episodes of Carnivale- on the heels of Deadwood have been averaging like two million moes eyes a' melting- surely enough to keep it on board now that Sopranoes and Six Feet are on their way out- They renewed the Wire for Season 4- which has a GARGANTUAN cast- popular crime writers writing the show and averaging like 800,000 viewers last season... PLUS Carnivale gets HBO more chatroom/discussion board talk than ANY show they put out there- so AGAIN- if this show's gone- it's your fault Knauf- Showtime, comedy, damaging decisions- WTF are you THINKING??? Shit on your Showtime comedy...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 9:18:28 AM CST

    It's pretty obvious what Hawkins's connection to the nuclear hol

    by monkey butler

    He's not supposed to stop it, just survive it. With Claire Danes.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 9:48:22 AM CST

    theres still time

    by zo

    and no firm decision has been made. this would be really weak by HBO. to give 2 seasons and not finish the story? i can't see them dropping the ball like this

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 10:26:20 AM CST

    Showtime treats series like garbage

    by kazamasmokers

    You need both hands and feet to count the number of shows Showtime has popped on and off their schedule. That channel knows NOTHING about nurturing good shows. Going to California. Leap Years. Hoop Life. Odyssey 5. Total Recall 2070. Out of Order. Dead Like Me. They even cancelled Freshman Diaries before it ever aired. What a piss-poor excuse for a network. Swingen! Cocksucker!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 10:34:01 AM CST

    Write!!

    by the alienist

    These post are all very elequent. But instead of the easy and futile approach of just bitching on a talk back thread, why not write HBO and let them know how much this series, how the continuation of the story means to us.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 11:32:56 AM CST

    Well this would truly suck...

    by childe roland

    ...if accurate. I just started watching the DVDs (on a recommendation from a friends) and was quickly hooked. Not sure where things went or were headed in season two yet, but if the story's being left unfinished, what's the point? I tried Deadwood, but really it just felt like Cowboy Cuss Time to me. Kind of boring and unimaginative. Guess there's no accounting for tastes.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 11:47:46 AM CST

    My girlfriend saw 10 minutes of an episode

    by miserableraingod

    and loved it immediately. C'mon, this show is great - so smart, original, etc. Better than Deadwood, which gets too caught up in obtuse dialogue...and I friggin love Deadwood. The story must continue! 4 more years of Carnivale...PLEASE!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 11:56:29 AM CST

    Carnival suddenly became understandable

    by cookylamoo

    and at the same time Deadwood became completely incomprehencible. I have no idea what going on with this land grab/whorehouse plot and it seems like the characters have stopped speaking any recognisable form of english. The only words I can make out are "fucking" and "cocksucker."

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 11:58:38 AM CST

    Dang

    by ngrey

    Love this show, one of my favorites. Guess i wont need HBO now.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 12:25:20 PM CST

    I actually watched this season and I got into it but

    by lost skeleton

    I was very disappointed at the end with Sophie becoming evil. After witnessing the rape of your mother by this creepy reverand you are staying with you decide to join him....BS

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 12:30:36 PM CST

    oh my god. HBO, don't fuck this up.

    by scrivener

    HBO, you guys have always been smart enough to see their successful shows through to completion. Your fans want a 3rd and final season. You are NOT going to find another show that draws as many viewers as Carnivale - and you are going to lose more than half of your 2million viewers instantly. We need ONE MORE SEASON to wrap it up. After that we'll be happy and move on to your next great show. DO NOT START CANCELLING GREAT SHOWS BEFORE THEY ARE FINISHED. This is the practice of cheap free television networks like USA, UPN, and NBC... NOT HBO. Don't fuck up. Give us the final season.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 12:32:43 PM CST

    We need a "24" talkback NOW!!

    by zakchase

    Because you know -- the twist coming on Monday's episode is supposedly so fucking big that Fox is airing the episode THREE TIMES next week.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 12:34:45 PM CST

    HBO Official HBO "Save Carnivale" Thread

    by scrivener

    http://boards.hbo.com/thread.jspa?threadID=300001255&tstart=0&start=-1

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 12:37:16 PM CST

    cookylamoo

    by miserableraingod

    Hey man, Carnivale was always comprehensible. You just had to work for it, which is what I loved about it. I agree with you about Deadwood, though - no one is speaking english anymore. However, I've found the episode synopses that HBO posts really help clear things up. Check it out at HBO.com. And don't forget to give some traffic to the Carnivale website, too!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 12:48:22 PM CST

    HBO do the right thing!

    by whedon

    Don't let Carnivale be the first program you shut down before it finished its story. Unless there is any mind of a married man fans out there? didn't think so. I just sent an e-mail through HBO's website begging them to renew it, doubt that will help but I would still encourage everyone to do the same. Come on HBO I want to see how it ends.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 12:49:55 PM CST

    go and give the Carnivale website at HBO some traffic

    by miserableraingod

    Trust me, they're tracking how many people go to the site. C'mon, people, everything helps. Even order episodes On Demand, and then leave the room (or watch them again).

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 12:51:01 PM CST

    e-mailing HBO

    by miserableraingod

    Whedon what was the e-mail address you sent it to?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 1:07:59 PM CST

    Go to the "Contact us" heading on HBO.com

    by whedon

    I just sent it through the HBO website...
    http://www.hbo.com/apps/submitinfo/contactus/submit.do?title=Carnivale%20&questiontype=HBOcarnivale

    Reply to Talkback

  • The mystery of the show was very entertaining but in the end nothing was explained, there are more questions than answers and it's all a frustrating mess. Feh! Good bye!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 2:34:29 PM CST

    Russman:

    by regenhund

    You mean like Lost?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 2:47:04 PM CST

    I hope not

    by macgruder

    I got so into Carnivale this year, the two years of watching payed off in the end, and left me wanting more. Lets hope they have some sense to renew it, didnt it win a whole lot of rewards last year? more than Sopranos did when it was starting off I believe. Also I agree with Deadwood, what the hell is going on on the show, im so lost. The dialogue needs to be tweaked for us to follow easier. Ever since that Mr. Big looka like showed up at the end of last season, I've lost track of all the political junk on the show.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 2:57:24 PM CST

    Fans need to take some action.

    by scrivener

    If there's one show that can be saved by fans alone, and one network that will listen to their fans, it's Carnivale and it's HBO. If we make enough noise HBO will definately finish out the 3rd act. Post on the forums with my link above, send in your emails with Whedon's link. We can't let this show die before it's done, that would be the biggest catastophy in the history of storytelling.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 3:12:25 PM CST

    Letter Writing Campaign

    by scrivener

    A letter writing campaign is the best way to get any show renewed. Execs can ignore digital messages. They can't ignore piles of angry fan mail. Let's get some postage stamps out there for Carnivale. HBO's address is: HBO - 2500 Broadway, Suite 400 - Santa Monica, CA 90404

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 4:16:27 PM CST

    Deadwood Questions

    by seanmiller

    What is the deal with the Francis Wolcott character, played by Garret Dillahunt? He also played a character named Jack McCall (you know, the drunk who shot Wild Bill) in the first season of Deadwood. Is he supposed to be the same man or is the show just re-using actors? I can't believe that a drunk murderer would be able to secure a high paying job that requires brains with one of the most powerful miners.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 4:18:57 PM CST

    Optimus 122 Lament

    by glodene

    Aww Opti take heart in knowing that The Wire was renewed for a fourth season. (Btw, that's you're not your).

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 4:27:37 PM CST

    Hey Sean Miller

    by wheel99

    Yes. It is supposed to be the same person. Jack McCall was bought to Nebraska charged and convicted with the murder of Wild Bill but through a rare late 1800's prison work release program he decided to get out, get some plastic surgery done to correct his birth defect, because plastic surgeons were prevelant in the old west. Changed his name to Francis Wolcott, went back in time and worked for the bigshot in San Francisco during the same time that he was in Deadwood as Jack playing poker.... Well thought out question there.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 5:30:51 PM CST

    Wheel99

    by seanmiller

    Thanks for ragging on my question and not just answering it. Very friendly of you. So what you are saying is that the show is re-using the same actor? Why? I find it confusing. I do not know how much of this show is based on real events, but as I stated in my previous post I do not find it plausible that it is the same character with different names (for the reasons you so kindly suggested). Let's just hope that Wolcott doesn't shave and get a little bit dirty and drunk or else everyone in Deadwood will be asking the same question that I did.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 6:17:12 PM CST

    Glodene

    by optimus122

    Still getting all gay over The Wire eh? Hmm The Shield ownz you ya little bitch.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 7:54:32 PM CST

    Regenhund: LOL

    by russman

    I was wondering if someone was going to say that...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 9:58:40 PM CST

    Two Years of Foreplay and Then Nothing.

    by the outlander

    This is a show that needs a conclusion for the series to have any real value. I was thinking of buying the DVDs but if they are not going to give it a resolution then it will be a pointless waist of money. Thank you HBO for letting me save my money, you fucking idiots.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 10:01:33 PM CST

    hopes it stays

    by echobase

    I've just ordered the DVD season 1 and season 2 is about to start airing in the UK... hope by the time I finish watching it the people at HBO will have made up their mind... and choose to carry on!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 10:04:18 PM CST

    Deadwood gets better...

    by frogdaddy

    with repeated viewings...when I catch the replay of the show on Tuesday nights the dialogue starts to make more sense...granted the writers go overboard with the Shakespearean
    flourishes here and there, but it actually flows better on the second-go-round....sorry Carnivale, even your talkback's taking a backseat.....
    FrogDaddy has Croaken

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 10:38:06 PM CST

    Thanx for the Heads Up, Herc.

    by liquid_daze

    Such is the fate of shows that do not cater to the masses. To all of you who were underwhelmed by the second season finale, go watch Matrix Revolutions, AGAIN. The only flaw was perhaps letting both Justin & Ben presumeably live. Carnivale was a beautifully executed show with probably the unsexiest of premises. But that's what made it so engaging; the dogged commitment to the era in which it was set, the excellent acting which purposefully left out flashy / cheeky dialog. You saw the emotion in the actors faces and body language before one word was ever spoken. (Brother Justin did get some juicy speeches to chew on.) The look of the show featured a pristine and energetic visual style that felt like old sepia-toned photographs come to life. I'll miss this show and will keep a look out for Daniel Knauf projects. Thanks for the talkback.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 31, 2005 11:26:23 PM CST

    Molly Parker??

    by cookylamoo

    She's built like a hockey stick and her skin is a mole ranch. Lets see The Borg Queen take it off.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 01, 2005 12:43:54 PM CST

    HBO Carnivale Survey

    by treenut

    HBO sent out a survey regarding Carnivale..

    I urge all you Carnivale fan talkbackers to take one minute to fill it out..

    http://www.hbosurveys.com/surveys/carnivale05.htm

    Thanks!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 01, 2005 3:49:35 PM CST

    At least they renewed THE WIRE...

    by allfunandgames

  • Apr 01, 2005 6:32:50 PM CST

    HBO, please don't start

    by subversive01057

    ...acting like Showtime.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 01, 2005 9:26:31 PM CST

    Optimus 122 Lament Part Two

    by glodene

    Opti, Opti, I like The Shield also, you little Asceveda loving Sperm-Burper.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 01, 2005 11:35:53 PM CST

    Death of Good TV

    by chirko

    I'm sick and tired of television channels persecuting good television. Carnivale is such an amazing show that totally mind fucks you every episode. I swear, with stupid ass shows like 'The Ashlee Simpson Show' getting air time, and clever, intelligent scripted shows like Carnivale getting the chop... I won't be surprised if in 50 years all television channels will just be outlets for hardcore porn.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 02, 2005 5:06:43 AM CST

    "I won't be surprised if in 50 years all television channels wil

    by jim jam bongs

    That would be an improvement compared to crap like Newlyweds and the Ashlee Simpson Show.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Please fill it out. The show need to stay on the Air!! Thanks.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 03, 2005 10:51:42 PM CDT

    It's all good DarkHawke

    by magic_ninja

    Just because you're a braindead moron that thinks shit like Sex In the City is "good". For someone that doesn't care about Carnivale you are an annoying troll about it possibly going off the air. Oh, and you're so cool for being first.

    Reply to Talkback

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