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‘Robots?? Zombie Slaves??’
A New 2.5-Minute Trailer For Joss Whedon’s DOLLHOUSE!!

nice, at least two new shows worth a look by couP	May 17th, 2008 08:26:53 PM

Interesting. Sort of has a "Kiln People" vibe going on. (n/t) by Frisco	May 17th, 2008 08:27:50 PM

first by polyh3dron	May 17th, 2008 08:28:35 PM
first
Pretty cool by kyle051554	May 17th, 2008 08:30:07 PM
I'll give it a few episodes.
Looks awful by Prior Walter	May 17th, 2008 08:34:05 PM
and cheap. I hope it's just me. Angel is my favorite show of all time.
I think that looks kick-ass by Two	May 17th, 2008 08:50:49 PM
minus maybe the initial medieval type style. But otherwise, bring it on. I'm in.
Interesting idea, but... by Larry of Arabia	May 17th, 2008 08:51:14 PM
I'm wondering how he will be able to get us to care about people who have no personalities of their own. The actors playing the "dolls" have their work cut out for them.
Buffy clip by Celicynd	May 17th, 2008 09:01:52 PM
Anyone else notice that after the scene where the guys point the gun at her, the part where she's hitting someone is a clip from Buffy? You can tell she's hitting Buffy.
Phew that was close! by chrth	May 17th, 2008 09:02:30 PM
Almost went through a whole day without a Dollhouse post
Theory by snowpuff	May 17th, 2008 09:11:14 PM
Since Joss doesn't seem that into this, and since the show will probably be good, but not great... It will run for at least three times as long as Firefly. I think even Whedon will eventually comment on how the universe does this... When you don't really give a shit, things seem to work out that way for some reason.
New and improved version is up at: by sparkmark	May 17th, 2008 09:15:20 PM
A version with better music, better titles and no cheap buffycuts is up at: http://www.dollverse.com/trail er/
Looks dumb! by iownyou	May 17th, 2008 09:21:35 PM
bad
Larry by flickchick85	May 17th, 2008 09:23:59 PM
I think the idea is that from the pilot onward, they start developing personalities of their own, which the masterminds of the project weren't anticipating. So as the show goes on, the more personality each one will develop.
Brits in the Jossverse by myrtle_mae_simmons	May 17th, 2008 09:36:52 PM
How come we're always the ones who have to explain the plot?
Maybe we should start a pool. by mrfan	May 17th, 2008 09:39:08 PM
I wonder how long this show will last.
Time to Fire Up the TIVO by Evil Chicken	May 17th, 2008 09:55:12 PM
This looks like fun.
myrtle by flickchick85	May 17th, 2008 09:56:43 PM
you guys just sound so much better doing it.
I'll watch this just because of my man-crush on Helo by krushjudgement	May 17th, 2008 09:58:30 PM
I like most of Whedon's stuff too.
As much as I hate Faith, I do love Helo and Whedon by Stormwatcher	May 17th, 2008 10:01:34 PM
SO I will give this a go.
I think that was a Buffy clip by krushjudgement	May 17th, 2008 10:02:27 PM
totally.
Not the final version by mediocrates	May 17th, 2008 10:18:36 PM
This isn't the final version of the trailer, there are a lot of placeholder shots. Follow sparkmark's link for the final (buffy and papyrus-less) trailer.
Why should they be living in Big Brother communal apartment? by kabong	May 17th, 2008 10:43:32 PM
Delete the Victor and Sierra "Actives." They exhibit zero charisma. Go with Echo as an "Alias" type heroine. Now for the important stuff: Eliza Dushku / shower scene!!!!!!!!!
Reminds me of the experiments in "Dark City" by Chewtoy	May 17th, 2008 10:52:48 PM
There the inhabitants kept being implanted with new identities in a search for the human soul... that which would resist being rewritten, the basis of individuality that keeps us from being interchangeable. I always thought that was a really cool premise, so I'm curious to see what they do with this.
Awesome by password.swordfish	May 17th, 2008 10:57:26 PM
so excited for next year's programming, pretty much all around. With Dusku, Helo and Whedon, this is top of my list though. I think it looks fantastically intriguing. Here's hoping it lives up and gets good ratings.
I just can't seem to care... by Raymar	May 17th, 2008 11:17:50 PM
Dig the British chick, dig Amy Acker, dig Clayton Rohner but this looks uninspired, like Quantum Leap or something. Eliza D is pretty awful too, isn't she?
Looks good by aversiontherapy2	May 17th, 2008 11:18:19 PM
This looks more interesting than the Fringe 'trailer' but they both look promising.
This trailer vs. Fringe trailer by flickchick85	May 17th, 2008 11:23:58 PM
"Fringe" looks like it has a bigger budget, and it's definitely flashier with cooler images and FX, but this just looks more INTERESTING. This looks like there's an actual, long-arc of story to be told here. The "Fringe" trailer looks like it's advertising the story of the 1st episode, like there's no real story to the series.
No way! by Arnold Shitzembigger	May 17th, 2008 11:59:52 PM
A Joss Whedon show with a thin chick who can kick anyone's ass. Wow! I haven't seen him do that before...
Snooze by Mezzanine	May 18th, 2008 12:27:59 AM
I am still going to give this show a chance, but that trailer was sooo boring. Wow. The Fringe trailer was pretty sweet though.
Nice Concept -- Horrific Execution by topaz4206	May 18th, 2008 01:17:14 AM
I hate the sets, the line readings, the snarky attitude, the dialogue, the actors, the music. Everything feels like it was sprayed with liquid shit. And I'm usually such a positive person.
Has Potential by Antz	May 18th, 2008 01:57:53 AM
Hopefully they will let it run for a while before pulling the plug this time. I can see it has potential to go in lots of directions after setting the scene for a while
"Since Joss doesn't seem that into this" by oisin5199	May 18th, 2008 02:07:46 AM
Um, what the heck gave you that idea? Every interview, Joss has exuded quite the opposite. He doesn't strike me as the kind of guy who would do anything he's 'not that into.' This brought him back to tv after the Firefly heartbreak, so that says something.
"well, that is spectacularly unacceptable" by oisin5199	May 18th, 2008 02:08:07 AM

"it's the happiest day of my life" by oisin5199	May 18th, 2008 02:09:31 AM
my 2 favorite lines. Saw this clip last week, by the way. Without the Spanish subtitles. So far, my favorite is Olivia Williams. Hot and British. With great line readings.
oisin by logicalnoise01	May 18th, 2008 02:14:56 AM
joss has been directed a bunch of TV in the meantime. Though yeah this is him returning to running a whole show.
I was sold a long time ago by Spifftacular Squirrel Girl	May 18th, 2008 03:05:28 AM
I am curious about which other writers are joining Joss on this series? Drew and or Jane have to be coming along too right?
Larry of Arabia... by cyrent	May 18th, 2008 03:07:42 AM
about the 'dolls' being boring because they don't have personalities... I think one of the themes of the show might be that you can't change the personality or essence of a person regardless of how many times you can wipe their memories.
hmmm by Kromag	May 18th, 2008 03:15:31 AM
Needs some Adam Baldwin. Eliza + shower scene is a welcome development though.
hmmm,,, looks OK, but by mansep	May 18th, 2008 03:18:42 AM
only Olivia Williams looks like she's really trying to make this work... everyone else looks like they're in a Buffy-esque sitcom
Geezus titty fucking christ... by pk68	May 18th, 2008 03:54:11 AM
2 min trailer and everyone already knows everything, watch the first episode and then complain....fucking geeks.
"A house full of hot chicks" - how can anyone not watch? by newc0253	May 18th, 2008 04:03:52 AM
this is officially my most anticipated show of next season. 2nd is fringe.
Squirrel Girl by flickchick85	May 18th, 2008 04:05:07 AM
I don't know about other Whedonverse writers, but we know Tim Minear's on board, along with Sarah Fain & Elizabeth Craft. I've heard that Fain & Craft my end up being the long-term showrunners, and I'm not sure how I feel about that. I mean, I enjoyed some of their Angel episodes just fine, and I know they also wrote/produced for the Shield, but I'm not sure how much experience they have for this kind of thing. Jane's still on Battlestar, and probably will be for most of Dollhouse's first season (since they're shooting them all at once, being a mid-season replacement). Maybe she'll come on next season, but I'm not sure I want her to - I wouldn't want to see "Jane's comedy hour" episodes with this show. And I know she can do serious stuff, too (hello, BSG), but with Joss shows, her history is in doing the comedic eps. Oh well, I wouldn't object if he brought her on. I'm sure she could match Dollhouse's tone if she wanted. As for Drew, I think he's pretty attached to JJ and Bad Robot these days. I'm wondering about David Greenwalt. As far as I know, he's got nothing on his plate, and I think he'd be a welcome addition to "Dollhouse."
Brits in the Jossverse question answered by newc0253	May 18th, 2008 04:08:33 AM
because the received pronounciation British accent signifies gravitas, authority, class and wisdom. also because i reckon Whedon likes the sound of it. he went to school there.
Cool, thanks for the info flickchick85 by Spifftacular Squirrel Girl	May 18th, 2008 04:25:57 AM
I enjoy Fain and Craft's work quite a bit and getting Greenwalt wouldn't be a bad pick-up at all for this show. I loved Jane's funnier episodes of Buffy and I was pleasently surprised how well she was able to handle more dramatic stuff with BSG so here's hoping somewhere down the line she can climb on board with this series. Probably a longshot but it would be ever-so-cool if BKV had a hand in penning an episode or two.
That's looking pretty good by photoboy	May 18th, 2008 06:24:04 AM
It's quite different from what I was expecting, but different in a good way.
I will watch it because of Acker and Dushku by Toby___Wong	May 18th, 2008 06:42:09 AM
but it still looks like shit.
Wow.. by A G	May 18th, 2008 08:01:55 AM
..that looked way way better than I had expected. This and Fringe are gonna be around for a long time.
Sweet by Cobbio	May 18th, 2008 09:04:24 AM
I like the premise, Eliza, Tahmoh Penikett (Helo from BSG), and the overall look of the show. It's a great science fiction backdrop, so I'm hopeful Whedon can go somewhere interesting with it. I'll tune in for the premiere.
I just can't help thinking... by fanboy71	May 18th, 2008 09:49:08 AM
How great Firefly season 2 would be. Why oh why can't his new project be that instead of this? I must go cry now.
Yeah, looks interesting. by mymonkeysnameisjennifer	May 18th, 2008 09:51:48 AM
At least enough to make me watch the first few eps. Still a bit wary after being burned on Firefly and Drive though. Is it just me, or was this the millionth trailer to use that Massive Attack song?
scifi + Joss + Fox = Cancelled in 3 weeks by br1947	May 18th, 2008 10:37:16 AM
Too bad, it looks interesting
of that mention...above... by lfhlaw	May 18th, 2008 10:48:56 AM
I think Joss should present one of his sci-fi's to the Sci Fi Channel...... I'm sure they'd at least give him a season flyer...i mean they gave flash gordon a whole season. Granted not sure if Sci-fi Channel has that big of a budget..well maybe after Battlestar Galactica is done. Let's See....Joss Whedon..Sci-Fi...Name Recognition..all in one hat.
by HulkSmashNow	May 18th, 2008 11:07:46 AM
If Whedon wants to be successful, why doesn't he just bring back "Buffy" and/or "Angel?" This won't last four episodes, sadly. And "Fringe?" Jeez, another J.J. Abrams show that'll ask more questions then it answers. God, is there any reason the TV-viewing public eats up pablum like "CSI" and "Law and Order?"
i think fox networks is a pretty cool guy by O_Goncho	May 18th, 2008 11:11:34 AM
eh cancels shows and doesn't afraid of anything
"Bring back Angel" by Prior Walter	May 18th, 2008 11:49:29 AM
Now that's a good idea. I'd even settle for a Bewiitched-style sitcom starring Illyria.
Mediocre at best? by password.swordfish	May 18th, 2008 12:21:14 PM
I guess all the critical acclaim and fans must mean his stuff is poor. Or wait... how would that work? I know it's just your opinion; just seems pretty dismissive given his track record.
Buffy wasn't cancelled. by buffywrestling	May 18th, 2008 02:15:30 PM

http://www.dollverse.com/trailer / by The Outlander	May 18th, 2008 02:20:37 PM
Version 2 / Higher Quality.
You're welcome, Squirrel Girl by flickchick85	May 18th, 2008 02:23:28 PM
And I totally agree about BKV. I'm behind on Season 8, but his arc has been my favorite of what I've read so far. He really should be brought on board for this.
Remove the gap in /trailer/ by The Outlander	May 18th, 2008 02:23:32 PM
Why does it put gaps in URL?
I'm in! That's two for two. by Yeti	May 18th, 2008 02:27:42 PM
Between this, Fringe, TSCC, Fox seems to have decided to re-make a name for itself in genre programming.
Cyrent - that's an interesting notion. by Yeti	May 18th, 2008 02:33:12 PM
"Samantha Who" takes a similar premise but with the opposite idea. Horrible person, memory wiped becomes a better person. So is some behavior innate or is it learned?
On a completely unrelated note... by Manatee	May 18th, 2008 02:45:22 PM
The best show on television, "Breaking Bad," got picked up for a second season. Joy!
spamster, I totally agree. by fanboy71	May 18th, 2008 02:58:53 PM
I'm quite sure that the vast majority, if not all, of the fans that have climbed oboard the Firefly 'verse since it left the air at FOX would happily (gleefuly even) tune in to sci fi for Firefly season 2 and beyond. And not many of the actors have made a big splash since leaving, and they all seemed to love the show, so probably not as much arm twisting as you might think to get them all back. Summer might be a tough one though. I'd quit watching Sarah Connor if I thought it would help. haha
Move on by Cobbio	May 18th, 2008 04:02:55 PM
People should just accept that "Firefly" is never coming back to theaters or television. Maybe comics, but that's it. You can whine and bitch all you want about Fox hacking up its schedule, but the show's time has passed. It's dead and buried. Move on, people.
Hope Eliza gets tied up Wrong Turn-style by Osmosis Jones	May 18th, 2008 04:35:49 PM

This really isn't that groundbreaking for Joss.... by thewoodpecker	May 18th, 2008 04:51:59 PM
He's explored the idea of erasing a person's memory (but eventually coming back to one's true identity despite this) in Buffy's "Tabula Rasa," and River Tam's abortive arc. Neither were very entertaining to me and neither were sustainable over long periods of time. Moreover, Whedon is an atheist to his very core, and people don't have souls anyway; so the seems kind of dishonest from the start. As such, I wonder if there is enough material to support an entire series. The notion of a darker conspiracy and the idea (fairly well telegraphed) this program is not entirely voluntary may add some gravitas to the show. I'll give it a shot, but I think this will last a season or so and die quietly.
'souls'? by oisin5199	May 18th, 2008 05:01:21 PM
What does having a soul or not have to do with atheism? You can still wonder about souls and explore them in stories even if you don't believe in God. The whole 'soul' thing with Angel and Spike is a prime example.
Same old, same old. by ZeroCorpse	May 18th, 2008 09:31:59 PM
One-trick pony. Hey, maybe he'll come up with a cute bunch of buzzwords for all the characters. You know, like "antagonist" will be assigned the term "big bad" and the crew will call themselves "gilligans" or something. Of course, Whedon fans will proclaim it the best thing ever, no matter how flawed and cliche it is.
Can't judge a book by its cover....well by Miyamoto_Musashi	May 18th, 2008 10:38:42 PM
Hell network TV is a tough market and I wanted to be impressed after 2.5 minutes. Frankly I wasn't. Of course I will give it a chance but the only question for me is will it last 6 or 7 episodes before being cancelled.
cancelled in 3 episodes? by slappy jones	May 18th, 2008 11:30:02 PM
looks awful
No. It wasn't. by buffywrestling	May 19th, 2008 12:08:41 AM

mrfan's pool by clone-o-mat	May 19th, 2008 01:55:25 AM
You're on. I give it 6 weeks. First ep scores highest rating. Exponential drop for second episode. I forsee an extra sexy third episode before a three parter that will end the series run with a Christmas episode that's actually pretty good and gives us a glimpse at what the series had the potential to be. Browncoats will unsuccessfully lobby for its return but will have to settle for the complete series on DVD for $27.99. Any other takers?
C'mon! It's FOX. by V'Shael	May 19th, 2008 04:04:34 AM
Hasn't Joss learned his lesson? Cancelled in 12 episodes.
I think by Grippy Longstocking	May 19th, 2008 04:20:33 AM
O_Goncho's post above is the best thing ever. You pinned Fox down in one awesome sentence. I even made an account here just to say that.
Looks Cool To Me! by LaserPants	May 19th, 2008 05:59:29 AM
Of course, it'll probably be so good that FOX will cancel it after 5 episodes and replace it with some neocon screaming head pundit propaganda show.
igotbigballs - Everyone has "cancelled series" by rock-me Amodeo	May 19th, 2008 08:28:11 AM
It's like the mortality rate - no matter what happens, eventually, it's still 100%. It's just a matter of the timing and the circumstances.
Got the Pre-req Whedon Gay joke in there... by Vindibudd	May 19th, 2008 11:01:36 AM
This basically looks like Buffy+Firefly+Angel. Yawn.
Doesn't anybody remember Joe90? by BigSy	May 19th, 2008 11:15:05 AM
Gerry Andersons speccy little kid that had spy sh*t downloaded into his brain every week
Hey igotbigballs... by password.swordfish	May 19th, 2008 12:45:54 PM
Buffy was never canceled. It switched networks while Whedon and co. were negotiating beyond the 5th season when the WB was not offering enough $$ per episode and UPN was willing to cough up the dough. True story. Never canceled. Also, if we're going by your definition, quality = ratings. Which means Criminal Minds is the Citizen Kane of television and The Wire is the worst show out there. You might want to rethink that formula. Fantastic and original shows are canceled all the time.
Although... by password.swordfish	May 19th, 2008 12:49:43 PM
we do agree that your opinion shouldn't matter to me, as mine shouldn't to you. Different strokes.
Here Is My Reworking Of The Dollhouse Concept!!! by Media Messiah	May 19th, 2008 03:33:02 PM
They should set-up the Dollhouse as a front for college dorm. All the students involved are seemingly normal kids with normal families, and they real remembered lives...but no...we discover they are Actives (programmable agents). The families they each have, and sometimes interact with a plants...all undercover agents playing a role to give cover to the Dollhouse Actives. I think that this concept would work better for the show, something the producers can quickly graduate to and alter the show's concept to be enclusive of. Imagine, instead of just being child like persons in between missions, the Actives are actually living false cover lives as college students in a campus co-ed University dorm, fully unaware that their lives as they know them are shams. With the dorm and the University culture providing cover, the Active Agents are regular programmed to take on different personalities for various secret government missions...no matter how morally gray. When Echo begins to recall that someone may have programmed her to take part in a 911 style attack against the United States...she begins to fully regain her memory. Although still programmable for missions, she always retains her base memory...something that she hides from her handlers as she begins to secretly investigate the Dollhouse program in order to learn who sent her on the secret 5th Column mission to attack the U.S.? Is there a mole within the Dollhouse secretly pulling strings behind the scenes...or is the whole organization corrupt??? All this would unfold amid the backdrop of a seemingly normal college life as our heroine discovers her family is nothing but deceptive undercover agents...and perhaps even her boyfriend. Further, she begins to realize that she and the others in the program may have been kidnapped as children to service the program. Her whole life a lie, she seeks to secretly find her real family while covertly searching for the secrets needed to bring down the Dollhouse. My reworking of the concept just sounds better to me and playes better in my head. If you guys at Fox want to pay me for it...I'm open to the idea!!!
Amended: Here Is My Reworking Of The Dollhouse Concept!!! by Media Messiah	May 19th, 2008 03:42:45 PM
They should set-up the Dollhouse as a front for a college dorm. All the students involved are seemingly normal kids with normal families, and they have real remembered lives...but no...we discover they are Actives (programmable agents). The families they each have, and sometimes interact with are plants...all undercover agents playing a role to give cover to the Dollhouse Actives. I think that this concept would work better for the show, something the producers can quickly graduate and alter the show's concept to be inclusive of. Imagine, instead of just being child like persons in between missions, the Actives are actually living false cover lives as college students in a campus co-ed University dorm, fully unaware that their lives as they know them, are shams. With the dorm and the University culture providing cover, the Active Agents are regularly programmed to take on different personalities for various secret government missions...no matter how morally gray. When Echo begins to recall that someone may have programmed her to take part in a 911 style attack against the United States...she begins to fully regain her memory. Although still programmable for missions, she always retains her base memory...something that she hides from her handlers as she begins to secretly investigate the Dollhouse program in order to learn who sent her on the secret 5th Column mission to attack the U.S.? Is there a mole within the Dollhouse secretly pulling strings behind the scenes...or is the whole organization corrupt??? All this would unfold amid the backdrop of a seemingly normal college life as our heroine discovers her family members are nothing but deceptive undercover agents...and perhaps even her boyfriend. Further, she begins to realize that she and the others in the program may have been kidnapped as children to service the program. Her whole life a lie, she seeks to secretly find her real family while covertly searching for the secrets needed to bring down the Dollhouse. My reworking of the concept just sounds better to me and plays better in my head. If you guys at Fox want to pay me for it...I'm open to the idea!!!
Olivia Williams by Mosquito March	May 19th, 2008 04:58:02 PM
Even if this doesn't turn out well, a single side-shot of her incredible ass will make it all worthwhile.
Joe 90--Remembered by Media Messiah	May 20th, 2008 12:37:30 AM
That series has been a legend for years--my brother telling me about it ever since I could remember. Lucky me, I was finally lucky enough to see an episode a few years back, this after well over a decade of hearing about the show. I was surprised by how serious the series' tone was which was refreshing as it was not dumbed down for kids. The show had tremendous foresight and The Matrix, Ed and Dollhouse have all been inspired by this 1960s gem. That said, I look at Joss Whedon as my personal writing guru and I would love to work with him as I am a great muse. I think we would compliment each other. Show me a good or great idea...and I will show you how to make it better!!!
Amended: Joe 90--Remembered by Media Messiah	May 20th, 2008 12:46:18 AM
That series has been a legend for years--my brother told me about it ever since I could remember. Lucky me, I was finally privileged enough to see an episode a few years back, this after well over a decade of hearing about the show. I was surprised by how serious the series' tone is, which I found/find refreshing, as it was not dumbed down for kids. The show had tremendous foresight and The Matrix, Ed and Dollhouse have all been inspired by this 1960s gem. That said, I look at Joss Whedon as my personal writing guru and I would love to work with him as I am a great muse. I think we would compliment each other. Show me a good or great idea...and I will show you how to make it better!!!
Joe90 by Pandas-R-Us	May 20th, 2008 06:00:59 AM
I remember it too. Funnily enough I mentioned it in the other Dollhouse talkback but I think I waited until everyone had stopped reading it! Ah you can't beat a good bit of Gerry Anderson, puppets, cool models and stuff blowing up. What more could you want?
Here's the missing trailer by insightman	May 20th, 2008 01:55:34 PM
I didn't see the YouTube version before it was yanked, but found this one, which is also about 2.5 minutes: http://www.dollverse.com/trail er/
Here's the missing trailer by insightman	May 20th, 2008 01:56:34 PM
http://www.dollverse.com/trail er/ no space in "trailer"
Why 2.5 minutes? by ZeroCorpse	May 21st, 2008 06:22:45 PM
Because anything more and you'll feel sick.

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A New 2.5-Minute Trailer For Joss Whedon’s DOLLHOUSE!!

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A New 2.5-Minute Trailer For Joss Whedon’s DOLLHOUSE!!