For all Moonlight fans in the Los Angeles area and those planning to travel there for the convention this weekend.........
A rally is planned for the Friday, May 23rd, 2008 at 2:00 PM Pacific Time. Fans will meet at the Warner Bros lot in LA. The gathering is planned for the gate at West Olive Street & North Pass. This is a positive gathering! Feel free to bring signs/posters showing your support of Moonlight, Silver Pictures and the WB. We want to encourage them to continue trying to find a home for our show.
This is not a protest against the studio or to bash CBS.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Moonlight fans place ad in Hollywood Reporter & Variety
Thanks to your support and donations.... Moonlight fans are placing ads in the Hollywood Reporter and Variety for our show! *cheer* Both of which are considered the top trade publications for the entertainment industry.
Moonlight United administrators, moderators and users from several message boards volunteered their time to gather the needed cash & ideas from fans around the world. Resulting in this amazing show of dedication. Thank you sooooooooooo much to everyone who worked hard on designing the ad, keeping track of the donations, etc!
Moonlight really has an amazing bunch of fans :) How can any network not want such a loyal, devoted group?!?!?
The Hollywood Reporter ad will come out on Wednesday, May 21st..... Variety will be Thursday, May 22nd.
Please, continue contacting media outlets to let them know about our campaign to save Moonlight! Now, you can brag to them about the new advertisements that are completely funded by the fans :)
Moonlight United administrators, moderators and users from several message boards volunteered their time to gather the needed cash & ideas from fans around the world. Resulting in this amazing show of dedication. Thank you sooooooooooo much to everyone who worked hard on designing the ad, keeping track of the donations, etc!
Moonlight really has an amazing bunch of fans :) How can any network not want such a loyal, devoted group?!?!?
The Hollywood Reporter ad will come out on Wednesday, May 21st..... Variety will be Thursday, May 22nd.
Please, continue contacting media outlets to let them know about our campaign to save Moonlight! Now, you can brag to them about the new advertisements that are completely funded by the fans :)
Good news in negative Hollywood Reporter article
This is an article that James Hibberd wrote for The Hollywood Reporter. *sigh* Sadly, he agrees with CBS' decision to cancel Moonlight. He was one of the first to report about the Moonlight Blood Drive, and seemed supportive at the time.
I know that we have been nothing but positive & polite in our letters, emails, postcards and phone calls.... especially those directed to the WB. We have asked the studio to continue shopping Moonlight, and assured them of our support & intentions to follow the show to any network.
Even in this negative article, there is good news ~ "Producer Warner Bros. is still approaching cable nets, such as TNT. They’re scouting states where the show could be shot cheaper. There’s still a chance, albeit a very slim one."
Why 'Moonlight' Needed Killin'
by James Hibberd
“Very poor judgment call for CBS to have made. You weren't calculating accurately. At the NY Comic Con...it received an enormous crowd screaming for Season 2. You will kick yourself in the rear end with this grievous error! Reconsider your decision, CBS!”
That’s one of 93 hyperventilating comments on THR.com’s story of the “Moonlight” cancellation last week. Actually, it’s the very top comment -- you don’t need to burrow far down into the list to get the general idea.
“Moonlight” fans have always been scary-intense. They organized a national blood drive to try to save the show. With CBS lowering the axe, they went apocalyptic. They’re angrily emailing complaints to CBS, the media and even its studio, Warner Bros. (and the studio is, of course, the one party that’s actually trying to save the show).
In a sense, so much passion cannot be wrong. Any program that inspires this much intensity is inherently effective … even if it’s about a shirtless vampire with billowy hair and dreamy abs caught in an impossible forbidden romance with the one human who’s captured his heart.
So “Moonlight” has a devoted fan base and, sure, it deserves an afterlife … somewhere. But it did not deserve a second season on CBS. Some shows need killin’ and “Moonlight” was one of them.
The problem wasn’t the “Moonlight” ratings, precisely.
At first, the word from within CBS was that “Moonlight” would likely return. But then the numbers started going south. In the past few weeks, “Moonlight” won its time period, sure, but against mostly repeats. Even Friday’s season finale -- as if to underscore CBS’ decision -- hit a record-low 1.8 rating among adults 18 to 49.
If the “Moonlight” episodes were entirely self-contained stories, like CBS lead-in “Ghost Whisperer” and lead-out “Numbers,” a pickup could have been tempting. But “Moonlight” is semi-serialized, and ratings for such shows usually only trend one direction. Once viewers step out of an ongoing story line, they rarely step back in. This has been the case with “Lost,” “Heroes,” “Battlestar Galactica” and, yup, that CBS harbinger of cult-TV doom, “Jericho.”
Serialized shows also tend to suffer if there's any major scheduling gap. Based on how its cult-driven, sci-fi predecessors have performed, it was extremely unlikely “Moonlight” would return to higher numbers next fall. The show was going down by the head and CBS rightfully bailed.
Plus, with CBS’ “let’s get back in our box” programming strategy for next fall, “Moonlight” doesn’t fit. “Moonlight” would have stuck out on the schedule as a low-rated hangover from last season’s new experimental shows that didn’t work.
Does “Moonlight” have a chance someplace else? Producer Warner Bros. is still approaching cable nets, such as TNT. They’re scouting states where the show could be shot cheaper. There’s still a chance, albeit a very slim one.
The show’s overall cost makes it a tough sell. A lower-rated net might splurge to try and buy “Moonlight” for some publicity and fresh viewers. But star Alex O’Loughlin probably wouldn’t follow the series to anything less than a major cable net. Thanks to “Moonlight,” O’Loughlin is now in demand and is likely to wind up on another major series -- if he doesn’t stay hitched to the vampire drama.
http://www.thrfeed.com/2008/05/why-moonlight-n.html
I know that we have been nothing but positive & polite in our letters, emails, postcards and phone calls.... especially those directed to the WB. We have asked the studio to continue shopping Moonlight, and assured them of our support & intentions to follow the show to any network.
Even in this negative article, there is good news ~ "Producer Warner Bros. is still approaching cable nets, such as TNT. They’re scouting states where the show could be shot cheaper. There’s still a chance, albeit a very slim one."
Why 'Moonlight' Needed Killin'
by James Hibberd
“Very poor judgment call for CBS to have made. You weren't calculating accurately. At the NY Comic Con...it received an enormous crowd screaming for Season 2. You will kick yourself in the rear end with this grievous error! Reconsider your decision, CBS!”
That’s one of 93 hyperventilating comments on THR.com’s story of the “Moonlight” cancellation last week. Actually, it’s the very top comment -- you don’t need to burrow far down into the list to get the general idea.
“Moonlight” fans have always been scary-intense. They organized a national blood drive to try to save the show. With CBS lowering the axe, they went apocalyptic. They’re angrily emailing complaints to CBS, the media and even its studio, Warner Bros. (and the studio is, of course, the one party that’s actually trying to save the show).
In a sense, so much passion cannot be wrong. Any program that inspires this much intensity is inherently effective … even if it’s about a shirtless vampire with billowy hair and dreamy abs caught in an impossible forbidden romance with the one human who’s captured his heart.
So “Moonlight” has a devoted fan base and, sure, it deserves an afterlife … somewhere. But it did not deserve a second season on CBS. Some shows need killin’ and “Moonlight” was one of them.
The problem wasn’t the “Moonlight” ratings, precisely.
At first, the word from within CBS was that “Moonlight” would likely return. But then the numbers started going south. In the past few weeks, “Moonlight” won its time period, sure, but against mostly repeats. Even Friday’s season finale -- as if to underscore CBS’ decision -- hit a record-low 1.8 rating among adults 18 to 49.
If the “Moonlight” episodes were entirely self-contained stories, like CBS lead-in “Ghost Whisperer” and lead-out “Numbers,” a pickup could have been tempting. But “Moonlight” is semi-serialized, and ratings for such shows usually only trend one direction. Once viewers step out of an ongoing story line, they rarely step back in. This has been the case with “Lost,” “Heroes,” “Battlestar Galactica” and, yup, that CBS harbinger of cult-TV doom, “Jericho.”
Serialized shows also tend to suffer if there's any major scheduling gap. Based on how its cult-driven, sci-fi predecessors have performed, it was extremely unlikely “Moonlight” would return to higher numbers next fall. The show was going down by the head and CBS rightfully bailed.
Plus, with CBS’ “let’s get back in our box” programming strategy for next fall, “Moonlight” doesn’t fit. “Moonlight” would have stuck out on the schedule as a low-rated hangover from last season’s new experimental shows that didn’t work.
Does “Moonlight” have a chance someplace else? Producer Warner Bros. is still approaching cable nets, such as TNT. They’re scouting states where the show could be shot cheaper. There’s still a chance, albeit a very slim one.
The show’s overall cost makes it a tough sell. A lower-rated net might splurge to try and buy “Moonlight” for some publicity and fresh viewers. But star Alex O’Loughlin probably wouldn’t follow the series to anything less than a major cable net. Thanks to “Moonlight,” O’Loughlin is now in demand and is likely to wind up on another major series -- if he doesn’t stay hitched to the vampire drama.
http://www.thrfeed.com/2008/05/why-moonlight-n.html
Kristin Dos Santos speaks to Nina Tassler
Kristin Dos Santos, from E!, spoke to Nina Tassler about canceling Moonlight. For someone who says, "I personally love the show. I love working with Alex O'Loughlin and Joel Silver" she sure has a funny way of showing it, doesn't she?
Lindsay in Atlanta :
I am a little miffed at you, Mrs. Dos Santos. When it comes to TV watching, you are my go-to girl. If you tell me to watch it, I do. So, I'm miffed that now that Moonlight is gone, and I'm hooked. You have given us nothing to sooth our broken hearts. Where is your gritty (but always polite) interview with those evil CBS bosses? Give us something please!
Kristin Dos Santos :
I did talk to CBS president Nina Tassler last week at the CBS upfront about the cancellation of Moonlight, a show so many fans loved passionately, and she defended the decision, saying, "Once we got back up on the air it was about the numbers and the ratings, and we were just struggling a little bit. I loved the show. I personally love the show. I love working with Alex O'Loughlin and Joel Silver, and I just think we had to make some very tough decisions. It was hard." Not half as hard as it is for the fans who went to great lengths to save this series, Nina! Just sayin'! I'm also working on getting an exit interview with one of the stars or producers for later this week, so stand by.
http://tinyurl.com/6xb7ma
Lindsay in Atlanta :
I am a little miffed at you, Mrs. Dos Santos. When it comes to TV watching, you are my go-to girl. If you tell me to watch it, I do. So, I'm miffed that now that Moonlight is gone, and I'm hooked. You have given us nothing to sooth our broken hearts. Where is your gritty (but always polite) interview with those evil CBS bosses? Give us something please!
Kristin Dos Santos :
I did talk to CBS president Nina Tassler last week at the CBS upfront about the cancellation of Moonlight, a show so many fans loved passionately, and she defended the decision, saying, "Once we got back up on the air it was about the numbers and the ratings, and we were just struggling a little bit. I loved the show. I personally love the show. I love working with Alex O'Loughlin and Joel Silver, and I just think we had to make some very tough decisions. It was hard." Not half as hard as it is for the fans who went to great lengths to save this series, Nina! Just sayin'! I'm also working on getting an exit interview with one of the stars or producers for later this week, so stand by.
http://tinyurl.com/6xb7ma
Monday, May 19, 2008
Alex O'Loughlin added to cast of the film S. Darko
Word is that Alex O'Loughlin has been added to the cast of the film, S. Darko. It's the sequel to Donnie Darko ~ Jake Gyllenhaal's 2001 movie. No details yet about what character Alex will be playing, or how big his part is in the flick. Production began on May 18th. Since Alex & Holly are on vacation in Mexico, his role must not require him to be on the set from day one. S Darko is currently scheduled to premiere in 2009.
Also reported as joining the cast is Justin Chatwin, who you may remember was in The Invisible with Alex.
Richard Kelly, the writer & director of the original movie, is not involved with the sequel.
Here is the movie plot synopsis courtesy of Slash Film.....
The sequel follows Donnie’s younger sister, Samantha Darko, a role reprised by Daviegh Chase. The story picks up seven years after the first film and Donnie’s death when his now 18-year-old sister Samantha and her best friend Corey go on a roadtrip to Los Angeles, where along the way they are plagued by bizarre visions.
TV Guide's Matt Roush says "CBS blew it" by canceling Moonlight
SPOILER ALERT.... for those who still have not seen Moonlight's season finale ~ Sonata (episode #1x16)
Matt Roush discusses Moonlight's finale & gives his opinion of the show's potential.
I love this part ~ "There was lots of untapped potential on this show. CBS blew it with this one." The yellow highlight is my emphasis!
Roush Dispatch
Finale Fever: The Critic's Notebook
Another show had a more permanent finale over the weekend. CBS’ cult fave Moonlight wisely faded to black with its romantic heroes, Mick and Beth (Alex O’Loughlin and Sophia Myles), in a clinch, not in some sort of mortal or immortal peril. A cliffhanger would have been the wrong way to go, even if the show had been renewed. “I can’t close the door on Beth,” Mick voice-overed, after Beth tearfully shuts the door on him and their star-crossed vamp-human romance. He rekindles the flame by declaring his love and, more important, remembering what she was wearing the day they met. Moonlight was just starting to deal with interesting notions of undying love among vamps: a vampire couple, together for 150 years, decides to go down in flames together rather than let one be sacrificed alone to “vampire justice” (administered in part by a ferocious Claudia Black of Farscape). We learned about the concept of “freshies,” human “donors” who freely offer their blood to vampire mates. (Josef naturally has one.) Beth was still struggling with feeling left out of all the vampire underworld intrigue, and Mick was still torn between his loyalty to his vampire buds and to his protective yearning for Beth. (“You want me to drink your blood?” he asked her after she catches him and Josef red-mouthed, sucking on Josef’s “freshie.”) There was lots of untapped potential on this show. CBS blew it with this one.
http://tinyurl.com/3q272w
Matt Roush discusses Moonlight's finale & gives his opinion of the show's potential.
I love this part ~ "There was lots of untapped potential on this show. CBS blew it with this one." The yellow highlight is my emphasis!
Roush Dispatch
Finale Fever: The Critic's Notebook
Another show had a more permanent finale over the weekend. CBS’ cult fave Moonlight wisely faded to black with its romantic heroes, Mick and Beth (Alex O’Loughlin and Sophia Myles), in a clinch, not in some sort of mortal or immortal peril. A cliffhanger would have been the wrong way to go, even if the show had been renewed. “I can’t close the door on Beth,” Mick voice-overed, after Beth tearfully shuts the door on him and their star-crossed vamp-human romance. He rekindles the flame by declaring his love and, more important, remembering what she was wearing the day they met. Moonlight was just starting to deal with interesting notions of undying love among vamps: a vampire couple, together for 150 years, decides to go down in flames together rather than let one be sacrificed alone to “vampire justice” (administered in part by a ferocious Claudia Black of Farscape). We learned about the concept of “freshies,” human “donors” who freely offer their blood to vampire mates. (Josef naturally has one.) Beth was still struggling with feeling left out of all the vampire underworld intrigue, and Mick was still torn between his loyalty to his vampire buds and to his protective yearning for Beth. (“You want me to drink your blood?” he asked her after she catches him and Josef red-mouthed, sucking on Josef’s “freshie.”) There was lots of untapped potential on this show. CBS blew it with this one.
http://tinyurl.com/3q272w
Nielsen ratings, time shifted viewing and Friday night
Aside from Moonlight (I make time to see it live.... and then over & over again), we watch our television shows at our convenience. Either recording them for later viewing or watching them online. That is another reason why I feel that the Nielsen rating system is out of date. Lots of you have joined the ratings project by sending postcards to CBS letting them know we never miss an episode of Moonlight, but are not counted by Nielsen.
TV Guide's Matt Roush touches on this issue, as well as Friday night ratings in general. I could not agree more with this part ~ "I think CBS made a short-sighted error by scrapping Moonlight, undervaluing the buzz potential for the show and especially its star."
YES.... the Moonlight DVD set will be a huge seller! I'm already on the waiting list to get mine.
Roush on Moonlight
Question :
Along with millions of others, I'm a big fan of Moonlight. Although its ratings were not great, it usually won its timeslot on Friday night. I also realize Friday is not a big viewership night, but I think a lot more people were watching Moonlight than the Nielsen ratings indicate. From what I can tell, since it's on Friday night when many people are out on the town, it seems that many viewers DVR it and watch it the next day. Then there are the viewers who download full episodes, not to mention all the YouTube videos that fans make. I'm also willing to bet that when the DVD for Moonlight comes out, it will be a big seller. Are networks taking this non-traditional viewing into considersation when making renewal decisions? It seems the wave of the future. — Lisa W.
Matt Roush :
All of these off-network factors are coming into sharper focus as the networks make tough decisions on what to renew or not renew, but still for now, the bottom line is all about how the show is performing in a specific time period, and CBS has opted to go a different direction on Friday next season with the romantic-comedy The Ex List. I've gone on record that I think CBS made a short-sighted error by scrapping Moonlight, undervaluing the buzz potential for the show and especially its star. But I'm with you when it comes to Friday-night TV. Much as I had come to enjoy Moonlight and as addicted as I am to Battlestar Galactica, I never ever watch them live. Like countless others, I am never home on Friday nights, and as long as the networks continue to program original fare on Fridays — let's hope it doesn't become another Saturday anytime soon — they'll have to take time-shifting and other new ways of watching the show into account.
askmatt@tvguide.com
TV Guide's Matt Roush touches on this issue, as well as Friday night ratings in general. I could not agree more with this part ~ "I think CBS made a short-sighted error by scrapping Moonlight, undervaluing the buzz potential for the show and especially its star."
YES.... the Moonlight DVD set will be a huge seller! I'm already on the waiting list to get mine.
Roush on Moonlight
Question :
Along with millions of others, I'm a big fan of Moonlight. Although its ratings were not great, it usually won its timeslot on Friday night. I also realize Friday is not a big viewership night, but I think a lot more people were watching Moonlight than the Nielsen ratings indicate. From what I can tell, since it's on Friday night when many people are out on the town, it seems that many viewers DVR it and watch it the next day. Then there are the viewers who download full episodes, not to mention all the YouTube videos that fans make. I'm also willing to bet that when the DVD for Moonlight comes out, it will be a big seller. Are networks taking this non-traditional viewing into considersation when making renewal decisions? It seems the wave of the future. — Lisa W.
Matt Roush :
All of these off-network factors are coming into sharper focus as the networks make tough decisions on what to renew or not renew, but still for now, the bottom line is all about how the show is performing in a specific time period, and CBS has opted to go a different direction on Friday next season with the romantic-comedy The Ex List. I've gone on record that I think CBS made a short-sighted error by scrapping Moonlight, undervaluing the buzz potential for the show and especially its star. But I'm with you when it comes to Friday-night TV. Much as I had come to enjoy Moonlight and as addicted as I am to Battlestar Galactica, I never ever watch them live. Like countless others, I am never home on Friday nights, and as long as the networks continue to program original fare on Fridays — let's hope it doesn't become another Saturday anytime soon — they'll have to take time-shifting and other new ways of watching the show into account.
askmatt@tvguide.com
Send messages to Alex O'Loughlin on his MySpace page
Tons of you have asked where you can send messages of thanks and support to Alex O'Loughlin regarding Moonlight's cancelation. He is fortunate to have such concerned and wonderful fans! If you have a MySpace account, send him a friend request. Once you are accepted, you can write to him & leave comments on his page :)
www.myspace.com/alexoloughlin
www.myspace.com/alexoloughlin
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Moonlight reruns on CBS
As I posted previously, CBS announced that they would rebroadcast Moonlight on May 23rd (B.C. episode #1x06) and May 30th (The Ringer episode #1x07). In fact, reruns of our show are scheduled through July 4th. Thus far, no new releases have been issued to retract this even tho they have canceled our show. Right now.... TV Guide's listings still have Moonlight in its regular Friday night time slot.
Photograph ~ Mick St John ( Alex O'Loughlin ) lounging in his office ~ B.C. episode #1x06
Photograph ~ Mick St John ( Alex O'Loughlin ) lounging in his office ~ B.C. episode #1x06
Update........ CBS has removed Moonlight reruns from their published schedule. *sigh* This Friday, they are airing two episodes of Ghost Whisperer. And, next Friday, two episodes of Numb3rs. TV Guide still has not updated their listings.
A little Alex to cheer us up
Heya ~ I thought we could use a little Alex to cheer us up & keep us going. Check out the video from Oyster Farmer that I posted on my Alex O'Loughlin fan blog. I think you will like it ;>
http://alexoloughlinfan.blogspot.com
http://alexoloughlinfan.blogspot.com
Sending snail mail to the networks about Moonlight
In many of the marvelous emails & comments I have received, you have asked if I plan on closing the Moonlightfan blog. No! I'll still be here passing on any news about our show, as well as our unforgettable cast :)
CBS expects the fans to campaign for a few days and then lose interest. They don't know us very well, do they?
You are doing an fantastic job of supporting Moonlight! Remember, to get everyone you know involved. Not all Moonlight fans actually participate in the online fandoms. We need to reach out to people offline too! Family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, your second cousin once removed ~ the more the merrier!
Use the "Save Our Vampire" button at the top left on the blog to get posts with ideas for helping the Moonlight cause.
Please, keep in mind that sending emails & making phone calls is helpful. However, writing postcards & letters makes a huge impact. As we have discussed previously, it only takes a few minutes plus stamps... but the networks think it takes more effort & dedication to the show.
We are continuing our ratings project letting CBS know that the Nielsen system is old and out of date. "I am a loyal Moonlight viewer, but not counted because I'm not a Nielsen family."
CBS Network
Nina Tassler
7800 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Don't forget about the Perpetually Cool Postcard Campaign.....
http://moonlight-united.com/images/perpetuallycoolpostcard.pdf
Now, for my usual reminder to be polite and concise ;>
Snail mail addresses :
Sci-Fi Channel
30 Rockefeller Plaza
21st Floor
New York, NY 10112
CBS expects the fans to campaign for a few days and then lose interest. They don't know us very well, do they?
You are doing an fantastic job of supporting Moonlight! Remember, to get everyone you know involved. Not all Moonlight fans actually participate in the online fandoms. We need to reach out to people offline too! Family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, your second cousin once removed ~ the more the merrier!
Use the "Save Our Vampire" button at the top left on the blog to get posts with ideas for helping the Moonlight cause.
Please, keep in mind that sending emails & making phone calls is helpful. However, writing postcards & letters makes a huge impact. As we have discussed previously, it only takes a few minutes plus stamps... but the networks think it takes more effort & dedication to the show.
We are continuing our ratings project letting CBS know that the Nielsen system is old and out of date. "I am a loyal Moonlight viewer, but not counted because I'm not a Nielsen family."
CBS Network
Nina Tassler
7800 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Don't forget about the Perpetually Cool Postcard Campaign.....
http://moonlight-united.com/images/perpetuallycoolpostcard.pdf
Now, for my usual reminder to be polite and concise ;>
Snail mail addresses :
Sci-Fi Channel
30 Rockefeller Plaza
21st Floor
New York, NY 10112
President
David Howe
Senior VP of Programming
Tom Vitale
FX Network President
John Landgraf
2121 Avenue of the Stars
19th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90067
CW Network President
Dawn Ostroff
4000 Warner Blvd.
Bldg 168
Burbank, CA 91522-0002
USA & Sci-Fi Network President
David Howe
Senior VP of Programming
Tom Vitale
FX Network President
John Landgraf
2121 Avenue of the Stars
19th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90067
CW Network President
Dawn Ostroff
4000 Warner Blvd.
Bldg 168
Burbank, CA 91522-0002
USA & Sci-Fi Network President
Bonnie Hammer
30 Rockefeller Plaza
21st Floor
New York, NY 10112
Photograph ~ Mick St John ( Alex O'Loughlin ) & Beth Turner ( Sophia Myles ) looking super fab at Josef's party in Moonlight's season finale ~ Sonata ( episode #1x16 )
30 Rockefeller Plaza
21st Floor
New York, NY 10112
Photograph ~ Mick St John ( Alex O'Loughlin ) & Beth Turner ( Sophia Myles ) looking super fab at Josef's party in Moonlight's season finale ~ Sonata ( episode #1x16 )
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Music during MickBeth's dancing & final scenes in Sonata (episode #1x16)
In Moonlight's season finale ~ Sonata (episode #1x16) ~ they use the same song for two poignant scenes. Love Remains the Same by Gavin Rossdale (video above) is the music playing as Mick and Beth dance together at the beginning of the episode. Then, it is heard again at the end as the soundtrack to their final scene.... Mick going back into Beth's apartment, admitting his love for her and then their kiss!
Watch Moonlight's season finale online ~ Sonata (episode #1x16)
For international Moonlight fans and those who are unable to watch videos online at the CBS website, Optimisticnad has posted the full episode of Moonlight's season finale ~ Sonata (#1x16).
Sonata ~ Episode #1x16 ~ Part 1
Sonata ~ Episode #1x16 ~ Part 2
Sonata ~ Episode #1x16 ~ Part 3
Sonata ~ Episode #1x16 ~ Part 4
Sonata ~ Episode #1x16 ~ Part 5
Sonata ~ Episode #1x16 ~ Part 1
Sonata ~ Episode #1x16 ~ Part 2
Sonata ~ Episode #1x16 ~ Part 3
Sonata ~ Episode #1x16 ~ Part 4
Sonata ~ Episode #1x16 ~ Part 5
Ratings for Moonlight's season finale ~ Sonata (episode 1x16)
Ratings for Moonlight's season finale ~ Sonata (episode #1x16) ~ on Friday, May 16th, 2008
Fast Nationals ~ 7.56 million viewers (1st), 18 to 49 demo share 1.8/6 (1st)
Numbers for the rest of the CBS Friday night lineup......
Ghost Whisperer : 8.36 million viewers (1st), 18 to 49 demo 2.0/8 (1st)
Numb3rs : 9.73 million viewers (1st), 18 to 49 demo 2.3/7 (1st)
Photograph ~ Mick St John ( Alex O'Loughlin ) & Beth Turner ( Sophia Myles ) kissing in the final scene from Moonlight's season finale ~ Sonata (episode #1x16)
Fast Nationals ~ 7.56 million viewers (1st), 18 to 49 demo share 1.8/6 (1st)
Numbers for the rest of the CBS Friday night lineup......
Ghost Whisperer : 8.36 million viewers (1st), 18 to 49 demo 2.0/8 (1st)
Numb3rs : 9.73 million viewers (1st), 18 to 49 demo 2.3/7 (1st)
Photograph ~ Mick St John ( Alex O'Loughlin ) & Beth Turner ( Sophia Myles ) kissing in the final scene from Moonlight's season finale ~ Sonata (episode #1x16)
Tearing down Moonlight sets
We had all been told that Moonlight's sets would be torn down Friday.... yesterday. Now, word is out that they won't begin tearing them down until around Tuesday, May 20th.
Full episode of Moonlight's season finale ~ Sonata (#1x16) ~ available online
OK guys.... CBS has posted the full episode of Moonlight's season finale, Sonata (#1x16) on the official website. Please, watch it online. The network tracks every time the videos for their televion shows are viewed. We want huge numbers! Even if I am not actively watching, I always have Moonlight's episodes streaming in the background when I'm on my computer.
www.cbs.com/moonlight
Photograph ~ Alex O'Loughlin as Mick St John in Moonlight's Sonata episode #1x16.
www.cbs.com/moonlight
Photograph ~ Alex O'Loughlin as Mick St John in Moonlight's Sonata episode #1x16.
Perez Hilton posts about the CW's ratings issues too
Hollywood blogger, Perez Hilton, has a post on his site about the CW Network's ratings issues... also quoting The Wall Street Journal. We have been trying to get media outlets (magazines, web pages, tv shows) to cover the ridiculous canceling of Moonlight, and also to write about Moonlight fans fighting to save our show. So, we have been contacting People Magazine, TV Guide, Ellen Degeneres, Entertainment Weekly, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter ~ you get the idea :) All of this is important because we need to reach viewers who are not part of Moonlight's devoted online fandom.
Perez has a huge audience! Let's leave comments on his blog about how lucky the CW or any network would be to have Moonlight & its ratings. That could inform a whole new group of people about our show..... and perhaps Perez will actually do a post about saving Moonlight!
Failing!
by Perez Hilton
They're gonna have to work harder next season!
According to the Wall Street Journal, the home of Gossip Girl, the CW network is tanking.
The CBS/Time Warner co-venture lost 28% of its target audience of 18 to 34 year olds so far this season.
And, its ratings during this month's "sweeps" period — the all-important measure upon which future advertising rates are set — are down about 22%.
According to an insider, if things don't turn around dramatically one of the big partners is going to walk away.
The WSJ also points out that part of CW's problem is that the demo its targeting spends a lot of its leisure time on the internet. Good for us!
And, the Writer's Strike probably hastened the departure of the demo from traditional TV to the net.
Any of you youngins have advice for the suits?
http://perezhilton.com/2008-05-16-failing
Wall Street Journal article ~ Ratings slip threatens CW Network
This Wall Street Journal article lays out the CW's crippling ratings issues. As we know, the numbers for the CW network are very low. I gave you several examples previously ~ Smallville 3.96 million, Gossip Girl 2.11 million, Supernatural 2.53 million and their newly renewed freshman show Reaper 2.47 million. Moonlight would instantly more than double the number of viewers their highest rated series.It's No Gossip, Ratings Slip Threatens CW Network
By Rebecca Dana
Time may be running out for the CW network.
Two years after CBS Corp. and Time Warner Inc. combined their second-tier networks UPN and WB into the youth-oriented CW to pool young viewers prized by advertisers, the network's hopes of surviving are looking increasingly bleak.
Despite the buzz about "Gossip Girl," a prime-time soap opera about a group of rich kids on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, the network has lost about 28% of its target audience of 18 to 34 year olds so far this season. Its ratings during this month's "sweeps" period -- the all-important measure upon which future advertising rates are set -- are down about 22%.
Advertisers eager to reach a young demographic initially clamored to sign on to the CW, but have since cooled to the network. Steven Kalb, director of broadcast media for media-buying firm MediaHub, owned by Interpublic Group, says there were high hopes for the network when last year's lineup was unveiled. Now, he says, "It has collapsed."
Part of the problem is that the CW's young audience is most prone to spend leisure time on the Internet. Last winter's Hollywood writers' strike, which forced scripted shows off the air for three months, hastened the defection of viewers to the Web.
Increasingly, people in the industry are asking whether this coming season is the CW's last chance. One person close to the situation confirms that without significant progress in the next year, at least one of the network's owners is likely to abandon the venture.
The defection of viewers recently led the network to suspend the free Web streaming of "Gossip Girl," angering some fans in the process. After several weeks of the experiment, ratings have remained essentially flat.
The CW's fall schedule, unveiled this week, suggests the network has few fresh ideas. It is debuting only three new shows, all designed to complement "Gossip Girl," which executives hope will find a larger audience come fall. The new offerings are: "90210," an updated version of the 1990s hit prime-time soap about rich kids in California, "Beverly Hills, 90210"; "Surviving the Filthy Rich," a drama about rich kids in Palm Beach; and the reality show "Stylista."
The network has made a series of radical moves in recent weeks to stem its financial losses and draw more attention from advertisers and viewers.
Last week, the CW said it was bringing in an outside production company, Media Rights Capital, to program three hours of Sunday nights, often the most-watched night on broadcast television but a poorly rated time period for the network. To take a slice of prime time and essentially cede it to another programmer is a rare event for a major network.
Also this spring, the CW elected to stop airing wrestling on Friday nights -- an admission that chasing a young male audience was no longer part of the network's mission. Wrestling had drawn high ratings, but advertising rates were lower because it draws an audience less desirable to advertisers. At its upfront presentation this week, the CW redefined its target audience as exclusively 18- to 34-year-old women.
The success of the venture is of importance for CBS Chief Executive Officer Leslie Moonves, who has been closely involved in every element of building and promoting the network.
Mr. Moonves sits on the executive board that overseas programming and marketing decisions at the CW. The network's president, Dawn Ostroff, is a longtime associate and protégé of Mr. Moonves, and he was instrumental in placing her at the helm of the network. Mr. Moonves declined to comment.
CW executives attribute the network's poor ratings performance not to a lack of viewers but to flaws in the system of measure. "Obviously, we would have liked to do better," Ms. Ostroff said this week. "Our young audience certainly knows how to get their content in different ways, and we have to figure out different ways to measure how they're getting it."
The CW has two strategies for this: work with Nielsen Media Research, the company that records ratings, to improve its methodology; and continue efforts to lure more and younger viewers to the network. Despite its stated demographic targets, the CW viewer's median age is 34, Ms. Ostroff says.
Nielsen says in a statement that although it believes its ratings "provide a fair picture of what younger viewers are watching," the audience is challenging to track. "We are working closely with the CW and all of our clients to continuously improve our measurement."
In the past two years, the CW has experimented with different ways of presenting advertisements to its young viewers, who are proficient with digital video recorders that allow them to fast-forward through commercials, and who have especially short attention spans.
The network introduced multipart commercials called "content wraps" in its first year; in its second year, it introduced ultra-short commercials it called "cwickies." Next year, the network is focusing its efforts on TV and Web integrations, says Executive Vice President of Network Sales Bill Morningstar.
Bruce Rosenblum, president of the Warner Bros. Television Group and a member of the CW's board, says he was disappointed the network had not managed to capture a larger audience. But he pointed to the strength of its distribution system and its new-series development as reasons for optimism.
Although the CW isn't profitable itself, it has helped its parent companies launch shows that can make money down the road on other platforms such as syndicated reruns and DVD sales, Mr. Rosenblum says.
Combined, UPN and the WB lost about $2 billion in the 11 years that spent on the air. It is unclear how the CW's losses compare, since neither company reports earnings for the small network. CBS and Warner Bros. incurred significant start-up costs when they launched the CW, including a multimillion dollar marketing campaign. CW draws about a quarter of the audience that CBS does.
Nancy Tellem, president of CBS Paramount Network Television Entertainment Group, says that CBS's commitment to the network is open-ended and that the CW has suffered mostly from too-high expectations. "I honestly believe that we did not expect it would be as difficult as it was," she says.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121089546043097065.html?mod=hps_us_whats_news
What's the Better HDTV Show Contest ~ Moonlight vs HDNet Fights
TV Predictions is hosting an poll to ask "What's The Better HDTV Shows?" So far, Moonlight has been on a winning streak. We beat NCIS in the last round. Now, we are in the finals for the LCD Division. Moonlight vs HDNet Fights. Please, vote for our show :)
http://www.tvpredictions.com/fightsmoonlight051608.htm
News
Moonlight vs. HDNet Fights: What's the Better HDTV Show?
TVPredictions.com sets out to discover which high-def program is the best of all.
By Allison Moore
Okay, which one is a better HDTV show? CBS; Moonlight or HDNet's HDNet Fights?
In the finals of the LCD division of our first annual elimination tournament to determine the best show in High-Definition, we pit Moonlight (8th seed) vs. HDNet Fights (7th seed).
Moonlight, which follows the bloody trail of the mysterious vampire Mick St. John, has achieved a cult following for CBS. Moonlight's final episode airs tonight at 9 p.m. ET.; CBS announced this week that it will not renew the series.
But HDNet Fights, which features contestants in the Mixed Martial Arts, has quickly won a strong following in the high-def audience, particularly with young males. HDNet Fights airs Friday nights on HDNet.
Friday, May 16, 2008
SPOILER video ~ Judgment & punishment scene from Sonata (episode #1x16)
SPOILER ALERT!
Another emotional scene from Moonlight's season finale ~ Sonata (episode #1x16)! This video is of Vampire judgment and punishment of Emma for her betrayal. As The Cleaner says, her treason. Her husband, Jackson, will not leave her & insists on sharing her fate.
SPOILER video ~ Vampire gathering in tonight's Moonlight episode ~ Sonata (#1x16)
SPOILER ALERT!
This video shows the Vampire gathering from Moonlight's season finale ~ Sonata (episode #1x16). Guillermo and Logan actually out of the morgue & basement, respectively! hehehe.... The Cleaner is back! Played by Claudia Black this time. The gang's all here! Meeting in Mick's apartment to discuss how to handle the crisis.
SPOILER Video ~ Final Mick & Beth scene from tonight's Moonlight ~ Sonata (episode #1x16)
SPOILER ALERT! Mick St John (Alex O'Loughlin) & Beth Turner (Sophia Myles) scene from Moonlight's season finale ~ Sonata (episode #1x16).
Extended version! This video is of the last act from tonight's Moonlight episode ~ Sonata (#1x16). It is the final emotional scene between Mick and Beth. Beginning with his arrival at her apartment and Beth tearfully declaring "I don't think I can do this anymore." Mick finally tells her that he loves her. Our last view of MickBeth is of them kissing.
Mick Voiceover ~ "I've spent the past 55 years trying to close the door on forever, but I can't anymore. I can't close the door on Beth."
Mick ~ "You want to know what Emma & Jackson made me realize? That you were right. You were right all along. This isn't about being a Vampire or a human. This is about us. How we feel about one another. Right here, right now!"
Beth ~ "The night that we first met.... or met again, whatever. What was I wearing."
Mick ~ "Blue jeans, white striped shirt, cream jacket."
Beth ~ "What about my shoes?"
Mick ~ "You were barefoot."
Beth ~ "How can you remember that?"
Mick ~ "Because I love you"
Kissing..... and then, the door shuts........
SPOILER ~ Recap of Moonlight's season finale ~ Sonata (episode #1x16)
SPOILER ALERT! This is my little recap of Moonlight's season finale tonight ~ Sonata (episode #1x16)
I hope you will bear with me. I'm trying to write my usual episode recap, but I'm a bit upset.
First of all, I must say that I am soooooooooooooooooo glad the feared cliffhanger ending did not happen! When Jason mentioned that in an interview, he must have been referring to the list of Vampires that was mysteriously sent to ADA Talbot.
The producers said Moonlight fans would love the last scene. Very true! Often, fans of beloved, canceled shows are left with nothing but unanswered questions and unfinished storylines. I'm just grateful that we have some closure. However, IF we are fortunate enough to get our show back, they still have amazing stories to tell.
So sweet to see Josef funding a memorial for his Sleeping Beauty. Hearst College ~ funny!
We learn about the willing freshie world. Could Mick have been more uncomfortable when Beth asked how many he has enjoyed over the years?!
Mick and Beth's 4th actual date. I knew it was jinxed as soon as she said it's a date if a dead body is not involved.
Lots of jealousy tonight.... Josef & Simone, Mick & Beth, Emma & Jackson....
Talk about guilty looks as Beth walks in on Josef & Mick sampling Simone's blood. She is confused because feeding was a big deal in the moment she & Mick shared in the desert. Then, Mick says this was no big deal. Of course, there is a difference. Love! He does not have feelings for Simone.
I laughed out loud at this exchange. Beth asks Mick if he is ok after the scuffle during their visit to the frat house. Mick ~ "I got hit in the face with the sacred ass paddle." Beth ~ "Karma!" *grin*
Side note ~ Is being able to tell someone's blood type by taste a new power he has due to Josef's blood? Previously, he was surprised when Beth revealed her rare type.... even tho he had tasted it already.
Beth & Mick both observed the 150 year marriage that Emma & Jackson shared, yet had different perspectives of what that meant.
I chuckled when Jackson, being the gracious host, brought in the drinks. Blood for himself & Mick. Water for Beth.
As always, LOVED the scenes between Josef & Mick. Discussing his possible beyond freshie relationship with Simone... a human.... Josef ~ "Who doesn't like me? Did she say that?" hehehehehe
The gathering of the major vamps in LA. I smiled thinking that Logan got to meet Josef. Remember how envious he sounded about Mick knowing the richest & most powerful Vampyre?
When Jackson was allowed to have a final moment with Emma, I knew he would not leave her side.
Mick seeing their love led to the final scene between him & Beth. At first, he seems to be doing his usual routine. I had no doubts that he would go back to Beth.
"You want to know what Emma & Jackson made me realize? That you were right. You were right all along. This isn't about being a Vampire or a human. This is about us. How we feel about one another. Right here, right now!"
Their love also influences Beth. She asks Mick what she was wearing the night the met.... well... met again. ;> Of course, he knows. All he had to say was his response to her asking how he remembered. "Because, I love you."
Advertisers from tonight's Moonlight episode
Here are a few of the advertisers who had commercials airing during tonight's episode of Moonlight ~ season finale, Sonata (#1x16).
Lean Cuisine
Metamucil
Remax.com
Ace Hardware
Capital One Credit Card Lab
Claritin
Lens Crafters
Fixodent
Chevy Malibu
PetsMart
Mytimetoquit.com
Honda Accord
Pizza Hut
McDonald's Southern Style Chicken Sandwich
Veramyst Nasal Spray
Kia Spectra & Sportage
Scrubbing Bubbles Action Scrubber
Olay
Home Depot ~ Behr Paint
Suave
Applebee's Restaurant
Still accepting Moonlight demographics & a new wallpaper
Hello there ~ Just called the CBS Moonlight demo phone line number.... ( 818 ) 655-1779. As of 5:35 PM Central, it is still accepting calls!
I know that all of you are continuing to fight for our show! You are the best :)
For a little cheer up, here is a new photo of Alex O'Loughlin as vamped out Mick St John in Moonlight's Fated to Pretend episode (#1x13). I left it large enough for you to use as wallpaper. Click on the picture above for a bigger version of the image.
Here again, is the contact info we are using........
Please, continue urging Warner Bros to shop our show around to other networks. We also want to write the networks.... CW, SciFi & USA in particular.... letting them know what a goldmine they could have if they pick up Moonlight. Tell them all that we will follow our show!
Please, spread the word! You know how important it is... and, as always, I know that I can count on you.
Warner Bros Studio
4000 Warner Blvd
Burbank, CA 91522-0002
Phone Number ( 818 ) 954-6000
President of WB Television
Peter Roth
peter.roth@warnerbros.com
WB feed back form ~
http://www.warnerbros.com/main/help/customer_service.html
I know that all of you are continuing to fight for our show! You are the best :)
For a little cheer up, here is a new photo of Alex O'Loughlin as vamped out Mick St John in Moonlight's Fated to Pretend episode (#1x13). I left it large enough for you to use as wallpaper. Click on the picture above for a bigger version of the image.
Here again, is the contact info we are using........
Please, continue urging Warner Bros to shop our show around to other networks. We also want to write the networks.... CW, SciFi & USA in particular.... letting them know what a goldmine they could have if they pick up Moonlight. Tell them all that we will follow our show!
Please, spread the word! You know how important it is... and, as always, I know that I can count on you.
Warner Bros Studio
4000 Warner Blvd
Burbank, CA 91522-0002
Phone Number ( 818 ) 954-6000
President of WB Television
Peter Roth
peter.roth@warnerbros.com
WB feed back form ~
http://www.warnerbros.com/main/help/customer_service.html
As I've said, I think FX would be a good home for Moonlight. After all, Alex is already known there for his great role on The Shield.
FX Network
2121 Avenue of the Stars
19th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Main # ( 310 ) 369-1000
Feedback email user@fxnetworks.com
Network President ~ John Landgraf
CW Network
feedback@CWTV.com
Paul.McGuire@cwtv.com
Comment Line ( 818 ) 977-6878
CW Entertainment President
Dawn Ostroff
3300 W Olive Ave #3
Burbank, CA 91505
Dawn.ostroff@cwtv.com
( 818 ) 977-2500
CW Chief Operating Officer
john.maatta@cwtv.com
USA & Sci-Fi Network President
Bonnie Hammer
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020-1513
bonnie.hammer@unistudios.com
( 212 ) 413-5000
Sci-Fi Channel
30 Rockefeller Plaza
21st Floor
New York, NY 10112
feedback@scifi.com
President (reports to Bonnie Hammer)
David Howe
Senior VP of Programming
Tom Vitale
David Howe
Senior VP of Programming
Tom Vitale
USA Network Viewer Hotline
( 212 ) 664-4444
This is the NBC switchboard number. Ask for the USA viewer hotline.
Sci-Fi is also part of NBC. You can call this number again & leave a message for SciFi too.
USA
30 Rockefeller Plaza
21st Floor
New York, NY 10112
You can use this same address for the Sci-Fi channel.
http://www.usanetwork.com/feedback/#Contact
Petition ~
http://www.youchoose.net/campaign/move_moonlight_to_another_network
Video ~ The show CBS will air in Moonlight's time slot
Video promo for the new CBS fall show, The Ex-List. You are kidding me, right? THIS is what they will be airing in Moonlight's spot?!?!
Even the official description sounds lame.......... "Bella Bloom (Elizabeth Reaser), an attractive 30-something successful business owner is surprised to learn from a psychic (Anne Bedian) that she's already dated her future husband AND there's a catch: if she doesn't find him in the next year, she'll remain alone forever ."
What do you think?
Video ~ Stuntwork on the set of Moonlight
Behind the scenes video footage..... This clip is of stuntman & NASCAR driver, Stanton Barrett, doing a car crash stunt for tonight's episode of Moonlight ~ Sonata (#1x16).
Alex O'Loughlin on much deserved vacation
We have all been worried about Alex. He exhausted himself working on Moonlight only to be blindsided by news of its cancelation. Lots of you have asked if he is really taking a much needed vacation, so I wanted to pass this on to you. By the way.... this photo they used for the article is an old one.
Yea, we all know that another studio will snatch up what CBS carelessly threw away!
Alex O'Loughlin, Holly Valance holiday in Mexico
AUSSIE actor Alex O'Loughlin dealt with the news that he was out of a job in the best possible way - he went on holiday to Mexico with his glamorous girlfriend, Holly Valance.
The pair left Los Angeles on Thursday for a two-week getaway, following the axing of O'Loughlin's US vampire show, Moonlight.
Issues behind the scenes and flagging ratings were cited as possible reasons for the decision, however O'Loughlin's agent, Nathan Morris, of June Cann Management, is confident O'Loughlin will not be unemployed for long.
"He has got a whole raft of things to read through - a role like this has definitely opened plenty of doors," Morris said.
"The key is to strike while the iron is hot."
Source : Australian Courier Mail
Yea, we all know that another studio will snatch up what CBS carelessly threw away!
Alex O'Loughlin, Holly Valance holiday in Mexico
AUSSIE actor Alex O'Loughlin dealt with the news that he was out of a job in the best possible way - he went on holiday to Mexico with his glamorous girlfriend, Holly Valance.
The pair left Los Angeles on Thursday for a two-week getaway, following the axing of O'Loughlin's US vampire show, Moonlight.
Issues behind the scenes and flagging ratings were cited as possible reasons for the decision, however O'Loughlin's agent, Nathan Morris, of June Cann Management, is confident O'Loughlin will not be unemployed for long.
"He has got a whole raft of things to read through - a role like this has definitely opened plenty of doors," Morris said.
"The key is to strike while the iron is hot."
Source : Australian Courier Mail
Calling CBS this morning
I phoned the CBS Moonlight demo phone line... ( 818 ) 655-1779.... to see if the box had been emptied yet this morning. As of 8:15 AM Central Time, it was still full. Next, I called Audience Services ( 212 ) 975-4545. The operator I spoke to was friendly. She said "we have a California number set up for Moonlight calls" and gave me the demo line info. Her advice was to wait until after 9:00 AM Pacific to give them time to clear the voicemail messages. I say.... just keep calling until you get through. This is very important! They will stop logging calls at 6:00 PM Eastern today!
UPDATE ~ as of 9:30 AM Central, the demo line mailbox has been cleared. Calls are going through now!
UPDATE ~ as of 9:30 AM Central, the demo line mailbox has been cleared. Calls are going through now!
SPOILER ~ Promo photos for Moonlight's season finale ~ Sonata (episode #1x16)
It's bittersweet Moonlight Friday! I really, really hope the ratings tonight are huge. What a perfect way to show CBS the error of their ways! This is what we are fighting for..........
Repost ~
Just click on the photographs above for larger versions of the images.
Repost ~
SPOILER PHOTO ALERT!
Promo photos for Moonlight's season finale ~ Sonata (episode #1x16). Mick St John, Josef Kostan & Beth Turner shown at glam party! Don't they look elegant? Beth & Mick dancing together..... Awwwwwww
Just click on the photographs above for larger versions of the images.
Moonlight questions in Ask Matt column
Two Moonlight questions from TV Guide's Ask Matt column.
Mourning Moonlight
Question:
I know you'll be getting millions of heartbroken letters from fans of TV shows (in addition to Moonlight) that were cancelled, but I'm writing because my feelings this season are bigger than my normal disappointment from upfronts. I actually think I'm done with network TV. I am so upset with the trend to cancel shows that don't instantly perform that I will be tuning out and going to cable. First Veronica Mars, then Jericho and finally the stake in the heart of Moonlight. It is so depressing to invest in great shows that deserve a bigger audience, but never get them because they are labeled as "quirky" or "genre" or are in "TV death slots." At times it feels like we (the TV watchers) work harder than the networks to create buzz for shows. The one network that may have succeeded in picking me up as a viewer again may be the CW. After Veronica Mars, I boycotted the station, but the loyalty the network seems to be showing to promising shows with low ratings like Gossip Girl and Reaper may have won me over for at least a trial run this year. All I have been hearing about is the drop in viewers for prime time, but it seems like the networks don't understand that they play a big part in this. Why be loyal to a station that isn't loyal to its shows or its viewers? So, stick a fork in me, CBS — I'm done. I and my wallet will be watching commercials on another station. — A.M.
Matt Roush:
With all due respect, and with all possible sympathy, I hear variations on this rant every year at this time. There's always some show (often more than one) that triggers this kind of outpouring, and I don't deny it's genuine, but it's nothing new. Shows get canceled every season. It's a function of the business, which has a terribly high casualty rate, especially for shows that don't hew to a particular network's formula. And while I freely admit that CBS's axing of Moonlight took me by disappointed surprise, you'll never get me to advocate a boycott. Life, and TV, goes on. You never know where the next terrific show will turn up, maybe even on CBS, maybe even on Fridays. I can't afford not to keep an open mind. Getting hooked on a TV show always carries an element of risk. I still think it's worth it. As for giving too much credit to the CW for sticking with its low-rated shows, what choice does it have? If Moonlight had aired on the CW, it probably would have survived. But given that network's parameters, Mick would probably have been a teenage vampire, so it's a bit apples and oranges, no?
Question:
Is there any possibility that another network might pick up Moonlight, now that CBS has canceled it? I know that the show was on the bubble, but I was really surprised by its demise, considering all the buzz that surrounds it. I hope that you are enjoying the upfronts! — Sarah Anne
Matt Roush:
Thanks, but I'd be enjoying them a lot more if they didn't throw curveballs like the Moonlight cancellation my way. My instinct, as always, is to say there's little if no chance that anyone will come along to rescue Moonlight, although as I write this column on a crazy Upfront-week deadline, there's a report that the company renting space on Sunday from the CW may be mulling over putting Moonlight into their mix. I'll believe that when it becomes a reality, but until then, no false hope from this corner.
askmatt@tvguide.com
Mourning Moonlight
Question:
I know you'll be getting millions of heartbroken letters from fans of TV shows (in addition to Moonlight) that were cancelled, but I'm writing because my feelings this season are bigger than my normal disappointment from upfronts. I actually think I'm done with network TV. I am so upset with the trend to cancel shows that don't instantly perform that I will be tuning out and going to cable. First Veronica Mars, then Jericho and finally the stake in the heart of Moonlight. It is so depressing to invest in great shows that deserve a bigger audience, but never get them because they are labeled as "quirky" or "genre" or are in "TV death slots." At times it feels like we (the TV watchers) work harder than the networks to create buzz for shows. The one network that may have succeeded in picking me up as a viewer again may be the CW. After Veronica Mars, I boycotted the station, but the loyalty the network seems to be showing to promising shows with low ratings like Gossip Girl and Reaper may have won me over for at least a trial run this year. All I have been hearing about is the drop in viewers for prime time, but it seems like the networks don't understand that they play a big part in this. Why be loyal to a station that isn't loyal to its shows or its viewers? So, stick a fork in me, CBS — I'm done. I and my wallet will be watching commercials on another station. — A.M.
Matt Roush:
With all due respect, and with all possible sympathy, I hear variations on this rant every year at this time. There's always some show (often more than one) that triggers this kind of outpouring, and I don't deny it's genuine, but it's nothing new. Shows get canceled every season. It's a function of the business, which has a terribly high casualty rate, especially for shows that don't hew to a particular network's formula. And while I freely admit that CBS's axing of Moonlight took me by disappointed surprise, you'll never get me to advocate a boycott. Life, and TV, goes on. You never know where the next terrific show will turn up, maybe even on CBS, maybe even on Fridays. I can't afford not to keep an open mind. Getting hooked on a TV show always carries an element of risk. I still think it's worth it. As for giving too much credit to the CW for sticking with its low-rated shows, what choice does it have? If Moonlight had aired on the CW, it probably would have survived. But given that network's parameters, Mick would probably have been a teenage vampire, so it's a bit apples and oranges, no?
Question:
Is there any possibility that another network might pick up Moonlight, now that CBS has canceled it? I know that the show was on the bubble, but I was really surprised by its demise, considering all the buzz that surrounds it. I hope that you are enjoying the upfronts! — Sarah Anne
Matt Roush:
Thanks, but I'd be enjoying them a lot more if they didn't throw curveballs like the Moonlight cancellation my way. My instinct, as always, is to say there's little if no chance that anyone will come along to rescue Moonlight, although as I write this column on a crazy Upfront-week deadline, there's a report that the company renting space on Sunday from the CW may be mulling over putting Moonlight into their mix. I'll believe that when it becomes a reality, but until then, no false hope from this corner.
askmatt@tvguide.com
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