quote:The SCI FI Channel is ending Stargate Atlantis after five seasons, Multichannel News reports.
The show will go on, though, with a 2-hour movie that will air on SCI FI in 2009, and be released on DVD by MGM. The film will be written by executive producers Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie.
It's intended to be the first of an on-going series of Atlantis movies, according to the report. Stargate SG-1 has released two very successful movies direct-to-DVD this year (Stargate: The Ark of Truth and Stargate: Continuum), though neither has aired on U.S. television yet.
"The show will live on as a network franchise," the report also says. This could indicate that future Atlantis movies are a lock for SCI FI, or it may be a general statement about the cable network's commitment to the Stargate franchise.
Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper, who created and executive produced Atlantis, pitched a third television series in the 11-year-old TV franchise to the network last year (story). While SCI FI has not yet announced a green light for that show, the end of Atlantis may clear the way -- the dollars available for original programming, that is -- for the next series.
Though Stargate Atlantis has been a solid ratings performer for SCI FI -- and was its highest-rated original program ever when it premiered in July 2004 -- in recent years series like Eureka have supplanted it in the "Live" ratings.
Atlantis remains an extremely strong performer in DVR-delayed viewing, though, often building as much as 25 to 30 percent on its premiere night audience.
Season Five will go out on a cliffhanger, with "Enemy At the Gate" expected to premiere in January. Expect the first Atlantis movie to wrap up that hanging storyline.
Not since Enterprise was canned have I been so pissed. There is no good sci fi on TV afte this- and for that lame-ass Eureka show to remain on while Atlantis is scrapped shows how the head of Sci-Fi channel truly does not give a shit about sci-fi.
Posted by Josh (Member # 1884) on :
It never ceases to amaze me how far the sci fi channel can shove their head up their own ass
Posted by MinutiaeMan (Member # 444) on :
I'm a lot less pissed about this decision than any of the others (Atlantis isn't the greatest show ever, though I definitely enjoy it), but it never ceases to amaze me just how many sci-fi shows the so-called "Sci-Fi Channel" can actually cancel while still putting out such ridiculous drivel as Ghost Hunters.
Of course, everyone was swearing the same kinds of vengeance (I'll never watch this channel again!) way back when they pulled this shit with Farscape, and look where that's gotten us.
But the root problem remains, and the indication thereof is right in the quoted press release: the television ratings system that determines whether a show lives or dies is a dinosaur from the eighties and has no relevance in today's television world.
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
*spits in SciFi's eye*
Posted by Nim (Member # 205) on :
Jason:
quote:and for that lame-ass Eureka show
Hey! It spreads a cosy, pleasant and rustic feeling, ok?!
Posted by MinutiaeMan (Member # 444) on :
Oh joy... it's "Stargate: Voyager"!
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
Does the "younger vibe" comment remind anyone of the scene in "100" (SG1) when they joked around about replacing the cast with younger, hipper versions of themselves?
If any of the crew uses the phrase "I'd tap that" I'll quit watching.
At the very least, there's a plan in place to finish the series and even continue it through movies. We'll probably get a situation like SG1... the series is over, but the crew is still there, doing stuff, leaving the way open for more movies dealing with both casts.
Sill... one wonders at the network's logic. "Well, it's performing well, people are watching it, and the DVDs are selling. What can we do? I guess it's time to cancel it."
Posted by Sean (Member # 2010) on :
I'm guessing that the amount of money they were spending per episode was too much for the amount of veiwers it got, and reducing budget would lead to the loss of VFX, and story, and guest actors, which would probably lower the ratings even more. So, they canned it while it was still "on top".
Posted by Pensive's Wetness (Member # 1203) on :
As I grow older, I find that I watch less and less Network Television (read: Zero) outside of maybe Today Show and a glimpse of Leno (maybe the evening news). Even if I wasn't on a ship, and shore based, I watch only certain shows, almost always syndicated.
That's business. And if business requires the TV execs to inspect their own rectums instead of their proctologists? So be it.
There's always Youtube/Youpr0n...
Posted by Mars Needs Women (Member # 1505) on :
Great now they can put more wrestling, ghost hunters, ghost hunters international, scare tactics, and $1.00 budget movies. Even though I'm not a fan of Stargate, it is a staple in Sci-Fi TV viewing. I wonder how long Caprica will last.
Posted by Pensive's Wetness (Member # 1203) on :
quote:Originally posted by Mars Needs Women: Great now they can put more wrestling, ghost hunters, ghost hunters international, scare tactics, and $1.00 budget movies. Even though I'm not a fan of Stargate, it is a staple in Sci-Fi TV viewing. I wonder how long Caprica will last.
you're assuming it even gets made. Look at the broken track record of BSG because of various BS the past year...
Not a big deal, Sci-Fi simply looses more viewers until it finally changes Hands/name/format.
The Sci-Fi Channel is Now...
SHITV!
i mean, i don't even remember what SpikeTV was called before it became Spike!. and that occured in the late 90's. think things are gonna be better for TV in general when they go all Non-Rabbit ears next february (Got your decoder box, non-cable peps?)?
Posted by Mars Needs Women (Member # 1505) on :
Hmm...I think it was called TNN. I don't know what it stood for though (The National Network?).
Posted by Krenim (Member # 22) on :
quote:Originally posted by Pensive's Wetness: i mean, i don't even remember what SpikeTV was called before it became Spike!. and that occured in the late 90's.
It was TNN, which stood for The National Network. Before that it was also TNN, but it stood for The Nashville Network.
Posted by Fabrux (Member # 71) on :
The Nashville Network -> The National Network -> The New TNN -> SpikeTV -> Spike
Also, TBS -> Peachtree TV WTF?
And UPN + WB = CW?!
Posted by HopefulNebula (Member # 1933) on :
quote:Originally posted by Nim: Jason:
quote:and for that lame-ass Eureka show
Hey! It spreads a cosy, pleasant and rustic feeling, ok?!
And it sure beats the piss out of "Flu Bird Horror."
Oh, and the "peachtree" I'm assuming is a reference to Georgia, since Ted Turner's based in Atlanta.
Posted by B.J. (Member # 858) on :
To be fair to SciFi ( ), it wasn't their fault this time. It was MGM that pulled the plug. Even so, NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
"i mean, i don't even remember what SpikeTV was called before it became Spike!. and that occured in the late 90's."
2003, actually.
Posted by MinutiaeMan (Member # 444) on :
quote:Originally posted by B.J.: It was MGM that pulled the plug.
Every quote I've read so far says that it was a "mutual decision." Which I'd bet means Sci-Fi called up MGM and said "we wanna cancel the show," and MGM said "sure!" (In contrast to Sci-Fi's previous unilateral cancellations.)
It's pretty much the same story all over again.
Posted by Pensive's Wetness (Member # 1203) on :
quote:Originally posted by TSN:
"i mean, i don't even remember what SpikeTV was called before it became Spike!. and that occured in the late 90's."
2003, actually.
... Never tell me the odds/correct me in mid-sentence/hit the brakes when i'm adjusting the cat's diaphram/giving birth to knew ideas ceserian style... o.O Whut?
You're probably right. from 1998 to 2000 and then 2001-2003, i was at the mercy of either Satilite TV or AFN so little things like TNN -> TNN -> SpikeTV -> Spike! would have eluded me...
Really, was it only that long ago, sir?
Posted by Sean (Member # 2010) on :
I remember when TNN became the "New TNN". It was around the time that TNG was beginning to be broadcast on that network. It didn't have tha much bad stuff on it then, if I remember correctly, but now, a lot of stuff on Spike is crap.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
Spike tried (and failed) to be a Man's version of Lifetime- they went waaay overboard and had a real "redneck-that-watches-TNG" vibe.
Posted by Daniel Butler (Member # 1689) on :
...the cat's diaphragm?!?!
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
Well, you don't want to take any chances. Do you know how many kittens those things have at a time?
Posted by Pensive's Wetness (Member # 1203) on :
quote:Originally posted by Daniel Butler: ...the cat's diaphragm?!?!
'We're Sorry. The person you are trying to reach [P.W.] Is not availible at this time and does not plan to return until the boat does. Please leave your name, number and the member will return your call promptly. Thank You.'
:3 Sometimes, left field constricts me...
Tread Derail FTW Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :
WTF! That's not fair! Fuck you Sci-Fi Channel! Is there a petition or something to support Atlantis?
Posted by Daniel Butler (Member # 1689) on :
I doubt signatures will make a difference when they're concerned about money ;-P
Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :
Even still... grr!
Posted by Mark Nguyen (Member # 469) on :
Grr indeed. This is the second time the Stargate franchise has been dealt a premature death. The Ori storyline was getting interesting before they killed SG-1, finishing things off with a movie. Atlantis faces the same end now.
Meanwhile, we're given ANOTHER series which promises the same sort of fun as Atlantis is JUST getting around to. How long will this last?
Mark
Posted by MinutiaeMan (Member # 444) on :
Considering that it's the Sci-Fi Channel... probably forever. "All of this has happened before, and all of this will happen again." (Oops, wrong franchise!)
Posted by Mars Needs Women (Member # 1505) on :
Hey, I made that joke before...
Posted by Reverend (Member # 335) on :
again...again...again...again...
Posted by MinutiaeMan (Member # 444) on :
quote:Originally posted by Mars Needs Women: Hey, I made that joke before...
All of these jokes have been made before, and all of these jokes will be made again...
Posted by HopefulNebula (Member # 1933) on :
AHAHAHAHAHA. Have you seen Skiffy's new SG:A ads?
The one calling this season the "BEST SEASON EVER"?
Somebody failed Marketing 101. Or basic logic. Or both. While it may or may not be the best season ever, they still canned it. Mixed messages, much?
Posted by Mars Needs Women (Member # 1505) on :
Yeah I noticed that the other day. Guess they're rubbing salt into the wound.
Posted by Daniel Butler (Member # 1689) on :
No, they're being corporate fucktards.
Posted by StationMaster (Member # 63) on :
*censored* bunch of *censored* *censored* *censored* *censored* *censored* misrable, total, scrattly little phlem encrusted *censored* *censored* *censored*
*censored* *censored* *censored*
A *censored* movie?
What do they *censored* think I *censored* am?
A total *censored*wit?
May they are get *censored* hanging off their *censored* and die a terrible *censored* death....
Posted by StationMaster (Member # 63) on :
*censored*
Posted by Pensive's Wetness (Member # 1203) on :
quote:Originally posted by StationMaster: Fockfockfockfockfockfockfockfickfickfickfickfickfickfickfickfickfickfeckfeckfeckfeckfeckfeckfeckfeckfackfackfackfackfackfackfackfackfackfack....
In a _niverse where teh the Letter _ is banded, there is band of heros, dedicated to bringing the _ back into teh light, one F_cking vertical 1/2 O at a time, f_cktards....
They are. The F_cking _.N.
This time, it's rather painful, to be a peng_in at a titty bar...
Posted by Daniel Butler (Member # 1689) on :
Miserable.
Phlegm.
I'm done now. I agree with you. Posted by Kosh (Member # 167) on :
quote:Originally posted by MinutiaeMan: Considering that it's the Sci-Fi Channel... probably forever. "All of this has happened before, and all of this will happen again." (Oops, wrong franchise!)
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
), it wasn't their fault this time. It was MGM that pulled the plug. Even so, NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)