web counter
 

"Firefly" Still Dead. I Blame George Lucas.

By Steven Lloyd Wilson | Posted Under Trade News | Comments (38)

Nathan Fillion.jpg

It’s been eight and a half years since “Firefly” got unceremoniously canceled for the gall of having lousy ratings in the Friday night death slot, Fox’s dumping ground for science fiction ever since “The X-Files” managed to claw its way out in the early nineties. In some cultures, eight and a half years is the traditional amount of time that it takes after death for a reincarnated soul to journey through the undying lands to a new body. I assume this is true because everything is traditional somewhere. According to my calculations then, that means that the spirit of “Firefly” is about to reenter the television cosmos, hopefully through a pleasant orifice.

That’s why Nathan Fillion’s offhand remark a couple of weeks ago was so exciting. He told Entertainment Weekly that if he “got $300 million from the California Lottery, the first thing I would do is buy the rights to Firefly, make it on my own, and distribute it on the Internet.” You may remember that day as the day that the internet crashed as a hundred thousand geeks simultaneously started googling for variations on “how to hack the lottery.”

One fan site took the natural step of setting up a website (Help Nathan Buy Firefly) to collect donations to do exactly that. A couple of the writers from Firefly even got on board the bandwagon. Well, the ride’s over because someone at Mutant Enemy realized that having a website that they didn’t control collecting money ostensibly for them was not a particularly liability friendly venture. That is, they tweeted themselves that they in no way were supporting the project. Then they got flustered and tweeted that it’s not that they were against the project, it’s just that they weren’t supporting it. And that my friends, is how you get things like bridges built to nowhere.

The website has now been taken down since they don’t see much point in trying if they’re not going to get the big guns behind them. I assume that they’re giving the money back, or at least using it to buy Nathan Fillion inappropriate gifts.

But this is something that doesn’t make sense to me. All the rich geeks we’ve got in this country, and they’ve all got better things to do with their money than cut a check for $25 million to get another season of a show like this? Come on Gates, I know malaria is bad, but can’t we get a little browncoat love too?

Oh, and just to depress you more: “Firefly” got canceled with an average rating of 4.48 million viewers while this season of “Fringe” has averaged 4.75 million since moving to that same time slot. Why Fox? Why? You hurt me over and over again, but then you flash some spooky music and mystery, and draw me back in. I wish I knew how to quit you.

But the least I can do is leave you with this, now that any hopes you had of a bit more “Firefly” have been dashed. This is “She Don’t Like Firefly,” truly an anthem for a generation.

(source: Blastr)









Each Time You Like, Share, Tweet or Stumble a Pajiba Post, An Angel Does the Paul Rudd Dance

← Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro | Bunohan Trailer: Rampant Badassery →









Comments

Re-runs are now on Science Channel.

Posted by: Brian at March 10, 2011 10:14 AM

Someone with the ability to contact Nathan, or his publicists, or manager, or whomever actors use for buffer zones, needs to inform him of the generous offer Patrick Rothfuss has posted on the interwebs to help him purchase the rights to Firefly. (That letter is here: http://blog.patrickrothfuss.com/2011/02/an-open-letter-to-nathan-fillion/)

I got to meet Pat last night at his book singing, and our crowd was super lucky to hear from him that next week his book will appear in the #1 spot on the New York Times bestseller list. So it's fair to assume he'll be making a serious profit from book 2. Pat also said that he had serious offers from other wealthy geeks to go in on the deal and help Nathan.

I still have hope.

Posted by: Scully at March 10, 2011 10:14 AM

Posted by: Scully at March 10, 2011 10:15 AM

Ok. I give. If I start watching Firefly, just how pissed will I be when I get to the end? Is it worth the heartache? I'm already watching Lost with the knowledge of disappointment. I started the first episode of Deadwood two weeks before they ended the show. Can my TV riddled heart take another show that I know has no closure?

Posted by: Paultera at March 10, 2011 10:18 AM

Paultera, just make sure you watch Serenity as soon as you finish the series. No disappointment other than the knowledge that it's the end...

Unless you buy the comics. Which aren't bad, but drawings will never hold a candle to that cast.

Posted by: RobP at March 10, 2011 10:28 AM

Paultera, the Serenity movie gave it closure and a somewhat satisfying ending, your TV riddled heart can watch worry free.

Posted by: elgarcon at March 10, 2011 10:29 AM

But it sort of does have closure. True the story isn't over, but at the end of the series it does reach a better place than the characters have been the whole season. Then Serenity will rip your heart out.

Posted by: Wembley at March 10, 2011 10:29 AM

Yes, Paultera, watch Firefly. Fantastic characters, fun stories, and may I say, pithy dialogue. I did not watch Buffy so didn't come into the show with any Whedon crush. Firefly stands on its own.

I recommend you watch it in the order on the DVDs, not the broadcast order.

Better to have loved, than not to have loved at all.

Or something like that.

Posted by: No Pithy Name at March 10, 2011 10:29 AM

Yes, Paultera, watch Firefly. Fantastic characters, fun stories, and may I say, pithy dialogue. I did not watch Buffy so didn't come into the show with any Whedon crush. Firefly stands on its own.

I recommend you watch it in the order on the DVDs, not the broadcast order.

Better to have loved, than not to have loved at all.

Or something like that.

Posted by: No Pithy Name at March 10, 2011 10:31 AM

Damn internet tubes...

Posted by: No Pithy Name at March 10, 2011 10:32 AM

Paultera, Firefly has closure. Just rent Serenity after you finish all the episodes. It ties up the loose ends and um, I guess I won't give you any more spoilers.

Posted by: BWeaves at March 10, 2011 10:33 AM

I second watching the DVD order, which is the correct order of the episodes.

Also, I had a hard time getting into the series until I hit Jayne's Town. Stick it out until you hit that episode and then it really hits its stride. I think what I liked best about Jayne's Town was that "the heist" really took a back seat to the character development.

Posted by: BWeaves at March 10, 2011 10:38 AM

Oh. See, I assumed with all the hub-bub about getting it back on that it finished like Deadwood or something.

Posted by: Paultera at March 10, 2011 10:40 AM

I believe that Serenity is Still available on Netflix Instant, As is the entire Firefly Season.

Definitly a Series and a movie worth the watching.

Posted by: Wolf at March 10, 2011 10:44 AM

that means that the spirit of “Firefly” is about to reenter the television cosmos, hopefully through a pleasant orifice.

I really think I might love you.

Posted by: twig at March 10, 2011 10:45 AM

"Serenity" is the reason I finally broke down and bought a 50" HDTV. The sequence at the end (the "They won't see THIS coming!" moment) is so absolutely packed with total mayhem that it was a travesty to watch it on a 27" crt television. And I will say when you have full surround blasting from the blu ray it's almost hard to take a breath until Serenity finally goes crashes down. Absolutely amazing sequence.

What I don't get about this is why I haven't seen Joss chime in on the situation at all. My understanding is that they are doing Firefly Season 2 as a comic book series, same as they have done with Angel: After the Fall and Buffy Season 8. I think we'll have to be content with that but if I had the money and we could make it a reality I would definitely throw a few million in to the pot.

Posted by: TylerDFC at March 10, 2011 10:49 AM

The bitch didn't cry when Wash died? No wonder he had to kick her out

Posted by: Yesplease at March 10, 2011 10:53 AM

Goddamn you, Nathan Fillion, for getting all these people all riled up again.

THEY NEED TO LET IT GO AND YOU ARE NOT FUCKING HELPING.

Posted by: figgy at March 10, 2011 11:23 AM

@figgy

While I haven't chimed in as yet about how much I'd like to see a continuation of the series (a lot), or even another film (a lot - redux), I will say that I'm not riled up in the least. I am, in fact, a leaf on the wind.

Posted by: Groundloop at March 10, 2011 11:37 AM

Sorry for yelling. My coffee was not up to par this morning and it made me see red.

But still: Shut up, Fillion.

Posted by: figgy at March 10, 2011 11:43 AM

watch me soar

Posted by: Dead Scully (RIP) at March 10, 2011 11:53 AM

What I have never understood is that Buffy was on the air for seven seasons, and gave us like 140 episodes, and they're publishing a monthly comic because apparently there are just that many stories still needing to be told in that universe. Firefly got fourteen episodes and a movie, and we've only gotten like eight comic books, published whenever someone feels like writing one! WHERE IS OUR MONTHLY FIREFLY COMIC, DAMMIT?!

Posted by: Todd at March 10, 2011 11:54 AM

SPOILERS!!!!

When there's folks saying they haven't seen it, how about we extend the statute of limitations on spoilers?

Godtopus help me, I've become that guy.

Posted by: BierceAmbrose at March 10, 2011 11:58 AM

leaf on the wind....

tear :(

Posted by: Ziver at March 10, 2011 12:16 PM

for that chick, not a dealbreaker.

Posted by: HappyGobo at March 10, 2011 12:28 PM

Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!

Posted by: sailboat at March 10, 2011 1:29 PM

"How do I know you won't kill me in my sleep?"

"If I kill you, you'll be awake, you'll be armed, and you'll be facing me."

"Are you always this sentimental?"

"I had a good day."

And that's in the first episode.

God, I love that show!

-Ralphie

Posted by: ralphie at March 10, 2011 2:18 PM

The folks at Help Nathan Buy Firefly didn't actually take any money. They were collecting pledges to donate money if the appropriate people came on board. They were adamant about not taking any money before then.

Posted by: Brigs at March 10, 2011 2:20 PM

Of course, the untimely cancellation and all the attendant hooplah over the whole situation has made Fillion, and Firefly MUCH more famous and loved than either ever would have been if the show had toddled along slightly under the radar on Friday Night FOX for 4-5 seasons. There is something to be said for being struck down in your prime.

To an Athlete Dying Young

The time you won your town the race
We chaired you through the market-place;
Man and boy stood cheering by,
And home we brought you shoulder-high.

To-day, the road all runners come,
Shoulder-high we bring you home,
And set you at your threshold down,
Townsman of a stiller town.

Smart lad, to slip betimes away
From fields were glory does not stay
And early though the laurel grows
It withers quicker than the rose.

Eyes the shady night has shut
Cannot see the record cut,
And silence sounds no worse than cheers
After earth has stopped the ears:

Now you will not swell the rout
Of lads that wore their honours out,
Runners whom renown outran
And the name died before the man.

So set, before its echoes fade,
The fleet foot on the sill of shade,
And hold to the low lintel up
The still-defended challenge-cup.

And round that early-laurelled head
Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead,
And find unwithered on its curls
The garland briefer than a girl's.

A.E Housman

Posted by: Lindsey with an 'e' at March 10, 2011 4:47 PM

That open letter from Patrick Rothfuss made me love him even more! He also wrote an extended post about his love for Buffy and all things Whedon. But then came this offer and I just want to hug him. Shiny!

Posted by: Phedre at March 10, 2011 5:15 PM

SLW, Nathan was a guest on the Nerdist podcast recently, and he stated while he was amazed at the idea of fans collecting money to support him, there was no way he would EVER take their money and use it to buy Firefly. He said he'd only buy the rights if he won the lottery. Awww, he's just so Canadian!

Posted by: UnlessTheMoonFalls at March 10, 2011 5:49 PM

My sister moved in with me two months ago because she is getting a divorce and she is adamantly against watching anything Joss Whedon. It's been the bleakest two months ever. I'm having Firefly withdrawals.

I will get back at her, though. This weekend I plan to set the dvd player and tv where they can't be turned off (no, I haven't figured out how yet) and play Once More With Feeling on a continuous loop at top volume until she either loses her mind or recognizes the genius. Then I can go back to watching an ep of Firefly every night before bed.

Ahhh. Captain Tightpants. I know you missed me, but I'll be back soon lover!

Posted by: tracey8051 at March 10, 2011 6:15 PM

The goodly Mr. Fillion was on Chris Hardwick's Nerdist podcast and discussed this very issue...and made a cute joke, when asked if he had to choose only two letters of the alphabet, he responded "a", because he was Canadian. Aww.

Posted by: bluefalseindigo at March 10, 2011 6:16 PM

@Yesplease: To be fair, Zoe didn't cry either.

Though that doesn't make it any less wrong.

Posted by: EJ at March 10, 2011 6:42 PM

I unapologetically judge people, openly, on whether they like Firefly. It's like a litmus test to get into our particular friend group.

In a sad sort of way it's far easier to get into to the series than, say, Battlestar Galactica, which had six seasons of wildly varying quality to slog through. I've had people run through all my Firefly dvds in a day and were begging for more.

Posted by: seed at March 10, 2011 9:25 PM

...Also, Fillion hails from Alberta (Canada's Texas). So, yeah, hot.

Posted by: seed at March 10, 2011 9:38 PM

I am a leaf in the wind. Watch how I soar. and Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal! have both been my signature at various points in time.

I died when Wash died. DIED!

Posted by: noonoo at March 10, 2011 10:08 PM

Of course Zoe cried. You just didn't see.

Posted by: Three-nineteen at March 11, 2011 8:29 PM