DollHouse: nieuwe serie van O+ Joss Whedon O+ [USA]

]I thought it was time to check in with you once again, gentle viewers. Or readers. Or pictures-looker-ats (that might be viewers). Also listeners, sniffers, haberdashers, Olympic hopefuls, the elderly, the youngerdly, and the mighty state of Oregon (go Oregon-based sports franchise!) Welcome all. Welcome... to me.

What's me up to? I'm glad me asked. Me've (I'm not doing that any more) been working on a little show called Dollhouse. Yes, perhaps you've read about how it's blazing an untrammeled path to surefire success, with nary a hitch or a hiccup, just pure blazing blazery, comet-like and meteoresque. What's that, you say? You've read other things? Dark, Yog-Sothothy rumors about shutdowns and delays? Poppycock! They’re true. But I never pass up a chance to say "poppycock". ("Balderdash" is so '07. Let it go.) I know there's been a lot of concern, various fabulous hues of panic alert readiness. So here's the skinny. Some of the names have been changed.

The show was ruined by Flim Flinear. Okay, that's another lie, and you're probably close to giving up on this blog, so here we go. Yes, we've had to make adjustments. Yes, it's been hard and I've been depressing to be around for awhile. Basically, the Network and I had different ideas about what the tone of the show would be. They bought something somewhat different than what I was selling them, which is not that uncommon in this business. Their desires were not surprising: up the stakes, make the episodes more stand-alone, stop talking about relationships and cut to the chase. Oh, and add a chase. That you can cut to. Nothing I hadn't heard before on my other shows (apparently my learning curve has no bendy part) but frustrating as hell given our circumstances - a pilot shot, scripts written, everybody marching together/gainfully employed... and then a shutdown. Glad I was for the breathing room, but it's hardly auspicious. So back into the writer cave I went, wondering why I put up with this when I can make literally dozens of dollars making internet movies. Why I do put up with this is divided into three parts.

One: They're not wrong. Oh, we don't see eye-to-eye on everything, but wanting the first episodes to be exciting and accessible is not exactly Satanic. Being Satan is, but that's in their free time and hey, there's no judging in the Dollhouse. This kind of back and forth has happened on every show I've done, so if you liked those, chances are that was a part of why. And the need to focus on the essentials of what makes this universe tick - and which wire to cut to make it stop - really does bring up our game. So we as a staff have gone from blinking like unhoused moles to delving in with the same relish we had when we started. The show is really coming together now, in a way that I believe excites us and satisfies the Network. Of course, I have no idea if anybody else will like it, but I have the same faith in the staff, the crew and the remarkable cast that I always did. More, in fact. And what's more crucial:

Two: Nothing essential has changed about the universe. The ideas and relationships that intrigued me from the start are all there (though some have shifted, more on that), and the progression of the first thirteen eps has me massively excited. The episode we're shooting now I wrote as fast as anything I have before, not because I had to (although, funny side-note: I had to) but because I couldn't stop the words from coming. Because I can feel the show talking to me; delighting, scaring and occasionally even offending me. It's alive. Alive! Which is a far cry from how I felt a month ago. It's been hilarious trying to keep up with what's in, what's out, who's met whom and when - we've shot all of the first seven episodes out of airing order - but it's come together in a pretty thrilling way. My huge gratitude to our cast for their precision and patience. Which also includes...

Three: Eliza. Watching her on the monitors at two o'clock this morning I was reminded forcibly how much I wished I were in bed – but also how strong, radiant and unmistakable her presence is. She's someone who could coast on talent and never ever does. I love to watch her work. In fact, I think I got myself into this mess for that very reason, and though I have this fall occasionally sworn never to eat lunch with an actor I like again, I’m pretty pleased and crazy proud.

So here's me, slogging away on a show like days of old and not hating life. Again, you guys will be the judge, jury and execu... lawyer, but we do have something to show you. Something, I'm chuffed to say, still pretty damn strange.

As for what's been changed, well, some things I obviously can't tell you. Some I can, for the record: The original pilot was in fact thrown out. Again, at my behest. Once it became clear what paradigm the Network was shooting for, it just didn't fit at all, even after I'd reshot more than half of it (see above re: despair). To get a sense of how completely turned around I was during this process, you should know there was a scene with Eliza and the astonishing Ashley Johnson that I wrote and shot completely differently three different times, with different characters in different places (actually I wrote it closer to eight times), and none of it will ever see air. Which is as it should be (though I'm determined to get Ms. Johnson back in the future). The scene just didn't belong anymore. Similarly, the character of November has fallen out of the mix, because the show simply moves too fast now for me to do what I wanted with her. Season three, anyone...? Happily, Miracle Laurie is still with us in a new role, playing against (and pining for) Tahmoh's character, Paul Ballard. Their chemistry is deeply nifty. The only other major cast shift is that the Dollhouse head of security, Laurence Dominic (played by Reed Diamond), who was written just for the now-defunct first ep, has stuck like fly-paper, and Reed is very much in the family for the present. (Most of my problems seem to involve my actors making themselves indispensable. This is the good problem kind.)

Apart from that, it's all hush-hush: some things I'd intended to hold back are laid out much sooner, and some are rolling out more slowly. We're still heading toward Tim's intense two-part mind-blower - right before a thirteenth ep that may actually just be insane.

And finally, young Steve DeKnight, after writing and shooting an ep so cool it helped not only define the show but save its ass, is ending his consulting duties, the f#%&er. I will be crying on the shoulder of Jane Espenson come Monday, so congratudolences are in order. Excited for the Jane Flava.

And there you have it. I'll be writing more bulletins about "Cabin" and a certain DVD in the very near future, but I wanted to get you all some actual information for a change. I can count on you guys not to tell anyone, right? What's a blog?

Faithfully, -joss.

Zhenar	vrijdag 2 november 2007 @ 11:05
	quote: Joss Whedon is making his return to network television, with an original drama series entitled Dollhouse. Series, which will reunite Whedon with former Buffy the Vampire Slayer co-star Eliza Dushku (who will star and produce Dollhouse), has received a seven episode commitment from FOX. Dushku will star as Echo, a member of an elite team of secret agents each of whom, according to James Hibberd at TV Week, has "the ability to be imprinted with custom personalities and abilities for special assignments. When they return, their newly acquired memories are wiped. The show follows Echo as she takes on a variety of assignments—some romantic, some adventurous, some uplifting, some illegal—and gains awareness of her role and confinement." The idea for the series was hatched by Whedon at a lunch with Dushku, who was allegedly instrumental in bringing Whedon back to network television. The series concept was sold to FOX a week later. For an interview with Whedon, check out Hibberd's Q&A at TV Week, in which the auteur talks about the potential WGA strike, returning to FOX, the future of that Ripper spin-off, and whether Nathan Fillion will pop up on Dollhouse. More details emerging about Dollhouse, this time from Variety: "Beyond Dushku's character, the show will also revolve around the people who run the mysterious "dollhouse" [the lab] and two other "dolls," a man and woman who are friendly with Echo. Then there's the federal agent who has heard an urban myth about the dolls, and is trying to investigate their existence. Whedon admitted there's a little dose of The Matrix in the plot -- "I do have that entire movie tattooed on my brain" -- and said Dollhouse will enable him and Dushku to explore some political and social issues." Dollhouse is expected to launch sometime in 2008, with production beginning as early as the spring, thanks to in-depth episodic outlines for all seven episodes written by Whedon. _bron !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Meer links: http://digg.com/television/New_Joss_Whedon_show_on_Fox_Dollhouse http://www.eonline.com/go(...)ea-abad-0abf6afba1f3 http://www.hollywoodrepor(...)8422a2d53ac7422bd528 http://tv.ign.com/articles/831/831940p1.html http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2007/10/whedon-returns-.html http://latimesblogs.latim(...)whedon-returns-.html http://www.tvweek.com/blo(...)turns_to_fox_wit.php
Steve	vrijdag 2 november 2007 @ 13:32
	Jaaaaa, ik ben echt megabenieuwd!!! Joss Whedon. Eliza Dushku. Ener zijn al gewoon 7 afleveringen gevraagd. Het idee klinkt ook wel geinig.
-Mo-	vrijdag 2 november 2007 @ 14:58
	IK BEN PRESENT. BEDANKT VOOR HET MELDEN VAN HET NIEUWS ZHENAR, YOU'VE MADE MY DAY. JOSS WHEDON. DUSHKU.
Zhenar	vrijdag 2 november 2007 @ 15:01
	-Mo-
Liquidootje	vrijdag 2 november 2007 @ 15:55
	Puur omdat het van Josh Whedom komt blijf ik dit even in mijn active topic houden.
SuperSiem	vrijdag 2 november 2007 @ 15:57
	quote: Dollhouse has an initial seven episode commitment. While some reports say it could potentially air as a mid-season replacement in the late spring, the Variety piece suggests it's more likely to debut next fall. They add that the potential is there for the early production on the first seven episodes to allow for enough lead time to let the show air a full 22 episode season uninterrupted by repeats. Shows that have done this previously, including 24 and Alias, have had to wait until later in the season to begin airing, to allow for enough episodes to be completed so that there can be no breaks. Nog wel even wachten dus. Maar goed, alles beter dan niets.
Slayage	vrijdag 2 november 2007 @ 17:16
	7eps!
wolfrolf	zaterdag 3 november 2007 @ 00:31
	FOX. Dat wordt dus gewoon keihard gecancelled na 3 eps ofzo Maar ik kijk wel. Joss
Steve	zaterdag 3 november 2007 @ 00:33
	3 is beter dan 0.
Merkie	zaterdag 3 november 2007 @ 00:33
	Dacht dat hij na Firefly nooit meer met Fox wilde samenwerken ofzo .
wolfrolf	zaterdag 3 november 2007 @ 00:48
	quote: Op zaterdag 3 november 2007 00:33 schreef Merkie het volgende: Dacht dat hij na Firefly nooit meer met Fox wilde samenwerken ofzo [ afbeelding ]. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Zhenar	zaterdag 3 november 2007 @ 17:31
	quote: Op zaterdag 3 november 2007 00:48 schreef wolfrolf het volgende: [..] $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Sad, but true Ach, het boeit mij niet, zolang de serie maar tof is en dan ook lang blijft draaien
Quarks	zaterdag 3 november 2007 @ 20:36
	Kan meneer Whedon niet eens iets anders bedenken dan een serie met een mysterieuze vrouw die een buitengewoon talent heeft voor vechtsporten in de hoofdrol. De man kan best series maken maar hier heb ik geen vertrouwen in. Whedon en Dushku willen waarschijnlijk een hoog salaris en de serie klinkt alsof het vol special effects e.d. gaat zitten; veel duurder dan een typische dramaserie of reallifesoap. FOX kennende halen ze liever geld binnen met goedkopere shows.
wolfrolf	maandag 12 november 2007 @ 23:09
	Quarks houd je bek. Whedon rules. Tevens: Kick
-Mo-	zondag 6 april 2008 @ 10:57
	Castingnieuws en tevens kickje. http://community.tvguide.(...)op-Whedons/800036353 http://www.hollywoodrepor(...)8bb0949984fd99f45dbe
Liquidootje	zondag 6 april 2008 @ 11:35
	Helo? Helo??
PeRi	zondag 6 april 2008 @ 11:40
	Hey, dit klinkt erg tof. Ben benieuwd!
wolfrolf	zondag 6 april 2008 @ 19:51
	Dollhouse!! Joss Whedon
Merkie	zondag 6 april 2008 @ 20:11
	quote: Op zaterdag 3 november 2007 20:36 schreef Quarks het volgende: Kan meneer Whedon niet eens iets anders bedenken dan een serie met een mysterieuze vrouw die een buitengewoon talent heeft voor vechtsporten in de hoofdrol. Late reactie, maar in Firefly en Angel was er een mannelijke protagonist hoor. En in Firefly was er helemaal niks mysterieus aan de hoofdpersonen. Kortom, ongegronde kritiek.
Witchfynder	maandag 7 april 2008 @ 00:15
	Hmm, klinkt als een concept wat heel cool of heel bagger kan worden. Ben benieuwd. .