Things Could Be Looking Bad for Future of "BSG"
http://www.sliceofscifi.com/2007/11/20/things-could-be-looking-bad-for-future-of-bsg/
Written by: Michael Hickerson (SoSF Staff Journalist)
As many already know, some of the favorite genre shows have gone dark due to the on-going writer's strike. The good news is that both sides have agreed to meet the Monday after Thanksgiving to try and hammer out a deal.
For the bad news, we already know a lot of it — from a shortened second season for "Heroes" to networks running out of fresh content sooner rather than later.
However, the news could get worse — a lot worse — for fans of SCI FI Channel's "Battlestar Galactica."
According to TV Squad, should the strike linger on too long, there is a very real possibility that the final season of "Galactica" could be shortened or even cancelled entirely.
Deadline Hollywood Daily reports NBC Universal is utilizing the force majeure clause in SAG (Screen Actors Guild) agreements to suspend actors' and actresses' working contracts. The clause indicates studios and networks can do this if production is halted on their shows. Letters have also been sent to the cast of "The Office," "30 Rock" and "Bionic Woman." Should the strike linger, more letters are expected for other shows.
What exactly does this mean for Galatica?
The clause is a power-play that prevents the actors from seeking work elsewhere while the show is shut down for "hiatus." Should an actor or actress choose, he or she can break the contract and get other work. However, when and if the show resumes production, he or she could be re-signed to the show.
So, where's the bad news?
Should this happen, there's a real possiblility NBC Universal would just opt out of the final episodes of "Galactica." With a declining ratings and higher production costs, to re-start a show for ten episodes to please what is percieved as a niche audience might not make sense to the network brass. The long hiatus for "Galactica" haven't helped things since the show has gone off the general public's radar screen.
One of the actors invovled with Galactica told Deadline Hollywood Daily, "They are not following article 61 of the SAG agreement and are about to get a lot of calls from SAG lawyers. They say that since we have shot the minimum 13 episodes of this season, as per our contracts, that they are under no obligation to pay us or let us go. We are essentially on hiatus. To say yesterday was a tough day on set as this information was slowly presented to us would be a profound understatement."
Fans of "Battlestar" can only hope that the series will get to finish the story in the way Ron Moore intended. However, if it isn't allowed to do so, there could be other ways for Ron Moore and company to finish the story–from comic books to original novels to direct-to-DVD, or even a theatrical release on the order of "The X-Files." No matter what happens, the best thing for fans is for the strike to be resolved soon and not jeopordize the last ten or so episodes of "Galactica."
O.K.; this news is, to put it mildly, EXTREMELY UPSETTING. :mad2:
The only glint of hope I can see in this is that R.D.M. seems to genuinely love BSG. I can only hope that if the series is canceled, he will push to have the story resolved in a direct to DVD movie.
ohh no! I am almost through season 1 and I love this show. Ones the point though if there is no ending? THat's like watching LOST and knowing you will never have any answers!
FRAK! That would totally suck. I can't believe they would leave us hanging. I really, really hope this doesn't happen and they get to finish out they way they wanted to.
That is bad news, I really hope it does not come to that. I guess my other thought is if they feel that it is not strong enough on TV anymore to justify filming the final 10 episodes, then why would they consider a theatrical movie.
Wow... first Firefly and now possibly Battlestar?! In the immortal words of C3P0: "We seem to be made to suffer...it's our lot in life."
Well in other C3PO words;
"Artoo has been known to make mistakes...from time to time."
I wouldn't get too worried about things like this until they actually happen.
Blame me and my wife. Every show we really enjoy gets canceled.
This would totally suck
Hmmm that's bad news because I got this flyer inside the Mass Effect case (the game was released 2 days ago). I hope we do get to watch the proper ending of Galactica.
One word. Farscape.
They gave farscape a 4 hour mini to wrap things up. I don't think that the writer of this article has considered that in some cases, the Sci-fi channel has supported their fans.
SG-1 is making 6 hours worth of movies to close things out.
I don't think that a closing mini to end the series would be out of the question in the worse case situation
Quote from: Just X on November 22, 2007, 12:51:01 PM
One word. Farscape.
They gave farscape a 4 hour mini to wrap things up. I don't think that the writer of this article has considered that in some cases, the Sci-fi channel has supported their fans.
SG-1 is making 6 hours worth of movies to close things out.
I don't think that a closing mini to end the series would be out of the question in the worse case situation
I hope you are Fracking right! I am almost through the 1st season and I Frackin love it!
I just don't think that will happen. I know it could but an agreement will be reached.
BSG is the best show on Television. :cylon