354 replies to this topic

[booberella]

(Thread title change optional, I suppose, as this title is depressing and sucks.)

Well, our beloved show is going to be cut short before its natural completion. There's still a chance that a season four could happen, but right now it relies on how much we do to make it happen. The best suggestion is to threaten to cancel your HBO subscription, and to encourage others to do the same (as HBO now has a "history" of cancelling shows that perform well in the ratings -- so "your show could be next!")

Here's a list of contacts where you can register your outrage (though, threats of violence and/or the word "cocksuckers" should probably be kept out of your complaint.)

HBO Complaints/Comments hotline: 212-512-1208

HBO Online Comment Form (the easiest way, if you're an introvert like me)

Also, you can email HBO@HBO.com


Chris Albrecht - Chairman and CEO <-The Cocksucker Most Responsible
Chris.Albrecht@HBO.com
CC: Carolyn Strauss - President
Carolyn.Strauss@hbo.com

Their snail mail address:

HBO Entertainment
2500 Broadway, Ste. 400
Santa Monica, CA 90404

(You might want to CC this letter to the following person:)
Richard D. Parsons <-That Cocksucker Albrecht's Boss Man
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Time Warner
c/o Office of the Corporate Secretary
Time Warner Inc.
One Time Warner Center
New York, NY10019

There's also a big list of Entertainment Reporters that Earl Brown is encouraging people to write to for support and to raise awareness. I'll post it if anyone wants it.

Finally, the fan website is up: http://savedeadwood.net

That's somewhere you can direct your friends to go to get this same info, if they're not familiar with TWOP.

Sorry for the long post! I'm editing to add on, and not double post. Trying to move previous conversations over here.

Kathie000 said: Since David Milch was already under contract with Paramount, I'm not sure there would have even been a Deadwood, had they not cut a deal for 3 years with overseas royalties. And Rome was already in the works by then and ran into some unforseen debacles getting started. I don't know maybe they shouldn't have taken on two pricey shows at once?

They could have done a lot of things, I think, to handle their money better, and they didn't. And I still don't understand why they can't just wait a little longer than usual to do a Season Four, in order to maybe save money (and make some from DVD sales.) We'd certainly wait for it -- people waited almost two years for this latest season of The Sopranos. I also think they're missing the opportunity to expand their viewership by not offering their shows for download, like so many other networks are doing. If people get hooked on Deadwood (or any other show) via their computer, they may buy a subscription to HBO. And even if they don't, then at least HBO would be making money from the downloads, instead of losing it to people who grab shows off of Bit Torrent.

(Not that I did that when I didn't have cable. Cough. Six Feet Under. Cough.)

Edited by booberella, May 14, 2006 @ 9:29 PM.

[kathie000]

Yeah but I think the difference is TS/SATC put them on the map. That was a go no matter what (though I think some viewers resented it and scadattled. You always run the risk of casual viewers dropping off when you do stuff like that, it's well documented on the nets). But they couldn't in good conscience tie up cast and crew that long, for something that wasn't a sure thing. Podcast! Yes they're working on that and cells too as we type, so that's promising, Who knows maybe even this season. BTW I think this thread is a great idea but I'm wondering if we should continue in the Gem. That way folks will immediately see all the great info you posted that will otherwise get shoved to the back soon.

[booberella]

The info's posted over at the Gem, too, and then there's the new website. Plus we can bump this sucker back and forth until someone else jumps in.

I see your point about stringing all the cast along. At this point, I think they've hosed themselves by declaring the series done. The cast might stick around until the premiere of Season 3, when their original contracts expire, but after that it'll be a pain in the ass to get everyone back and try to do a fourth season (if they reconsider.) Sigh.

[kathie000]

Please don't lose hope. What have you to lose by hoping? Either way, I know I'll be burniing from crown to toe, if it don't come up aces.

Edited by kathie000, May 15, 2006 @ 3:09 AM.

[Moon Beagle]

Well it sounds like there may be a season 4 after all, but possibly with some new cast members.

Nah thanks. Give me Milch, Mcshane, Olyphant and all the rest, or nothin' at all.

[cherry malotte]

Thank you booberella for your informative posting. I'm still sooooo upset about this that I'm going to send my 'please don't cancel this show' begs to TPTB but I'm gonna wait a bit. If I send something now, it'll use fouler language than Jane and make no sense.

Those cocksuckers! I have to be totally honest here and tell ya'll - I was not into serial programming before Deadwood. Sure, years ago I watched Thirtysomething and early ER but lost my interest in it and there's been others I would occasionally watch - CSI, Without a Trace, and the L&O hen and chicks, but not as a matter of routine. Masterpiece Theatre was about the only Sunday night must see tv for me, but then I am a classic film tool so my tv was tuned into TCM mostly.

Deadwood changed that for me. Finally, a serial that appealed to my love of Ford and Peckinpah westerns, acting that is bar none, and writing that is just sublime. It made me rediscover an interest in the Sopranos, and gave me a spark of curiousity for Rome and other episodic programming again. I was so excited by the Emmy noms that the first season of Deadwood received I watched them, which I've never ever ever done before.

*sigh* I'm so bummed. Somebody open me a can of fucking peaches.

[Qjuad]

This was the automated reply somebody recieved over at Rhoswen's Deadwood Stage.

"Thank you for writing HBO.

Despite recent articles on the future of our HBO Original series
"DEADWOOD", there has been no decision for the future of the series, and
conversations regarding a fourth season are ongoing. Since "DEADWOOD"
creator David Milch is working on another HBO Original series, we've
granted our beloved Deadwood cast the latitude to pursue other projects,
for the time being.

We appreciate your interest and hope that you will continue to find HBO
to be a source of quality entertainment."

Yeah, the cast were so beloved they weren't warned in advance.

[booklady]

Yeah, someone should forward that to W. Earl Brown, eh?

I got the same canned reply.

[booberella]

I got the same email reply. I like the spin on it, as if it's all Milch's fault.

It's been posted at the HBO boards, so I wonder if Earl has read it yet.

From the Media thread:

"Deadwood" is produced by Paramount Network Television, raising the possibility that the studio and HBO, which is owned by Time Warner, could not agree on terms for continuing the series after this summer. Whatever the case, Milch is said to be unhappy with the way the situation was resolved but was unable to save the show, according to one talent representative familiar with the situation. Milch's agent declined to comment last week and could not immediately be reached over the weekend.

Why has he gone into hiding? It makes him look guilty as hell.

Edited by booberella, May 15, 2006 @ 2:58 PM.

[kathie000]

Why has he gone into hiding? It makes him look guilty as hell.

Don't forget DM has to answer to HBO, Paramount, cast/crew and fans, he needs to be very diplomatic. Whatever his intention -- and I'm sure he had planned that the show be seen to fruition -- there might have been the appearance he was losing interest. In other words he might have inadvertently encouraged it's early demise -- ie: public statements like I'm getting off the bus after S4, I can't speak for anyone else etc. . .. Read the media thread. Intended or not, comments like that can be contrued as apathy. Also, I guess there's a chance he's trying to renegotiate and doesn't want to talk until there's a solid decision.

Edited by kathie000, May 15, 2006 @ 4:42 PM.

[random]

I got the canned reply as well.

[marleyfan]

Me, too. On the HBO forum, some of the actors were giving email addresses of whom (who?) to contact besides HBO. I contacted some of them, too. I hope their mailboxes are full.

Edited by marleyfan, May 15, 2006 @ 7:07 PM.

[bbshenry]

I have been answering every canned response I receive and adding several CC's to other officials every time. Sure hope their servers can take it, huh? Mainly, I've been telling them that I'll be sure to send them a canned cancellation email when the final deed is done, after they've had their "conversation" about the future of "Deadwood" and decided against integrity and art. Their boilerplate reply is smarmy and insulting.

[booberella]

On the HBO forum, some of the actors were giving email addresses of whom (who?) to contact besides HBO

There are email addresses for Chris Albrecht and his boss upthread. The canned response I got was from filling out their comment form online. I also have email addresses for local entertainment reporters. Some people have been emailing the newspapermen who cover this sort of stuff, and have been successful. Others have gotten "So what?" replies in return. I think it's worth a shot to find out who does the tv/movie reviews in your area and send them an email asking if they are interested in writing about / getting to the bottom of the story. The reporters in bigger cities would certainly have a way to contact HBO for an interview.

ETA: This contact info could be helpful, too.

David Milch
Red Board Productions
3000 W Olympic Blvd, Bldg 4
Santa Monica, California 90404

Edited by booberella, May 16, 2006 @ 3:09 PM.

[mag-girl]

I have a close friend involved with the show who says everyone was absolutely shocked to hear the cancellation news. Normally, I wouldn't admit to my friend's existence for fear of getting him in trouble, but what are they going to do now, fire him? :) It does not seem that those involved with the show have any optimism about its revival-- not that it couldn't happen. There were some actors who were growing frustrated with the process of the show, and maybe the knowledge that Deadwood won't always be a gravy train for them will make them more willing to come back for one final season, if it could be put together.

Also, I think it would be unfair to call David Milch's office (the phone numbers were posted). I have met his assistant, and he is a very sweet guy, and there's nothing he'll be able to do for you. I'd bet the messages won't even get to DM. Besides, DM doesn't have the control in this situation, the production companies do. It would be unfair to bug a poor underpaid assistant all day long-- better to write a letter. DM likes the written word better anyway. :)

[booberella]

Sorry, should have clarified: I'm just reposting the info posted at the HBO boards. I'm not going to personally contact DM. But others have said they would like to contact certain people with support for the show, not anger. (Like the head of creative development at HBO, who was certainly not responsible for the show's cancellation.) I'll take down the phone numbers.

[mag-girl]

I didn't mean to criticize you, booberella. I just felt a wave a of sympathy for an underpaid assistant-- though I don't mind inundating HBO with phone calls. :)

[pedilian]

So, Veronica Mars fans pooled their money and hired a plane to fly around the CW offices with a banner saying "Save Veronica Mars! CW 2006!" And today we got word from Rob Thomas that show is indeed renewed for another season.

Anyone want to hire a stagecoach to gallop around HBO headquarters with a banner that says, "Save Deadwood, Cocksuckers!!!!"

[booberella]

No offense taken, mag-girl. And I'm glad there was a second confirmation about the cast&crew being shocked about the cancellation. The form response from HBO made it sound like the cast wanted to go do other things, so they let them out of their contracts "with great sadness."

Anyone want to hire a stagecoach to gallop around HBO headquarters with a banner that says, "Save Deadwood, Cocksuckers!!!!"

I'm glad to hear that VM got picked up!! I think Rob Thomas is terrific. (I loved "Cupid.") I used to live in L.A. but I don't remember where the HBO offices are. I was hoping there was a billboard outside of Albrecht's office that we could plaster a message on, but that's kind of expensive. The HBO boards are trying to take up a collection to put an ad in "Variety," but again that's something like $8K and I think that price is probably for a tiny sized ad.

For those on the letter writing campaigns, the people at Paramount could probably stand to hear your complaints, too.

Nancy Tellum, President, TV Entertainment Group
or
Terry Wood, President, Creative Affairs and Development
Paramount Studios
5555 Melrose Avenue
Hollywood, CA 90038

Edited by booberella, May 16, 2006 @ 10:15 PM.

[kathie000]

Veronica Mars may have been on the bubble but the actors had not been released from their contracts. It occurs to me that one thing that has been overlooked is that the surf noir and possibly the Bill Clark drama will also cost money -- and at this stage no one knows if they'll even fly. If the issue is really about cash flow, why not put off developing those dramas till DW is finished (10 months from now). Afterall DW is #2 in the ratings and they haven't found anything to compete. It seems way too risky, it just doesn't add up.

[Stella Polaris]

Aaagh, this is painful news indeed. Here I was, marking the days off on my calendar til June 11. What a downer.

I'm not much into Westerns or violence, and I had no interest in Deadwood until I happened to watch a couple of episodes and was hooked. I think it's one of the most brilliantly written shows ever to air on television.

[spblat]

Genius output cannot be sustained forever. Milch couldn't crank out heaven-sent NYPD Blue episodes indefinitely, nor could Aaron Sorkin keep rolling out his trademark West Wing dialog as long as his audience might have hoped. So far we've had two unbelievably amazing Deadwood seasons, with a third (I trust that it will be unbelievably amazing) on the way.

It sounds like Milch is working on something new. I assume it's because as much as he'd like to continue Deadwood into season four (which may still happen; I would watch it regardless) there are new topics inspiring him. Speaking for myself, it's Milch that blows me away, and I'll seek out whatever he creates.

So: would you rather Deadwood continue on autopilot after it jumps the shark (not implying that it has), or let it die naturally, and focus your advocacy on making sure HBO puts out DVDs of all 3-4 Deadwood seasons for us to cherish as some of the best teevee ever?

[beeswing]

...But this isn't a "natural death." It's not even a mercy killing. It's just murder.

The story cycle, according to the Milch, was four seasons. We'll get three. Milch and the actors, and yes, we the viewers, expected one more season; Milch and the actors, at least, seemed willing and able to give it. It's not a matter of creative juices drying up -- of course none of us would want to see Deadwood stumbling limply into future seasons. It's just terribly frustrating. Imagine being three-quarters of the way through the best book you've ever read, only to have someone take it from your hands and ensure you'll never know what that other quarter held.

ETA: In all, this has only further cooled me on the idea of Orignal Series. Why am I paying extra on my cable bill and spending the time to get involved with these shows when HBO is so capricious with its roster?

Edited by beeswing, May 17, 2006 @ 11:58 AM.

[Qjuad]

The biggest problem with this cancellation, from what I have construed from actors comments and that of the writers and Mr. Milch, is that the third season isn't stand alone in the same sense the first season was. Having expected a fourth season, alot of season three will no doubt have plotlines specifically designed to grow in the fourth season - probably moreso than the ending of the second season. I have a horrible feeling it won't be as self-contained as say, a season of The Sopranos often is, and thus while we won't be left with something as gauche as a cliff-hanger we will have loads of loose ends...never to be resolved.

[Hewlett]

The story cycle, according to the Milch, was four seasons. We'll get three. Milch and the actors, and yes, we the viewers, expected one more season; Milch and the actors, at least, seemed willing and able to give it.

I'm not so sure how willing Milch was for delivering S4. Whether he may have eventually walked due to the new project or over some kind of creative/financial disagreement with HBO, I don't think it's case of HBO just out of the blue saying, "Hey, we don't need Milch for Deadwood. And the actors? Let's let their contracts run out and the ones who can't find other work we can hire back on the cheap!" Why would HBO want to piss off Milch with another project by him in the works?

[kathie000]

If you have OnDemand (which I think is only available to Comcast digital cable subscribers, there is a new short about Milch located in the Deadwood section. I found it fascinating given recent events. His involvement on the show is so consuming (for example, he took 5 hours to rewrite a short scene) that I don't see how he could work on two other shows at the same time as Deadwood. It seems like this will be on the DVDs since it closes with an ad for them spouting a promise of more behind-the-scenes extras.

Bumping because it's really germane to the cancelation thread. Yes he's known for unorthodox writing rituals. I'm not complaining mind you, that man has brought me to me knees, many times with his lush, exotic language. But this exemplifies what I'm saying. I got a uneasy feeling last fall when he announced he was developing the Bill Clark drama. Then last month when he said he had envisioned DW as a 4 season story, it sounded funny. As someone pointed out, he initially said '[he'd] stick around on Deadwood for as logn as everyone wanted him'.

Whether or not the surf noir project is a preference by HBO over the Bill Clark one, b/c they think it has more pop-culture allure, or if it's a preference by Milch himself, is anyone's guess. But we do know that by last October he was turing his attentions elsewhere. I know he minimized the concept of Autuer in favor of collabration at the MIT lecture but coming from a man who labors over every syllable. . .I don't know, But I'm convinced he wouldn't be nearly as integral to DW while working on a new project.

Mind you if it's someone like Dick Wolfe then yeah, his stamp is very broad and he's not needed on the day to day operation. But do the greats -- David Chase, David Simon, David Milch . . .well the Davids -- ever diffuse their attention like that? (Okay Jos Whedon --Buffy/Angel but it's pretty rare)

I don't know where the $$ aspect fits in. At first it seemed very plausable b/c the bottom line is often the sole factor. But can you really ignore other factors? Especially such an obvious one?

I've only seen Tinker work under Bochco's hand and for all I know he or some other producer/scribe/director can whip up a quality show w/o much direction. I think that would certainly be the better option than not at all. The best option IMO would be to wait till Milch is finished with the pilot (which may or may not work anyhow) so he can put full attention on DW's last season. Remember, they havent officially canceled the show, which may be a whole other conversation.

In any case I believe David Milch is an honorable man and he would never want the fourth chapter to go unread.

Edited by kathie000, May 17, 2006 @ 5:29 PM.

[Stella Polaris]

Does anyone know exactly when HBO decided to get "uncommitted" about S4? Was S3 already wrapped? I was thinking that the least they could do for us was some sort of end-of-series wrap up á la Six Feet Under finale.

[spblat]

I stand corrected, with you all the way. I hadn't considered the "unread fourth chapter" angle, which makes all the difference if they're going to open up plot threads that won't be closed until S4.

Count me among the indignant. :-)

[bbshenry]

Look what Scott Collins of the LA Times wrote! He's ON OUR SIDE! POST COMMENTS! MAKE SOME NOISE! WOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!

Fans Steamed by 'Deadwood's' End
"Deadwood" fans are not happy with the show's sudden demise last week. And they're not satisfied with HBO's explanations for the move either, if the mail I've been getting is any indication.

ETA link:

http://hollywoodhotl...ad.com/watcher/

Edited by bbshenry, May 17, 2006 @ 7:45 PM.

[kathie000]

Bumped ot media thread.

Edited by kathie000, May 17, 2006 @ 8:20 PM.