At least someone in Hollywood seems to get it.
Actress Eliza Dushku says that reports of “Dollhouse”‘s Friday at 9 p.m. being a “death slot” for the show are overrated.
“Dude, we’re in the age of DVR,” she told SciFi Wire. “People watch what they want to watch.” Dushku said the days of appointment television are over and that she likes being paired with “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” on Friday nights.
“I know ‘Terminator’ is Joss’ favorite show on Fox, and it’s going to be female-empowerment night,” she said.
Dushku also took a moment to address the reshooting of the pilot and the revamping of the series, something that has many Whedon fans worried.
“I think [the way] he also originally had outlined it, we had the 13 episode pickup, but he wanted to gradually play out stories and do a lot of setups,” she said. “[The network] wanted more payoffs early on to hook people, I think, so we made that adjustment. I think it’s been really successful. The scripts are tight, solid, fast, action, drama, comedy. It’s really great.”
But just what can we look forward to seeing when “Dollhouse” begins airing in March. Dushku told SciFi Wire about several episodes she’s filmed recently, offering details that could be SPOILERish, though mildly so. But if you don’t want to know anything before you see the show, please stop reading now.
“Last episode, they surgically implant cameras into my eyeballs and send me into a cult compound as a blind woman,” Dushku said. “I was playing this tripped-out blind woman. Then I’m playing a 50-something-year-old woman in my own body in this next episode. There are just so many stories.”
Since it’s Joss Whedon, of course, these dolls kick some butt, too. “I did a six-page Muay Thai fight scene last week with a 6-foot, 5-inch man, and I kicked his ass,” Dushku bragged.
“Dollhouse” will premiere on FOX on February 13.
I’m not all that impressed with Dushku’s ‘choices.’ DOLLHOUSE has always sounded a bit too much like GUNSLINGER GIRL for grownups. Also, networks don’t decide to keep series on their schedules based on DVR ratings. Elisha, the reason why you kicked some big guy’s butt was b/c that was the way it was scripted. And Joss Whedon shows have never fared to mainstream success on television.
All that said, I’m hoping this show has legs. I think it’s a great one-two punch paired with SARAH CONNOR.