If you’re a fan of Joss Whedon’s “Dollhouse,” you may want to enjoy the second season while you can. It may not be around for long.
Ratings for the season premiere were the lowest in the series’ short history.
The half-hour numbers for Dollhouse among adults 18-49 and 18-34, according to TV by the Numbers (rating/share, audience):
9-9:30 p.m.: 1.0, 1.0, 2.698 million
9:30-10 p.m.: 1.0, 1.0 2.427 million
Several ratings web sites used phrases like “barely registered with viewers” and “lowest-rated show on a major broadcast network” to describe the premiere.
And the competition will get more interesting this Friday when SyFy debuts its new genre series “Stargate: Universe.”
I am kind of shocked by these numbers. We watched the show and I felt like it was the best episode of the series by far. I think they may have lost a lot of viewers with the dwindling storyline at the end of last season.
So what are the Hulu, TiVo and iTunes numbers. If Fox doesn’t take these into account then they are blatent idiots . . . Oh wait, that’s right Firefly . . . I forgot . . . Carry on.
Odd. I wonder why a lot of people bailed from last season, when it ended so strong (viewer numbers-wise). I thought the season 2 premier was a pretty good episode. Bummer.
So…I’m thinking that no one’s thinking that people may be flying BT Airlines, or VCR-ing, or other means of time-shifting?
I, personally, haven’t been able to watch the “broadcasts” of the show…but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been watching the episodes.
Just sayin’….
Did Joss get the memo about Fox?
And really, quit making excuses for Joss’ low ratings. He’s the guy that went with Fox yet again. Maybe he should pitch to a cable network. Heck, if SciFi or USA had Firefly, it would probably still be on.
Well, Jim, Joss has a long history with Fox. Even before Firefly, Fox produced both Buffy and Angel, even if they were aired on CW and later UPN for the last two seasons of Buffy. Fox also produced the original BTVS movie.
So, there must be something that keeps him coming back to them.
Um, also, Eliza’s contract was with Fox. That’s kind of how the show idea started: she needed a new vehicle and she wanted something different to bring to Fox. She invited Joss to lunch, and the rest is Dollhouse. He didn’t have a lot of options of “shopping it around” to other networks. Also, Fox IS considering the time-shifted numbers and online viewings – it’s a part of the reason the show got a second season to begin with. That, and Joss’ earnings potential on peripherals like DVD sales and merchandizing (which we have seen very little of to-date).
What makes me sad is that people are looking at the ratings compared to the “big hitter”shows like Ghost Whisperer and Medium (which is a sad state of affairs as it is – seriously Medium? That show is so stale and formulaic not even Joe and the cute kids could save it anymore). Who’s at home on Friday night watching TV? Not the 18-49 demo the advertisers want. It’s folks like my parents who ARE at home watching Ghost Whisperer and Medium (no matter how hard I’ve tried – at least Mom DVR’s Dollhouse). So yes, the ratings for those shows ARE higher.
Let’s not say the ax has fallen quite yet. It is only the first episode of the season.
Interesting take on the importance, or lack there of, of the Dollhouse ratings…
Do Dollhouse’s Low Ratings Even Matter?
http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/09/29/do-dollhouses-low-ratings-even-matter/28906
So let me get this straight. People choosing not to watch Dollhouse is Fox fault? Clearly.
Joss fans are rabid but the Serenity movie showed me the loud minority is not in fact that large. The show is in a terrible time slot and its unlikely Fox will do better with something new, for that reason alone I think they should stay with Dollhouse I know I enjoy it. But at the end of the day if people aren’t watching the show live or otherwise I feel fox is justified in the cancellation.
The problem with Dollhouse (or any sci-fi show for that matter) is that people who watch these shows are “geeks” and use technology. We use DVR’s, watch on Hulu, On demand from Cable, or use bit-torrent. The networks don’t seem to to care how many people watch it that way, if it’s not live they don’t care. Fox MAY be looking at DVR and Hulu numbers, but the money is still in live viewers. I never watch anythting live any more (except for sports). I rely on my DVR, and other on demand (Hulu, or On Demand via Verizon Fios TV).
Sorry but after having bought the first series based on SOSF comments, I know why the second series is limping along – its bordering on boring and tends to be predictable. The best episode I have seen is the “unaired” episode on the DVDs for season one. Its running out of steam and T & A will only get you so far.
Agree that this show has gotten boring and predictable. Makes me wish Terminator SCC had made it instead of this. And yes, I’ve watched every Dollhouse, but only about 1/2 have been worth my time.
I will tell you why, the series is not going to lastI and please keep in mind that I am a big fan of Eliza Dushu, loved Angel, Loved Buffy the first 5 seasons anyway and Faith was my fave character along with Illyria second
Dollhouse, the premise, while interesting on paper, not good in a weekly tv series. Echo is SUPPOSED to be the star of the series, we are supposed to root for her as a character, Love her as a character. So how are we supposed to do that when we do not know who she is? She doesn;t know who she is. It is not a story about an “Amnesiac” trying to find answers. She is more or less a Robot that they keep “Mindwiping her” after each episode.
I knew that this series wasn’t going to last.
so anyone who thinks dollhouse is boring might need to think about the fact that if they want you to UNDERSTAND something they have to EXPLAIN it first. it’s the puzzle that is supposed to be the intriging part! friday night is the WORST night to put ANYTHING on. True that either a lot of people are out drinking or some are working to SERVE the people who are drinking or drunk munching so they HAVE to either DVR or watch online or bit-torrent. I think that if they moved it to a weeknight the ratings would seriously improve. Yes some people still need to work but there will be many more people who are home. I personally have been hooked on dollhouse since episode one season one. It’s better than shows that have repetitive puzzles that all end the same. Dollhouse is working through a puzzle and it takes time to put all of the bits and pieces together. Unless you’re a super whiz you can’t sit down with a jigsaw puzzle and put it together in an hour! Sure some of the episodes are more filler but every episode gives you an essential piece to the puzzle. I really hope that fox gets a clue and airs on a different time slot. I know that I will be rallying for that!
i absolutely love dollhouse and this make me really sad. the reason that the numbers re low is because everybody watches it on the internet instead of on tv. please please don;t let dollhouse be cancelled
and i seriously agree with emilyroseann
Watched this show on Neflix and I think it should done better then two seasons. I love the idea of the show and its a shame that good ideas for shows get wasted like this.
Watched this show on Neflix and I liked it a lot. I love the idea of the show and its a shame that good ideas for shows get wasted like this.