From: owner-stillpt-digest@smoe.org (stillpt-digest) To: stillpt-digest@smoe.org Subject: stillpt-digest V3 #51 Reply-To: stillpt@smoe.org Sender: owner-stillpt-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-stillpt-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk stillpt-digest Saturday, March 24 2001 Volume 03 : Number 051 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Re: b/ny daily news article ["David S. Bratman" ] Re: b/ny daily news article [meredith ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 08:37:03 -0800 From: "David S. Bratman" Subject: Re: b/ny daily news article At 04:12 PM 3/22/2001 , Meredith wrote: [re the possibility of BTVS going to a cable network] >I don't think there's much of a chance of that. The only outlets anyone >has ever mentioned in conjunction with the show are broadcast networks. >Personally, if it has to move from the WB, I'd prefer it go to Fox. I can >quite easily see Fox doing a "grrls kick ass" night, pairing _Buffy_ with >_Dark Angel_ on Tuesdays. Hell, *I'd* tune in. And what would happen to _Angel_ then? (Y'know, Broody Angel.) Would it stay on WB? I can just see them deliberately putting it opposite BTVS ... ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 23:31:36 -0500 From: meredith Subject: Re: b/ny daily news article Hi! David ruminated: >And what would happen to _Angel_ then? (Y'know, Broody Angel.) Would it >stay on WB? I can just see them deliberately putting it opposite BTVS ... One scenario that has been floated is that if _Buffy_ were to go to, say, the Fox network, the WB may cancel its other Fox Studios-produced shows, _Roswell_ and _Angel_ just to be pissy. I doubt they'd do that -- they would probably deliberately schedule it opposite _Buffy_ instead, then use the excuse of "low ratings" to give it the boot later on. Here's the very latest, more details on the possible UPN deal: ============================ Friday March 23 10:36 AM EST UPN Smacks Down Bid for Buffy Her bloodsucker-battling prowess could make even a WWF hulkette like Chyna cower in her leather leotards. So it only makes sense that the Smackdown Network would try to get its hands on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Despite early speculation that the cult hit was too costly for UPN's junior-sized pocketbook, the network is reportedly one of several bidding for a chance to land the in-limbo WB series. Both Hollywood trade papers reported Thursday that UPN has made an offer to producer 20th Century Fox Television for Sarah Michelle Gellar's stake-wielding alter ego--joining a list of potential suitors that's said to include NBC, Fox and Buffy's current home, the WB. It's been exactly three weeks since the Frog Network's exclusive (and very publicly battled) contract negotiation period expired, leaving the show open for another network to snatch it up. At issue? Money, of course: The WB reportedly offered as much as $1.6 million per episode, while 20th Century Fox asked for between $2.3 million and $2.5 million per episode--aiming for a deal much like the WB nailed down for its biggest hit, 7th Heaven. Daily Variety contends that the WB is still in the running to keep Buffy, and now may have budged past its once-final $1.6 million offer. Meanwhile, various reports continue to speculate about who's still in contention: The Hollywood Reporter says ABC has dropped out of the running, while UPN and NBC are still interested. Variety, meanwhile, indicates that Fox (up to this point seen as the most likely candidate) also remains a distinct possibility, and UPN nabbing Buffy doesn't appear very likely. Whatever final bit of haggling goes down, insiders claim a deal could be announced soon. Not only would a deal keep series creator Joss Whedon pleased for a while longer, a new contract would also finally end what's been an unusually public snipe-fest over Buffy's fate after five seasons on the WB. Even this week, the war of words continued in the press. WB chief Jamie Kellner bluntly told Entertainment Weekly, "It's not our number-one show. It's not a show like ER that stands above the pack." Whedon was apparently none too pleased with the rhetoric, and he lashed back in the New York Daily News. "It makes me angry to see this show belittled," he said. "For Jamie Kellner to call it a teen show and dismiss his own product angers me. It doesn't breed love." Back in January, Gellar herself even got into the act, telling E! Online that she'd stay on the show "if, and only if, Buffy stays on the WB." She later changed her mind, saying she'd stick around no matter where it goes. Of course, no word on whether her loyalty would actually include moving to a scrapper network like UPN. But hey, at least she'd get free season tickets to XFL games. ======================== Meredith Tarr New Haven, CT USA mailto:meth@smoe.org http://www.smoe.org/meth ======================================= ***!!!GO UCONN!!!*** ======================================= http://www.smoe.org/meth/trajectory.html "things are more beautiful when they're obscure" -- veda hille ------------------------------ End of stillpt-digest V3 #51 ****************************