ABC pushes V up to November. Rodents will be eaten.

[ManaByte]

Guess Defying Gravity sucked so bad they wanted a SciFi show before the final season of Lost dominates January:

The cast and creators of ABC's upcoming V announced Saturday that the show would premiere Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 8 p.m. in a news conference at the Television Critics Association summer press tour in Pasadena, Calif. (Spoilers ahead!)

Executive producer Jeffrey Bell also promised that star Morena Baccarin, who plays the alien leader Anna, will indeed eat a rodent of some kind.

"We want to find a way to do it," Bell said, but added that if the producers simply duplicated the scene from the original miniseries, "been there, done that." He added that the new show will feature homages to other iconic moments from the original miniseries.

The new series is a re-imagining of Kenneth Johnson's classic 1980s sci-fi miniseries, about the arrival of alien "visitors" who promise to share advanced technology in exchange for friendship, but turn out to have a darker agenda.

Executive producer Scott Peters added that the producers were exploring a way to bring some of the original actors into the show, though not necessarily playing the same characters.

[The Fake Shemp]

Pass.

The series lost any hope of my support once the "V" changed from a symbol to a nickname for the aliens.  Lame.

One of the best moments in the original series is when the Holocaust survivor shows the kids how to spray paint the V - "No, like this!  V stands for VICTORY!"

Fucking great.  Way to butcher that.

[chronovore]

It's got the companion girly from Firefly in it. If she sticks things in her mouth, I'm there to watch. Even if it's just a rat.

[Cormacaroni]

i watched V in utter shock and awe when it first aired - it was the talk of the playground for weeks. i'm terrified to do so now though. do not want.

[The Fake Shemp]

The original miniseries still holds up for the most part. The sequel and the regular series, do not.

It is grounds for a good remake, but I haven't liked anything I've seen so far.

[Cormacaroni]

so, do they re-present the totally-unshocking twist, or crowbar in some horrible new twist to replace it?

[duckman2000]

i watched V in utter shock and awe when it first aired - it was the talk of the playground for weeks. i'm terrified to do so now though. do not want.

I was totally freaked out when that seemingly normal baby showed its crazy lizard tongue. Damn.

So what happened to Kyle? In the last episode I saw back then, he stowed away on the mothership in order to follow Elizabeth to the visitor home world. Did the whole series just end there, or was that a separate series altogether? Actually, watching the series now is rough as hell. Every damned episode involves Donovan somehow fucking up and putting everyone else in danger.

But Ham Tyler is still awesome.

[Eel O'Brian]

[The Fake Shemp]

 

[ManaByte]

SyFy did a marathon of the original V miniseries and TV series this weekend.

Jace Hall, former head of Monolith and WB Interactive who famously put a rule in effect that would fine any developer whose WB licensed game failed to get a good Metacritic score (but Monolith was immune to the fine thanks Matrix Online), is apparently the producer in the remake.

[Mr. Gundam]

I'm home sick today and watching the original TV miniseries on my DVR. I don't think I've seen this since I was a little kid.

[FlameOfCallandor]

Imagine this. At a time of political turmoil, a charismatic, telegenic new leader arrives virtually out of nowhere. He offers a message of hope and reconciliation based on compromise and promises to marshal technology for a better future that will include universal health care.

The news media swoons in admiration -- one simpering anchorman even shouts at a reporter who asks a tough question: "Why don't you show some respect?!" The public is likewise smitten, except for a few nut cases who circulate batty rumors on the Internet about the leader's origins and intentions. The leader, undismayed, offers assurances that are soothing, if also just a tiny bit condescending: "Embracing change is never easy."

So, does that sound like anyone you know? Oh, wait -- did I mention the leader is secretly a totalitarian space lizard who's come here to eat us?

Welcome to ABC's "V"

[ManaByte]

I'm home sick today and watching the original TV miniseries on my DVR. I don't think I've seen this since I was a little kid.

Freddy Krugar.

[Mr. Gundam]

Yep, I knew Englund was in this.

She just ate the guinea pig. Good times.

[ManaByte]

The guinea pig/face ripping part is the best thing ever.

[Mr. Gundam]

So the remake is even using the music from Muse's "The Resistance."

Glenn Beck sci-fi am confirmed. 

[Dickie Dee]

Imagine this. At a time of political turmoil, a charismatic, telegenic new leader arrives virtually out of nowhere. He offers a message of hope and reconciliation based on compromise and promises to marshal technology for a better future that will include universal health care.

The news media swoons in admiration -- one simpering anchorman even shouts at a reporter who asks a tough question: "Why don't you show some respect?!" The public is likewise smitten, except for a few nut cases who circulate batty rumors on the Internet about the leader's origins and intentions. The leader, undismayed, offers assurances that are soothing, if also just a tiny bit condescending: "Embracing change is never easy."

So, does that sound like anyone you know? Oh, wait -- did I mention the leader is secretly a totalitarian space lizard who's come here to eat us?

Welcome to ABC's "V"

Imagine this. At a time of political turmoil, a charismatic, telegenic new leader arrives virtually out of nowhere. He offers a message of hope and reconciliation based on compromise and promises to marshal technology for a better future that will include universal health care.

The news media swoons in admiration -- one simpering anchorman even shouts at a reporter who asks a tough question: ``Why don't you show some respect?!!'' The public is likewise smitten, except for a few nut cases who circulate batty rumors on the Internet about the leader's origins and intentions. The leader, undismayed, offers assurances that are soothing, if also just a tiny bit condescending: ``Embracing change is never easy.''

So, does that sound like anyone you know? Oh, wait -- did I mention the leader is secretly a totalitarian space lizard who's come here to eat us?

Welcome to ABC's V

smh, you're a fuckup

[Mr. Gundam]

So will the Conservatives become the new Scientists in the remake?

[The Fake Shemp]

It'd be great if the leader was named Ohama, or something like that.

[Solo]

Show is gonna be good. Too bad its gonna get cancelled though.

[Mr. Gundam]

Show is gonna be good. Too bad its gonna get cancelled though.

Yep. First four episodes in November, and then it's gone until March.

[ManaByte]

That's because of American Idol and the Olympics. If they left it on Tuesday nights it'd be killed.

[Diunx]

I saw the original on TCM last weekend, no need to watch this remake anytime soon.

[FlameOfCallandor]

smh, you're a fuckup

actually I got it from the chicago tribune.

[The Fake Shemp]

Show is gonna be good.

Probably not. Here's to a quick cancellation.

[Boogie]

smh, you're a fuckup

actually I got it from the chicago tribune.

you say that as if lifting it from a different source actually makes you less of a fuckup.

Smh indeed

[huckleberry]

Just finished watching it.


 

[Mr. Gundam]

Heh. I go up to Vancouver enough that I'm no longer fooled by production companies trying to make it look like New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, etc...

[chronovore]

Imagine this. At a time of political turmoil, a charismatic, telegenic new leader arrives virtually out of nowhere. He offers a message of hope and reconciliation based on compromise and promises to marshal technology for a better future that will include universal health care.

The news media swoons in admiration -- one simpering anchorman even shouts at a reporter who asks a tough question: "Why don't you show some respect?!" The public is likewise smitten, except for a few nut cases who circulate batty rumors on the Internet about the leader's origins and intentions. The leader, undismayed, offers assurances that are soothing, if also just a tiny bit condescending: "Embracing change is never easy."

So, does that sound like anyone you know? Oh, wait -- did I mention the leader is secretly a totalitarian space lizard who's come here to eat us?

Welcome to ABC's "V"

Imagine this. At a time of political turmoil, a charismatic, telegenic new leader arrives virtually out of nowhere. He offers a message of hope and reconciliation based on compromise and promises to marshal technology for a better future that will include universal health care.

The news media swoons in admiration -- one simpering anchorman even shouts at a reporter who asks a tough question: ``Why don't you show some respect?!!'' The public is likewise smitten, except for a few nut cases who circulate batty rumors on the Internet about the leader's origins and intentions. The leader, undismayed, offers assurances that are soothing, if also just a tiny bit condescending: ``Embracing change is never easy.''

So, does that sound like anyone you know? Oh, wait -- did I mention the leader is secretly a totalitarian space lizard who's come here to eat us?

Welcome to ABC's V

smh, you're a fuckup

Yeah, I finally gave in and flipped FoC's bozo bit. Jesus, he seems intent on shitting in everyone's pool, but not even using his own excrement is unconscionable.

[Mr. Gundam]

The whole creation of the resistance seemed really rushed.

[Phoenix Dark]

It'd be great if the leader was named Ohama, or something like that.

Or if it wasn't a remake of a show 20+ years old

[Mr. Gundam]

It'd be great if the leader was named Ohama, or something like that.

Or if it wasn't a remake of a show 20+ years old

The old show was a sci-fi version of the Holocaust with scientists taking the place of Jews. This is pretty much Obama. Shit, they brought up Universal Health Care.

[The Fake Shemp]

Not only did I have the entire series on VHS and now DVD, but I owned the novelization and a bunch of other tie-in garbage. Maurice acting like he knows anything.

I totally caught the universal health care bit. I bet this is Glenn Beck's favorite new show of the fall!

[Mr. Gundam]

I swear I had a bunch of V-branded toys when I was a kid. There were toys, right? I'm not making this up?

[Mr. Gundam]

The whole Visitor sleeper cell thing is only going to fuel the David Ickes and other crazy tin hatter nut jobs who believe that the world's governments are run by reptilian aliens.

[The Fake Shemp]

Considering there were trading cards, which I used to have, I am pretty sure there were probably action figures.

I'm not really keen on this reimagining. I miss the old uniforms, I don't like this new direction, the pacing feels off, why are aliens using scalpels and kung fu on resistance fighters, etc.

And yes, this is basically TIN FOIL HATTER: THE SHOW.

[Mr. Gundam]

I think I had a Visitor laser rifle or something...

I really miss the red jump suits, but they'd clash with the whole Apple iPod aesthetic they're going for with the Visitors.

[The Fake Shemp]

Yeah, the new aesthetic sucks. These visitors don't look imposing at all.

A lot of my grievances are targeted at the poor script ("YEAH VISITOR SLEEPER CELLS!") and some ridiculously stupid stuff (kung fu, scalpel wielding aliens). The original worked because it was so simple and played on common fears, as well as the Holocaust, this version is trying too hard to be cool.

[Mr. Gundam]

It's not like the Holocaust is that far removed from everyone's minds. It would still work.

I'm gonna keep watching, hopefully it gets better.

[Great Rumbler]

this version is trying too hard to be cool.

That seems to be a common trend with scifi these days.

[Mr. Gundam]

this version is trying too hard to be cool.

That seems to be a common trend with scifi these days.

Sci Fi doesn't work on the broadcast networks because of this. They never tried to make BSG cool, and it worked perfectly.

[The Fake Shemp]

Also, this show has the look of a production that will quickly develop a convoluted, if not entirely incoherent, storyline in an effort to "impress" us on a weekly basis - similar to Heroes.

[Phoenix Dark]

Not only did I have the entire series on VHS and now DVD, but I owned the novelization and a bunch of other tie-in garbage. Maurice acting like he knows anything.

I totally caught the universal health care bit. I bet this is Glenn Beck's favorite new show of the fall!

Sorry I'm not a NERD

spoiler (click to show/hide)

fuck you guys got me

[close]

[ManaByte]

And yes, this is basically TIN FOIL HATTER: THE SHOW.

Best show ever?

[The Fake Shemp]

Yeah... if you're Glenn Beck.

[Solo]

I liked it. I have no attachment to the original, and compared to the other awful new shit ABC is pushing this year (Flashforward makes my soul hurt), it looks quite nice. As i said before though, I doubt any of this matter, since ABC is seemingly trying to kill it will their distinguished mentally-challenged scheduling.

[The Fake Shemp]

I don't think whether or not it's better than anything else on television should matter.

[fistfulofmetal]

it was kinda lame. the part where all the aliens busted into the resistance meeting and it became a shitty collection of fight scenes was dumb as hell.

[ManaByte]

it was kinda lame. the part where all the aliens busted into the resistance meeting and it became a shitty collection of fight scenes was dumb as hell.

No more dumb than 3D Furry Adventures, aka Avatar.

[Solo]

Nevermind, I was wrong. It was the highest rated episode of a new scripted show this year.

[ManaByte]

Nevermind, I was wrong. It was the highest rated episode of a new scripted show this year.

Beat Flashforward? Good.

And again, the reason for the break is due to the Olympics and American Idol. ABC isn't Fox and doesn't want to move the show around the schedule, like moving it to the Friday death slot as Fox would do, so instead of leaving it on Tuesday to be slaughtered by Idol and the Olympics, they'll going on hiatus until March.

[Tauntaun]

it was kinda lame. the part where all the aliens busted into the resistance meeting and it became a shitty collection of fight scenes was dumb as hell.

No more dumb than 3D Furry Adventures, aka Avatar.

Check yoself nukka. 

[ManaByte]

http://www.thrfeed.com/2009/11/abcs-v-premiere-ratings.html

UPDATED: They came, they saw, they conquered primetime. 

ABC's "V" premiere was Tuesday's highest-rated program in the adult demo, cracking usual leader CBS' drama-series choke-hold on the evening.

"V" was seen by 14.3 million viewers and had a 5.2 rating among adults 18-49.

That's the biggest scripted series premiere rating for a freshman show this fall. And particularly impressive for a show that's self-starting ABC's lineup (it's the highest-rated 8 p.m. drama series debut since ... ABC's "Lost," actually). Compared to the "Shark Tank" average in the time period, "V" was up a rather dizzying 213%.

"V" bested tough competition from "NCIS" (20.2 million, 4.3), which nonetheless ranked as the evening's most-watched show. The alien invasion drama gained 6% from its first half hour to its second.

Critics were a bit all over the map on "V", ranging from a rave in USA Today to NY Times calling it slapdash and formulaic to Hollywood Reporter landing somewhere in between. (Most agreed, however, that the scene below rocked).

Since a dissatisfied ABC changed showrunners on the series after seeing the first four episodes, it should be interesting to see if "V" is able to maintain its ratings strength over the coming weeks. If it does, ABC will bring back the show starting with Episode 5 in March. ABC's other new sci-fi drama, "FlashForward," also launched strong in an 8 p.m. slot, but has since softened in the ratings amid some viewer frustration and a showrunner shakeup.

The 8 p.m. "V" surge put ABC just a tenth of a point behind CBS for the nightly win. "NCIS" wasn't impacted much by "V," slouching 9% from its last original airing two weeks ago. "NCIS: Los Angeles" (15.3 million, 3.6) was down 8%. "Good Wife" (12.2 million, 2.7) won 10 p.m. and slipped a tenth.

After "V," audiences didn't stick around to boost ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" (15.1 million, 3.1), which was only up a tenth -- very different crowds. "The Forgotten" (7.3 million, 1.9) was down a tenth.

NBC's two-hour "Biggest Loser" (9.1 million, 3.5) was down 10%. The Jay Leno Show" (6 million, 2.0) had a welcome rise from last Tuesday -- up 11%. Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance" (6.1 million, 2.4) slipped a tenth. The CW's "90210" (1.9 million, 1.0) was on par while "Melrose Place" (1.5 million, 0. gained a bit.

[Diunx]

it was kinda lame. the part where all the aliens busted into the resistance meeting and it became a shitty collection of fight scenes was dumb as hell.

No more dumb than 3D Furry Adventures, aka Avatar.

Manabyte likes a shitty scifi show but hates a potentially awesome scifi movie that he haven't seen just because it has better special effects than Disney's potc 3, more news at 11 but definitely not about this.

[ManaByte]

V is going to bomb so hard.

Show is gonna be good. Too bad its gonna get cancelled though.

Show is gonna be good.

Probably not. Here's to a quick cancellation.

Show just got renewed for a second season:
http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/05/abc-renews-v.html