Why? That's all I want to know.
Not every show is a hit right out of the box. Not everything can be a ratings juggernaut like American Idol, which I personally cannot stand. Sometimes it takes a little time, a little nurturing. However, it seems like more and more often, if a show is not an instant hit, it disappears in a matter of weeks, sometimes less. Drive is the latest casualty, towed to the garage after a mere three episodes (four if you count the premiere as two). I, for one, was really enjoying the show and the ways each character's story fit into the larger puzzle that was slowly being pieced together.
It feels like it was just yesterday that I was writing down my thoughts on the two-night premiere. I really liked the show, almost from the opening credits. It was a fast paced, action packed show that held a lot of promise for the future. It was an ensemble thrill ride that felt natural right at the start; the characters were all introduced in a nice manner, they were easily delineated, they were all interesting. The cast had a great chemistry among themselves, the writers were weaving an interesting story, creating a larger shadow conspiracy flavored with the smaller personal stories of those who entered the race and those who were coerced. The directors laid out a colorful palette of action, nicely shot driving sequences, fights, character interaction — it just gelled so well.
It's all over now. Fox has decided to close shop on yet another Tim Minear series. Something tells me the guy should try shopping his shows elsewhere. Just take a look at the series he has been involved with, besides Drive:
- Standoff - Consulting producer on the short-lived hostage negotiation series that starred Ron Livingston. Sure it wasn't the best series, but it probably deserved better than it got.
- The Inside - Executive producer on this Peter Coyote series about an up and coming FBI profiler. This series held much promise.
- Wonderfalls - Executive producer on this fun, quirky series about a slacker, played by Caroline Dhavernas, who speaks to inanimate objects that usually try to help her do the right thing. This was a lot of fun, canceled before its time.
- Firefly - Executive producer. Here is the big one, the way this was handled by Fox. They aired episodes out of order, pre-empted episodes, and completely mishandled the show from the get go. Fortunately, we got a DVD set of the series and a big screen movie (Serenity). This had all the makings of a great show.
- Angel - Tim Minear held a few different producer-y titles on this one; it was the longest running, although still cut before its time.
Article comments
1 - Kaonashi
I'm really not surprised FOX is canceling this. After this week's episode, both my boyfriend and I decided to stop watching. It had a decent premise and an good pilot episode, but the story got too ridiculous too quickly.
Also, other than Fillion's character, I just didn't care for anyone else. Part of it is because the actors are so horrible. Another reason is that their characters are just ridiculous. I rolled my eyes when the older nurse said that God was telling her she'd win the race. And most of all, I can't stand the mom. She was irritating from the start.
2 - Chris Beaumont
You know, I found myself sucked right in. I thought the characters were good and it was a diverse group, yet they all had some common ground. Was it realistic? nope, but I really liked it anyway. And no, I'm not surprised either, I had an idea it wouldn't last since before it started.... I wished I was wrong.
3 - Budd
Was it a great ground breaking show? No. Is it better than reruns of House? You bet. The show has been out three weeks. They only had two more episodes taped. Why not go ahead and show them? Fox can really drop the ball sometimes.
4 - Anna Creech
If it's a new show on Fox that could be really really good if given the chance to develop, it will probably be canceled after five episodes or so.
5 - Phillip Winn
And yet Fox is the network that gave us The X-Files, an od show that took time to build an audience. Something has certainly happened to the network, but they weren't born bad.
6 - Brad Schader
Reminds me of Family Guy:
Peter: Everybody, I got bad news, we've been cancelled.
Lois: Oh, no, Peter, how could they do that!
Peter: Unfortunately Lois, there's just no more room on the schedule. We just have to accept the fact that Fox has to make room for terrific shows like Dark Angel, Titus, Undeclared, Action, That 80's Show, Wonderfalls, Fastlane, Andy Richter Controls the Universe, Skin, Girls Club, Cracking Up, The Pits, Firefly, Get Real, Freaky Links, Wanda at Large, Costello, The Lone Gunmen, A Minute with Stan Hooper, Normal, Ohio, Pasadena, Harsh Realm, Keen Eddie, The Street, American Embassy, Cedric the Entertainer, The Tick, Louie, and Greg the Bunny.
Lois: Is there no hope?
Peter Griffin: Peter-Well, I suppose if ALL those shows go down the tubes we might have a shot...
7 - wise-weeds
I'm mixed about Drive, although I was getting sucked into it and especially liked Nathan Fillion's character.
I was glad the Sci-Fi Channel showed both Firefly and Dark Angel as I had missed them on their original runs.
8 - DON
keen eddie was a great show, they ran it for about ten episodes, and then the head of fox cancelled it because he wanted more reality shows .
9 - KauaiMark
Oh, CRAP! Say it ain't so!!!
Just when a "TIVO suggestions pick" suckered me in to watch, I'm not going to find out the WHO/WHAT/WHY of the race?
I feel like having an "Arrested Development" all over again...
10 - Lisa
The premise was bad. It could have only been more boring if they were car pooling. Sorry to say that some of the characters were bad as well. This series was not thought out well. Let's face it, we as viewers are in our cars, in traffic during the day. If we wanted to see car chases it would have to be more on par w/ "Bullit" w/ Steve McQueen. I feel sorry for the crew & cast. Good scripts are all about dialogue, intrigue, pacing & the entertainment factor which pulls you in, which sadly, this series did not do from the start.
11 - Kate Harding
It really as become a sad state the way shows get one or two episodes before they are yanked off the air for poor ratings. Or if they aren't pulled, they are shoved into cruddy time spots, relgated to summer, or cut short with no chance to wrap things up.
You hit the nail on the head when mentioning Firefly.
12 - Joe
I saw all the 4 episodes, and I loved it but when i heard they were cancelling it i was very angry the last episode just left me wanting much more.