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BUFFY Cancelled? Insider Hints New UPN Management Not Willing to Stake Future on Aging Series

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Posted: 11:29:50 on January 30 2003
By: Steve Krutzler
Dept: General Genre/SciFi

SyFy Portal reports information from an unnamed "source close to Fox Television" that UPN chief Les Moonves is not interested in renewing the seven-year old genre series BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER for next year. The popular genre series moved to UPN from the WB amidst intense bidding wars two years ago and has become a tentpole for the network's Tuesday night.

"There is a whole different attitude at UPN right now, and it's not the same attitude that first brought 'Buffy' to the network in the first place," the source said. "Moonves wants ratings winners, and nothing else. It is believed around here that if Moonves had been running UPN two years ago, 'Buffy' never would've been there in the first place."

"Ratings winner" is a label difficult to attach to the aging show, which has averaged lower numbers than ENTERPRISE, since its high-priced move to the STAR TREK network. UPN pays $2 million per episode and star Sarah Michelle Gellar may very well not be interested in an eighth season, making the future of the Joss Whedon show dubious.

The report remains unconfirmed at this time. You can read more of the original story here.

React to this story below and see what others are saying at the STAR TREK BBS.
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TREKWEB TALKBACK
(42 comments)

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Sooo....
By Jean-Luc ( cooljeanluc@go.com) at 22:06:11 on January 30 2003
URL: http://home.attbi.com/~jean-luc | User Info

what's that mean for ENT?? Not exactly a ratings phenom!

---

"He's dead, Gym." -- Mones DeCoy, CMO, USS Enterthighs

[ Reply to This | Parent Comment ]

RE: Sooo.... by cooper2000 @ 17:58:31 EDT on 31 Jan
RE: Sooo.... by Cyrus @ 22:32:06 EDT on 30 Jan

Very Insightful by Jean-Luc @ 08:52:52 EDT on 31 Jan

It's not easy...
By Hbasm ( ) at 16:55:09 on January 30 2003
URL: | User Info

...to run succesfull shows these days because there are so many shows on TV. I don't think it's good when a show need millions of viewers just to stay in production. It's clearer than ever, that no producer can satisfy everyone.
So why must they try?

On the other hand, I support the idea that less shows gives more room for each show to be noticed by people, and makes it easier for people to grow an affection for a particular show. That's a good thing.

[ Reply to This | Parent Comment ]

I think it may be time
By cooper2000 ( ) at 15:46:12 on January 30 2003
URL: | User Info

I love the show Buffy and have all the seasons up to 5 on DVD but I think that it is best if they end the show while there is still some quality left. It still shows more originality than Enterprise but its showing its age. Afer Seven seasons they could tie everything up and end it on a high note. I would hate to see it milked like the Trek and X-files franchises were with spinoffs and such.

There have been talks of continuing the show with different characters next season and without Sarah Michelle Geller. That would be a huge mistake.
End it while youre ahead. Something that Paramount could take a clue from.

[ Reply to This | Parent Comment ]

RE: I think it may be time by Blok_Narpin @ 09:37:24 EDT on 31 Jan

RE: I think it may be time by cooper2000 @ 12:59:02 EDT on 31 Jan

RE: I think it may be time by Beckett @ 08:07:29 EDT on 31 Jan

ha!
By sliny ( ) at 13:23:24 on January 30 2003
URL: | User Info

They want to get rid of an aging show, yet they stick with Star Trek...

Hey fellas, I know Buffy isn't getting the best ratings, but can UPN honestly think they can come up with a series to do any better? Special Unit 2? The Haunted? Twilight Zone? Don't make me laugh. Buffy is one of the best things to happen to the UPN network.

---

Could you imagine Janeway in the same position? Phew... - Siroth's author

[ Reply to This | Parent Comment ]

RE: ha! by one_2_three @ 20:32:43 EDT on 30 Jan

RE: ha! by sliny @ 21:59:00 EDT on 30 Jan

hmm
By Daniel ( ) at 12:38:51 on January 30 2003
URL: | User Info

I have just recently gotten into Buffy from the DVD's. I don't watch the new episodes because I haven't seen the seasons that aren't on DVD yet. I have heard from other fans that the shows quality after season 3 went downhill. I don't know. I'll continue to watch the DVD's, though that doesn't help UPN.

[ Reply to This | Parent Comment ]

RE: hmm by Brikar @ 13:12:56 EDT on 31 Jan
Buffy never went downhill. Quite the opposite. It's gotten better. by Blok_Narpin @ 09:33:32 EDT on 31 Jan
RE: hmm by Beckett @ 18:27:25 EDT on 30 Jan

RE: hmm by rumandchocolate @ 13:49:57 EDT on 31 Jan
RE: hmm by Sim @ 22:38:26 EDT on 30 Jan

RE: hmm by JasonEVines @ 08:11:58 EDT on 31 Jan

RE: hmm by Sim @ 11:35:14 EDT on 31 Jan

2nd Season- Last Half by Willieboy65 @ 19:12:57 EDT on 31 Jan

RE: 2nd Season- Last Half by Sim @ 00:05:41 EDT on 1 Feb

Good show, unlucky with UPN
By SeanValen ( ) at 12:13:39 on January 30 2003
URL: | User Info

I like Enterprise, but alot of fans know it could be better, where as Buffy with Joss Wheadon is more highly consistent in quality, so learning it's gotten less average ratings, is shocking.

I kinda wish Buffy stayed on the fox network, UPN does not even reach out to all areas in US, which is a shame. Buffy 7 seasons, creatively going out on top is good, but its kinda sad, as Buffy is a world wide success, just on a smaller UPN network in the states, it's fate is decided here, not fair.

[ Reply to This | Parent Comment ]

RE: Good show, unlucky with UPN by Akita1999 @ 12:49:13 EDT on 30 Jan

RE: Good show, unlucky with UPN by cooper2000 @ 15:50:54 EDT on 30 Jan

RE: Good show, unlucky with UPN by rumandchocolate @ 19:14:11 EDT on 31 Jan
RE: Good show, unlucky with UPN by Akita1999 @ 18:50:24 EDT on 30 Jan

RE: Good show, unlucky with UPN by AX @ 15:29:49 EDT on 30 Jan
RE: Good show, unlucky with UPN by Trekkerj @ 13:02:24 EDT on 30 Jan

RE: Good show, unlucky with UPN by one_2_three @ 14:13:19 EDT on 30 Jan

RE: Good show, unlucky with UPN by Blok_Narpin @ 09:50:06 EDT on 31 Jan

RE: Good show, unlucky with UPN by Akita1999 @ 14:49:30 EDT on 31 Jan

RE: Good show, unlucky with UPN by Blok_Narpin @ 15:03:57 EDT on 31 Jan

RE: Good show, unlucky with UPN by Akita1999 @ 10:48:06 EDT on 1 Feb

RE: Good show, unlucky with UPN by cooper2000 @ 15:56:13 EDT on 30 Jan
RE: Good show, unlucky with UPN by AX @ 15:35:07 EDT on 30 Jan
RE: Good show, unlucky with UPN by Trekkerj @ 14:52:09 EDT on 30 Jan

Buffy vs Enterprise by Willieboy65 @ 21:18:31 EDT on 30 Jan

RE: Buffy vs Enterprise by Daniel @ 22:36:03 EDT on 30 Jan

RE: Buffy vs Enterprise by WITrucker @ 09:32:44 EDT on 31 Jan

Acting is Good Too by Willieboy65 @ 19:26:13 EDT on 31 Jan

RE: Good show, unlucky with UPN by one_2_three @ 12:37:47 EDT on 30 Jan