Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / Jan. 8, 2004, edition 1 / Page 27
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3D ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT/aSe CJatlotte Thursday, January 8, 2004 Axed television shows find new life on disc sets Firefly, a Western Sci-fi show finds a home in DVD land. Continued from page 1D unfinished season led to a happy ending. The program, about a hardscrabble space crew 500 years in the future, lost its bid for survival on the U.S. Fox broadcast network’s fall 2002 schedule after 11 episodes, with three more finished but unaired. Whe- don and crew wanted their work on those episodes shown somewhere, any where - and fans wanted that, too. But Whedon resisted the idea of burning off those installments as summer filler. “Fox stiU owned the prop erty and could maybe fill a summer slot or something,” Whedon said. “But then it became an advantage. If they never aired these, then we could put them on the DVD as something that made it more exciting.” There were three unaired episodes — one about a mad man bounty hunter named Jubal Early (played by Richard Brooks) another about a dead body who returns to life and a third involving the crew’s heist of an antique laser-gun. The four-disc set including all 14 episodes was released in stores last month. Whedon currently is writ ing the script for Universal Pictures to turn the “Firefly” story line into a feature film. Successful sales of the DVD could help spur that project. But overall, summer expo sure is better than nothing. In some cases, it can even rejuvenate a program teeter- .ing on cancellation. “Seinfeld” - originally titled “The Seinfeld Chroni cles” — was a low-rated pilot in summer 1989. NBC held onto the remaining four installments for another year before dumping them in the summer. But — surprise! - they became hits and the series evolved into one of the most successful sitcoms in history. ABC is hoping for similar luck with “Karen Sisco,” its comedic-thriller starring Carla Gugino as a sexy fed eral marshal. The show was placed on hiatus recently with three episodes still unaired. The network plans to air those shows in March in a new time slot, and its pro ducers supported the idea of banking the unseen install ments until then; it was bet ter than letting the show continue to languish. “We were going to be off the air sooner or later and what we are presented with now is a shot at having a life, and it was pretty obvious from the (debut) numbers that that wasn’t going to happen,” said John Landgraf, an executive producer of “Karen Sisco.” “But no one is saying, ‘Gee, we like the show and just hope they get it right.’ There’s pretty much a sense that there’s a great show here.” Even when a show is can celed outright, the unaired episodes are rarely destroyed. In some rare cases, that dead TV show can become valuable again years later. The Trio cable channel has had success showcasing these kinds of shows on its “Brilliant But Canceled” series, which highlights well-regarded programs that never found a major audi ence, like the recent “Andy Richter Controls the Uni verse” and the 1970s occult series “Kolchak: The Night Stalker.” But cult-fan demand isn’t always enough to loosen a network or studio’s grip. ABC’s “Miracles” starred Skeet Ulrich as a priest who investigates supernatural mysteries that may be mes sages from God ...or the devil. The show was canceled last spring. Only six of the 13 episodes made it to the air, and a fervent group of angry “Miracles” junkies have lob bied unsuccessfully for the DVD release of the other seven. The show’s creator, Richard Hatem, said he doesn’t expect any miracles. The touchy subject matter of the series — a blend of horror and religious iconography — made executives nervous at ABC’s parent, the Wait Dis ney Co. But the more a network buries such unaired shows, the more some fans want to see them. “For them to simply not air the episodes came across to us as malicious,” said Angela Mitchell, a 36-year-old publi cist in Hollywood, Florida, who helped organize the “Save ‘Miracles’” campaign. 'T felt like someone wanted to kill the show.” Many fans have taken to bootlegging the lost install ments, making copies from foreign-market broadcasts and sharing tapes through the mail. And for once, piracy has the support of a producer. "Since there aren’t aggres sive efforts to make a profit from the show, the loss is pretty minor,” Hatem said. "I’m never going to see another dime off 'Miracles,’ but if people are watching and enjoying it. I’m more than happy.” On the Net: “Miracles" fans: http://www.savemiracles.com/ “Karen Sisco” site: http:/i(abc.go.com/primetimeAar ensisco/ “Firefly "site: http://www2.fox- home. com/firefly/ Jackson’s lawyer said the singer was in ‘full control’ of his affairs Continued from page 1D staff and son-in-law of the Nation of Islam’s founder, Louis Farrakhan, set up Jackson’s recent interview on the CBS 60 Minutes pro gram and was working out of Geragos’ office. In addition, Muhammad could be seen standing behind Geragos at a news conference the attorney called to respond to the charges. But the Nation of Islam has said it has “no offi cial business or professional relationship” with Jackson. Spokesman quits over ‘strategic differences’ Another statement from Jackson’s camp Sunday dis puted the explanation issued by former Jackson spokesman Stuart Backer- man for his resignation last week. Backerman said he quit because of “strategic differ ences” with Jackson’s advis ers. “I resigned and in no way was I fired,” Backerman said. “I resigned because I lost confidence in the way things were going. However, my resignation has not changed my tremendous support and love for Michael Jackson. I believe he is inno cent of these molestation charges and that will be proved.” But current Jackson publi cist Kevin McLin said Back erman was dismissed after making an unauthorized statement to reporters out side a December 20 party for family and friends at Jack son’s Neverland ranch. “Both Mr. Backerman and I agreed not to make any statements to the press without authorization by Mr. Geragos,” said McLin, who was present at the time Backerman made those com ments. “Mr. Backerman spoke to the press without that authorization and was terminated for refusing to acknowledge that agree ment.” CNN Correspondent Miguel Marquez contributed to this report. tllje histone (Excelsitor Club 921 Beatties Ford Rd. • 704-334-5709 Tuesday Night “FISH FRY” Only $5“ - Doors Open at 6:00 p.m. Disco at 9 P.M. Thursday Night “DIRTY THIRTY THURSDAY” Friday & Saturday The Best “DISCO” In Charlotte Open 6 Nights A Week Tuesday-Sunday WEDNESDAY NIGHT ^ Featuring i “Albetino & Company” | 8:30 PM • Doors Open at 6:00 p.m. | COCA-COLA “STUDENT” OF THE MONTH Aleyah Danae Andrews 2nd Grader, Salem Christian Academy 1 Aspirations: To become a; Business woman. (owning a shopping mall) Cher, Teach Pediatrician and Dentist! speak Spanish and learning sign-language. Our articulate “Student of the Month” Aleyah Andrews, has maintained honor roll status since kindergarten. She enjoys visiting the library, and likes being challenged with difficult work at school. With her long list of aspirations, we can watch an entrepreneur in progress. Aleyah wants her mall to be designed for cnildren and teenagers only, with much of the merchandise free. Her mom tags her with a drama queen title, and Aleyah lives up to it with starring role performances. He favorite past times are singing, dancing, swimming and spending time on the computer. Additionally, she loves reading, especially the Bible, learning to World, watching "Winnie me Foon," ana says only thing that tops this list is spenaing time with* her grandmother, Betty Potts Holloway and her cousins. Aleyah is the daughter of Bridget Potts and Teddy Andrews. She has a loving older sister, Shatavia Barnett. Aleyah is a member of Greater Salem Church, where she is very'active in children’s ministries. She lovers her pastors. Dr. Anthony L. Jinwright and Minister Haiiiet Porter-Jinwright, who she affectionately calls “grand- daddy” and “grandma-Co.” Best Wishes “Aleyah” From Coca Cola Bottling Company Consolidated of Charlotte ^ea/ Sheila Stewart Presents... The 5th Annual High School Talent Show aturday January 17,2004 Grady Cole Center Doors Open 6:00P.M. Sharp!! ADHISSION $12.00 $15.00 DAY or SHOW FOR INFORMATION 704-580-0460 F'eafcui-ing C3ont:€5Sf:ant:!S Higlm H^WB-dlnsi Higlm Concoi-cl Higlm tlunW:ei' Huss l.^etxrins'fconi Hlgli rSortlm Wlocls. Souttli Wledt Ol3rEnixic2 C2d»f:i-al Cfaibainrmms Independencte Higtm b£wnc^£i.is4:43i' Higlm IXoa-ell PERFORMANCE BY TICKETS CM BE PURCHASED AT: NO GREASE BARBERING (ALL LOCATIONS) JACOB'S BARBERING (SUGAR CREEK ROAD) DAVE & FRM'S CAFETERIA (CORNER OF WEST BLVD & REMOUNT) HOUSE OF AFRICA(TH0MAS AVE)
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Jan. 8, 2004, edition 1
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