December 4, 2009 | by Anthony Ocasio 

Whedon Reveals Why Dollhouse Failed

wheedon-dollhouse

With the return of Dollhouse only hours away, fans are going in with the knowledge that whatever happens in these final episodes will be it – Dollhouse has been canceled. Sadly, fans are becoming more accustomed with their favorite shows being canceled without warning and without explanation why. Ratings are always an issue, but there’s more. Unfortunately, such information is rarely revealed — until now, that is.

With the typical Whedon openness, Joss steps up and lays it all out on the table about why Dollhouse failed. While most fans are aware that much of the blame for the show’s failure falls upon FOX, Whedon wastes no time throwing himself into the “blame-pit.” (Made that word up myself, blame-pit is like a BBQ-pit, but with less smoke and more frowns)

Whedon on FOX’s response to Dollhouse as a show:

“The problems that the show encountered weren’t standalone versus mythology [episodes].  Basically, the show didn’t really get off the ground because the network pretty much wanted to back away from the concept five minutes after they bought it. And then ultimately, the show itself is also kind of odd and difficult to market. I actually think they did a good job, but it’s just not a slam-dunk concept.”

On Dollhouse losing its focus:

“We got the espionage that the network wants, but it’s the questions about identity that we want. There are other things about the show that never came back, and I didn’t really realize it until the second season—[there were] things that we were ultimately sort of dancing around. … We always found ourselves sort of moving away from what had been part of the original spark of the show and that ultimately just makes it really hard to write these stories.”

On audience reception of Dollhouse.

“People responded to ['Dollhouse' by saying], ‘This is trafficking. This is sex for money.’ It wasn’t just sex.  Part of the problem was “the other implications of what was originally supposed to be somewhat more of a fantasy. The real-world version of [this kind of activity] was I think what made the network really twitchy and I can’t really fault them for that. I just thought when I went in and pitched it …you know, it frightened me too [but I thought] we all got that that was what we were doing.”

It’s really hard to fault FOX completely for Dollhouse. Sure, there are many things they could have done to help promote it, but even though I consistently tuned in, I knew that the show was running below its potential. There were aspects of the show that were lacking, but I was hoping that somehow it would slip through the cracks and get renewed. Although, The Sarah Connor Chronicles should have taught me that even if a show gets really good, it’s not always enough.

Dollhouse Patton

I didn’t actually become a real fan of Dollhouse until the sixth episode where Patton Oswalt guest-starred and the entire Dollhouse universe was turned on its head. That amazing episode aside, I can’t really count more than a handful of episodes that I would consider memorable and that’s counting the unaired (and amazing) Epitaph One.

Still, we’ve got more episodes to air and Whedon promises that they get really good. Considering that he said the same thing about the Patton Oswalt episode, I have no doubt that he’s correct.

Unfortunately, if he is, it will only make the January 22 series finale that much harder to accept. Although, the series finale episode is titled “Epitaph Two,” so hopefully things will end with a bang!

Check out a preview of tonight’s episode below

What do you think of what Joss had to say? Are you looking forward to tonight’s episode?

Don’t forget to catch a double-dose of Dollhouse Fridays at 8PM on FOX

Source: Chicago Tribune [via: Sci Fi Wire]

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  • kealamarie
    i would personally love to eviscerate every single one of you for saying that this series was crap. it was brilliant, just ambitious. joss has a quirky and outlandish take on the world and not many people can sit well with it. it was not a show for the masses. it was a show for people with specific tastes. he should start taking his shows to cable networks where it will be better appreciated.
  • kathi
    as a 63 yr old i enjoyed Dollhouse, but I can enjoy a show for entertainment,fantasy and being far enough away from my reality. If you want real life watch history,read autobiographies.DONT watch make believe. Since elementary school my faves have been monsters,scaries,etc. School gave me history, my books and movies took me away to another realm. Thank You Joss for Buffy,Angel,Faith,Spike,Druscilla,Cordie and all the gang. Bring me some more good shows.
  • markkoral
    I think it is a real shame that a show that is just hitting full stride, with such great potential as Dollhouse is being cancelled. This is currently the most interesting show on TV and one that should be brought back by all means. I have to say that unfortunately the execs at Fox are being short sided and missing the boat on this one. I admit the beginning premise seemed too diabolical to me and caused me some hesitation with the show; but the production values, and acting brought me back. Since then the show for the most part has a steadly gained momentum. I ask Fox to reconsider their decision. I think it is definitely a mistake to yank this one.
  • DON
    In watching the most recent episodes I finally got something I had been looking for through the whole series.

    A main character to root for.

    Being a bit of a writer and a student of various means and methods for telling a story myself...I've had those ideas for stories that go like Dollhouse. "Hey what about a main character who changes with every episode. No. She's not pretending to be someone else. She is someone else."

    In theory it sounds great. It's only when you see it played out that you realize the fundamental flaw. The viewer needs someone to identify with. They need a surrogate for themselves. It might seem like a main character who is just a blank canvas to map the architecture on would serve that end ideally but the viewer doesn't want to have their sense of self wiped away to become someone else. They want to be themselves in that other life.

    Now we have Echo. A self aware Echo with her own wants and plans and whatnot. Now see...there is something to be said for showing Echo as the blank slate first. Establishing her as just one of many dolls before having her break out of the pack. But, I think it took too long. We needed some earlier clues of her spark of individuality and it needed to move more quickly.

    All that being said...with Echo having emerged now, I see lots of new potential in the show. It would really rock to see Dollhouse get the "Serenity" treatment at this point.
  • Daniel F
    I'm a big Wheadon fan and I wanted to see what he could do with. I'll give anything with his name on it a chance.
  • Sherry
    Fair enough.

    The only reason I brought up asking if you're still watching is because I do happen to think most of the actors have been terrific this season, so if you haven't seen that because you're no longer watching the program, then you don't have all the data to fully judge anymore. The episodes you've seen, absolutely, if you think they're not good in those episodes, I can't argue with that. I can disagree with you, but like you said, it's subjective, so... we'll have to agree to disagree.

    But if you're basing their talent on the only episodes you've seen, when there is now strong evidence to the contrary, all I'm saying is, you might be pleasantly surprised with the acting. I'm not saying the show itself isn't without its major flaws and likely what you find problematic with the program is still there, no matter what; I'm just saying that in regard to the acting, I think there has been a vast improvement and you're missing out on that particular aspect.

    As for the concept... all I can say to that is, I don't disagree that this show could have done better with a stronger, more cohesive structure right off the bat. It definitely didn't reach its full potential, but I do think it had the potential to be very interesting -- it wasn't a dumb or boring idea (and some episodes have managed to touch on that thought-provoking potential). However, I am curious: if you found the concept idiotic in the first place, why did you watch the show at all?
  • Daniel F
    Backing up my statements? I can't think of a thing more subjective than acting. If you don't see it it won't matter what I say and all I can give of as an example is that I watched them try to act and thought it was poor. I didn't think they properly conveyed their emotions and they felt dull, boring and nearly robotic when they were suppose to be more. Also your asking if I'm still currently watching a show that I have explained I couldn't stand. How many people watch 2 season of a show they think is horrible? I watched about 9 episodes 8 from the first season and one from this season to see if it had gotten better... I hadn't. The concept is just border line idiotic in the first place and the writers have not done a good job of bringing it to it's full potential of idiotic and made it even worse than it could be.
  • Sherry
    "Not to mention the main cast was some pretty poor choices basically pretty faces with out talent aside from Eliza."

    Apologies, Daniel F. I read the above statement by you, and I thought you were basing their talent (or lack of it) on their looks.

    However, I still disagree with you. You seem to be talking in blanket statements instead of backing up your comments with actual examples. Are you still watching the program? Have you seen any of their work in the unaired episode "Epitaph One" or in any of the episodes from season two?

    Olivia, Enver, Dichen, Fran... they're all in that cast photo, and yes, they're attractive people, but from my view they've brought talent to the table along with their looks. More and more with each episode, in my opinion. I've also enjoyed Harry Lennix's role (Boyd), though I think the writers haven't given him enough to do. He started out strong in the pilot and then they completely backed off from his character. It's a shame. It's tough to show range when you aren't given the story.

    The only 'pretty' actors that I think have struggled with the material have been Eliza and Tahmoh. I loved Eliza as Faith, on both Buffy and Angel shows, but I think she has had trouble assimilating some of the characters they've given her to play on Dollhouse. If you stack up her acting against Enver's -- and I'm making that comparison because I think they've both played quite a few different characters as Actives taking on assignments -- I think you'll see how much more versatile he is, how deeply he gets into the characters he's given on the show (the serial killer, the ditzy college girl, Topher). I think Eliza has had some great moments (the bank vault episode, Epitaph One, last week's episodes), but in an overall sense she's not been able to immerse herself into every single character (every 'Active' assignment), not so that I don't see her acting, if you know what I mean. It's unfortunate, because she was extraordinarily exciting as Faith. But sometimes I think she has trouble when *not* playing a troubled, bad-ass chick.

    And Tahmoh... I've never seen him in anything else so it's tough for me to judge what he can or can't do, but I don't think they've utilized him well. The role of Ballard is more than a bit boring to me; he's my least favorite character, partially because of how the role is written and partially because of how the role is played. Personally, I think the role needed to be played by someone more intense, or they needed to write it differently. The one thing I do think Tahmoh seems to excel at is dry-witted humor; he's been surprisingly very funny at odd times, when his character gets in a particularly sarcastic line. I don't think they use that enough. I like his comic timing but for the rest of his portrayal I haven't seen much depth.

    At any rate, I think this show's writing and presentation has its issues, but if you're judging the cast's acting on the early episodes of season 1, I think you're writing them off before you've actually seen some of them do some terrific work.
  • Daniel F
    Umm I never based my acting opinion of them off of the photo I have actually seen the show. I just mentioned that the photo just looks like a model layout. I based calling them bad to mediocre off of how they act on the show.
  • Sherry
    Everyone has his or her own opinions about this show and what level of quality it attains, but one thing I have to disagree with whole-heartedly is the assumption that just because the actors are pretty in the cast photo automatically means they have zero talent. If that's what you have to say about these actors, then you obviously have not been watching this season of Dollhouse. Olivia Williams as Adelle is magnificent; Dichen Lachman as Sierra has been lovely and intense; Fran Kranz as Topher has really stepped up now that they've given his character a conscience to struggle with; and Enver Gjokaj as Victor... well, there's not enough to express just how fantastic he's been. Among his many doll personas, he's expertly played a Russian mob guy, a verrrrry creepy serial killer, a ditzy female college student, and a doll version of Topher the programmer. Seriously, if I had closed my eyes, I'm not sure I would have been able to tell which one was the real Topher, Enver was that convincing with voice and mannerisms. Unbelievably excellent.

    Television Without Pity just named him one of 2009's Most Valuable Players (those that aren't in the lead roles but manage to stand out and enhance the quality of their programs):

    "It's hard to believe that every single episode of Dollhouse (aside from a few stragglers at the end) aired in 2009, but it makes it easy to say why we think Gjokaj is the MVP. While Eliza Dushku and Dichen Lachman get to play both tough and timid as dolls Echo and Sierra, it's Gjokaj's Victor who gets the funniest (and often meatiest) programming. Hell, we didn't even know he was a doll at first -- he was just some Russian informant! -- but then we saw him get his treatment, and our minds were blown. And thank God he was a doll, because while his federal agent and British romantic characters are good, it was when they put that serial killer's mind in his body that his skills really shone, and he topped himself later in that same episode by playing a ditzy female college student who just wants to dance. The best of all, though, was when nerdy Topher had to go to D.C., and left his best man in charge in L.A. -- Victor with Topher's brain. Gjokaj's Topher impersonation was spot-on and hysterical, and their phone conversations were amazing and eerie."

    Damn straight.

    If you haven't seen Enver play these roles, you haven't seen the best of Dollhouse. And while that may seem easily skippable, I'm telling you right now, he deserves to be seen. He's that good. I hope he gets something really interesting and challenging to play after this series is complete.
  • the_old_man
    You can please some of the people some of the time....


    Darthrosenberg9 says: "I don't think it's fair to say that something is bad simply because there's something better out there"

    Well if you don't mind the mediocrity, but I bet
    you don't use the same yardstick when looking for
    a car, appliance, or a house? "A lot of potential"
    just doesn't equal masterpiece. It's like buying a
    cloned appliance that's made with inferior parts.

    All the novels I mentioned have similar plot
    device/themes as "Dollhouse." The irony here is that the clone actually becomes more popular than the original, which is a tragedy! The consumers don't care enough to learn about the specific differences between the real masterpiece and the clone. They consume them both with equal aplomb,
    making no distinction by being choosy. The best sinks into the ocean of trash, the stigma of science fiction links them irrevocably to that sea. What stigma you ask? The stigma that it aspires to be something better, despite being born
    in a whorehouse.
  • Daniel F
    Season 4 of buffy was excellent much better than Season 1 or season 7. If I had to rank Buffy it would be 5, 6 , 4, 3,2 , 7 and then 1. As far as Angel goes season one was excellent. They took a differenet approach and tried to make it more episodic which they actually went back to again in season 5 to a certain extent. Also some of the series best episodes are from season one Hero for example or I will remember you (Could be wrong on the title) .

    I actually forgot about Amy Acker who is amazing she is better than Eliza. I don't think Eliza is amazing but she is decent and I find most of the actors in Dollhouse to be pretty bad. They were cast for their model like looks. The original posters and images for the show looked like a model catalog with the exception of trashy rocker Eliza.
  • Darthrosenberg9
    @the old man

    I don't think it's fair to say that something is bad simply because there's something better out there (especially in other formats). I mean, Dollhouse got off to a very rocky start. I will completely agree with that---but I think it had/has a lot of potential and it is going to live up to some of that potential with the rest of this season. I'm not going to try to force you to like it. I have no problem with you (or anybody) having issues with it---but I don't think you can claim that it is entirely without merit. I think that it has important things to say.

    @Daniel F

    I think it's interesting that you think Eliza was one of the better actors on the show. I defend her performances pretty often---because most people would disagree with you. However, I think Olivia Williams, Miracle Laurie and Fran Kranz are FANTASTIC. Also, I would have to say that Enver Gjokai is by far the best actor in the show---with Amy Acker a close second. Enver's portrayals of Dominic, Kiki and Topher have sold me on his impressive talent. Also, it is a fairly uncommon opinion (in my travels) that Angel Season One was any good at all. Most people claim it had too little arc and too much dependence on Buffy. I liked it for what it was, but it is still probably my least favorite season. And yes, Season Seven of Buffy was pretty sloppy.....but not altogether bad. I think it still had more high points than the transitional Season Four.
  • Daniel F
    Darth while Buffy season one wasn't all that great Angel season one was excellent. In fact it was probably the second best season of the show. Dollhouse was just a bad idea to begin with. It's not interesting it was a poor plot, weak concept and not even that original of an idea. Not to mention the main cast was some pretty poor choices basically pretty faces with out talent aside from Eliza.

    However I agree with you that Joss doesn't just abandon his projects. He didn't abandon Buffy he was right there working on season 6 and 7 hell he wrote the best episodes of season 6. He never abandoned Firefly or Angel either. I also agree that season 6 was great I think it was probably the second best season. However season 7 was kind of crappy.
  • the_old_man
    Darthrosenberg9 says: " masterpieces in their own right–Dollhouse included."

    In what way? Can you compare "Dollhouse" to "The Last Question," or "This Is Reality," or even "Hopscotch?"
  • Darthrosenberg9
    Haha.......well, 790, I can't agree with that.....but I certainly can respect it.
  • 790
    @Darthrosenberg9, I just don't like the guy or any of his work,,, everything he's done (IMO, don't take it personal) has had a certain style that I can't seem to gell with...

    Plus the guy is a hippie,!!! I hate hippies!!! ;-)
  • Darthrosenberg9
    @790--

    I think you are being unfair. Other than the Noxon-run sixth (and half of the seventh) season of Buffy, when has Joss ever abandoned a project? And when has the project suffered for that? You have made a bold statement with very little to back it up. To be quite honest, I LOVE the sixth season of Buffy and I think that people who didn't like it or said it was too "adult" couldn't accept that their favorite characters had grown up. I think Whedon's works are all masterpieces in their own right--Dollhouse included. I eagerly await the next seven episodes and trust that Joss and his team will not let us down.

    In my opinion, Dollhouse failed because people held Joss to ridiculous standards. People expected quality on par with Buffy and Angel in their prime---but they forgot that it was Dollhouse's FIRST SEASON. When compared to Buffy's or Angel's first season---is Dollhouse really as awful as people paint it as? I still thought it was better than most things on TV. Take a step back--and maybe re-watch things. Season Two is fascinating from an "Epitaph One" perspective. I love Dollhouse and always will---but if the rest of this season continues to be as good as episodes 3-6, I think two seasons will be enough....especially since they had enough time to wrap up the season/series with "Epitaph Two."
  • Jessie
    I have watched every Joss Whedon show, with the exception of "Firefly" (I just couldn't get into it) and "Dollhouse" had amazing potential. Once the epsiodes became less Echo centered the better they became.

    I like ELiza Dushku just fine but Dichen Lachman in "Belonging" was amazing (the Sierra backstory). I was really hoping we would get to see a Victor backstory episode, but I doubt time was taken to explore that this late in the series. Enver Gjokaj was hilarious as Topher.

    The episode with Fran Kranz and Amy Acker talking about her past as Whiskey made me start to tolerate Topher as a character. I adore him now.

    I'm not too worried about ends remaining loose. This is Joss Whedon we're talking about and he knows the end of the arcs... where the characters will end up. I just hope he shows us.
  • 790
    "Dollhouse" failed because of the misleading title and its friday night time slot,,,

    It didn't help matters that the show actually sucked as well, so it was doomed from the beginning.

    Typical with most of Wheadon's projects, I'm sure if the show had a strong first couple seasons Wheadon would have moved on and left it to crash as he usually does. Notice how quickly the guy jumps over to Direct Glee inbetween shooting Dollhouse,,,
    I'm sure the actors on Dollhouse felt a sense of doom at that point,,,
  • Mojo
    Just for clarification, the worst episodes of Firefly were better than the best of Dollhouse. Fox was solely responsible for that show tanking. But Dollhouse earned its own demise. I doubt if Dollhouse will spawn a movie.
  • Andy S
    IF SyFy were to pick up a show, they should have picked up T:TSCC after NBC (foolishly) cancelled it last season. Right now SyFy only has one show I watch: Stargate Universe, and unless that starts to really improve I will only be watching SyFy when Dr. Who returns. SyFy also should have picked up Journeyman. That would have been a great 1-2 punch with Dr. Who.
  • In Rainbows
    What chances are there that it COULD get picked up by another network?
  • Daniel F
    I don't think The Train Job was at all the worst Firefly episode. Honestly none of the episodes of Firefly are bad they were all great, but I would say Train Job is better than Safe, Trash and way better than Objects in Space which I thought was a very disappointing finale even for just a season ender let alone a series that episode just lacked alot for me.
  • Sherry
    From my view, the focus of the show *should* be about trafficking, and sex, and the concept of fantasy (and where lines can or should be drawn), and about identity and technology and the complexities of mind versus soul. All of that. It's a bold concept, a highly complicated and fascinating one; sadly, it just wasn't executed to the fullest of its potential.

    The problem is, the network got scared of offending people (and advertisers) with the sex/prostitution part of it, *and* Joss and his team caved and backed off and gave the network a softened version instead of going for it and really examining the issues and questions involved. They started to delve, finally, with Epitaph One and especially with the Sierra-focused episode (which was chilling and terrific), and they found some excellent focus regarding the identity question with the two episodes that aired last night, but this show really needed to hit the questions hard right off the bat. The glamorization of the Dolls (especially what they did with Echo in the first few episodes of season 1), apparently via the network's suggestions, only served to make the show veer off-track (and offend me because -- especially with their advertisements -- they tried to made it seem 'pretty' and 'sexy' to be a Doll, which is ridiculous and offensive. Instead, the show needed to delve into the severity and ethical dilemmas of such a technological 'advancement' (being able to wipe a person's identity). I felt like it was a decent effort that was finally getting somewhere... too little, too late.

    But in no way do I think this cancellation and 'failure' proves Joss is a hack! I think his ideas are marvelously inventive and creative. Who else would come up with such a challenging idea? Very few. And very few people would dare to even try. His execution of ideas may not always work, not every episode he's produced is a slam dunk, but I give him huge credit for always trying to come up with something truly interesting and different. Should he go with the herd and produce cookie-cutter programs or rehash what he's done before just so he can guarantee he'll make big bucks and make the networks and advertisers happy and comfortable with what he's doing? Personally, I respect him greatly for not going that route. I'm glad he takes chances. I just hope next time he takes those chances in an environment where he won't immediately back down (or won't be forced to back down) from his original ideas.

    P.S. Olivia Williams and Harry Lennox are terrific standouts, but last night Enver Gjokaj also proved yet again how versatile an actor he is. If I had closed my eyes, I'm not sure I would have been able to tell which voice was Topher's: Fran Kranz as the original Topher, or Enver as the Doll version. That was fantastic (and really, really hilarious).
  • Daniel F
    Not only that Vic but all the actors looked like models not actors.
  • "People responded to ['Dollhouse' by saying], 'This is trafficking. This is sex for money.' It wasn’t just sex."

    Frankly, that was my initial take. Maybe if they didn't want that to be the apparent focus, they shouldn't have opened up the series with the characters looking like the company's primary function was to operate as a super-high-priced escort service.

    Vic
  • Dennis from Canada
    Bring back Firefly. I didn't watch the show when it was on television but I saw "serenity" then decided to check out the DVD's of Firefly and now I love it. I wish it had a chance to come back or had never been canceled, much like other shows I loved but were canceled like "Undeclared", "Freaks and Geeks" and "The War at Home".
  • Mojo
    At the risk of sounding cynical, Gottarhyme -- I agree with you. Vampires, cowboys and space dramas are concepts already in-grained in the public consciousness. They make for a much easier sell than something largely created from whole cloth. As an artist, though, Joss didn't want to repeat himself. The objective is to growth via new challenges. And he certainly picked a doozey with Dollhouse. Artistically, we all appreciate what Joss was trying to do. But ultimately, it's about the bottom line. I know Fox jacked around with the series. But I think the network is only partially to blame. What Joss excels at is taking the common and putting an original spin on it. Not the other way around. I hope he returns to that. BTW, I understand last night episodes were pretty good...I'll try to catch them..
  • gottarhyme
    I love BUFFY,ANGEL,and FIREFLY. I think if Joss stuck to vampires and cowboys in space by creating more spinoffs from these original ideas, everyone might be happier!
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