The debate goes on and on as to whether Smallville is going beyond the upcoming 9th season. In fact there are many things that are up in the air as far as what we know about the show.
The few things we do know:
- Tom Welling, who plays Clark Kent, has signed a 2-year contract renewal with the CW network.
- Allison Mack’s contract ends next year.
- Callum Blue & Brian Austin Green are hopping on board to play a few characters.
Things have been up in the air ever since Al Gough and Miles Millar left the show to the supporting showrunners Darren Swimmer, Todd Slakin, Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson. They’ve proven themselves, more or less with season 8, despite the emptiness of the season finale.
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But after having stepped up, Swimmer and Slakvin are moving on to take over Melrose Place, leaving Souders and Peterson to run the shop.
Where does that leave the show? My guess is that the power hitters of the foursome were asked to move on to take over the reboot gamble of Melrose. I could be wrong with that conjecture, but things are piling up to lead this editorial writer to that conclusion.
More Questions
We are still wondering the obvious. Will Clark Fly? Will Clark put on the suit? Will Smallville become Metropolis? Last December TV Guide stated that the CW was looking at a spin-off with Martian Manhunter but we haven’t heard any other word on that since then. We even have unsubstantiated rumors that there’s a Smallville movie on the horizon and things that we want to hear, like Rosenbaum might return for an episode or two.
More Conjecture From Justin Hartley
Now we can add to the mixer of hope that calling the 9th season of Smallvile the last season may be premature – Justin Hartley who plays Oliver Queen / Green Arrow has stated this in a recent interview. He further added to that by saying that the showrunners don’t know if they’re doing one or eight more seasons at this point in time.
Initially I thought he was chatting from some actual insider information, but I think all we’re seeing here is an actor being supportive of his own job.
While he was chatting, he added a little bit about his upcoming work in Smallville…
Hartley said that Oliver Queen might be going through some issues. Those issues are a few saves gone awry and Oliver might start drinking again. He also dropped the hint that he’ll be playing a younger Oliver Queen than we saw in season 8.
Is The Writing Is On The Wall?
If you recall, The CW moved Smallville to Friday nights for the 2009 / 2010 season as a lead-in to encore episodes of America’s Next Top Model. It will also be up against the likes of Law and Order on NBC, Ghost Whisperer on CBS and Supernanny on ABC in its time slot.
It’s harsh enough that they moved it to Fridays, but the competition even on the awful TV night that is Friday looks like it might just guarantee the show’s demise.
Even if the move to Friday cuts its ratings in half (like the move did to the ill-fated Sarah Connor Chronicles), The CW says that if the show outperforms their previous Friday night fare, then “that would be super.”
To me, that seems to say an awful lot about just how the network feels about the show. If they wanted it to go on, why Friday?
Here’s hoping all goes much better than it appears it might. The 9th season of Smallville starts on Friday, September 25th and ends in May of 2010.
So is the writing really on the wall? Or do you think that Smallville could make it to season 10 and beyond?
Source: Sci Fi Wire
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212 Comments
HEY ENJOY EVERY SINGLE EPISODE OF SMALLVILLE AND I WISH FOR IT TO CONTINUE THROUGH TO SEASON 20. ITS MY FAVORITE SHOW EVER BUT NOW IT THE TIME FOR CLARK TO START FLY AND TO PUT ON HIS SUIT
The show should get better with Flight & Tights. I would just hate to see it go 20 Seasons without either. If they need to do a name change to change the contract, than I do not mind if they change the name of the show, I’d still watch.
@ GPSpector
I would like that to happen myself cause i enjoyed the Adventures Of Superboy tv series and i dont see why not have a modern day version of that show. Only problem is i read how Tom Welling say he’s not into the idea of wearing the tights. Unless they pay him more money of-course. They would need a new name too, new contract, and if they plan to keep anyone else besides Tom Welling, it could mean they will get more money etc. I miss Michael Rosenbaum as Lex. He’s best guy who played the part in my opinion besides John Shea. Clancy Brown himself has a pretty good Lex Luthor voice.
Here is a thought, END the show. Then start a new show called Metropolis with new actors, a new story and a whole new different direction. Clearly there are a lot of Superman fans out there and if the show begins properly it can really pick up the way that Smallville did.
I think that at this point Smallville has lost even many of its best fans and keeping it going to a 10th season it a bad idea.
I think they could even keep the same story going, recast Clark (because lets face it, Tom Welling sucks) and continue on with the show. They could at that point kill off many unneccessary characters (Cloe, Green arrow, ect) Yes people might be mad at first, but now the studio could cast a better actor and take the story into a better direction and win back the fans with a good first season.
Oh yeah, real great. Kill off Green Arrow. It’s not like he’s in the Justice League or anything.
Chrisj, you could not pay me to watch a modern day version of the Adventures of Superboy tv series. They need to release all 4 seasons of that show to give guys like you and tasouli something to satisfy you. Smallville is and has never been that kind of (same old) show thank goodness, but a different and unique story about Clark’s journey to Superman. Of course Tom would never play such a part and neither would any other of the great cast members who have been a part of this great show, esp the wonderful Michael Rosenbaum be a part of a Superboy show!
Tousouli, you are right that someone needs to create a show called Metropolis for you and all the Superman fans who never really understood the premise of Smallville. The audience would be around 12 years old. I disagree that Smallville has lost its best fans, and what is it that brings those of you that love to hate the show back year after year? 9 years is not a bad run. Tom Welling is a great actor and perfect for the part and he is the reason that there may be a 10th season. Stay tuned.
recast Clark (because lets face it, Tom Welling sucks)
Who else could be clark? honestly. Tom Welling looks like him and most certainly does not suck. I want to see your amazing acting skills.
P.S. Tricia, rock on!
…and… WOO HOO! i’m the 100th post!!!
I’m not saying Smallville is a bad show but I do believe it has run it’s course. I don’t hate Welling and I do understand what the show is about. But it is obvious from the last episode that Clark is very close to becoming Superman. Season 9 should be it; the last episode of season 9 should be Clark flying off in the suit, and a tagline saying “Join us for Metropolis”.
On the subject of flying, it’s obvious that it’s the one thing we all agree on- we want to see Clark fly. I think this is the major reason that the ones of you that hate the show still watch. You can’t help yourselves. The question is, did comic book Clark fly or did he fly only after he became Superman (as in the movie)? We know that Gough and Millar, the creators, said no flights, no tights,(probably didn’t think the show would last this long), but they are no longer in charge. So is it because of the cost? Are the show runners saving the best for last? If so, then he may not fly next year if there is a 10th season. Of course they want it to last as long as possible to make money, but I also believe they want to make the fans happy. I have often wondered why he has not made more of an effort to learn, esp. after seeing Kara and others fly. It would make his saves even easier. But he can’t just take off in front of people yet because Superman does not exist for them. He has to find a way to take on that identity and be Clark Kent too, and somehow Lois not being able to know they are one and the same. Maybe when she comes back from wherever she is now (via the time travel ring), she will not remember the red/blue blur or Clark or both. Clark told Chloe in the last scene that “Clark Kent is dead,” and the last time he said that was in season 4 “Crusade” when he was Kal El. Also in that episode, in the hospital room when Johnathan asked Clark about flying, he says, “Kal El can fly. Clark Kent is STILL earthbound.” Then Johnathan asks him how it felt. And Clark says, “Amazing, and scary. Because if I can do that then maybe I’m capable of anything.” So he has known all along what it was like to fly but has not had the time or inclination to learn yet. Or has he been flying all along and we just never got to see it? Will we see flashbacks of him doing it when no one was watching? After he and Lana broke the bed last season (loved it!) he offered to show her another sunrise somewhere. Was he gonna run her there or fly her there? Has Lana flown with him? My mind is racing, and I love it! Back to reality (yeah right), maybe he has to get the power of kissing someone’s memory away before he can take on the Superman persona. Will we finally get to see him kiss Lois? And fly?
Ok I meant to say show Lana another sunset, not sunrise. Maybe he would show her both. And I will add about the flying, besides the scene with Christopher Reeve in “Rosetta” the flying scene was my favorite, even if it was Kal El. Knocks his mom down and takes off, chases Lex’s plane, rips off the door and steals the crystal. Awesome. And without that damn suit. Interesting.
@ Andy S
and Lex Luthor is dead, Bizzaro is dead, Lana has super powers, and Chloe is in the story…obviously the show has drifted away from what happenes in the comics.
Kill the green arrow off cause he’s just as bad of an actor as Tom welling
And just to clarify, Tom Welling isnt a bad actor I apologize. He is actually a TERRIBLE actor. Michael Rosenbaum left to do movies, Kristen Kreuk has not been around because she has been doing movies, and Tom Welling is still there…why? cause the 3 movies that he was in (the fog, cheaper by the dozen 1 & 2) sucked and he performed terribly in them as well. The guy is still there because he cannot get into the movies business. SHows normally dont last this long because the main actor becomes very popular and usually does not sign back on in order to persue movies…Tom Welling is still there because he cannot get into movies. And as for Tom Welling looking like Cark Kent, big deal they could probably find a ton of other people that resemble him
Replace Tom Welling, call the show Metropolis and END Smallville.
Oh and why do I still watch? Because I liked the who all the way to the end of season 6. Season 7 and on sucked but I have watched it for so long at this point where if I stop now (whenit it is at its end) I feel like I would have watsed the last 8 years
Anyone ever see Never Back Down? The main actor could be Clark Kent, and since he looks like Tom Cruise, this would pull people in. NBD wasn’t a great film but I did enjoy it, and thought the actor was Cruise’s son or something, but they are (supposedly) not related.
I happen to like Tom Welling as Clark. TO each their own I guess. AS for your theory, tasouli, how about a little show called X-Files that lasted 10 seasons despite Duchovny going on to movies. I also like Justin Hartley as the Green Arrow and I think he would make an EXCELLENT Flash in a movie.
What, no interest in my idea of a show called “JUSTICE LEAGUE: The Early Years”?
I think it would be a great idea and have the show focus on a different hero or group each show. That way, there is no main star just the Heroes and their friends.
Tom Welling is not a horrible actor, he’s a very good one. But the ultra main character of a show doesn’t get a lot of work after a long run on a TV show, eg. Sarah Jessica Parker in “Sex and teh City” got less work then her three female co-stars. Kevin James and Leah Remini of “King and Queens” have gotten remotely no work after the show ended but all their supporting co-stars did. That’s just how the business works, it’s called type casting, all TV leads suffer from it.
“show Lana another sunset”
i think he was referring to the season 1 episode where they are in his barn watching the sunset. it was a very romantic moment.
“Anyone ever see Never Back Down? The main actor could be Clark Kent, and since he looks like Tom Cruise”
Sweet! i’m not the only person who thinks that.
tasouli, can nothing satisfy you? it’s just a TV show calm down. Tom Wellings acting has improved over the years no matter what you say. Justin Hartley is a good actor, don’t know what you’re talking about there.
“Michael Rosenbaum left to do movies, Kristen Kreuk has not been around because she has been doing movies”
Kristen Kreuk was in one movie and it sucked. Michael Rosenbaum left because he thought his character had run it’s course and he disliked shaving his head. Tom’s making plenty of money on this show and doesn’t need to do movies to be satisfied.
“Sweet! i’m not the only person who thinks that”
the fact that he looks like tom cruise that is. i don’t see him as clark
@ Melissa
-Sarah J. Parker has actually been in movies, she was in the sex and the city movie and that movie mathew mcconohy, and several others…recently she hasnt been in any because she was preganant n just had a kid. Great career for a good actress
-Kevin James was in several movies as a result of his tv show and teh movies brought in a lot of money (mall cop and that one with sandler, and he was in hitch, and had a few other roles in several movies recently)
@Andy S
Comparing X-files to Smallville is like comparing apples to oranges. X-files was a great show after David left because it still followed teh same story, brought in another great actor (patrick Stewart), managed to keep the same writers, and maintained a good story while getting great reviews and ratings.
@ foopher
Tom Welling’s acting stinks, its horrible, its pathetic. he lacks emotional range in his acting. Kreuk, Rosenbaum, and Mack on the other hand are all great actors, as was the guy that played Lionel Luthor and Clarks dad. Even teh green arrow is better than Tom Welling in my opinion, if you dont believe me watch Tom Welling’s acting performances in his movies
Tabouli, you are entitled to your opinion. I’m taking it that you won’t be watching season 9- we wouldn’t want you wasting another year or 2. You have made me curious enough to decide to rent “The Fog” to see the terrible acting of Tom Welling.
And Foopher, I will have to check out Kristin’s movie. I read that the movie sucked but that it was not her fault. Tho I’m really not into that type of movie, I still believe she is a good actress. I’m pretty sure we will never see her again on Smallville. As for “seeing another sunset” Clark’s exact words were, “How would you like to see another sunset? We could start our night all over again. Head west, find a sandy beach.” Lana liked it that he was romantic, but wanted to patrol Metropolis by his side instead. You don’t remember because you didn’t like the Lana storyline, right? I liked her 5 eps and her sendoff, as sad as it was. But I hope she never comes back, not because I don’t like her or them together, but because he needs to move on. In the Smallville world, I doubt that they could ever be just friends. Superman is coming and he will finally be in Lois’s league.
I admit that he is not by an means a great actor, but he’s not the “pathetic” actor you make him out to be. (watch the end of Requiem)
I remember. I was just saying that that was probably what was being implied. I do think Kristen is a good actress, but her latest movie (street fighter) was pretty awful. Not her fault.
Yes the ending of Requiem was incredibly sad. I almost teared up a bit.
Patrick Stewart (Captain Picard, Professor Xavier) was in X-Files? That’s news to me and I watched the show religiously, even in the final uneven seasons. Oh wait, you mean ROBERT PATRICK.
Sorry man, had to mess with you. I think the comparison is apt, though. Both are long-running successful shows. Both have established storylines, and IMO, both were well-acted. IF you hate Tom Welling and Smallville so much, why do you keep A) watching the show and B) responding in this thread? There are obviously ALOT of people who still like the show and who like Tom, otherwise there wouldn’t even be TALK of a 10th season.
Atcually, watch RECKONING. it’s a tour de force of acting form everyone in the cast
Umm, why would you kill Green Arrow when he’s one of the founding members of the Justice League in the comics?
I don’t know if I’d go so far as to call Tom Welling a terrible actor, but I don’t think he’s an amazing one. I think he does a decent job playing the “aw-shucks” small town type, and that’s about it. I’ve seen most of his films, and he doesn’t seem to really demonstrate any kind of range. Maybe it’s a result of typecasting, maybe it’s because he’s not as talented as a lot of his peers. I’m inclined to think it’s a combination of both.
I would however, argue that Justin Hartley is a pretty decent actor.Honestly, out of all the young leads that have been featured throughout the series, I think Michael Rosenbaum is undoubtedly the best, but Hartley is probably second in my book. His character is thrown a lot of crappy dialogue, but that’s the writers’ fault not his, and I think he pulls it off as well as can be expected. I know he comes from a background in soap operas, and while I’m not a fan of them at all, I expect that must have helped him learn how to deliver horrible lines, and I think he does so more convincingly than many of the other actors. The ridiculous dialogue just sounds a little less ridiculous coming from him (in my opinion) because he tends to know, not only whether to play it straight or not, but exactly what degree to go for. Which is the key, there’s a lot of range in his delivery, as opposed to some of the other actors who tend to be relatively one note. For example, Erica Durance is one of my favorite cast members and I think she does a great job with the show’s comedy, but I’m very rarely able to take her 100% seriously in her dramatic scenes. Part of that is probably because of how her character is written, but part of it is also probably just her own personal limitation as an actress. I’m not saying she’s bad at all, just that she hasn’t gotten to the point yet where she can pull off drama 100% convincingly. I feel that, out of the younger actors, Rosenbaum and Hartley are two of the only ones which are able to pull off dead-seriousness convincingly, and yet are still great with the lighter material (or as great as the script allows them to be). Again, part of that is probably due to how their roles are written, but I also think a lot of it has to due with their own talent.
As far as the progression of the series itself goes, I definitely understand where tasouli’s coming from and I echo a lot of his comments. It’s not that we don’t “get” the show, it’s that we’re tired of constantly being teased with no payoff. I understand that the premise of Smallville is to tell the story of how Clark Kent becomes Superman. That’s a perfectly legitimate story to tell and, at times, makes for a great television series. To claim that we don’t “get” the show, just because we don’t agree with how that premise is being executed is very condescending. I might not agree with all of your opinions but I never try to minimalize them by talking down to you.
The fact is, Smallville has largely been buildup up until now. That’s not what frustrates me. Again, I *get* that this is the story of how Clark becomes Superman, therefore Superman will not appear until the final act. It’s just that some of us are simply ready for the final act. It’s not wrong of us, it doesn’t mean we’re not Smallville fans, we’re just ready to see our payoff after waiting for eight years. I don’t mean to speak for tasouli, but I suspect that might be his mindset as well. After waiting for something for eight years, it’s just silly to stop waiting when the payoff might be in sight. I understand that’s not how many of you feel, but the fact is that’s probably what’s keeping a sizable portion of Smallville’s audience watching at this point. We should remember that those of us who make the effort to actually come online and discuss the show are a very small minority of Smallville’s total viewership. The typical viewer simply isn’t as invested in the show as we are, and I think tasouli have a very credibly point when he mentions that some of us, some of Smallville’s most dedicated fans, who still take the time to discuss the series, who still make the effort to seek out other fans, who still hunt for details months before the season premiere (so yes, *some of the show’s most dedicated fans*) are finally tired of waiting for the payoff. I guarantee that if we’re tired of waiting, there are many, many, MANY more casual fans who are tired of waiting as well.
For a lot of these viewers, it’s not the quality of the show that’s keeping them watching at this point. It’s (as Tricia said) the promise of things to come, or, the promise of finally seeing the payoff to their years of waiting. Is that such a bad thing? Of course, that’s not how it should ideally work, and I’m sure those viewers would be the first to admit that, but if that’s what keeps them watching the show then that’s their choice. If they want to voice their frustration when those payoffs aren’t realized, especially when the show *misled them into believing they would be* then I think that’s perfectly understandable. It doesn’t mean their ungrateful, it doesn’t mean they’re not real fans, it doesn’t mean they don’t get the show. It just means means that they also realize that Smallville, like any other story, must eventually draw to a close. Clark is rapidly approaching the time when he will become Superman and that means there’s only so much story left to tell. A good author should realize this well before their audience and should accept it. They shouldn’t try to prolong the story for it’s own sake or delay the inevitable. If some of us are growing impatient it’s simply because we want the rest of the story, and we become frustrated when we see the show straying from it’s original purpose of telling that story. If some you disagree with us then that’s perfectly fine, it doesn’t mean that either of us are wrong, it simply means we have diiffering opinions, and we are entitled to those opinions, whatever they may be.
Yes, I watched X-files religiously as well and Patrick Stewart was never on it I did mean Robert Patrick haha, good catch Andy.
As for the reason I still keep watching it, I realllycouldnt tell you. This show, Supernatural, Heroes, and Dexter are all I watch and I wont be going back to heroes this year. As for Smallville I am on the fence, I usually do happy hour on Fridays so I will probably miss the Friday showing but I will probably find a way to see the episodes eventually. I think the reason I keep watching is because I am waiting for it to finally unravel and end. Its like going to Medical school, you do for years of undergrad, then study for teh MCATS which sucks (season 4), then you enter Medical school and things start to pick up again (season 5,6) and then your last two years become a brutal pain (season 7,8) and then your done with med school and you have to do residency for 2 years (season 9, 10?). I dont know how residency will be and that is why I am still staying tuned.
I keep hoping the show bounces back, and restores my faith in the series otherwise after this is over and SUpernatural is done with I will never turn to the CW again
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