What does "Carnivale" mean for "Deadwood?"

[SamSpade]

Returning from vacation, noticed a piece of great news, that Carnivale season 1 is out in November / December! Of course, this is just in time for the premiere of Carnivale Season 2 in January. I was really glad to see this show not have to go through what has become the standard for HBO shows, the two year wait for DVD release. Does anyone think or know if we can expect a similar prompt release for the best show on television, "Deadwood Season 1"? I hope the somewhat "niche market" appeal of Carnivale, not nearly as wildly popular as Deadwood, isn't the determining factor here, just trying to drum up buzz for S2, where Deadwood doesn't need it. Any thoughts on either show?

Right now the best shows on TV are all on HBO:

1. Deadwood
2. Sopranos (strong comeback in season 5)
3. Six Feet Under (would have been reverse order a couple years ago, and may change again this year because SFU isn't done yet)
4. Carnivale (all four shows very close in quality)
5. Entourage

That's just debate fodder.

[Marq]

I'll pressume it was a giant accident that you left off Da Ali G Show and Curb Your Enthusiasm. .
Where I am, I don't get to see every HBO show, but I'd imagine Deadwood is the one I'd like the most if given the chance. I also haven't seen Carnivale or Entourage. I could never get into Six Feet Under and The Sopranos has always impressed me everytime I've gotten a chance to see it. But despite my limited exposure to the channel, I've loved everything about Ali G and Curb.

[Phreak]

Actually, the new season of Ali G has been shit so far.

As for Carnivale and it's quick turnaround, I hope it is a trend. I don't want to have to wait 2 years for season 2 of The Wire (aka the best show on HBO). I'm surprised HBO bought a second season of Carnivale. I watched the first half of last season, and its easily the most boring show in HBO history.

[Titleist]

I don't mind the long turn around from airing to release on DVD. I DO mind that it takes almost two years for some of the seasons to come out on HBO like the Sopranos. I understand it takes a good amount of time to gather the actors back together, have all the scripts together. But for 13 episodes per season it'd be a whole lot nicer if I didn't have to wait till 2006 to see the next season.

Especially when there are some great shows on broadcast tv that hit 13-26 eps a season, consistantly on time, and consistantly of great quality.

As for carnivale, I agree, I found it borderline dull. Not in the content, but that I knew it'd take 3-4 seasons to actually explain what was going on. Similar to the X-Files, where it took 9 seasons to explain everything. I'm not sure if I'm commited to that much carnivale.

[SamSpade]

I would say that most 26 episode shows are not exactly of the highest quality; I can't think of a network show that's consistently interested me as the stuff on HBO (of course, there's no boobs over the air ). 24 was great for the first two years, but three sucked. Friends blew over the entire course of its existence, if you ask me. Network tv is just so bland.

I can't see why people would think Carnivale dull...it's weird, which menas you have to pay a lot of attention, sort of like a Lynch movie. A lot of people love The Wire, but I got turned off the first half hour it was on and never really went back. I'm still trying to figure out what sort of accent that main cop guy is supposed to have. Is it Boston? Australia? England? Ireland?

[Damian]

Originally Posted by SamSpade

I would say that most 26 episode shows are not exactly of the highest quality; I can't think of a network show that's consistently interested me as the stuff on HBO (of course, there's no boobs over the air ). 24 was great for the first two years, but three sucked. Friends blew over the entire course of its existence, if you ask me. Network tv is just so bland.

I can't see why people would think Carnivale dull...it's weird, which menas you have to pay a lot of attention, sort of like a Lynch movie. A lot of people love The Wire, but I got turned off the first half hour it was on and never really went back. I'm still trying to figure out what sort of accent that main cop guy is supposed to have. Is it Boston? Australia? England? Ireland?

Carnivale was strange for me, I watched it only because it came on right after the Sopranos. I too thought it was boring as hell but it was weird enough to keep my attention. I still won't be getting the season set because I can't see myself watching it over and over again.

I don't think Carnivale will have an effect on when Deadwood is released on DVD.

[SamSpade]

I guess my question is more along the lines of "Is this going to be HBO's new standard release turn time, or is this an exception to a show that didn't have a Sopranos / Sex and the City / Curb Your Enthusiasm size following?"

[tazer floyd]

TVShowsOnDVD mentions a February release for season one of Deadwood. Which would put it out right before the second season is supposed to premiere.

I think that this might become a new standard for their newest shows, whereas Sopranos, Six Feet Under, etc. will probably still stay at the same release schedule. Just like The Shield, 24, and others, I think they want to put out the first seasons a bit quicker so they can possibly bring more new fans to the series, just as their second seasons are about to begin. I don't think it only has to do with the ratings that Carnivale got.

As far as Carnivale being boring... I can see that, but I don't really agree. The show definitely started out slow, but picked up a bit as the season went along. It's no Deadwood, that's for sure, but it still has it's great moments. Then again, I love that whole era of old circuses and sideshows.

[Bossplaya]

What, no mention of The Wire? By far the best show on TV period. The second season was perfect. Almost episode was a knockout homerun. Yes, HBO has a lot of the best shows, and network tv has almost none of the best shows anymore. Still miffed that NBC cancelled Kingpin, a show that had so much potential. Networks do not have the patience for dramas it seems.

I did not like Carnivale, thought it was pretty boring, but I am not into that sort of thing, with devils and spirits as a main focus. Deadwood is much better as it's more my type of thing. Hardcore.

Though other networks are stepping up, USA with Monk and The Dead Zone, F/X with The Shield.

[Dilmo]

I missed "Carnivale", I got HBO just when they were showing the last episode. I don't watch anything unless I start at the beginning. I am waiting for it to repeat. SamSpade, am I understanding you that it was just 4 episodes? I am curious about it and would like to see it, not buy it. "Deadwood", I'd buy.

[SamSpade]

No, Carnivale was definitely 13 episodes, as most HBO dramas are.

[Hewlett]

Carnivale had the standard 12 or 13 episode season, not just 4.

[Phreak]

Originally Posted by SamSpade

I'm still trying to figure out what sort of accent that main cop guy is supposed to have. Is it Boston? Australia? England? Ireland?

I believe the technical name is "English guy doing a Baltimore accent".

It's good to see another fan of The Wire here in Bossplaya. I almost pissed myself when I saw the promo today for Season 3. September 19th, baby! Too bad I'll be stuck in a dorm. Then again, I will have an insanely fast internet connection and access to newsgroups.