Charmed gets the Axe

[Damian]

I'm a less then casual viewer.

US television station WB has confirmed late last week that the supernatural series “Charmed”, about three sisters who happen to be witches, will not be moving to the new network, CW, and has been cancelled.

The show’s last episode will be screened on the 21st of May. “Charmed”, starring Alyssa Milano, Holly Marie Combs and Rose McGowan, has been running for 8 seasons, with the first three starring Shannen Doherty instead of McGowan.

The CW network will be a merger between the WB and UPN and will programme the kind of shows both channels specialise in – shows such as “Smallville”, “The Gilmore Girls”, “Veronica Mars” and “Everybody Hates Chris.”

[Reaver]

I never watched the show, but I've been curious. Anyone who watches it have an opinion to share?

[Astrakan]

I read somewhere (maybe here) that Charmed is (was...) the longest running series ever with female leads.

KM

[Damian]

Originally Posted by Astrakan

I read somewhere (maybe here) that Charmed is (was...) the longest running series ever with female leads.

KM

Maybe, eight years is a great run for a show these days, even for one with a mixed cast.

[Reaver]

I can't believe this show lasted longer than Buffy. Then again, Joss ended Buffy on his terms. Charmed did not.

[kama]

Fox got him back with Firefly

Originally Posted by Reaver

I can't believe this show lasted longer than Buffy. Then again, Joss ended Buffy on his terms. Charmed did not.

[Titleist]

People still watch Charmed?

[Dilmo]

Originally Posted by Titleist

People still watch Charmed?

That's what I thought.

[Astrakan]

Originally Posted by Titleist

People still watch Charmed?

Apparently not.

KM

[scottfs]

Originally Posted by Astrakan

Apparently not.

KM

LOL. Hence, cancellation.

[Damian]

To be honest I'd be surprised if Smallville makes it to the new combined network. It's viewers have been steadily declining for awhile now.

[Reaver]

Originally Posted by kama

Fox got him back with Firefly

Ah, no shit. They sure did. I don't think the guys at Fox Television can get a good night's sleep if they haven't cancelled a great show that day.

[SilentBob]

Originally Posted by Damian

To be honest I'd be surprised if Smallville makes it to the new combined network. It's viewers have been steadily declining for awhile now.

I'm sure Smallville has been given another season already. A few weeks after the announcement on the WB network they were running a contest to "win a role on a new Smallville episode next year" Which makes me think that its safe. Plus i have really liked this year so far




As for Charmed getting the chop


It still pisses me off to this date that this show which had lower rating and a higher production cost was renewed over Angle.

[Niki]

I watch the Charmed re-runs on TNT on weekday mornings. Two episodes each morning. The same 2 that come on in the mornings also come on in the afternoon. I like the show. They were running what I think might have been episodes from season 7 (I'd have to look that up), but now they're showing episodes from when Shannon Doherty was on the show. Season 2 maybe.

[Astrakan]

Out of curiousity:

Was Shannen Doherty's character replaced when she left the show? Or did they just re-cast the part?

KM

[Damian]

Originally Posted by Astrakan

Out of curiousity:

Was Shannen Doherty's character replaced when she left the show? Or did they just re-cast the part?

KM

They brought in Rose McGowen as a different relative. Cousin I think.

[cssamerican]

Rose McGowen's character was introduced as a half sister that no one new about, same mother different father I think.

The problem with the show is it just ran out of ideas and it should have ended last season. In fact, when we watched the final episode of last season we thought that it must have been the final episode of the show. The show ended so clean that it just felt like it was the final episode, but then it was like they changed their mind and manufactured some lame episodes at the beginning of this season to resurrect it. Apparently a lot of people must have felt the same way we did, hence the cancellation.

[elwood731]

Originally Posted by Reaver

I can't believe this show lasted longer than Buffy. Then again, Joss ended Buffy on his terms. Charmed did not.

From my understanding, this is not 100% true. Sarah Michelle Gellar basically wanted to leave Buffy and Joss didn't want to do it without her. They were also cutting the budget again, which they had the previous few seasons. Same fate that fell on Angel--they kept cutting the budget until finally they couldn't really do the show anymore.

[Brikar99]

Originally Posted by elwood731

Same fate that fell on Angel--they kept cutting the budget until finally they couldn't really do the show anymore.

"Angel" took a budget cut in order to remain on the air another year, in addition to adding James Marsters to the cast. The ratings went up when the show was paired with "Smallville", and from what I'd read, Fox decided to press the issue and ask for a renewal early. WB flinched and cancelled the show... and now regrets it.

[Mikado]

It lasted this long? I just assumed that those were reruns of old seasons that were playing.

[Reaver]

Not to resurrect an ancient thread, but news has come out that the eighth season of Charmed will hit stores this September. Since originally posting in this thread I've actually watched all seven previous season, and while I wouldn't put it in the same league as Buffy, I still found it to be a pretty entertaining show. I think that where Charmed went wrong was that they didn't have a season long story arc for most of the show. Joss Whedon was smart in that each season of Angel and Buffy had a season long arc, with every episode dealing with that arc, even if occasionally only remotely. It gave the seasons focus and drive. Charmed usually stuck with the monster-of-the-week formula, and that weakened it. That started to change n the sixth season, finally, and season seven was actually really good. That last epsidoe of season seven would have made for a fairly good ending to the series, and I'm not sure why they didn't stick to that.

Anyway, the show doesn't seem to have many fans here, but I thought I'd share anyway.

[Tattiana]

When I was able to watch Tv... I would watch Buffy, Angel and Charmed.

Charmed wasnt bad to me since it was a bit different from peoples portrayals of witches but I can agree with teh above that the "monster of the week" formula did get old after awhile. Their overal plotline was a bit thin compared to BUffy and Angel . Angel I loved watching because it had some very....very good twists in storyline.

Seeing them come to an end is sad but needed. Now if only these networks can bring in some worthy talent and shows to replace it ... i be happy...

Sorry but Gilmore Girls be the first thing on my list to get axed. :'P

[Reaver]

Originally Posted by Tattiana

Now if only these networks can bring in some worthy talent and shows to replace it ... i be happy...

Well, so far as genre shows go, there are some great ones on right now. Lost, Heroes, Battlestar, Supernatural, and Smallville are all highly entertaining shows. And while Veronica Mars isn't a sci-fi or supernatural show, in some ways I do consider it a successor to Buffy in so far as witty writing and great female leads are concerned.

[scottfs]

Originally Posted by Reaver

Well, so far as genre shows go, there are some great ones on right now. Lost, Heroes, Battlestar, Supernatural, and Smallville are all highly entertaining shows. And while Veronica Mars isn't a sci-fi or supernatural show, in some ways I do consider it a successor to Buffy in so far as witty writing and great female leads are concerned.

Yes, despite no sci-fi or supernatural elements, Veronica Mars is a direct descendant of Buffy. And that girl who plays Veronica is the bomb. Watching her is worth the price of admission. She's got superstardom written all over her.