Ain't It Cool News Review of the FIRST Pilot Script.

POSTED BY: Jonwes
UPDATED: Monday, August 19, 2002 20:57
VIEWED: 8924
PAGE 1 of 1

JONWES

Saturday, May 18, 2002 6:17 AM

Okay, this could be VERY old news to everyone, but I didn't see a mention of it here and it was new to me. Ain't It Cool reviewed the script for the FIRST pilot (that is now being moved back in favor of the new one hour pilot.) I only skimmed it because I didn't want to be spoiled, but it was very positive.

Here's the non-spoiler bit:

Initially, I was surprised at how dark and relatively humourless the story was, and how it seemed to be treading ground that had been tread before. But it evolves, revealing itself, surprising continually, and most importantly, entertaining. It doesn’t let up. In the way of Whedon, even the familiarity of the genre is used against the reader to twist expectations. There is humour, don’t misunderstand me, but it’s honest to the world he’s created. It’s from the characters, and appropriate to the moments.

This has the potential to be the post-millennium Star Trek, and I mean it that as a compliment. Don’t expect aliens, it’s human and human behaviour. It explores themes of family, morality, survival, and the existence of God, all packed into a whacking good adventure. Mr. Whedon knows how to tell a story, and he’s a hell of a director. Expect moments like the Reavers (to which I haven’t done justice) to have you standing on your couch. I believe that even audiences who would normally avoid Sci-Fi will find something real here for them. For audiences who are looking for a new Buffy, or Angel, you haven’t found it – you’ve found something different, darker, but ultimately satisfying.

http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=11621

HAKEN

Saturday, May 18, 2002 5:17 PM

Yeah, that review is a bit old. And, obviously, while the that particular pilot looked great on paper, it wasn't good enough for the FOX execs. Makes me wonder what's in the new Firefly pilot for Joss "The Slayer" to depose "King of the World" Cameron.

NOVAGRASS

Sunday, May 19, 2002 3:14 AM

Originally posted by Haken:
Joss "The Slayer" to depose "King of the World" Cameron.

Celebrity Boxing, anyone?

NOVAGRASS

Sunday, May 19, 2002 3:32 AM

Originally posted by Haken:
it wasn't good enough for the FOX execs.

Well... not being good enough for FOX execs really doesn't say anything to me. They are, after all, the ones who cancelled "Undeclared," "The Family Guy," "The Tick," "Greg the Bunny," and "Ally McBeal," in favor of shows like "Septuplets," "Berni Mac," "Fast Lane," and a show starring Randy Quaid *cringe*

TINYTIMM

Sunday, May 19, 2002 9:02 PM

Firefly smells like a cross between a Traveller (TM) game and "Johnny Yuma, the Rebel" from 60's B&W TV.

Cool if they can keep up the level of writting we've seen in most of the Buffy and Angel shows.

SHOE

Saturday, June 1, 2002 2:56 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by TinyTimm:
Firefly smells like a cross between a Traveller (TM) game and "Johnny Yuma, the Rebel" from 60's B&W TV.

Cool if they can keep up the level of writting we've seen in most of the Buffy and Angel shows.

Noo, it would've been cool if they kept Dark Angel on the air.

ZICSOFT

Friday, June 14, 2002 8:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by TinyTimm:
Firefly smells like a cross between a Traveller (TM) game and "Johnny Yuma, the Rebel" from 60's B&W TV.

I think The Rebel was basically a ripoff of The Searchers.

http://us.imdb.com/Title?0049730

Which movie Whedon has cited as influential in Firefly.

JORGASNAROVA

Saturday, June 15, 2002 12:27 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Shoe:
Quote:
Originally posted by TinyTimm:
Firefly smells like a cross between a Traveller (TM) game and "Johnny Yuma, the Rebel" from 60's B&W TV.

Cool if they can keep up the level of writting we've seen in most of the Buffy and Angel shows.

Noo, it would've been cool if they kept Dark Angel on the air.

True, but FOX had to deal with some unpleasant realities: "Dark Angel" tended to be repeatedly behind schedule and over budget and had been doing only marginally well in the Friday timeslot that frustratingly FOX had been trying for years to successfully fill, with little luck. Now, factor in that James Cameron was an imperious tyrant to work with. Do you continue with the big-name head-poundingly difficult Cameron product that has been steadily loosing viewers, and money, hoping that the costs can be absorbed over time and that ratings will improve, or do you cut your losses and try something else, perhaps with a man in charge that is easier for the network to deal with? Obviously, FOX chose the latter.

PANDORA

Saturday, June 15, 2002 5:23 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by novagrass:

Well... not being good enough for FOX execs really doesn't say anything to me. They are, after all, the ones who cancelled "Undeclared," "The Family Guy," "The Tick," "Greg the Bunny," and "Ally McBeal," in favor of shows like "Septuplets," "Berni Mac," "Fast Lane," and a show starring Randy Quaid *cringe*

No... Not the Family Guy! Come ON! That show was hilarious! Comparable to the most holy and sacred Simpsones!

Dude, the people at Fox WANT to fail. I'm almost convinced of this fact.

Pandora

"Mrs. Krabappel and Principal Skinner were in the closet making babies
and I saw one of the babies and the baby looked at me." -Ralph Wiggum

FURYFIRE

Saturday, June 15, 2002 6:08 PM

Hey!
Bernie Mac is a well written show, but i agree on the patheticness of the others you listed, incl. shows like Boston Public, really, how much contreversoy(sP?) does one school have? On the streets of Harlem there isnt that kind of contreversory.

ps. Centreversory, I'm so damn tired, I cant remember how to bloody spell it

Uh, is the tag the same as the signature?

PANDORA

Saturday, June 15, 2002 10:31 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by FURYFIRE:
Hey!
Bernie Mac is a well written show, but i agree on the patheticness of the others you listed, incl. shows like Boston Public, really, how much contreversoy(sP?) does one school have? On the streets of Harlem there isnt that kind of contreversory.

ps. Centreversory, I'm so damn tired, I cant remember how to bloody spell it

Uh, is the tag the same as the signature?

Bernie Mack is hit or miss... sometimes I'm on the verge of peeing my pantalones, and sometimes I can't even squeeze a chortle out of myself once the whole half hour. I like the little boy though... and baby girl...

And I agree on Boston Public... not to offend any fans, but a bigger piece of poo I've never seen. Every week, such high drama! I can't be involved. For this we lose the Family Guy?

Meh. Now I sound like a member of a certain embittered fandom we all know...

Pandora

P.S. Controversy... like the Prince song!

Prince... little... purple... different... better...

"Mrs. Krabappel and Principal Skinner were in the closet making babies
and I saw one of the babies and the baby looked at me." -Ralph Wiggum

ZICSOFT

Saturday, June 15, 2002 10:57 PM

Gaa. Boston Public. Talk about doing the same thing over and over.

Picket Fences: Life and Death Crises can be cute.

The Practice: PF defends the downtrodden and has lots of ethical and person crises.

Ally McBeal: PF tries to find a boyfriend.

Boston Public: PF rips off Welcome Back Kotter.

PANDORA

Sunday, June 16, 2002 1:53 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Zicsoft:
Gaa. Boston Public. Talk about doing the same thing over and over.

Picket Fences: Life and Death Crises can be cute.

The Practice: PF defends the downtrodden and has lots of ethical and person crises.

Ally McBeal: PF tries to find a boyfriend.

Boston Public: PF rips off Welcome Back Kotter.

My only question is:

Why is the American Public, along with apparently every television critic ever to breathe air, so in effing love with David Kelly? WHY?

Pandora
he's a glorified soap writer! Augh!

"Mrs. Krabappel and Principal Skinner were in the closet making babies and I saw one of the babies
and the baby looked at me." -Ralph Wiggum

PANDORA

Sunday, June 16, 2002 1:54 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Zicsoft:
Gaa. Boston Public. Talk about doing the same thing over and over.

Picket Fences: Life and Death Crises can be cute.

The Practice: PF defends the downtrodden and has lots of ethical and person crises.

Ally McBeal: PF tries to find a boyfriend.

Boston Public: PF rips off Welcome Back Kotter.

My only question is:

Why is the American Public, along with apparently every television critic ever to breathe air, so in effing love with David Kelly? WHY?

Pandora
he's a glorified soap writer! Augh!

"Mrs. Krabappel and Principal Skinner were in the closet making babies and I saw one of the babies
and the baby looked at me." -Ralph Wiggum

PANDORA

Sunday, June 16, 2002 1:55 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Zicsoft:
Gaa. Boston Public. Talk about doing the same thing over and over.

Picket Fences: Life and Death Crises can be cute.

The Practice: PF defends the downtrodden and has lots of ethical and person crises.

Ally McBeal: PF tries to find a boyfriend.

Boston Public: PF rips off Welcome Back Kotter.

My only question is:

Why is the American Public, along with apparently every television critic ever to breathe air, so in effing love with David Kelly? WHY?

Pandora
he's a glorified soap writer! Augh!

"Mrs. Krabappel and Principal Skinner were in the closet making babies and I saw one of the babies
and the baby looked at me." -Ralph Wiggum

FURYFIRE

Sunday, June 16, 2002 7:39 PM

Yah, Cameron copies it all.

Why IS David Kelly all so popular? Every show is the same thing. Lawyers in Boston. Now Boston Public, is just doin the same thing with teachers, and instead of court cases its student problems.
It just shows how great Jossy Whedon really is, his shows are so great, and continue to get better, opposed to the crap on tv. I read an article a couple months back that declared that jossy is the only person to utilize TV as an art.

Nuf' said

Uh, is the tag the same as the signature?

MILLERNATE

Sunday, June 16, 2002 7:44 PM

Possibly because Kelley was half responsible (along with Steven "NYPD BLUE/Hillstreet Blues" Bochco) for the great stuff that happened in L.A. Law. When you factor in that Picket Fences was actually really good its first 2 seasons (it hasn't yet gotten to the "Life and Death Crisis are cute" stage, that was the last 2 years) and you have someone living fairly well off past triumps .

HJERMSTED

Monday, June 17, 2002 4:19 PM

I only watch Boston Public for Seven of Nine (and her two lovely friends Eight of Nine and Nine of Nine)...

mr

WARRIOR

Wednesday, July 10, 2002 4:47 AM

I's it possible for anyone to a night change ,I love the Idea of this show but am very fearful of what friday night has been to many of good show(Dark Angle)and don't what to see the same happen with this show!!!

HAPLO721

Monday, August 19, 2002 8:57 PM

I was pissed at Fox for cancelling Family Guy... the first 2 times it happened. Now I realize they'll probably just resurrect it next time they have a hole in their primetime lineup...