We've all been waiting for some news about the Supergirl show. I recently did a post talking about all the rumors and concerns that had been flying around the production.
Well, actual news finally broke yesterday.
And as hinted at forever, the Supergirl show is moving the The CW network. Here is a link to Entertainment Weekly's coverage: http://www.ew.com/article/2016/05/12/supergirl-renewed-cw
Now there is a lot to consider with this move.
First off and most importantly, we are getting more episodes. I loved this show. The character was bright, optimistic, fierce, and learning the ropes. The relationships between the characters were the backbone of the show. Kara and Alex. Kara and Winn. Kara and Cat. Kara and Jimmy. Kara and Hank. They all had heartfelt moments and character arcs. We had action. We had it all as Supergirl fans. And I loved it. The show could have been canceled. It wasn't. That is the most important part of this announcement. We are getting more episodes.
Now, maybe there is an old-school feeling that moving from CBS to The CW is a demotion of sorts, a loss of prestige. But, as been said ad nauseum, the show 'feels' more like a CW show than a CBS show.
And, of course, it opens up the possibilities of more crossovers. Certainly, a time/space warp could lead to a DCLOT crossover.
But there are some concerns.
For one, the production has fled to Vancouver. So the whole feel of the show being in Hollywood/California is going to be gone.
Second, the reason CBS let the show go was that it was too expensive to produce. It is doubtful/impossible that the CW will be able to front the budget of last season. So will there be a drop in the effects. Will stories be written differently, avoiding big action sequences. Will there still be wire fighting? That said, I think the Flash has done a fine job with effects, so maybe it won't be noticeable?
I am not an accountant. I don't understand production budgets. But maybe the $3million dollar 'license fee' per episode will disappear since Warner Brothers owns CW. Maybe that money can be shunted to the production? Of course, the show has to make money for the network so maybe cuts are coming.
Lastly, will the very structure/cast of the show change? Will Kara be in a different city? Maybe her new role in CatCo takes her away from National City? Will David Harewood? Will last season be 'forgotten'? Will we pick up were last season ended, with the mysterious pod?
I have faith that the production company and Greg Berlanti and Ali Adler will do the show right. They clearly love it.
But the unknown is scary. Let's be optimistic.
One thing we don't need to worry about is the Alex/Kara relationship disappearing. Both Chyler Leigh and Melissa Benoist hit social media last night to thank CBS and promote the next season.
And apparently Calista Flockhart will also be back ( http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/supergirl-season-two-cw-892629 )! That was something I was very worried about!
Will things be different? Probably.
I guess we have to wait to see.
But let's not forget the most important part.
There will be a Supergirl Season Two.
Good news indeed. Hopefully this will mean more issues of the excellent Adventures of Supergirl.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited for a second season! While the move isn't without risks for the show's production, budget, and actors, I hope that we'll see more character-centered episodes and crossovers to make up for the show's new home on The CW. I'm glad to hear Flockhart seems like she's moving to Vancouver for the show, however, she's had a great and entertaining role on the show.
ReplyDeleteLet's give 'em five seasons! Up, up, and away!
Just a moment of brag... I had predicted in a comment to a post on February 5th on this forum, that the program would be renewed and would move to Vancouver. So, yea me.
ReplyDeleteI did not however, see the move to the CW. My thought was that if CBS can't afford Supergirl, how could the CW?
There will still be license fees that the CW will have to pay to Warner for the program. Those fees can't be anywhere near the reported three million per episode that CBS had been paying.
In addition to the lower costs of producing in Vancouver, and associated tax breaks, programs carried on the CW fall under a different set of SAG-AFTRA pay scales, which are a bit lower than the regular commercial network rates.
The principal talent are usually paid much more than scale and under negotiated contracts. Speculation: the principal talent may have accepted changes to their contract to secure a 2nd season.
Meanwhile, last night, my daughter graduated (yea her) and after the ceremony, I whispered to her, that this was the happiest day of my life, that Supergirl was renewed for season 2.
I'm almost certain that she knew it was a joke.
Maybe.
I was about to ask where the confirmed news of a move to Vancouver was, as EW originally stated
ReplyDelete"Reports also have it that the series will move production from Los Angeles to Vancouver, where
those other shows also film, [b]but The CW would not confirm.[/b]"
but then the 2nd article you linked to Anj seemed to indicate it was basically a done deal.
Either way, I'm one VERY happy fan right now -- we got our wish of a 2nd season, PLEASE tell me
I'm not dreaming or being Punk'd! :) Now just get me a confirmed date of when S2 episode 1
broadcasts! I'm also with clanoblique : a 5year run seems like a nice round number to keep seeing
our favorite superheroine on the small screen.
Side Note : the mention of 3million PER EPISODE as licence fees for Supergirl was an eyeopener...
Best Regards To Supergirl Fans Everywhere!
The whole core cast is returning, and the show gets its tax subsidies back (and a substantial US to Canadian monetary exchange advantage) by moving to Vancouver. Plus, more episodes means a complete 'Winn' for both the production and fans of the show, with likely no change to its overall quality.
ReplyDeleteClearly, the last episodes of Supergirl made room for ANY kind of potential changes for next season, what with Kara's office promotion, her evolving relationships with Alex, James and J'onn, the mystery of Project Cadmus, and whatever (or whoever) is in that space pod. Looking forward to whatever is in store as it hopefully continues to break new ground for superhero television.
KET
Very happy to know the show will return and have room to grow & develop further. The licensing fees might change, but they won't go away. Even though all are owned by Time-Warner, each division has to show profits, pay staff, etc., so while it seems like the money is simply moving from one corporate pocket to another, there are reasons for it to continue (some of them legal).
ReplyDeleteWhile we'll also be getting fewer/cheaper effects, I don't think that'll be a problem overall. And it is fitting that they move to CW with the show itself making meta commentary about it.
Very happy to know the show will return and have room to grow & develop further. The licensing fees might change, but they won't go away. Even though all are owned by Time-Warner, each division has to show profits, pay staff, etc., so while it seems like the money is simply moving from one corporate pocket to another, there are reasons for it to continue (some of them legal).
ReplyDeleteWhile we'll also be getting fewer/cheaper effects, I don't think that'll be a problem overall. And it is fitting that they move to CW with the show itself making meta commentary about it.
Its CBS' loss IMHO....I suspect that the overall "look feel and pace" of the show won't change much as there are as mentioned above tax and exchange rate advantages to shooting in Canada, kudos to Calista F et all for being troupers about The Big Move BTW.
ReplyDelete22 eps up front is nice payoff though, hopefully this will slow down the sometimes ruinous headlong pace of the show and possibly address the occasional issue of "script klunkiness" in a positive way.
Moreover the crossover potential with Arrow-Flash-Legends potentially means Supergirl could have additional appearances on those shows thus padding out her season's episode total.
I fully expect the show to open with the "space pod mystery". Berlanti etc isn't that inept or callous, I also expect the character's to retain their own "universe" for now...any unification thereof seems like a multi ep cross over serial and thus a ratings bonanza not to be executed in an offhand fashion.
If Supergirl retains even half her current average ratings then the show will be The Most Popular Program on the CW...if that is the case come this fall "T''is Better to Reign in Hell than Serve in Heaven" is all I can say.
Like I said back in October "The Adventure Begins Again!"
JF
All I can say is *WHEW*
ReplyDeleteI am not worried about the potential changes that will result from the move from CBS to the CW, I'm just glad we will still be able to watch Supergirl next season.
If I can digress a bit, it was not a good day yesterday for TV female superheroes with the cancellation of Agent Carter and ABC not going forward with the Mockingbird centric Marvel's Most Wanted. Combined with the news of Supergirl's move to the CW and the hope for a She-Hulk TV have become forlorn indeed. But I am grateful for what we do have.
Gene
"While we'll also be getting fewer/cheaper effects..."
ReplyDeleteActually, all the Berlanti superhero shows use the exact same special FX team. However, with the new exchange on the US dollar, producing Supergirl will in reality become more economical per episode to make due to its new filming location. Shooting in LA was just too expensive and not a good ROI for the show in retrospect.
KET
Well, if if Season 2 is a win because of the poor Canadian dollar, at least there's something good to come out of it, lol. I may not be able to afford more Supergirl merch but at least I can still see her on TV. :P
ReplyDeleteMy brother has been watching all this for me as I haven't been able to stomach the news if it had been cancelled, so it was a wonderful relief. From what he read it's not a bad thing at all, and I hope that we'll see even more crossovers as a result of the move.
In any event, I thank God Supergirl is getting a second season, and for a second time recently we actually get to have a resolution to a story featuring Kara - I stillllllll want to know what the big mystery was of Linda's maestro boyfriend. :P And, as long as Supergirl remains popular on TV, hopefully this means putting off any more deaths or journeys into comic book limbo for the character. Now if they could just pronounce her name right. :P
Oh, one last thing! Congrats to Supergirl and congrats to us, her fans, who has known for decades that the character is truly super! Oh, yeah, and, bring on more Helen Slater and Dean Cain!
I am relieved and not worried at all about this move. The SFX team has done good work with The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow; if they can maintain a Smallville-level of FX for SG, I'm fine with that as long as the stories are well-written with plenty of character development. I'm impressed that the entire supporting cast are staying onboard; they must genuinely love the show enough to commit to moving to or setting up a second home in Vancouver.
ReplyDeleteThanks for great discussion! Jeremy Jordan and David Harewood both implied on Twitter that head be back. So that's good news.
ReplyDeleteHopeful and happy here!