Implant time!
Joss Whedon's Dollhouse is just over a week away from making its debut, and there is still some uncertainty of how it will turn out. The sci-fi show's production has been a roller-coaster ride already, with high expectations and horror stories sharing the same track.
In a conference call with reporters this morning, Whedon addressed Dollhouse's ups and downs, shared updates on the show's current status, and gushed over his lead Eliza Dushku.
Dollhouse stars Dushku as Echo, one of several "Actives" in a super-secret organization. The Actives can be implanted with memories, personalities, and skills, and serviced out to clients for almost anything--espionage, expertise, and even sex. The best part of the business? When the implant is wiped free, the Active has no memory of what just happened…or so people think.
The sci-fi show started with big buzz before running into some obstacles in the form of rewrites and reshoots, leading many to be concerned for its health. The genesis of Dollhouse was most similar to that of Angel, Whedon said, in that the initial direction of the show didn't quite match the final output.
"Most of the changes [to Dollhouse] were about how we brought [the audience] in," Whedon explained. Fox execs were very excited about the project, but wanted more of the show's structure to be apparent immediately--they didn't want an origin episode--hence the re-working of the pilot. The goal was to let the audience know that Echo would be in a different place each week and to highlight the fact that it would be standalone. "It seemed like a no-brainer to give [Fox] something they can get behind more… we're out to make people uncomfortable, but maybe not our bosses."
The result is a show that Whedon says has hit its stride and overall isn't different than his original vision. He assured us that the show ends up going exactly where he wanted it to go originally, and that the last few episodes he shot has the entire crew particularly excited.
But are Whedon's words enough to appease his devoted fans, who have their finger on the button to launch a "Save Dollhouse" campaign before it even airs? Probably not.
"Usually words of calm in these situations, they lead to panic," jokes Whedon. "My concern isn't whether the show gets saved, it's whether the fans love it… At the end of the day my biggest concern is that I give them something worth panicking over."
And if what he says about the show's delivery is true, it looks like there will be plenty to panic about. Joss--never one to shy away from innovation--says one of the more intriguing elements of Dollhouse is the way he will be playing with perspective. Instead of just showing episodes just from Echo's point of view, they'll come from all over: clients, other Actives, and--this is the one that got me excited--one episode (the sixth) from the perspective of a normal man on the street.
Echo slinks around the Dollhouse.
Still, this won't be typical Joss Whedon fare--the silly fun factor of Buffy the Vampire Slayer won't be there. Dollhouse has to be grounded, argues Whedon, "in order for it to play, otherwise it will become too campy." When working with vampires and spaceships in previous projects, he had a little bit more leeway to be silly--not the case with Dollhouse. However, he says there is still plenty of humor in Dollhouse.
When Fox scheduled Dollhouse on Friday nights, many thought it was the equivalent of being sent to a remote station in Siberia. Not the case, says Whedon. He sees only opportunity in Friday nights, because Dollhouse isn't a typical show. "The deal with Friday night is you don't really come out 'bang!' and its all decided, [instead] you grow an audience." He also thinks the pairing with Terminator is fantastic, and loves to see promos for the evening with Eliza and Summer Glau.
Other highlights from today's call:
--Whedon is supremely confident in his showrunners, former Women's Murder Club bosses Sarah Fain and Elizabeth Craft--two people who he says share his sick, twisted sense of humor. He also wanted women to run the show.
--Unlike his other shows which had "stunt" episodes such as the musical episode of Buffy, there are no plans to do the same with Dollhouse.
--Unless a miracle happens (a miracle with millions of dollars), there will be no Buffy movie. But the Dark Horse comics will continue.
--One episode exploring sexual perversion that Joss loved didn't make the final cut of 13.
--The characters that run The Dollhouse have their own secrets, which will be big parts of the mythology.
--He sees a lot of himself in the character of Topher, because they both create people, are amoral, and goofy.
--If Buffy's Faith fought Dollhouse's Echo (both played by Dushku), Whedon says without hesitation that Faith would win. "Unless Echo had Faith's skills implanted, then it would be a tie." I think we all would win.
--Whedon and pals are planning on more Dr. Horrible. Yes!
Dollhouse premieres next Friday at 9 p.m. on Fox. For more on the show--including the awesome Dollhouse/Terminator Grindhouse trailer, check out TV.com's previous coverage.
Comments (53)
I don't know what show you people are watching, but the first two episodes made me angry that I lost that part of my life to something so pointless. I hope the show improves, because there is crap else on tv. If he's just gonna put on a girl doing poses, put on the asian blonde girl. She's hotter.
i liked it, its different and easy to watch.
After the pilot, I'd say there are loads of improvement to be made before this is the Joss quality TV we all know and love...
Also, Liz Fain and Sarah Craft are okay writers but they obliterated season 4 of Angel. I hope they don't destroy this show...
Hm. Im beginning to lose my ardor for this show. I hope I'm wrong but something just doesnt feel right anymore.
Although I'm excited that Joss has written another show for television I'd much prefer it if a miracle with millions of dollars occured.
Im still waiting passionatly XO XO
:):)
I love, love, <em>love</em> that trailer! Bring it, grrls! :D
I am beyond excited for this.
It's coming in three days !
I will record it and give it a try but it has to be extremely good for it to survive on Friday. This Friday is full of good shows like Ghost Whisperer, Numbers, B Galactica, Flashpoint, Terminator and in top of all that Friday the 13th movie. Good luck.
I'll give it a shot mostly because of Whedon, but with all the rewrites and re-shoots my expectations are pretty low.
Finally Eliza Dushkus has her own show. She's one of my all-time favorite actresses and it's so good to see that she's not as much underrated as she used to be. I loved Tru Calling and it's sad that it had been canceled, but... I'm looking forward to seeing Dollhouse. Can't wait for it!
Has everyone lost their brains or something? There already was a Buffy movie the one the TV show was based on. Geez.
I'm kind of looking forward to this now!
There are shows who survive Friday night slots, that and with Terminator fans and Whedon fans making note to watch I think Dollhouse can easily survive it's timeslot.Yay for more Dr. Horrible!!!!
I've never been so excited for a show IN MY LIFE. I swear to God.I've seen the original trailer so many times that I can mouth along with all of the words. I feel an obsession coming on....And I swear, one word of "Dollhouse will be canceled" and I'm ready to launch my own campaign!
Shows from Whedon should be pretty ass kicking...Sadly Fox has a nasty habit of canceling great shows (hopefully not in this case).
I think this show would have a much better chance on cable channels that create their own series (TNT, USA, F/X, A&E, hell, even Bravo!). The major networks yank their series after one bad week of Nielsen ratings. And since most of the people I know are fans and find Internet sources for TV shows, I think a lot will not be watching it in its scheduled timeslot. Less ads viewed, more likelihood of cancellation. Give it a chance, Fox!
Who cares if it won't have the silliness of BtVS?? Joss Whedon is a frickin GENIUS no matter what he's doing!
I cannot wait to see this show. I hope that Fox let's Joss just do his thing, because attempting to contain his inner genius is a bad idea. He KNOWS how to win fans and make a quality show...... Cannot wait!
I'm looking forward to watching this show. I think another great thing was the last line of the report! More Dr. Horrible!!
I'm looking forward to it. We just have a week to wait now.
Dollhouse is gonna be kick ass!!! cant wait
OK, Fox. You stuck it on Friday...the graveyard night of many a show with great potential. Give it a chance. Leave it alone and let it grow. People forget that Buffy wasn't an overnight sensation, either.
I've been waiting for this show for almost a year now and I can't wait! I really wish they didn't schedule it on Friday nights though. It premieres on Friday the 13th, the same day the movie Friday the 13th opens. The target audience for Dollhouse (18-35 year old) are all probably gonna go see the movie which will make for a crappy season opener. You know FOX, one low rated episode and you're CANCELED!
I look forward to the show, see lots of potential and get bored by listening to eternal pessimists. Self-fullfilling phrophecy anyone?
This sounds like another flaming train wreck just waiting to happen. Thank's Fox for screwing up another of Whedon's visions. Why he keeps going back to those bozos is beyond my comprehension. Surely there is an at least one outlet for some really creative sci-fi where the show won't be micro-managed before it even airs by suits who are more concerned about numbers than concept. Anyway, thank's Joss for at least trying.
Sounds like Fox cant help putting their noses where they dont belong and are messing up another potentially great show...why does Joss go back to those incompetent bozos...
I plan to watch this b/c Eliza Dushku is unrealistically hot. Also, I'm a big Terminator fan, so if I can help Terminator by supporting its followup show...then I shall.
WOOO!!! More dr. horrible awesome it was great. hope dollhouse does well!!
No Buffy movie? Whatever, as long as I get more Buffyverse in my lifespan, I don't care. (Give me more, NOW!) I can't wait for Dollhouse, I'm really excited about the show's premise.Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog is great, I can't wait for more, even though I don't see what more Joss could do seeing as that girl died..
No buffy movie? Whedon... why why why???I really dont want to be a fortune teller, but i give dollhouse 1 season and then its of the air...
I CAN'T WAIT I CAN'T WAIT I CAN'T WAIT I CAN'T WAIT I CAN'T WAIT !
I can't wait for Dollhouse!! Yay for more Dr. Horrible!
I'm really looking forward to this one. Great stuff.
I never thought Buffy was silly or campy, so I don't get the comparison here. But I'm sure Dollhouse will have a more serious tone. It really sucks that there will be no Buffy movie, since the comics suck. I'm happy 13 Dollhouse episodes are being made instead of just 7! I didn't know that til just now!
I can't wait to check it out! I like his work and hope it to be a kick ass show!
Well as soon as I make millions I am going to produce Joss for a Buffy movie.
Yay Dollhouse! Yay more Dr. H! This is fabulous news.
Oh yes, can't wait for Dr. Horrible!
I am so flippin' excited about Dollhouse! I can't wait and I'm obviously watching. I squealed like the little fanboy I am when I first heard the news in April 2008. Eliza and Joss - I was hooked instantly. Hopefully, the 13 episodes will all be aired and I'm hoping for another season. Eliza, we miss you! Don't leave! :)
Dollhouse! Woohoo!
Eliza Dushku! Woohoo!
Buffy Comics! Woohoo!
Dr Horrible! Woohoo!
Joss Whedon! Woohoohoohoo!!!!!!!
The Fox promo ad is a pairing of Dollhouse and Sarah Conner Chronicles. It is in the style of Grindhouse.
I am so ready for Dollhouse. I'm sure that Joss' storytelling will be grand like usual. The show may not get 20 million viewers each week, but FOX should be excited that they have dedicated audience from a master in his own trade. And yes! more Dr. Horrible!