Netflix news, Fringe
Mar. 18th, 2011 10:09 pmNetflix to start making/distributing a TV show.
At first blush, this sounds pretty nifty. If it takes off, shows won't live or die by the antiquated Nielsen ratings system (seriously, in a country of 300 million, something like 25,000 households have the meters), but rather, I assume, by the more accurate measurement of how many times it's streamed--although this still wouldn't take into account a bunch of people watching it together. As the post indicates, they'd be concentrating on serialized shows, which in my experience means good things, things that don't usually get a chance to thrive on networks.
On the other hand, I wonder how Netflix plans to monetize this kind of thing. Those of us who already subscribe wouldn't be giving them any more money, unless they plan to add a surcharge for watching the original series. I doubt it would draw many new subscribers unless/until they had a wide lineup of original programming. Perhaps they're planning to use ads. (Quite frankly, I'm surprised there isn't one already at the beginning of every movie/episode you stream.)
Speaking of serialized shows that aren't doing well with traditional ratings, a couple thoughts on tonight's Fringe:
Gee, I hope Olivia doesn't have to take a drug test anytime soon. I'm not sure if Bell and Peter were serious about putting Bell's soul into Gene or if they were just high. It would give the cow reason to be there, but man.
Loved how Peter was basically GET THIS LECHEROUS OLD MAN OUT OF MY GIRLFRIEND'S BODY OMG for most of the episode. Hee. I'm pretty sure Astrid wants him gone too. She was definitely creeped out several times there. (On the other hand, big props to Anna Torv for playing Leonard Nimoy very convincingly!)
The show is really pushing the fate vs. free will thing. Personally, I'm with Peter, and I hope free will wins out, and there's no "oh, but [however they manage to save both worlds/keep Peter out of the machine/etc.] was fated all along!" chaser.
The MOTW plot was good, but it reminded me a bit of the X-Files episode that did something similar ("Tithonous"?). Paula Malcomson is always excellent, though.
Poor, befuddled blue!Lincoln.
Back in the AU next week. Have to admit, I don't love those episodes. The preview certainly made it look like Fauxlivia's baby isn't long for this world...or it's a superbaby that's going to eat its way out of her womb a la Twilight, I'm not sure which.
At first blush, this sounds pretty nifty. If it takes off, shows won't live or die by the antiquated Nielsen ratings system (seriously, in a country of 300 million, something like 25,000 households have the meters), but rather, I assume, by the more accurate measurement of how many times it's streamed--although this still wouldn't take into account a bunch of people watching it together. As the post indicates, they'd be concentrating on serialized shows, which in my experience means good things, things that don't usually get a chance to thrive on networks.
On the other hand, I wonder how Netflix plans to monetize this kind of thing. Those of us who already subscribe wouldn't be giving them any more money, unless they plan to add a surcharge for watching the original series. I doubt it would draw many new subscribers unless/until they had a wide lineup of original programming. Perhaps they're planning to use ads. (Quite frankly, I'm surprised there isn't one already at the beginning of every movie/episode you stream.)
Speaking of serialized shows that aren't doing well with traditional ratings, a couple thoughts on tonight's Fringe:
Gee, I hope Olivia doesn't have to take a drug test anytime soon. I'm not sure if Bell and Peter were serious about putting Bell's soul into Gene or if they were just high. It would give the cow reason to be there, but man.
Loved how Peter was basically GET THIS LECHEROUS OLD MAN OUT OF MY GIRLFRIEND'S BODY OMG for most of the episode. Hee. I'm pretty sure Astrid wants him gone too. She was definitely creeped out several times there. (On the other hand, big props to Anna Torv for playing Leonard Nimoy very convincingly!)
The show is really pushing the fate vs. free will thing. Personally, I'm with Peter, and I hope free will wins out, and there's no "oh, but [however they manage to save both worlds/keep Peter out of the machine/etc.] was fated all along!" chaser.
The MOTW plot was good, but it reminded me a bit of the X-Files episode that did something similar ("Tithonous"?). Paula Malcomson is always excellent, though.
Poor, befuddled blue!Lincoln.
Back in the AU next week. Have to admit, I don't love those episodes. The preview certainly made it look like Fauxlivia's baby isn't long for this world...or it's a superbaby that's going to eat its way out of her womb a la Twilight, I'm not sure which.
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Date: 2011-03-19 03:47 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-03-19 05:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-03-20 03:52 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-03-19 04:21 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-03-19 05:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-03-19 05:52 pm (UTC)I think this one is going to be rewatched about a zillion times if only for Bellivia's hitting on Astrid :)
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Date: 2011-03-19 08:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-06-08 03:05 am (UTC)coughcoughIwouldsupportthatcough
Loved how Peter was basically GET THIS LECHEROUS OLD MAN OUT OF MY GIRLFRIEND'S BODY OMG for most of the episode. Hee.
"Wtf now Bell is hanging around my living room at midnight in my girlfriend's bathrobe??? *SIGH.* FINE. MY NIGHT CANNOT GET WORSE."
Of all the ways to keep an alpha couple apart, having one of them be possessed is... different.
(On the other hand, big props to Anna Torv for playing Leonard Nimoy very convincingly!)
I had a hard time paying attention to any of Bell's dialogue because I just couldn't stop giggling. And yes, she is definitely playing Leonard Nimoy, not Bell. (The eyebrow!) (I was never quite able to see past Nimoy himself. Love him, but dude is not the most malleable of actors.)
Poor, befuddled blue!Lincoln.
Nerrrrrd!Lincoln! Hee! And of course he showed up the one episode where Olivia wouldn't recognize him.
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Date: 2011-06-08 04:05 am (UTC)Oh, poor Gene.
Of all the ways to keep an alpha couple apart, having one of them be possessed is... different.
They do make a hobby of finding out ways to keep them apart, don't they? I was shocked that they managed to get their act together at all, and so early!
And yes, she is definitely playing Leonard Nimoy, not Bell.
To be fair, Leonard Nimoy was basically playing Leonard Nimoy.
Nerrrrrd!Lincoln! Hee!
If Astrid doesn't have a girlfriend, I want her and this Lincoln to hook up.
And of course he showed up the one episode where Olivia wouldn't recognize him.
Of COURSE...
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Date: 2011-06-09 03:58 am (UTC)I know! And yet the series didn't shrivel up and die! It got awesomer! Hooray!
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Date: 2011-06-08 03:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-06-08 04:06 am (UTC)One thing I very much disliked about this season was that Ourlivia basically gets seven episodes where she gets to be a.) onscreen, and b.) not under mind control or possession. Sadness. :(