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Exclusive: Smallville's Big Chloe Problem
Allison Mack in Smallville by Michael Courtney/The CW
It looks like Smallville's about to take another, potentially lethal, hit.
Just a week after it was announced that Michael Rosenbaum would not be returning full time as Lex next season, sources confirm to me exclusively that Allison Mack, arguably Smallville's most popular heroine, may be the next to go.
This marks quite a turnaround from a few months ago, when I deemed Mack a lock to come back next season. And I wasn't the only one. Although a deal wasn't signed at the time, Smallville insiders tell me that all indications were that the actress was on board for Season 8.
But then Rosenbaum terndered his resignation and everything fell apart.
"Allison's camp used Michael leaving as leverage in the negotiations with [Warner Bros.]," says one Smallville source, who adds that Kristin Kreuk's decision to only return for a handful of episodes as Lana only strengthened Mack's bargaining position. "They need Chloe now more than ever — and Allison's people know it." (Mack's reps declined to comment for this story.)
But will the studio suits budge? In this climate, with ratings down by double digits and belt-tightening going on everywhere, no one is optimistic. However, everyone pretty much agrees about one thing: Smallville can't afford to lose Mack right now. "If Allison leaves, they've essentially got Lois and Clark left," notes one insider. "And that show's been done before."
So, what do you think? Should Warner Bros. man up and give Mack what she's probably been worth all along? Or are you OK with Smallville turning into Lois & Clark: The Early Years? Sound off below!
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May 8, 2008 12:40 PM
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Should of ended this year, the CW is pathetic, they cut the budget to smaller than the first season virtually forcing the creators to leave and lose most of the cast in the same year. I say get everyone back for 5 episode miniseries and end it.
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May 8, 2008 12:51 PM
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They would be stupid not to pay allison what she is worth!!!
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May 8, 2008 1:04 PM
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I agree........give Allison what she is due.....dont turn it in to another Lois & Clark.....that was a good show in its day, but does not ned repeating. And when is Clark gonna start flying???
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May 8, 2008 1:26 PM
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Ahhhh nooooooo.
We need our superhero super sleuth that acts as the voice of reason for Clark. You know Lois won't do it. I honestly don't believe that this show has completely jumped the shark, but they are strapping on the waterskis and approaching the ramp. I do hope whatever happens we get closure on this series before it leads up to the movies.
Speaking of which. If they ever do go the Justice League route we need Chloe in the Watchtower for sure.
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May 8, 2008 1:27 PM
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Give her everything and anything she wants!! Otherwise they should just call this show Small.
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May 8, 2008 1:29 PM
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Pay Allison what she is worth based on her seniority with the series and her contribution to the success of the show. Please do her character justice and bring back strong, independent, Reporter Chloe!!! The show will not be enjoyable without Allison Mack!
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May 8, 2008 1:38 PM
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I don't care if they need to give her half of the shows overall budget, they need her. A show with Clark and Chloe simply talking about the big bad villains that they've been fighting would be acceptable if it meant keeping her on board. She is a Smallville creation and that has made her a large part of the show's spirit. Possibly more than Clark himself. She is the eyes of the common folk.
I've said it for a while. Losing Lex and Lana is a huge blow to the show, but it also gives them an opportunity to really step it up and take it to the next level. To give Clark the chance to take on larger, more global tasks while learning what he's capable of and eventually becoming Superman.
If Chloe were to take over a Smallville newspaper, or even start her own blog that operated from Smallville (thus making the name relevant), she could point Clark in the right direction by using her Watchtower skills, which she's perfect for. Maybe even give him an income by publishing stories about his travels across the world, which could get him noticed by the Planet. Chloe was always the key to getting Clark into being a reporter, ever since their days at the Torch.
Maybe let Clark work more with Ollie's Justice League group, even if they just communicate through e-mails or Chloe.
Simply put, Chloe is needed. More than Lois. More than Jimmy. WAY more than Kara (who is just stepping on Clark's toes anyway). I'd like to see Martha come back and maybe Perry for a few episodes, but above all of them, we need Chloe.
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May 8, 2008 1:45 PM
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WB needs to pay up and end the show this year. I have to say, I won't watch if she's gone.
Now that they've lost the creative group and several key players, it's time to give it a proper ending and go out on top.
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May 8, 2008 1:45 PM
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YES!!!!!!
Bye bye Chloe....finally Clark will have a brain...at least on Lois and Clark Clark had a BRAIN...and thought by himself....
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May 8, 2008 1:46 PM
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Don't forget the show also recently killed off John Glover's character. So basically they've lost Lionel, Lana, Lex, Al Gough, and Miles Millar, and are now looking at losing Chloe too. Maybe they should have gone into this season planning for it to be the last instead of stretching it out for no good reason and leaving it a shell of its former self for what is sure to be a disappointing final season.
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May 8, 2008 1:47 PM
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The idea of Smallville becoming Lois & Clark is kind of far-fetched. The most popular adaptations of the Superman story have always been about Lois-Clark-Jimmy-Perry White. (And Lex Luthor from time to time.) Let's face it: The show is a prequel and needs to eventually evolve into what we know as Superman. He's got to learn to fly, he's got to move out of Smallville, he's got to start connecting with the classic characters of Superman, otherwise it's not a prequel, it's a reimagining. I love Allison Mack and would hate to see her go, but maybe it's time for the show to evolve and wrap things up. Just too bad it couldn't have happened before Michael Rosenbaum headed out the back door.
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May 8, 2008 1:47 PM
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Smallville has been in decline for a long time now. Michael & Allison are the only ones that were good enough to keep watching (and even they couldn't keep me tuned in this season).
With Michael gone and Allison on the cusp of leaving? Smallville's going to go out on a really low & off-tune note. Lois & Clark has been done before and done BETTER by Teri Hatcher & Dean Cain.
I'll pass on L&C: The Early Years.
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May 8, 2008 1:51 PM
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We all know Lois and Clark get married eventually, so why not just focus on building their relationship now?
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May 8, 2008 1:53 PM
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Well, I'm a Lois and Clark fan, so I won't mind if she goes. She's very talented and does add to the show, but bottom line.. it's Superman and Lois. And while Lois and Clark has been done, it hasn't with these two.
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May 8, 2008 1:55 PM
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