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« Roush Dispatch
Dresden in Sci Fi's Circular File
Paul Blackthorne in The Dresden Files by Steve Wilkie/Sci Fi Channel Photo
After months of fielding questions from fans desperate to know if Sci Fi was ever going to make a decision on the fate of its clever private-eye/fantasy hybrid The Dresden Files, it's official: The show isn't returning for a second season.
A shame, but hardly a surprise, given the reticence to discuss the matter every time I brought it up to Sci Fi or NBC Universal Cable execs during the recent TCA press tour. In their world, it's all about "running the numbers" (in other words: looking at the ratings and budgets, etc.) and to them, Dresden just didn't seem to measure up.
This confirmation came my way the same morning that there are reports in the trades that Paul Blackthorne, Dresden's very appealing star, has joined the cast of ABC's Big Shots in a recurring role as what's being described as the show's "fifth CEO... a sophisticated, iconic tycoon that the [other] four (Dylan McDermott, Michael Vartan, Christopher Titus, Joshua Malina) aspire to be."
At least he's landed on his feet. Harry Dresden would be proud.
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Aug 3, 2007 11:02 AM
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Awww. The show didn't start out very strong, not even as a guilty pleasure, but it had begun to find its stride during the last couple of episodes. Does SciFi's run of campy (I think I can say that graciously) one-off TV movies really give a better return on investment? The actors made it work; I'll really miss this iteration of Bob. (I moved to the books after watching the series.)
(BTW, it's "now" official, not "not", right?)
Thanks for updating us, Matt. The new deadlines for making a renewal decision kept passing with no word, which is so frustrating for fans.
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Aug 3, 2007 12:02 PM
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I'd been mostly expecting it, but it still hurts. There was so much they could have done with the show. Thanks for settling the question of renewal/cancellation, Matt.
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Aug 3, 2007 12:05 PM
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Bummer - I will miss this show!
Of all the networks out there - SciFi is one of the best! I will cut you some slack here!
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Aug 3, 2007 12:49 PM
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That is definitely a shame. I don't ever watch the Sci Fi Channel, but I was there every Sunday night for this show.
Harry Dresden was the otherworldly version of Bobby Goren. I'm sorry to hear this show isn't coming back; however, I'm glad to hear that Paul Blackthorne has landed on his feet.
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Aug 3, 2007 12:50 PM
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I can't say I'm surprised. I stuck with The Dresden Files for as long as I could, but it just disappointed me. I wish they'd stuck more with the source material. Or something. Still, I liked Paul Blackthorne. I'd rather see him use his own accent though.
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Aug 3, 2007 12:57 PM
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Damn shame. That was a good show.
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Aug 3, 2007 2:26 PM
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It wasn't a top show, but it was a good solid show, mainly due to Blackthorne, so I'm sorry to see it go. Refuse like "Meet Your New Mommy" and "Supernanny" get renewed, and quality TV has no shot. Perhaps Nielsen should be a bit more selective with who they choose for their sample population.
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Aug 3, 2007 2:41 PM
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It wasn't a top show, but it was a good solid show, mainly due to Blackthorne, so I'm sorry to see it go. Refuse like "Meet Your New Mommy" and "Supernanny" get renewed on major networks, and quality TV shows can't get a second look even on basic cable. Perhaps Nielsen should be a bit more selective with who they choose for their sample populations.
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Aug 3, 2007 2:42 PM
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Well that stinks. The interaction between Harry and Bob was so awesome, as were so many other things in this show. Gee Sci-Fi now has very little worth watching.
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Aug 3, 2007 3:06 PM
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That bites. I'm glad I recorded all the episodes. The books are among my favorites and I enjoyed the series. Harry deserved better!
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Aug 3, 2007 3:21 PM
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I agree with some of the bloggers here that the show started off slow but it really found its strike during the last few episodes.
It is much more watchable than painkiller jane which takes itself too serious.
I'll miss the Dresden File! What a shame!
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Aug 3, 2007 3:26 PM
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I'm surprised this got the boot, but Lifetime's very similar Blood Ties got renewed. It's too bad, because I felt like there was more story arc potential here and definitely more of a sense of whimsy that went beyond the cliched repressed sexual tension of the other show.
but SciFi still has plenty, with the last season of BSG coming up, re-airings of the new Dr. Who, Eureka, and several other things down the pike, including that odd looking scifi version of Wizard of Oz with Zooey Deschanel and Alan Cummings. I'll never forgive them for canceling Farscape, but hey.
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Aug 3, 2007 3:28 PM
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Sad news for this Dresden Files fan. I loved the pairing of TDF with Battlestar Galactica on Sunday nights--my whole family, teenagers included, watched together with the cellphones turned off, no greater praise occurs in our house!
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Aug 3, 2007 3:32 PM
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The networks never give this type of show a chance to garner fans. So what if the first season was not up to THEIR expectations. We'll all miss Harry. Too bad the 'audience' would rather watch mindless 'reality' shows!
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Aug 3, 2007 4:27 PM
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