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Brothers & Sisters Cuts Baitz: "I Was Naive," Reflects Show Creator
Jon Robin Baitz by John Shearer/WireImage.com
Jon Robin Baitz has left the show he created, Brothers & Sisters, after repeatedly bumping up against differently thinking ABC decision-makers. "These little rumors floated about for months," Baitz says in a blog at TheHuffingtonPost.com, making reference to a "cutesy blindish item" posted to TVGuide.com's own Ausiello Report.
What brought about this breakup between successful show and its sire? As shared in a separate posting, Baitz — who last season blogged for TVGuide.com — cites pressure to steer B&S away from older-skewing characters and dramatic stories and toward the younger set and soapier tales. Now, the always-candid writer says, "I can... only watch as the demographic demands that have turned America into an ageist and youth-obsessed nation drives the storylines younger and younger, whiter and whiter, and with less and less reflection of the real America. I will never again have to do a notes call wherein the fear and seasickness of the creative execs always prevail over taking a risk, resulting more often than not in muddy and flattening or treacly sweet compromises."
Now, Baitz writes, "I cannot help but dream about what my version of Brothers & Sisters would have looked like. A show that could simply hold on the aging and real face of Sally Field, and reflect the sorrow and rage there... reflect the cold and funny sexuality of Patty Wettig's Holly, the perfect reconstruction of the L.A. mistress... hold on the eyes of Ron Rifkin, and reflect the wisdom, joyous childishness and the melancholy. A show [that] could have followed the youngest, prodigal son to Iraq [and] shown his fellow soldiers, dying... allowed Calista Flockhart's character to be actually truly political... go even further in dealing with Kevin Walker's internalized homophobia and his fear of contact with others."
All the above, Baitz says, "is what I thought I was making." In retrospect, though, he notes, "I was naive, totally naive."
What's your take? As a charter B&S fan, I have to say that this development definitely taints my enjoyment of the show.
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Jan 2, 2008 3:01 PM
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I'm stunned. I had no idea when I saw the blind item that it would be Baitz.
I always wondered how much of the tone of the show was Baitz, and how much was Greg Berlanti. And if somehow, Berlanti not being as integral of a part of the show this year played a role in this sequence of events.
In any case, I love what Baitz said about older characters. Many of the shows still pimp twenty somethings to us as all-encompassing, fascinating people, but I can't imagine anything more boring than vapid, pretentious rich kids playing a 42:30 version of "Spin the Bottle".
Baitz is a true talent who may well have been a bad fit for network TV. As opposed to an overhyped one trick-pony *sneezeShondaRhimessneeze*.
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Jan 2, 2008 3:43 PM
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Sounds like typical TV executives gear everything towards the 25 and younger set. I really enjoy Brothers & Sisters mainly because of Sally Field and the family aspect if the show starts to get all 20 something I will be gone as a viewer.
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Jan 2, 2008 3:52 PM
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This is a stunner. Of course there are only like 2 main cast members under 30 (Annabale & VanCamp)! I'm not counting Sarah's children who shouldn't be listed. I hope that they can hold onto what makes the show great David Marshall Grant and Molly Newman do some of the sharpest writing for the series and if they left too it would go downhill. Why can't these networks leave alone when something is good?!
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Jan 2, 2008 3:59 PM
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I agree with this gentleman 100%. Brothers and Sisters has already diminished from what it was in season one and it will probably get worse. As for his comments about the fakery that is Hollywood, no big shock there. I am sorry to see a man so passionate about his craft and the show he created get the short end of things. Anyone remember a great show starring Geena Davis as the first female president that was riveting television until the network decided to fix it? May Brothers and Sisters NOT become another Commander In Chief!
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Jan 2, 2008 4:11 PM
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It's too bad that he wasn't left alone to create the show that he began with and envisioned. It has been slowly losing my interest this season, and now I see why.
Maybe we will get lucky and someone will give him another chance to do something great!
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Jan 2, 2008 4:15 PM
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Why do good writers even try anymore? Forget the networks. Go cable, baby!
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Jan 2, 2008 4:20 PM
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This is so sad. I'm only 30 and the older characters are the one's I care about. They have pathos. The networks don't know a damn thing! I guess I'm offically turning off Brotheres and Sisters. As are my 18-49 year old friends. 
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Jan 2, 2008 4:30 PM
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What a shame. I wouldn't watch the show if not for Sally Field and Rachel Griffiths. I haven't been a fan of the more Rebecca, Lena and Justin-centric stories of late and now I see where they are coming from. Don't get me wrong, I like Emily vanCamp and Dave Annable but I like them when they are supporting the stronger actors on the show like Sally, Rachel, Matthew and Ron. I could seriously do without Holly/Patricia Wettig. Too bad Ken Olin couldn't leave the show, then we could be done with Holly and Olin's constant need to fill the show with his family members. Okay, his daughter was on like twice and his son works behind the scenes but seriously, I am so done with Holly!
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Jan 2, 2008 4:30 PM
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this show has also been losing my interest this season. Although there are parts of the show I still enjoy, I feel like so much was just passed over. I miss the dynamics that appeared with Sally field's character along with Patty's character. I feel like the show healed that to soon. and i miss the "adult time" with Nora and Paul. THere were 2 generations of brothers ans sisters and that added to the appeal of the show. I feel like that has been missing this season. I hope that thye begin to grow all the story lines on all age fronts. trying to turn things to the young generation acan truly ruin any good family show were mulit-generational stories are what help you relate. that of course is just this 20-somethings opinion.
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Jan 2, 2008 4:33 PM
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Hmmm. I have very much enjoyed the past season, after almost giving up on the show last year.
I understand his frustrations; he seems to be a creative talent.
Might behoove him to remember he's talking about a television show, though, not a cure for cancer.
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Jan 2, 2008 4:42 PM
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I am 25 years old and i am not interested in a "teen-drama". I want to see the interaction between the siblings and their elders, i don't want The OC or One Tree Hill
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Jan 2, 2008 4:54 PM
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While I don't watch Brothers & Sisters with much regularity, I am sorry to hear that JRB is leaving. I hate the misconception that the "younger" audience under 30 cares more about "hipper" characters and younger ones. The only reason I even watch some of B&S was for Rob Lowe, Sally Field, and Ron Rifkin.
Once again network cares more about the dollar then the quality. It's funny - without the audience, there would be no money or profit. Maybe one day some exec will realize by turning away the talent and brains behind a quality show, means you are also turning away a valuable asset in making Hollywood stay alive: the viewers.
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Jan 2, 2008 4:55 PM
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If I wanted "Pretty White Kids With Problems" (remember the MAD TV sketch?) I'd watch One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl, etc.
I watch because it's a multi-generational family. The show is a success. Why do they have to tamper with it.
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Jan 2, 2008 5:00 PM
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Oh, this is truly depressing.
I've recently discovered this show at the urging of my 38 year old single sister and my 65 year old married mother. I'm 45 and identify with Sarah; I can see Nora in my mother, cried at Saul's Hanukkah service at Walker Central, and laughed at the Walkers' collective inability to keep a secret.
So much lovely acting, so many generational stories, a lot of humor and pathos thrown in...
Mr. Baitz, I'm so sorry that a network cannot allow a person to be true to his creativity.
I sincerely hope ABC isn't aiming for The O.C. crowd. When will networks learn that the people with the cash are typically well over 30 years old, not a demographic that's still living off mom and dad.
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Jan 2, 2008 5:21 PM
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