Vindication


I just wanted to say that I finally feel vindicated. Back when the series finale was broadcast, I speculated in several posts that the season seemed to have been unnaturally shortened.

The response from many posters was, well, quite defensive and childish.

Well, now that I know the truth, I feel vindicated. The truth is that originally 13 episodes were ordered, but then the last six episodes were condensed into a single, fast-paced, bizarrely disjointed and non-sequential "wrap-everything-up" series finale.

I apologize if I seem smug, but at least I didn't resort to name-calling like my detractors did. :-)

reply

This is what I've pieced together:
-Pilot was filmed in March 2006
-The CW ordered 13 episodes in May 2006
-Production began August 2006
-The CW cut down the 13 episode order to 8 episodes during production
-Production ended November 2006


Therefore, it was The CW network's decision to shorten the season and as a result the writers had to tie everything up sooner than planned. I don't believe they actually filmed 13 episodes, they only filmed 8 episodes and wrote the 8th episode as a season's conclusion. There was no condensing.

After watching the finale twice, I thought it was great. (Although, I hate how it ended with more questions.) The fast pacing may have more to do with the writers having to quickly wrap up the seasonal storylines to meet the 8 episode modification, which came unexpectedly.

I was wondering why are you so interested in this topic...do you have experience with film production?...

P.S. - From what I've observed on the IMDB boards is that there are some very immature people. It's not the Hidden Palms boards but the IMDB boards in general. Some people are very hostile and can't refrain from posting offensive and vulgar responses.



Scandal. Suicide. Murder.
Some towns have all the fun.

HIDDENPALMS

reply

Yeah, IMDb is full of immature, offensive, vulgar responses.

Sadly, it's the best place to go to talk about every show.

With regard to the finale of HP, I suppose it was a big rushed, but I loved it. I miss this show.

http://yetanothertvreviewpodcast.blogspot.com/

reply

I definitely enjoyed the show, although the quick wrap-up and unfinished subplots still gnaw at me.

I am not in film production, but it has always been an interest of mine. When I was younger, film production was my goal, but my mother's cancer sidetracked my plans to head to the west coast. I ended up in politics instead (which, of course, has been called show business for ugly people by more than one wit).

I do recognize that there are quite a few relatively immature people here at IMDB . . . probably more on the sites for shows like this aimed at a teen demographic.

(One somewhat amusing constant is the obligatory "Gay?" posting on every single young, up-and-coming male actor's page . . . I now think of it as a rite of passage on these boards. An actor hasn't really "made it" until that post appears!)

As for being vindicated on this issue, I think I was only interested in it because of the initial reaction to my (then) innocent question about the seemingly-rushed series finale.

In hindsight, I now wish that instead of a rushed finale, the production team had re-edited all eight episodes into a more evenly-paced complete mini-series without all the unresolved subplots (and if the last episode wasn't rushed, then the first few episodes were, at best, comparatively lethargic).

Moreover, I have grown tired of the networks jerking audiences around by pulling stunts like this. Normally I try not to watch new shows for this very reason. I'm tired of liking shows that get cancelled!

reply

yeah many things got cut is why the episode was so rushed. they had to move everything forward quicker.but 8 episodes were the only ones that got filmed.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Rwjcjqx65SA

reply

Out of curiosity, where did it come from that the CW ordered 13 episodes and cut it down to eight? The only other place I read that is on Wikipedia, and any one can add information there.

People come here to die.
HIDDENPALMS

reply

Here's an article that states that The CW picked up 8 episodes. The article was published back in May.

http://www.airforcetimes.com/entertainment/tv/gns_hiddenpalmstvshow_07 0512/

"The eight-episode run was ordered a year ago, as a midseason replacement, then kept being delayed."

I always thought that The CW picked up 8 episodes originally, although there was another article that claimed that The CW ordered 13 and cut it down to 8.


Scandal. Suicide. Murder.
Some towns have all the fun.

HIDDENPALMS

reply

The only thing I've ever heard from Williamson is from the January 06 TCA HP presentation. A reporter commented that 8 was an odd number and asked how it came about. Williamson said, "I got a phone call right before the Upfronts, and they said, 'We picked you up for eight.'."

Of course, it wouldn't have been smart to say that the CW cut 5 eps. in front of a bunch of reporters. So who knows?

People come here to die.
HIDDENPALMS

reply

Yeah, who knows. It seems like there's conflicting reports. The only way we will know the truth is from Mr. Williamson himself.

Where did you read about that stuff on the January TCA presentation? I never knew that. 8 is an odd number, I would like to know why The CW would cut it down...I guess there was no reason same as when they changed the title "Palm Springs" to "Hidden Palms".

sigh, sometimes I wish The CW never happened. Project "Palm Springs" was picked up for a Pilot order when the UPN was still around and Dawn Ostroff was in charge of the UPN. She told Kevin Williamson that she wanted him to make the show exactly as he envisioned, which seemed like a sign of faith and support. But then when the CW merger happened, he had to change the product to make it "CW friendly". In return, the network treated the show like crap. I feel bad for the actors and crew etc. I don't think they liked it when The CW kept delaying the show as a result forbidding them from doing any other projects on the side. Also, for treating the viewers and fans poorly too.

I hope Williamson's next project will be with a network that actually appreciates it's shows, viewers and stays committed.


Scandal. Suicide. Murder.
Some towns have all the fun.

HIDDENPALMS

reply

Marc Berman, who writes for Mediaweek, posted a transcript of the entire Q&A on his m/b PIFeedback.com.

I believe the show would have had a brighter future had the CW never happened, as well. The way they handled HP was a slap in the face to everyone involved, including the fans.

And they could have at least ordered a small 2nd season to replace Life Is Wild (which is doing worse despite having more promotion [I saw a two-page ad in TV Guide!] and getting a slot in the fall).

reply

Oh, and I can get you a link to the page that the transcript's on, but you'll have to wait until Thursday, because I'll be gone the next couple of days.

People come here to die.
HIDDENPALMS

reply

Thanks, don't worry I can wait.


Scandal. Suicide. Murder.
Some towns have all the fun.

HIDDENPALMS

reply

I wish HP could replace "Life is Wild" too. It makes HP's ratings look great. hehe ;)

HP got me into this sort of craze for liking shows that have a serialized ongoing story, ones that have an arc that progresses and suspends until you reach a climax. I just love the suspense that HP has. The show has made me so picky when it comes trying new shows. I get bored when it comes to watching shows that have the stand-alone episodic format, it's just no fun.

The only great (new) show I came across since, is FX's "Damages." It's also a murder-mystery/thriller, but it has more of a legal drama setting and more of adult-centric drama. Although, I don't care for legal shows, Damages is so much more than that. It's a twisty-turny psychological thriller; it kept me on the edge of my seat and it's also "dark" like HP. Great writing, acting etc. I'm not as obsessed about it as HP , but it still is a great show to check out if you haven't seen it yet.


Scandal. Suicide. Murder.
Some towns have all the fun.

HIDDENPALMS

reply

Sorry for taking so long. I sorta forgot.

http://pifeedback.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/63310451/m/68410882/p/16

People come here to die.
HIDDENPALMS

reply

^^^^^

I sent you a PM


Scandal. Suicide. Murder.
Some towns have all the fun.

HIDDENPALMS

reply