MovieChat Forums > The Firm (2012) Discussion > Total Screwups - Spoiler

Total Screwups - Spoiler

posted 12 years ago by dvd123
9 replies | jump to latest

*Major Spoiler Alert re; Season Finale*
*If you're not Canadian or haven't been watching this online, do NOT continue^

This show finished filming April 30, 2012. It was moved to Saturday on February 3rd, where it's ratings went from abysmal to laughable.

To any reasonably sane person, this show was dead in January when it started dipping below 4 million viewers. The decision to burn off the remainder of the episodes in February was the nail in the coffin.

So, they knew, without a shadow of ANY doubt, that this show was dead in February, but they still had almost 3 full months of shooting.

In 3 months, they couldn't come up with a NON CLIFFHANGER ENDING? 3 MONTHS?!?!

What kind of drugs are these people on?

This show wasn't the best show on TV, but I've seen worse. After the 21st episode, I wasn't ready to write off Lukas Reiter completely. But failing to give the fans closure when you've got 3 months to pull something together? That is just so incredibly effed up. Reiter is dead to me.

[–] ehsan89 12 years ago

http://www.forbes.com/sites/dorothypomerantz/2012/01/05/why-nbcs-the-firm-wont-get-canceled/

I think the network didn't even bother since it was financed for all the 22 eps. and no money loss if the ratings were gonna drop. So also no reason to intervene and let it just bury its own grave if you know what I mean.

[–] onestupidme 12 years ago

I agree!

Going into the final episode, that's all I could think was "please don't end on a cliffhanger". I actually love this show but I doubt a cable network would pick it up. So we'll never know what the ending should have been. Messed up!

[–] spasticfreakshow 12 years ago

dvd123, i fully agree with you EXCEPT i'm not sure you're right that they were still filming at that point. i read somewhere that all 22 eps were filmed and wrapped before the very first one aired, in a unique arrangement where NBC got a steal of a deal on this series because it was purchased by a foreign network for more money - in a unique new style of wheeling and dealing. this pilot project shouldn't be used as a model unless the US network understands THEIR commitment to promoting the show domestically. since NBC got THE FIRM so cheap, they didn't value it from day one.

nonetheless, you are right about the effed up ending. so i echo your call. Reiter is dead to me.

PLUS, the soundtrack for the entire series was so jarring and off-putting i'm guessing their sound people are actually near deaf. there is no excuse for that super-unfinished look on a product you're already stocking on the shelves.

Harris' books are lame! TB is titillating stuff, elevating mundane writing to actual entertainment.

[–] TootsieRollin 12 years ago

At first I was thinking, "Oh, maybe they purposely left the series as a cliff hanger hoping it'll get picked back up on a different network station (I hear the show is decent in Canada)". But then it occurred to me that I don't think the actors cast on the show would be interested in this project anymore.

[–] pcmnunes 12 years ago

Most contracts for series regulars have 'producer options' for 3 or 4 years meaning the actors are contractually obliged to do the shows as long as the producers pick up the option by a certain deadline.

They are also restricted from being engaged in certain types of projects while under option, e.g. no other series regular roles, no roles recurring more that 3 episodes on another season, no other roles as lawyers, law enforcement officers etc. Of course all those terms are negotiable.

The options also stipulate the salary increases over their terms. It's much like a professional athlete's situation except that subsequent years of employment are not guaranteed - it's purely at the producer's discretion. But as we see in professional sports, players can "demand trades" and whatnot, so it's not unlikely that an actor unhappy with a certain situation could seek release from a contract. There are many reasons that this could go badly - the producer could simply refuse or request a significant amount of remuneration to release the actor and in the end, if the actor simply refuses to work, they would most certainly get sued for big damages.

[–] dvd123 12 years ago

Are you sure all 22 episodes were wrapped prior to airing or could it possibly be that all 22 episodes were ordered? According to this page here, filming started in August and ended in April.

http://www.webcitation.org/60Y7NpeQt

THE FIRM
TV Series
The Firm TV Prods. Inc.
Prod: Paula Devonshire
Dir: Various
Cast: TBA
PM: Thomas Pretak
PC: Alexandra MacKenzie
Shoot: Aug. 4 – Apr. 30/12

[–] pcmnunes 12 years ago

You're correct, that was the original shooting schedule. Production actually began on the 18th of August last year and subsequently wrapped May 18 (delays are common).

[–] t_quinnz 12 years ago

episode 21 is not actually the finale. And yet, the 22nd episode also ends with a cliff-hanger and none of the story line tied together. I finished the episode fully thinking there would be more episodes...can't imagine what the *beep* they were thinking

[–] jaystarstar 12 years ago

Since supposedly ratings are quite good in Canada, maybe they are thinking it could get picked up for primary broadcast in Canada and maybe shown on one of the cable outlets in the U.S. (USA Network?)

Heck, they could move the show completely to Canada -- have the storyline have them all moving to Toronto to get away from the "rogue factions" of the Moroltos.

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4) You ever seen Superman $#$# his pants? Case closed.