Blade TV Series | Poll Results: Let There Be Hope

Poll Results: Let There Be Hope

Blade: The Series may be down, but hopefully it isn’t out. 197 of you have cast your vote for the networks you think should save our favorite vampire series. Below are the results as well as my take on the different networks.

Which Network Should Pick Up Blade?
SciFi Channel: 50% (98)
FX: 17% (33)
USA: 9% (18)
HBO: 9% (18)
TNT: 5% (10)
Showtime: 5% (10)
TBS: 3% (6)
G4: 2% (4)
Total Votes: 197

It’s not a surprise to see the SciFi channel catching most of the votes, but to have 50% of the votes is quite amazing. I was also a bit surprised to see FX as the second spot and thought G4 would have had a better showing (though I’m glad it didn’t). Instead of doing just a brief bit on the results, I’ve decided to compile a list of my thoughts on each network, including why I think they may or may not be a good fit for Blade. They are ordered in the original order of the poll as to not throw in too much bias.

USA
The USA Network has my favorite tagline of all networks “characters welcome” as well as definitely having some potential for being a good home for Blade: The Series. With original shows like Monk, The 4400 and The Dead Zone, the network has shown to be open to new and original programming. Both The Dead Zone and The 4400 have Science Fiction/Fantasy elements to them that could compliment Blade: The Series, though Blade is likely too dark and violent for the network.

SciFi Channel
The SciFi Channel is my personal pick for the station to pick up Blade. The station has definitely proved loyalty to it’s shows, such as supporting the Stargate shows as well as turning the Battlestar Galactica miniseries into a full-blown regular series. While shows like Stargate and the new Eureka are a little lighter in tone, Battlestar Galactica has shown that the SciFi Channel is definitely okay with more mature content. With Stargate SG-1 ending this year, the only real question would be whether or not the SciFi Channel is up for a fantasy show when most (if not all) of their original shows are more science fiction.

TNT
“We know drama” is TNT’s slogan, and unfortunately it likely means it’s not even considering Blade: The Series. They’ve got mostly police and lawyer dramas with shows like The Closer and a seemingly infinite supply of Law & Order reruns. However, the network did air Stephen King’s Nightmares & Dreamscapes, so perhaps the station is open to some more horror related shows.

FX
The big original shows that FX airs are Nip/Tuck, The Shield, and the new Rescue Me - all dramas. While that may seem to count the network out as a Blade “pickerupper”, keep in mind that reruns of Buffy the Vampire Slayer are aired nearly every morning. Perhaps the station would be able to leverage their existing vampire lovers?

G4
I personally really hope Blade: The Series doesn’t end up on G4. The network used to be a gaming network, then a combination of gaming and technology, and now it has become a hodge podge of crap (in my opinion of course). The network rarely airs anything “geek” related (unless professional wrestling became a favorite nerd pastime at some point). With the network trying to find itself, it’s been adding and dropping shows like crazy. I don’t want Blade to be picked up for a season only to be dropped again because the G4 execs decide to turn the network into a documentaries only channel. G4 is the closest thing to Spike TV, however, airing similar programming and targeting similar demographics. As such, there’s a chance it might think it can do better with Spike TV’s leftovers.

TBS
TBS really has no shot at picking up the Blade show. I believe they only air reruns and movies as I was unable to find any original programming on the station at all. Even then, just about all reruns shown are comedies so a mature fantasy/horror show like Blade: The Series would likely fail miserably with their average audience.

HBO
HBO has an incredible amount of original programming. From Deadwood and The Sopranos to Entourage and Curb Your Enthusiasm, HBO has a full spectrum of shows. Most shows on HBO are also incredibly well done with a decent amount of support from the network. Besides the problem that the station requires paid subscription, Blade: The Series just doesn’t seem to be a good fit for the channel. The closest show would probably be the now cancelled Carnivale, but even that was a whole different kind of show than Blade.

Showtime
Showtime has many of the advantages and disadvantages of HBO though it doesn’t really have the same quantity or quality of original programming that HBO has nor does it really have any fantasy/horror type shows. I believe Showtime was the original network to air Stargate SG-1, so perhaps the network does have the capability and willingness to pickup Blade: The Series.

So there you have it, a batch of networks that could potentially save Blade: The Series. While I think the SciFi Channel is both the best choice as well as the most likely choice, networks like FX, USA, and HBO all have track records and existing programming that may make Blade a good fit.

Tags: Blade second season, SciFi Channel, USA network, HBO, FX, G4

Oct 10, 2006 at 7:17 pm PST | From: Polls |

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16 Comments »

Interesting views on the networks.

I cast my vote for FX because I think they are the most edgy of all the ones listed. I think Blade as an original series would have been better on premium cable as it would have had the ability to push the envelope when it comes to violence and sex, a la the Sopranos.

Alas…it’s unlikely the show will get picked up. Yet, I got my fingers crossed.

Comment by Shannon — October 11, 2006 @ 4:10 am
Great Review Squirrel,

My pick was HBO. I cannot however disagree with your analysis of the product. I further think the fact that HBO is a premium station that may work against this product specifically related to the “existing” demographics. However I suggest the *potential* demographics might still warrant this as a potential home but definately a long shot.

I picked a network that I wanted to house Blade.

Picking a network that I think would house Blade I cannot disagree with the top two selections. Sci Fi and FX seem to me to be the most logical. My wish is that whatever network (if it happens) picks up this show that they Market/Advertise to the entire potential demographic and do not fall into the same Niche mistake that Spike made in hindsite. That they do not clammer onto misplaced expectations.

Time will tell. Great poll and post!

Comment by Jeff Thomas — October 11, 2006 @ 10:03 am
I find it interesting that Spike TV with its tagline of “GET MORE ACTION” and running programming like Pro Wrestling and the “Ultimate Fighter” series would drop a show like Blade: The Series. Blade would seem like a natural fit. As for as an opinion regarding the best network to pick up Blade, the Sci-Fi Channel seems like the best choice.

Comment by KEN MILLIGAN — October 11, 2006 @ 11:00 am
I’m still really surprised SpikeTV didn’t stick with the show, regardless of the performance of the first season. Yes, we know they are in it for the money, but with them being a fledging network you would think they would have gambled for Blade.

The pilot wasn’t great, and the show didn’t pick up until mid-season…but it was good. They should take a tip from Sci-Fi, and have faith in original productions.

Comment by Shannon — October 11, 2006 @ 12:38 pm
I went for the SCIFI channel. I think it could be a good fit. Although the would probably tone down the language and nudity.

On a lighter note…my supervisor came over to my computer awhile ago and noticed my new background (Squirrel’s Chthon glyph, which rocks!). He asked me this question: “Is that the spaceship you were flying around in last week?” I told him no, that it is an image of the new tattoo I was playing on getting on my rear.

Comment by Colleen — October 11, 2006 @ 2:34 pm
Yeah, at this point I really just want ANY network to pick up the show. Granted, there are some networks that would be a much better choice, but even if a station like Lifetime picked up the show, at least it’d mean we could watch it.

Colleen, that’s hilarious. If you do get a tattoo of the glyph, you should definitely send me a photo of it so I can put it up on the site!

Comment by Squirrelinabox — October 11, 2006 @ 2:59 pm
ANY CHANNEL!!! AMEN TO THAT!!!

Squirrel, I promise should I do something that out there to show my love the the series, I will definitely send you a picture. Maybe I will have one of tattoo artist friends draw it on, so it isn’t so permanent. Either way, you will see the results!

Comment by Colleen — October 11, 2006 @ 3:23 pm
Heh!!

Lifetime network… PERFECT!

A Glyph on your ass! Thats dedication… you definately know your a Blade Series Addict when!

Cheers Squirrel and Colleen.

Comment by Jeff Thomas — October 12, 2006 @ 4:16 am
So Squirrel…what’s the new poll going to be? One thing I am interested in is where are all of us Blade fans located.

Comment by Colleen — October 12, 2006 @ 12:16 pm
I cast one of the very few votes for TNT mainly because it’s a channel unafraid of violence, mature themes, and occasionally raw language. However, they did abandon Witchblade after Yancy Butler’s alcohol rehab stint. I’d much prefer to see the series on Sci Fi, but it would probably get toned down a lot. Battlestar Galactica gets away with some grim topics and occasionally racy scenes, but actual violence is seen very sparingly. A weekly drama about killing vampires & humans might be a bit much for them. USA would also be a nice choice. The 13 episode season fits that channel’s usual style.

Comment by Jill — October 17, 2006 @ 11:29 am
I posted this in another site and thought I would grab all your opinions on the subject: BLADE FRANCHISE DIRECTION - WHATS NEW LINE TO DO?

Good morning/evening all!

Here is a look at some numbers… an extrapolation to put numbers into context following the aforementioned premise.

Blade Trinity sold 7,729,894 tickets. Lets assume that some of the ticket buyers came as a couple… lets say 25% of those. The contrast being a “couple” at home watching Blade the TV series. So that narrows the Blade Movie Target audience for the TV series to 5.8 Million potential viewers. So of this viewership only 2.5 Million show up to the Premiere. I am wondering if the other 3.3 Million were aware of the TV series. Those fans that believe the “majority” of fans watching the premiere were Blade the Movie fans would suggest that at least the Blade fans would have been aware of the Pilot on Spike… Where were they?

Did they not tune in because WS was not the Lead?
Did they not tune in because they were unaware of the TV series.. or potentially Spike?
Did they not tune in because they were unavailable Wednesday nights at 10:00 p.m.?
Perhaps they did not have Spike in their programming line up?

To move this premise forward. If you are New Line…

a) are you going to cater your TV series to the movie fans?
b) are you going to dare attempt a 4th movie without WS as the lead?
c) Or do you take a safer road and agree that perhaps the wrong forum was chosen as a host and based on attaining a viewership after episodes 7 of approximately 1 Million… its worth shopping another network?

I suggest a) and b) are futile and perhaps option c) is the direction New Line takes. I further suggest that if the movie fans were to be lenient and accept a new character in the role this franchise would survive. There is still the feint possibility this franchise could survive regardless as I believe there are enough existing movie fans that did enjoy the product combined with the potential new viewership that remains relatively untapped in my opinion.

I suggest that New Line and Goyer knew that for this project to be successful and subsequently an option of producing a Blade 4 they had to cater to the TV viewing demographic not just the Movie Fan demographic and that is exactly what they did. They needed to find a large demographic that would not have predisposed concepts as to what Blade is/was (a.k.a. WS). I was personally disappointed in the 2.5 Million viewers as I suspected it would be a much larger turn out but as I have stated before I still believe Spike was not the right host. Unfortunately the pilot was not very good. Action scenes were definitely weak and as a stand alone episode it just was not that entrancing. I do believe, as seemingly a few others to the tune of 1 Million, that the continuing episodes increased in value and the storyline continued to intrigue many.

If the TV series remains in Cancellation land I suspect Blade the franchise follows suit. What are your thoughts on the Blade Franchise? Where does New Line go now? Is Blade on the big screen or small screen gone for good?

If there are any takers on the potential of a new TV series or even if you think this is an impossibility I pose this question:

Hypothetically would you watch if they changed the Lead?

I think this is definately not an option but definately have an open mind and wonder what are your thoughts?

Take care!!

Comment by Jeff Thomas — October 18, 2006 @ 9:21 am
Good morning squirrel… maybe you could post this as a “general topic” for discussion? I can send you the text document.. or I guess you could cut and paste. I have changed it a bit to make it more user friendly and less biased.

Take care! Send me a line if it can be a general topic.

Comment by Jeff Thomas — October 18, 2006 @ 11:40 am
Hi Jeff,

Its been a few days since I posted. I like your big post. I agree 100% that Spike was not the right venue for it. I don’t think a lot of people are aware that the ‘network’ (and I use the term loosely) even exists.

I have a question to your question. When you ask about watching if the lead is changed, are you referring to WS or Sticky? I liked WS in the films, but I think Sticky really came into his own as the character. I think most of us die hard fans would agree that the show really started to pick up after the first few episodes. You could see the actors really start to find themselves in their roles, which is always difficult in launching a new show, especially one based on a movie franchise.

I want to see a series as opposed to more films. I think there is more possibility for depth in a series. And I want to see the same cast in the same roles.

Comment by Colleen — October 18, 2006 @ 12:42 pm
Sure Jeff. Send me the text you’d like via the contact for or my email and if it looks good I’ll post it up.

Comment by Squirrelinabox — October 18, 2006 @ 12:54 pm
Thanks Squirrel.. I allready did .

Good afternoon Colleen,

In the context of the question I was asking would you continue to watch the TV series if the lead changed (a.k.a. they got rid of Sticky and casted MJW (Michael Jai White) for example.

Take care and thanks for the response.

Comment by Jeff Thomas — October 18, 2006 @ 1:36 pm
Hmmm… interesting post Jeff. Your question about viewers not tuning in because WS was not the lead made me wonder why people cared. I personally, have never seen the blade movies and i’m a die hard blade the series fan so i just don’t understand what makes WS so great. Sticky imho, is way more talented and hotter than snipes in fact, the whole cast of the series is better than the movies ( i have caught snippits of the movies, and they were not that great). the writers sure have an interesting problem to solve because I feel that new veiwers to the franchise, like myself, come watch the series for way different reasons than people who have seen the movies come to watch it. there main goal should be to try to appease both groups. In any case, i watch the show for M-A-R-C-U-S! If we get a season 2 I WANT MORE OF HIM!

Comment by courtney — October 18, 2006 @ 6:37 pm