Tuesday, September 28, 2010

LONE STAR Falls in Second Airing, Future Looks Bleak

Despite airing an excellent second episode on Monday night, LONE STAR failed to improve upon last week's dismal premiere numbers. The show drew 3.8 million viewers and a preliminary adults 18-49 rating of 1.3 -- the same number as last week. LONE STAR also dropped hugely after its first half-hour, down 44%, and lost to GOSSIP GIRL in the demo.

Most shows were down in their second week and that is expected, but LONE STAR desperately needed a significant bump to survive cancellation. The show was hoping the DVR numbers from last week would help, but they also failed to provide much of a boost.

9 comments:

  1. This is sad news for Lonestar. I had hoped Fox would try to move it to another day.

    It's a good story but I don't think that there are enough strong female leads at the center of the story. The show is very male focused for a soap.

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  2. Damon & Roger,

    BTW, why didn't you mention "The Event" as a serial?

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  3. I lamented the same fact as SoapFan78 about there not being enough strong female leads. However, I liked the addition of the bad sister-in-law in the second episode - and Andie McDowall is joining the show next week. I hope FOX gives "Lone Star" a chance because it's got potential.

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  4. I didn't like the second episode as much as the first. Sad to see that trying something a little different was such a horrible failure though. More cops and lawyers I guess now. I wish I could pinpoint exactly what turned people off. Con men, bigamist, oil barons, Texans?

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  5. I had the chance to watch a preview of the first episode on a Delta three weeks ago. I assumed it was being aired on Showtime, or at least AMC. I was surprised that FOX, in a post Simon Cowell world, had invested in such a complicated soap that demanded focus and an attention span longer than 30 seconds.

    It reminded very much of Dexter and Nurse Jackie in terms of showing someone living a double life and getting THIS close to being caught. Perhaps there was a time network tv audiences would have embraced this. Now, if it's not about doctors, lawyers, cops, and cartoonish housewives, there is no appeal to scripted drama.

    There was also a time when a show like this would have at least been given a chance. Dallas and Dynasty were both far from being hits in their first seasons. FOX's own 90210 and Melrose Place were considered failures initially. But they were all given time to find their audience and become legendary shows. Is it asking too much for FOX to move it to another night and given it a frickin' chance?

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  6. SoapFan78, there are so many primetime soaps it's hard to do them all justice. I screened THE EVENT and I'm totally shocked it did better than LONE STAR in the ratings. Have done a few bits in the news round-up but we haven't had any emails or requests on that show.

    Deep Dish, I hope they give it a chance too, maybe on another night. Most "experts" don't seem to think that will happen though. I noticed on the preview they didn't say "next week".

    Rikita, I'm starting to think it is Texas. FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS has no viewers as well. Maybe it's a case of the right show on the wrong network. Perhaps LONE STAR would have faired better on ABC and FNL on CBS. Or maybe cable is the way to go for the best primetime soaps.

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  7. Damon & Roger,

    I disagree about viewers not wanting to watch complicated programs. "Lost" was labyrinthine in its plotting and provided rich character development. Similarly, cable TV's most successful dramas are serials. "Lonestar" belongs on a cable station like FX, A&E, AMC, or Spike because it's male centered.

    The show would have done much better had a stronger, older woman been part of the central cast. Andie McDowell's character, perhaps?

    "Lonestar" should have had different marketing and been paired with "Glee." I think if the marketing had balanced the male and female leads, the show would be more attractive. The marketing centers around a con man and his manipulating two women.

    Fox has done well with "24," an action, sci-fi serial that played well with men and women. Each season had women at the center as either villains, heroines, or somewhere in-between.

    I just don't see that in "Lonestar's" marketing.

    Pairing it with another soap like "Glee" would make more sense.


    As for "The Event," it's ratings dropped 19%. That sucks. It's a good serial that follows in the path of "24," "Lost," and "Heroes."

    I think it's ratings drop reflects a few factors including excessive time jumps/flashbacks and a weak lead character played by Jason Ritter. "The Event" would be much better with less of Ritter's character and more of Agent Lee, Sophia, President Martinez, and the rest.

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  8. Forbes Magazine's Moneywood report just updated today's column that Fox executives apparently ''officially pulled the plug'' this afternoon.


    http://blogs.forbes.com/laceyrose/2010/09/28/foxs-lone-star-the-coroners-report/?boxes=businesschanneltopstories

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  9. One factor that may sound nuts, but there is precedent: Jon Voight has NEVER had a successful TV show. In fact, the few upon which he has guest-starred, most were cancelled within months. Not all, but most. I don't believe in curses, but again, he does have a track record.

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