Here's a tip: Eliza Dushku can't carry a TV show as the lead

[mrt144]

It is amazing that she still gets work considering the following:

Tru calling: 2003-2005
Nurses: 1 Pilot episode 2007
The Dollhouse: Currently on.

The only time she has ever been successful and a show hasn't tanked with her presence is when she is a bit part and kept on screen less than any other main actor.

And I don't buy that the stuff she signs on for is inherently weak material either. Shows or movies she's been in as a secondary character have had a strong following, like Buffy.

I am coining the term I call "The Dushku Ratio" where the more a specific actor is featured in a show or movie the less likely it is to succeed.

 

[El_Machinae]

The latest episode of Dollhouse was really good. The strangest thing about it is that although ED is the lead, she's not really the main character, since she has no character.

 

[Cutlass]

I don't agree. Eliza really hasn't been the issue with the success of those shows. Tru Calling should never have been on Fox. And possibly Dollhouse should not be a Fox show either. The thing is, It is very rare for a sci-fi or fantasy oriented show to routinely get 5 million viewers an ep on the big 4 broadcast networks. The genre just does not support it. The CW expects lower ratings, and will love a show that pulls in 4 million an ep. But Fox does not. The Sci-Fi channel would be a better fit.

And you can hardly blame her for Nurses, there are a dozen pilots for every show that's picked up.

What Eliza does bring is several million people that will tune in for a show she is on, whether they like the show or not.

 

[mrt144]

I don't agree. Eliza really hasn't been the issue with the success of those shows. Tru Calling should never have been on Fox. And possibly Dollhouse should not be a Fox show either. The thing is, It is very rare for a sci-fi or fantasy oriented show to routinely get 5 million viewers an ep on the big 4 broadcast networks. The genre just does not support it. The CW expects lower ratings, and will love a show that pulls in 4 million an ep. But Fox does not. The Sci-Fi channel would be a better fit.

And you can hardly blame her for Nurses, there are a dozen pilots for every show that's picked up.

What Eliza does bring is several million people that will tune in for a show she is on, whether they like the show or not.

If the only talent you can pull in for a lead on a show is Eliza Freaking Dushku, then isn't that a sign the show has a bad premise in the first place? She is a leading indicator that the show is not long for the world.

 

[.Shane.]

You act like Eliza Dushku stole your whistle tips!

wat up wit dat?

 

[mrt144]

You act like Eliza Dushku stole your whistle tips!

wat up wit dat?

It's just decoration. Thats it and thats all.

 

[mrt144]

Dushku is basically Ted McGinley but at the start of a series.

 

[.Shane.]

It's just decoration. Thats it and thats all.

Is jus decoration mayun

Dushku is basically Ted McGinley but at the start of a series.

I have no opinion of this Dushku actress, but this is a damned funny line.

The McLean Stevenson of the 21st Century? Let's see if you get that one w/out the wikimobile (or are you older than I suspect?)...

 

[Cutlass]

If the only talent you can pull in for a lead on a show is Eliza Freaking Dushku, then isn't that a sign the show has a bad premise in the first place? She is a leading indicator that the show is not long for the world.

Actually, you have the situation bass acwards.

Fox approached Eliza and gave her a contract to develop a show. Eliza asked Joss Whedon for advice. Joss came up with the concept of Dollhouse, and wrote a pilot. Fox bought the pilot with Eliza and Joss. The Fox meddled with what Joss wanted to do.

 

[Annex]

Is jus decoration mayun


I have no opinion of this Dushku actress, but this is a damned funny line.

The McLean Stevenson of the 21st Century? Let's see if you get that one w/out the wikimobile (or are you older than I suspect?)...

Thats early in the mownin. You spossed to be up cookin breakfast.

I dont even know who this actress is, and dont really care to find out.

 

[mrt144]

Actually, you have the situation bass acwards.

Fox approached Eliza and gave her a contract to develop a show. Eliza asked Joss Whedon for advice. Joss came up with the concept of Dollhouse, and wrote a pilot. Fox bought the pilot with Eliza and Joss. The Fox meddled with what Joss wanted to do.

This is even more troubling than I suspected. What does Dushku know about successful shows and what does Joss Whedon know about using Dushku for anything but eye candy and corny (possibly annoying) one-liners?

 

[mrt144]

Is jus decoration mayun


I have no opinion of this Dushku actress, but this is a damned funny line.

The McLean Stevenson of the 21st Century? Let's see if you get that one w/out the wikimobile (or are you older than I suspect?)...

Oh my god. McLean Stevenson is even more apt!

 

[Cutlass]

Joss shows are a narrow taste, that's true. But it's an extremely loyal narrow taste. But you also have to consider the basic retardedness which is the Fox business model. They know they have no patience for a show that isn't an immediate hit. And the fans know that Fox sucks in a way that the average black hole can only watch in awe. Fans are less likely to commit to a show for no reason other than that it is on Fox. Because Fox has a long legacy of canceling shows just as people become hooked on them.

So to the OP, can Eliza carry a show, she's a hell of a lot better than most actresses that lead shows. But every actor and every show needs to be placed to take advantage of them best. And a sci fi show on Fox is terrible placement based on past experience.

 

[Masquerouge]

She was the one in American pie, right? Because it seems the ratio is reversed for the American Pie series. The less there was of her, the worse the movie fared

 

[Cutlass]

No, you're thinking of Alyson Hannigan, I think.

 

[Holycannoli]

Fox shows have sucked for a while now, with a few exceptions. And who's Eliza sleeping with that she keeps getting shows?

Maybe the better question is why does she keep signing on to shows we all know won't make it?

 

[Berzerker]

she was the bad slayer in the Buffy series

both actresses have droopy eyes, like a basset hound. But ED has a nice rack

 

[Miles Teg]

Out of curiosity, what is your problem with her mrt? You've pointed out three series she was in that went south. One was a pilot. Pilots have a pretty low survival rate, so nothing odd there. One of them isn't even canceled yet. It's had six episodes, the first five of which have been mediocre, but as El Machinae, that latest one was really good stuff. (Incidentally, Dushku said the series would take off at that point, so she it seems she has an eye for a good script) So we're left with one failed series. I can point to dozens of TV actors I like with a failed series or three in there wake, and they're generally agreed to be very good actors.

What I'm saying is, if you don't like Dushku's performances, good for you, and I encourage you to make a thread, but don't whip up some cockamamie reason for it besides personal preference.

 

[mrt144]

Except Dushku isn't agreed to be a very good actor. "Bring it On" was her best role to date. She is a mediocre actor that gets roles because of looks. She will never be in anything that has longevity or critical acclaim.

Other things:
Tru Calling? Why would you be party to such a horrible pun based on a characters name? A stupid name at that!
Faith on Buffy: She was annoying trying to reprise her bad girl image from "Bring it On" using stupid cliches and phrases from the start and not even being convincing.

Mark my words, Fox will cancel this and Dushku will be in another horrible show on Fox. or CW. She's got that much talent.

 

[scherbchen]

The latest episode of Dollhouse was really good. The strangest thing about it is that although ED is the lead, she's not really the main character, since she has no character.

I don't want to bring up my old post about the original script for the dollhouse premiere. however, most of the damage to the show has been done by the network (if you read the original script and have followed the series you can actually see the original idea being spread out over 4-5 episodes. and I say episodes in the worst possible sense. not going to get into too much detail here, glad to, though :>

to her credit she did say that the series would pick up once Joss got his way, which was with episode six as she foretold. so she has some knowledge as to what works for whom. I will, alas, agree that she would not have been my first choice. but every time we do not get a show that is based on a male character that centers on how badass or funny or chubby or disfunctional or handsome he is I am happy. because only some trite horsehockeye like Paul Blart: Mall Cop will come off it most of the time.

now don't mention "did I fall asleep?", "for a little while", etc because that has already gotten tired after two episodes :>

PS: I don't think she is that hot. on a related note: Amy Acker deserves various emmies.