http://entertainment.earthlink.net/channel/ENTERTAINMENT/news?aid=217052619_5305_lead_story The WB Cancels Supernatural Drama 'Angel' by ANTHONY BREZNICAN (AP Entertainment Writer) LOS ANGELES - The WB has done what no vampire slayer could: It killed "Angel," the do-gooder bloodsucker with a soul. WB network executives announced their cancellation decision earlier than usual to give series creator Joss Whedon, who spun off the supernatural comedy-thriller from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," a chance to prepare for a grand finale. "Angel" stars David Boreanaz as an 18th century monster living in Los Angeles in the present day as he tries to redeem his past evil deeds. The series is in its fifth season. Whedon, who overhauled the show with new cast members and story structure after barely avoiding cancellation last season, said he was "heartbroken." "It seemed like we hit our stride, so this is a big shock," Whedon told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The show maintains a small but loyal cult-fan base, but WB executives decided the numbers were not high enough to justify the program's cost. There may be hope for resurrection, although nothing is finalized yet: The WB has proposed a few "Angel" TV movies to tie up any loose ends in the story. "It's my fervent hope that all my cast and my writers will be much too busy," Whedon said. "It's not that I'm not interested in the idea, I just want steady jobs for my people. But I definitely think there are more stories to tell." A lot depends on whether Whedon and 20th Century Fox Television, which produces the show, will succeed in shopping a sixth season of "Angel" to another network, such as TNT, which carries reruns of the show, or UPN, which previously picked up "Buffy" after it left the WB. Whedon also plans to ask "Buffy" star Sarah Michelle Gellar about a possible guest role on one of the final episodes. Her character's romance with Angel was one of the vampire's defining story lines. "I'm sort of assuming she wouldn't want to," Whedon said. "But I intend to find out." ____________________________________ Well this just SUCKS!!!! This is one of my favorite shows, and one of the few things on TV that is worth a damn. Good job WB.
This really sucks, I always feel like a rod for watching it but is one of the few shows i watch regularly. There were some really weak episodes earlier in the season that likely scared off new viewiers. Hopefull someones else will pick it up but i wont be counting on it.
Scared off new viewers? Ratings are way up over last year. It's the WB's 2nd highest rated show in the coveted 18-34 demographic. Which is amazing considering that the WB is otherwise experiencing double-digit ratings declines.
I had no idea the ratings were good i was just speculating. If its their second rated show its similar to SciFi canceling their top rated show with Farscape (which pissed a lot of people off) Maby they might change their mind?
There is a rumor flying around about a possible Angel-Buffy movie. That would be sweet. First Firefly... and then Buffy/Angel. Me likey.
The ratings are fine. WB has the more teen-oriented vampire show, Dark Shadows, airing next season and they don't want Angel competing with it. They're killing the show because they're not interested in it anymore, not because it's unpopular or unprofitable. It's not the cancellation itself that bothers me. Frankly, this season has been its worst to date. The writing is weak, the supporting characters have had nothing to do all year(in particular Wesley who kicked everyone's ass in Season 4), and there seems to be no direction storywise. No, what bugs me is that the WB issued all sorts of demands to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy if they wanted a 5th season. Hire James Marsters to reprise the role of Spike. Done. Stop the epic season-long storyarcs and do standalone episodes. Done. Have less fight scenes, on-location shooting, and special FX sequences. Done. Attract new viewers. Done. And after giving in to all of this which has effectively alienated a good portion of the viewing audience that's followed the show for the last 4 years, now the WB decides to stick it to Joss and Co. by cancelling the show. If they were gonna do this all along, they may as well have told them from the beginning of the season. That way we could've avoided this prolonged Wolfram & Hart crap and the standalone episodes that don't appear to be adding up to anything. Now Joss has only a handful of episodes(they've written up to at least Episode 18 from what I've read) left to wrap up the series and I don't see how it's possible.
Does this free up Charisma Carpenter for the soft p*rn career for which she has always seemed so ideally suited?
Since Carpenter was booted off the show after last season, canceling Angel does not affect her availability.
I wouldn't say it was the weakest season but it has been uneven. Wesley had that great episode where he killed his father, although the reveal at the end kinda cheapened it. I just hope Sarah Michelle Gellar is not too busy to make one last cameo to complete the series and that the finale is more satisfying than the Buffy one.
Cool. Don't watch much tv, ans no WB...So has she begun her other career yet, do you know? That would catch my attention.
She just did a photo shoot for Playboy which should be out by the summer. So I guess the answer to your question is yes.
Actually MacBeth reports are that Charisma has agreed to appear in Playboy, so she's already well on her way! Oops I see count has said it, but it's still news worth repeating. Yes this news indeed sucks, as I have been a big Angel booster. However, despite it's ratings, it is apparently one of the most expensive shows WB puts on the air. Hence, it's ratings strength and advertising dollars doesn't offset it's costs. I'm hoping someone else (rumor has it UPN was interested before this year, but they're having some difficulties themselves) picks it up, but outside of Sci Fi (probably too expensive for them too) I don't know who it's suited for. In the meantime, I'm REALLY looking forward to Puppet Angel tonight, if for no other reason than Spike going hysterical.
JLH is in danger of getting another television show, probably putting off any potential appearance in Playboy. She's got a pilot at ABC in which she stars as a sports reporter/single mom.
OTOH, considering the ultimate fate of her last vehicle, she might consider a layout to boost exposure. I count at least two double entendres here...
