as for the missing regulars, it was pointed out in a thread during last season, that not all actors have a full season contract, the producers save money by having some of the main, but still secondary, characters only appear in about half the episodes, thereby cutting those salaries in the budget
I have heard that VM is one of the cheapest shows to produce, which probably helps it stay on the air. If that’s true, while I adore Wallace and Mac to the bottom of my feet, it might be worth it.
The ratings are still really low, but better than last year. And apparently they are getting just the tiniest bit better every week. If we get a fourth season, it’s really a miracle considering the ratings.
Yes. I’m aware of the mechanics of it. That’s why I specifically addressed the network in my complaint about the missing regulars. Because the idea that the folks behind the network are too poor to pay the salaries is bullshit. It takes money to make money, and dropping a few more dimes on a promising show, so all the popular characters can show up each week and give viewers a reason to keep tuning in, is one of the ways to build an audience. Veronica/Kristen Bell can’t do that all by herself. Seinfeld was not an immediate hit; but that didn’t mean that Jason Alexander appeared in only every third episode. Not the best example, perhaps, because of that show’s small cast, but it still illustrates the point. For that matter, Hill Street Blues was much the same: not an immediate hit, but kept plugging away (with a very large cast, who all showed up each episode) until it built its success and became one of the cornerstones of NBC’s rating dominance in the '80s (and ultimately made Steven Bochco a major player in TV production). If The CW is going to play it cut rate and cheapskate their best shows, then it will not fare much better than its predecessor networks. (The CW is a joint venture of Viacom and Warner Bros.–gigantic corporations that have a shitload of funds available between them. It’s not like the producers would be hitting up your Uncle Phil.)
I just want to see this show succeed. Having likeable characters appear on a real, regular basis will help that. The producers are not doing making it happen–for money reasons, according to everyone’s interpretation. So if the network wants to succeed, it needs to help make those things happen. Because it certainly can.
End of rant.
By the way, the ratings story on VM will not be fully told until January, at least, when the Nielsens start including college dorm viewers in their calculations. If that gives the boost I hope it will, we’ll have much more cause for optimism.
A theory behind the rapes that I read on another message board (not a spoiler just speculation) and that I really hope isn’t true is that they’re commited by the “feminazis” in a plot to get rid of the frat houses. (Incidentally someone on that same message board is the sister of the guy who plays the RA.)