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09.06.2002: FARSCAPE CANCELLED
This is a sad, sad day... Despite the two season commitment from SCI FI, they've prematurely pulled the plug on Farscape. Also, despite their promise that they'd give the producers advance warning of such an event, in the end they did not - and season four will end with a typical season finale and not a series finale. This is by far the worst aspect of all of this - the fact that the show will end without proper resolution.
David Kemper, Richard Manning, and Ben Browder called a special chat in the SCI FI Channel's Farscape chat room to announce that SCI FI had opted not to pick up Farscape's fifth season option. DK does say, however, that the possibility still exists for the Farscape film, but at the very least, they will finish the story somehow. Let's just hope he's right, because ultimately that's all that really matters. All good things end, but they deserve to end the right way.
Below is the chat transcript, followed by contact information for those who would like to call or write to try and get SCI FI to reconsider their decision. Time is key here. I can't stress that enough. If you are going to write in, do it immediately. While realistically it may not make a difference, you never know. Roswell was given one more season after the fans spoke up, and that's all Farscape needs. Just remember to be smart - no obseneties or insults, please. If you want them to listen, be civil. So write your letters. And send them with crackers. Cause crackers DO matter. But be sure to read the transcript, too. These are three quality guys. I can't imagine what it's like for them right now.
- Rafael "Ultra Magnus" Pujals
Chat Transcript
[19:16]first of all I'd like to welcome to you #farscape and tonights chat with David Kemper Ben Browder and Richard Manning [19:16] To ask questions please message Pygar by typing /msg Pygar your message here OR double clicking his name and messaging him [19:17] Please PM pygar with your questions people [19:17] *** Barbarella sets mode: +o Ben Browder [19:17] -Kief`Shaeldar- bot commands can be accessed by typeing: x-commands - XBot v1.55 << http://imafish.com || Developed by sHaDoW^LiGhT [19:18] *** Barbarella sets mode: +o FrooniumRicky [19:18] *** Barbarella sets mode: +o DK [19:18] OK [19:18] you guys can talk right? [19:18] speak to me [19:18] Check testing [19:18] one two three fo [19:18] Testing 1... 2... [19:18] DK says Hello. [19:19] Evening all. [19:19] Ning, all [19:19] Wow... look at all the familiar names!!!! [19:19] Ben, why did all these people sign off after you said hello? [19:19] Shock [19:19] I could say something but I'l refrain guys this is your chat [19:19] :) [19:19] I've been so scarce lately [19:19] ah, say something, Babs [19:20] here I am [19:20] Take it, DK [19:20] If I may, I'd like to say a few words. [19:20] You just did [19:20] I hope its more than that [19:20] It's rare for me to write something that's not in script form, so please bear with me. [19:20] It's equally rare... well, nm [19:21] I'm also not the most computer literate guy, as Ricky and Ben will tell you, so I beg forgiveness for mistakes. [19:21] Each and every year, at the end of the season [19:21] we have a chat with you, [19:21] our slightly bent cohorts in this [19:21] wonderful adventure, [19:22] and we wanted this year to be no different. [19:22] However, despite our best efforts, this year is a bitt different from all the rest. [19:22] In the past 24 hours, I have been [19:22] innundated with emails and calls [19:22] *** Barbarella sets mode: +o Pygar [19:22] regarding rumors that are circulating [19:22] regarding our joint passion. [19:22] Where do we stand? [19:23] We are two days away from shooting the last scenes [19:23] of season 4. [19:23] As you know, Sci Fi has picked us up [19:23] for 4th and 5th seasons. [19:23] However, as with everything done at a [19:23] corporate level, [19:24] there was an out clause built into Sci Fi's [19:24] pickup schedule. [19:24] As of yesterday, we were informed -- [19:24] after massive efforts by everyone at Henson [19:24] and working on the show -- [19:24] most importantly Brian Henson [19:24] and the 3 gentlemen [19:24] here [19:25] that Sci Fi was not going to exercise it's [19:25] option to pick up the 5th season of Farscape. [19:25] The rumors that everyone has been calling me [19:25] about are sadly [19:25] very sadly true. [19:25] Tuesday will be the last time Ben dons the uniform [19:25] of Commander John Crichton. [19:26] We are all hugely sad. [19:26] I am shaking as I write this. [19:26] Yesterday, we all cried on the set. [19:26] Yet, as we are, at the end of the line [19:26] so to speak [19:26] being just the people who make the show [19:26] and not the corporate entities that fund and air it [19:26] we are as helpless as anyone. [19:26] And we are sad [19:26] And we are shattered. [19:26] And we are sorry. [19:27] And we wanted to come online [19:27] and talk to YOU, [19:27] our core fans who have stood [19:27] beside us for such a long and great journey. [19:27] I turn it over to Ricky and Ben for their comments. [19:27] Ricky?... [19:27] Ben?... [19:28] Alright. [19:28] DK speaks the truth; we are shattered [19:28] Ok... [19:28] speechless [19:28] I know what they're feeling. [19:28] We all believed [19:28] I really should have prepared something... [19:28] as late as 36 hours ago, [19:28] that we were going to 5th season. [19:28] But Sci Fi has not picked us up, [19:29] so, as all the rumors have suggested, [19:29] we have no way to make the show. [19:29] Believe me, Brian and everyone involved [19:29] have gone LITERALLY to the ends of the earth [19:29] to make this happen, [19:29] but there does not seem to be a way around this moat [19:30] placed before us. [19:30] Ben, Ricky - should we just have the Moderator start [19:30] filtering through questions? [19:30] I wish we had answers, but... sure [19:30] Well I'm gonna type this up with no name since many people are asking this....Are there any plans of trying to go to other networks? And Is there anything the fans themselves can do to try to keep Farscape on the air? [19:30] Yep [19:30] Good question. [19:31] At the moment, the whole deal hinges on what to do with the [19:31] first 88 eps. [19:31] Perhaps a network would be interested in running [19:31] a 5th and 6th year of Farscape -- [19:31] and you should know [19:31] we have the 5th season already plotted out -- [19:31] however, without the right to air the first 88 [19:32] eps, they'd be hard pressed to provide financing and see no return [19:32] for years because Sci Fi has the rights to the first 88. [19:32] What can you do? [19:32] I think, just what fans everywhere have [19:32] always been able to do. [19:32] Support the show. [19:32] Watch it. [19:32] When all else fails, [19:32] let everyone know how you feel. [19:33] another question? [19:33] ga [19:33] Let's go. [19:33] And another no name question everyone is curious is there plans for a Farscape movie possibly?...often its been hinted at and they'd love to see one [19:34] Rock and I talked about it this morning. [19:34] Despite this setback, [19:34] we still have plans to finish the script. [19:34] As you can imagine, [19:34] we're all out of work on Wednesday, [19:34] and no one is eager to let this go yet. [19:34] It all happened [19:34] too suddenly. [19:34] Ricky, Ben, myself [19:34] and everyone [19:34] is still in a state of shock. [19:35] Ben and must've talked on the phone 10-12 times [19:35] since yesterday morning, [19:35] and we st ill can't absorb/believe it. [19:35] Hang on a second-- [19:35] I just saw someone log on as Bonnie Hammer must die. [19:35] You should be ashamed of yourself and change that [19:35] nick instantly. [19:36] That kind of reaction [19:36] without knowing who and how it went [19:36] down is totally wrong. [19:36] yes please guys do try to keep the anger to a minimum since we don't know the whole story [19:36] You are attacking the wrong people. [19:36] I am the most savaged and angry person about this you know. [19:36] Brian started on this project with Rockne in 1993. [19:37] I was brought in in 1994. [19:37] It has been essentially my life since then. [19:37] If I am not angry at Bonnie, then you have no right to be. [19:37] To answer the log on-- [19:37] Bonnie is the President of Sci Fi, [19:37] and has always been a fan of Farscape. [19:37] Question? [19:38] *n107* Will you have time to make season 4 wrap up all the plots? If not how many letters will it take to force Sci Fi to do the right thing for once in their history and keep the show running? [19:38] We got a 1.5 rating [19:38] for Unrealized Reality. [19:38] If every one of those people wrote a letter, [19:38] we might end up filming season 9. [19:38] Q? [19:38] The story is not finished... n107 [19:39] We found out after shooting 422 [19:39] And we mistakenly left a few people alive at the end of 422 [19:39] Who knew? [19:39] hehehe [19:40] Q? [19:40] *Mukaikubo* "For DK: When the final episode- I can't believe I said that- airs, will you let us know what The Master Plan for Season V was?" [19:40] Sure. [19:40] If there is no way for Farscape to continue, [19:40] we'll get the story out somehow. [19:40] Perhaps [19:40] Mime, perhaps [19:40] 2 unemployed writers and one unemployed [19:40] we should write a book [19:40] actor/writer will [19:41] write you something. [19:41] I wonder if THAT book would sell? [19:41] Hey, we can act it out on street corners [19:41] Q? [19:41] *SciFiChick66* when it was decided that Crais and Talyn would "die", did you know yet that the show would be renewed for 2 more seasons? Now that it has, will you bring them back and/or resolve the dangling plotlines concerning their characters? For instance, what did Stark "know" about them that was important enough for Crais to threaten Stark w/ a knife? [19:41] with an open laptop case for people to throw coins into [19:41] LOL [19:42] ROFL [19:42] That last question I think [19:42] dangling? [19:42] That last question [19:42] Oops, [19:42] operator error [19:42] you want a repeat? [19:42] Question seems to have missed the point. [19:43] We have been cancelled. [19:43] ahhh [19:43] yes [19:43] There are no more Farscape's planned. [19:43] We can't resolve anything beyond what we've done for season 4. [19:43] And besides, this is not the time nor place for storypoints and spoilers. [19:43] Q? [19:44] well a statement I am getting lots of people expressing their sadness for the loss of the show as well as their admiration of the job you guys h ave done and I also feel that way [19:44] Quit leaving; we're hoping to hit 400 people [19:44] many wished you guys to know that [19:44] We appreciate it [19:45] Farscape fans are the best [19:45] The looniest, but the best [19:45] Just wanted you guys to hear it from us [19:45] the shock and sadness here in Australia is profound [19:45] As you can imagine, it wasn't a happy set on Friday [19:45] This is a family [19:46] half of my phone calls in the last day have ended in tears [19:46] especially after four years [19:46] Many people are also asking do you have plans for spin off series or totally new and unique ideas for a new series? [19:46] If there are no more questions, then we should leave everyone to absorb the sad news that way that we are having to do so. [19:46] Certainly the most fun I've ever had on a series [19:46] And the Fans... you guys in particular [19:46] are such a huge part of the Farscape family [19:46] Ben's point is exactly why we're here. [19:46] We've always been close to the fans. [19:47] also they'd like an address to write to to try to Save Farscape [19:47] We have ideas and stuff, sure, but right now we're still dealing with grief and shock [19:47] Even from 8000 miles away, in many cases. [19:47] This was our baby [19:47] and yours [19:47] We just wanted to set the rumor mill straight and make [19:47] sure everyone knew the truth so they could deal with it. [19:47] damn... this sucks [19:47] I feel like a cop at the door [19:47] 24 hours after hearing it... it's no easier [19:48] I shudder to think what is going to happen when this is opened up to all deserving voices. [19:48] yes it does truelly....I must say the show was one of the few I watched in particular...and actually followed...and I really am saddened by all this as are all of the scapers [19:48] Did someone ask for an address? [19:48] yes a name and address to write to [19:48] to try to save Farscape [19:48] I would simply say, call and/or lookup [19:48] Sci Fi in NY. [19:49] In this case, speed is our friend. [19:49] Believe it or not, the sets are scheduled to be torn [19:49] down forever at the end of next week. [19:49] david means... if you want to do something... [19:50] I used to work at CBS for [19:50] over 10 years, and I know that [19:50] do it before they take the chainsaws to moya [19:50] calls and telegrams always used to get our attention. [19:50] I think that can be arranged [19:50] did emails? I always heard real letters were much more effective than emails [19:50] Volume and speed. Dissappointment is better than anger. [19:50] Remember that furious people [19:51] are "nuts." [19:51] Angry, but civil and controlled [19:51] people are "fans." [19:51] Networks listen to "fans." [19:51] no misspellings, no obscenities [19:51] correct grammer??? Cain't do that. [19:52] Cain't is southern, I believe. [19:52] hehehe [19:52] and your point? [19:52]