Apparently, the executives over at the CW network like to pull the chains of the collective viewer. Last year they did it when they said 7th Heaven and Reba weren't coming back, then they turned around and renewed them anyway. In 2007 they seem to be doing it again. This time with fan favorite Veronica Mars.
For months rumors have been flying about the apparent cancellation of VM. Now it seems that those rumors may not have as much merit as previously thought. According to Mike Ausiello over at TV Guide network executives over at the CW are taking a second look at the show, or at least the character of Veronica Mars in particular. Why the sudden change of heart? Well, there are a few reasons.
One is that there are several new spots open in the network schedule with Gilmore Girls hanging it up next week, and 7th Heaven finally coming to an end on Sunday, Since the current schedule is less than stellar, and there doesn't seem to be too much coming down the pike for the CW in the fall, there are a few new prime spots where they can place a Veronica Mars-based show.
Another reason for the turn-around is that network executives seem to be responding favorably to a new trailer by Veronica Mars series creator Rob Thomas which would place the young detective as an agent for the FBI. What would this mean for Veronica Mars the show? Well, there's a good chance that the title of the show would change, and there would probably be a major cast shake-up, which would leave star Kristen Bell as the only carryover.
So, VM fans, what do you think about this news? Would you watch Veronica Mars - FBI as long as the character remained the same in a new environment? Or, would you turn your nose at it if none of the other characters came along?















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-09-2007 @ 9:50AM
Cristy said...
Hey, if it's got the same old cynical Veronica Mars, I'd watch it!
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5-09-2007 @ 10:04AM
Ryan said...
So new title, new premise, new location, and only one character coming back? Uh... so technically they ARE cancelling Veronica Mars and replacing it with this newfangled show. Weird.
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5-09-2007 @ 10:10AM
Thomas said...
My first concern with regards to an FBI environment is that Veronica's occasional tendency to instantly accuse anyone remotely linked to a case would become rather more unrealistic.
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5-09-2007 @ 10:08AM
Tammy said...
I'm just not sure FBI is the right way to go. What makes Veronica good is her being a private eye. Do FBI agents uses people like Max, Weevil, Wallace, etc. to solve crimes? Are FBI agents as sarcastic as Veronica is? For me, I think Clarice Starling when I think young FBI female, not Veronica.
Now if it's Veronica at FBI training school and still solving other problems on the side.... that might work. I just don't see her as someone who would follows comands and sticks to the book. I do see getting some FBI training as a good thing though so she learns more. Does that make sense?
I love the core group of players on VM. The father/daughter dynamic is fantastic and strong and that's something I would hate to see go. He would be the one character that should stay. Alot of the other characters were put on part time to almost no time status this year so I can't see them missed as much.
Still for the quality of writing and acting that we get with a show like Veronica Mars, I would say anything to keep a Rob Thomas show on the air is a good thing.
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5-09-2007 @ 10:18AM
Kink said...
While I'm sad to see Veronica Mars (the show) coming to an end I've come to accept it's departure after many months of speculation and weak episodes, particularly standalones. That said I would very much welcome a new series with the same character played by Kristen Bell. For starters we get to move past the college years, ideally, an into the real world with much more worldly and menacing threats to deal with rather than the forced cases that Veronica currently deals with. It's obvious and in some cases regrettable that we'd have to loose old characters though it makes perfect sense and would otherwise seem forced. I would hold out hope however that the current writers for Veronica Mars, Diane Ruggiero and Jon Enbom in particular, would stay on board for the new project.
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5-09-2007 @ 10:23AM
bgdc said...
Yuck. Let it die. I loved seasons 1 and 2 of VM. Season 3 sucks because the show has lost its charm/edge. Getting rid of the nucleus of the show (Keith, Lamb, Logan) would only push it further into the realm of traditional TV.
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5-09-2007 @ 10:52AM
George said...
The scary thing is, although there's a long and noble history of characters from one moribund show being used as the point of entry for a new show, you just know that the CW will abuse this if it works. 'Everybody Hates Chris' getting a little long in the tooth? Toss in an accident with a school cryogenics project, thaw Chris out in 2591 and make him an angsty fish-out-of-water starship captain in 'Everybody Still Hates Chris'. 'Top Model' flatlining in the ratings? Tyra's ready and willing to prove that she can solve mysteries, show cleavage and help departed love ones to keep it real in 'America's Next Top Ghost Whisperer'. And hey, when your viewers finally get too smart for that Pussycat Dolls show, it's time to roll out your piece de resistance: 'Someone Holds a Copy of Playboy Up to the Camera for an Hour (and Occasionally Turns a Page, but Skips Over the Articles, Don't Worry)'. Okay, that last one may not fit the formula, but if it's ratings they want...
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5-09-2007 @ 11:02AM
David said...
So the show is canceled and being replaced with a spinoff.
The CW has nothing and I have been saying it for months that it would stay just because the CW has nothing.
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5-09-2007 @ 11:16AM
Tom said...
I'll trust Rob Thomas with it, as most of VMars has been stellar. I recently rewatched seasons 1 and 2 and DAMN. So good. I think Veronica would work better as a Private Eye, but I think one of the best things about Seasons 1 and 2 were the secondary characters, and especially the class dynamics of Neptune High. They've recreated it a bit at Hearst with the Frats vs. the Feminists, to a point, but I would be very curious to see how Rob Thomas would carry that idea, as personally I feel that's as critical to VMars as Veronica herself, of class or group conflict over into an FBI show. Maybe have her stationed at the Neptune field office? Wallace maybe ends up a teacher at Neptune High, Weevil...I don't know, something gang related, though four years later he's definitely too old to be running the PCHers...ha, maybe a Sheriff's deputy. I think that would almost work for how funny it'd be (and think how scary he would be as a deputy!). Her Dad's the Sheriff. Logan's...an actor, maybe? Mac's taken over Kane Software? I don't know, I would like to see them keep as many characters as possible, and utilize them more.
Either way, I'll still watch it. But I say, go back to the big mystery! The one-offs have been alright so far. But I miss the big mysteries.
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5-09-2007 @ 11:43AM
Carissa said...
I barely watched last night. The excitement of wondering what happens next is gone. Her chemistry with Logan, whether together or apart, the antagonistic relationships she had with so many was what kept me watching. Those are gone. It's not must see TV for me any more. :-(
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5-09-2007 @ 12:09PM
Bubba said...
Well...
What VM really needs is a good villian. S1, and to a certain extent S2, had really good villians, as well as a few foils for Veronica, but S3? Not so much... What we need is Veronica to meet here alter ego - possibly a fellow FBI trainee - someone who's just as smart, but without the heart that Veronica obviously has under her cynical hide. I like the idea that "Tammy" had of "FBI trainee by day, amateur PI by night" and she'd have her foils in her teachers, and maybe a little humility from them as well. VM is best when Veronica is learning: about herself, about the world, about life. That's why S1 and S2 worked so well... and why S3 isn't. In S3, she's too sure of things - besides the personal, that is - and she's lost that fire of "I'll find out" that was so central to the show in the first two seasons.
Plus, there has to be a way for at least some of the characters to migrate with her: Sherrif Mars goes for a refresher course from the FBI mid season 4? Mac going for a computer job with the FBI and struggling through the training with Veronica? Wallace transferring to a nearby college to support Veronica mid season 4 when she starts to flunk out of FBI training? As much as I root for Veronica week to week, we need to see her challenged, both personally and professionally, to see her shine - after all, it is a drama: so, Rob, bring some trauma to bring the drama!
That's my 2 cents...
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5-09-2007 @ 12:14PM
scotty said...
They could have Veronica return to Neptune, as a new FBI agent, who has to solve a crime in Neptune. Her father is the sheriff, who is also working on the case. Since the FBI has no field office in Neptune, they contract out computer forensic work related to the case, to Kane Software. And guess who would be Veronica's go-to gal at Kane? Yep, Mac. So the premise could work and they could stay in Neptune and keep many of the supporting characters.
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5-09-2007 @ 12:47PM
Dan said...
If they are going to change the format of the show and have Veronica join the FBI I still think they need to bring her Dad over to the new series.
That relationship is CENTRAL to the story of who Veronica is as a character etc.
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5-09-2007 @ 12:50PM
Karen said...
Oh jeez. They should just let it die already. Rob Thomas provided one of the best seasons of television in the history of the medium with season one, and he's been slipping away from what made it so brilliant ever since.
If they're going to deconstruct the show, get rid of everyone in Veronica's life, put her in a seat of ultimate authority when she has always fought against such institutions--well, I'd rather they just pull the plug, frankly.
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5-09-2007 @ 1:44PM
steve said...
I disagree with the rest of you, this new FBI Veronica gives the show a new chance and an influx of new characters. Don't be so mopy everyone, I'm tired of all my best shows getting cancelled and if Veronica FBI goes mainstream the creators will be able to become more creative again.
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5-09-2007 @ 2:05PM
Rocio said...
But she belongs with Piz, how is that going to work out?
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5-09-2007 @ 3:41PM
bkcincy1 said...
This year has lost some of its luster but I think mainly b/c not every episode has a case and great characters like Wallace and Weevil have been relegated to special guest stars.
FBI School sounds great. Her foil could be played by another swarmy, sarcastic female....Ellen Muth (who seemingly needs the work). If going in that direction, still think they need to keep Keith as a prominent character.
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5-09-2007 @ 4:16PM
ac said...
I watch show for the Veronica character herself so it wouldn't stop me from watching.
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5-09-2007 @ 4:21PM
Mel said...
I've never seen Veronica Mars before, but your I'm a really huge Supernatural fan, and pointing out that two of the CW's main shows are leaving makes me hopeful that my show will be able to get some more attention.
Hope everything turns out alright for you VM fans! I have a soft spot for any form of underappricated cult show.
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5-09-2007 @ 11:10PM
bgdc said...
Piz? Did someone actually bring up that mangina called Piz? A woman should never date a man who has twice the estrogen she has. Seriously, put Piz around 5 women and he'll set their cycle to his own.
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