Darabont off Walking Dead

[samurainoir]

: What Really Happened to Fired Showrunner Frank Darabont - The Hollywood Reporter

When Frank Darabont appeared on a Comic-Con panel July 22 to promote The Walking Dead, he didn't realize he was a dead man walking. Neither did the cast and crew. Everyone was shocked when news broke three days later that AMC had taken the extraordinary step of firing Darabont from the network's biggest ratings hit.

[Brazoo]

Not too surprising - AMC has 3 expensive hit shows that don't make money. Darabont is probably the most expensive salary on that show.

[mazinz]

it also had more to do with decisions the studio is trying to impose on it's 3 main shows. In fact for the next season of breaking bad they were considering moving the show to another network due to amc problems

[Brazoo]

it also had more to do with decisions the studio is trying to impose on it's 3 main shows. In fact for the next season of breaking bad they were considering moving the show to another network due to amc problems

All the changes AMC is trying to impose are attempts at saving money. They're thinking "now that it's a hit, let's cut a few corners because people will watch now anyway".

"Breaking Bad" and "Mad Men" both had some leverage because they're not 100% owned by AMC. They could both go to other networks, (which is what you're referring to) so both of those shows ended up with out any major changes.

"The Walking Dead" can't do that - AMC owns it.

[sprytel]

"Mad Men" and "Breaking Bad" are critical darlings. But "The Walking Dead" is far and away their biggest hit. Seems a reckless gamble to me.

...And using Darabont to promote the show at Comic-Con, and then firing him, is just classless however you look at it.

[Brazoo]

Yeah, it sucks and it's a gamble for sure. AMC is freaking me out because I love Mad Men, and I have to wait until January for the new season now, but I'm glad they couldn't effect the show too much.

[toys2cool]

wow ,i'm a little shocked

[CaptainTrenchcoat]

AMC is shooting themselves in the foot. They get these great hits, then do everything to screw them up. What creators are going to take their shows to AMC in the future?

[Jerry68]

AMC is shooting themselves in the foot. They get these great hits, then do everything to screw them up. What creators are going to take their shows to AMC in the future?

I agree! Why ruin a good thing? Greed!

[Brazoo]

I agree that it sucks, but from what I understand a hit show means everyone is getting paid more every season - the network's costs go up but their profits might not increase until they have enough episodes to try and syndicate the show.

[jemboy2004]

It's one of the only new shows that I actually like. I hope it continues to be good and to be a hit.

emce should do this show! Now that would be cool.

[samurainoir]

I agree that it sucks, but from what I understand a hit show means everyone is getting paid more every season - the network's costs go up but their profits might not increase until they have enough episodes to try and syndicate the show.

Isn't the syndication model pretty much old hat now with DVD/bluray, Digital downloads, watch on demand cable, and even cable channels? Not that most AMC programming is suitable for any of the TV stations that would have bought syndication packages back in the day. (is AMC actually a Network? I assumed it was a cable specialty channel)

Example: futurama didn't need that magic syndication number to be ran continuously On cartoon network and teletoon cable specialty channels after cancellation. Once the DVD sets came out, it was deemed profitable enough to bring back into production.

[Brazoo]

Isn't the syndication model pretty much old hat now with DVD/bluray, Digital downloads, watch on demand cable, and even cable channels? Not that most AMC programming is suitable for any of the TV stations that would have bought syndication packages back in the day. (is AMC actually a Network? I assumed it was a cable specialty channel)

Example: futurama didn't need that magic syndication number to be ran continuously On cartoon network and teletoon cable specialty channels after cancellation. Once the DVD sets came out, it was deemed profitable enough to bring back into production.

Syndication vs. Blu-ray etc: I don't know how it all comes out in the wash. I know you're right - DVD sales supposedly breathed new life into TV and changed the model to some degree. Is that still growing? Are people still buying TV shows on disc? Has that market overpowered syndication? I have no clue.

Futurama seems like an odd duck - so I don't really know. Maybe it's just cheaper to make Furturama because they know they have a loyal steady market as oppose to developing something from scratch with unknown returns?

In Toronto there was a crazy amount of advertising when Sopranos came to tln - that seems like a while ago though.

I have no idea how this stuff really works. I just want Mad Men back so I can visit my old friends Don and Peggy and Pete...

Network/Channel - good point. I have no idea. They call AMC a network in the Hollywood Reporter article you linked to, but I have no idea if that technically fits the definition. I honestly think I use the terms "network" and "channel" for the same thing without really thinking.

[Brazoo]

NEW BAZILLION DOLLAR IDEA:

The Walking Dead should move around network to network involving characters from those network's shows. Imagine when it gets to the Disney Channel - all those Wizards of Waverly Place kids getting eaten.

[CaptainTrenchcoat]

NEW BAZILLION DOLLAR IDEA:

The Walking Dead should move around network to network involving characters from those network's shows. Imagine when it gets to the Disney Channel - all those Wizards of Waverly Place kids getting eaten.

Cool idea. Then they can head to the Travel channel for Man vs Food. Adam can see how many zombies he can eat in one hour.