Oct 29 2008
The Ex-List : CANCELLED
So The Ex-List has been cancelled. It’s honestly not a surprise. Still doesn’t take away from the hurt. I mean, one would think they would give the show more than four episodes, but I’m still not surprised. Creator Diane Ruggiero left due to creative differences with the network, who wanted to make the show shitty, while Ruggiero wanted to make it not shitty. Well, I don’t know how many episodes she was involved in, but the four we got to see were not shitty at all. In fact, they were pretty damn good. One thing the show couldn’t get, though? Viewers. It’s unfortunate, but the Friday slot on CBS is pretty much certain death, and this fresh, quirky, well-written show–like many before it–just couldn’t survive.
I’ll miss the show, but it’s certainly not heartbreaking. We didn’t get to know it enough for it to be. One thing that does add a little salt to the wound, though? Moonlight fans.
I’ve seen crabby fans. Hell, if I liked the show I’d be crabby too. It was cancelled. They have a right to be crabby. But here is the thing that makes the Moonlight fandom literally the worst fandom of all time. They’re bitter, mean, and–frankly–stupid. You’ll have to excuse me if you’re a Moonlight fan and you don’t engage in the type of behavior type of behavior I’m about to describe, because you’re the exception to the rule. But from the first trailer of The Ex-List, from the minute these Loughlin lovers discovered that this show would be airing in their precious slot that Moonlight used to occupy, they flamed the show. They flamed the actors involved in the show. They flamed the people producing the show. They made The Ex-List a scapegoat for the cancellation of Moonlight, and are now literally throwing a party in the comment section of Ausiello’s blog about the cancellation of The Ex-List. One would think that Moonlight fans, like fans of let’s just say any fandom would be sympathetic that another show got cancelled. Nope. Let’s have a look at what Moonlight fans are saying.
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“Good! I’m a mourning Moonlight fan, and this news thrills me big time. “
“I agree with the Moonlight people. I am slightly pleased that the show that Moonlight got CANNED for went down the tube so fast.”
“Yes, as a former Moonlight fan, I did break a smile this morning when I read this. “
“For me, The Ex-List ended when they cancelled Moonlight”
“Serves Nina Tassler right! Stupid woman. Yes, I’m a bitter Moonlight fan. I’ve accepted that my show is over, but that doesn’t mean I can’t gloat! :-)”
“Who’s running CBS?!?!?!?! They pulled Moonlight for this ?!?!?!?!?!”
And my personal favorite: “Ha, I am glad that chick got shut down! Hope they bring back Moonlight or put Flashpoint on….”
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So the bitter and mean parts are pretty obvious. But let me point out the stupid. Is it because they’re in love with a show that is wholly derivative of other modern shows? Nah. Is it because their show literally takes scenes from Buffy and Angel, and treats the best member of their cast, Jason Dohring, like the funny next door neighbor? Nah. Is it because the entire plot of the vampire’s sire coming back as human was copied beat for beat from the second season of Angel? Nah. Was it that the acting, other than Dohring and a few guest stars, sucked? Nah. Is it because Moonlight has absolutely no internal logic? Nah. That doesn’t make the fans stupid. Hell, the show was definitely a far cry better than your average reality program, so even though it was a Godawful show, it doesn’t make the fans of the show stupid. What makes them stupid is the fact that they think the cancellation of Moonlight is The Ex-List’s fault. They must think that these shows are living creatures, and that The Ex-List bullied Moonlight off the playground. Wake up, people. That is not how this works. Moonlight was cancelled because the network didn’t like how it was going. The Ex-Listwas cancelled because of low ratings. You don’t blame a show’s replacement for your show’s cancellation. That. Is. F***ing. Stupid.
Were Angel fans upset when their show was cancelled? Of course they were. Did they blame it on the show’s replacement. Of course not. No one does that. They petitioned for a movie.
Were Veronica Mars fans upset when their show was cancelled? Of course they were. Hell, I cried when they cancelled that show. Did they blame it on the show’s replacement. Of course not. No one does that. They helped organize a crew, made a bunch of petitions, and just got news that Rob Thomas met with Kristen Bell to talk about a Veronica Mars movie.
Were Firefly, Wonderfalls, Roswell, Dead Like Me…. ah, you get the point. Just understand, Moonlight fans, that no one does what you are doing.
Moonlight fans… just do what everyone else does. Continue to petition. It’s probably too late for a renewal of your show, but go for a movie. It worked with two of the above examples, and a third is in talks. A fourth is being continued in a comic series, and a fifth is going to cross over with a current show. Don’t blame other shows for your shows downfall, and definitely don’t rejoice in the cancellation of other shows.
RIP The Ex-List
10 Responses to “The Ex-List : CANCELLED”
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Fan of Moonlight here! …. and yes I have to agree on some of your many points… no it was not Ex-List’s fault Moonlight met it’s demise. Unfortunately Moonlight had too many behind the scenes problems for the network to continue it, much to the disappointment of many of us. I feel bad for any crew and set of actors who lose their jobs because of a cencellation - and it sounds like there were behind the scenes problems on Ex-List also…. what we have all learned from these two cancellations is that CBS is all about “ratings” - at least that is what they say - and Ex-List only pulling a 5-6 mil share was way too low - at least Moonlight pulled in 7-8 and even that was apparently not good enough. So - yes - some Moonlight fans are bitter -some of us will forever love the show but are willing to move on - Hey! CBS Kept O’Loughlin under contract and are allowing him to develop a new show… so as an Alex O’Loughlin fan - I am axciously awaiting a new show from him…. maybe it will make the same slot - and be a success - we can only wait nad hope!
As an avid Moonlight/Alex O’Loughlin fan..I take exception to your description of the show. I do, however, agree that some fans have gone overboard in their reactions and actions about the cancelations of Moonlight. Their/our anger was not channeled into a constructive force and that is our fault. I have always held out hope for a movie, as a reward for staying true & supporting the show & the actors…to give us closure. My beloved Firefly came through and we got our movie. I felt the writing on Moonlight was exceptional, the writers ‘understood’ their characters and the actors ‘got’ their characters..the chemistry between all parties was very strong, you CARED for these characters and what they felt and what they were going through. Your description of the acting makes me wonder if we were watching the same show…..or you already had an opinion before you watched the show and viewed the show through that opinion. I’m sorry you didn’t get to enjoy the show like we did….it is your loss. It is my fervent wish that the fans can unite and push for a movie. Our passion for this show, it’s characters and the actors was so great, we were incapable of thinking logically but calmer minds now prevail. We are small in number but BIG in HEART.
Thanks to all three of you for your replies. I feel I covered myself well, because I gave a little “You’ll have to excuse me if you’re a Moonlight fan and you don’t engage in the type of behavior type of behavior I’m about to describe, because you’re the exception to the rule.” The three of you, respectful as you are, are obviously not the bitter fans that the rest of the post described, but definitely among the few exceptions to the rule. Thanks for understanding my point.
I can’t agree that “Moonlight” really brought anything worthwhile to the television table, but that’s just my opinion. I’m glad you guys got a show–however short it was–that you truly enjoyed.
Stay positive!
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to our comments. I am most grateful for Moonlight because it introduced me to Alex O’Loughlin. I fell for his character Mick St John within seconds of seeing him on Moonlight….but I researched Alex O’Loughlin and found a nice collection of his work. His acting range in remarkable when you look at the different characters he has played. I’m so looking forward to his new show he is creating for CBS… he is an actor I will follow gladly. Can’t wait to see him back on TV.
Yes, thank you for acknowledging our comments. I, like poster Caro, I am glad that Moonlight introduced me to Alex O’Loughlin as an actor. I also sought out his other film works and very much enjoy the range he can portray. We can all agree to disagree on the merits of Moonlight - I realize not every TV show appeals to everyone. Moonlight was a show I enjoyed very much and I am truly glad I got at least a 16 episode “mini series” out of it before CBS pulled the plug. It seems CBS has a tendancy to micro manage it’s series…and it seems they want them all to be a bit cookie cutter - procedural/crime solving… maybe they should let the creative minds behind the series a bit looser rein…but I am not on their management team so I don’t have much of a voice in those matters. As for Alex O’Loughlin - I really want his new contract wth CBS to be sucessful - I hope he is able to develop a really good new show that will satisfy CBS - the advertisers who ultimately pay for these things, and of course all Alex’s loyal fans. What ever he/they come up with - I will be there to watch and root for it because I love the actor and his talent. I just wish he would hurry and give us a hint of what is to come! I miss seeing this wonderful actor on my TV weekly.
Excuse me if I’m way off base here, but the author of this article has completely missed the point of Moonlight fan’s comments. Most, if not all, comments are directed at CBS for canceling Moonlight and then replacing it with a lesser quality show. As far as Moonlight’s comparison to other like genre, I don’t see it and I was an avid fan of both Buffy and Angel.
Moonlight’s tender MickBeth love story is unlike anything on TV today. It gave those of us who hunger for pure, unadulterated romance a story that touched our hearts, making us cry, laugh and howl with joy or sorrow. When it was suddenly ripped away, I felt a terrible void, which incited and compelled me to fight back. And, yes, I will continue to petition for a movie or whatever else I can get.
As far as the comments from Moonlight fans cited above, if they are among the most offensive, I salute all Moonlighters for their restraint in voicing their true opinions.
Based on the warped reasoning you just gave, I very much nailed the point of the fan’s comments. You place blame on “The Ex-List” for your show’s cancellation, Sandy, and rejoiced in it’s cancellation. Let me tell you, as a TV fan… No. One. Does. That.
No one. This is brand new stuff, and it’s honestly shocking.
Unlike the sensible and pleasant fans that posted before, you tried to write off those who celebrated the cancellation of “The Ex-List” by saying “Most, if not all, comments are directed at CBS for canceling Moonlight and then replacing it with a lesser quality show” and then refuted that very comment by saluting the very people who were engaging in the very behavior I described to a T in this article.
And “The Ex-List” may be a “lesser quality” show in your opinion, but don’t take that as fact. I’ve watched a lot of TV. I’ve watched the best and I’ve watched the worst. “The Ex-List” wasn’t the best, but–in my opinion–the scripts were a lot more solid than any “Moonlight” script, but that’s neither here nor there. And the acting, to me, that’s quite obvious. Other than Dohring–the best male actor on television–”Moonlight” didn’t have anything going for it.
Again, all my opinion. I just find it odd that you try to defend the irrational and nasty behavior of your fanbase and then give them props for being so nasty.
I totally loved The Ex List, but life foes on. The concept was good, searching throught your ex’s to see if one of them was “the one”, wasn’t that far fetched but that’s the way the cookie crumbles. Shows get cancelled without a high viewer rating and we move on to the next possible masterpiece in waiting. And Moonlight, was a show that I thought could be missed, The Ex List kept me wanting to see what would happen next, she really got around with various types.
Just another show shot in San Diego at the only studio in town that has been cancelled. If you want to go through all the trouble to come down here and try to save some money go for it, the San Diego curse will get you cancelled.