NBC's "Undercovers"

Rico · June 03, 2010, 02:47:06 PM

New spy series from JJ Abrams and Co. This looks like fun!

Undercovers - Preview

Rico · September 25, 2010, 08:41:25 AM

Anyone watch this yet? First episode was on this past week and is on www.hulu.com now too. I still need to check it out.

Rico · September 28, 2010, 04:49:42 PM

Just watched the first episode of this series via www.hulu.com. Really enjoyed it. Very much an "Alias" tv series vibe to it. Which is to be expected since it is another Abrams series like that one was. The lead actors are good and lots of cool locations and action of course. If you want a cool, sexy spy series, check it out!

Rico · October 17, 2010, 08:02:46 PM

Anyone else watching this series? It's been pretty cool. The spy couple are great together. Here's the short, but cool opening credit theme.

NBC Undercovers Title Card HD

Geekyfanboy · November 04, 2010, 12:51:47 PM

NBC has officially canceled UNDERCOVERS, opting not to pick it up for a back nine.

Rico · November 04, 2010, 01:54:14 PM

Darn it - AGAIN! This show was fun and had a lot of style too. :(

Dangelus · November 05, 2010, 03:00:31 AM

Won't bother adding it to my queue then! :(

Feathers · November 05, 2010, 04:49:48 AM

Quote from: Dangelus on November 05, 2010, 03:00:31 AM
Won't bother adding it to my queue then! :(

That was my feeling.

Rico · November 05, 2010, 05:13:51 AM

I'm starting to think that these quick cancellations are hurting shows from catching on and getting a chance. I think people have become gun shy about watching a new series, only to have it canceled after a few episodes. So, the networks are not getting the ratings at the start they want and therefore cancel the show. It's becoming a self-fulling prophecy. And that makes me sad. Especially for shows that don't get much of a chance, end up in a rough time slot, etc. I can understand this, but I just wish it wasn't getting so bad and so fast.

Dangelus · November 05, 2010, 06:31:24 AM

They need to start getting some provisions included in contracts with these networks like a guarantee to broadcast a minimum quantity of episodes before making these decisions.

You're totally right Rico, and another point to this is that these are people losing their jobs too, without much notice.

Rico · November 05, 2010, 07:06:22 AM

I think some of the actors tend to get contracts for a minimum set of episodes, even if they are never aired. The other people behind the scenes (and paid a lot less) I think are many times left high and dry. Kenny could probably chime in more on that area.

Geekyfanboy · November 05, 2010, 09:44:08 AM

Yes networks will purchase a certain amount of episodes.. normally 13 and if it does well then the back 9 for an entire season. In most cases five or six episodes are already in the can before the series even begins to air. If it does well then they continue to produce more. If they are canceled then they will literally shut down production the moment they hear they are canceled and everyone involved is out of a job. That's the business, it sucks but you know that going into it. You hope for the best and expect the worse. As for actors, I don't know how their contracts work and I'm sure it's different for each one. Some may be guaranteed a certain amount of money regardless of how many episodes but most are paid per episode so it a show is canceled then they are only paid for the shows that have already been shoot.

As for networks canceling shows before they are allowed to find an audience I totally agree with you but I also know it's a business and there are so many TV shows out there vying for airtime that the exec see a low rated show and think lets put on another one and see if we can get a hit.

All TV shows start in the red, financially. TV shows don't really make money unless they get a few seasons under there belt and can go into syndication. Nowadays there are DVD sales and if a show is a cult favorite and only lasted one season it still can make it's money back.. but most TV series never see huge profits.

Dangelus · November 05, 2010, 10:07:58 AM

Some interesting background information there, thanks Kenny.

It seems to be happening a lot more these days, maybe it's the economy having an influence, I don't know. I mean we are used to shows only lasting a season but this trend to kill a show mid season at such short notice feels pretty new to me. Such a shame.

Rico · November 05, 2010, 10:13:06 AM

One thing I don't get is with things like DVD's sales, Netflix, www.hulu.com, etc. shows should be able to hang on better make more money in the long run. I still think the television ratings is a flawed system and doesn't take enough time-shifting, and others ways to watch into account. For example, I watched "Undercovers" on www.hulu.com only. Just because I had other things on at the same time that I watched "live." It's great to have other ways to see things, and they really need to figure out a way to adjust that into Nielsen ratings.

Dangelus · November 05, 2010, 10:25:30 AM

Very true, the ratings system of from a time where people watched television very differently. These execs need to hire some people who are in touch with 21st Century media pretty quick.