Joss Whedon has a very loyal following. He is a bona fide cult phenomenon. But cult doesn’t always equate to big numbers, and since Buffy he seems to have struggled to find a formula that works on the major US networks… perhaps, some might argue, because he doesn’t like working to formulas.
So for a long while, many fans have been wondering why he hasn’t been approached to produce a show for a cable channel? It makes sense. Cable channels in the US command smaller but more loyal audiences; after all, you have to pay to receive cable channels. And who are more likely to pay to see a show by their favourite showrunner than Whedonites?
It looks like it may happen.
Don’t get too excited. It’s very early days yet. But according to The Futon Critic FX president John Landgraf told reporters at a press conference last week, "Actually his representatives called and scheduled a lunch – I think I'm supposed to have lunch with Joss in the next two or three weeks. And I have enormous respect for him. And, by the way, if you look at Shawn Ryan who created The Shield and is running Terriers, Shawn learned at the feet of Joss Whedon, the Joss Whedon school. And Carlton Cuse, as well. So I don't really know Joss, but I'm really looking forward to meeting him. I love his stuff."
Good grief. Can you imagine what Dollhouse would have been like if it had had the freedom to feature more sex, gore and nudity?
