Nix | June 29, 2009
15 comments

Virtually No One Watched Ron Moore’s Virtuality

Well okay, SOME people tuned in for Ron Moore’s new sci-fi show on the FOX network called Virtuality, but the ratings aren’t looking good for the show to go to series. As some of you may know, FOX dumped the show as a two-hour movie last week instead of introducing it as an ongoing series. Networks do this all the time, as a form of “back door pilot” — i.e. to gauge interest in the show. If the movie did well, FOX would have certainly given the greenlight for an ongoing TV show. It didn’t, alas, so the chances of Virtuality going to series is slim to none.

According to THR, the back-door pilot managed only 1.8 million viewers in its Friday night premiere, pretty much justifying FOX’s lack of faith in the show in the first place. The numbers landed FOX in fourth place for the night, easily beaten by a re-run of “Farrah’s Story” and a Michael Jackson-centric Dateline episode on NBC.

Obviously airing the show on Friday nights probably didn’t help any. Look what happened to FOX’s Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and Dollhouse when the network put both shows there. Apparently it’s going to take another dozen or so sci-fi shows biting the dust in the Friday Night Death Slot for FOX to finally get wise. And they say network suits aren’t dumb blocks of brick. Sheesh.

Below: “This show is sinking fast! Pull the emergency hatch! Pull it!”


Category: Sci-Fi TV News, Virtuality TV Series |
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  • Russ

    Seeing this article makes me realize how fortunate Battlestar Galactica was to have gotten a slot on the SciFi network. I watched Virtuality and was intrigued by the intelligence behind the storytelling. Fox doesn’t do well with SciFi (witness Firefly and the above mentioned shows).

    Caprica will probably survive because of SciFi. It would be wonderful if they would pick up Virtuality.

  • please

    pick it up someone! please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • http://virtuality-tv.info/Renewal/ madmerc

    Fox you piss me off. I’ll agree with several of the comments made by this article’s writer. Get a clue and stop dumping shows on a night that has already proven to provide lackluster ratings. I didn’t even realize this movie (possible t.v. series) was even going to be released until I stumbled across it on HULU. Maybe the idea of providing advertising for an upcoming show might be a good idea. While I was not a big fan of Dollhouse the premature writing off of sci fi series such as this and FOXu2019s Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles is horribly disappointing. There exists the potential to develop a solid fan base and a community of devoted followers (also known as advertising revenue) instead you continue to subject your viewers to the monotony of reality shows with asinine concepts as a substitute for good writing. rnrnAs a side not I also find it disconcerting that FOX would think it an honor with end credits mentioning Nora O’Brien and then not follow up on the pilot.rn–”At the Sci Fi cable channel, O’Brien worked on shows including “Battlestar Galactica,” “Stargate Atlantis” and the acclaimed mini-series “The Lost Room.” “rnrnIf you liked the show please visit http://virtuality-tv.info/Renewal/rn

  • http://virtuality-tv.info/Renewal/ madmerc

    Fox you piss me off. I'll agree with several of the comments made by this article's writer. Get a clue and stop dumping shows on a night that has already proven to provide lackluster ratings. I didn't even realize this movie (possible t.v. series) was even going to be released until I stumbled across it on HULU. Maybe the idea of providing advertising for an upcoming show might be a good idea. While I was not a big fan of Dollhouse the premature writing off of sci fi series such as this and FOX’s Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles is horribly disappointing. There exists the potential to develop a solid fan base and a community of devoted followers (also known as advertising revenue) instead you continue to subject your viewers to the monotony of reality shows with asinine concepts as a substitute for good writing.

    As a side not I also find it disconcerting that FOX would think it an honor with end credits mentioning Nora O'Brien and then not follow up on the pilot.
    –”At the Sci Fi cable channel, O'Brien worked on shows including “Battlestar Galactica,” “Stargate Atlantis” and the acclaimed mini-series “The Lost Room.” “

    If you liked the show please visit http://virtuality-tv.info/Renewal/

  • Rika B

    I actually enjoyed it and would like to see more. Fox as said above stop dumping shows esp this one as it has the protental to do better! Not only do I share the name a one a the characters but I really enjoyed it and to leave it hanging the way it does well a want a middle and a end now!!rnrnReally want to see more a this show!rnLove Battlestar so love anything Ronald D. Moore

  • Rika B

    I actually enjoyed it and would like to see more. Fox as said above stop dumping shows esp this one as it has the protental to do better! Not only do I share the name a one a the characters but I really enjoyed it and to leave it hanging the way it does well a want a middle and a end now!!rnrnReally want to see more a this show!rnLove Battlestar so love anything Ronald D. Moore

  • Rika B

    I actually enjoyed it and would like to see more. Fox as said above stop dumping shows esp this one as it has the protental to do better! Not only do I share the name a one a the characters but I really enjoyed it and to leave it hanging the way it does well a want a middle and a end now!!rnrnReally want to see more a this show!rnLove Battlestar so love anything Ronald D. Moore

  • Rika B

    I actually enjoyed it and would like to see more. Fox as said above stop dumping shows esp this one as it has the protental to do better! Not only do I share the name a one a the characters but I really enjoyed it and to leave it hanging the way it does well a want a middle and a end now!!rnrnReally want to see more a this show!rnLove Battlestar so love anything Ronald D. Moore

  • Rika B

    I actually enjoyed it and would like to see more. Fox as said above stop dumping shows esp this one as it has the protental to do better! Not only do I share the name a one a the characters but I really enjoyed it and to leave it hanging the way it does well a want a middle and a end now!!rnrnReally want to see more a this show!rnLove Battlestar so love anything Ronald D. Moore

  • Rika B

    I actually enjoyed it and would like to see more. Fox as said above stop dumping shows esp this one as it has the protental to do better! Not only do I share the name a one a the characters but I really enjoyed it and to leave it hanging the way it does well a want a middle and a end now!!rnrnReally want to see more a this show!rnLove Battlestar so love anything Ronald D. Moore

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