ABC's V remake debuts to 14.3-million people; so why is network treating it like a loser?

Seems ABC could not have asked for a better reception to its remake of the classic -- some might say classically cheesy -- 1983 sci fi miniseries V.

According to ABC, 14.3-million people watched Tuesday's V premiere, debuting against NBC's popular unscripted weight loss show The Biggest Loser and the top-rated show on network television. CBS' drama NCIS. This made it the top scripted series debut of the 2009-10 TV season

The network also noted it was the first show to beat NCIS in ratings among viewers aged 18 to 49 in five years.

Local affiliate WFTS-Ch. 28 reported even better numbers, citing V as the number one show of the night, outrating the competition among viewers aged 25 to 54, viewers aged 18 to 49 and males aged 25 to 54.

So why is ABC treating V like it doesn't expect the success to last?

Fans are already grousing about ABC's odd scheduling strategy, in which four episodes will air this month and the remaining episodes, likely nine or so, won't see air until after NBC's competing Winter Olympics coverage in March.

Can't wait to see the kind of cliffhanger that will keep folks around that long.

Now comes news that one of the series' showrunners-- the producers who run the development and scripts and filming of episodes -- is departing.

Coming onto the show, former Chuck executive producer Scott Rosenbaum, joining the series after production was already halted once in a "creative hiatus."

Here's hoping the Alphabet Network doesn't find a way to screw up a series fans clearly want to see succeed.

If you missed it, here's the pilot, now available fro viewing online:

Comments

[brokinluvr05]

Many people on here say it sucks, but they're crazy. I don't get into tv shows, but I'm totally hooked. My only complaint is that they gave only a couple episodes and now I have to wait til March :(... Aside from that to be honest the episode didn't leave with an exceptional cliff hanger. The previous episodes had more of a cliffhanger than this one. oh well.. I'm still looking forward to seeing the rest of the season in March!

[bolt]

whats up with the music?? i could barely here anything... i thought it was my t.v so i watched the next episode and the same thing turn down the music and background noise and let the characters talk!! dont think i will watch the next one two thumbs down!

[ando]

V, is the best mini series. Word is getting around about the mini-series especially when Oreilly mentioned it in his Oreilly news. I saw the first episode and cant wait til tonite new episode.

[Josh]

"Anyone see the similarity to the Obama administration in the plot?"

Oh yeah like the term "Twisted religious extremism" has anything to do with Obama.

No I didn't see it, what I saw was a take on American hero worship, where there is nothing wrong with the people we like in power.

[Eric Deggans]

I think if you see a similarity to Obama, you are beyond paranoid -- and willing to let yourself be goaded into hysterics by a group of political opportunists who will do or say anthnig to stop him.

[John]

Perfect timing for V to debut?

Anyone see the similarity to the Obama administration in the plot?

[RagsTTiger]

Great show, odd scheduling.

Fox got it right with 24, 24 straight episodes, no repeats, hiatus or anything else.

On the other side, Fox screwed up big time a few years back with its airing of Vanished. The she was pulled leaving many in the lurch. Fox put the last four shows on their web site only. A real waste.

Not to leave CBS out of this list of examples, they screwed up major league with WKRP. That poor show could never find a home. CBS must changed their slot seven or plus times. The show, of course, went on to become one of the biggest successes in syndication.

[Ellen]

I enjoyed it. I like how they explained the human skin and a few other things that I do not want to spoil for anyone who has not seen it. I will keep watching as long as ABC keeps it on.

[TechRider]

Looked like a non-starter to me. I skipped NCIS this week to check it out. The costumes and special effects are little better than the original, but the story is the same. I didn't really see anything to bring me back for episode 2.

[Eric Deggans]

i think producers realized, quite rightly, that many viewers would know the basic framework of the story going in. So a pilot which re-established all that with a new look and modern attitude amde a lot of sense to me.

[Kenneth]

The premise sound interesting, but it seems like what they covered in the pilot should have been drawn out over several more episodes. It was a bit rushed.

[Tom]

Surprised it even hit the air with its story line. Too many comparisons to the current administration. "Hope" "Universal health care" "Blind Devotion". I guess that it will be pulled once they discover the rebellion's comparisons to Republicans.

[Renew Muvico]

thanks, eric

[High Tech Bull]

ABC is making the same mistake they made last year with Life on Mars.
1) Turn over with the producers
2) Show a few episodes and then put the show on hiatus

Odds are that V will lose a large portion of its viewership after it goes on hiatus, especially a long hiatus planned by ABC.

They might as well move the show to a different timeslot and repeat all the mistakes they made with Life on Mars.

[Eric Deggans]

ABC won't make V pilot available online until Saturday for soem strange reason. it will be on Hulu.com and ABC.com after then...

Click on this link to see nine minute preview on my blog:

http://blogs.tampabay.com/media/2009/10/happy-halloween-heres-a-early-look-at-abcs-v.html

[marcos]

was unable to watch this episode...is it available on the net somewhere?..

[Paul]

I appreciate fans wanting to see this series continue and develop, but, frankly, I thought the pilot was a stinker. With the exception of Ryan, there isn’t an interesting character in the lot. A possible/implied love interest between Erica and father Jack? Please. Erica’s son, as someone already mentioned here, is obnoxious. (An absent father! Oh my, the writers are striking original gold here, huh?) Chad and Anna? I’m going to throw up. (Ohhhh, Chad’s tempted by world fame and is going to compromise journalistic integrity! I just can’t wait to see how that develops! …. On second thought, who cares? That’s the best they can do for social critique?) Frankly, I hope the aliens do quick work, wipe everyone out, and put this thing out of its misery. “V” is sophomoric.

[FLNewsCenter.com]

I enjoyed V...however I already hate the FBI agent's (Juliet from LOST) doofus, smiling son. One of the V's needs to eat him ASAP!

[Jeff Bender]

I thought it was great . I did not know that Scientologists had their own ABC series . I did non=t see the spaceship over Clearwater though . Just kiddin - good show I thought . I am Anna from Sea Org !

[BSsniffer]

Hope. Change. Peace. Always. V is a loser that's why ABC treats it like one.