Cancellation of Angel

It has been a while since I browse through Buffy.nu to read the archived news for both AtS and BtVS. How surprised I was to find out that those WB execs went ahead and cancelled Angel. Damn, those SOBs, to think that season five had stellar ratings than ever. The show breathes with life anew. How come they decided to axe this show and leave some crappy sitcoms and series behind?

WTF! First Jake 2.0 was put on hiatus, now Angel has been cancelled. Those two were the only shows I followed this season. Can I beat the crap out of somebody? I’m quite frustrated right now.

Here is Joss Whedon’s reaction posted on Bronze Beta:

Some of you may have heard the hilarious news. I thought this would be a good time to weigh in. to answer some obvious questions: No, we had no idea this was coming. Yes, we will finish out the season. No, I don’t think the WB is doing the right thing. Yes, I’m grateful they did it early enough for my people to find other jobs.

Yes, my heart is breaking.

When Buffy ended, I was tapped out and ready to send it off. When Firefly got the axe, I went into a state of denial so huge it may very well cause a movie. But Angel… we really were starting to feel like we were on top, hitting our stride — and then we strode right into the Pit of Snakes ’n’ Lava. I’m so into these characters, these actors, the situations we’re building… you wanna know how I feel? Watch the first act of “The Body.”

As far as TV movies or whatever, I’m not thinking that far ahead. I actually hope my actors and writers are all too busy. We always planned this season finale to be a great capper to the season and the show in general. (And a great platform for a new season, of course.) We’ll proceed ahead as planned.

I’ve never made mainstream TV very well. I like surprises, and TV isn’t about surprises, unless the surprise is who gets voted off of something. I’ve been lucky to sneak this strange, strange show over the airwaves for as long as I have. I don’t FEEL lucky, but I understand that I am.

Thanks all for your support, your community, and your perfectly sane devotion. It’s meant a lot. I regret nothing (except the string of grisley murders in the 80’s — what was THAT all about?) Remember the words of the poet:

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the road less traveled by and they CANCELLED MY FRIKKIN’ SHOW. I totally shoulda took the road that had all those people on it. Damn.”

See you soon.

Beware of Spoilers. You have been warned.

02.15.04 @ 9pm
Misc