Next For Netflix...

More specifically, what series could be next for the streaming channel...

And by series, I mean cancelled series.  We've all heard of the new original content that they're going to be debuting over the next eighteen months, but the major buzz right now is for "Arrested Development" season four.  And we know a lot of other companies have pitched their cancelled shows (Terra Nova) to Netflix.  Their CEO has even talked about it, but the prospects for the resurrection of some shows was dampened by their diminishing returns of potential new viewers (Firefly).

That said, what other shows would make for a great addition to their lineup?

Imagine the return of your favorite show that the suits at some particular network decided to can?  There are many shows that would have been great were Netflix around when they got cancelled.  Batman 66?  Star Trek after 68?  Sadly, it's a little unrealistic to dream of these, but what about shows that have been put on ice in the past five or so years?  If AD can be brought back after seven years, it's possible some of these could too:

24 - Yeah, I know it just got picked up by Fox.  I'm simply giving it as an example of something with obvious potential, and who wouldn't love to have all 12 episodes viewable n demand?  Jack Bauer on Netflix would be a great draw if the Fox Suits were to make the bad decision to cancel it again.

Pushing Daisies - This show has a huge cult following and a critical pedigree that falls in line with Arrested Development.  This would be a strong pony for Netflix's growing stable of high quality shows.  Bryan Fuller's series is comedic drama filled with wit, clever humor and compelling stories that would be a great addition to their line of shows.

Boss - A lot of people were disappointed in STARZ for cancelling this show after only two seasons.  Kelsey Grammer's portrayal of a defeated Chicago mayor with physical problems that he claws back was critically acclaimed.  It was a surprise that the network let it go.  Could Netflix take this series and bring it back to life?

Fringe - Ok, it's a stretch, but this show was so bizarrely weird I'm sure there would be a way to explain the continuation of the series that fans would buy.  After all, alternate universes could pick up the show, right?  And I think that Netflix would love to get into business with J.J. Abrams.

Young Justice - Having picked up four shows from Disney, an original series from DreamWorks, and more on the way, the streaming service is looking for content for families.  This is a popular show amount the young male demographic, and superheroes seem to be a thing right now.  So...

Dollhouse - Joss Whedon's show took some strange turns and found trouble finding it's wheelhouse at times, but it has a fascinating plot, beautiful ladies and it was being produced by Whedon.  Maybe they can pick up a few years later with everyone's memory being wiped and everyone spending the entire season looking for answers as to who the bad guy is (hint: Fox Suits).

Flash Forward - Ok, this is a guilty pleasure for me.  If you've followed the site, you know I was a big fan of the show.  As the season when on the stories got a bit disoriented, but I'd like to see what else happened to the characters on the show.  And really, doesn't David Goyer have too much time on his hands?

Cupid - I'm referring to the original series (Jeremy Piven), not the reboot which didn't interest me.  The tale of a man that thinks he's Cupid and wants to help people fall in love.  It's a simple plot, but Rob Thomas (Veronica Mars) takes the plot and interesting characters through stories that you just can't help but fall in love with.

The Middleman - A geeky series that lasted one season was based on an obscure comic book about a female artist recruited into a secret agency to fight evil.  It was quirky and fun.  There were only twelve episodes made, and fans of the show hoped for another season to the ABC Family show, but to no avail.

Reaper - How could a show about the grim reaper only last two seasons?  A man turns twenty-one and finds out his parents sold him to Satan to be his "Reaper" that has to collect souls that have escaped from hell.  It's a fun, clever show that lasted two seasons.  I'm sure there are plenty of people that escaped from hell he could go after on Netflix.

Veronica Mars - Hey, I can dream, can't I?  Just imagine all those Kickstarter fans that would pay nine bucks a month to see a new season of this show?

I'm sure there are others that you'd like to see.  These are just ones we here at Blue Sky would be interested in giving mouth to mouth so that they come back from that shining light.  Somewhere down the road I have a feeling when a show gets cancelled, there'll be a call that day to Netflix, or maybe even Hulu or Amazon.  If the show has a connected following then it might have value to go on.  Essentially, some of these shows can/will be like a sports free agent.  If they're let go by one team, they can try out for another.

It's a new game out there...

Beck's End...

Get with the picture programs...

Well, this is it...

The season finale of "Tron: Uprising" is tonight at Midnight/11:00 Central if you want to see what may be the last episode.  Let the Mouse know what you think about this series.  Unless the ratings improve for this show it will likely not return for a second season on Disney XD.

And that would be sad, because it's way above most other animation out there.  So tune in if you like the program, programs.  The final episode of Tron: Uprising Season 1, Ep. 19 is called "Terminal," appropriately.

Let's just hope it's not prophetic...

ReflecTRONs...

Don't derez...

With the apparent end of Uprising, I thought we'd reflect on what it was and what could have been...

The world that they expanded on from "Tron: Legacy" was amazing.  The animation is some of the best I've seen on television, and the stories were surprisingly complex and well thought out.  Sadly, it wasn't enough.  And it seems that after a while, the Mouse got tired of promoting it, eventually relegating it to a late time slot when it wasn't expected to succeed, just wither and die like a vine with no sunlight.

Perhaps if the DVD/Blu-Ray sales are good enough, or the showings on Netflix and other places get enough viewers it could be brought back.  Not likely, but possible (ala: Family Guy).  Then there is the chance that maybe a straight-to-DVD film could be made?  Maybe a series of them even, so they could tie up the loose ends and flesh out the world some more?  It's Hollywood, anything could happen, nothing could happen.

Here is a cool montage of the show/series that you might find interesting.

The entire Comic-Con panel for the show from last year, or the sizzle reel if you just want to see that.

An interview the Hollywood Reporter did with Bruce Boxleitner.

And then there are all these interviews with the cast and crew.

Disney XD released the first episode, "Beck's Beginning" free for all to see last year, and it's pretty good if you haven't seen it.

And if you care to give it a try, there's always a petition you can sign to let the Suits know that you care.

But the Grid will survive, and in a couple years we may take another trip there...

Uprising's Downfall…

Get on the Grid, watch now...

It looks like Beck's life on the grid may turn out to be a short one…

It appears that the ratings for the Disney XD show "Tron: Uprising" aren't nearly as strong as the Suits would like, and this series is on the verge of being canceled at the end of the season.  Not enough people are turning in to the shows toward a second season. That's kind of sad, because it's really quite good. The stories are interesting, characters are the kind you care for, and the animation is top notch, particularly for television show.

No decision has been made yet, but the artist working on the show appear to see the writing on the wall as well as some of the producers/directors of the show.  So unless a lot more people start paying attention the series, this tale will never be fulfilled, and we'll just have to wait and see if a legacy continues.

If you haven't seen the series, may I suggest you take a look at it. It's really quite fun, and something the creators of the show are quite proud of. I feel one the main problems is a long hiatus, erratic time slot and a lack of a cohesive advertising strategy across various platforms.  Disney's marketing started off marketing the show cleverly, but has since dropped the ball badly.

As for as for how this affects the green lighting of the sequel to the sequel, we don't yet know...

Backpedaling...

I know I've not been happy with very much of the programing on the Disney Channel lately...

If you've read this blog for a while, I'm sure you know that. But I'm actually going to take this opportunity to say I was wrong... a bit. To say that I've actually found something on that channel that I've discovered isn't so bad. Something that I was surprised to find was entertaining. It's still not my cup of tea, but I have actually seen a few of the "Phineas and Ferb" episodes in the last few weeks and enjoyed them. I thought they were quite clever. Maybe it's just me, maybe it's that all the shows that surround it seem so horribly bad that it seems so much better than the rest, but I found myself not hitting the remote button to change the channel.

I'm sure you know how I've talked about how I wish the channel actually showed animation and things that are what I call "Disney". I know, I know, they're not aiming for me and my demographic, but I always felt the channel should've been like Disney films, parks and other things. You know? Something that we can all watch together... that was something that set Walt Disney apart from so many others. I mean, I wasn't a fan of "My Friends Tigger and Pooh" because it messed with the original mythology... and I say that with deep respect for the artist that animated it, but it was an experiment in trying to take the characters into markets that the Mouse hadn't already mined. That said, it was a plan devised by Suits that was unfortunately(or fortunately depending on your perspective) destined to fail. Now if we can just get some shows on the Disney Channel that have good compelling stories to go along with the animation I might watch more of it.

More shows like Phineas and Ferb...