WTFsutter VIDEOBLOG

Saturday, November 15, 2008

DEAD RANGERS

This from actor, W. Earl Brown's Myspace page: "HBO has decided not to pick up 1%. There is an alchemy that sometimes happens when a group comes together and the total sum is greater than the individual parts. It is a rare thing to occur, especially in the ego-centric world of Hollywood. When that alchemy happens, as did in DEADWOOD, the results can be astounding. 1% had it. The show had the capacity to work at the same rarified level as DEADWOOD, SOPRANOS, SIX FEET UNDER, THE WIRE, etc. However the new management seems to be afraid. The network went from being run by a balls-out, shoot-from-the-hip sort of guy (who I did not always agree with) to a knees-aquiver, nail-biting, "worried what the NY TIMES will say" sort of guy. The Death Rangers scared him. It's ashamed. Truly." Not sure if 1% was destined for the greatness of the aforementioned shows. It was plagued with issues both creative and legal from the jump. I like to believe that ultimately it was bad karma that brought it to its knees. Stealing from me and the Linsons is one thing, but screwing Sonny. What the fuck were they thinkin'? PS. Did I mention that Mr. Brown auditioned for our show but did not get the role. Frankly, I found his work "ham-fisted and obvious".

15 comments:

ant159 said...

hey i am so glad hbo dissed you kurt...now you are the only big dog on the block...long live the sons

Parthenians said...

..They were thinking of themselves...As for stealing from Sonny..hammers fall hard with that one..karmic lead..karmic steel..

Wonderful writing for Sons, Kurt.. ..thanks for the honesty..

Later..

East Coast said...

I truly believe in Karma, what comes around ,goes around, HBlowO sucks anyways, and like Parthenians said..
Hammer strikes hard and with purpose.

Theres only one show I stand for these days for my adreniline rush,... Sons. I've turned so many on to the show, and always look forward to Weds.

Ride Free
East Coast

Kaz_NEETS said...

I was wondering what happened with 1%, especially after the whole muck up with Sonny. You play with fire you're going to get burned. See, I knew I don't have HBO for a reason. ;)

Glad Bargers' vision is preserved for whatever he wants to do with his story. I'm sure we'll see some kind of adaption somewhere down the line, which isn't a bad thing.

This can only be good for both parties in the long run.

So thank you FX for taking the risks and allowing Kurt & crew to bring us such a great show. I'm thrilled we have SoA and undiluted.

Keep it up Kurt.

C. Song said...

Hi, Kurt,

Congrats on your first season. I absolutely love the show. I have an unusual request: I'm writing a SOA spec script for a UCLA Extension course and would love to get my hands on a script or bible. Any chance these are available? Wasn't able to find anything at Hollywood Book/Posters, Larry Edmunds or Script City. Thanks for your time.

-Cherie (cheriesong555@yahoo.com)

Outsider said...

Sorry for Donal and the Cast. I picked the Winning Horse from the Git Go....but you already know that...
Now ain't that just Charming?
(though I did like the idea of the shows dueling it out...with my money on the same Iron Horse)

Leonard Chang said...

Although I was curious to see how that HBO show would've looked, I'm glad this just means SOA will thrive without distractions...

alohalani said...

I believe in Karma, you get back what you put out. Which means you must be putting out some great vibes because your show is fantastic. I haven't had a TV obsession in many years, now I have Sons. I'm even getting a little nervous about the last two episodes....would you really kill off Opie?

Anyway, keep up the great work. I'm already looking forward to season two. Thanks for the great ride!

Anonymous said...

After reading the full post on myspace along with replys including his response to one as well as posts by what appears to be at least one cast member im really glad it was canned.Seems as if they went out of their way to bash SOA and HBO mgt for dropping their show.I don't know a thing about the television industry but I do know this much about buisness.Had HBO had any idea they could have produced a better show than SOA it would have went aheaed with production.Given the timing of them canning it its my guess they saw the footage they have and realized it just didnt measure up and wasent going to measure up to SOA so they got smart and dropped the idea.

Just a Sober Biker said...

first off, GREAT SHOW! ive been plugging it with the RC i ride with, of course im sure most people who ride will watch...

second, the comments on the blogs and articles on the FX site are entertaining as well...

I am glad this didnt happen on HBO, as I dont do the premium channels...

KEEP ON WITH THE GOOD STUFF!

Hard Luck
SLC

SIENNA'S MA said...

I AM SO OBSESSED WITH THE SONS OF ANARCHY. SINCE THE DAY I SAW THE FIRST COMMERICIAL I PUT IT ON MY DVR. I WAITED UNTIL LAST WEEK TO WATCH. I ALMOST DELETED ALL 10 EPISIODES BECAUSE I ALMOST DECIDED I WAS TOO BUSTY TO WATCH. WELL IT KNOCKED MY SOCKS OFF. I SAT AND WATCHED ALL EPISODES IN ONE SITTING. I EVEN CALLED OUT OF WORK SICK THE NEXT DAY. IT IS ALL I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT. I HAVE BEEN TELLING EVERYONE TO WATCH. AND TO THINK I ALMOST DIDNT WATCH. IT IS SO GREAT AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING DREAMS ABOUT CHARLIE…….. IT IS SO WELL WRITTEN. AND HYSTERICALLY FUNNY. I AM SO THRILLED I FOUND THIS SHOW. I AM REWATCHING THIS WEEKEND

Brandon Kosto said...

"Death Rangers?" Is that suppose to be the name of a outlaw m.c. or middle school garage band?

I'm curious about what role Brown auditioned for on SoA.

Unknown said...

I hate Sons of Anarchy. The characters are evil and mysogynistic and cold-blooded and I wince at least once in every single episode.
Yup, I hate it so much that my online friends have to narrate what is happening as it happens when they watch on Wednesday nights (since I don't have cable) and then I buy it off iTunes as quickly as possible every week. Sometimes before I go to work in the mornings! Must be the brilliant writing. Or maybe the fantastic ensemble acting. (Thought I'm heartbroken that Donna is gone.) Cuz I hate this show but cannot miss a single episode!!!!

Unknown said...

I'm sorry, but am I the only one who goes stright to Airheads' Lone Rangers when they hear "Death Rangers"?

I'd spend the whole show saying "there's three of you, you're not exactly lone."

And having Donal in it (while I do love the man) wouldn't help the "not comedy" factor.

Justin said...

As much as I dig Deadwood and appreciate Brown's work, taking a swing at SoA like that is bad form. I understand he's feeling a bit dejected: didn't get a part on SoA and now "1%" gets axed... yeah, I'd want to pick a fight. But that fight should be with HBO - not SoA.

As for the hellspawn that was "1%" I honestly don't know what the fuck HBO and Michael Tolkin were thinking. In what alternate universe did they think Sonny would be golden with a basterdized version of his life? What, they don't think he has cable?

Hubris. Ask Odyssius how that turned out. Better yet, ask HBO. Quite possibly the most ill advised corporate decision since White Star Line decided that their new luxery liner had too many lifeboats cluttering the deck.

If I were HBO, I wouldn't let him write on the back of a fucking cocktail napkin, let alone try to put together another show.

Maybe he can go interview Prince and then try to sell HBO on a show about a rock star who really likes purple and phallic guitars that has nothing to do with the artist formerly known as Kevin Smith's first gig.

Justin