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Lost vs. Veronica Mars
Most of us knew it already, "Lost" and "Veronica Mars" will air in the same timeslot. Matt Roush analyses the timeslot. "Lost" doesn't have to be afraid, but is UPN trying to kill Veronica? |
 Question:
After UPN announced that Veronica Mars was going to be on Wednesdays at 9 pm/ET, I saw one article that heralded this as a great showing of faith because UPN gave it the best lead-in it has ( America's Next Top Model), and another that said UPN is trying to kill Veronica by putting it up against the powerhouse Lost. What is your take? While I enjoy Lost well enough, I love Veronica Mars and realized recently, with the incredible final two episodes, that it has been my favorite show this year. Will UPN hold on to its most buzzworthy show, at least for the full 22-episode run? Also, from a creative perspective, I've heard that there will be another yearlong mystery on VM next year, so do you think they'll be able to come up with something as interesting and emotionally compelling as the Lilly Kane murder? — Kara
Matt:
So many hot topics this week, but this time-period switch really struck a nerve, if the deluge of mail I got is any indication. Most of the responses were like this from Tina: "Is UPN trying to do away with Veronica Mars?" And there were many "What were they thinking?" tirades, including, from J. Johnson: "Doesn't the network realize that these shows have a lot of the same potential audience?" Yeah, I imagine UPN does know that. But simply put, there is no good or safe time period for a show like this. Analyzing the entire schedule, Tuesday at 9 next fall does look a little less scary than Wednesday at 9, where there are six dramas screaming for attention, including one blockbuster ( Lost) and a new Bruckheimer (E-Ring). But UPN promises to promote Veronica's reruns this summer very aggressively, and with the potent Model lead-in, the hope is that Veronica will hold its own, although this does seem to go against the grain of how counterprogramming is supposed to work. Veronica has buzz and media support, to be sure, but Lost has buzz, media support and ratings.
 Still, to think that UPN has given up on the show or is trying to kill it is nonsense. If the consequences of the Wednesday move are too horrible, I would expect UPN to take action and move it back (the show taking over Veronica's former time period, the Silver Lake soap Sex, Lies & Secrets, doesn't look so hot). But as Julie B. wrote in to suggest, "Isn't it usually the case of WB duking it out with UPN?" That's an interesting perspective. Let's see how Model fares against the transplanted One Tree Hill, and if Mars can beat WB's new (and already shaky) Related. That could affect matters more than how Veronica shapes up against Lost. Bottom line: Much as I deplore this move, which I think is coming way too early in Veronica Mars' run, I do believe Veronica will make it through an entire second season, and if the quality holds up, UPN will continue to stand behind it. And do I think next year's mystery will be as strong as the Lilly Kane case? Haven't a clue, but I'm hopeful. The same can be said for the next seasons of 24, Gilmore Girls, Desperate Housewives and Lost . I don't see how they can top the season they've each just finished, but I'm eager to see them try.
Question:
After a network announces its fall schedule, what is the likelihood the network will make adjustments to it before the fall season starts? Please tell me there's still hope that UPN will move Veronica Mars so that it's not opposite Lost. — N.H.
Matt:
It's entirely possible someone will blink. Maybe not in this case, but I'm hoping that with the collision of hot shows on Thursday in the fall, one of the networks will reconsider and give us a break. As a veteran of putting together Fall Preview issues, I guarantee something will change (usually on Fox) between last week's upfronts and the actual fall premieres. But UPN announced Veronica's move after it was already known Lost would be airing an hour later, so it's not like UPN is unaware of the potential impact.
| | [by roadi (Ask Matt) ] [0 comments]
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