The quotes below are reversed in this article, but they fit my point better in this order…
Good news:
As a breakout freshman hit, “Heroes” has reshaped NBC’s thinking in several ways. By increasing the number of episodes to 24 this season, and adding six episodes of “Heroes: Origins” to the schedule next year, NBC gets 30 total episodes and makes a significant attempt to keep viewers from scattering during the inevitable rerun period. (”Origins” will air on Monday nights when “Heroes” takes a break.)
Bad news:
Perhaps the biggest news from NBC was the announcement that it would, in effect, spin off “Heroes” into a second series called “Heroes: Origins,” a limited-run, six-episode drama that will introduce a new character each week and incorporate an online element that will allow “Heroes” fans to vote on which of the six new characters on “Origins” will be added to the original series.
Dear NBC,
No. Don’t do it. Heroes is an excellent show. The creative team behind it is doing an excellent job. As much as it sounds cool to “give the fans a voice”, I’d rather you didn’t. Look no further than Lost, which altered its schedule this year to accommodate the fans’ complaints of too many reruns, only to have those same fans whine about the longer break between the two uninterrupted parts. Those fans will be whining again in a couple weeks, as they prepare for the longest hiatus the show has ever had, despite the fact that “they don’t like reruns or breaks” is exactly why this is happening. The most outspoken fans (especially on the “internets”) often do not show good judgment, and I don’t think their opinions will necessarily translate into good ratings. Even if they do in the short term, I think the integrity of a quality series will win out in the end over one that tries to pander. In summary, the fans don’t know what makes a good show, you do. That’s why they pay you the big bucks.