HBO Desperate For A Hit In Post-Sopranos, Post-Wire World

Over the past few weeks, HBO has announced a series of moves to stem the tide of speculation that the network is faltering. After canceling 12 Miles of Bad Road, a series starring Lily Tomlin, HBO announced deals with Oscar winners Alexander Payne (of Sideways and Election fame) to develop a dark comedy called Hung, about a man who divines power from his generous equipment; and Alan Ball, the creator of Six Feet Under, who is working on not one but two shows for the network. (One of those is about vampires, the other about a women's prison.) Then came the news that Frank Rich would join Tina Brown in serving as a "creative consultant" to the network.

HBO needs the help. Even as its documentary, original-movie and comedy programming remain strong, the network has been without a new hit series for some time now. Lucky Louie tanked. John From Cincinnati is practically a punch line. In Treatment, the five-day-a-week peek into therapy that aired this past winter, was a little too much like, well, therapy to draw a mass crowd. The Wire, which reliably delivered critical acclaim for five seasons, is over.

And Flight of the Conchords? Although it was renewed, that show is kids' stuff compared to the shows that kept HBO series so far ahead of the rest. What they do next has to be big, smart, serious, bold. But what can journalists do to make that happen?

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[ewj1]

The past two years HBO has made a number of mistakes. Not only did they turn down some great shows .and killed some good shows but also put on some bad shows. Now they have no original (new) programming running. This is a first in almost 6 years.

While they still are the most profitable channel, that is slipping. With access to shows online (hulu, joost, itunes, netflixs) why bother to subscrib. I dumped mine when they dumper Deadwood.

Showtime with Weeds, Dexter, & L Word are cleaning their clock.

[heal57]

I really liked 'In Treatment'. I didn't even know about it until it was half over. I loved the acting. John Adams was well acted also. I can't believe HBO turned down 'Dexter'. I'd like some decent programming without too much violence. [except for Dexter SHO of course]

[AmandaRuth]

well, they can quit canceling good quirky interesting series like Carnivale (my fav) Rome, and Deadwood.

[hip dibler]

should have never cancelled DEADWOOD.


cocksuckers.

[ewj1]

Deadwood was cancelled by the producers not HBO. The wanted to make the awful surfer/god program. HBO should have made them do Deadwood for two more 13 episode runs. Carnivale should have gotten at least one more season to close out a number of storylines.

[dooleynoted]

anyways,

they also kept my hopes up for the finale that never came ... I will never get involved in a series Milch creates again and not too sorry for HBO right now. I will hope maybe someday they can make a feature length film.

Deadwood. Best show. Ever.

[NicoleAnonymous]

Why do men use that word as an insult? I haven't heard it in a long time because usually once boys reach adolescence they start talking like adults but I've never understood it.

Is it some kind of straight-man-with-an-immense-fear-that-he-is-actually-gay-but-won't-admit-it way to insult gay men because that is something they do with each other?

I would suggest you accept yourself instead of being disgusted by it - being gay isn't so horrible! Don't hate them because they enjoy sex more than you!

[JeremyO]

Here's a total nutball idea: They need something big to replace the Sopranos, HBO should hire Quentin Tarantino to turn his epic WWII film, INGLORIOUS BASTARDS into a series. He has said that he has at least 8 hours of material.

[ewj1]

Quentin Tarantino one of the best writers and one of the most overrated directors in Hollywood. When he directs he needs the studio suits to have final cut. But your suggestion is a goo one. I would add Sixth Sense type series by M. Night.

[NicoleAnonymous]

I think they made a really bad mistake when they replaced the man who was responsible for HBO back when it really had great shows on it. He admitted he had a problem with alcohol but they could have made him leave while he got treatment for it but brought him back. The woman in charge now clearly can't handle it.

And I don't understand why they would cancel shows that are brilliant and people enjoy. It's like they almost want to destroy the network intentionally. I heard The Wire was excellent and Rome was very good. But apparently the people in charge had a meeting about it and said "we know that Rome is a great show with great writing and acting - what should we do? How about we cancel it?"

They also need more funny shows to replace SATC because everyone needs that especially when the economy is bad and you want to be able to just laugh for a change.

[Podewumun]

How about a 180 degree spin of "Seven Days in May"? It's already happening in real time.

[StewieGriffin]

Oh, one more thing, a lot of the actors who were originally on HBO, have now headed over to Showtime: Edie Falco, Michael C Hall, Tracey Ullman, that guy from Sex and the City (lol, can't remember his name).

[StewieGriffin]

They've been desperate for a hit since 2004. What's with this "new" desperation? They're a failed network. Everyone has left, and headed over to Showtime. Showtime really has the best programming now. I think HBO had a nice run, but it's clearly over now.

[RnR]

But actually, the 2nd "year" of Deadwood was loaded with totally bad scripting - one of the guys in the bar stating he "had too much on his plate" ... I really can't picture a Deadwood resident using that phrase :)

[RnR]

I got sick of HBO's bs when they canceled Deadwood. Their marketing strategy: a few episodes of a new series then a 1 year hiatus. By the time it was back on you didn't even care anymore.

I loved Deadwood but quit watching HBO after, with the exception of Bill Maher.

[ShockandAutism]

They had it, it was called Mad Men and they passed on it and it's now a huge hit on A&E.

[the964kid]

HBO is years late in developing their next hits. They should've used the final seasons of the Sopranos to make sure they had some real follow-ups. If I was HBO I'd have driven the truck full of money to bring the Sopranos back - it would've been worth it. Entourage is good but its no must-see TV. I cant even name the other shows in their line-up now. They need to get JJ Abrams (Lost) doing something and they need to make sure they get Dave Chappelle when his term runs out on his Comedy Central deal - which I think is at the end of this year.

[TRichards]

Ooops. Deadwood, not Dogwood. Must be watching TOO many movies. The brain is fading fast . . .

[Bobleblah1]

The whole thing is just tragic. An incredible string of bad decisions.

1) Taking Rome off the air was a terrible move. The show was one of a kind, and could have run much much longer. They moved the pace way too fast and wasted a story line that could have lasted 4 to 5 years.

2) Canceling Deadwood: Still don't fully get that move.

3) I have heard "The Wire" was predetermined to be a 5 season show only. Oh well, that really sucks
Best show on TV.

4) Entourage: the writers are clearly not as hungry as they used to be, This show can still be one of the most funny on TV, but the writers seem to be getting a little lazy. I guess that matters little given the current situation at HBO. What else do they have?

Four of the most unique stories on TV, all canceled?
We all know how amazing we thought HBO was during the run of those 4 shows.
There was even a stretch where I didnt watch TV other than HBO.

2 years ago, I couldn't even imagine missing HBO on Sunday.

Today I don't even have the HBO package, and I don't feel like I'm missing a damn thing.

What a train wreck.

[AmandaRuth]

you forgot Carnivale. 5 of the most unique stories on tv, Rome, Deadwood, Entourage, the Wire and Carnivale. Now that would be a lineup.