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CBS chief doesn't question 'Moonlight' choice
While CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler insists she still has great adoration for all things occult, she has yet to feel regret about the decision to leave Moonlight off of the network's fall schedule.
"Everybody knows I love vampires -- vampires, witches, warlocks, I love them all," Tassler tells reporters at Friday (July 18) morning's Television Critics Association press tour.
That love does precious little good for fans of Moonlight, which averaged just under 7.5 million viewers in a single season of Friday night airings. On a purely empirical level, the ratings for Moonlight were insufficient to justify renewal, but nobody has questioned the dedication of the show's fanbase.
What Tassler questions is the nature of that dedication.
"The response to Moonlight was actually more actor-centric, so I think it certainly measures our decision on the show," Tassler says. "Right now, like I said, I don't question the choice we made. I'm not getting as much mail and most of those comments were actor-centric."
What she's implying is that in their teeth-gnashing and garment-rending, protesters came across as fans of Alex O'Loughlin, rather than fans of the show.
She contrasts the tone of the Moonlight discussion with the campaign that resurrected another low-rated CBS drama, a little show called Jericho.
"You know what's interesting? Most of the e-mails and viewer mail on Jericho were very show-centric," Tassler insists. "There was a marked contrast. Look. I went online and I read all those things. Trust me, when you're a Queen Ranger, you have to. But like I said, most of the comments on Jericho were really about the show and every detail about the show, where mostly with Moonlight, it was about Alex."
On the subject of Jericho, Tassler continues, "Let's remember that when those e-mails and that campaign started, we hadn't seen anything like that before. Not to mention the peanuts. But I'm saying that you, you had an internet campaign the likes of which we had never seen before, so we didn't know what the outcome was going to be, but it was certainly worth giving it a try."
Tassler adds that just because one fan campaign brought Jericho back from the dead, but a different campaign failed to do the same for Moonlight doesn't mean that the grass roots avenue is now closed for good.
"No. I think you're gonna have to look at each as a case-by-case scenario," she says. "And let's not forget that all of that, the e-mails, the barrage of the peanuts and the letters and everything, you've got people that are passionate and at no point are you going to say 'We don't want that.'"
If it makes Moonlight fans any better -- and I have zero urge to make them feel worse -- CBS has paid heed to that actor-centric love for O'Loughlin. Asked if the network would welcome the Aussie actor back on a new or established show, Tassler doesn't hesitate.
"Sure, we'd love to."
Follow all of our press tour missives at Zap2it's Fall Preview.
She's right you know. I don't necessarily miss the show, but I definately miss seeing Alex O'Loughlin on a regular basis. I also miss seeing Jason Dohring. I hope they both move on to bigger and better things.
Tracey | Jul 18, 2008 11:48:37 AM | #No, I don't agree with Tassler at all. Yes, we love Alex, he's gorgeous, he's talented and by all accounts, seems to be a first rate guy, BUT WE LOVE THIS STORY. Its romance, its humor, its noir undertones. There is really very little o TV right now that comes close to capturing my imagination the way this story has.
Stas | Jul 18, 2008 1:24:07 PM | #Nina Tassler probably sees it this way, but Moonlight worked not only because of Alex and we fans know that. Of course, Alex is the lead and we sing his praises, but if it was only him why did they recast everything and change the tone of the story? The chemistry with the other actors, the sets, the dialogue, the action and the romance is what made Moonlight a hit. Tassler tries to sell cancelling Moonlight and employing Alex into something else, but I aint buying it. I love Moonlight and want that characters and that story back.
francis | Jul 18, 2008 1:50:06 PM | #I LOVED THE SHOW!!!! I thought the storylines were great and the way they established the history of the characters and everything just flowed. I was really looking forward to see the challenges they would face. I will miss Moonlight!
Kathy | Jul 18, 2008 1:52:24 PM | #I disagree with Nina Tassler. I watched Moonlight for the entire package - not just Alex O'Loughlin. The entire cast had such great chemistry together. That is very hard to find in a show and Moonlight was the first show in a very long time that had that. I am no longer watching CBS because of the disdainful attitude of Nina Tassler towards the passionate fans of Moonlight. I will follow the cast's careers and watch them on dvd in the future, rather than television. I have no desire to be treated like garbage by CBS ever again.
Lullani | Jul 18, 2008 2:03:33 PM | #I can't even believe she had the nerve to call herself a Queen Ranger. It's amazing how much that woman can annoy me. If she's not careful, she's going to fall to the level of how I feel about Dawn at the CW.
Denise | Jul 18, 2008 2:05:22 PM | #The show worked not just because of Alex but the chemistry all the actors had together. The writers were great the story line captured brought you in and the actors kept you coming back for more. I think CBS made poor decision making when they canceled Moonlight yeah what does 8 million fans know anyway..
sky | Jul 18, 2008 2:18:13 PM | #She's completely wrong. I think through all of this, she's had a rather disdainful attitude towards the fans of Moonlight. I love that show, plain and simple. It was a solid story line. And believe me, a vampire P.I? It could've been really trite.
She sucks and CBS sucks and I'd really really LOVE to see their network falter. They usually pick the suckiest shows any how.
This woman has changed her reasons for cancelling Moonlight so many times, I think she should run for President.
People didn't fly halfway across the world to celebrate Alex O'Loughlin at the Moonlight Convention in May. We went to celebrate MOONLIGHT...THE SHOW. The entire show, the writers, actors, producers, lighting technicians, set directors, etc. EVERYONE involved in Moonlight is important to us.
Thanks for lying, Nina. I'll never watch CBS again and I've been holding to that since May 16th and I miss Craig Ferguson BAD.
Christy | Jul 18, 2008 2:55:05 PM | #Nina, Nina, Nina, I just spoke to 4000 of my fellow Moonlight fans and they all said they wrote you about how much they loved the show. They found the entire cast chemistry great as well as the writing, storyline, sets, and lighting. You must have missed those letters.
MARILOUISE | Jul 18, 2008 3:08:19 PM | #Fans were "actor-centric"...Give Me a Break!!!Of course, Alex was superb as Mick, but it was the WHOLE Moonlight package/show that worked for all of us. Yes, many commented on Alex's acting talents and looks, but if Nina really bothered or cared to understand the passion of the entire Moonlight community, it was equal passion for Sophia, Jason and all of the surrounding characters that made this show rock! Please don't trivialize our passion for this show.
Pearl | Jul 18, 2008 3:15:22 PM | #I think Nina Tassler is reading someone elses rave reviews. If she was reading the USA Character Lounge replies she would know the story line inspired so many people, not just the actors like Alex, Jason and Sophia. There was heart and humor to the show and the story line made people believe there is more then just pretty faces. Nina, you have no idea of what the viewing public wants. That's why your network keeps doing reality shows like Big Brother or Survivor (pick a country). People need an escape not more reality. You need to get some imagination.
msjk2766 | Jul 18, 2008 3:31:27 PM | #I find that I DO miss Moonlight even more than I thought I would. But, I also find I spend SOOOOO much less time watching CBS. Any network that would remove a harmless "vampire show" with no reality to it, & add a show about swungers, part of the REAL world, is not worth much of my time. I used to be glued to CBS. Too bad.
Susan | Jul 18, 2008 4:28:21 PM | #Before I address Nina Tassler's comments, I'd like to thank the author of this article for writing about Moonlight and it's fans in a respectful way. Goodness knows, some of the other "journalists" covering this story have been less than flattering about us, so thank you Mr Feinberg. I'd also like to thank you for publishing in more detail exactly what Ms. Tassler said. It helps to see her words in context, and it's obvious (IMHO anyway) that she's trying to spin the decision to cancel Moonlight.
Firstly, her remark about not getting as much mail seems to be her way of insinuating that the campaign to save the show is dwindling. It isn't. CBS cancelled the show, therefore the majority of fans aren't wasting any more money sending mail to her or anyone else at CBS - they had enough out of us with the bogus demographic/comment telephone line in the immediate aftermath of the upfronts!
Our focus now is to contact other viable networks and possible sponsors for the show, and until somebody from WB or Silver Productions comes out and states that they're no longer shopping Moonlight, that's what we'll continue to do.
Furthermore, her saying that what mail she does receive is mostly "actor-centric" strikes me as highly unlikely. If this were the case, why would the fans be fighting to have MOONLIGHT picked up? Wouldn't it be far easier for us just to petition for Alex to be given a role in another show or a new series?
We're fighting for Moonlight because we want to see Alex O'Loughlin (Mick St John), Sofia Myles (Beth Turner), Jason Dohring (Josef Kostan), Shannyn Sossamon (Coralyn Duvall/St John), Jacob Vargas (Guillermo Gasol) Brian White (Lt. Carl Davis), Eric Winter (ADA Ben Talbot), David Blue (Logan Griffen); the list goes on.
Back in May, Nina Tassler laughed when she was asked about Moonlight's cancellation, referring to the fanbase in the past tense and basically dismissing us. Now she's trying to dismiss us again. Well, it's not going to work. We're still here, still fighting and we're not giving up any time soon!
LynetteC | Jul 18, 2008 4:58:18 PM | #What planet did Nina Tassler come from? I am still baffled by this woman and her comments and decisions. Moonlight is a terrific show AND it has terrific actors that have that special on-screen chemistry. The fans emphasized how terrific the relationships are between the characters on Moonlight. Nina just doesn't get it. Moonlight isn't just a show about vampires. Moonlight is a show about relationships and the adversity faced by the characters with trying to have relationships with each other. Jericho was more about the entire premise of the show and how that premise affected the people. It is like comparing apples and oranges.
Is she really in an upper management position? Nina has no clue what her customers want & is not willing to listen. It almost feels as though there is more to this than any of us will ever know.
The decision to cancel Moonlight just didn't make good business sense. Moonlight was consistently winning its Friday night 9pm time slot. HBO is coming out with a vampire series, the Twilight book series is really hot & the Twilight movie is coming out in December. CBS WAS ahead of the game & could have capitalized on all the interest in the vampire genre by giving Moonlight a 2nd season.
Nina, pull your head out of the sand or you know where. It's ok to admit you're wrong, you are an adult.
Greeneyes279 | Jul 18, 2008 5:56:25 PM | #I love Alex, Jason, and Sophia, but I didn't watch Moonlight for Alex, or even the vampire angle. I liked it because it was a really good love story!
twilightwitch | Jul 18, 2008 5:57:08 PM | #Nina,
Backpeddle on someone else's time!!!!!!!!!!!
Moonlight fans should start a pool to guess how many episodes the show that taking Moonlight spot will last.
johnd | Jul 18, 2008 9:24:09 PM | #If people here are honest they'll admit that Tassler is exactly right. It's about Alex! He carried that show. They wouldn't have gotten nearly as much ML as they did if it weren't for HIM!
Well it's a safe assumption that on cue Tassler will be receiving the next round of love notes about Moonlight and not Alex. lol
Chrissy | Jul 18, 2008 10:19:53 PM | #@Chrissy - If it were just about Alex why did the whole "MickBeth" phenomenon start? Fans who wanted to see Beth Turner and Mick St John finally get together; fans of the romance/relationship aspect of the show.
Browse any of the Moonlight fan boards - yes there are threads dedicated to Alex, but there are also threads for Jason Dohring, Sophia Myles, Shannyn Sossamon and many of the regular guest stars too. However, there's also a LOT of talk about the romance, the relationships, the sets, the costumes, etc.
If I just wanted to see Alex on TV, I'd be campaigning for him to be given a role in another show, old or new, but I'm not. I'm fighting for Moonlight - the whole package with *ALL* the actors involved. Moonlight without Jason Dohring would be just as unnacceptable as Moonlight without Alex. The same goes for Sophia Myles and Shannyn Sossamon.
Nina Tassler is trying to discredit the Moonlight campaign, because it's evolving. It's no longer JUST about the show - it's about the inadequacy of the Nielsen ratings system in the age of digital technology. Take a look at http://www.viewerswithvoices.com/ or http://www.viewersmatter.com/.
Moonlight was just the final straw for some of us and now we're fighting back. If you've ever had a favourite show cancelled, join us and help to get the voices of those who mater - the viewing public - heard!
LynetteC | Jul 19, 2008 5:11:31 AM | #What a bitch. Anyone can spin their decision to make it seem right. Alex was Moonlight. You talk about one you talk about the other. Oh well. We will have that great looking new show The Ex List in it's place come Sept. I can't wait. Yeah! Right! Hope it dies quicker than a bite from a vampire.
everwood | Jul 19, 2008 6:07:58 AM | #i must apologize to moonlight fans. if i like a show it usually gets cancelled. so i'm sorry.
tom | Jul 19, 2008 7:47:39 AM | #I liked the show (Moonlight) itself not Alex. As for Jericho I wish it were still on the air also. I am sick and tired of reality shows they suck something awful. We need more creative drama, suspense and mystery shows. The brain dead reality shows have to go.
fel | Jul 19, 2008 11:03:06 AM | #I don't think she had any intention of renewing Moonlight. I think she knew William Peterson was leaving CSI and she wanted to introduce Alex to her viewers so they would follow him and CSI wouldn't tank When William left. I think she used Moonlight as an avenue for Alex to take over on CSI. It is sad for Moonlight fans but I think it was her plan all along.
vampgirl | Jul 19, 2008 11:28:23 AM | #"she has yet to feel regret about the decision to leave Moonlight off of the network's fall schedule."
She must have watched an episode.
I'd rather watch Angel and Veronica Mars reruns than that tripe.
Kublai | Jul 19, 2008 11:51:04 AM | #
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