Just days after learning that production on the new season of 24 has been shut down for two weeks, another FOX series is giving its cast and crew some unexpected vacation time. The highly-anticipated Dollhouse, from acclaimed TV guru Joss Whedon, has shut down production for two weeks as well.

I'm told that because Joss directed two of the three episodes already shot, he has not had sufficient time to be in the writers room and tailor the upcoming scripts to his liking. A rep from 20th Century Fox -- the studio behind Dollhouse -- said Joss came to them asking for a couple weeks to regroup and they were happy to give it to him, adding that the situation is very similar to 24's: With several episodes in the can and both series not scheduled to debut until mid season, they have the luxury of being able to shut down and reexamine their direction without delaying their premiere date.

Said the rep, "We have every confidence that [the extra time] will allow Joss to make the show the best it can possibly be. It's very rare that you have a head writer who is also directing two episodes in a row. But we are happy that Joss is directing, because this is his vision."

And word is, Joss is handling his myriad of responsibilities quite well. I spoke with Dollhouse actor Tahmoh Penikett (Battlestar Galactica's Helo, sigh, so pretty) at Monday's FOX fall launch party, who had this to say about working with Mr. Whedon: "He has a very consistent energy and strong work ethic. You can tell he's juggling so many things at once -- one minute he's giving you direction on a scene, the next minute he's writing a new scene for a new episode -- but he doesn't really get worked up when he's on the job. He keeps it light. He should be a performer, because he's always cracking jokes on set."

Ah, yes, that's all Joss needs... to add another task to his to do list.

Comments

oh man that was scary for a moment. that headline made me think they would cancel this show before it even aired! i'm anxious to watch another joss whedon created show and so i'm really excited about this show.

joits | Sep 10, 2008 12:02:08 PM | #

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JOSS! TAHMOH! My love for you grows!

P | Sep 10, 2008 12:25:04 PM | #

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Very bad omen. The premise is weak in itself, so execution was going to have to save it. This looks bad.

Marcus | Sep 10, 2008 1:26:12 PM | #

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joss looking forward to seeing dollhouse. miss ya my friend. any chance of u coming on the east coast?

carl j | Sep 10, 2008 1:32:55 PM | #

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How hot is Tahmoh in real life, Korbi?

billie | Sep 10, 2008 1:57:24 PM | #

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way to give a fan a heart attack with that headline.

bookwench | Sep 10, 2008 2:46:10 PM | #

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Trainwreck.

ryan | Sep 10, 2008 3:08:32 PM | #

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Next time hire better writers.

Andrea Rockstar | Sep 10, 2008 3:10:15 PM | #

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I told the folks at Whedonesque.com, last June, that the scene of the show that they previewed was lacking. Eliza wasn't emoting properly...and they ruthlessly attacked me to no end. Next, Fox had a problem with the pilot, proving that they saw what I saw, and acted on it, and then Joss ordered a new pilot for the show. I called the problems well ahead of time, months ago.

I say this not to brag, or to cut down the series which I think has great potential, rather, I say this to blunt my often hive mind critics who assume you can't have an opinion but to say everything that Joss does is perfect, even Joss would disagree. Secondly, I must say, I love Joss, I would love to work for this guy as he is a hero of mine...but I said what I said, my negative critique, in order to help fix the show so it will survive and be a big hit. Months ago, I advised on AICN.com, that they should change the show's premise somewhat and make it a spy based show where the Dollhouse operatives are government agents who are given the cover as students in a uni-sex college dorm...where their missions and their mental erasures and reprogramming are secretly launched. Their lives a lie, the members of the agency assume that everything they know in life is true, from their family lives, their memories, etc., but it is all a closely managed sham...an elaborate cover for the Dollhouse. This would be a more fluid concept and easier for viewers to follow. The agents of the Dollhouse seemingly have normal college lives but are perfectly unaware that they are being reprogrammed to perform high risk spy missions, where they are given false personas each time around. When one of them, Echo, begins to remember her previous life, realizing everything she knows is a lie, she plots to destroy the Dollhouse from within after trolling for its secrets via counter spying against her own handlers and fellow agents.

That is my pitch, and I think it a clearer way for viewers to more easily jump into as a televised entertainment. I hope to sell it to Fox, if they are game. They can simply graduate the original concept of the show to a different story arc, my story arc, as a plot twist which would work also as a restart of sorts, to, and for the show!!! Viewers will think the whole thing was pre-planned as it would come-off as a very smooth transition.

Blue Gloves | Sep 10, 2008 4:55:57 PM | #

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I saw Joss Whedon Kill a man in Utah!

Wesley Weston | Sep 10, 2008 7:19:25 PM | #

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I am hopeful for the show but I do like Blue Gloves' idea even if it does sound like an offshoot from Dark Angel.

Ben | Sep 10, 2008 7:35:35 PM | #

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Judging by the original pilot script I read, this premise is broken beyond repair. To boot, you have an illegal company that hires out these people who can be reprogrammed at will for uses I can't imagine extending beyond five episodes (I'd imagine the primary clientele would be fat cat rich guys looking for a little extra oomph in their prostitute addiction). What got me was the idea that they'd also be doing pro bono cases for people in dire need of a reprogrammed zombie but can't afford it (at one point Eliza was hired to sit by a sick girl's hospital bed in the script I read). I think it's going to take more than two weeks to fix this mess. But what else can you expect from an idea that was purchased from nothing more than notes on a napkin.

beesknees | Sep 10, 2008 7:37:36 PM | #

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Thanks Ben!!! You actually don't know how much that means to me!!! You just brightened my day greatly, I really needed that. Thank you once again, very much!!!

Blue Gloves | Sep 11, 2008 2:36:07 AM | #

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Those are a couple of ugly
looking co-stars Eliza has
standing next to her? Who the
heck are they? Good thing
they're not trying out for
One Tree or Gossip Girl.

Doug | Sep 11, 2008 4:13:54 AM | #

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Doug, what I've noticed is that on the larger promo photo that's cut from, everyone looks awful. When you see them in other pics, I believe they look quite nice; I know Olivia Williams is a lot more attractive than she seemed from that pic.

Blue Gloves, I'm guessing you're either a very, very big fan of Alias, or you've never seen it and therefore don't know you're completely ripping it off with that pitch. I don't think everything Whedon does is perfect, but I do trust him, and he's always been very confident in his view for this show. Maybe you could too, instead of constantly obsessing over perceived weak acting in ONE scene and deciding you know the potential of an idea more than, well, the man who created it. That, as you mentioned, you would even consider going to Fox and attempting to interfere with another writer's project because you think you 'know better', not to mention a writer who is a far better writer than you, is downright insulting and I have lost all respect for you as a writer.

And, to be honest, if Whedon took even a moment to think about Dollhouse, which I'm sure he did, I'm 100% sure he's already considered the approach you've mentioned and ditched it for a reason. Maybe the fact that, thematically, his way is much more interesting. Or much less boring and derivative. Take your pick.

Alden | Sep 11, 2008 5:48:02 AM | #

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I have to say I'm really psyched to see the show (hence the name) but hey their Blue Gloves (obvious u r a fan) consider alternatives to posting. You post a fairly good idea ~ online where you can be sure now it will go no where - if you were serious you would use proper channels to allow actual consideration.

I think the idea is good and who better to bring a vision to life than its creator. We'll all just have to wait to see how Joss presents things to us, have a little Faith people ... ha ha ha

Super-psyched | Sep 11, 2008 8:37:02 AM | #

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If even Joss Whedon admits the show needs work then it must need it.

He learned his lesson with the Buffy movie and won't be making those mistakes again - he will control the show and make it right until he is sure it is where it should be.

He's not going to put his name on something that stinks. He wants to be back on TV and be a success.

DaisyRose | Sep 11, 2008 9:20:17 AM | #

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Half of the basic idea's for the last couple of Pixar movies where scribbled down on a napkin ...

Mardoek | Sep 11, 2008 10:30:05 AM | #

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"He's not going to put his name on something that stinks."

I guess you haven't read the Buffy comics?

Em Etib | Sep 11, 2008 11:10:04 AM | #

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Joss Whedon gave us BUFFY. Thank the Lord. He gave us FIREFLY. GOd is good. And he gave us some of the best written female characters on television. The man has my respect. DOLLHOUSE has already peaked my interest, and nothing any half-assed fan can say will change that. LONG LIVE THE WHEDON. WORD!

Mal | Sep 11, 2008 6:51:57 PM | #

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This is for the *person* who trashed the BUFFY SEASON 8 comics: Go back under your rock!
Seriously! That series in incredible! So is RUNAWAYS..Whedon's run was epic. And now, ANGEL is just as sweet. You, are made of FAIL.

Tizza | Sep 11, 2008 6:55:13 PM | #

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Fingers crossed, Joss is great, but shutting down production would get most showrunners fired.

Jossy Fan | Sep 11, 2008 6:59:29 PM | #

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Whedon is a good comic book writer, though they all suffered from delays. If you like superheroes at all, read his trade paperbacks of Astonishing X-Men. Runaways was also quite fun (though I didn't like it quite as much as the Brian K. Vaughan's run - who by the way, is a writer on Lost).

Billiam | Sep 11, 2008 7:05:39 PM | #

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Blue Gloves, you're idea is almost an exact replica of Alias. If you haven't seen the show, you should. It's one of my favorite shows.

Miguel | Sep 11, 2008 8:32:38 PM | #

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I'll remind you that Josh is a fine actor.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycFqzNxiTwY

B0B | Sep 12, 2008 9:19:16 PM | #

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