EDITORIAL: Five Reasons Why I Believe CONSTANTINE Won’t Get A Second Season.

EDITORIAL: Five Reasons Why I Believe CONSTANTINE Won’t Get A Second Season.

Following in the footsteps of Gotham and The Flash, Constantine is the latest comic book based TV show to debut this fall. Whilst the series premiered with strong numbers, will this show stand the test of time? Or will audience interest wafer? In this editorial, I will examine the factors which may limit this show to a one season run

Editorial Opinion
By ScottishSummers - Oct 29, 2014 04:10 AM EST
Filed Under: Constantine

Constantine, starring Matt Ryan, aired its series opener last Friday on NBC to a strong 4.3 million. Despite this, I believe that the show based on the Hellblazer comics, may not get renewed due to the reasons presented below.

1. The Show Occupies The Friday 'Death Slot.'

I find it odd that NBC decided to launch an arguably very marketable show on a Friday night which in the realms of TV is considered a ‘death slot.’ Many networks will shift their underperforming shows to a Friday to finish out their respective seasons or to slowly fade away. It is assumed that on a Friday night that audiences have better things do to than watch demon hunting. Yet, the mystical and fantastical have had an affinity with Friday night viewings over the past years. Grimm, which Constantine is paired with, has fared well for NBCs on Fridays and even Supernatural was shunted to a Friday before giving a prime time weekday slot in later seasons. So whilst a Friday is not an ideal night to launch a new show, many have succeeded so who’s to say Constantine will not?

2Goodbye Liv, Hello Zed!

Last week’s pilot and the leaked version were two very different episodes. In between the leak and the debut, it was decided that changes would have to be made which included writing out Lucy Griffiths character, Liv Aberdine, and replacing her with comic book creation Zed. Goyer cited the reason for change that the show was going in a ‘different direction’ than previously planned. When I first heard about this, I was unsettled that the show was making such big changes very early on and that this would not bode well for the future. However, if you are a member of the general audience and did not notice a change, this should not affect how the show is viewed.

3. Failure to Receive a UK Broadcaster.
 
Technically speaking the show will air in the UK but only through Amazon Prime. This actually surprised me as living in the UK, I was anticipating the show getting picked up. The UK is one of the biggest international markets which would have helped the show to grow. Audiences would have connected with the English character easily and a strong international fan base has seen many shows renewed in the past such as Kristen Kreuk’s Beauty and the Beast. Amazon Prime, whilst accessible to some, will heavily restrict the viewership the show could have received but if it came to a bidding match, the highest amount would have won. It is a real shame the show doesn’t have a UK TV space as conventions appearances and merchandise can assist shows in making profit and be seen as marketable ventures for networks.

4. No Smoking, Mr Constantine!

When I first heard of an adaption of the popular character, I was amazed to learn it would air on network television. Surely a show with such dark, satanic themes is better suited to an unreserved cable station? So far, the characters trade mark smoking habit has been compromised so that it is referenced and happens off screen. Whilst a minor quibble, fans of the character may be turned off if many more bans are imposed which shed away at the true aspect of the character. It is too early to indicate if network interference will affect this show but right now keep your eyes peeled for things which may suit NBC, not the John Constantine character.       
                                                                                                                     
5. The Small Screen Invasion of Comic Book Charcaters.

As if competition from Arrow, Gotham and The Flash was not enough, next year could see the launch of Supergirl, Teen Titans, Krypton, Static Shock and many more live action shows, not to mention Netflix’s upcoming Marvel slate… that’s a lot of comic book based TV shows! There are only so many hours in the day and with all these shows competing against each other, there is sure to be schedule clashes and stiff competiton. Constantine may be at risk as the core audience of this show will also be interested in all of these other, better known characters and some may side line Constantine. I know everyone will have their preferences, but all of the other projects are from characters that have had much greater exposure through animation etc, and will likely score big for their respective networks.

I am not trying to boycott this show in anyway it just seems to me that the show may suffer whilst Gotham and The Flash stride. Get the discussion going and share your thoughts below on the series and whether or not you think it will be back this time next year!
Writer Frank Cappello Reveals Scrapped Plans For SWAMP THING Movie After 2005's CONSTANTINE Bombed
Related:

Writer Frank Cappello Reveals Scrapped Plans For SWAMP THING Movie After 2005's CONSTANTINE Bombed

Director Francis Lawrence Says He And Keanu Reeves Have Control Of CONSTANTINE
Recommended For You:

Director Francis Lawrence Says He And Keanu Reeves Have Control Of CONSTANTINE

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.

This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. ComicBookMovie.com will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. Please CONTACT US for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content. CLICK HERE to learn more about our copyright and trademark policies.

Note that ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

Minty
Minty - 10/29/2014, 4:44 AM
Interesting article! I don't see a lot of these types of articles that offer genuine facts as opposed to biased opinions like "it's not very good" or "i hate DC"! :P That said, I disagree with you on a few points...

1) The Death Slot - You are totally correct about this one, for me it could go either way. Grimm has managed to rake in pretty decent numbers in this slot on the same network, which could benefit Constantine - but then Dracula struggled a bit here last year. Both are similar genres, so it's hard to tell. One thing I'd add is that networks do tend to give the Friday night shows more of the 'benefit of the doubt' before cancelling them.

2) Liv/Zed - For me, after the pilot is the best time to change things up. They have realised what wasn't working, and acted on it quickly before it becomes a big deal. I guarantee if Constantine does have a few more seasons, we won't even remember Liv.

3) No UK Broadcaster - That's interesting admittedly, but I'm not sure how much it factors into it. I mean, The Tomorrow People got a slot on E4 last year, and that didn't last, while there's a lot of money in streaming services like Netflix/Amazon these days. But you could be right about this one.

4) No Smoking - Hmm... I think this is more of a peeve for the fans. I'm not sure the general audience mind too much. But hopefully we'll have no more studio interference

5) Oversaturating - I agree. While I think it may survive this year - it's going to have a lot of problems in the future with so many CBTV shows. The one thing going in its favour is it's a little different to the standard superhero fare.

In the end I reckon its got about a 50/50 chance of renewal. Hopefully it can pick up a cult fan following - thats how Community survived all those years on NBC... *sob*

Anyway, nice work! I enjoyed the read.
EhMaybeSays
EhMaybeSays - 10/29/2014, 6:57 AM
@TheHawkWithin
Or more accurately, as a higher quality and more interesting knock off of Supernatural.
SKOne
SKOne - 10/29/2014, 7:03 AM
Only one episode has aired and I definitely enjoyed the reworked pilot a lot less, it made the Liv character look worse. I definitely think this show has a chance to last for a few seasons especially with Dr. Fate, The Spectre, and maybe Zatanna (as a last gasp for ratings) appearing this season. I also can't believe Supernatural is still on the air.
Invictor
Invictor - 10/29/2014, 8:08 AM
Yeah, I don't think this will last long.
BlackIceJoe
BlackIceJoe - 10/29/2014, 8:53 AM
I for one like how the show comes on Friday. The reason why is because I'm recording shows during the week and if Constantine was on during that time, one show I couldn't DVR. I also like it because I'm not always going to the movies. That being said I think the show would do well on Sunday.

I think the best way for Constantine to have another season is bringing in fan favorite characters soon. Be it Zatanna, Etrigan, Swamp Thing & Deadman. It would even be cool to see the Shadowpact show up too.

I never knew that Constantine was only on Amazon Prime and to me that's interesting. Maybe not for the right reasons though. Let's say the show does get canceled, maybe Amazon will buy the license to continue the show. Amazon Prime has some exclusives and this could be another reason for people to sign up. I also think this could be a foot in the door so that Amazon will make their own DC Comic shows. Netflix is doing it with Marvel and what's to stop Amazon doing the same thing.

Imagine if Amazon made a Blue Beetle and Booster Gold, Hawkman, Icon, Adam Strange & Martian Manhunter tv shows lots of people would pay to get Amazon Prime.
Mongul
Mongul - 10/29/2014, 10:51 AM
I agree with a few points.......but I see this lasting for about 3/4 seasons.
DaniDeSanta
DaniDeSanta - 10/29/2014, 12:11 PM
I hope that this show isn't cancelled earlier
Facade
Facade - 10/30/2014, 2:28 PM
Might it get moved to a better time slot?
View Recorder