NBC Execs Say CONSTANTINE's Future Is Still "Up In The Air", But Why?
Constantine has not been a ratings hit despite the fact that fans and critics have responded well to the NBC series based on Vertigo's Hellblazer. Here, network execs weigh in on a renewal and whether it was the right choice to choose this character over others...
NBC made the decision last year not to order any more episodes of Constantine beyond the originally scheduled 13 instalments, but the series has NOT yet been cancelled (five episodes remain, with the first of those airing tonight). Talking at the Television Critics Association press our today, NBC President Jennifer Salke has this to say about the show's performance so far. "We wish the show had done better live. It has a big viewership after [it airs] in all kinds of ways and it has a younger audience, but the live number is challenging. It hasn't come out in the way we wanted it to, but we love the show. I think it's fair to say we're still talking about it."
NBC Chairman Robert Greenblatt weighed in too, and may have revealed at least some regrets about picking one of DC's slightly more obscure and lesser known creations. "We got on the bandwagon of these shows based on comic books and maybe there are too many of them. It's a popular series of comics, but it's not The Flash, it's not Batman. So maybe it suffers a little bit there. But as Jen said, it's a show we really like. We love Matt Ryan, who's the star of it. I think we did right by the fans who didn't like the film that was made of it. The future is still up in the air for that show." So, they still appear to be fairly positive about Constantine, but the problem here seems obvious. Ahead of its debut, there was almost zero marketing, and a Friday night slot didn't do it any favours either. What do you guys think? Share your thoughts in the usual place...
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