"John" washed up at HBO
Tue Aug 14, 2007 9:00AM EDT
By Nellie Andreeva
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The wave has crashed for "John From Cincinnati." A day after its first-season finale, HBO on Monday canceled the dark surfing drama.
Labeled by critics as "strange," "weird" and "unlikable," "John" never clicked with viewers despite a strong marketing campaign and such well-known leads as Rebecca De Mornay and Bruce Greenwood.
For the few devoted fans of the show, which David Milch ("Deadwood") created with "surf noir" author Kem Nunn, the mysterious final line in the season finale -- John saying, "Mother of God, Cass-Kai" over a shot of Kai (Keala Kennelly) surfing -- will remain just that, a mystery.
Meanwhile, HBO is yet to decide the fate of its other summer freshman series, the comedy "Flight of the Conchords."
It's been a rough summer for HBO, while basic cable networks have launched a slew of hit new series -- USA Network's "Burn Notice," Lifetime's "Army Wives" and TNT's "Saving Grace," all renewed for a second season.
HBO's upcoming series include the drama "In Treatment," the comedy "12 Miles of Bad Road" and "True Blood," the recently picked-up vampire drama by "Six Feet Under" creator Alan Ball.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
© Reuters 2007. All rights reserved.
UPDATE:
Thanks to Mad as Hell here is a link for a petition to save JFC.
Save JFC Petition
That's a shame. But it sounds like audiences just didn't take to the concept en masse. Not everything works, but you can only try your best. It's all good experience.
ReplyDeleteMaybe in another time and place it would have been understood better.
I loved the show. It was thinking television. What an oxymoron. Maybe that is what caused its demise.
ReplyDeleteJFC revitalized the career of Ed O'Neill to say the least. And David Milch created a character that showcased Austin's talent as a actor better than all of his other parts combined.
I say this with confidence that while it was a short run, it will be seen as the launch of Austin's rise as an actor.
I started watching JFC for Austin, but I continued because I really loved the show and David Milch's unique voice and vision. Austin's performance and development of the "John" character really blew me away. I never expected him to be as good as he was. I was also impressed by his screen presence, his chemistry with the other actors and his comedic timing. It would be interesting if Milch taps him again for his next project. I think they worked very well together.
ReplyDeleteNot all your projects need to be successful. Sometimes you just need a project that lets you shine. Here's a true story-
ReplyDeleteOnce upon a time my friend Ben was in a band called Scream. The drummer for the band was a teenager by the name of Dave Grohl (you may have heard of him). Well, Scream scraped together the money to do a West Coast tour but in the middle of this tour, Ben left the band to join another band. So poor Dave is left stuck in a California hotel room, with his band broken up and no money to get home to Virginia. In the midst of his despair, Dave receives a call from someone else you may have heard of- Kurt Cobain. Kurt tells Dave that he and his bandmate had seen Scream play and while they didn't care too much for the band, they really liked Dave's drumming. Kurt has heard that Scream had broken up so would Dave be available to come drum for NIRVANA? And the rest, as they say, is history.
Ben still tries to take credit for the formation of NIRVANA, but we all tell him to cut the bullshit.
Maybe JFC being canceled will help Austin find his own nirvana.
ReplyDeleteHopefully the upside of this is that Austin will get some really interesting roles as a result of his work. And as much as I'll hate not seeing more episodes and Austin on a regular basis, maybe it will be better for Austin in that he does not become so identified with a quirky role that it makes it hard to do something new.
ReplyDeleteI also wonder if Jake is more likely to do a play if Austin isn't tied up with a filming schedule that makes it hard for Austin to travel across the country. Maybe he can even find something to film in NY (still keeping my fingers crossed on Jake doing Broadway).
Destiny
ReplyDeleteIt thought the same thing about Jake doing Broadway. Wondered if this would put one more check in the pro column, if Austin would be able to come East for a bit.
I think A is due for a nice vacation on MV right about now.
ReplyDeleteBV, ITA about being shocked at how great A's acting was. I remember being in chat with Spesh one night and confessing how afraid I was that Austin wasn't that great an actor. Boy was I proved wrong!
ReplyDeleteI had those fears too Wicked before I saw JFC, although I did hope it was the nature of the type of work he was doing (after all no one is really "good" in TDAT). I just hope enough of the right people saw it to do him some good.
ReplyDeleteYou know we do have surfing up here in the Northeast too. : )
ReplyDeleteThere's still a lot of talk on the HBO boards about the cancellation not being definite yet. Supposedly HBO hasn't issued an official announcement like they usually do. I don't have a lot of hope, but you never know.
ReplyDeleteLet HBO hear your voice!
ReplyDeleteSign the petition for "John From Cincinnati"!
Thank You For the Link!
ReplyDeleteAnd for anyone who has postcards that they were planning to send. Send them too.
I signed the petition on orders from my bird. The Mrs. signed hers with the comment Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ!
ReplyDeleteSpecial K and Wicked:
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on starting up OMG! Both of you will surely make us all feel at home. I hope Stubborn TB is doing fine too. I am so glad to see this new blog. Say Spesh, how are the seagulls?
Those seagulls are flying high and doing fine. Blue skies ahead
ReplyDeleteTed:
ReplyDelete"My most fave Blind Vice boy, Toothy Tile, is getting braver ‘n’ braver: He just hit a gay enclave in Hell-Ay last week, openly doing his b-f, who, by the by, is not at all who everybody thinks he is. Keep up the frolickin’, by all means."
from today's awful truth:
ReplyDeleteToothy Tile gets bold with boy-on-boy action in a flaming fagola environ
My most fave Blind Vice boy, Toothy Tile, is getting braver ‘n’ braver: He just hit a gay enclave in Hell-Ay last week, openly doing his b-f, who, by the by, is not at all who everybody thinks he is. Keep up the frolickin’, by all means.
OK, it could be one of several things:
ReplyDelete1) All of Ted's clues that pointed toward Austin were misinterpreted.
2) Austin was at one time BF Tile, but is no longer.
3) Because of the latest pic of Jake was with Chris, the cry went up that he was the bf.
4) Austin' role as John has been labled as a Messenger of G*D, or John the Baptist, or even Jesus himself, and what Ted is saying is that all those are wrong.
Since, Ted has gone out of his way to put Jake and Austin together, say that they are still tight, there has been no mention of a break-up, we know that Chris is just Jake's bff, I'm going with number 4.
I think you've hit on something there, me. John is not really John and he's not from Cincinnati. Is this another clue from Ted directing us to Austin?
ReplyDeleteME --
ReplyDeleteYour explanations are excellent.
I agree that Ted is using JFC and not who he appears to point to Austin.
And hey good for them.
I say we order another round of drinks for the Leedo Deck.
John from Cincy is not really named --John and he's not really from Cincy
ReplyDeleteNice photo of Austin here - wet and in his wetsuit
ReplyDeleteYou can also see "The Beast" clearly.
Hey 9:39, do you have a name that I can put on the drink order?
ReplyDeleteMy thought at first was damn whats up now. What the heck is Ted trying to do. Sure sounded like he was steering us away from Austin. Actually the other night he tried to steer us away from Jake when he said don't be all sure you know who Toothy is. So he is playing some games here and I am not sure what he is going. One thought that came to my mind along with what everyone is saying about Austin's character was that Ted was saying that Austin is not actually the type of person we think he is. He is not a guy scared to death to be outed. We've all see his protrayal as the young buck on a date recently. Maybe Ted is saying that is not the person that Austin is at all.. Who knows Ted maybe be changing directions in mid swing her because he got it wrong. Only time will tell. Right now Ted needs to keep this saga alive. It is his bread and butter under he finds another bi that lures us in. I am a one man man though Toothy is the guy for me.
ReplyDeleteI think Ted has had a feeling for quite some time now, Toothy might soon come out. A lot of what he has wrote the last couple of months points in that direction. We just have to wait and see if he finally will.
ReplyDeleteI don`t think Ted is afraid to loose the Toothy-BI`s, if he comes out. I think it will give him a lot of credit because it will prove he was right.
The boyfriend i absolutely still think is Austin.
Interesting unseen clip from JFC
ReplyDeleteHjulia posted Austin's foxhole podcast on AustinMedia. She's giving it a resounding endorsement.
ReplyDeleteI still think, as I did last night, that Ted's comments are pointing to Austin's role on JFC (John is not John and he's not from Cincinnati). I also agree with Tom's interpretation that Ted may also be saying that Austin is not the person we think he is. That reminded me of PiQ's take on Austin.
BTW, I signed the JFC petition - there are over 1,000 signatures now.
Does Isaac serve bigs cups of coffee, Special? I need one this morning.
I think it's a reference to JfC as well, though I had a heart-stopping moment which wasn't at all enjoyable :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting story about Dave Grohl, Wicked!
Link to Austin's Podcast interview
ReplyDeleteWarning: the interview is almost an hour long!
Big cup of coffee Isaac. Blue do you take cream or sugar?
ReplyDeleteIsaac one for me too, regular (two creams, two sugars)
I'm being bad today - can I have some coffee with my cream? (Light with two sugars please)
ReplyDeleteI do think that Ted is referencing JFC with his comments yesterday.
ReplyDeleteBut I think there is also a deeper factor at play.
In the last few months, the view of Austin has changed considerably, from his own 'single single single' posturing to the almost bearding with Jennifer E. This has led a lot of people to question Austin's sexuality and how he feels about it.
Ted has already told us that Toothy is proud. Maybe he is telling us that BF tile is as proud.
Great new news on Jake doing the Broadway play! Here is the article from the Post.
ReplyDeletePOWERHOUSE direc tor Mike Nichols has two major proj ects lined up for next year: a revival of "The Country Girl," Clifford Odets' biting backstage drama from 1950; and "Farragut North," a new play about presidential politics that's to star Jake Gyllenhaal.
AS for "Farragut North," Nichols has quietly wrested that one away from Second Stage, the off-Broadway company that was to have presented it later this year.
As The Post reported a couple of months ago, Gyllenhaal took the lead role in a top-secret reading of the play directed by James Lapine. For various reasons, Lapine left the project. But he told me that Gyllenhaal was excellent as an idealistic young press secretary who works for a Howard Dean-like presidential contender.
Written by Beau Willimon (who worked on Dean's 2004 campaign), "Farragut North" is a hot property right now, with George Clooney and Matt Damon having snapped up the film rights.
Look for "Farragut North" to open on Broadway in the midst of the presidential election next fall.
YES!!! Way to go Jake.
ReplyDeleteAnd Mike Nichols to direct. Again he is working with some of the greatest directors out there.
It looks like there might be a trip to NYC for many next fall.
Am I the only one who thinks that "True Blood," the vampire drama from the creator of "Six Feet Under," looks like an interesting show?
ReplyDeleteArticle about Milch's next project for HBO
ReplyDeleteMaybe there's a part for A?
Special it is exciting to think the play will hopefully happen now! Mike Nichols is a great director and hearing James Lapine say Jake was excellent in the reading is so amazing to hear! Since it is next fall Jake would have time to do another project in between. Rehearsals probably wouldn't start until the summer. Keeping fingers crossed this all works out!
ReplyDeleteNow if Milch set his production up for the new series in NYC, which he has done many times, and brings Austin on board.
ReplyDeleteand
Jake is doing Broadway.
I wonder....
Would Austin bunk at Jake's place?
: )
I would love to see Austin in a uniform and NYC. And as long as I'm daydreaming, I think if they both end up in NY that it is more likely they will come out.
ReplyDeleteWicked, I think the Vampire show sounds intriguing. I love vampires, and SFU is one of my all time favorite tv series. I could really see Austin as a vampire too.
I love your daydreams :)
ReplyDeleteDestiny, you did see House of Usher didn't you? I loved Austy in that.
I am so pleased Jake looks like he has confirmed to take this Broadway project. You would not believe the shit on DataLounge by some troll or other claiming they worked there that knew he'd done readings for this play but had no real interest in it and they'd blown him off as being an expensive watse of time.
ReplyDeleteMan, it amazes me how TBs get called all kinds just for believing someone might be gay (which is Oh. so. terrible!) but there are people out there who get away with literally gunning to take someone down on and make people turn against them with horrible fake assumptions dressed as "info" about their career choices and decisions and what type of person they are. Who fabricates this kind of stuff and why?
Thanks anon for the information. We appreciate you sharing it. Can we put your name on the bar bill for drinks?
ReplyDeleteI think Austy could be either a cop or a vampire. Maybe a cop during the day and a vampire at night? The show could be called "Vampire Cops!"
ReplyDeleteScylla, re Dave Grohl- he was literally trying to arrange for his mother to send him the money to get home and give up this rock and roll nonsense once and for all when he got the call for NIRVANA. Hopefully someone with a great project will realize that Austy is now available to work on it.
Cop during the day Vamp at night.
ReplyDeleteWait are we slowly encroaching on the world of Whedon there. Hello Angel?
And Austin as a roguish vamp? Yeah you can see it. I have said many times quoting Cher in Moonstruck,....Y'know, you got them bad eyes, like a gypsy.
Austin does have the devil in him behind those browns, and you gotta know that Jake loves that.
Scylla, I've never been able to find House of Usher, I don't think it was ever released on DVD in the U.S.
ReplyDeleteUS presidential candidates tackle gay issues in a national telecast
ReplyDeleteDestiny
ReplyDeleteHjulia did have it over at AustinMedia, if you wanted to download it.
Gawker picked up the Jake and Chris story from ONTD which of course picked up the story from IHJ. But in all actuality started where? Wicked's Wonderful World, but that is beside the point now.
ReplyDeleteThe story in Gawkwer -- Jake and boyfriend, is Chris or Austin.
Jake and Chefs
Gawker is going with Chris. (uh oh!)
Oh Ted is good. He knew that there would be buzzing about which boy is it. The funny thing everyone seems to be agreeing on. Jake and boys.
Oh and there is an imbedded linked to WFT in the article. So more traffic and trolls ahead!
ReplyDeleteEW has a series of Jake pics up. Looks like the PR is starting for Rendition.
ReplyDeleteJake Pics
Here's my favorite part of that Gawker item:
ReplyDeleteThere are two camps of crazy gays these days: the other camp thinks that Jake and actor Austin Nichols were until recently dating.
Ha!
Special: I think it is pretty obvious where the Chilmark photograph originated from! Do you think I could bump into JG & AN at Toronto during the Rendition screening? It would be so cool, no?
ReplyDeleteME: Good job on the latest Tedspeak! A touch of brilliance.
Hi Rattler. So good to see you on OMG. It would be great if you saw J and A in Toronto. Def have that camera ready.
ReplyDeleteSpecial thanks for the link to EW. Some of the recaps of Jake and his movies are coo.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rattler.
ReplyDeleteThere are some things I know, and some I don't.
Jaustin rings a bell.
I think having Austin in Toronto would make Jake very happy. I think he wants to have him close to share it all. And Austin being the cinephile it is a perfect place to go.
ReplyDeleteSo you just might see them. Lucky duck.
By the way I have a feeling Toronto will be the beginning of much more of them out and about together.
And hey thanks Rattler -- : )
Hey Tom: Glad to see you here too! And wow, Ted answered your question. That's big, man.
ReplyDeleteME: Jaustin rings a bell...
Jaustintinnabulation?
Spesh: Now, I look at the header pictures, and I find that Jake and Austin are looking down on something, and one of them shouts, "Oh my Godot?". Is that it? Just teasing ;)
Special..i also think Jake would love to have Austin close to share it all. I mean, Toronto....LOT of people to impress! Sorry, couldn`t help myself. Just think if Jake has the boyfriend with him there, VERY public... a "maybe-some day-Oscar" isn`t exactly what he`s thinking about, he he...(((AUSTIN))).
ReplyDeleteBy the way, your comment about Jake and "the beard-man", almost killed me!If you don`t want to be haunted by a ghost...please don`t continue trying to kill people, dear! Some will come back, AND refuse to leave a fun&welcoming place...
Rattler
ReplyDelete"Don't listen to what people say," "Watch what they do."
: )
Oh my something !
Back in the posting saddle and happy to report that although my watching of JFC has been quite sketchy (too much sun, too much outdoor lunches and birthday parties, blah, blah, blah) I've signed the petition and really hope HBO will reconsider their decision.
ReplyDeleteWicked, I can’t believe that just a couple of months (weeks?) ago you were baffled by the posting of working links! You and Special seem to be creating quite a cozy little place and I plan to visit often. By the way, I’ve created a Blogger’s name but I still have to figure out how to have it appear as my poster name. I’ve tried to enter my email address and password, then my username (frenchy) and password but to no avail. Ah, the wicked wonderful world (pun intended) of online friendship!!! For the time being, I’m resorting to the usual familiar procedure of typing my name and happily hitting the “Publish” button! :)
I wish you all a most peaceful night and beautiful dreams! XOX
The Ted thing:
ReplyDeleteIt either is a shout to Austin based on the recent flutter than assumed Chris was "the boyfriend" by using the JFC principle or it really is someone else. At least right now huh? Cuz I do think J/A were genuine at some point. :)
I guess all that will happen will be an increase in Reese pictures and reported sightings of "cosy dinners" and doctors appointments, etc etc. So boring! At least Ted's sightings are fun!
True Greta. But if the bf is not Austin, then it was never Austin. Ted would not have failed to update us if the bf was new. He set the BI to make us think it was the same bf, just got us questioning exactly who that bf is.
ReplyDelete(((((Frenchy))))) Yay!!! So good to see you back. I've missed you. I've learned a lot about technology stuff with setting up this blog! To post with your Blogger name, click for the comment box, choose Google/Blogger, and sign in with your Google account using the e-mail address and password you used to create the account. When you post your comment the name will be in highlighted blue.
ReplyDeleteHey Frenchy
ReplyDeleteLong time --thanks for coming see us.
Can I say how cool it is drop in and see both new and old friends stopping by, and letting us know they are here by name.
As we will say a thousand times I am sure, we want your feedback and input. If there is something you would like to see, talk about, or listen to, let us know. This is your space not just ours.
Frenchy, can you get in touch via e-mail? Our e-mail is at right. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that great welcome-back wicked and special! I will e-mail you tonight as I'm at the office right now and overburdened with work. I still have to catch up on tons of stuff both at WFT, WWW and here. My head is already spinning but my heart is singing :) It's really good to be back guys!
ReplyDeleteI'm posting with my regular-looking name as I don't have my Blogger password at hand here.
Much love. See you tonight.
Peter has Lyme disease
ReplyDeleteGet well soon, Peter!
Europeans are like Jake they get a lot of time off. I am so jealous!!
ReplyDeleteI am hoping creats a new BI tonight. One for TT's bf. That would be fun.
^I am hoping Ted creates
ReplyDeleteAng Lee's movie, Lust, Caution is going to be in Toronto. Jake, Heath and now Ang's movie there. Maybe a BBM reunion photo?
ReplyDeletehttp://weblogs.variety.com/thompsononhollywood/2007/08/toronto-film-fe.html
Don't you have to be a dad first to be a grandpop?
ReplyDeleteWell Jake might skip that part. If he plays Broadway Joe. Looks like Joe Namath just became a grandfather.
Grandpa Joe
Have to love the sweatshirt. Now will it come in a blue Broadway Jake version next year? : )
Reese is on the cover Entertainment Weekly's Fall Movie Preview.
ReplyDeleteHere is a clip of her photo shoot and she talks about Rendition.
Reese on Rendition
It looks like Rendition is going to have big press coverage.
While some may not like the approach that is being taken with the press and public (ie. its actor), I hope that everyone can try to be open to what the film and the story are about.
As disgusted as I am about Jeese, NOTHING could keep me away from a Jake movie. Even if it is bad I can at least enjoy looking at him.
ReplyDeleteTBS- I am excited about the new Ang Lee movie. I really love his films. It would be nice to see him with Heath and Jake.
ReplyDelete"Spesh: Now, I look at the header pictures, and I find that Jake and Austin are looking down on something, and one of them shouts, "Oh my Godot?". Is that it? Just teasing ;)"
ReplyDeleteI love that still too. If Austin isn't the bf he sure as hell should be! I just can't see that moment as platonic. I've really tried but no. Hope that it was J&A making out last week in WeHo, as that kind of chemistry is worth hanging on to.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteJust FYI -
ReplyDeleteFor those who have SpikeTV on their remotes, Austin's CSI episode, "Sounds of Silence", will be aired tomorrow at 6 pm.
I've never seen it so I'm excited! Woot!
Thanks ME!!
ReplyDelete