Saturday, July 25, 2009

A show about something: NBC to Cancel Kings?


In New York at 9PM, A show called Kings on NBC ended its first season. It is feared that it will no longer continue on this or any other network. And for this reason, my belief in this show, I write to anyone willing to read that here lies a show on its death bed in the hands of a Network that cares nothing about how you and I feel, but how its effected financially.

Understandably, a Network relies on a show for its staying power by its audience. And without one-a very large one, it will cancel and use what ever means to meet they're expectation, regardless of your love and belief in a show.

I personally have not watched a show that has given me a purpose to stay home on Saturday nights since HBO's The Sopranos. (Yes, I remember The Sopranos aired on Sundays, still the same, I made sure Sundays was for 'Tony' and Saturdays for 'Silas & David')

There once was a 'show about nothing.' It too was facing the same fate of Kings. That little show went on to become one of the most watched and loved shows in America. 'A show about nothing' that aired on NBC that grew and mainlined 'our' most beloved characters into pop culture, birthing catch phrases even still used today. So popular that it's even unnecessary to mention the show, yada yada yada....

I believe NBC lies with the same decision with Kings. It can shamefully cast the show into the same darkness where lives "The Greatest American Hero" (ABC), "Sliders" (Fox/Sci-fi) and ironically actor Ian McShanes (Silas-Kings) "DeadWood" on HBO.

Whether or not you watched any of those shows is irrelevant. What is relevant is that Kings should not share the same fate.

I feel that there should be columns made to reason why Kings had poor ratings. If there were a column or list of reasons, I feel they would be set and split as follows:

Column One-People simply did not get it. Maybe some did not appreciate a story that was based on the Bibles David and Goliath and so believed it was a 'religious' show

Column Two-People missed episodes (NBC switched Kings from Sunday to Saturday nights) and by the time people realized Kings switched nights, they could no longer follow the story line

Column Three-Saturdays were wrong for most people, it is after all Saturday night, right?(er, Tivo, DVR anyone?)

Column four-NBC's failure to advertise and market the show consistently, therefor seemingly making it less appealing/attractive virtually unknown to TV audiences

I firmly believe that column four is responsible for such low ratings. I hope that NBC can accept its mistakes and give us, the devoted fans new and 'old,' a chance to see Kings play out in its entirety.

"NBC, you really need to look into the palm of your hands and realize that you are holding a 'modern classic!' I for one will not forgive you for not giving this show the chance it deserves. Saying that, I will not so much as watch the local news on your network!"

I believe to 'resuscitate' Kings, that between now and the second season, NBC should rerun the first season leading to the new second season.

Kings can be given life by NBC pushing and airing more commercials exposing Kings, allowing the characters to be associated with NBC promos and perhaps casting the actors into shows already airing on NBC maybe even contests or giveaways associated with show. (I personally would love a chance to collaborate with the writers on the show!) Anything! But at least give it 'traditional' advertising, Come on!

You cannot expect a show to pick up on its own, those of us who are fortunate to 'run into Kings' are aware of its potential. We are so lucky to have found & have part in Kings, but if it cancels, it would of been better to not know of it at all!

If you are reading this, I urge you to watch Kings full episodes on http://www.nbc.com/Kings/ I promise that you will be captivated and watching full episodes one by one! If not, contact me on here and tell me I'm wrong-But if you fall in love, then comment as well so that I remain motivated and show NBC our support!

And as you watch and are pulled into the story, I urge you to not wait till you've watched both seasons before doing something. I knew from the first episode that this show was going to be big, but because it has fell short did not mean the show was weak. It was NBC's support of the show that was weak and caused people to not have sight of Kings.

I hope that even in this time that our Country faces many challenges, that it will not stop you from forgetting that you still have a voice, even for a show. But its a show that gives us a reason, a way to escape if even for just an hour a week. Express yourself, and entertain yourself with a show that has so much potential.

On behalf of Kings fans everywhere, I thank you. I truly believe I'm giving some of you an opportunity to experience a real treat in television. Especially those of us who are lovers of escaping life through great stories and brilliant characters... I don't see any show that compares to it. Haven't we all had a bit too much of reality (TV)?






5 comments:

  1. As a fellow Kings fan, I have to respectfully disagree with your view of NBC. One word: Heroes.

    Ratings for seasons 2 and 3 of Heroes were horrible compared to the first. Similar to the Kings community, the Heroes community is devoted to the show just like the argument for why NBC should keep kings. We know NBC can be sympathetic, and I am sure that if it made sense for NBC to keep Kings, they'll do it. I hope it makes sense to keep it.

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  2. I agree with you 100%I believe that if they gave Kiungs a second season and advertised it well It would be a great ratings maker for NBC. I saw the commercials numerous times and shrugged and thought maybe I'll watch one....but I also did not know about the religious factors involved and once I totally by accident happened to see the first episode on HULU I WAS HOOKED!!!!! So I am convinced that it is not the show itself but the people behind the advertising that have to try adn get the potential audience excited, and intrigued enough to at least watch the first episode. Kings is definitely on of my favorite shows of all times right up there with Battlestat Gallactica, Lost, Heroes, SG-1, Seinfeld.....KINGS is an instant classic you can't beat shows based on the bible that everyone can related with in some way and that is written so well with such a great cast!!! hopefully this show will turn around and make a come back worthy of a King ...I know it will if NBC lets ot.

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  3. I so agree with you, Mike. KINGS has spoken more deeply to me than any other series ever has. It probably has a lot to do with the fact I was raised in the Church although I don't attend any longer, but I still believe in my own fashion. It probably also has to do with the fact that I'm going through major, major changes in my own life, so aspects of David and Silas weigh heavily upon me, causing much reflection in how I am living - and will live - my life...

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  4. Mike, that was well said. I believe that NBC did an absolute hackneyed job of advertising Kings and there's no excuse. I've talked to tons of people who have watched the show, all of whom loved it and you know where they found out about it? HULU! On Hulu it got GREAT ratings. It was on top most weeks when a new episode was out. On TV, people would watch commercials for it and it was so abstract that you couldn't tell what the heck it was about! I remember seeing one little 25 second spot for it and at the end, all I saw was "Kings" with a light red flag in the background with a butterfly logo. I was like "Oooo...K.... What the heck is this?" And I never bothered to look into it until one day when I was bored on Hulu, I saw the first episodes were on there and was like "What the heck, might be cool." and I checked it out. MAN, am I glad I did! One of the best shows ever and it's about time they started adapting shows from the Bible more! Looks great, well acted, great, solid, deep story. It's got all a good TV show needs. All but good marketing. NBC owes us a do-over and this time they need to put some heart into it. Keep the first burnin', Mike.

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  5. I recieved the first season of kings only 3 days ago without any prior knowledge of the show just given to me by a friend who said he was hooked and i have finished it already. which was no easy feat i work 14hrs a day, i got that into it i even snuck in an episode whilst at work. on trying to find out when season 2 was to start i was extremely disapointed in reading that NBC had canceled the show i mean the only TV series i enjoy more then that is HEROES. there seems to be alot of support for the show and considering the story line it seems to grab people from every direction and suck them in religeous or not the story line was really starting to get good, NBC seeem to have givin us little time to build up an appropriate fan base as most TV series these days seem to have about 20 episodes in the first season to give viewers a chance to really get to know the characters and fall in love with them. i say they should at the least give them another season i reakon NBC will get a suprise and from what i read NBC move it to a time slot over there in America that doesn’t get a very wide variety of viewers i say BRING BACK KINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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