FX Withdraws from 'Over There'

Zap2it.com ^ | November 1 2005

[jmc1969]

FX's war drama "Over There" won't be redeployed for a second season, becoming a casualty of the same thing that causes most shows to be cancelled -- declining ratings.

The cable network took the unusual step Tuesday (Nov. 1) of announcing it wouldn't pick up "Over There," about a squad of inexperienced soldiers in Iraq. Typically networks don't choose to draw attention to shows that are being cancelled.

In explaining the cancellation FX chief John Landgraf takes pains to note that the "beautifully produced, acted, written and directed" show was axed solely due to the realities of the TV business, not for any creative reasons.

"That decision was motivated entirely by 'Over There's' ratings performance and our belief that the numbers were reflective of what the show is about, rather than its quality or entertainment value," Landgraf says. "While are passionately committed to fostering great television, we are an advertiser-supported network, and the size of our audience is vital to our bottom line."

[jmc1969]

I watched a promo a few weeks ago from this show that shows Iraqi troops just like the media portayed the ARVN.

[Husker24]

Damn, I liked the show, and watched it religiously.

[brivette]

Good riddance.

[VOA]

Steven Bochco, one of the show's creators, said the show wouldn't be "political"
when it was first launched.

Maybe he wished he'd tilted it farther to the liberal/lefty point of
view.
At least he'd have gotten "Code Pink" and a few more of the viewers of
"The West Wing" to tune in.

[cripplecreek]

I caught part of two episodes. In one a female soldier got ripped off by a prostitute after a shower scene with her. In the next episode I saw the same female soldier was having sex with a male soldier on top of a washing machine on base in Iraq.

A truely pathetic piece of garbage of a show.

[SoDak]

I watched it too and didn't feel as though politics of either direction were too heavily involved. I thought it was a very well-done show.

[speed_addiction]

I loved this show. While it had it's flaws in how it portrayed infantry tactics, it was far from unAmerican. The characters were solid and a couple of them were a surprise. One of them was the deeply Christian Black soldier who prayed often, witnessed when the occasion called for it and was not portrayed in any way demeaning to Christians.

The Squad Sergeant was also a very good character, gruff but with a deep and sincere affection for his troops. Though somewhat bitter in his private moments about being extended in Iraq, he remained professional in his job.

There have been some truly powerful moments in the show so far. One of the best ones was when one of the squad was informed about his mother having a stroke and he could go home on emergency leave. The soldier decided to stay. The Christian soldier asks him if he would like him to pray for his mother, but the troop refuses. The Christian soldier says a sincere and heartfelt prayer for the soldier's mother and the soldier himself anyway. It was heartwrenchng to watch.

Another truly good moment was when a female soldier had gone AWOL and had gotten ripped off in a motel room. She sits down for a meal at a diner even though she has no money. When the owner of the small diner presents her her check, she says she can't pay. He threatens to call the cops and she tells him she is on leave but got ripped off. She tells her rank, unit and MOS. The guy pays for her meal, gives her some dessert and a few bucks. It was not until later when I watched the episode for a second time, that I noticed a photo on the wall behind the owner in that scene. It was a squad of troops from Vietnam. The owner was a combat vet himself.

I am sorry to hear of this show's demise. It was not stark "Blackhawk Down" or "Saving Private Ryan" realism, but it was good drama and enjoyable. I will miss it.


What We Are About To Do Here Is What The Good Lord Would Call A Cleansing of the Wicked. I Call It A Good Old Fashioned Texas Ass Kicking.

[McGarrett]

I don't have cable or sattelite so I never watched, but probably would never have done so. I suspect I'm like a lot of Freepers in placing no trust in the way Hollywood will portray American troops. So, basically has a very hard time attracting right wingers, even when they try (and so often fail) to be even-handed.

[McGarrett]

portray American troops. So, basically has a very hard
^insert Hollywood here

[synbad600]

Maybe they should do a show about the troops reactions to all the BS that is coming from the LSM.

Or how about a show regarding a soldier whose mom is back in the states belittling everything he stands for?

[USMARINE6]

Nearly every war film distorts reality & makes the uncommon seem common place. From the undisciplined dope smoking blood thirsty soldiers portrayed in the Vietnam movies to the portrayals of a conflicted soldier of today, Americans are falsely given an image of our fighting people. Film makers are simply exploiting war for profit. Dollars trump everything & distortion is called artistic license.