Why a Cliffhanger?

Date: 12/29/1999
From: TemporalFlux

I've actually known the answer to this for quite some time but I haven't been inclined to post it here. Why should I open the door for 20 people who've never had a source in their life to jump and tell me how much I *don't know*? I think the British reports on "The Seer" once again reinforce that I'm talking with people who give the straight "dope" on what happened...despite all the lying by other sources that made me doubt even my information, *my* production sources gave the now verifiable truth about The Seer back in the summer. Think about that.

There has been a question for a long while now...why would Sliders production end season five on a cliffhanger when they were being given strong indications the show wouldn't be back? Practically every member of the production team in interviews has stated that they were told season five was the final year...yet they went with the cliffhanger. We asked Damron at the last Sci-Fi Channel chat he did why the cliffhanger decision was made...he said it was Dial's decision. But never explained the reasoning behind it...you're about to find out why.

Now for the story of "Why a cliffhanger?" The last episode of season five was originally going to be a huge battle with alot of FX (Damron's Kromagg resoultion he talked about in that last chat). Production started pooling together FX money early on to prepare for it (hence some of the obvious penny pinching budget eps like "Heavy Metal"). That stockpiled money from season five ended up being spent on "Eye of the Storm." This decision came after Executive Producer Bill Dial said he wanted to end with a cliffhanger.

Here's the reason: Production was completely ignored by the Sci-Fi Channel during season 5. Although it was Sci-Fi's highest rated show, they quit watching their cut and giving corrective notes on the episodes. Production learned that the new network regime didn't care for the show, even though the fans did. Bill Dial started testing his theory that no one was paying attention to drafts of scripts as well. It has always been a rule that a gun can never be pointed at a person's head on the show. This is Sci-Fi standards and practices. Notice, the Krommagg pointing the gun at Quinn's chest or shoulder in the travel agency in "Applied Physics." Dial sent over pages for a script that featured a character getting his head blown completely off. Production didn't hear a word from Sci-Fi about this obvious taboo. This made produciton angry. Dial decided not to make the cancellation easy for Sci-Fi, so he proposed the cliffhanger instead of the planned FX extravaganza finale.

Basically what it comes down is...Dial felt he had to "get back" at Sci-Fi for giving him what Tracy Torme' always wanted...a network ignoring production. We weren't part of the equation even though Dial supposedly knew *we* still cared...it was all about "getting back" at Sci-Fi because they were allowing production to do *anything* they wanted. I'm sorry...but that's damn pathetic.

You wanted to know why...now you may be excused to be sick. I know...I felt the same way when I first found out.

Tf
temporalflux@hotmail.com
http://www.dimensionofcontinuity.com

I think I speak for most of this board

Date: 12/29/1999
From: Brand_S

when I say that that has got to be the most stupid production boner I have ever heard of. I can't believe Bill Dial would screw all of us where the sun don't shine just so he could get a little attention. Dang, he's worse than Jacob Epstein, probably almost worse than Peck himself.

S

Excuse me while I go vomit

Date: 12/29/1999
From: jersey_slider

This is one of the most pathetic, ridiculous reasons for a cliffhanger to occur on a series. What were they thinking? I can't wait until RK produces his movie, and the fans get to see everything that was meant for Sliders since day one. I'm so sick and tired of people acting like immature a**holes. What did Sci Fi gain from this? Absolutely nothing, in fact, they are now going to lose viewers. What did Dial gain from this? Nothing, he's gonna put this crappy production on his resume? He'll never get hired again. I hope they all burn in hell!!!

OK, I vented. Talk to you soon.
:)
Jersey_Slider

Hmmmm.....

Date: 12/29/1999
From: Fish_Bone

God.....kinda makes you wanna punch Bill! At least we are getting a movie. No one can take that away from us. However, alot can happen before late 2000! If this movie comes out, i know we will see Rembrandt Brown alive!

I'm with S on this.

Date: 12/30/1999
From: stuslide

THAT BASTARD!!!

How could he do this to us? We have been by this show forever and rather than give the fans what they want (TF, do you happen to know what the ORIGINAL resolution would have been?) he had to bruiseego over EVERYONE???

When this sinks in, I'm going to be so pissed.

Already, have a virtual 6th season forming in my head,
Stuslide
Keeper of Wade's diary, her necklace, & Egyptian Timer
SLIDERS: ALTERNATE SPIN
www.angelfire.com/ky/sliderspinoff
"Just think of the possibilities."

Doing a 180

Date: 12/30/1999
From: Kromagg1

Well, I'm starting to think that just maybe Jerry O'Connell should have gotten the Exec. Producer title. Now I';m certainly no Jerry lover. I'm still pissed that he played his little game with the fate of the show and now down talks Sliders like he never needed it. However, think of it. Take the season 4 cast and crew and loose Zicree and swap in Damron (both great writers so it really doesn't hurt *too* much) and loose Peckinpah and put Jerry in the Exec. Producer spot. Jerry would be happy and stay. We'd certainly see some more resolutions and most likely some great scripts (Way out West was better that most of season 5). I think giving Jerry the job would have been better in the long run. Of course, looking back on it I see that.

Kro1

Kromagg1

Date: 12/30/1999
From: JorgeCis

The only problem is Jerry wasn't, and still isn't, qualified for the job. Unfortunately, Peck is, and so is Bill Dial.

Jorge

figures...

Date: 12/30/1999
From: slider409

Damn Dial, what a whiney jerk!

Dial may have surpassed Peckinpah.......

Date: 12/30/1999
From: Sickpsycho

Damn this man, an epitome of blasphemy. Screwed us over now we're never gonna see how this "Kromagg" resolution could've happened.

Why

Date: 05/04/2000
From: Dove_Slider

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Original URL http://bboard.scifi.com/bboard/browse.cgi/1/5/545/15995
Nominated by TemporalFlux