Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D....this fall on ABC

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I think it's going to be huge, but for a reason that will probably sound weird coming from me as someone who prefers drama with grey or darker tones: it's light-hearted. Everything is skewed so dark nowadays, that I think a good (that's important, it has to be good...) family-safe show with humor and a slant towards hope is going to be an easy sell. It also helps that they can play off the popularity of both Marvel and Joss Wheden.

What I wonder is why they put it up against NCIS. Starting a new series up against the #1 show seems like a gamble. Maybe they're not counting on audience cross-over, and hoping the (likely) younger audience they should bring in skews things in their favor.

What concerns me long term (and even short term for that matter) is that none of Marvel's most well-known characters will appear in this series.

No Hulk, Iron Man, Thor, or Captain America. Even lessor knowns like Hawkeye, Black Widow and Ant Man won't appear, either, because there are plans for stand-alone films for each. Jeremy Renner and Scarlett Jo aren't going to appear on a weekly TV series. It's possible that whomever they cast as Ant-Man will have a crossover but that's about it.

And certainly no Spidey.

So with that in mind, how does this series sustain the already built-in audience? That's the biggest question, IMO.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

What concerns me long term (and even short term for that matter) is that none of Marvel's most well-known characters will appear in this series.

No Hulk, Iron Man, Thor, or Captain America. Even lessor knowns like Hawkeye, Black Widow and Ant Man won't appear, either, because there are plans for stand-alone films for each. Jeremy Renner and Scarlett Jo aren't going to appear on a weekly TV series. It's possible that whomever they cast as Ant-Man will have a crossover but that's about it.

And certainly no Spidey.

So with that in mind, how does this series sustain the already built-in audience? That's the biggest question, IMO.

That's a tough question. It matters if Samuel L Jackson at least cameos in it and if they can snag Cobie Smoulders (whatever her role in Avengers was) it will make for easier transition.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

What concerns me long term (and even short term for that matter) is that none of Marvel's most well-known characters will appear in this series.

No Hulk, Iron Man, Thor, or Captain America. Even lessor knowns like Hawkeye, Black Widow and Ant Man won't appear, either, because there are plans for stand-alone films for each. Jeremy Renner and Scarlett Jo aren't going to appear on a weekly TV series. It's possible that whomever they cast as Ant-Man will have a crossover but that's about it.

And certainly no Spidey.

So with that in mind, how does this series sustain the already built-in audience? That's the biggest question, IMO.

There are thousands of Marvel comix characters. Hundreds of good one's.

I think lesser know characters like Maddrox (multiple man,) Luke Cage, and inter-dimensional and ET characters could be used.

[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

What concerns me long term (and even short term for that matter) is that none of Marvel's most well-known characters will appear in this series.

No Hulk, Iron Man, Thor, or Captain America. Even lessor knowns like Hawkeye, Black Widow and Ant Man won't appear, either, because there are plans for stand-alone films for each. Jeremy Renner and Scarlett Jo aren't going to appear on a weekly TV series. It's possible that whomever they cast as Ant-Man will have a crossover but that's about it.

And certainly no Spidey.

So with that in mind, how does this series sustain the already built-in audience? That's the biggest question, IMO.

I think the show survives by generating strong storylines that don't have anything to do with established Marvel canon (or just loose association or minor characters). It's all about the characters they create for the show. If people care about the ensemble cast, if the audience becomes invested in their story, people will keep tuning in. Like any other show. Strong acting, good writing. Good TV.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I think the show survives by generating strong storylines that don't have anything to do with established Marvel canon (or just loose association or minor characters). It's all about the characters they create for the show. If people care about the ensemble cast, if the audience becomes invested in their story, people will keep tuning in. Like any other show. Strong acting, good writing. Good TV.

Easier said than done.

This is exactly why pilots are necessary.

If a pilot doesn't find an audience immediately, more often than not, the show doesn't survive. Networks aren't going to commit to 13 or 24 episodes when no one is watching.

[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Easier said than done.

Yeah.

(And I should clarify I was just laying out how I thought it would best be done, not making a prediction that that's what they'll do, or that it will work. I obviously have no idea what's going to happen...)