Animal lovers (even wrongheaded, extremist animal lovers like PETA) are a big population segment to potentially offend. Corporate America will always fold like a $2500 claimer in the stretch in the face of that kind of pressure. The show only lasted this long after the first death because it's on HBO. If it were on an advertiser-supported network, it would have been toast long ago.Originally Posted by Kurenai
Late Wednesday evening, the California Horse Racing Board announced that it will “conduct a thorough investigation, which will include a postmortem examination and toxicology testing,” regarding the fatality on Tuesday.
“The CHRB is assured by those onsite at Santa Anita who are responsible for equine health and safety that every precaution was being taken to protect the horses appearing in the HBO program,” said a release from the racing board. “In fact, because the filming was taking place in an enclosure within the CHRB’s jurisdiction, the level of care for these animals exceeded the level of care for animals on other filming locations. Everyone involved in the handling of the horses that appeared on ‘Luck’ is licensed by the CHRB and qualified to do so.”
http://www.drf.com/print/news/luck-h...er-death-horse
Well crap. I hope they try and finish out the plot at least and not leave it hanging.
They didn't cancel because of the third death, it sounds like they canceled because ratings are crappy. And let's be real when you couple crappy ratings with high profile animal deaths, HBO did not see a winner. Luck was a liability and had to go.
I really don't think it's quite that simple. IIRC, HBO has shown in the past that it understands Milch's dramas can take awhile to build an audience. His shows demand patience and focus and an investment on the part of an audience.
Which isn't to say the ratings didn't matter. But this is a show that has featured at least one graphic breakdown (was there another on the latest episode?), while at the same time apparently intending to use the magnificence and "innocence" of racehorses as the vehicle for the possible redemption/transcendence of some of the human characters. That makes the real-life breakdowns, and the intense coverage thereof, highly problematic.
And of course I believe that fatally injured horses on set affects all those involved on the set as well.
First rule: Try always to do what's right for the horse. The people part will work out. -- Josh Pons, Merryland, 2007
I don't think the ratings were that much of an issue. HBO is not as ratings driven as basic cable networks are. But HBO is very sensitive about its image and I'm sure they just didn't want the flack from people who were concerned about the animals.
But still, too bad. I liked the show.
Well, ratings had something to do with it on HBO's end, but it is a rather sudden decision. Milch and Mann are not the types to want to continue with the backlash, they got other things to do. Mostly, it wasn't so much the 3rd death in and of itself, as it triggered the conversation where they could not guarantee that there would be no more. And what tipped it is that suspending the racing scene shots screwed the show's schedule. Time is moola money in production, so, voila, they pulled the (whole) plug.
I wonder if they edit and decide to show the two they have in the can or just let it end on this season, that was shot before they ever knew if they would get a second season.
I think the show did develop and get better, too.
Last edited by Epiphany; 03-14-2012 at 07:13 PM.
This is a Tweet from Stewart Levine, an editor Variety: "Those who say 'Luck' wouldn't have been canceled if ratings were higher don't understand HBO business model. It's subscriptions that count." [Retweeted by Jay Privman]
First rule: Try always to do what's right for the horse. The people part will work out. -- Josh Pons, Merryland, 2007
And if people want to watch an HBO show (or shows), they subscribe. Ratings means more word of mouth, buzz, ergo, more subs.
ps eta super classy production is supposedly not going to pay the crew that was booked out for eight months...any...severance. Not uncommon in Hollywood work for hire these days, but still...
Last edited by Epiphany; 03-14-2012 at 07:57 PM.
But it also means HBO has the luxury of letting a show "grow" an audience -- and has done in the past. But in this case, HBO has no way at all of preventing another death from happening, as this genuine accident (IMO) shows. And, as I said before, since horses are integral to the plot on several levels, and horses do "die" on the show -- this is a problem. Again, not arguing that ratings or subscriptions don't matter -- just not the whole story, as some are trying to make it. I will add that several reporters/commentators in the TV biz have expressed surprise that HBO moved this fast to cancel.
First rule: Try always to do what's right for the horse. The people part will work out. -- Josh Pons, Merryland, 2007
Will the final 2 episodes of this season be shown?
They'll finish off this season, but the two episodes they filmed for Season 2 will likely never see the light of day.
I'll sure miss Escalante, and I'll miss Jerry, Ronnie, and Smith. Just when I start to care about them... Adiós.
Last edited by LifeAtZen; 03-14-2012 at 08:20 PM.
Animal Kingdom, Eblouissante, Amazombie, Somali Lemonade, Royal Delta,
Archwarrior, Flashy Gray, Antonia Autumn, Verrazano, Mr Commons, Midnight Lucky
2012 Thoroughbred In Memoriam
Once upon a time there was a horse named Kelso. But only once. ~ Joe Hirsch
Yeah ... I guess John Ortiz, who played Escalante, won't be hanging around the track nonstop like he has been. He's been shadowing Julio Canani everywhere he goes ...
That's a shame, John Ortiz is a very nice guy ... Kinda liked having him around and talking with him from time to time.
Was kinda wondering if the show would get him interested enough in horse racing to still come around even without the series.
Seemed like he really enjoyed it. Guess the proof will be in the pudding now, since he has no show.
Live life, don't just exist it!
Yeah ... The show got much better and was actually getting pretty good ... As they now had the degenerate gamblers and even Dustin Hoffman falling madly in love with their horses and the game ...
Something we can all identify with and something I greatly appreciated.
Live life, don't just exist it!
It was rather sudden. I don't think it was all about "ratings" but the drop off would concern them, or have given an exec a second thought with such a big budget, and the risk of bad PR and rescheduling shoots in the future - that is what it was really about IMO - think of Charlie Sheen and the wasted $ risk he put Two and a Half Men in with his party benders..."Are we shooting this week?" Luck: "Ah sh!t, another horse died? We're &^%$@!"
Here is an interesting interview on the genesis of HBO series programming.
http://www.worldscreen.com/articles/...epler-lombardo
Yeah ... I guess John Ortiz, who played Escalante, won't be hanging around the track nonstop like he has been. He's been shadowing Julio Canani everywhere he goes ...
That's a shame, John Ortiz is a very nice guy ... Kinda liked having him around and talking with him from time to time.
Was kinda wondering if the show would get him interested enough in horse racing to still come around even without the series.
Seemed like he really enjoyed it. Guess the proof will be in the pudding now, since he has no show.
Gary had posted that he was helping John buy a share in a racehorse. So, he was really into it. Sad to see it all fall apart.
Animal Kingdom, Eblouissante, Amazombie, Somali Lemonade, Royal Delta,
Archwarrior, Flashy Gray, Antonia Autumn, Verrazano, Mr Commons, Midnight Lucky
2012 Thoroughbred In Memoriam
Once upon a time there was a horse named Kelso. But only once. ~ Joe Hirsch
Oh wow! That's cool.
Guess John really was/is digging the sport as much as it seems ...
Wonder if he does buy into a horse, if Canani will train it ... Since they seem to really like each other.
Julio is quite a piece of work.
Who is "George" by the way?
Live life, don't just exist it!
And we've finally made the national "conversation" about the demise of Luck. Well at least Ty88 and moi did.
http://sports.yahoo.com/rah/news?slug=ycn-11103140
Damn! You're famous Piph!And we've finally made the national "conversation" about the demise of Luck. Well at least Ty88 and moi did.
http://sports.yahoo.com/rah/news?slug=ycn-11103140
Guess I wasn't interesting enough to get quoted ... Story of my life ...
But hey ... TBC as a whole got pimped ... So that's pretty cool!
Live life, don't just exist it!
Thanks for that. That was great.
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