Anita Blake - tv series? Movie?

[raging-muse.livejournal.com]

Hi guys!

I've noticed several posts that have been going into this community lately about this series actually going forward to be a tv show! Like the rest of you I haven't quite been able to believe my eyes that rumour is in fact horrible fact. Probably still won't believe it until i see the series . . .

My curiosity has been pricked however . . . lately there seems to be quite a few paranormal series or movies that have been turned into tv shows - this is not new - i still remember some years ago when The Crow (an awesome, truely unique movie) was made into a Canadian TV series (to my horrow as I must admit). Luckily I believe it didn't survive past the first series or 2.

I'm curious is (as far back as that series) they keep making these into tv series that never last more then a series or 2 - it makes you wonder why they bother when the same pattern keeps reoccuring.   Do any of you think that if Anita Blake makes it all the way past the pilot to a series (if it gets that far) that it would have any chance of success? I too remember that the earlier books in the series weren't too bad and if the right writers/director/actors get to it and get i away from Hamilton's control it might be an okay series. But do any of you think that this series could actually survive?

Comments

[lilacwire.livejournal.com]

I think a large part of why series like that don't survive is a) lack of a premise that stands up to multiple storylines, b) the "genre" issue, where shows that are related to fantasy/sci-fi tend to be ignored and overlooked except by the specific fans of that genre, c) that for a long time shows like that were syndicated and done very badly, assuming that they could rest on the laurels of the well-done syndicated shows such as Xena.

If the writing were solid and they could attract the right market, then yes, it could survive. Buffy survived, Xena survived, even a genre show like Supernatural is getting stellar ratings this year because of its consistently good storylines and acting. It's the sucky shows like Tarzan and Birds of Prey that diminished the view of this kind of genre.

Edited for grammar. :)

[dwg.livejournal.com]

I guess it also depends on what the show is up against with the ratings. I have this unfortunate love affair with shows that were cancelled and usually they share a timeslot with some of the big hitters, like CSI, Grey's Anatomy etc. so they really have to fight for their ratings. Then there's what network it's on, promotion, the whole shebang.

As far as an AB:VH show goes -- I don't think it'll happen. LKH has stated that she likes a certain level of control, and a television series would require her to cut the apron strings and let someone else play with her baby. If we're lucky, we might get the pilot to be loosely based on Guilty Pleasures, but I'm stuck in this nighmare scenario where it turns out to be verbatim from the book (ala the comic) and I'll then be mentally comparing all three together to see which one sucks more.

Then again, True Blood seems to be doing well, so stranger things have happened.

In short: I don't really see it lasting more than a season and it might enjoy some moderate success on the dvd scene.

And then, oh god, we're gonna get people in the fandom that were all, "I didn't know that these were a series of books too!" like what happened with the Dresden Files.

[lilacwire.livejournal.com]

I was pretty disappointed when I picked up the Dresden TV series after reading most of the books. It felt like every character had been neutered. That's my fear for something like Anita. If done right, I could see this fantastic little paranormal detective show with a splash of romance, but if they cut it up like they did Dresden, ugh.

Edited because I have serious typing issues today.

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

I felt something similar when True Blood happened. While I adore the show and its take on Charlaine's books, I'm still irritated by the way so many of the characters are tweaked, altered, or completely changed.

In Anita Blake's case, though, that might be a blessing.

[saucyirishlass.livejournal.com]

I only just started watching the series (thank God for HBO On Demand so I've been able to watch all the episodes), so I'm curious to know what's been tweaked, altered, or completely changed. I'm considering reading the series (if I manage to find the time), so I'd like to be prepared for the differences.

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

Well, I'll tell you now that Tara Thornton is not at all like the Tara of the book. In the book, she's an olive-skinned brunette who owns a clothing store, she knew Sookie pretty well in high school, she dates handsome dumb men, she doesn't work at Sam's bar, she's not sassy or very confident, and there is no alcoholic mother.
That's the biggest change I see so far. Other characters have minor tweaks. Lafayette is not a drug dealer, Jason doesn't even touch vampire blood or have a girlfriend named Amy, Pam is supposed to look much younger, and Arlene is supposed to be Sookie's best friend.

(Sorry, I just really love the books!)

[hellozombies.livejournal.com]

Me too. I was completely confused by Tara, but I have to admit that I do like TV-show!Tara. She's a nice touch.

And...it must be said...I like Bill more on the show than in the books. XD.

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

TV-show!Tara is really growing on me now. I just wish she'd get that damn chip off her shoulder about being black...

I like TV!Bill better, too! You know that major thing that happens in book three? Something tells me it might not happen in the show, because TV!Bill is too nice.

[dwg.livejournal.com]

See, I don't have a problem with that. There may be some nagging little part of my brain that's all, "NERDFURY! THIS ISN'T HOW IT GOES IN THE BOOKS!" but I'm not going to let that stand in the way of cheesetastic fun. Yes, it could have been better, but it wasn't eye-gougingly-oh-god-make-it-stop!!! terrible either. So long as the spirit of the books isn't messed with to the degree where I don't recognise it any more, I'm usually good with people bringing their own take on things.

As for AB:VH, I totally see it being more like Moonlight. But instead of wanting to be Angel, it wants to be Buffy SOHARD.

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

You know, you are so right. I may yell, "That's not Tara! Jason wouldn't do that! Stop it! GRAH!" but it's still cute and fun.

[mia-in-chains.livejournal.com]

It can't possibly be as bad as the last books she wrote, that is if the show lasts that long.

[raging-muse.livejournal.com]

I see what you all mean. The Dresden Files series has only just started down here in NZ - and i only caught it one night by accident as its on a channel that isn't really a main one and then started watching. I too find the characters are bit stunted and flat. Maybe that's just the change from book to TV . . .

Perhaps if the Anita series has to be made into something visual a b grade movie might be more appropriate then a TV Series - look what they are doing with Twilight and I'd heard they are turning the Anne McCaffery Dragonriders of Pern series into a movie as well (as much as that idea is awful - any movie with dragons it sux). At least with a movie its over and done with, no matter how awful and we can just wait for the dvd rather then spending %12 bucks to see it on the big screen lol. (Then again the horror of movie trilogies may overtake the Anita series lol can anyone imagine Anita Blake the movie trilogy?)