The CW's Nikita

[Catman]

has the CW cancelled it yet?

No, and hopefully they won't anytime soon!

For CW standards, it's getting good ratings. It averages about 2-3 million viewers per episode. CW's highest rated show is Vampire Diaries which gets about 4 million viewers.

 

[Primal Slayer]

Well right now Nikita is the 2nd highest rated scripted show on the network, right after VD. But it does the worst in the demos.

 

[Catman]

Well right now Nikita is the 2nd highest rated scripted show on the network, right after VD. But it does the worst in the demos.

You mean the key female demos?

 

[Primal Slayer]

Yes, it draws the less females.

 

[Frodo]

I think the show is great , but then again I'm kinda bias since I think Maggie Q is cool.Lol.

 

[Primal Slayer]

The CW is giving "Nikita" a chill pill.

Five episodes into its rookie season, the Maggie Q-fronted action drama is undergoing some routine maintenance. Specifically, The CW is looking to lighten the show’s somber mood and jack up its title character’s love life.

The goal? To boost viewership in the network’s sweet spot: young females. While "Nikita" is off to a solid start among total viewers, it’s losing a huge chunk of the core women 18-34 demo from its "Vampire Diaries" lead-in. Season-to-date, "Nikita" is maintaining 94 percent of "Diaries‘" overall audience but is squandering an alarming 54 percent of the 18-34 crowd. This could be one reason why the net has yet to give the show a back-nine order. (Ironically, where "Nikita" is performing particularly well is among horny straight males over 40.)

“We’re really only talking about some slight tweaks,” maintains a source. “The core of 'Nikita' will not change.”

Among said tweaks is the introduction of several new characters, including a confidant and potential love interest for Nikita who’s described as a clean-cut, all-American CIA case officer. “Moms want to marry off their daughters to this kid,” reads the casting notice. “But he’s too busy saving the world.”

Reps for The CW and Warner Bros. Television declined to comment for this story.

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/10/12/nikita-getting-a-slight-tweak/

Hope it doesnt mess the show up. But if it doesnt gain more female viewers then they will probably cancel it.

 

[TheComicbookKid]

I'm guessing Sawa's character is either killed or he didn't want to join cause fans want him to stay around.

 

[Dark Raven]

This show is admittedly very serious at the moment. It should've started off a bit lighter in mood. This is a bit like the most serious parts of Alias, Dollhouse and Dark Angel combined.

 

[TheComicbookKid]

This is too badly written/structured to be as serious as those shows. The fact that Alex has been able to run around doing this stuff is so stupid. At least on Dollhouse, we were tipped off early that they wanted her to glitch and not just incompetent.

 

[Dark Raven]

This is too badly written/structured to be as serious as those shows. The fact that Alex has been able to run around doing this stuff is so stupid. At least on Dollhouse, we were tipped off early that they wanted her to glitch and not just incompetent.

Serious as in sombre in mood, not whether it can be taken seriously or not or how competent characters are. Alias, Dollhouse and Dark Angel were very sombre at times, and Nikita seems like it is that mood throughout the whole of its episodes.

 

[TheComicbookKid]

Serious as in sombre in mood, not whether it can be taken seriously or not or how competent characters are. Alias, Dollhouse and Dark Angel were very sombre at times, and Nikita seems like it is that mood throughout the whole of its episodes.

I know what you meant. The logic of how stupid Division has to be to let this stuff go on under there noses makes it hard to take things serious. Does anyone take the green-eyed chick as a threat? I just roll my eyes.

Maybe it's just me, but for a mood to be somber, I actually have to believe in the stakes presented.

 

[The_Mighty_Thor]

I like it just fine the way it is. I hope they don't muck it up trying to "fix" it. When ever you try to find a way to get the people that aren't watching you risk losing the people that are!

 

[terry78]

I love how Hollywood assumes that in order to get chicks to watch you need romance.


Which is probably true, sadly.

 

[Primal Slayer]

It's the same about males and the whole sex sales bit.

 

[TheComicbookKid]

Womenz...always thinking with their lady parts.

We men are above such things. We love strong characters and plot. And how hot was Alex in that one scene!

 

[Dark Raven]

I know what you meant. The logic of how stupid Division has to be to let this stuff go on under there noses makes it hard to take things serious. Does anyone take the green-eyed chick as a threat? I just roll my eyes.

Maybe it's just me, but for a mood to be somber, I actually have to believe in the stakes presented.

It is just you. You still seem to be talking about whether you can take things seriously or not. A show or movie can be completely sombre, even if you don't find it well written and there's no sense of danger or it is full of plot holes.

One such example is Elektra, which in fact is what Nikita is even more reminiscent of. You might not believe in her teenage sidekick or the stakes presented, or any of the characters, but that movie was completely dour, unhumourous and heavy handed. I'm not saying it should be a laugh-a-minute film, but there are some productions which feel oppressively serious. Elektra is one such production. Nikita is another. It makes it a chore to watch.

 

[TheComicbookKid]

Am I the only one expecting there to be another mole in Division?

It is just you. You still seem to be talking about whether you can take things seriously or not. A show or movie can be completely sombre, even if you don't find it well written and there's no sense of danger or it is full of plot holes.

I'm okay being alone.t:

I'm saying you can't make something somber just by having bad stuff going on. It means you attempted and it isn't working. I've seen movies that are relentlessly depressing(saying nothing about quality) and I've seen movies that wanted to be but never fully commit to it cause the character actions don't allow for it. Dark lighting and grey tones a somber atmosphere doesn't make.

I'm not saying Nikita is some light-hearted comedy, but if it's attempting to be somber, it's not doing it for me obviously. It's just middle of the road.

One such example is Elektra, which in fact is what Nikita is even more reminiscent of. You might not believe in her teenage sidekick or the stakes presented, or any of the characters, but that movie was completely dour, unhumourous and heavy handed. I'm not saying it should be a laugh-a-minute film, but there are some productions which feel oppressively serious. Elektra is one such production. Nikita is another. It makes it a chore to watch.

Elektra was dour and somber, but the characters were, although lame, consistent. The girl was upbeat and contrasted to Elektra's "deadness." Elektra was the character we viewed the world through.


This show is actually closer to The Blade Series, which they should look to for guidance. The main character, Nikita/Blade only shows up for some fights and plot pushing. The actually character development was handled by the inside character. Alex in this case. That's the problem. Alex's storyline lacks the somber attitude the series tries to project cause to make "Nancy Drew" infiltrates a govt. sect" work, Division has to seem inept.

 

[Catman]

I know CW is obsessed with female viewers, but I don't see how a show that appeals to guys is a bad thing. Maybe they can eventually expand to a broader audience.

 

[Hunter Rider]

I think they key is more Alex.

 

[Dark Raven]

Am I the only one expecting there to be another mole in Division?




I'm okay being alone.t:

I'm saying you can't make something somber just by having bad stuff going on. It means you attempted and it isn't working. I've seen movies that are relentlessly depressing(saying nothing about quality) and I've seen movies that wanted to be but never fully commit to it cause the character actions don't allow for it. Dark lighting and grey tones a somber atmosphere doesn't make.

I'm not saying Nikita is some light-hearted comedy, but if it's attempting to be somber, it's not doing it for me obviously. It's just middle of the road.




Elektra was dour and somber, but the characters were, although lame, consistent. The girl was upbeat and contrasted to Elektra's "deadness." Elektra was the character we viewed the world through.


This show is actually closer to The Blade Series, which they should look to for guidance. The main character, Nikita/Blade only shows up for some fights and plot pushing. The actually character development was handled by the inside character. Alex in this case. That's the problem. Alex's storyline lacks the somber attitude the series tries to project cause to make "Nancy Drew" infiltrates a govt. sect" work, Division has to seem inept.

I'm not saying that the producers of Nikita are deliberately attempting to make it sombre (or maybe they could be - who knows?), but simply that it IS sombre - not from dark lighting or having bad stuff going on, as you put it, but because it is simply so lacking in humour, personality etc. Everyone seems to be brooding and as if they just came out of a funeral. Every scene seems heavy and laboured, even the action scenes. That's why I compared it to Elektra, which did feel as if it had a dark cloud over it the whole time.

Put it this way: if either Elektra (the version played by Jennifer Garner) or Nikita were just regular girls in real life (not assassins) but were constantly brooding and lacking in humour and personality, would you really want to hang out with them? You might answer yes, just because of their looks, but you'd get bored quickly. Now in the context of a show/ movie, regardless of whether they are assassins, are these characters you would want to hang out with (ie do you want to follow them on a weekly basis)?

Given the choice between someone like Nikita and another show where someone takes themself less seriously and doesn't seem like there's a constant dark cloud over them, wouldn't you choose the person who is more fun and lighthearted to watch, especially at the end of a day's work when you just want to relax? Nikita is a show you have to be in the right mood or frame of mind to watch. It's not something you can just sit down with anytime because it's so heavy handed, sombre and lacking in humour at the moment. If people have had a crap day at work or are feeling depressed, it's not going to be an instant draw. Other shows are much more versatile and can be watched whatever mood you're in.

Now maybe you personally would choose the more serious character, but I'm sure this is also a question in the minds of other viewers, and we'll all be able to see by the viewing figures who chooses which show repeatedly.

 

[Raiden]

I know CW is obsessed with female viewers, but I don't see how a show that appeals to guys is a bad thing. Maybe they can eventually expand to a broader audience.

I think having Maggie Q around (with occasional scenes of her wearing skin-tight clothing) will keep the male viewers glue to this show.

 

[Dave McFly]

That cameo was definitely a doubletake from me. I didn't even recognize Devon Sawa.

This is my guilty pleasure show.

I agree, I did NOT recognize him, I love this show mainly for Maggie and Lyndsy he he.

 

[Frodo]

I'm not saying that the producers of Nikita are deliberately attempting to make it sombre (or maybe they could be - who knows?), but simply that it IS sombre - not from dark lighting or having bad stuff going on, as you put it, but because it is simply so lacking in humour, personality etc. Everyone seems to be brooding and as if they just came out of a funeral. Every scene seems heavy and laboured, even the action scenes. That's why I compared it to Elektra, which did feel as if it had a dark cloud over it the whole time.

Put it this way: if either Elektra (the version played by Jennifer Garner) or Nikita were just regular girls in real life (not assassins) but were constantly brooding and lacking in humour and personality, would you really want to hang out with them? You might answer yes, just because of their looks, but you'd get bored quickly. Now in the context of a show/ movie, regardless of whether they are assassins, are these characters you would want to hang out with (ie do you want to follow them on a weekly basis)?

Given the choice between someone like Nikita and another show where someone takes themself less seriously and doesn't seem like there's a constant dark cloud over them, wouldn't you choose the person who is more fun and lighthearted to watch, especially at the end of a day's work when you just want to relax? Nikita is a show you have to be in the right mood or frame of mind to watch. It's not something you can just sit down with anytime because it's so heavy handed, sombre and lacking in humour at the moment. If people have had a crap day at work or are feeling depressed, it's not going to be an instant draw. Other shows are much more versatile and can be watched whatever mood you're in.

Now maybe you personally would choose the more serious character, but I'm sure this is also a question in the minds of other viewers, and we'll all be able to see by the viewing figures who chooses which show repeatedly.

I gotta say I really don't find the show that dark and brooding. In terms of tone , it's certainly lighter then Alias and Dollhouse ever were . If anything the characters in Nikita are more snarky then brooding. Nikita is always dishing out one liners along with every other character . The show is filled with characters with clashing egos and the humor is usually at their expense. I think it strikes the proper balance between action, drama, and humor . It's not Buffy the Vampire slayer but , I don't find the show somber. Then again , I think it depends on the taste of the viewer and what they're looking for in a show . Nevertheless, the show has only had a handfull of episodes so the show is still growing and i;d be interested to see what they'll add to the show.

 

[KenK]

I gotta say I really don't find the show that dark and brooding. In terms of tone , it's certainly lighter then Alias and Dollhouse ever were .

Alias and Dollhouse had lovable geek characters that Nikita lacks. Those characters lightened the tone of those previous shows considerable (even if Topher ended up a more serious and somber character at the very end). And Nikata's Berkhoff is a Class-A *****ebag, compared to the character from USA's La Femme Nikita.

And in the case of Dollhouse, imprinting of the actives provided considerable moments of levity (especially when it came to Victor), that have yet to be matched on Nikita.

As to bringing in more women, I don't know what else they're supposed to do differently without it being patronizing, or at worst bitingly offensive. The show is what it is, and some things just don't click with some people. But at the very least, be happy with the fact that it's clicking with anyone period. The show's doing well enough to stay on the air, be happy about that! you've still got your One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl, Life As We Know It, Hellcats, Top Model etc. So what's the problem?

 

[Gold Samurai]

I love how Hollywood assumes that in order to get chicks to watch you need romance.


Which is probably true, sadly.

Twilight




that is all