Deadwood: An Update on the Reasons Why
As reported previously, Deadwood will come to an end after the wild-western’s third season (which starts airing on June 11, 2006). Though the series was not officially cancelled, the series’ cast options were not picked up, leaving the actors free to pursue other projects. If new Deadwood episodes were commissioned at a later time, it’s unlikely that all of the large number of cast-members would be available to participate.
The news upset and confused legions of fans of the unique HBO drama. A passionate “save our show” campaign has begun (for details visit SaveDeadwood.net) which includes the suggestion that HBO subscribers cancel their paid subscriptions following the airing of the last episode of the third season. Contributions are also being accepted to pay for “open letter” ads in editions of Variety.
Deadwood series creator David Milch has said, “I am deeply disappointed by the way things turned out. (HBO) felt like they had to make a choice, and this is how they chose. I know they tried to work it out, and I tried to work it out with them.” It’s been confirmed that HBO offered to greenlight a small six-episode order of the groundbreaking drama but Milch, who has had bad experiences with so-called “short-order renewals,” rejected the offer. “For my part, I did not want to accept a short order. We couldn’t have done the work the way we wanted. I didn’t want to limp home. My old man used to say, ‘Never go anyplace where you’re only tolerated,’” relates Milch. One source has reported that Milch had already plotted the fourth (presumed final) season episodes.
So in essence, the reason for Deadwood’s ending seems to be a financial one. Milch is working on a new series for HBO (John from Cincinnati) and, due to that commitment, HBO didn’t believe that he would be able to return to Deadwood for quite awhile, delaying the possible start of a Deadwood season four. Deadwood is an expensive show to shoot and it’s assumed that the cable channel didn’t want to (or couldn’t afford to) pay the actor salaries for months while they waited for production to begin.
Creator Milch is reportedly doing his part in an attempt to save his series. He’s reportedly looking into possible tie-ins with casinos and theme parks as well as with the real Deadwood community. “I’m doing what I can,” Milch says. “Any financial participation could take the pressure off.”
HBO Chairman and Chief Executive Chris Albrecht has noted, “Not having a fourth season of Deadwood is not the result anyone wanted.” Fans and David Milch would agree and are making sure that HBO knows it. 
Related links
Deadwood on DVD
November 27th, 2006 at 8:23 am
It seems a shame HBO doesn’t get what is so obvious, adults enjoy creative and well acted shows that continue to deliver stimulating entertainment. When the communities nominate the shows for multiple awards one might think the message is “Winner” lets keep this going just like we have the other awarded shows. But someone went to sleep at the switch, to which the only appropriate response is “HBO . . . throw your selves off the balcony!” your not getting anymore of my money for cheesy movie reruns I can see for free everywhere else. Having only one quality show per week just isn’t worth the extra money.
November 20th, 2006 at 2:26 pm
Are you kidding me? I am so upset that Deadwood has been cancelled. HBO should be ashamed, cancelling such well written, epic shows such as this. What next? Or are we watching “Survivor HBO, which series is next on the chopping block”
Al would have you c**ksuckers beat in the thoroughfare!
October 26th, 2006 at 9:56 am
I just heard on the RADIO HBO was cancelling Deadwood. Unbelievable!!! Jesus Christ it’s always about the bottom line with these people. They keep raising their rates,, we keep paying, they keep buying bigger houses and bigger SUVs, we keep hanging on for a year between seasons paying for dead air space. HBO you guys suck. I’m done thanks for saving me a few bucks we only kept HBO because of Deadwood after Sex and the City ended.
September 17th, 2006 at 10:04 am
The incredible dialogue in “Deadwood” gave me some hope for the America media and cinema. Somebody actually seemed to give a damn about creating something well-written and well-crafted instead of pandering to the lowest common denominator. Of course, we just can’t have that. Maybe, it is better to burn out than fade away…. Who knows?
September 14th, 2006 at 1:44 pm
The way the last season of a ground breaking series ended without ending the story, the lack of insight to not do everything in your control to keep it going, the failure to listen to the faithful longtime supporters and subscribers of HBO, are nothing less than a crime. One that appears to have been made at the cost of many paid subscribers.
September 12th, 2006 at 10:43 pm
HBO had the best cast, the best crew, the best producer and the best creator and HBO took one big s**t on them!!!! I pray another network will pick up DEADWOOD that would rather pay for quality viewing than stupid, idiotic shows, i.e. CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, THE WIRE, for the love of god the movie about the cubs. I sincerely hope that with all the DEADWOOD fans cancelling their subscriptions, it hits those “C**KSUCKERS” AT HBO in the pocket book!!!!!!
HBO, YOU HAVE NO LOYALTY TO YOUR VIEWERS AND THE ONLY THING YOU WORRY ABOUT IS THE MONEY THAT GOES IN YOUR WALLET!!!! WHY DON’T YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR VIEWERS, INSTEAD OF WHAT THE PRESIDENT OF HBO WANTS TO WATCH INSTEAD!!!!!! I THINK A FEW PEOPLE AT HBO NEED TO MEET WU’S PIGS!!!!!!
September 6th, 2006 at 7:19 pm
HBO you have canceled my favorite show and only reason to keep HBO so I’m canceling my HBO subscription!
September 3rd, 2006 at 5:52 am
you cancelled I beleive the most true to life western seen in the movies or TV! and what a poor way to close it out, you think there would have at least a 2 hour close to TRY and pull things together,for that matter 2- 2hour shows…WHAT A WASTE…HBO you missed the boat
September 2nd, 2006 at 10:45 pm
Unbelieveable, 6 feet under, Carnivale, and Deadwood, all cancelled.
Are they trying to kill their channel? They really need to get rid of that idiot president Carolyn Strauss, stupid ***** doesn’t know good programming when it bites her on her skinny ass.
August 28th, 2006 at 8:00 pm
deadwood was one of the most unique and interesting hbo programs to date. it just got better and better. we are very upset that hbo would not renew for a fourth season. kudos to david milch for not compromising . he is a genious.
August 28th, 2006 at 11:57 am
thanmx HBO for showing just how out of touch with your viewers you reall are
August 27th, 2006 at 7:49 pm
We will be canceling HBO once Deadwood and Sopranos are over - only reason we kept this pay channel was for these excellent series. HBO has lost another customer…
August 27th, 2006 at 12:40 pm
The lack of intelligence is staggering, The simple fact they would even consider canceling this series is unbeleiveable. Someone needs to walk into hbo with a big check book and or a baseball bat and get **i* done.
August 27th, 2006 at 10:31 am
I love Deadwood as well… really the best part of HBO was all the original series. I will always give a new HBO series a chance but it seems they are killing off Deadwood in it’s prime. I am not a fan of westerns but this is simply great actors, great dialouge and great entertainment.
Hopefully Rome can keep on building on the first season and The Wire can come up with a good twisting plot for this season. The rest of the line up has been fairly weak since Six Feet Under ended.
Oh well here is to hoping a 4th season is created so the series can end properly… not just gutted on the floor with no closure.
August 25th, 2006 at 1:24 pm
Shame on you. Deadwood is the best written show on HBO. It’s just another case of some “number cruncher” having no idea what good television is about. Bravo, to all you ******** at HBO for not being in touch with your customers. Enjoy, your exodus!
August 22nd, 2006 at 8:02 pm
DEADWOOD WAS MY LAST REASON TO KEEP HBO.YOU SHOULD HAVE MADE IT WORK OUT. IT TURNS OUT WE WERE MORE LOYAL TO YOU THAN YOU WERE TO US,HBO,ADIOS. GARY GRANT
thanks for the forum.
August 22nd, 2006 at 9:29 am
Deadwood is the ONLY reason to keep HBO, I always cancel after Deadwood is over, hopefully another network will pick up this true western way of life series
August 21st, 2006 at 10:09 am
we will not be renewing our subscription to HBO once the final Deadwood movies are done. Hbo made a mistake, and lost this customer, by cancelling Deadwood.
likely, we will cancel HBO at the end of season 3, and renew just for the movies, and cancel again. there isnt any point in keeping it. the whole reason we HAVE HBO is because of Deadwood….
August 9th, 2006 at 9:33 pm
First “Six foot Under”, now “Deadwood” is going.
What next HBO? reality TV perhaps…
Looks like “FX” is the only tv station left to produce quality programming. “Rescue Me”, “Always Sunny in Philedelphia”, “The Shield”, “Thief”, “Nip and Tuck”, etc. Oh ya, and you don’t have to pay for it!
Watch out HBO, FX is passing you!! Maybe they will come up with a Western Comedy next like “The Horse Lisperer” etc.
July 19th, 2006 at 12:32 pm
DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO KEEP DEADWOOD GOING
I HAVE HBO FOR TWO REASONS
THE SPORANOS AND DEADWOOD…NOW ONCE HBO COMPLETES BOTH SERIES IT’LL LEAVE ME NO CHOICE BUT TO CANCEL MY SUBSCRIPTION