Flash Gordon: Sci Fi Quietly Cancels Adventure Series
The latest TV series to be based on the classic comic strip Flash Gordon has gone where many sci-fi series have gone before – the cancellation galaxy. It turns out that Flash’s greatest nemesis this time around wasn’t Ming the Merciless but a lack of viewers.
The series debuted on August 10, 2007 on Sci Fi. It was the latest series based on the intergalactic hero’s exploits and stars Eric Johnson (Smallville) and Gina Holden (Blood Ties). Though many science fiction fans were looking forward to the series, most reviews were pretty negative. The producers took the criticisms to heart and worked on improving storylines and adding more Mongo action.
The premiere attracted approximately 2.1 million viewers (one of Sci Fi’s best-rated series premieres of the year) but fell as the season progressed. Flash Gordon’s first season finished airing on February 8, 2008 with the episode entitled “Revolution, part two.”
Sci Fi has been quiet on the subject of the show’s fate though, based on the show’s ratings, a second season hasn’t realistically been expected. As time’s gone on, it’s become apparent that Flash won’t be back to save the world next fall.
At Sci Fi’s recent upfront presentation, Sci Fi president David Howe briefly talked about Flash Gordon. He spoke about it in the past-tense and coupled it with previously cancelled series like The Dresden Files and Painkiller Jane. He feels that the series wasn’t developed enough and said that Sci Fi may try again in a few years – with a fresh take and a bigger budget.
Gina Holden, the actress who plays Flash’s girlfriend Dale Arden, was recently interviewed on The Doctor and Mrs Who show. Though the series does have its fans, the actress doesn’t hold out much hope for a resurrection campaign being effective. She said, “I think every effort that people make is great but really, unfortunately, it comes down to studio. And I think once they make their mind up, that’s it. That doesn’t mean that I’m not believing but, it’s a tough call. I would just say, enjoy the moment, enjoy what we did do.” Stay tuned! 
Related links
Flash Gordon on DVD || Flash Gordon books || Flash Gordon music
June 9th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
I liked the series.I hope something can be done and fast.
April 28th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
I walked away from the new Flash Gordon after the pilot, which I hated with a white-hot passion on every level. They took one of the primal sci-fi adventurers and turned him into a mopey jock with daddy issues? And yes, I understand that Ming can’t be Fu Manchu in space anymore, but we deserve better than making him JUST SOME GUY who rules with the power of WATER RIGHTS. It’s like making Darth Vader into some fey douche in a turtleneck, and the Dark Side of the Force into a supernatural understanding of zoning laws.
And yes, this is an entirely unfair evaluation based on one episode, but if anything had actually HAPPENED in the pilot, I may have changed my mind. All I remember of it is a lot of walking, a lot of standing around, and a Stargate ripoff. It just felt like the most misguided thing they tried that season.
No, I never gave this series even the slightest chance. So I guess that makes ME the bad guy.