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.
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… Read more »
HBO you have canceled my favorite show and only reason to keep HBO so I’m canceling my HBO subscription!
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
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.
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.
thanmx HBO for showing just how out of touch with your viewers you reall are
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…
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.
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… Read more »
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!
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.
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
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….
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.
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