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.
Please more Deadwood. PLEASE!! Listen Woo says, Don’t be a “San Francisco *ock*uc*er”
THOSE HBO GUYS ARE A BUNCH OF DAMNED HOOPLEHEADS!!
The management at HBO infuriates me. Carnivale – one of the most unique and creative TV series I ever watched – ended abruptly two yrs ago. Now they’ve sent Deadwood and Rome out to pasture and thus far the Sopranos finale seems to be a rush to conclusion. I like Big Love and The Wire but I don’t know if that’s enough to keep me and many others subscribed.
HBO MGMT – STOP CANCELLING YOUR BEST PROGRAMS. CHARGE A FEW EXTRA BUCKS. MOST WILL HAPPILY PAY FOR QUALITY ORIGINAL SHOWS VS. REPEATING MOVIES WE’VE ALREADY SEEN.
Why did they cancel Deadwood? Ir was one of my favorite shows to the Sopranos. We subscribe to HBO for the wonderful shows. Please bring back Deadwood and Carnivale!!!!!!!
Dummy it down, stupify, homoginize, iqnorize, please God save Art from the asses of the planet. HBO can not afford it, yeah and Chenny’s out of $$ too. I definitly canceled my script a way back and 10 of my friends in addition, in fact I am not surprized how many people I personnaly know who have not bothered getting HBO in many moons anyway. Greed mongers of commerce win again, is nothing important. When we are gone what will they find in our caves and dwellings, paintings or coins? Bravo is a reality channel, most of the good music… Read more »
First it was Carnivale with no resolution and now Deadwood. Albeit Rome was canceled much too soon, at least we got a decent final episode as we did with Six Feet Under. We understand that these aren’t easy shows to make but that is why we SUBSCRIBE.If we wanted to watch mindless TV, we’d watch Survivor and American Idol and a lot of the other easy to make mush on network TV. With a few exceptions FX and now Showtime with shows like Weeds and The Tudors are putting out the only decent shows on television. As soon as the… Read more »
The only reason I have HBO is for Deadwood and the Sopranos. If they are no longer to be continued, then I will no longer continue to keep HBO. It was one of the most interesting shows in years. I guess we will have yet another stupid reality show or contest show, and they all suck. Every time I find a show I really like, they cancel it and put on something stupid in its place. Shame on you HBO! WE are the ones who pay fr entertainment, and you no longer deserve our money!
Just learned about my favorite series ” Deadwood” and when HBO will extend a crummy series like “Entourage” its time to try “Netflix ” and HBO is history for me
Just discovered Deadwood in the boxed set and loved every minute of it. Devastated to find it will end before its time, but recommend to everyone to watch their favourite series like this one on DVD. That way, you get to watch as many episodes as you like back to back, you skip the stupid ads and you don’t pay a subscription which, largely, you don’t want.
I am very disappointed that Deadwood will not be aired anymore. My husband and I enjoyed this show as it had some substance and gave insight into the way things were in the older times.
The acting was superb and our hats go out to all of them. How will we know how this show will finish?
Up to now, we have said that the History Channel has great shows, but this is not very tactful to leave its viewers hanging in mid air.
Hope that this will change and they will be able to continue this series.
Thank you.
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… Read more »
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!
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.
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?
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.