Last days to vote: Which HBO series deserves the next feature-length film?
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- May
- 28
Shortly after the end of the opening weekend for the “Sex and the City” movie, Remote Access will close its latest poll, seeking reader input on the HBO series that most deserves the next feature-film treatment.
With “SatC” scoring mixed to tepid reviews, only two of the 65 votes tallied sought a sequel. At this point, the poll is really a duel between “Deadwood” and “The Sopranos.” And there are compelling cases for each.
“Deadwood,” whose 19 votes represent 29 percent of the total, was—in this blogger’s humble opinion—one of the best shows on television and deserved a proper sendoff. Viewers initially expected four full seasons, then were crushed by news of the show’s cancellation after three. And HBO’s promise of two, two-hour “Deadwood” TV movies never came to fruition, leaving devout fans furious with the cable net, especially since the equally brilliant and equally ratings-challenged “The Wire” had a chance to say good-bye.
Adding insult to injury have been the subsequent HBO projects by “Deadwood” creator David Milch. In its only season, “John From Cincinnati” should only be celebrated for Ed O’Neill’s outstanding performance and the cameos by actors better known (and utilized) on “Deadwood.” And when Milch could have demanded to film the “Deadwood” TV movies or a fourth season before other projects while renegotiating his contract with HBO, he agreed to helm “Last of the Ninth,” a not-”Deadwood” show about a Vietnam vet working in the New York Police Department in the early ’70s. The latter series could be great, but “Deadwood” fans would never stop grumbling if there’s no closure in the Black Hills.
“The Sopranos,” with 15 votes representing 23 percent of the total, had a controversial ending that made millions of viewers wonder if the cable cut out before the credits started rolling. It was, perhaps, the most non-ending ending in television history. To the tune of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” three of the four members of the Soprano (biological) family gathered around the table of a diner while semi-suspicious characters hovered around them. And when Meadow arrived, the camera cut to Tony’s face.
And, uh, that was it.
Was Tony Soprano killed? Is he alive? WHAT THE HECK JUST HAPPENED?!
So say creator David Chase were to consider a more definitive conclusion. He’d be faced with either selling out for developing a movie adaptation or copping out because of his inaccessible TV finale. Regardless, tell me “Sopranos” fans wouldn’t see the movie follow-up in droves.
After the break (or in the right margin), check out where many other HBO series stand in this poll. And vote if you haven’t already!
After “Deadwood” and “The Sopranos,” “Entourage” is third in the poll with six votes. Fourth is the reader-submitted “None of the above,” which five haters of quality television supported.
Tied for fifth with four votes are “Flight of the Conchords” and “Oz.” “Oz” could be more movie-ready, but “Conchords” could be intriguing as a movie musical.
With three votes and in sixth place is “Carnivàle,” another canceled HBO series whose fans contend deserved a better fate.
Two votes so far have been cast for a “Sex in the City” sequel and “The Wire.” As separate movies, of course. I think combining the two would result in the world coming to a swift and painful end.
Earning a vote apiece are “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “John from Cincinnati” (really?), “Rome” and “Six Feet Under,” the last of which needs no movie because it’s the best series finale in TV history. A clever and/or lonely reader submitted and voted for “G-String Divas,” whose plot, I’m guessing, would be negotiable.
Receiving no votes were “Big Love,” “Da Ali G Show,” “Extras,” “In Treatment,” “Lucky Louie” and “Tell Me You Love Me.” But there are still a few days to change that.
(Photo of Ian McShane: AP Photo/Reed Saxon; photo of James Gandolfini: AP Photo/Chris Pizzell.)
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, May 28th, 2008 at 4:07 pm by Chris Serico.
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I really liked John from Cincinatti! I'd love to see it made into a movie.
I second that. It's to bad the John from Cincinatti was cancelled/shortened. Lets see what happens next!
"John From Cincinnati" was a daringly creative, innovative and uplifting series that was canceled by HBO before it had the opportunity to reach its wider audience. A movie would be one good way to re-introduce John and the cast of quirky characters from Imperial Beach. Great idea, let's hope it happens soon!
JOHN FROM CINCINNATI was the most unique, vibrant, different, thought inspiring series ever on the small screen.
I want to know those people. I want to visit Imperial Beach, get a smoothie, wander the shops and have Butchie teach me how to get up on a board then go hang out with Kai. I could introduce Bill Jacks to my aunt with similar background.
BRING JFC BACK!!!! A film would be great but I need in on tv.
I WANT MY JFC!!!!!!!
We've been waiting and waiting for more John From Cincinnati!
This show is awesome. It has a message of peace, forgiveness, love and community in a regular wrapper… A Family of Surfing misfits meet someone that changes there lives and all he comes in contact with forever… Would make a great movie
I have watched all JFC episodes at least a dozen times now. It still captivates me. Get over the raw language and angry characters, folks. You will be amazed by the innocense and benevolence that John draws out in everyone he is in contact with. David Milch's story must be "played out."
Hey, the show was a brief hit. And there's enough of a plot already set up from the episodes that have already ran, it's to the point where a John From Cincinnati movie would be a terrific idea!
There's a bunch of us out here who would like to see how the foul-mouthed surfin' family turns out. It was headed toward a good message for everyone … now the movie could make it so.
JFC rocked like no other cable series I've seen. HBO stumbled when it failed to promote the series wholeheartedly and the result was a cancelled show with a strong, loyal viewer base.
Bring back JFC, either in series form or feature-length film!
The commentary contained in the article above is flawed as the voting was not concluded. As soon as the JFC community found out about this poll, we came out to blow the competition away with votes. Check results – JFC 155, every other nominee, less than 100. Not sure who looks at this, but HBO should get back in the GAME!!!
I'd love to see John From Cincinnati again! I love that show!
JFC was an original! If people had more time to understand the concept, it would have been a big hit. The cast alone made the show!
So what were the end results of the poll? I see that a new poll has taken it's place on this page but where do we find the final numbers?
Here:
http://remote.lohudblogs.com/2008/06/02/remote-access-readers-want-butchie-instead-pick-john-from-cincinnati-for-feature-film-treatment-over-deadwood-sopranos/
The article above has incorrect vote results.
Where's the current and finished VOTE RESULTS???
Last I checked on Sunday,
JOHN FROM CINCINNATI was waaaaaayyyy ahead of all with over 155 votes to be the next HBO Film.
RESULTS PLEASE!
Sedon,
Please calm down. The poll shown in this post does not have "incorrect" results; they're a screen-capture of the poll results at the time of the post.
JFC, I'm sure you'll be happy to see, won the poll, whose final results are posted here:
http://remote.lohudblogs.com/2008/06/02/remote-access-readers-want-butchie-instead-pick-john-from-cincinnati-for-feature-film-treatment-over-deadwood-sopranos/