*clings* It's a bit ridiculous, I've always been rather fond of the idea to end it after five years and since they never seemed willing to take the show to a different level (one where Merlin isn't forced to lie any longer and he and Arthur can finally combine their strengths to unite Albion) I actually hoped for it to end after S5. And now?
I still think it's probably for the best (because I'd fear a sixth series would see them stick to their formula of keeping the magic a secret again) but damn, I'm going to miss the boys/cast and the show so very much. :,(
A little bit sentimental :). But I am also very glad Colin and Bradley can be freed for new projects (hopefully good projects). Taking a role in TV series for too long is not good for career development overall. And they are both young and have so much potential.
Exactly! When I tell people that I want the show to end because I want to see the bottom of this story -or finally see Merlin's moment of glory with Arthur- they don't get it... they're like "but we need more Merlin!". I understand that people who started to watch the show way later have a different perspective on it, but S1 and the hiatus that followed were the best moment of this fandom/show, when everything looked shine and full of hope... and then the bubble was just broken. These series are just fillers... episodes that repeat themselves in a loop of "nothing" excepts for iconic moments. Obviously I'll love this cast and follow them in their other projects cause they're like my family now, but as for the show it's time to close, hoping for a reward of epic proportions in the final episodes.
We still don't know for sure but yeah, it's a bit unfortunate that TPTB can't man up enough to tell fans themselves. It's not a shame to end a successful show, they've talked about their 5 year plan since S1 and could've ~sold~ the end of the show rather nicely PR-wise.
Instead we get wishy-washy replies from Jay 'I'm Merlin's publicist' Dattani and slightly pompous 'announcements' that - of course - there's still talks about S6 (probably true up to a certain point) and three movies. I don't doubt that TPTB are willing to continue making something related to Merlin or the Arthurian legends but that could be anything from a comic book to an animated series to movies (with a different cast) - just not our show.
We'll probably never find out why exactly Merlin won't continue, maybe it's due to the BBC not wanting to commission another series (they've never been particularly fond of the show in the first place), maybe it's because TPTB rather would like to make those movies they've been talking about (or even more ridiculous: another
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I think they,TPTB, are trying to stem the exodus of viewers to other program's that would happen if it was a final series. Most people leave before their ship sinks. :((. Pun intended.
Damn, it's not completely unexpected but now I'm getting a bit sentimental about it. :,( *sniffles*
Yeah, me too! I'm going to miss them *so* much.
It's probably a case of the BBC not being prepared to stump up the amount of money that Shine want for a sixth series considering that 2013 is when the licence fee freeze is really going to start to hit. No official announcement might mean they are hoping the BBC will change their minds or negotiations might still be ongoing but no-one's optimistic. Pure speculation but that would be my guess.
It's probably a case of the BBC not being prepared to stump up the amount of money that Shine want for a sixth series considering that 2013 is when the licence fee freeze is really going to start to hit. Which would be especially sad considering the majority of money for producing Merlin (since S2 or 3) was paid by Fremantle (they got international TV rights + DVD rights + franchise/merchandise rights in return) and not too much was taken from the BBC's licence fee money pool. :(
No official announcement might mean they are hoping the BBC will change their minds or negotiations might still be ongoing Mr Adams sounds a bit too sure about it but then maybe they just told cast/crew that 'it doesn't look good'/'chances for S6 are slim'/'better prepare for the worst' and he takes it for what it probably is: confirmation of THE END.
Anyway, they should've told everyone to keep quiet about it in public until it's been made official. *le sigh*
"Anyway, they should've told everyone to keep quiet about it in public until it's been made official. *le sigh*" " I agree with you. Then again, you'd think it would be obvious to anyone working in the industry, that this isn't something you should talk about to strangers before TPTB has made it official in public.
Obviously I don't want to say too much just in case I get someone in trouble but I know someone who lives with a crew member and they said a long while ago that there would be no more because enough of the cast wanted to move on to make it impossible.
I also expect the cost of re-hiring them would be prohibitive at this stage - they'd be signing new contracts and with far better negotiating position than they previously had. I've seen it happen with other shows - in the end it just simply gets too expensive and it wouldn't surprise me if the figure some of the cast would have accepted for doing more (bearing in mind they have much higher market value now) was just too much for the show to afford.
I think Money is a big problem here. Also I will fully understand Colin or Bradley want to do something different after 5 years of full commitment to Merlin.
I'm a little sniffly too at the thought. I feel like I've been saying goodbye to Merlin for awhile now, but it still hurts to know that this is most likely the official end of the road. I think I'm most disappointed that the actors and the fans got such a non-existent send-off...We're heading into the final block at PF which looks like it'll only last 2 days or so and then there's no BFI showing and none of the people in charge have the balls to just tell it like it is and admit the writing on the wall
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I think I'm most disappointed that the actors and the fans got such a non-existent send-off...We're heading into the final block at PF which looks like it'll only last 2 days or so and then there's no BFI showing and none of the people in charge have the balls to just tell it like it is and admit the writing on the wall. Exactly. :(
But I guess for all its success, this show has never been one that was exactly showcased and promoted to its fullest. THIS!!1! Sometimes I wish they'd moved Merlin to BBC 3 after S2, they tend to promote the hell out of their shows on a small budget (f. e. Being Human or The Fades) and treat their fans with quite amazing goodies (on set interviews and stuff).
Merlin, despite providing the Beeb with better ratings each year (since S3), doesn't get much from the them (apart from a rather plain website and airing a trailer each week). In addition Shine and Fremantle also fail to compensate for the lack of BBC engagement in promoting the show properly. Just imagine what we could've gotten over the years if
( ... )
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Absolutely the same feeling here.
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I still think it's probably for the best (because I'd fear a sixth series would see them stick to their formula of keeping the magic a secret again) but damn, I'm going to miss the boys/cast and the show so very much. :,(
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But I am also very glad Colin and Bradley can be freed for new projects (hopefully good projects). Taking a role in TV series for too long is not good for career development overall. And they are both young and have so much potential.
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Obviously I'll love this cast and follow them in their other projects cause they're like my family now, but as for the show it's time to close, hoping for a reward of epic proportions in the final episodes.
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(The comment has been removed)
Instead we get wishy-washy replies from Jay 'I'm Merlin's publicist' Dattani and slightly pompous 'announcements' that - of course - there's still talks about S6 (probably true up to a certain point) and three movies. I don't doubt that TPTB are willing to continue making something related to Merlin or the Arthurian legends but that could be anything from a comic book to an animated series to movies (with a different cast) - just not our show.
We'll probably never find out why exactly Merlin won't continue, maybe it's due to the BBC not wanting to commission another series (they've never been particularly fond of the show in the first place), maybe it's because TPTB rather would like to make those movies they've been talking about (or even more ridiculous: another ( ... )
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Yeah, me too! I'm going to miss them *so* much.
It's probably a case of the BBC not being prepared to stump up the amount of money that Shine want for a sixth series considering that 2013 is when the licence fee freeze is really going to start to hit. No official announcement might mean they are hoping the BBC will change their minds or negotiations might still be ongoing but no-one's optimistic. Pure speculation but that would be my guess.
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Which would be especially sad considering the majority of money for producing Merlin (since S2 or 3) was paid by Fremantle (they got international TV rights + DVD rights + franchise/merchandise rights in return) and not too much was taken from the BBC's licence fee money pool. :(
No official announcement might mean they are hoping the BBC will change their minds or negotiations might still be ongoing
Mr Adams sounds a bit too sure about it but then maybe they just told cast/crew that 'it doesn't look good'/'chances for S6 are slim'/'better prepare for the worst' and he takes it for what it probably is: confirmation of THE END.
Anyway, they should've told everyone to keep quiet about it in public until it's been made official. *le sigh*
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I agree with you. Then again, you'd think it would be obvious to anyone working in the industry, that this isn't something you should talk about to strangers before TPTB has made it official in public.
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I also expect the cost of re-hiring them would be prohibitive at this stage - they'd be signing new contracts and with far better negotiating position than they previously had. I've seen it happen with other shows - in the end it just simply gets too expensive and it wouldn't surprise me if the figure some of the cast would have accepted for doing more (bearing in mind they have much higher market value now) was just too much for the show to afford.
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Exactly. :(
But I guess for all its success, this show has never been one that was exactly showcased and promoted to its fullest.
THIS!!1! Sometimes I wish they'd moved Merlin to BBC 3 after S2, they tend to promote the hell out of their shows on a small budget (f. e. Being Human or The Fades) and treat their fans with quite amazing goodies (on set interviews and stuff).
Merlin, despite providing the Beeb with better ratings each year (since S3), doesn't get much from the them (apart from a rather plain website and airing a trailer each week). In addition Shine and Fremantle also fail to compensate for the lack of BBC engagement in promoting the show properly. Just imagine what we could've gotten over the years if ( ... )
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