OK, I’ve just got into Adelle’s website – thanks to a little ‘auto-fill’ clue over at the FOX Blog(those guys are clever!) – check out the comment entry from “Kimi Lassek”. A fan or a Dollhouse Rogue?
The username is adelle and the password is wipe
Upon logging in it takes you to Adelle’s webmail, and the inbox contains one single email from Topher Brink, which reads:
Subject: External Website
From: Brink, Topher
Date: Mon, May 26 2008 9:48am
To: DeWitt, Adelle
Priority: Normal
Adelle,
Website is gone as requested. Will relaunch once the design is good to go.
Topher
So apparently Adelle has requested that the “external website” (southlandlabs) be removed – which I’m assuming is the state we now see it in, with the repeated birds-eye image of the Dollhouse facility - whilst Topher redesigns it. Also, check the date – it’s dated today. Considering the site is in the same state as it was yesterday, it would suggest that us eagle-eyed fans got whiff of southlandlabs earlier than they planned.
So, what IS southlandlabs? Is it a secret division of the Dollhouse? Does it contain murky clues as to the real nature of how and why the ‘dolls’ are wiped clean of their memories? Keep your eyes peeled for more clues everyone!
FOX are playing a clever game..a clever Dollhouse ARG game by the looks of things. They’ve all but confirmed the beginnings of the Dollhouse ARG by posting a link to Adelle deWitt’s password protected site – Adelle deWitt is the shadowy matriarch of the Dollhouse. Also, when you click on the FOX link, you’ll probably notice that the comments ‘web site’ box is pre-filled with this site’s address. Hmm. As I posted the other day, we also have the mysterious southlandlabs website which is awaiting ‘activation’.
What isn’t yet clear is whether this ARG will interlink with the Fringe ARG which is well and truly underway - how cool would that be!?
In the meantime the hunt is on! If my experience from the Lost ARG’s are anything to go by then links and clues to accompany the game could appear in the most obscure to the most obvious of places. First port of call? Cranking Adelle’s code! Any ideas?
If you have any clues/hints on the Dollhouse ARG then feel free to let me know. For those of you wanting to follow the Fringe ARG, the hunt is already on over at Fringe-forum.com
As I touched upon in my blog yesterday, some Dollhouse fans are trying to pre-empt it’s ‘cancellation’ by starting ’save our show’ groups..that’s 7 months before the show has even started. Whilst I understand that they’re excited about the show, none of us (except Whedon and team) have even seen it yet - we don’t even know whether or not the show will be ‘worth’ saving. This may sound somewhat hypocritical seeing as I have a Dollhouse Fansite, but that’s because I’m in love with the premise of the show..I love the idea and the potential that the show has. If the show sucks then I’ll say that it sucks, period.
However, I’m not bashing these fans..I’m just executing caution over the notion of setting up campaigns before a show has even aired. Some shows actually deserve cancellation – we have enough crap on TV, do we really want to campaign for something which might not work out as we hope? Don’t get me wrong, I doubt that Dollhouse will flop, I think it will be a stunning show which makes us think, question and entertains us more than any show since LOST..or Alias..or Buffy..whichever.
I think I was right yesterday when I suggested that some of Whedon’s fans love him more than they love his shows – I just get the feeling that whether Dollhouse rocks or whether it sucks, there are already those who have made up their mind as to he quality of the show. I just think that we as fans of good television, should execute caution before we set up ’save our show’ campaigns, because doing things like this so early will only dilute our voice when a great show actually deserves to be saved. That show might be Dollhouse, it might be Fringe..but the point is, let’s actually watch the show first, let’s actually see whether or not we like it. Let’s also give JOSS WHEDON some credit, he didn’t have to go with FOX..do you think he would have teamed up with them again on a whim? This must surely say something about the current ethos as FOX – which is different from ‘the old days’. So yeah, let’s also give FOX some credit..especially for their great sense of humour this morning!
Don’t misunderstand me..I AM supporting Dollhouse..but I don’t want my voice to get lost in the masses who are already shouting “save our show”. There are better ways to support this show than giving casuals fans a negative image of us. Sorry, I respect my fellow fan’s love for Whedon and his productions, but I have my own voice.
Let’s use the Internet responsibly guys.
*Image from calvin hobbs
Fox has two shiny new shows just waiting to be unwrapped. Both have set the Internet buzzing over the past couple of weeks and both have piqued my interest no end. If I was a fan of JJ Abrams and Joss whedon’s creative domes before, I’m an even bigger fan now that I’ve found out more of what they have in store for us in Fringe and Dollhouse.
Many fans are already comparing the relative merits of the two shows, pitting them up against one another as if they were rivals. Of course they’re two completely different shows, even if they could be sharing an online ARG in the weeks a months to come.
A more worthwhile comparison, I think, is between the two masterminds themselves - in the blue corner we have that ‘bad robot’ JJ Abrams, and in the red corner we have the ‘mutant enemy’ Joss Whedon. But who comes out on top? Let’s see shall we:
Age:
Not much between then in terms of age. Whedon might win in terms of experience, but Abrams can claim to have more energy and zest (but let’s not split hairs). DRAW
Best Work to date:
Abrams: Everyone will have their own view on the best work from JJ Abrams plethora of great productions. From Alias to Cloverfield, the man is a creative genius. He also knows the value of viral marketing which shows how ’savvy’ and in touch he is with today’s online trends. Actually he sets the trends, which means he’s ahead of the game. His best work, however, has to surely be that monster of a journey that is ‘LOST’. Score: 9/10
Whedon: No stranger to great shows/movies, Whedon has gems like Buffy, Angel, Firefly and Serenity to his name. His shows are perhaps more ‘cult’ than JJ’s (perhaps because JJ is more mainstream than Whedon?) but have you seen the following that he has? Of course, you’re probably one of them. His best work speaks to people in a way that other shows don’t or can’t. Score 9/10
Following:
Abrams: JJ has a MONSTER following – Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof may be the new sons of Lost, but everyone remembers the creator. His fans are loyal and passionate – he also bridges the gap between geek and cool. Score: 9.5/10
Whedon: As mentioned, Whedon has a MASSIVE following. Is it larger than Abrams? who knows, but seriously sometimes I get the feeling that Whedon’s fans love him more than they love his work. with JJ it’s probably the other way around – that’s the main difference that I can see. But if push came to show I’d say that JJ was more ‘known’ – especially by the casual fan. Score: 9/10
Creativity:
Abrams: Alias, Lost, Cloverfield, Fringe, Star Trek..seriously, great (and potentially great) productions and all with a different scifi-feel about them. Abrams doesn’t stand still for long and it shows in that his work is always varied. Score 9.5/10
Whedon: The man is in touch with what sparks peoples interest. His creativty is up there with the best of them. The only possible negative is that many people see ‘Buffy’ as being ‘Angel’ and ‘Angel’ as being ‘Buffy’. Does he have what it takes to break the mould? Score: 9/10
Promise of the Premise:
Abrams: Fringe looks set to ask some very pertient questions regarding science and technology in todays world. As with most Abrams shows it will explore hidden mythology and meld seemingly disparate characters into a world in which they will need one other to survive. The premise of this show is mind-blowing, it’s sensational and it’s stylish. The one down side is that many people will see it as another X-Files, and indeed it will borrow certain things from that world. So it’s not quite as ‘new’ a premise as it could be. Score: 8/10
Whedon: Again, a mind-blowing premise which again involves technology and the regulation (or lack of) of it’s application. Dollhouse will ask questions about identity, morality, science and other edgy aspects of society. The premise is perhaps slightly ‘fresher’ than that of ‘Fringe’ in that it doesn’t have an X-Files type show which preceded it in recent years. Score: 9/10
Total score: Abrams: 36 Whedon: 36
So it seems that the pair cannot be seperated overall – of course this is only my opinion and it’s in the name of fun - you may have your own views, which you’re entitled to. If I absolutely HAD to choose who in my heart of hearts was my favourite, it would be JJ Abrams. Yes, I know this is a Dollhouse fansite, but that’s the truth - JJ created my favourite show ever – A show which revived the genre and showed networks that scifi and mainstream can go together. Which is interesting, as I reckon that Dollhouse could be Whedon’s most ‘mainstream’ effort yet - and I think it’s got success written all over it. Even if there is a fear that some quarters of the Dollhouse community are jumping the gun a bit. But more on that later..
The Hollwood Reporter’s James Hibberd and Mediaweek’s Marc Berman discuss FOX’s fall schedule. The fall schedule being “Dollhouse” and “Fringe”.
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Earlier I posed the question as to whether we will have a Dollhouse ‘ARG’. It looks like I have my answer – take a look at this southlandlabs site. Either Fox have been readying the first stages of a Dollhouse Alternate reality Game, or some fan has chosen a rather obscure domain name for a Dollhouse fansite. Hmm..I’m thinking its ARG.
Just incase you’re wondering why I’m making the connection between that site and Dollhouse – have a look at the Dollhouse set photos. It’s Dollhouse-related all right.
However despite my excitement, let it be known that I have considered the possibility of it being a fake ARG site set up by some mischevious fan. You see, that’s the problem with technology today, there’s no way to regulate it..;)
Check out these pictures of the Dollhouse Set. I don’t think quick cuts and flashes in the trailer really does the lush earth-tones of the dollhouse justice. It looks futuristic yet ‘homely’ – not what I was expecting when the show was touted a few months ago, but I am not disappointed as it’s a very believable environment.
So the doll’s do Yoga? Interesting that they would do things to de-stress – why not just wipe their minds? Ah, freewill 
Thanks to Dollmazing for sending me these great pix (I’ll be posting more later)!
Joss Whedon talks to scifi.com about how the ‘remote free’ policy will affect the shooting of Dollhouse and it’s re-runs. He also reveals that Eliza Dushku is more than just an actress on the show – she’s also one of the producers. Whedon claims that far from being a ‘freebie’, the title of producer requires genuine input and commitment from Dusku:
“I said, ‘Oh, wow, I’ve come up with a show, and I’ll do it with you, but you have to know, though, this thing about you having a producer credit: I’m going to make you earn it. I’m going to want your input. I’m going to want ideas. I’m going to want you to help me work out certain problems. This is our show.’ She and I came at it from a very similar aesthetic view, a very similar political view and a great mutual trust. So, to me, it’s an essential part of what the show says about people and about her, that she should be a producer.”
Scifi.com
The Fringe Alternate Reality Game (ARG)/Viral Marketinghas well and truly begun (nod nod wink wink) - it looks like FOX have learned a thing or three from the home of JJ Abrams ‘LOST’. But I’m wondering whether Dollhouse will be treated to the same type of online interaction? I mean, Dollhouse is a different type of show from Fringe and Lost - does it have the necessary scope for months and months of online puzzle solving and clue hunting? Would the Dollhouse fans be ready for such investment in this kind of online interaction?
I ask those questions but in my mind I know the answer – HELL YEAH!
I’m even wondering whether the Fringe ARG will overlap into ‘Dollhouse’ so that we have one mega ARG inter-verse featuring the networks two best shows? I can but dream.
Bring it on Fox.
The UK’s Guardian look at which US shows could be making their way to the UK next year, among them is of course Dollhouse, but obviously they haven’t done their research as they describe the show as ‘involving clones’!
Dollhouse – Fox
What’s it about? Joss Whedon returns to the small screen with this Attack of the Clones-style drama starring Eliza “Faith” Dushku.
Why might it work? It’s Joss Whedon. And Eliza Dushku. Plus it involves clones and wiped personalities and secret missions. For many people it’s the most eagerly awaited new drama of the season.
What could go wrong? Whedon’s dramas often start slowly – Buffy and Angel didn’t hit their stride until season 2, Firefly was just getting good as it got cancelled after a handful of episodes. The concern is that Fox won’t have the patience to nurture the show.
It is interesting to consider which UK channel will pickup Dollhouse. ITV bought ‘Bionic Woman’ last year along with the likes of ‘Dexter’ and ‘Dasies’. However I think Dollhouse would be more suited to the BBC or Channel 4 – who had a good reputation for purchasing creative shows until they let ‘LOST’ slip through their fingers.
