CBS: 'Moonlight' fans just liked O'Loughlin

TCA -- Okay, let's go there one more time.

A critic asks if the “insane reaction” from “Moonlight” fans discourages CBS’ plans for future genre-driven shows. In the session and in the huddle afterward, CBS entertainment president Nina Tassler said the devoted fans who loved “Moonlight” were mostly just enamored with star Alex O’Loughlin.

“I love vampires, werewolves and warlocks…all of them,” she says. “The response to ‘Moonlight’ was more actor-centric…it certainly measures our decision about the show. Most of email I get about ‘Moonlight’ is about the actor. I don't question the decision we made."

Here's a video clip of Tassler talking about the effectiveness (or lack-thereof), of fan campaigns for shows like "Moonlight"  and  "Jericho."

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Comments

[Emjay]

Well, all I can say is this -

If they're still talking about you two months after the cancellation, you must be doing something right.

And six months down the track when Twilight comes out, when True Blood is on HBO and Johnny Depp is making a vampire movie, CBS will look back and maybe then question their decision.

Oh, and I'm not insane, either.

[laura]

I wonder where is the proof that what Ms.Tassler says it's true. Nowhere. It's so easy to say something than others cannot prove if it's true or not. I love Monnlight ,Sophia,Alex and Jason the same, the story,the romance...The fights are to get the show back , not just Alex. I don't understand how the president of CBS can talk so lightly ,what she said was just her opinion, not a fact.. For me the fact is that she treated the Moonlight viewers badly and that is hard to forget.She is upset because Swingtown is doing worse each week, never Moonlight was that low, and Flashpoint and the dog show are alreading loosing viewers in just their second week. All of those are Facts with numbers, not an opinion.I am 36 and for me treating people poorly is a sure way to loose clients. CBS should reconsider and bring back Moonlight for a midseason, lets'face it, Swingtown,Flaspoint, the dogs..are doing so much worse than Moonlight, so reconsider , and Moonlight viewers will go back to CBS.

[Moonlight Medic]

I have written many a letter to CBS and Ms Tassler about MOONLIGHT, all of which mentioned what the show itself meant to me. Do I think Alex is a billiant actor, of course, do I think the cast has AMAZING chemistry, you bet I do. I have never felt this way about a show, and I have never joined in a fight to save one, but I felt compelled to do so with Moonlight. I could not wait until Friday's, I would actually plan my life around it. Moonlight was the first show on network TV in a very long time that I actually looked forward to, and it was my escape from the daily grind. So here's an idea, why don't they put Alex, Sophia, Jason and Shannyn all back together in a show called MOONLIGHT!

[Moonlight Medic]

I have written many a letter to CBS and Ms Tassler about MOONLIGHT, all of which mentioned what the show itself meant to me. Do I think Alex is a billiant actor, of course, do I think the cast has AMAZING chemistry, you bet I do. I have never felt this way about a show, and I have never joined in a fight to save one, but I felt compelled to do so with Moonlight. I could not wait until Friday's, I would actually plan my life around it. Moonlight was the first show on network TV in a very long time that I actually looked forward to, and it was my escape from the daily grind. So here's an idea, why don't they put Alex, Sophia, Jason and Shannyn all back together in a show called MOONLIGHT!

[Moonlight Medic]

I have written many a letter to CBS and Ms Tassler about MOONLIGHT, all of which mentioned what the show itself meant to me. Do I think Alex is a billiant actor, of course, do I think the cast has AMAZING chemistry, you bet I do. I have never felt this way about a show, and I have never joined in a fight to save one, but I felt compelled to do so with Moonlight. I could not wait until Friday's, I would actually plan my life around it. Moonlight was the first show on network TV in a very long time that I actually looked forward to, and it was my escape from the daily grind. So here's an idea, why don't they put Alex, Sophia, Jason and Shannyn all back together in a show called MOONLIGHT!

[Suzanne]

It's amazing to me that an insignificant, do "nothing" fan base would warrant mention two months after the cancellation of a show.

To me this says the Moonlight fans are actually doing more and showing more perserverance than CBS wants to admit.

Ms. Tassler's latest comments reak of a "Save Our Show" campaign being launched by CBS -- they plan to place the former star of Moonlight Alex O'Loughlin on another show and hope that the "pathetic, insignificant" Moonlight fans come along and make that show great again. (A pretty tall order from a group CBS doesn't want anyone to think has much impact!)

It's not that easy. Of course we have loyalty to the cast of the show, but we have loyalty to the show first and foremost. Despire what Ms. Tassler would like the public to believe: this has NEVER been an actor-centric campaign.

CBS if you want us back, then here's a silly thought: put Alex O'Loughlin, Jason Dohring, and Sophia Myles together on a show, make is a funny, romantic, fantastical drama..in fact you can call it Moonlight. Sure fire hit.

Don't knock on our door to Save a floundering "procedural". Alex O'Loughlin doesn't deserve to be used as a patsy for your bad decisions, and the fans are too smart to not have figure out what your up to.

[Rafferty Rulz]

I’m at a lost to Ms. Tassler’s statement regarding Moonlight becoming “actor-centric.”

Isn’t that what she wanted? Mr. O’Loughlin was the star of the show. And it was TPTB that filmed Mr. O’Loughlin shirtless…repeatedly….with the occasional billowing shirt scene. And when was it considered a “bad thing” to have an actor on your network’s show that has the charm and sex appeal that many of the well-known Hollywood A-lister’s are valued for. Not to mention, Mr. O’Loughlin is a damn fine actor.

With regards to Moonlight… if Moonlight couldn’t work, for whatever reason, on CBS, would Moonlight be a better fit on Showtime? Possibly as a mini-series? Showtime’s rival HBO will be airing True Blood this Fall. As well as Twilight hitting movie theatres. Also Johnny Depp will be starring in a big-screen version of Dark Shadows.

Evidently, vampires are “in.” Maybe someone at Showtime could see the advantage in picking up Moonlight as a mini-series.

[Amy]

Actor-centric?? Let me sit down before I fall down from laughing. That's ridiculois. I am 39, you think I would do so much email,snailmail...for an actor. Please I am more intelligent than that. Of course Alex is great,same as sophia and Jason,I just love the show, I just want MOONLIGHT back CBS. I want Mick,Beth and Jason, I want to see Mick protecting Beth, and Joseph protecting Mick,I want Beth and Mick to fall in love,I want Joseph to have an oportunity with Simone, I want to know what happenened to the list???Is all of this actor-centric to you??

[ML Girl]

Nina Tassler is delusional. She is covering her "butt" because she knows the mistake which her and CBS have made. I have no doubt that she received plenty of mail on the subject. One website noted that her email address was changed promptly following cancelling the show. The majority of fans loved Moonlight as a whole, including the stories and the relationships between the characters. Mick and Beth was the best romance that has been on TV in years. Nina Tassler treats the fans of the shows with no more respect than she offers to the shows themselves. A dream come true would be to wake up and the morning headline reads "Nina Tassler Out at CBS, Moonlight is back from the Dead!".

[Frustratedviewer!]

I am one of the vast army of foreign viewers of this great television show! I am wondering what stockholders in CBS would think if they really understood that the manangement of this company are totally ignoring positive input from a huge number of fans.
(Not many letters about Moonlight Ms. Tassler! You have got to be kidding, or your staff are hiding information from you - which is it? I have sent enough post from England on my own!)
Just because we have not inundated CBS with fangs (we are all far too sensible to waste our EARNED money for that) we have given blood, money and food to those in need on the programme's behalf. Isn't that the behaviour of intelligent rational thoughtful people?
Ms. Tassler seems to have been more impressed with peanuts sent to her in the past, than the saving of lives - what does that say about her?
Moonlight had a widly varied and international fanbase - who were/are prepared to spend money supporting their programme. Wise up you people 'at the top' give viewers the television they love. Something different, something new, give us back our MOONLIGHT!

[Kathleen Thomson]

I just found this post. I have heard that this Nina person said that we Moonlight fans were just interested in Alex O'Louglin. Of course, we think he is great. But so is the whole Moonlight package. The other actors, the writers, the people who do special effects, the lighting, camera work, music underneath. Everything about Moonlight we love and want back. Moonlight is quality programming. I thought CBS considered itself the Tiffany Network. Moonlight exemplifies quality.

[Virginia Baird]

Dear CBS,
I am not looking forward to your fall line-up and have been watching other shows like "House" on the Fox Network since you decided to take "Moonlight" off the air. I am an older viewer and have always loved CBS but "Moonligt" was different ad of course we all Loved Alex and the cast. The Ex-List looks like another silly show and there are plenty of those on CBS. I do miss seeing Alex every week and I loved the show and for the first time have been very disappointed with CBS and how they did not give the show and Alex a fair chance.

[Jayeno]

Swingtown is passe. That is why "swinging" pretty much died. On top of the fact of it being FREEKING RISKY BLEEPING BEHAVIOR WHICH IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE FOR CBS TO SHOW; Moonlight was fun, romantic and intriguing. Looks like CBS will be competing with NBC for MOST horrible shows. Tassler is a dimwit; she had a HIT!!! And I seldom critize another female professional espcially when they break the glass ceiling. She obviously should not have; she wasn't ready based upon the decision she made. Maybe Moonlight will be picked up by HBO, like Bill Maher was; seems cable has the guts to put on what Network TV doesn't have the knockers to keep.

[Jayeno]

Swingtown is passe. That is why "swinging" pretty much died. On top of the fact of it being FREEKING RISKY BLEEPING BEHAVIOR WHICH IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE FOR CBS TO SHOW; Moonlight was fun, romantic and intriguing. Looks like CBS will be competing with NBC for MOST horrible shows. Tassler is a dimwit; she had a HIT!!! And I seldom critize another female professional espcially when they break the glass ceiling. She obviously should not have; she wasn't ready based upon the decision she made. Maybe Moonlight will be picked up by HBO, like Bill Maher was; seems cable has the guts to put on what Network TV doesn't have the knockers to keep.

[Phyllis]

Moonlight was the only bright idea I found from any of the networks last year. And from what I see posted for the CBS 2008 fall season, I might as well delete all the CBS channels from my TV.
Oh well, hopefully Moonlight the first and only season will be released on DVD soon.

[Jan Chapman]

Dear CBS:

I had been waiting all summer for the next season of
Moonlight, just to find out you have cancelled the show. I cannot begin to tell you how very disappointed I am to hear this. And yet some of the garbage on television never ceases to amaze me. And CSI was one of my favorites, also Two and a half Men.
I hope down the road you are somehow able to bring the series back. The love between McLoughlin and the
reporter should not been allowed to blossom as much as it did, though. Anyway, I've never written in
before, frankly I don't think it does any good, but
I was so damned disappointed, I just had to say something.

[Ann Mast]

First I am a 50 + lady with some higher education and my friends and my doctor tells me I still have all my marbles to add the only lighter note to this comment. To CBS and the bad choice they made for a president, first you cancled a show that as you found out had a very larg fan base, jerico.Then you acted as if we had enought people watching you would bring a short!!!! second season but to all acounts you put it up at the same time slot as i believe dancing with the stars. This is a show that you could have put your best personel favorite cbs show there and it would have a hard time and you knew it so because I believe you were really mad (pissed off) you realy did not want it to give the show a real chance I am sure because of all the people who werent supost to exist caused the mail E-Mail and nut delevery you were forced to do something you did!!!!!! not want tom do . So you did it so it was sure to fail. Next comes Moonlight if I remember right it won a grammy for the best new drama on tv. I will admit that the way shows are moved around, taken off mid season for a while and then with little notice put it back in a different time and day . So once in cbs, and your as the head of cbs made a nother real winner of a choice and another was droped after you heard the public reaction first I belive you said it just had a cult following as if that was bad even if true ,and really when has cbs ever care what kind of a following ,even if that was the reason for the hight of people who watched every week ? The bottom line is money !!!!pure and simple !!!!!!! Someone at CBS needs to take a look at the choices your president is making , do you really want to end up below NBC and ABC in the rateings ? I have been fan of CBS since 15 i am 59 one last thing I saw ads for moonlights replacement and the main dialoge was as a father was taking over care of two children " you are with dad now ,throw away the books I missed the other item then the mother looks in the fridge there were two beers and I belive a jar of peanut butter the mother said what was there his reply YAE I AM LOW ON BEER OR YEA I HAVE TO RESTOCK" I was so revolted, that I did miss a word but not any important ones!!!!! and we wonder why kids have a smart mouth and wrong ideas at such a young age!!!!! sorry for any misspelling it is 6:06AM and Ive been up for 19 hours but don`t use that to say I did know or mean every word. Ann Mast

[Beth Jones]

Well, all I have to say is that I won't be watching shows on cbs since they cancelled Moonlight. So what that Alex had his shirt off! That's an understatement, so why isn't abc's Lost not cancelled? Supposedly that show has goodlooking men, so what's wrong with Mick, Josef or Josh being sexy? I lived to watch Moonlight on fridays and now... looks like cbs won't be getting any ratings from my tv!!!!!!!! Beth Jones

[Melanie]

I may be a teenager, but I enjoyed coming home on Friday and watch Moonlight. It really dissapointed me that CBS cancelled one of the best shows I've ever seen. All of my friends and I are very upset about Nina's disicion. I didn't watch it because of the actors--which I didn't even know who they were until I started watching the show--I watched it because of the story line. The action was awesome beyond all belief. The special effects and everything were so cool. I hope that CBS realizes their mistake soon and brings back Moonlight instead of bringing new shows like Swingtown and the Ex-list that look completely revolting!

[Karin]

Please bring back moonlight! It was so great!

[Rod Seel]

CBS signed Alex O'loughlin to a contract because they now realize that they blew it by cancelling Moonlight. They knew some other network was likely to pick up Moonlight as a mid-season replacement, so they signed him so that they could put a final "nail in the coffin" of Moonlight. They were scared that if someone else picked up Moonlight it would be a big success, and that would validate that they blew it! Nina Tessler was scared she would be shown to have a tin ear and bad judgement. CBS and Tessler now realize that cancelling Moonlight was worse than a crime, it was a blunder! Showing there ignorance and arrogance yet agian. If they cared about there fans more than there ego, they would admit their mistake and bring back Moonlight.

[Jan Dobrin]

It's pretty pathetic that they would put a piece of trash on about wife swapping and dumping a really great show like Moonlight for THAT drivel!

I hardly ever watch TV but did make sure to turn it on Friday nights for Ghost Whisperer and MOONLIGHT!

NO MORE! Whoever made this stupid decision to cancel a fabulous show like Moonlight has their (her) head stuck up her butt!

:-(

I just wish HBO would pick up Moonlight and show it on there. I'd subscribe to HBO if Moonlight was on there.

[Kurt in Saint George]

I had two problems with Moonlight. I didn't like the lead actor myself but there was a greater problem in the shows main story.

The story of an immortal vampire in love with a mortal is one thing, but a vampire who terrorized a little girl and is now interested in her as as adult was more like the story of a stalker and his victim, it was somewhat creepy.

[Troy Ballinger]

I think the reason no other network picked up Moonlight is because CBS signed Alex to an exclusive contract. They knew the show would not work without the whole cast returning. CBS dropped the ball and now they are going to make everyone pay for it.