Second 'Dollhouse' declines; 'Terminator' steady

The numbers are disheartening, if not entirely surprising.

The second episodes of Fox's "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" and "Dollhouse" failed to improve on their premieres last week, even though Friday's biggest usual competitor from a numbers standpoint -- CBS' crime dramas -- aired repeats.

"Dollhouse" (4.2 million viewers, 1.7 preliminary adults 18-49 rating/7 share), fell 15% in the ratings. This is an almost-typical second-episode slip and the show placed second in its 9 p.m. hour, topped by "Supernanny"  (5.2 million, 1.8/5).

At 8 p.m., "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" (3.8 million, 1.3/5) was roughly steady, falling a tenth of a point from last week's midseason return to tie a repeat of "Wife Swap" to place second in the hour.

Given it's a Friday night, neither "Terminator" or "Dollhouse" pop out as a jarringly low rating on the grid. But Fox's shows are relatively expensive scripted dramas that typically require higher numbers than a competitor's repeats or newsmagazines such as "Dateline" and "20/20," regardless of what night they're on.

PREVIOUS: 'Dollhouse' premieres soft; 'Terminator' hits series low

Comments

[DaisyRose]

I watch all things Whedon but for me Dollhouse so far isn't making the grade - however, this second episode had Middleman in it and it was great seeing him again and I found myself thinking what a great show Dollhouse would be with Middleman and Wendy Watson protecting Echo and Ida running the office and Noser and Lacey doing the programming and training. Sorry but I think it would make Dollhouse a better show - especially if the Middleman writers could get a few of their priceless gems into the dialogue.

[Jan Tichý]

I am not surprised that the numbers are failing, as Joss gave in to the Fox bosses again, probably the same dumbfaces who got famously slashed in the Futurama first movie for cancelling the series, and most probably the same stupid rednecks who cancelled Angel back then. And with the allegations that the Fox bosses made Joss rewrite the whole thing I am really not surprise that it´s turning out to another fox flop. That´s what happens when you let executive idiots stick their noses in what´s none of their business. they are naturally incapable to recognize good show, and I really hope that Dollhouse will recover and will get at least second season - you don´t mess with Joss Whedon! He just needs freedom of creativity, that´s all ... and I also thing that it´s really horrible that fans turn their backs on the man - he needs our support right now - so get your butt of the sofa and switch to Dollhouse!!!!

[Chris]

I really enjoyed the second episode more than the first. It had some of the snappy, funny dialogue I liked in Buffy and Firefly. I hope it sticks around long enough to get its legs under it and develop a little.

I remember how poor the first few episodes of Buffy were...

[Me]

DaisyRose, that is a brilliant idea! I'd watch it. This, not so much. Middleman forever!

[Chris]

Dollhouse is good next week looks better than the first two

[Annie]

I missed the premier of Dollhouse and watched the second episode last night. I like it. I think it might build some momentum and get a larger audience. I'm adding it as a regular to my DVR.

I enjoyed Terminator as well, but could have done without all the oversized photo's at the funeral that were shown over and over again. The long and drawn out funeral didn't motivate the story at all. Either way, I'll watch next week.

I think they need to appeal to the "Sci-Fi Friday" audience that watches the SCI-FI channel on Friday night. They might get better numbers.

[jords]

Loved Loved Loved it! I actually liked the pilot, but this was 100% improvement. I really like that we're already seeing the chinks in the DH armor, and signs of Echo's imprints going wrong.

I'd love to know what if anything there was in that "water" that could have somehow forced Echo to shake off even more of her imprint.

I really hope Fox allows the show to continue. Friday night is quickly turning into one of my favorite nights for TV!

[Robert]

I don't know if this would have effected the ratings or not, but here in Utah Larry H. Miller, the Jazz owner, the guy with a lot of money in Utah pretty much, died and a story about it filled the Dollhouse spot, it went on for over an hour. Does that effect the ratings? Because if it does then that could be a whole state not watching the show. Assuming that everyone watched it....which i doubt lol GREAT show tho. I really want to see this one continue, the second episode was amazing, this show has LOTS of potential.

[Steve]

I really want to like this show badly, but I have to say that so far I'm just not feeling it. One of the big things with Joss Whedon shows has always been his nuanced dialogue. But it occurs to me that much of his dialogue has worked well in the past because of the underlying metaphor of his previous shows. Like last night's episode, where the psycho hunter says, "Isn't this the best date ever?" It probably would have worked in Buffy, where Xander dates some busty blonde who ends up being a man-eating lizard demon, but it just didn't work for me here because of the setting of the show is too closely grounded in reality. I am finding the plots also much too predictable, whereas Joss has always been really good at keeping us on our toes. I'm still not sold on the Echo character either, she just isn't that compelling for me at this point. I will stick around because of Joss, but I don't think this show is going to go anywhere at this point. I do hope I'm wrong.

[Bill B.]

Dollhouse is pretty much a stinker, though I do like that Tomah guy's presence. He's interesting unlike the lead actress. In any event, I was only really hoping it would be successful to help The Sarah Connor Chronicles, an under appreciated show, I think.

If the excellent Firefly couldn't make it here, this new thing is a goner.

[JG]

I am surprised at how much I enjoy Terminator. I wasn't much of a fan of T1 or T2 and didn't even bother with T3. Happened to catch the TV Terminator by accident. Some of the writing (especially the week before last) is very good and cutting edge. Nothing like the films. I hope Fox gives it a chance.

[Frank Caruso]

What was a turn off for me was the title of the show, "Dollhouse" at first. Second, at least for me, the previews were not revealing enough to excite me. If it did, I might have even DVR'd it.

[Geoff]

Good show, keep it! Didn't know a thing about it but was immediately interested while surfing pilot night. Good colors and some unique ideas, but for the lost "Stepwford wives meets Charlie Angel's set, it's perfect! Thank you Joss and Fox!

[Jess]

Buffy, as a concept was dorky. Whedon's writing and the actors made it a masterpiece. It took time to gain traction and it took time for the audience to develop a relationship with it. If you want to marry your date after the first sip of wine or bite of chicken...fine, but expect that you will learn more over time that may surprise you. The evils of mind control and persuasion, the concept of taking the life of one person in order to carry on the life of another...(bizarre form of sacrifice)-I'm already hooked.

After the first five dates, I'll make a further judgment.

[maerycat]

doll house is awesome ..weird like fringe and sexy too.the camper guy was weird after he screws her he has to kill her..sick but i watched... lets save terminator!!!who's excited about the termontor movie coming out?? if the tv show could just stay on till then it's ratings might go up.. maybe the show should tie into the movies more.it doesn;t seem to have a direction..

[Lisa]

Buffy started out well. It got a lot better, but even in the first few episodes it obviously was something special. Dollhouse doesn't have that feel. It could get good, but so far it's dreadful. If it ever does get good, who knows when that will be. Eight episodes? Twenty? I'm not going to watch indefinitely to see if a show I'm not enjoying gets to a certain level. My time is more valuable than that.

[David]

doesn't it bother anyone that dollhouse is basically about human slavery and at worse sex slavery.

The first "job" we see Echo on was a "date" with some rich guy which, when they pulled the memories from her, involved a sexual encounter. They then remove the memory from her making her docile.

How does this differ in any way to forcing a girl into sex for money and loading her up with drugs to keep her docile? Except that Echo has no personality or memory of any of this happening.

I loved some of the other shows that Joss has come up with but this one just makes me feel dirty watching it

[Kandace]

How about everyone stops bitching about how un-funny the show is? It's not supposed to be! Can't Joss apply his genius in another way, for once? 'Dollhouse' has different aims than 'Firefly' or 'Buffy.' Let's just pretend we have the attention spans to give him the space and the freedom to work them out.

Geez.

[Mona]

Okay, who are these idiots who say that the second episode was bad? I swear, the morons at FOX are exactly like those bullies in high school. They suck you in, make you think they're going to play nice and then give you a wedgie at the last second. Joss Whedon is a fantastic writer and his ideas are fresh. Hollywood is so tired and old, they've run out of ideas can't you tell? If FOX shuts down Dollhouse I'm am going to be more than angry, I plan on picketing their offices nude!

[Alisan_Hayes]

I realy like the new searial ''Dollhouse''.I like the second episode the most for now but I saw the trailer of the new epizode and I like it a lot.Dollhouse is a super show! FOX must keep it!

[dp]

Hell its not like they have anything else to put there. Its either that or not watch fox at all on friday night.

[madik]

It's hard to watch Dollhouse without expectations taken from Whedon's previous shows. (Which can be a good thing or a bad thing.) I keep finding dialogue that I think Xander could have said, or any of the Buffy crew. And that scene when Echo pointed the gun is so similar to River's scene in Serenity.

But I like it. I'm genuinely excited by it. My favorite character is Boyd. Echo is harder to like because there's no linearity. She doesn't learn anything. (Not yet anyway.) And that expression on her face when she's wiped... it annoys me(:

[Angel]

From what I heard, Fox had their fingers in the Whedon pie for the first six episodes. Apparently they didnt learn their lesson with " Firefly".

Whedon is brilliant, and he most certainly doesn't need "help" from the corporate fat cats who think just because they have the money, that they have the creativity as well.

Listen up Fox folks, your yanking Firefly was shot in the corporate foot 7 years ago, because you thought you knew what you were doing. Wheden made Buffy, one of the most followed shows in TV history. It's obvious he knows his stuff. Let his do his job and you do yours and everything will be fine.

Deal?

[Val]

I totally love Dollhouse, now. That first episode had me confused/uninterested.

I stuck with it though and watched the second - which is far better than the first. I'd even go so far as to say that they could've skipped episodes 3 and 4 and done 1 and 5 earlier. I think the pacing on this show is a little off.

I hope it sticks around though - Man on the Street, was a great episode!

In other words it's gaining momentum!

[BJC]

I love dollhouse, the first episode was a little confusing, but still exciting. I couldn't wait to see the next one. However, I don't have cable and can only watch episodes online. I don't know how to contribute to the ratings etc. but I wonder if a lot of people watch online instead of on TV. It is easier for me to catch an episode later in the week or on the weekend. Being a poor starving college student, I don't have money for DVR or Cable... yet.
I think that like buffy, this show will improve with time. Frankly, the first season or so of buffy seemed stupid to me, but it got better later. Lets give dollhouse the same chance.

[Alisan_Hayes]

I realy love ''Dollhouse''.I want to Thank Joss Whedon that he create this serial. DOLLOUSE is so different and cool and the actors are so good.Dollhouse is a SUPER show! FOX MUST KEEP IT!!!Plsss