I mean, dude’s not exactly a popular old boy right now. Maybe he never will be again. His agents, publishers W.W. Norton say they won’t work with him again. Anansi Boys publisher Dark Horse Comics have dropped him. The UK stage production of Coraline has been canceled, and Disney has put production of the movie of The Graveyard Book on hold. There’s not been a formal public boycott but I think his popularity, excepting his hardcore fanbase, is def fading. (puts in mind Trump’s dwindling cult)
I was never a big Gaiman fan – always seemed there was something missing. I felt I should be into his stuff – all the cool kids were and, from the book jacket copy it seemed like I would be. But…meh. Always, disappointingly meh. //shrugs//
The book Good Omens worked for me probably because it was a collaboration with Terry Pratchett. Terry Pratchett brought in humor and a more down to earth, don’t-take-yourself-so-damn-seriously tone.Good Omens the teevee show – Gaiman served as showrunner (similar to being the conductor of an orchestra – showrunners have primary creative control). Pratchett’s sensibility was maintained though. I was wondering, now that the world knows what a depraved, mentally fucked, creepazoid dick he's alleged to be, would there actually be a third season.
Yes and no.
Deadline reported that Amazon will end production of Good Omens with a 90-minute final episode to be produced this year, instead of a full third season. "Gaiman contributed to the writing of the series finale but will not be working on the production and his production company the Blank Corporation is no longer involved," Deadline said. (source)I absolutely loved the book and first two seasons of the teevee series. Even knowing that Gaiman had little to do with the last 90-minute episode, I felt conflicted in watching. I mean, the bastard’s still denying what all these many women claim. He’s making money off me viewing this episode. Still, I watched and felt, at the outset, a bit hypocritical. Okay, that feeling is lingering.
The show was completely brilliant though. Much more Pratchett than aren’t-I-deep-special-and-artsy Gaiman.No spoilers from me! Okay, two very minor ones. God is a Black woman and the devil is an old, twisted white guy. That’s not actually a surprise though.
Another show we’ve been trying on – Bunheads.
It's a fish-out-of-water story – a once-promising classically trained ballet type dancer becomes a Vegas showgirl. Gets tired of bright lights/cheesy life, marries an impossibly nice, rich guy who she barely knows. He conveniently dies in a car crash leaving her a huge property in rural California, complete with angry, mentally unstable mother-in-law who teaches at a home ballet school. Drama and shenanigans ensue.
It was created by Amy Sherman-Palladino – the same person who did The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel! How could we go wrong?
Well, lemme just tell you. First, Bunheads is built like a house with no interior structure – there’s no load-bearing skeleton holding the storyline up. Blanket forts and sandcastles have more structural integrity. The writers seem to get bored easily and *BAM* shift gears mid episode…repeatedly. Willy nilly, they add lap robe additions or afghans for the blanket fort’s new sunroom or whatev.
Also, we’re to somehow believe this 30+ year-old Vegas showgirl drops her entire life, drunkenly marries a near complete stranger, moves with him away from all her friends to a new state, all because of one bad audition for a more artistic/less showgirl-ish role?
As for the the mother-in-law – after watching Trump over the past 10 years, I think we’re all becoming adept at diagnosing a potential narcissist. Plus, I don’t need the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Illnesses (DSM) to figure this woman’s bipolar too.
Really, the writers could try building a coherent story instead of relying on gags and what ifs thrown out at desperate midnight WE’VE GOT A DEADLINE IN EIGHT HOURS brainstorming session.
No wonder the show only lasted one season.
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