Posted on 01/17/2002 2:55:05 AM PST by Brandon
Thursday January 17 1:36 AM ET
By Josef Adalian
HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Trust this one: the Emmy-winning sci-fi powerhouse ``The X-Files'' will wrap its nine-season run on Fox in May.
Series creator Chris Carter and Fox confirmed the decision Wednesday following a meeting in which Carter told Fox Entertainment Television Group chairman Sandy Grushow and entertainment president Gail Berman he was ready to end the series.
``The X-Files'' has been a signature series for Fox -- and a cash cow for parent News Corp. -- since its September 1993 premiere. It continues to pull in profits in syndication, where it's ranked as the top-rated off-network hour since bowing in syndication in 1997. Its network run will end with a two-part episode penned by Carter -- the show's 201st.
While the series remains a solid performer, particularly demographically, its ratings have declined this season opposite tougher competition and in the wake of cast changes. Carter wanted ``The X-Files'' to end while it still had creative and commercial strength.
``It's the ninth inning. We want to go out on top,'' he said. ``We wanted to go out as a strong show.''
Bowing on Friday nights, ``The X-Files'' was an instant cult hit as fans tuned in for the ever-spooky adventures of Agents Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson). Ratings soared still higher when Fox moved the show to Sundays in 1996.
Carter singled out recent additions Robert Patrick and Annabeth Gish for praise, saying their work ``will stand up to the best of 'The X-Files.''' Patrick replaced Duchovny, who exited last season.
Grushow, who put ``The X-Files'' on the network in his former post as entertainment president, said it's impossible to overstate the positive impact the drama has had on Fox.
``It was instrumental in putting Fox on the map, plain and simple,'' he said. ``It helped define the network. It alerted the industry to the fact that we could succeed with a quality drama.''
Grushow said Carter's vision ``inspired the best from everyone at this company, because Chris was so inspiring. He created a television series not just for our times, but for all times.''
Carter said despite numerous cast changes and the natural aging process, ``The X-Files'' had managed to maintain its distinctiveness.
``I'd like to think the show is still one of the most imaginative on television,'' he said. ``It never quit being original.''
Though he's been mulling the finale for years, Carter hasn't yet started putting it together. He did promise, once and for all, to tie up all the show's mythological loose ends.
Carter said he'd ``love'' to have Duchovny return for the finale, which may be preceded by a clipfest. Characters are expected to develop in a second ``X-Files'' feature in the works at Fox.
``This show's afterlife will be strong,'' Carter said.
Reuters/Variety REUTERS
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Mulder was the show for me - though I have to admit, Scully is a major babe
That's like David Duchovny leaving the series to pursue a serious acting career.
I'm afraid that he's a couple seasons too late on the former.
At this stage of the game, due to time and financial constraints, what they will do (true to form) is quickly hobble one or several shows together that try to wrap it all up. They will "HYPE IT, HYPE IT, HYPE IT" and people will watch. But, it will be like cotton candy: a lot of fluff but not much there, sweet to the taste, but ultimately unsatisfying.
As they say; "it was good while it lasted, but the thrill is gone".
I don't see how that's possible. This is my only weekly TV show I have on my must-see list.
Mulder, you need to change your screen name;^)
Alias (ABC - Sunday, 9:00pm)- Smart, edge of your seat action, a little "James Bond" gadgetry, and a little of the X-Files type of conspiracy theory. One show recently featured Sidney (the main babe character) obtaining a bit of binary code written 600 years ago.
Farscape (Sci-Fi Channel, various times) - While it is in reruns now, new episodes are about to be released. It is the story of an American Astronaut who gets sucked into an accidentally created wormhole and transported to a distant part of the galaxy. A good portion of the show is him trying to get home, but he lives on a giant living ship with some really interesting passengers. Great special effects and intelligent - and witty - writing make this one of my favorites.
Also worth mentioning:
On The Sci-Fi Channel: The Chronical (crap, but fun crap)
On UPN: Enterprise (Star Trek lives on as a prequel, but this one is better than Voyager)
On Fox: Dark Angel (Jessica Alby is reason enough to watch, but the show is classy and engaging)
I used to be a regular viewer but I think they have really slipped.
At first they had the characters, action, continuing plot to build week by week. Lately they seem to have gone to flopping from one darkly lit scene with frightening mood music to the next . It is now predictable and more boring.
Shameless pitch: Root for the revival of Babylon 5 - IMHO, the finest serious SF program in recent years.
I plan on watching this new movie. I sure do hope they continue the series at the same quality as the original.
I really think the offerings of the Sci Fi Channel and the UPN Network have more than given X Files competition for viewers.
The other problem, at least it seemed to me, is that lately there were never more than 2 or 3 new episodes aired in a row. I would watch a few new episodes, and then they would go back into re-runs or put something else on. I couldn't get into a groove.
I wonder if it means the end of X-Files movies?
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