Stargate ratings

[gategrrl]

Okay. I have a question for those of you who follow the ratings for Stargate.

This is what This Person is saying on a Certain Forum:

In this case of season 9, the ratings for the first time have gone significantly downward in the second half of the season. TPTB probably still don't care, but I would think ratings speak volumes that some changes have not been good.

And even though some fans did not like seasons 7 and 8, they did do well in the ratings--particularly the second half of season 7 and all of 8. As long as ratings do well, why change things. Well, in season 9, they haven't gone as well, so maybe they will get their act together

This person repeats these "facts" like a Mantra as she's justifying the Greatness that is Sam Carter.

So, what's the real deal with the first run ratings these past three seasons?

Comments

[moonshayde.livejournal.com]

Total guess work.

Second half of seasons have their big finale build ups. Even if they suck, people tend to tune in to see what's going to happen

Season 9 is the anamoly perhaps because of a disconnect? Personally, I have found the over all show to be better in the second half than the first, but the first half had Jack (though limited) and lots of Vala (CB seems to have quite the fan base).

Season 8 I think was fairly consistent, but I also think a lot of people really really thought that was it. And many people knew that was it for Jack. I think that was a major factor for season 8.

I say these things because most people I encounter outside of the places that enshirne Vala, most people don't like her very much, don't hate Sam but don't worship her either. Think Mitchell is decent. Think Daniel is decent and like Teal'c. The majority of people I know don't want to see the show dripping with ship of any kind and just want adventure through the Stargate no matter what.

I see this on lists, other forums, Lj...just about everywhere.

It seems to me that there is a large group of people that want a lot of the same thing, and it's not what TPTB are giving us. Yet, despite it all, people keep watching anyway.

[superbadgirl]

/laughs at your icon

I would definitely say CB's fans might have something to do with it. The few I've encountered seem quite...well, rabid.

[moonshayde.livejournal.com]

You know how I feel about Sam/Jack. But frankly, the Vala fans scare me.

That's not to say there is anything wrong with liking Vala. I don't utterly despise her and I do think CB is a talented actress, but there are some fans that are pushing Vala that even outshines some of the rabid Daniel fans or the Sam/Jack fans.

[superbadgirl]

Ooooh, yeah. This is becoming a bit of a tangent off of the ratings discussion (discussions on ratings always leave me shaking my head, because I just don't care enough to understand), but I think any fan base that really lives up to its name of fanatical has the potential to be really scary.

Sometimes people are really insulting your favorite character and sometimes you just think they are because you're fanatical. ;)

I wonder if people are just worn out. I know I am. I love Daniel and Teal'c and Sam and wish I could be excited enough about them to keep watching the show when I'm not enjoying it as much as I should, but I'm not. People not in online fandom might be more likely to just stop tuning in, and that might be happening at long last.

Plus, I really do miss Jack and think they handled his sudden disappearance in a bad fashion. Bringing him back a year later to explain his absense might be too little, too late.

[moonshayde.livejournal.com]

I think those not in the online fandom were at a disadvantage in regard to Jack. While on scifi.com he says straight out what he's doing, it was never stated in the show. During Season 6, we were constantly reminded of Daniel throughout the entire season. His presence/non-presence made the changes--at least for me--more workable.

With Jack, he was mentioned all in the first few episodes and then quickly disappeared. (Janet asked Daniel and Teal'c in Ripple Effect where Jack was and we still didn't get an answer.) I think TPTB wanted to play it safe, but to alienate the audience in that way really impacts the entire show. Especially with Jack having been a hugely popualr character.

That's why i think I a lot of the ratings focus on Jack and Vala. Vala, more than Mitchell I think, is drawing in a huge fanbase. Plus you have many of the Farscape fans that had never been invested in the show before. To lose Vala and Jack leaves us with Sam, Cam, Daniel, and Teal'c to contend with.

I already know some people will refuse to watch Sam-centric episodes. Not even once. That can effect Sam related episodes. On the other hand, I'm willing to bet there are people that flat out refuse to watch Daniel-centric episodes either. The infighting between some groups on both of these sides could in fact play out at least in part on the ratings and demogrpahics of the show. Though, I think some of the Sam/Daniel animosity has been refocused to a Sam/Vala standoff.

As for Mitchell...I don't think enough fans are invested in him at this point. Vala was introduced way before Mitchell was, so at least fans knew who she was. It may not be far on Mitchell, but that is how it goes. Teal'c...well Teal'c might be saying more this year and I am of the opinion that despite the boring Jaffa stand and talk Council scenes, Teal'c has been consistently good this year. However, he's still Teal'c. Doesn't matter how many lines or scenes you give him--he's not the center of the onlien fan world.

All those factors combined along with what Nialla said and I think that makes for a good recipe in understanding Season 9.