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The writing had been on the wall for a while, and Spike executives began quietly telling agents over the past couple of weeks that the network is getting out of the scripted business, at least for the time being. One of the network’s 2 scripted executives, Laurence Sullivan, has already departed to join Conan O’Brien’s production company Conaco. The last time Spike announced a scripted development slate was last October. Of the 7 projects on it, one, the Walt Becket-produced and Andy Tenant-directed Thunderballs, went to pilot but hasn’t been picked up to series. Spike also passed on its 2 pilots ordered last year, Back Nine and Playing With Guns. (Playing With Guns was later redeveloped by Comedy Central). Spike’s only remaining scripted executive, Dustin Davis, will continue to oversee existing development, including a script the network bought last month about an NYPD bomb squad, as well as Spike’s sole scripted series, Blue Mountain State. Spike’s recently picked up 4 new series, all in the reality genre, where the channel has had ratings success with such hits as Auction Hunters and Repo Games.
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Spike also had a pilot presentation MegaWinner (aka Powerball) directed by Troy Miller. Wonder where that will go.
Dustin is a fantastic exec. He’ll no doubt land some place great.
I hope they get something to pair up with Blue Mountain State, or that they at least start advertizing for it more. Most people still have no clue it exists.
I was just thinking what an interesting concept it is to eliminate the writer from the artistic process. If we could just get rid of these actors and directors, maybe we’ve got something here.
- M. Tolkin
With no scripted shows, it probably won’t be long before we hear that Spike is gone altogether. Too bad. Spike had a great opportunity to make a name for itself. Reality-only format won’t cut it.
Spike was already a great channel before it was Spike. NHRA Drag racing, PBR Bullriding, AMA Motocross, World of Outlaws Sprint Cars, SWAMP BUGGIES, WWE and Extreme Wrestling!! Extreme sports with major drama before the “Mother Ship” even new what “extreme sports” was.
really sad to spend 10 years watching a network die from within – total Kevorkian management.
yes we’ll all miss those great scripted shows on spike
truly the golden age of television has ended
Dustin Davis should get out while he can. And Spike should just fold up and call it a day. They had promise, and Dustin could’ve made them great. Such a shame.
Subtle post Dustin
Spike who? They’re falling into oblivion.
“fantastic exec”? Is that like “military intelligence”?
Scripted didn’t work there because they have the worst execs in tv. Any story OR character goes right over there heads…. and thus u get blue mountain state. Try hiring people who actually know how to develop.
Coffee, Chocolate, Men: Some things are just better rich!
And except for Blue Mountain State, brutony will get out of the Spike business! I dont want to see all reality, and Im a MAN, man! I thought this channel was for MEN? Reality is for women or weeny guys, not for REAL men like we are, right, guys?
Blue Mountain State is the only thing Spike has going for it, and unfortunately the show will continue to be unknown as long as Spike has its hands on it. BMS belongs on Comedy Central, FX, or any other network that knows how to advertise, play reruns, plug its talent, etc etc.
Blue Mountain State is very funny. Hope they pick BMS up for fourth cycle anyway and find a companion piece. There’s money in later platforms/windows for scripted; nada for reality.
This would be the same SPIKE that recently dropped the UFC, which was the main reason most young men watched that channel. No UFC plus no scripted shows = Spike who?