I can't help but sometimes feel like this.

[Tyler Austin "tiewashere"]

Alright so, people might jump down my throat and kill me when I say this. Just a little side note of fun for ya.

Well, I can't help but sometimes feel like this. I don't really like to feel this way but I can't help but have the thought in the back of my mind. Here it is:

You all probably know that Joss came up with the idea for Dollhouse eating lunch with Eliza. Apparently they talked about type casting and how Joss thinks Eliza is much more talented then her work shows. Then he birthed Dollhouse in his noggin.

I can't help but think he was forced to work with Eliza on the project. I mean, can you imagine sitting and eating lunch with a friend (especially one which you've worked on stuff with before) and coming up with an idea for a show and not casting that person if they were an actress, your friend, and someone you previously worked with? I could never imagine saying "no, you don't have the skills" to that person.

Some people may not agree with me on this. But Eliza, to me, doesn't have the full range of emotions and personalities able to pull off all the characters the writers give her. Not many actresses do. Could it be that Joss had someone else in mind? We all were pretty upset when Joss said the show would air on FOX (but after the recent renewing, YAY, I forgive them) but could it be that he originally didn't want to work with FOX and was forced due to Eliza being on the project and her contract with FOX? I don't know.

For example. I make short films that are decently popular on youtube (SIDE NOTE, ADVERTISMENT: (Films: www.youtube.com/user/tylerismadawsome) (Vlog: www.youtube.com/user/TylerAustinVlog)) and I made my first film with my friend, made another with her, and made a third. Then I was sitting with her one day and got this crazy good idea for another film and just blurted it out. She even helped with some of the ideas! But in the back of my mind I was thinking "Oh, I don't have her in mind for the part." and it was really hard telling her she couldn't be in it. Could this have happened with Joss and Eliza only with out the telling of "no"?

I guess it's all up to each person to decide but I can't help but sometimes feel this way. I love the show, by the way. AND YAY FOR IT'S RENEWAL!

P.S. I also find it really odd that the episodes that are considered the best involve Eliza Dushku the least.

[Rebecca]

I agree to some extent about Eliza's acting chops, though it is my understanding that both Eliza and Whedon came up for the show, and I would think he would want her to collaborate on the project. I believe she is an Executive Producer on the show. I'm not sure how her contract works with FOX, but there's a chance that he wasn't forced to cast her as lead. However, it very well may be the case, that due to the nature of the creative process and contractural obligations Joss was roping himself into working with FOX just by collaborating with Eliza. It's a good question, one I'm not sure we'll get a straight answer to.

I think the episodes that are considered the "best" are the ensemble pieces. The show works best as ensemble rather than "watch Eliza dress up and act like someone else for 50 minutes". Lots more room for story development and witty banter. I believe this is the direction the show is going, and I'm tremendously glad for it.

[Tyler Austin "tiewashere"]

May 16, 2009 14:42:04 GMT -5 Rebecca said:

I agree to some extent about Eliza's acting chops, though it is my understanding that both Eliza and Whedon came up for the show, and I would think he would want her to collaborate on the project. I believe she is an Executive Producer on the show. I'm not sure how her contract works with FOX, but there's a chance that he wasn't forced to cast her as lead. However, it very well may be the case, that due to the nature of the creative process and contractural obligations Joss was roping himself into working with FOX just by collaborating with Eliza. It's a good question, one I'm not sure we'll get a straight answer to.

I think the episodes that are considered the "best" are the ensemble pieces. The show works best as ensemble rather than "watch Eliza dress up and act like someone else for 50 minutes". Lots more room for story development and witty banter. I believe this is the direction the show is going, and I'm tremendously glad for it.

Well, I didn't mean forced by anyone outside. I meant forced by creating a show with a friend and then basically NOT casting her as the lead and then dealing with the consequences of the friendship. It's just like when you make plans in front of someone and then HAVE to invite them.

[Rebecca]

It could be. But the contractual obligation between Eliza and FOX certainly played a part. Like I said, it seems a tangled mess, was it contracts or unwillingness to hurt a friendship that Eliza was cast, I don't think we'll ever get a straight answer.

[snizapman6294]

i agree. and at the same time, i disagree... honestly, i think it went down like this:

Eliza: Hey, Joss! Let's do another show!

Joss: Okay!

Eliza: But, it's with those assholes down at FOX... so.

Joss: I'll have to make it amazing then

**Holds up a title card that says "Two Hours Later"**

Joss: It's called Dollhouse...

i feel like Joss did a favor for Eliza. She asked to work with him and for him to create, direct, write, produce, etc. another fantastic Whedon show. (He knows how awesome he is). And Joss had wanted to do another series, so i would say he volunteered to do the series, but was forced into doing the series with FOX.

hence the 50/50% agree/disagree combo...

[Rebecca]

I think that may be more the case. I think I remember reading somewhere that even before coming up with the idea, he knew it would have to be on FOX if Eliza was in it. Whether that extends to her as a producer in addition to her casting, I'm still unsure.

[Tyler Austin "tiewashere"]

Hahahaha, this really doesn't have anything to do with FOX but the fact that he chose Eliza. That's what I'm gettin' at. lol

[snizapman6294]

well how i'm understanding it is that she chose him. she knew JOss wanted work and asked him for a favor. but that's just my understanding.

[Rebecca]

... or rather, he came up with the idea for Eliza. She told him what predicament she was, contracted, out of work, and he came up with the idea so that she could work again.

[snizapman6294]

exactly.

[Midnight Butterfly]

I totally get what your saying Tyler.
That thought actually passed my mind a few times but at the end of the day I think Eliza was the right person.
And if he did feel forced to add her then im glad he felt forced

[gumgnome]

I take the point, but do you really think that Joss would go to the trouble of making an entire television series where he wasn't happy with his lead. I seriously doubt it myself. It would be an incredible sacrifice in an industry where your latest work is what you're judged by.

[theend]

I disagree completely. If Joss thought Eliza wasn't a good actress he wouldn't have cast her for Faith - people forget that Faith wasn't just the 'bad kick ass girl', she had real emotions and we saw that. She's doing an amazing job on Dollhouse - I don't know how she'd be more believable to you people. I'm sure Joss is happy with her. I'm getting really annoyed by all the 'Eliza sucks' posts.

[Skytteflickan88]

i can't judge her acting abilities, but i doubt joss felt he had to cast her. i doubt he'd would have come so far if he was such a softie.