Heroes iStory Returns with The Agent

Those that have (or haven’t) been following the online Heroes experience at NBC.com will be excited to know that the next volume of the text-based “choose your own adventure” iStory entitled “The Agent” began today.

The iStory allows readers to choose their own paths through an exciting Heroes-related story.  The most popular results through a given chapter are used to advance the story via a live polling feature.

‘The Agent” begins with Rachel Mills, who Heroes’ fans should be familiar with from Villains and ‘The Recruit” web-series, as she starts her new job under Nathan Petrelli and the U.S. Government (check out the latest episode to see her cameo).

From NBC.com:

Rachel Mills has survived bizarre encounters at Pinehearst and in the Middle East, but this week she begins her strangest adventure yet. Rachel has found acceptance and a sense of belonging in her new role. But her first mission turns her world on its head. At a crater that was once an airplane, Rachel learns that she is again a soldier in a war, and the enemy is more dangerous than she could have possibly imagined.

To participate in the interactive iStory experience, visit http://www.nbc.com/Heroes/iStory/

NBC Fires Two “Heroes” Executive Producers

Variety is reporting that NBC fired Jesse Alexander and Jeph Loeb, two of the most notable members of the Heroes staff, on Sunday.

The two have been heavily involved with the show since its first season taking on daily showrunning tasks for series creator Tim Kring.

It is believed that the reason for the firings is due to a lack of satisfaction with the two by NBC regarding the creative direction of the show and the recent tendency to go over-budget despite slipping ratings.

First the drop in ratings, and now this?  Is this showing the end of the line for Heroes or a new beginning?

One thing is for sure:

This does not look bright to fans or advertisers.

Source:

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117995152.html?categoryid=14&cs=1

Two New Actors Joining Heroes in Volume Four: Fugitives

Looks as though two more actors have been cast for the upcoming “Fugitives” storyline.

Michael Ausiello from EW.com reports that Dan Byrd from Aliens in America will be cast as David, a teen with a bad streak:

Sources confirm to me exclusively that Byrd has been cast on Heroes in the recurring role of David, a dark and twisted kid who tells lies easily and has a cruel streak. Word is he’ll be a possible apprentice to Sylar (Zachary Quinto).

EOnline confirmed that Emmy Winner Zeljko Ivanek of Damages has been tagged to join the cast as a mysterious new character named “The Hunter”. Kristen Dos Santos says:

According to insiders, the Hunter’s first appearance is in episode 14, which kicks off Volume Four: Fugitives. (Heroes creator Tim Kring is writing the Fugitives premiere!)

Am I the only one that instantly thought of Kraven on that second one? And what’s with creating a new character that sounds and looks similar to West?

Ivanek is a very impressive actor though (He has many acting credits to his name, the least of which includes literally getting hit by a bus on Lost), so the talent seems to be stepping up throughout this third season, unfortunately the Sprint product placement will probably compensate in order to pay for such talent.

Sources:
http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2008/10/dan-byrd-joins.html
http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b64432_emmy_winner_comes_heroes.html

Interview with Brea Grant (Daphne) Coming Soon

I’ve arranged for The Company to conduct an interview with the irresistible Brea Grant better known as Daphne Millbrook, the Speedster on Heroes.

While I’m not sure of the hosts who will be able to make the interview since its mid-day, but I will at least be there to ask some questions that you guys may have.

If you guys have any questions that you’d like us to ask Brea, please let us know here.

I can’t guarantee your questions will be asked, but we’ll try to get to some good ones.

Got more than one question? List them all!

Post your questions either on the forum, to the company e-mail (thecompanypodcast@gmail.com), or in a comment on the website.
The interview will be recorded on Monday October 20th at 11:30am CST, so your questions will need to be posted by 10am CST in order to be seen in time.

Season 3 Premiere Ratings: Is the Nielsen Company the real “Villain”?

9.9 was the magic number for Monday Night’s two-part premiere for Heroes: Villains, but was it magical enough?

The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that the Nielsen ratings are down “25% from last year” and fell even further if you deflate the Generations ratings by removing last year’s Saturday premiere repeat.  While Heroes came in at just under 10 million average viewers throughout the two-hour premiere, ABC’s hit reality show Dancing With The Stars garnered just over 21 million viewers during its respective two-hour premiere.

What does this have to say about Heroes this year?  Absolutely nothing.  Hype had already started from Comic-Con and Heroes fans/creators alike know that it will take some time to gain back the respect of the public.  As soon as word of mouth comes in, the show will be just as successful.  It’s already leaps and bounds ahead of Season 2 in terms of action and style, so its only a matter of time before the numbers show that.

Of course, the Nielsen Ratings system is a dead relic in the attic of old media.  Time to think outside the box, Television Industry.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Strike Ending Soon?

Reports from Industry insiders are reporting that the WGA (Writer’s Guild of America) Strike against Studios could soon be coming to an end. The WGA is prepared to picket the upcoming Academy Awards on February 24, but its been heard through the grapevine that it won’t be necessary.

Insiders are expecting an announcement as soon as by the end of the week.

Although this is fantastic news, if and when the announcement is made…its a bit late for our show, Heroes, to come back on. As far as we know, Heroes is totally out of scripts and that the final two scripts (episodes twelve and thirteen) have been scrapped (see our interview with Jimmy Jean-Louis). If this were the case, writing could not be finished in time for shooting and production to be complete before summer. This means that the best case scenario for our show is a Fall 2008 return.

However, Lost fans (which is another show we love here at The Company) might be in luck. If this strike were to end this week, writing could be completed and Lost could start shooting while showing the remaining six episodes left to air. This would allow for a near seamless completion to the season (there could be a week or so gap).

However close the Writer’s Strike is to being ended, the WGA has publicly stated to its members that “…there are many significant points that have yet to be worked out.”

Let’s hope for the best, and in any right….its always been about the writers. Let’s hope they get what they deserve!

-Demi (Mitch)

Sources:

Access Hollywood
sawf.org
Hollywood Insider
National Post