Nana Visitor on the new TV Series Wildfire

[Stephen of Borg 2]

Anyone planning to watch this series? I don't think I will, but I always see the commercials on TV

[Mike 5]

Of course you know that I will be watching this and the series that is to follow. The 2 hour opening show is on June 20th. I am counting down the days..

 

Wildfire

[Spike The Trill 0]

I'll have to check it out.

[Matt 0]

What's it about?

[Mike 5]

What's it about?

Did you check out this link that I provided? It's all I know about this show. I am hopeful that it will be a well written and entertaining show.

WILDFIRE follows eighteen-year-old Kris Furillo (Cortese) who, after serving time at a teen detention center, is given the opportunity to start a new life. Her talent with horses is recognized by a volunteer and local trainer (Serano), who arranges a job for her at the Ritter's family run ranch. Thrown into a completely new environment, Kris must learn to deal with the challenges of fitting in, while trying not to disappoint the one family willing to give her a chance. The Ritters are facing challenges of their own even as they reach out to help Kris. Patriarch Henry Ritter (Weaver) and his daughter Jean (Visitor) are in a critical stage of their battle to save the ranch from financial ruin.

Wildfire

[Matt 0]

Ah, thanks Spacetigger, hadn't noticed the link.

[Mike 5]

It's on tonight..

Michael Piller, who co-created Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, is working with Nana Visitor (Kira Nerys) on another series - ABC Family's Wildfire, which premieres next Tuesday night.

 

"The lessons I learned from [Gene] Roddenberry - that stories need to be about something, explore moral and ethical dilemmas - informs all my writing now. Certainly, those are at play in Wildfire," Piller told TrekWeb. After working along with Rick Berman on Deep Space Nine, Voyager and Star Trek: Insurrection, plus several independently produced shows including USA's The Dead Zone, which began its fourth season last week, Piller said he wished he had known when he started in the business "that I know what I'm doing and don't have to believe everything everybody tells me I should be doing."

 

On Wildfire, Visitor - who played DS9's Bajoran first officer, a character who grew from distrusting Starfleet and loathing Cardassians to wearing a Starfleet uniform to help save Cardassia - appears as the mother of a troubled teenager who uses her passion for horses to turn her life around. "We needed a TV mom who could really act," Piller explained, noting that Visitor was not on the casting agent's list but he had seen her recently at the home of another former Deep Space Nine writer, Ira Steven Behr. "I asked that she be called in and she was easily the best actress we'd read," he declared.

 

Piller had pitched the series to the WB, believing in the wake of Seabiscuit that a show about a horse farm would find an audience. The WB bought the drama but chose to put it aside in favor of Jack and Bobby. and when their director of drama moved to ABC Family, she ordered a pilot movie. "As soon as they saw the movie, they ordered the series - it had 'hit' written all over it," said Piller.

 

The writer said that he believes his contribution to Star Trek: The Next Generation was "development of their characters and that's when women started tuning into the series which helped the ratings grow." As for the future of the franchise following Enterprise's cancellation, he said, "It needs time. Look at the Bond model. It got tired and then we were ready for him to return. I think there was just too much of it finally."

 

Wildfire will air on ABC Family June 20th at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

Trek Today

[HRH The KING 0]

Ahhhhh, "Team DS9" doing it again.

 

No worries, Piller is a creative genius, so rest assured for as long as this show lasts, he'll make sure Visitor has the best lines and stories.

 

I wish them success.

[Mike 5]

INTERVIEW WITH NANA FOR 'WILDFIRE'

Zap2It posted an exclusive interview with Nana, in which she talks about her new role, "Jean Ritter", in the new series WILDFIRE, produced by former TREK producer Michael Piller. Here are a few excerpts :

 

"When I was doing DEEP SPACE NINE" Viistor says, "I always got the question, 'If you had a story line, what would you wish for?' I always said, 'Mentoring a young woman.' That's exactly what this role is about."

 

"I hope that is happening in the world, a support system, an appreciation for wisdom and age and giving the young people a hand up. Of course, you need the young people. You need the people making mistakes and learning and going through sexual awakenings, but there has to be a balance.

 

"What's interesting is that the actors that have experience can not only mentor in the script, but on the set. There are a lot of young people who just need to be shown some ropes. They need information on how to be a pro. It's not an easy position [for Genevieve Cortese]. There are times that I say, 'Welcome to being the star of a show. There's good stuff, too, but you may have to wait a second for that.'"

Nanavision

[Mike 5]

Anybody besides me watch this last night? What did you think of it? I thought it pretty good. It has potential to be a good series I think. It does seem to focus around the kids but I expected that. Very enjoyable for me to see Nana in a new TV show..She was in more scenes that I thought she would be considering she's not the main character.

[HRH The KING 0]

What rating did it get?

[Mike 5]

What rating did it get?

What do you mean? What rating by who?

[HRH The KING 0]

The Nielsen rating.

Edited June 21, 2005 by The King

[Mike 5]

The Nielsen rating.

I never bother with them. I don't believe they're accurate anyway. I don't watch a show based on ratings..

[HRH The KING 0]

Fair enough.

 

I don't necessary watch shows based on their ratings, but the fact is that inaccurate or not, this is the system you've got in America now, and if the show doesn't get the numbers it needs, then it won't last.

 

I'll find out later this evening when the numbers are released.

Edited June 21, 2005 by The King

[Mike 5]

It is true, flawed as it is, it's the only rating system we have right now. Wildfire was shown twice last night, so which Nielsen ratings will count ?

Anyone else watch the show last night ?

[A l t e r E g o 9]

Anyone planning to watch this series? I don't think I will, but I always see the commercials on TV

330564[/snapback]

 

 

It was also getting pushed at the theaters as part of the 'pre-show countdown' Honestly, I'm just not interested in it but I hope for the sake of Nana fans (winks at ST :wink2:) that it makes it.

[LoveMalePecs1 0]

Didn't see that but recently watched a rerun of "Knight Rider"with NV playing a bad Lady this was her pre DS9 days.

 

 

:) :( :( :)

[Takara_Soong 4]

From TrekWeb.com:

 

The ABC Family network has issued a press release announcing that former STAR TREK writer/producer Michael Piller's original drama WILDFIRE, which premiered Tuesday night, has set records for the fledgling cable channel.

 

Burbank, CA (June 22, 2005) The ABC Family original scripted drama WILDFIRE delivered the highest series premiere in the history of the channel with a 1.7 HH rating, Monday, June 20. It was also the highest delivery in the history of the channel with Adults 18-49 (0.7 rating), Women 18-49 (1.1 rating) and Female Teens 12-17 (4.0 rating). The series ranked fifth among all basic cable in the time period with households and Women 18-34 and fourth with Women 18-49. Versus year ago time period programming, Wildfire increased the key demos of Adults 18-49 and Adults 18-34 by 75% (0.7 vs. 0.4) and households by 113% (1.7 vs. 0.8).

 

ABC Family delivered its highest rated and most watched second quarter in the history of the channel in primetime with Adults 18-49 (0.5/476,000) and most watched 2Q on record with Adults 18-34 (222,000). Year-to-year ABC Family delivered a 25% double-digit increase with Adults 18-49 (0.5 vs. 0.4).

 

In total day, ABC Family had its highest rated and most watched second quarter with Adults 18-49 (0.3/265,000) and most watched 2Q on record with total viewers (629,000) and Adults 18-34 (136,000). Year-to-year, ABC Family is up 20% in HH (0.6 vs. 0.5), 10% in total viewers (629,000 vs. 572,000) and 50% in both Adults 18-49 and Adults 18-34 (0.3 vs. 0.2).

 

Further details from the release, including an overall look at the network's performance of late, can be found at The Futon Critic.

 

WILDFIRE is the story of a troubled teenaged girl who discovers a talent for working with horses. DEEP SPACE NINE's Nana Visitor co-stars as the girl's mother. Read more about WILDFIRE in TrekWeb's exclusive interview with Piller, posted last week.

[HRH The KING 0]

Why didn't they broadcast it on the main ABC network?

[Mike 5]

That's great that the premiere did so well..BTW, Nana doesn't portray the girl's mother, but the owner of a family run ranch that gives her a job and helps her get a new start..

[Takara_Soong 4]

Why didn't they broadcast it on the main ABC network?

333518[/snapback]

 

Probably too much of a family drama for the main network. *sarcasm* Not just ABC but all of the main networks seem to have a warped sense of what "family entertainment" is.

[HRH The KING 0]

I agree.

 

The same thing applies here in the UK.

 

All the major terrestrial networks, like the Beeb, ITV, Channel Four and Channel 5 are worthless and their schedules are full of junk, with the odd exception here and there.

 

The movement to "specialised" channels, on Cable in North America and SkyDigital here, will spell the end of the traditional networks.

[A l t e r E g o 9]

ABC FAMILY ORIGINAL SERIES 'WILDFIRE' POSTS HIGHEST SERIES PREMIERE IN THE HISTORY OF THE CHANNEL

[Mike 5]

I'm so happy that the premiere did well..This show just might make it! Anyone watching tonight? Chances are it won't be as good as the premiere but still worth checking out..I'll be watching of course..

[Mike 5]

There's a new episode of Wildfire on tonight at 8 PM EST on the ABC Family channel if anyone is interested in checking it out.. :)

[Theunicornhunter 2]

I tried watching part of the premiere - if there was more Nana and less teen trauma I'd like it a lot better.

 

I might check in tonight

[Takara_Soong 4]

From TrekToday.com:

 

ABC Family has announced that it will air a second season of Wildfire, the original drama executive produced by former Star Trek scribe Michael Piller and co-starring Deep Space Nine's Nana Visitor (Kira Nerys).

 

The Futon Critic reported that ABC Family president Paul Lee had cited the show's strong ratings as a reason for its renewal, also mentioning the popularity of young lead actress Genevieve Cortese and the show's appeal to the network's demographics. "Wildfire has done tremendously well for us, drawing in key demos week after week...our audiences just love this show," he said.

 

TV.com noted in its episode guide that the first season of the show will run through September, around the time the second season is expected to begin shooting in New Mexico. A total of 13 one-hour episodes will be produced for the second season.

 

"ABC Family has been a perfect home for this series," said Kevin Beggs of Lions Gate Television, which produces the drama about a troubled teen who works with horses along with Piller's production company. "We’re very proud of the show and appreciate the tremendous support we’ve received from the network."

[Mike 5]

I heard this the other day of course. I'm happy that her new show is doing so good..I just didn't think anyone here would give a....

[HRH The KING 0]

I'm happy that her new show is doing so good..I just didn't think anyone here would give a....

 

Erm.....except me of course.

 

Who told you all on June 20th not to worry because Piller was handling things.

 

Now you've got a second season.