Fireflystar Alan Tudyk has opened up on the TV show’s unexpected cancellation and the enduring fandom. Created byBuffy the Vampire Slayer’s Joss Whedon, the space Western follows the adventures of war vet Captain Malcolm Reynolds (Nathan Fillion) and his renegade crew of smugglers aboard the Firefly-class spaceship Serenity. Debuting on Fox in September 2002, the series received low ratings, and, after 11 of its 14 produced episodes were broadcast,Fireflywas cancelledin December of that same year. However, it sold strongly on DVD and has developed a cult following.
In an episode ofMythical Kitchenon YouTube, Tudyk, who played pilot Hoban ‘Wash’ Washburne on the show, has reflected on the cancelation and the enduring fandom, as it continues to be held in high regard more than 20 years later. When asked, “What is it about Firefly that caused such a fervent fandom?” the star responded by dubbing it the “greatest TV show ever.” He discussedthe backstory that led to the show being cancelled and revealed that bad ratings, ultimately, played a big part in making Fox’s decision. Check out the clip below:
“I think it was the greatest TV show ever. Now look, there’s a lot of good TV shows out there right now, a lot of good ones. But this, it hasn’t been done since. Nothing like it. It’s a western in space. And I know some of you are like “Cowboy Bebop!” but that’s a whole… and it didn’t work. I mean, respect, but it didn’t really work. There was only one season.
I mean, there was only one season of this too, but anyways, ours, every episode - we had a movie as well - every episode, there would be another adventure. We’d be on another planet. And people didn’t watch it when it came out. It’s not like we had great ratings and Fox went “Cancelled anyway!” Nobody watched the thing. They were like, we’re gonna put on an old Adam Sandler movie in its place, and we were like, you can’t do that! They’re like, let’s just see if it gets better ratings. It got better ratings. It was what it was.”
What These Comments Mean ForFirefly’s Cancelation & Fandom
It Feels Like The Show Just Didn’t Resonate At The Time
Tudyk’s comments show that the main issueFireflyencountered when broadcast was that people just didn’t watch it. However, it should be noted that many of the episodes were aired in the wrong order.Fox actually aired the third episode “The Train Job” as the pilot,instead of the actual pilot double episode, titled “Serenity.” This resulted in the show being a confused mess, and audiences not getting pertinent information or character backstories at the time they needed them. In many ways, the show was doomed from the start, yet performed far better on home video, where viewers could watch in the correct order.
Firefly: Every Character’s Role In The Unification War Explained
The Unification War was the defining moment of the Firefly universe, yet the show kept the details of the Serenity crew’s involvement in it a secret.
However, despite the lack of viewership, the show developed a cult following and is still popular in sci-fi and fantasy circles. A major factor could be due to Tudyk’s comments on the show being unique and the adventure format that drove it. The idea of a Western set in space is not particularly new, but it is not common, andthe wayFireflywas executed was unlike other science-fiction shows. The fact that nothing like it has really been done since, except for thedoomedCowboy Beboplive-action show, probably serves to keep the fandom strong and engaged.
Our Verdict OnFirefly’s Enduring Legacy
It’s A Show With Plenty To Say
Perhaps the enduring appeal of Firefly comes from Whedon’s pitch — nine people looking into space and seeing nine different things. It’s a human story that many relate to and is thematically relevant to modern times, exploring power, corruption, rebellion, independence, regret, and loss.Fireflywas a show that had something to say, said it cleverly, and told epic yet relatable stories of human beings trying to find their place in the universe. There’s no questionFireflycould have been regarded as one of the greatest-ever TV shows had it run its course, but martyrdom has only enhanced its legend.
The show spawned the 2005 movieSerenity, which served as a continuation of the series.
Firefly
Cast
Firefly is a science fiction television series set in the year 2517, focusing on the crew of the spaceship Serenity. As humans inhabit a new star system, the renegade crew, led by Captain Malcolm Reynolds, navigates conflicts and alliances while pursuing their own interests across lawless territories.
