Question Girl again? LOL This one about Showbiz

[Liberalynn]

Googled already and since it's probably too specific no answer. As I have posted previously my favorite character on television right now is Captain Hook from Once Upon a Time.

Background to help in answering question!

He was featured prominently in seasons 2,3 and the first half of just concluded 4th season! Ratings were fairly strong & steady!

Then second half of 4th season the show brings in lots of guest stars, spends most of season concentrating on them, and only 2 of their main cast gets any significant amount of airtime, Hook hardly on at all, ratings while not plummeting show noticeable decline.

On Netflix though their listings of rentals for the various series indicate the episodes that he was featured prominently in during 4 A, rank consistently at top of chart.

The character, however, has some very persistent & vocal detractors on social media who make it clear their objection is because they would have preferred the character who is his love interest to be paired with their own preferences. They keep asking producer to write actor off. Occasionally he will respond with "we know you're out there and please play nice. " So he's obviously noticing them. Any time anyone tries to tweet something positive about actors and character to network or producer this group shows up & starts trying to flood thread with negatives. Positive tweeters getting frustrated and tired of being harassed, sometimes personally are giving up.

The actor , however, also has supporters and some of them including a current pop music singer(she asked him to co-star in a video and he did), several entertainment reporters, praising his performances, and even during the season finale one of the top editors at Harlequin Publishing tweeted to executive producer of show and actor saying this finale needs more Hook. E Entertainment who has someone live tweet during the broadcast was tweeting their speculation about where Hook was instead of what was on air. Ratings started to decline after first half hour. He was in 2 hour more but don't think ratings bounced back.

Of course season finale ratings or tweet activities that night wouldn't have influenced upfront presentations this week because they obviously had to be filmed and edited in advance but...

In a crossover skit written just for the media presentation they featured the actor playing Hook attending a class on How to Get Away With Muder! Only one other Once cast member in skit too. One of the TV critics tweets that they have crowd laughing hard and he also mentioned how funny it was watching "Hook" trying to raise his Hook to be called on, and that actor was really nailing the performance!

So after those and sorry if there's too many details, how significant is it that actor was featured, it sounds like prominently in the upfront? Is it possible the network is taking notice of Netflix sales, positive reviews from industry critics, etc and is trying to indicate they want him playing bigger role this season despite the vocal group negative twittering? Anyone got any insight into how industry operates to gauge performer popularity?

It has me curious! I used to be a Professional researcher until illness sidelined me, so I have annoying tendency to over analyze everything including my entertainment. Plus I really enjoying watching him for his acting skills and okay I'll confess for his looks too!

Does it sound like they are at least intending to keep him around awhile barring unforeseen factors? Thanks!

[NV Whino]

1. Can't answer that question specifically

What I can tell you is, producers/writers do read comments on the Internet, and do read fan reviews. Steven deKnight was very up front about this during the Spartacus run. He, on occasion, responded directly to fans.

[Liberalynn]

2. Thanks this is good to know. The producer does seem to respond.

Last edited Thu May 14, 2015, 03:48 PM - Edit history (3)

This is one time also where I hope economic considerations play big factor. I.e. he's getting them extra free publicity from music video, Harlequin etc and more income rental and purchasing fees.

ETA Basically I think the Twitter wars between online fandoms get down right silly,utterly childish and way way over the top in regards to which fictional character is romancing whom. My jaw just drops reading some of it. I just don't like thinking that a very vocal few, could be successful in getting an actor fired even though he has been garnering rave reviews and as I said before getting the show a lot of very positive attention in other ways, and does have a very large fan following.

The tweet wars have already caused his leading lady to pretty much stop tweeting about the show after she issued statement basically saying people can say what they want about characters but to leave her leading man and his real life wife out of it because they both are her dear and close friends. Though will note today she started tweeting again.