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New show: Daybreak (ABC)

post #1 of 76
11/21/06 at 3:15pm
Thread Starter 
I know watching new shows is a risky proposition these days as no sooner do you gets hooked on them but they get cancelled! But I am going to recommend this new show "Daybreak" regardless because, judging from the one episode that's aired so far, it's really good.

It's not really a series, but a 12 part mini-series. It's airing as a mid-season replacement for "Lost". Just like in the movie "Groundhog Day", the day keeps repeating for the main character, except unlike GD this isn't a comedy. The main character is a cop who's being framed for murder, so each time the day repeats he's got to try and gather more info about the people doing this to him.
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post #2 of 76
11/21/06 at 5:32pm
The unfortunate twist is he has edit:anterograde amnesia so every episode is nearly the same until the last one where he trips over a garbage can and solves the case by the end of the day




edit:
(wiki)In anterograde amnesia, new events are not transferred to long-term memory, so the sufferer will not be able to remember anything that occurs after the onset of this type of amnesia for more than a few moments. The complement of this is retrograde amnesia, where someone will be unable to recall events that occurred before the onset of amnesia.
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post #3 of 76
11/22/06 at 7:31am
Another twist that I like is that he is still injured from the prior days' events when he wakes up each time.
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post #4 of 76
11/24/06 at 1:37pm
I didn't think I would like the show so I didn't even bother watching the first episode. I watched the second since I had nothing else to do. I actually liked it. It being a mini-series also means it won't drag on like some other shows. The cinematography is good. Acting is decent. There are enough twists each time he wakes up each day it is still interesting.

As far as similir settings - I think there was an old b/w Twilight Zone where the guy woke up to the same thing everyday.
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post #5 of 76
11/26/06 at 3:54am
It's OK except for the obvious flaw--why is his day repeating, why isn't he seriously freaked out by the fact that it's repeating, and how does he terminate the loop? The implication is that figuring out who framed him will terminate the loop, but of course that doesn't make any sense. Since his memories and injuries (and therefor also aging, which would eventually end his life) carry over, does that mean that if he gets killed, he's done (whether or not his corpse continues to loop)? As has been explored on other shows, if your day is repeating then there are no consequences to your actions, and you can do anything at all.
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post #6 of 76
11/26/06 at 6:27am
Every show has its flaw. I don't over-analyze them because then I wouldn't have anything to watch. If the entertainment factor is sufficient then I watch the shows. If not, I ignore them. I find its entertainment factor to be sufficient.

I would imagine that if he dies in the day, he dies for good. Also, what good would it do him to freak out as to why the day is repeating. He is tackling obstacles as they come at him and staying level headed. It wouldn't be enjoyable to watch if he were nervous, unless it were a comedy.
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post #7 of 76
11/26/06 at 8:14am
I'm enjoying this show as well, despite the many complaints that it is derivative. Actually, I prefer it to Groundhog Day with its twists and intrigue.

As for flaws: just to accept the premise, there has to be a huge suspension of disbelief right off the bat. So you could drive yourself nuts trying to make sense of everything logically. Better to let go of all that and just go for the ride. PQ is great and I really like the fact that not only are the injuries carried over, but also the way certain plot points are handled each time, either with different results (woman vs. bus) or the same but set up differently (his being arrested). It can be tricky dealing with a non-linear time frame, where actions have consequences. I think the writers have been fairly clever in dealing with this.
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post #8 of 76
11/26/06 at 8:26am
I'm really digging the show. Reminds me of a video game. If you don't solve the puzzle, you start over at the beginning. The first few episodes have been directed by X Files alum Rob Bowman. I'm also glad Pileggi and Baldwin found work. Can't wait for Bill Davis to make an appearance.

I really like the finite-series format as well. Have you noticed the promos have been decidedly anti-Lost? "EVERYTHING will be answered by the end of the 12th episdoe. We swear. Really!"
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post #9 of 76
12/15/06 at 2:27pm
Wow. They couldn't even stick with it for a 12 episode run. Rats.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6400452.html
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post #10 of 76
12/15/06 at 3:18pm
I wonder how many episodes are already in the can, and will we ever get to see them?
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post #11 of 76
12/15/06 at 3:50pm
Well I am not going to start watching According to Jim and George Lopez. I have never watched a full episode of either show.
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post #12 of 76
12/15/06 at 7:32pm
Dayum, they don't even want to stick with a 12-part filler??? How does anyone get into anything new nowadays? You're better off waiting for the buzz and then getting the ones you missed off of poopli after a month or so. You'll know by then whether or not it had been sh*t-canned, I'd imagine.
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post #13 of 76
12/15/06 at 7:47pm
When you go from 14 million viewers to (I think) 4 million, you can't expect much love from the broadcaster.
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post #14 of 76
12/16/06 at 5:46am
Thread Starter 
But even so, I mean WTF? I think as viewers we need to form a union and we should organize a boycott of all new serial shows unless the broadcaster enters into a binding contract where they are forced to complete the season or at least give the writers enough warning so they can complete the story arc.

Seriously though, they have to be shooting themselves in the foot with their policy of cancelling shows so quickly because who the hell is going to try a new show anymore? I'm with slowbiscuit on this one, we should all wait until we know a show is safe before we start watching, but of course, if enough of us do that then it's a "catch 22" situation.

On the other hand, what the hell is up with the American viewers? How come crappy sitcoms manage to survive yet shows like Vanished and Daybreak can't find an audience?
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post #15 of 76
12/16/06 at 6:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Robman View Post

On the other hand, what the hell is up with the American viewers? How come crappy sitcoms manage to survive yet shows like Vanished and Daybreak can't find an audience?

This annoys me too.
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post #16 of 76
12/16/06 at 8:20am
Pisses me off too.

Maybe its just a sign of changes to come. The latest issue of SciFi ended with an editorial by the Channel Programmer stating that DVR penetration is up to about 18% now and steadily growing. (Gee, wonder why?) But Nielsen only tracks "live"
audiences and their ratings are the only ones that advertisers base their purchases on. So the more we "power users" (his term) timeshift network scheduling, the more a new show could struggle to breakeven financially.
He doesn't see the network model going away any time soon but does anticipate major changes.

He closes with this statement.

"In the very short term, I advise anyone reading this column who has both a Nielsen box AND a DVR to be sure to watch your favorite shows live, or they might not be there for you to record next season." Or even this season.

Anyone out there fit this bill? Please make sure your Nielsen box reflects your likes. Even just turn on that TV so the Neilsen box can watch it live and you can watch it when you want from your DVR. Please.
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post #17 of 76
12/16/06 at 9:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Robman View Post

Seriously though, they have to be shooting themselves in the foot with their policy of cancelling shows so quickly because who the hell is going to try a new show anymore? I'm with slowbiscuit on this one, we should all wait until we know a show is safe before we start watching, but of course, if enough of us do that then it's a "catch 22" situation.

This is what I did with "the Nine." I kept recording until they cancelled, then deleted all of them (OK, hiatus).

I tend to agree that they pull shows off too fast. But I lean more towards they pull regular shows off too fast. With this one losing market share so fast, it was a coin toss between getting viewers back or keeping 4 mil happy.

I think this is why cable/HBO are kicking the big 3's butts. And I know we've discussed this before but it just seems like cable stations are willing to take greater risks and let something hang out to bring it all together. I can name plenty of shows from the eighties that had a crappy first season and didn't really have it all together until around season three.

BTW, I am one who watches the silly comedies and wish they would've never axed The Kelly's. Come to think of it, there are a lot of comedies today I don't watch. Oy! More prime time comedy please!

Reminds me of a Simpson's where Lisa accidentally turns the TV on during prime time. But now I'm rambling.....

Cow's much better at this than I am.
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post #18 of 76
12/16/06 at 9:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by coupster View Post

Pisses me off too.

Maybe its just a sign of changes to come. The latest issue of SciFi ended with an editorial by the Channel Programmer stating that DVR penetration is up to about 18% now and steadily growing. (Gee, wonder why?) But Nielsen only tracks "live"
audiences and their ratings are the only ones that advertisers base their purchases on. So the more we "power users" (his term) timeshift network scheduling, the more a new show could struggle to breakeven financially.
He doesn't see the network model going away any time soon but does anticipate major changes.

He closes with this statement.

"In the very short term, I advise anyone reading this column who has both a Nielsen box AND a DVR to be sure to watch your favorite shows live, or they might not be there for you to record next season." Or even this season.

Anyone out there fit this bill? Please make sure your Nielsen box reflects your likes. Even just turn on that TV so the Neilsen box can watch it live and you can watch it when you want from your DVR. Please.

I remember two years ago a big battle between networks and Nielsen on how to handle DVR's.

I think L. Chen or someone else might have been a Nielsen viewer back then but I can't remember.
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post #19 of 76
12/16/06 at 9:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nded View Post


I wonder how many episodes are already in the can, and will we ever get to see them?

We know there is at least one more in the can since they showed the coming attractions for next week. This is total BS! There are only six unaired episodes left. Why not just let the show finish its run? As viewers, there is absolutely nothing we can do to avoid being fu**ed like this. The networks keep doing it over and over again. Even if you record an entire season before watching it, they may decide to not pick the show up for the next season. Basically, you're left hanging with a season ending cliffhanger and no answers. This happened to me last year with both Invasion and Surface. I invested all that time only to get screwed in the end. What's the point? Are we supposed to limit our TV watching strictly to shows that score high in the Nielson ratings? I'm sorry if I'm rambling, but I just finished watching the final episode of Daybreak and my emotions are running high. It was a fun show, and I can't believe we will never get to find out what was really going on.
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post #20 of 76
12/17/06 at 4:24am
While I get as dissapointed with some of the network's BS as you do, I try to remember that this is commerce, not art. So, I suggest a few deep breaths and say to yourself, "It's only TV - a trivial entertainment."

Bye.

Quote:
Originally Posted by gweempose View Post

We know there is at least one more in the can since they showed the coming attractions for next week. This is total BS! There are only six unaired episodes left. Why not just let the show finish its run? As viewers, there is absolutely nothing we can do to avoid being fu**ed like this. The networks keep doing it over and over again. Even if you record an entire season before watching it, they may decide to not pick the show up for the next season. Basically, you're left hanging with a season ending cliffhanger and no answers. This happened to me last year with both Invasion and Surface. I invested all that time only to get screwed in the end. What's the point? Are we supposed to limit our TV watching strictly to shows that score high in the Nielson ratings? I'm sorry if I'm rambling, but I just finished watching the final episode of Daybreak and my emotions are running high. It was a fun show, and I can't believe we will never get to find out what was really going on.
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post #21 of 76
12/17/06 at 4:37am
I'm ticked off that the networks keep doing this. I'm surprised that Daybreak viewership was dropping off--I thought the show was getting better. Did ABC take into account that people might be out shopping this time of year? I actually watched the last episode live--it was the first full program that I watched in high-definition widescreen after my SiliconDust HDHomeRun arrived--looked great. It may be that serials aren't doing well because the average viewer is too dumb to remember the relevant information from earlier episodes, or because younger viewers all have ADD from all the multitasking that they do and aren't capable of following a series that requires some attention.
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post #22 of 76
12/17/06 at 5:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by coupster View Post

Pisses me off too.

Maybe its just a sign of changes to come. The latest issue of SciFi ended with an editorial by the Channel Programmer stating that DVR penetration is up to about 18% now and steadily growing. (Gee, wonder why?) But Nielsen only tracks "live"
audiences and their ratings are the only ones that advertisers base their purchases on. So the more we "power users" (his term) timeshift network scheduling, the more a new show could struggle to breakeven financially.
He doesn't see the network model going away any time soon but does anticipate major changes.

He closes with this statement.

"In the very short term, I advise anyone reading this column who has both a Nielsen box AND a DVR to be sure to watch your favorite shows live, or they might not be there for you to record next season." Or even this season.

Anyone out there fit this bill? Please make sure your Nielsen box reflects your likes. Even just turn on that TV so the Neilsen box can watch it live and you can watch it when you want from your DVR. Please.

How about we try and get 80% DVR penetration then Nielsen will have to redo the way they do ratings?
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post #23 of 76
12/17/06 at 6:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by SpaceCadet View Post

I'm ticked off that the networks keep doing this. I'm surprised that Daybreak viewership was dropping off--I thought the show was getting better. Did ABC take into account that people might be out shopping this time of year?

Well, presumably, the networks know that no one is watching TV in December, that's why everything else is a re-run. But hey, if they do actually get higher numbers running George Lopez reruns, do you blame ABC or American viewers?

Regardless, it looks like the remaining episodes of Day Break will be available online:

http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/rec..._id=1003522699
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post #24 of 76
12/17/06 at 8:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by madSkeelz View Post


Regardless, it looks like the remaining episodes of Day Break will be available online:

http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/rec..._id=1003522699

Phew! It appears that all 13 episodes were completed before the show was yanked. This makes me very happy. We won't get to watch it in HD, but at least we'll get to see how everything turns out.
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post #25 of 76
12/17/06 at 9:01am
I just checked out ABC's website, and the streaming is actually pretty decent quality.
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post #26 of 76
12/17/06 at 9:33am
Hopefully a few folks at Poopli will put these shows on their Replays and we can request them. I hate watching TV on the computer.
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post #27 of 76
12/17/06 at 10:28am
Sounds like you need a GBPVR or at least a way to get the computer screen on to the TV.
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post #28 of 76
12/17/06 at 6:09pm
Daybreak is just one of a few good shows left.
Hate ABC.
Love Poopli !!! (that is if someone makes an effort and will put this show on poopli for circulation)
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post #29 of 76
12/17/06 at 7:13pm
I'm sure someone will. I know a few folks over there did it with Vanished. Didn't request that one myself, but there were at least a couple who have.
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post #30 of 76
12/20/06 at 10:03pm
Weren't we supposed to get the first new streaming episode tonight? What gives?
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