Dollhouse

LOCATION: Universal City, CA

THE SKINNY: Appearing via satellite from Boston at Fox’s Winter TCA press tour, Joss Whedon discussed his new series Eliza Dushku starrer DOLLHOUSE debuting in March on Fox and the long developmental process to bringing it to TV.

Here’s what he had to say ...

In terms of all the changes that have happened with DOLLHOUSE (and various reshoots) that have led up to the premiere, Whedon says the original pilot “was an introduction to what the series would be, as opposed to an example of what the series would be" which is why they ended up re-envisioning the pilot episode from scratch.

“The network felt we should see the world of the show and the structure of the show,” says Whedon. “There was interest in showing the stakes and the motivation of the Dollhouse itself. So that was the big shift.”

In terms of standalone episodes versus mythology, Whedon says like his previous shows BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, ANGEL and FIREFLY, there will be a balance of both.

“Every episode is a stand alone, at the same time it advances the greater mythology,” says Whedon. “The first five are very much standalones, while the sixth gets very much into the inner workings of the standalones. That’s the mandate for all of the first thirteen. You don’t need to see what came before."

In terms of originally being on Monday nights, and now airing on Friday’s midseason, Whedon says his reaction initially was mixed.

“I had a bad experience on a Friday, you might have heard about,” Whedon jokes referring to his short-lived FIREFLY. “I also felt a sense of relief. I was excited to be paired with TERMIANTOR. And [Fox] had a different agenda. They weren’t putting us on Friday and expecting us to be a big hit. They want to let people grow with us, so it takes more pressure off us. I feel more comfortable there than on Mondays.”

And as for the story similarities to NBC’s now cancelled MY OWN WORST ENEMY, Whedon says he was originally concerned, but after seeing the pilot of that series, realized the similarities were only surface.

“I don’t think the two shows are that similar,” says Whedon. “Ultimately the premise did frighten us. We did tune in to see the similarities. We went, ‘Oh, their tech is really cool. We need to do something cooler looking.’ That was pretty much it. It’s not about the premise, although they have a similarity, it’s what you intend to do with it. The voice of the writers and personality of the actors [are what makes it different]. What they came up with is very different than what they’re going to get from us. The fact that it’s not there now, is helpful, and gives us ease, but I don’t think it would be issue if both shows were on the air [at the same time].