Dollhouse

It is going to be an uphill battle to success for Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse. One defining factor in the quality of support that a network gives its programs is the impressiveness of the press kit it releases for the show. If this is the case, Dollhouse is in trouble.

For the sake of full disclosure, let me mention that our editor-in-chief Joel had the package first because he desperately needed to watch the premiere the moment he got it (as someone who is anticipating the series, I understand completely). The package was opened and re-packaged by the time it got to me. That being said, it still didn’t look anywhere near as cool as the 24 press kit that Jonathan reviewed. It did have one or two saving graces, though.

Dollhouse press kitDollhouse imageDollhouse press kit The packaging for the kit was attractive. I give Fox props for the imagery. I even like the font that the show uses in its logo.

Sadly, when I received the kit, Eliza Duskhu’s face had a big crack in it. Assuming Joel didn’t create the hole (why would Joel put a hole in Eliza Dushku’s face?) then it was mailed with the hole in it by Fox. This is either a clever marketing ploy with regards to Echo’s lack of identity or Fox showing its true intentions for the series.

Even the envelope for the DVD which contained the premiere seemed plain and unassuming. Is it a subliminal attempt to emulate the themes of the show or a way to save money? By contrast, 24 had a cool plastic cover for the DVD.

Then we get to the pièce de résistance of the kit, also known as the extra goodies. In this case, it was an Echo action figure.

The box for the action figure is superb. I would keep this piece based on the box alone. The images of Eliza Dushku as Echo are poetry around this box. Then, within the packaging, we get to the doll itself.

It’s a plain wooden doll. The sort used by artists to draw body poses.

The featureless marionette was a little disappointing. It was like getting a Hershey bar wrapper and finding Wheat Thins inside. Even worse, as a result of having taken an art class, I own such a figure already.

Don’t get me wrong. I understand the ironic, thematic statement with regards to Dollhouse of taking a doll with no features and putting it in a really impressive box. But I really, really wanted a cool Echo action figure to put on my office shelf like the one Jonathan received of Jack Bauer for 24. Of course, if the series is canceled after one season, there will unlikely be an Echo action figure at all, so I suppose I should be grateful for what I have.

So there you have it: a somewhat plain press kit to possibly hide a jewel of a show. I very much want this show to succeed, and not just because I’m covering it for TV Squad. I think Joss Whedon produces some of the best stuff on television and deserves more than the fringe, cult status he receives.

On the other hand, in the event Dollhouse fails within its first year, how much do you think I’d get for auctioning the figure on eBay?