I’m a long time Stephen King fan, so when ads for Under the Dome started airing, I was excited. Finally, there’d be something to watch besides the endless reality shows networks bombard us with every summer. My main concern was that CBS would cancel the show 3 weeks in because nobody was watching. Then, even though Under the Dome is one of King’s longest novels, I wondered if the network had bitten off more than it could chew trying to fill 13 episode. Well, to my chagrin, CBS went and did something I wasn’t expecting.
After several episodes, the show is number one in the rating. So, seeing dollar signs, CBS went ahead and shot itself in the foot, by renewing the show for a second season. Normally I’d be happy about this, but here’s the thing, the story was plotted to end in 13 episodes. As of this week, they’ve already aired, 6 of those episodes. CBS expects me to believe there’s so much left to tell, they need to stretch these last 7 episodes into 13 more? Really? I’m not buying it. Then, the network tried adding a bow onto this turd of an idea, announcing Stephen King’s writing season two’s first episode. Aaannd? I’m trying to figure out how that makes this mess better.
Well, I’m sure they’re going to be running out of ideas soon, so I’ve come up with a few to help the writers out. Why not incorporate characters from King’s other novels? For starters, Pennywise the clown could wander out of the sewers and open a day camp. I mean, the parents need to do something with the kids while they’re out rioting. He could paint their faces, show them how to make balloon animals and teach swimming techniques like how they can all float. Then, maybe Captain Trips is accidentally released killing most of the town. Afterwards, Randall Flagg could wander in and force the survivors to play a good vs. evil, shirts and skins basketball game for control of the town. Or, they uncover another alien ship, like in The Tommyknockers. The rest of the season could involve the townspeople building weirder and more advanced Rube Goldberg like inventions, to enter into a crazy science fair. No? Don’t think these are such hot ideas? Me neither.
Actually, I do have one novel idea of what CBS could do with Under the Dome. Give it the 13 episodes as originally planned. Then, end it. If the ratings are still there, well, I heard rumor Stephen King may have written a few other books… Maybe, just maybe, they can make one of them into a new series next summer. Unfortunately, the network will stretch this out until nobody cares anymore, then, they’ll replace it with yet another reality series. But hey, what the hell do I know?
ANOTHER DAMN POP CULTURE BLOG!! 