Several insiders confirm that Kirkman, whose detailed graphic novels form the basis of the series, is “very proprietary,” as one puts it. One adds, “I believe Robert wants to maintain a certain amount of his control, and AMC needs Robert for the fan base.” But despite the vitriol, some sources involved with Walking Dead say Kirkman was one of several producers who had issues with Mazzara and his vision.
One source says Mazzara’s shortcomings in running the series during the most recent third season became “abundantly clear…especially for the second half of the season.” This source says production was shut down “several times” because of a lack of material.
To date, Kirkman has responded to the criticism only with a restrained tweet: “@sutterink is brilliant and Sons is my favorite show on TV. Still, it’s upsetting to see him ranting about things he knows nothing about.” AMC declined comment.
Source: Full Article @ uproxx
One source says Mazzara’s shortcomings in running the series during the most recent third season became “abundantly clear…especially for the second half of the season.” This source says production was shut down “several times” because of a lack of material.
To date, Kirkman has responded to the criticism only with a restrained tweet: “@sutterink is brilliant and Sons is my favorite show on TV. Still, it’s upsetting to see him ranting about things he knows nothing about.” AMC declined comment.
Source: Full Article @ uproxx
Wouldn't we have found out if production had been shut down several times, though?
ReplyDeleteAnd I think season three is excellent so far and way better than season two was.
Agreed - Season 3 is much better than season 2 (though the last few episodes of Season 2 were excellent - I've loved 95% of Season 3 as a whole)
ReplyDeleteWell, even those few episodes of season 2 were mazzara's work, so yeah, the series got a lot better with him on board.
ReplyDeleteI knew that the reason he got fired was because of robert. tv shows are a different medium than comcis. robert should respect that and let mazarra do his work. however i can see why production was halted. the last episode seemed kinda "disorganized":
ReplyDeleteNo. Why? Not everything has to leak. Nothing major on Dexter leaked this season as well. Or Homeland.
ReplyDeleteHe was on the whole season so how could the second half be a lot better than his previous input, especially since the outcome of season 2 was planned from the beginning of the season?
ReplyDeleteI had the same feeling.too and we know nothing about season 3B, so maybe we will see the above mentioned claims in a few weeks. I wouldn´t rule this out.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I guessed it before that Mazzara´s version would have been way different than the comics and I´m really glad, that Robert was against it, because ultimately it was his property and without his input there would be no show, no matter which showrunner is at helm.
ReplyDeleteDarabont was fired after the 1st half, then Mazzara took the power as showrunner. The outcome was planned, but the execution was a lot better than the 1st half, and that goes to mazzara's credit in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteIt's not like Mazzara is an unknown quantity - he exec produced and wrote for The Shield for a number of seasons. I'm sure if he was a "problem" to work with, there would have been some indication before now. It's more likely that production was "slowed down" because someone else - Kirkman?- was dragging their heels about story ideas...
ReplyDeleteYeah, but he was an exec prod the whole season, so it´s not like he had no infulence in the first half and many people still have complaints about the second half, though they see an improvement.
ReplyDeleteI know he was on board in the 1st half too, but when he gets to be the play-caller the show instantly becomes better, with a 2nd half that was definitely better executed then the 1st, and then comes Season 3 which so far is the best outing for the series yet, so it's hard not to see a pattern there.
ReplyDeleteThe finale of Homeland, well what happened in the finale, was leaked about a week or so before it aired.
ReplyDeleteThat's too bad that Kirkman had issues with Mazzara and his vision. In my opinion, as someone whose read the comics twice, there is a fairly large difference between TWD comics and TWD tv show and for good reason.
ReplyDeleteThe comics have some fairly ridiculous things that would not play well on tv, and some very graphic things that would not play well on tv. They also have, at times, fairly mediocre dialogue since it is a comic and dialogue is constrained in a way. But there were quite a few times I felt it was dragging and people were just talking, much like the first half of season 2.
The tv show, while ridiculous at times in its own right, is better because I feel like it's more real than the comics. And once Mazzara took over, the show went into high gear and started to kick major ass from Season 2B to Season 3A.
Truly in my opinion: TWD TV Show > TWD Comics. Kirkman needs to get off his high horse and just accept that the show is a different baby that needs a different approach, which Mazzara did an exceptional job of.
Robert Kirkman, as good as his comics are, has no experience in TV production, as Kurt Sutter himself said on a youtube video he posted. Kirkman wants to the show almost exactly as his comics, and it makes sense since if it wasn't for him there wouldn't be any series. But what Kirkman doesn't understands is that the comics need to be adapted for the series. There are several things in the comics that can't be just put into the show. Mazzara was trying to change the storylines in a creative way so the show could get more steam, and he achieved it.
ReplyDeleteThe only real problems I've had with the show this season is the Governor (NOTHING AGAINST MORRISSEY) and the way they introduced Michonne. It's been bad for her character overall.
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty obvious that he does not want the show almost exactly like the comics. There have been too many big differences for that to be the case.
ReplyDeleteWay to go Kirkman, douch.
ReplyDeleteWhy not look at who remains--at whose influence continues to be strong or growing stronger? Obviously, the SFX master Greg Nicotero is a favourite with his role ever-expanding to including more directing. EP Gale Ann Hurd is a very strong presence and seems to value Kirkman. I don't care that Mazzara is gone but I would care if either Nicotero or Kirkman left. For good or ill I think they have a lot of control on TWD. And for the record, I wish people would stop giving a care what Kurt Sutter says. He's not some expert--just a successful TV writer.
ReplyDeleteWell that makes sense. If AMC had to choose between Glen Mazzara or Robert Kirkman, it would have to go Kirkman. They can't replace Mr. Walking Dead himself-drama showrunners are a dime a dozen, and with the show's success, there have to be a line of former EPs ready to give up on their development deals and do Kirkman's bidding for the show, given the pile of cash and endless trips to zombie conventions now and for the next 40 years.
ReplyDeleteI read a while back they were butting heads about among other things keeping Judith alive. Mazzara didnt want the show that dark and hopeless, but it's Kirkman's call it seems.
ReplyDeleteThe Judith thing puzzles me for the fact it makes surviving in this world 100 times more difficult. How is that more hopeful? Not that I wish a child dead, but she complicates an already complicated situation.
ReplyDelete