![]() ![]() Syndicated in 99 percent of the U.S., Burn‘s also a huge performer internationally, airing in more than 200 territories. Its value is not lost on USA and Fox Television Studios, which produces the series. PHOTOS: TV Swan Songs: 9 Shows Ending During the 2012-2013 Seasonīurn has seen viewership reach an enviable series high of 9.1 million in live-plus-7 ratings for the season-three finale the most recent sixth season drew an average of 5.7 million viewers. Franchises followed, including a 2011 TV movie starring fan favorite Bruce Campbell (who co-stars as Sam Axe) that drew 4.2 million viewers, partner DC Comics’ digital comics, five tie-in novels, extensive second-screen videos and ephemera - as well as a supporting actress Emmy nomination for Sharon Gless in 2010. “Now I laugh that I was pitching the USA Network of 2006 the show I was pitching them,” says Nix, citing the network’s blue-sky principle for which Burn has become the poster child. When the script crossed the desks of USA co-president Jeff Wachtel and senior vp original scripted programming Alex Sepiol, a new directive emerged: Brighten the tone, and move it to sunny Miami. The major ingredients were there, including the series-defining sardonic humor, but something wasn’t clicking. More than a year before the drama - which centers on burned (or blacklisted) spy Michael Westen, played by Donovan - debuted in June 2007, showrunner Matt Nix envisioned a darker series set in gritty Newark, N.J. Suffice it to say, Burn Notice has been anything but. ![]() “Let’s just have a happy accident,” says Donovan. It’s a few days into production on the seventh and final season of USA Network’s flagship series, and already the vibe on set is loose and relaxed. But it deserved all its success and plaudits.On a March morning in Miami’s Coconut Grove Convention Center, Burn Notice star Jeffrey Donovan settles into his director’s chair moments before the day’s first scene gets under way. It ended after seven seasons, maybe a little later than it should have. It became more angst-ridden and less fun. ![]() The motivations got murky and the formula too predictable. He continued working for people who burned him or left him for dead. Michael caught his white whale only to find bigger, whiter whales. It was a step above mindless procedural without reaching the heights of today’s “golden age of television.” It was great escapism. The bright, flashy (and often fleshy) scenes and establishing shots always kept the show at the very least visually interesting.įor three or four seasons, “Burn Notice” succeeded by offering an interesting, serialized story that never required your full attention. ![]() The direction and production also made the show fun to watch in the literal sense. It’s littered with “Hey that guy (or girl)!” actors, like Tricia Helfer, Garret Dillahunt, Tim Matheson, and Robert Patrick, among many, many others. Besides the leads, the show had a great knack for guest stars and recurring characters. The show leaned heavily on Weston’s smug, put-upon MacGyver and Axe’s ex-military frat bro as the team (along with Gabrielle Anwar’s Fiona Glenanne) went from thug company of the week to dealing with the overarching plot. These attributes Weston and Bruce Campbell’s Sam Axe had in spades. ![]()
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