'Under the Dome" coming to CBS summer '13

[keg in kc]

Hopefully the series won't fizzle out toward the end the way that the novel did...

Stephen King is coming back to broadcast TV. CBS is giving the author’s Under the Dome a 13-episode series order.

Based on King’s bestselling novel, Under the Dome is the story of a small New England town that’s suddenly and inexplicably sealed off from the rest of the world by an enormous transparent dome. The town’s residents need to survive the deteriorating post-apocalyptic conditions while searching for answers to what this barrier is, where it came from, and how to make it go away.

...

The series version was originally developed at Showtime. But in an unusual move, the ambitious project jumped from a cable network’s slate to the major broadcaster (more on that below). It’s also a rather unique title for CBS, since the network has been traditionally more wary about betting on serialized dramas than its rivals. But with AMC’s The Walking Dead and NBC’s Revolution, apocalyptic serialized dramas have been delivering large numbers lately.

Fans of the novel shouldn’t expect an exact retelling of the same story. Last we heard, writer Brian K. Vaughan’s (Lost) script for Dome was wisely using the novel’s setup as a launch pad for its own TV-format-friendly version of the story and might even lay the groundwork for a different outcome than the novel’s ending. Also, the CBS version is definitely a series, not a mini-series, with a finale episode that will leave the story open for more seasons.

Bit more info at the link.

[ChiefsFanatic]

Originally Posted by Frosty

The best ending of a King novel since the early days was in 11/22/63, which is funny because King says in the end notes that his son Joe Hill suggested the ending and he changed it to Hill's recommendation. Maybe Hill should do that for every King novel from here on out.

I think that 11/22/63 would make a great television series. Especially if it was on a cable network.

[frankotank]

Originally Posted by ChiefsFanatic

I think that 11/22/63 would make a great television series. Especially if it was on a cable network.

agreed. it could be cool. but....
anyone remember the show where the coach from the Friday Night Lights series would get a newspaper every morning that was from the future. every episode he'd try to stop something bad from happening, something that was reported in the newspaper from the future. didn't last long....

EDIT - found it.
Early Edition

His name is Gary Hobson. He gets tomorrow's newspaper today. He doesn't know how. He doesn't know why. All he knows is when the early edition hits his doorstep, he has twenty-four hours to set things right.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115163/

[ChiliConCarnage]

I'm cautiously optimistic on this one. Network TV typically fails on these shows that require a real story or they get cancelled. The reviews seem positive. If it's successful they'll likely try to stretch it into way too many seasons though.

The book is long but I honestly think it could be a 2 season show easily.

[frankotank]

anyone think the book was good?
just curious. I've been pretty clear that I thought it was garbage.

[Red Brooklyn]

I liked the book.

[mr. tegu]

Originally Posted by ChiliConCarnage

I'm cautiously optimistic on this one. Network TV typically fails on these shows that require a real story or they get cancelled. The reviews seem positive. If it's successful they'll likely try to stretch it into way too many seasons though.
The book is long but I honestly think it could be a 2 season show easily.

That is one reason I am hesitant to start watching it. I am afraid that it will never really have a conclusion, at least not in a timely manner.

I was really excited when Falling Skies first came out but that show just dragged on and on with much of most of the episodes not really having anything happen. I have that fear of this show even though when I first saw previews in the theaters I was pretty excited for it.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by frankotank

anyone think the book was good?
just curious. I've been pretty clear that I thought it was garbage.

Probably mentioned it earlier but I'm with you on the book. It sucked and is the only SK book I haven't been able to finish (though Wizard and Glass may be the second).

Agree with you on the ending of The Mist, too.

[frankotank]

Originally Posted by Red Brooklyn

I liked the book.

you read it wrong....

[Red Brooklyn]

Originally Posted by frankotank

you read it wrong....

Could be. It's a long-ass book.

It wasn't my favorite King novel by any stretch. But I was really drawn into the world. And I loved the characters (even the ones I hated). But King's always been good at that stuff.

[keg in kc]

I've said a number of times (in other threads) that I really like the book until the last 100 pages. Then it's just a disaster.

[KcMizzou]

I liked episode one a lot. So far so good.

[chiefs1111]

Haven't gotten around to reading the book yet. Liked the first episode tonight though.

[Buck]

Is the production value better than Jericho?

[KC-TBB]

King books always better than movie/miniseries...still nice to see something other than reruns...

[Frazod]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I've said a number of times (in other threads) that I really like the book until the last 100 pages. Then it's just a disaster.

Isn't that most of his books? Granted I quit reading his stuff years ago, but it seems like he creates these intricate, all-powerful villains and then at some point realizes he needs an ending and there is no logical way his hero can win. So he just slaps some stupid shit together and calls it a day.

Much like me playing chess, his endgame sucks.