One Year Ago Today
 

Dawson's Creek was officially canceled. Here is an article to bring back the horrible memories of what we all felt that day.

HOLLYWOOD, California (Variety) -- "Dawson's Creek" -- the show that turned the WB into a bona fide network -- will sail into the sunset this May after five angst-filled years.

The WB plans to air a two-hour "Dawson's" finale May 14.

While other young-skewing series came before it, "Dawson's Creek" came to define the WB's programming strategy, along with "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Felicity." The show bowed to the WB's highest-ever ratings in January 1998 and immediately became its No. 1 show in key demos.

Created by Kevin Williamson, "Dawson's Creek" also became the WB's first out-of-the-box hit among critics, who began to look at the network (which was still seen as the home for trashy sitcoms a la "Unhappily Ever After") in a much more positive light.

"We will always carry an emotional attachment to 'Dawson's Creek,' for without it the WB would not exist," WB entertainment president Jordan Levin said. "The show defined who we are and reflected the aspirational voice of the next generation of television viewers. The WB has grown up alongside the cast and in the process the series became a defining and life-altering experience for all involved."

"Dawson's Creek" also made stars out of its original cast, including James Van Der Beek (Dawson), Katie Holmes (Joey), Michelle Williams (Jen) and Joshua Jackson (Pacey). With their contracts on the show up, all involved agreed it was time to focus on their burgeoning film careers.

Season to date, "Dawson's Creek" is still the WB's No. 2 program among adults 18-34 (3.3 rating/10 share, up 6 percent from last year) and is its 4th-highest rated series in the persons 12-34 demo (3.0/9). "Dawson's" still holds the WB's record for best-ever rating among the 12-34 crowd (6.3/17). In its heyday, the show dominated especially with female teens, where it once pulled an astounding 19.3 rating and 48 share.

The show, which originally took place in a sleepy New England hamlet, now mostly centers in Boston, Massachusetts, as the characters grow up and attend college.

:: Posted @ February 3, 2003 07:02 PM CST ::

ive never seen this type up before, but onces i read it my heart sank and beated fast and still is. i wasnt even sure if i could even finish reading the article.

I remember a lot of us being 99% sure that season 6 was the last even before the season started. This was final confirmation, but it was sort of expected for a lot of us, especially on the spoiler board.

Yes lol...Indeed us Creek fans new the 6th was the last..But the announcement just made it official...Made it even more sad..Here is another article from the Wilmington Star on DC ending..

The WB pulls plug on 'Creek'
Current season will be last for Wilmington-filmed show


By Allison Ballard
Staff writer
allison.ballard@starnewsonline.com





Enlarge image | Order reprint

Crew members on the set of 'Dawson's Creek' prepare for a scene Monday at Screen Gems Studios. The WB announced this season will be the show's last.
STAFF PHOTO - KEN BLEVINS








Cast and crew of the locally filmed Dawson's Creek learned Monday that this season would be the last for the popular WB show - one that has bolstered Wilmington's film industry and economy during its six-year run.

The announcement came from network president Jordan Levin, who stated he wanted to allow the writers, producers and cast of the show to end it with creative integrity and enthusiasm.

The news spread gradually among the show's employees as they worked on an upcoming episode at Screen Gems Studios. There was an understanding that this season would bring an end to the adventures of Dawson (James Van Der Beek), Joey (Katie Holmes), Pacey (Joshua Jackson), Jen (Michelle Williams) and Jack (Kerr Smith). But due to the show's strong ratings, there was speculation the network would add a seventh season.

"It's been an unbelievable experience," said Mr. Smith in a statement. "It's the best crew and cast I've ever worked with. I'm going to miss everybody, but unfortunately ... it's time to go."

The mood on the set was mixed when the announcement came, said Dale Williams, associate producer.

"This crew has been together for six years," she said. "It's very much like leaving a family. But people are relieved to know the answer. I think they will enjoy shooting these last episodes. I'm glad we found out this early on."

Although the crew of 100 local people who work on the show will soon have to find new work, many weren't surprised.

"Going into this season, it was the last season," said Henry Ezzell, best boy grip. "And the season before that was the last season. I think we're prepared for it."

The cast and crew are scheduled to film through April 24, and the last episode will be the two-hour finale May 14.

Over the years, the show has boosted tourism and the local economy.

Johnny Griffin, director of the Wilmington Regional Film Commission, said the show pumps about $1 million per episode into the local economy. About 23 shows are produced each season, although it varies.

"And it has kept Wilmington in the headlines, within the industry, for the past six years," Mr. Griffin said.

Feature films, such as Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and Domestic Disturbance, come to the area and then pack up and go - and don't always stay in filmmakers' minds. But people in the industry can always watch the show for an example of what the Wilmington area has to offer.

"It's free advertising," Mr. Griffin said. "And it also makes up a big piece of the local pie. Based on the 2001 numbers, Dawson's Creek was two Domestic Disturbances.

"It's going to leave a big hole in the local film production here - one we are actively trying to fill."

Mr. Griffin and Frank Capra Jr., president of Screen Gems Studios, recently made trips to Los Angeles to talk to television producers about bringing in another series. And while both are optimistic about the chances for another series, it would be difficult to match Dawson's success.

"Dawson's Creek is a tourism engine within itself," said Judith Grizzel, president of the Cape Fear Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Articles about the area and the show have appeared in the national and international press. The bureau printed a Dawson's Creek frequently-asked-questions handout specifically to handle the demand of inquiries about the show. And its staff developed a self-guided tour of filming locations.

"It's going to be really, really sad to lose it," Ms. Grizzel said.

Aside from the effect to the economy, the show's cast and crew have contributed toward community efforts.

"They've really become a part of the family," said Wilmington Mayor Harper Peterson, whose Water Street Restaurant frequently was used as a filming location.

Dawson's Creek premiered in January 1998, and its popularity helped the then 3-year-old WB network gain viewers.

"We will always carry an emotional attachment to Dawson's Creek, for without it, The WB would not exist," Mr. Levin said in a statement. "The WB has grown up alongside the cast, and in the process, the series became a defining and life-altering experience for all involved."

Allison Ballard: 343-2376

I never really saw the show as being cancelled after the 6th season, and I didn't even see it as it wasn't 'picked up' for the 7th. I always thought of it more as the contracts for the actors were up that season, and we all kinda knew that none of them were going to renew them...

So yeah. That's just how I always took it... Still sad though.

yeah, that's how i saw it as well. i knew when S2 started, they signed 4 year contracts, so i assumed that it'd last til s6 and that the actors wouldn't sign on for more seasons.

[img]smilies/bawl.gif[/img] i want DC continues!!! [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] i really miss the show... [img]smilies/cry.gif[/img] but in the end i think it was the right descision... for everyone! i'll always remember dc... [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] when i'll be an old woman, i can tell my grand-children what an awesome show there was in their grandma's young age! [img]smilies/lol.gif[/img]

I had mixed feelings about it ending. On one hand, of course, I was very sad....especially considering I only started watching the show last April, during Spring-break, in reruns on TBS. So, I was sort of bummed that just when I started getting into a tv show(I don't watch alot of tv), it goes off the air.

On the other hand, Season 6 was so abysmal, that the thought of a Season 7 with the same writing/storylines really was not that appealing and sort of sad(even though I never watched it, I imagine it was sort of like Beverly Hills 90210 when they all got so old and were still in high school). I think ALOT of the "magic" of Dawson's Creek was that it was about the pain of growing up, and the special bond between childhood/teenage friends. Also, one of the things I loved about the show was the scenery...the Creek itself. And both of those things obviously had disappeared by Season 5 because they all went away to college and they entered their 20's.

However...another thing that always drew me into the show was Dawson's dream of becoming a director, so maybe if they had done more with that I would have stayed interested.

But overall...I think the actors by that time had had it....especially James. And him being the "title" character, I really think that if his heart was not in it, or if he left, the show would not have survived anyway. I know many of you would argue that the show had become much more about Joey by Season 5/6...and that the Pacey, Jen characters could have carried the show....but I just think it would have been dumb to continue with "Dawson's Creek" without Dawson. They could have re-cast James I guess, but I hate it when shows do that.

I was expecting it but still was sad the day had come. It's hard to prepare for. Look at us. Months later and still posting about the show. I hope that OTH will help keep the Wilmington economy booming in the absence of DC.

I'm glad they are continuing to have success as the show has gone off the air.

I think everybody pretty much knew season 6 would be the last, so I wasn't too sad when it got 'cancelled'.

Besides, it gave me reason to 'stay tuned as we beat a dead horse all the way into syndication'. I loved how the writers made fun of themselves at the finale.

And seeing cute little Taylor Handley as Patrick after watching him as crazy Oliver on the O.C. just bugs me out.

[img]smilies/confused.gif[/img] How can it be cancelled when they were only doing 6 years? was there talk of a 7th season? [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

As I have read, and asked people, there was plenty of talk for a Dawson's Creek season 7. But as you know, the cast wouldn't renew their contracts since they were up after 6 seasons. So therefor, the show ended..

Thanks dcforme for answering the question [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

sigh... brings back all the sad memories of that day! [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]