Army Wives‘ top lieutenant has been discharged. Sources confirm to me exclusively that the creator of Lifetime’s top-rated drama ever, Katherine Fugate, has been shown the door.
“Army Wives is a fantastic tribute to the real life heroes serving in our armed forces and I’m so happy to have been a part of it,” Fugate said in a statement. “With the show such an established hit, now seems like a logical time for me to step away and focus on developing new projects.”
Rumors of behind-the-scenes tension between Fugate and the show’s corporate spouses, Lifetime and ABC Studios, have persisted pretty much since day one. As evidence, Wives has weathered three show-runner changes in its two years on the air. The most recent switch came this spring, when Dee Johnson was relieved of duty and replaced by Nick Thiel.
In its own statement, ABC Studios said, “Katherine is incredibly talented and we’re grateful for her work in creating Army Wives. We are very happy to have had the opportunity to work with her.”
What exactly does this mean for Army Wives? Probably not much. Thiel has pretty much been running the show these past few months, and I’m told he’s not going anywhere. Whispers an Army source: “Everyone is very happy with Nick.”
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Thanks for the info!
Wow. Guess we know who the real talent behind the scenes is NOT.
Well besides writing a few episodes, I don’t think she was involved with the day to day production of the show. Plus, Thiel has a good writing staff. This is nothing new with creators being forced out or choosing to leave their shows.
Hmm, since I was watching this because I’m a fan of Katherine Fugate’s work, I’m not sure this will still be as good without her.
If Fugate is not to blame, who IS to blame for this show going so downhill from last year to this year?
The show was never great to begin with and I think they’re quickly running out of ideas. It’s become a weekly Lifetime movie: My kid is on drugs, My kid hits me, blah, blah, blah. I only watch for the eye candy of Delany, Brannagh, Bell and the blonde lady. Yummy.
The show was never great to begin with and I think they’re quickly running out of ideas. It’s become a weekly Lifetime movie: My kid is on drugs, My kid hits me, blah, blah, blah. I only watch for the eye candy of Delany, Brannagh, Bell and the blonde lady. Yummy.
The show was never great to begin with and I think they’re quickly running out of ideas. It’s become a weekly Lifetime movie: My kid is on drugs, My kid hits me, blah, blah, blah. I only watch for the eye candy of Delany, Brannagh, Bell and the blonde lady. Yummy.
I’ve seen this term, but I don’t know what it means – what is a ’show runner’?
The behind the scenes drama has been clear and so has the lack of vision this season. I adored the show last year. This season it has been a mess but alas the ratings have still been good so they will keep making garbage.
The ensemble and heart have been lacking and the stunt plots have been horrible. Suppose with studios running things it’s not surprising. I look forward to seeing where Fugate lands.
I think it is a great series, heck there just showing Arm life is no different then an ordinary life is. If some people call it garbage I advise you not to watch the news, get my drift. All you here is about someone getting shot, drugs etc…
I’m not sure how long Fugate has been out of the loop, but this season has been pretty horrible so far. Since probably the second episode of season 2, the series has felt unfocused. I don’t see that improving without Fugate.
Catherine Bell is hot!!!!!!!
great show to watch, Catherine Bell is gorgeous!!!!!
I have to add to the second season disappointment. And as someone pointed out, it was never a GREAT show, but it was entertaining with moments reaching beyond that. This season has been sort of blah and I’ve found myself missing episodes and not really caring. I’m wondering if it has anything to do with the wives not interacting as much as a group – which was really prevalent the first season. This year, they all occasionally get together, but it’s really just a couple of characters touching base with each other each episode while they all have their own separate stories (kind of like the mistake Desperate Housewives made the second year).
“I’ve seen this term, but I don’t know what it means – what is a ’show runner’? donner Wed, Aug 13, 2008″
I believe a show runner is the executive producer. The person who basically “runs the show”.
I think this show is great! I dont miss a single episode and I would be very disappointed if it were to get canceled!! I think anyone who doesnt care for it obviously isnt really watching it cause its a powerful moving show that draws me in more and more with ever episode!
Interesting how the corporate suits apparently didn’t want a woman having anything to do with running a drama about women and for women.
As a woman, I have to say that Fugate’s departure is really no big loss. Maybe now the show will be watchable.
I have to agree with those who say this show isn’t what it use to be. The first few episodes this season were great, some of the best tv I have seen lately but after that it has really gotten boring and very predicatable.
Maureen’s thoughts/comment echo mine.
“Maureen Thu, Aug 14, 2008 at 09:27 AM EST
Interesting how the corporate suits apparently didn’t want a woman having anything to do with running a drama about women and for women.”
Too often this is the way things transpire in the corporate world when a talented woman instigates something creative. After a “decent interval” she is sacked (with great praise but…) and replaced by one or more males (“old boys club”).
Women still have a long way to go to beat these odds. And men are nothing if not smart in the ways they keep women subordinant while seeming to encourage, praise and include them. And Maureen is also right about men wanting to control things like “entertainment” by and for women.
Now my reenforcing of Maureen’s comments will probably set off livelier (and more caustic) comments. Particularly from the guys who watch this show mainly for the eye candy. Getting the guys to watch for the eye candy might be the main point, hm?
A Showrunner is the head Executive Producer who handles the day to day operation of the show. I believe they approve scripts, hire and probably has to deal with the network and studio alot. Fugate was not the showrunner, as Ausiello mentions Nick Thiel is. I disagree with those of you who aren’t feeling season 2. I’m really enjoying it.
Also, I think Season 2 has really developed Denise and Joan’s characters alot compared to season 1 when they focused primarily on Roxy and Claudia Joy. Pamela has actually grown as a character as well.
BTW, Army Wives was already renewed for a season 3, so there’s no need to worry about it getting cancelled.
We still have alot more episodes left this season. Remember, we’re getting 19 episodes this season (almost a network TV type order)
It is so difficult to comment blindly but Katherine certainly initiated a show which for me was so different right out of the box. Except in dire circumstances I am not overjoyed when someone’s successful creation is muscled out of their hands once the mold has been set and the hard work done. I thank you for your vision Katherine and for laying down the groundwork. I am saddened by your departure.
As far as I’m concerned, this explains a lot. From the pilot on, I was addicted throughout season 1. Season 2? Fugget about it. The plots are more TV movie than most TV movies. The characters have changed drastically, and overnight.
I understand that Army Wives has never been great TV. But it was good TV, something that was fresh and entertaining. That was before it warped into the melodramatic, cliche-ridden monster it’s become.
Katherine Fugate, sorry to see you go.
But I’ll look forward to see what you come up with next.
As for Army Wives? Au Revoir. This is one (former) viewer who has shipped out.
Never watch the show…As a retired soldier (22 years) and having been brought up in an Army household, I found that Army wives are just like civilian wives..only the husbands are the weird ones.
More from da Kernal..
But have really enjoyed Catherine Bell as she has portrayed and developed as a Marine lawyer and officer. Am sure she will be equally delightful as an Army wife..
Fans should know that Fugate hasn’t been the guiding force behind the stories on the show — ever. Not first season, not second season. She was never the showrunner. She was never in charge. And if you think women don’t run TV shows, you need to look around again. Many of the top-rated shows on TV are run by women. Fugate’s firing has nothing to do with her being a woman.
Just curious FemaleTVWriter of these shows that are ‘run’ by females, do they really have clout or is it all just fine as long as they follow the company line?
To FemaleTVWriter: I am not sure what you are trying to say, but anyone who visits Katherine’s website and has read her writings there, knows her voice was absolutely the guiding light of the show during the first season and that’s why it was such a hit. It was unique and not like other TV shows.
The second season is so not her, and now we know why there has been such a difference. Like the old saying goes, it wasn’t broke, so they should not never fixed it.
Good luck, Katherine! You have already been missed.