First, the title's "Dollhouse", I believe. "Welcome To The Dollhouse" was a mid-90s movie and completely unrelated.

Second, where should it run? I'll buy into Fox's poor track record with new series, canceling them before their time, but if not them, who? ABC probably would just see it as a new attempt at Alias and NBC would be hesitant to take on something even remotely similar to "Bionic Woman". Besides, it wouldn't really fit into those networks' public images, or CBS's for that matter, that they try so hard to craft.

No, the only network apart from FOX that seems like it would accept this show the way Whedon wants it is the CW, and it's not without its drawbacks. You either go with Fox, who might cancel you early if you don't get over 10 million viewers per episode, or you go with CW, who is happy to get 5 million but doesn't have the pocketbook of or reach as wide an audience as the other networks.

Third, I doubt people go to a network and say, "Hey. I've got a show, and I want it on your network." You lose your bargaining position. You pitch it to all and take the best offer.

I'm not really saying Fox is the best choice, just that apart from the CW it wouldn't really fit in with the other networks. I do think ABC could see it as an Alias ripoff. Besides, I can see ABC deciding to wait until Lost finishes its run before starting a new sci-fi drama with series-long mysteries. I think all the networks may be a little leery of such a show following Lost's loss of viewers and Heroes's lackluster sophomore season.

Not that I agree; I think the writing is largely to blame for the Heroes slump and, to a lesser extent, the dwindling ratings on Lost. If anyone has the chops to create and sustain a good serialized drama, it's Whedon. It's just that I can see TPTB discussing the show after it was pitched and deciding that they don't want to pony up the dough for a genre they feel like the viewers are bailing on.

I agree that the CW would likely have little problem with the show's image or financing. I like Whedon's shows. I also agree that Fox has a terrible track record regarding early cancellations. But I'm guessing it was Whedon who made the pitch and subsequent sale, and I'm going to defer to his judgement here.

I think, given the existing fan base from Whedon's previous work and the fact that everyone familiar with BTVS knows Eliza Dushku, that it stands quite a good chance of staying. I trust the material to be engaging; everything else Whedon's done has been entertaining and original. It all depends on if it draws enough viewers to meet Fox's dubious expectations. IF all the Buffy, Angel, & Firefly fans come out and watch, IF it draws in some more people, IF it has a time slot that is decent and without some major competition, then I think it has a good chance at a long run. Don't count it out before it's even begun production.

BTW, it wouldn't surprise me if Whedon, knowing Fox's history of premature cancellations, insisted that he retain all rights so he could shop it to the CW et al in the event of cancellation.