Kern's explanation for Season 8.

[Esmeralda]

Found this on another site and wanted to share:

The Original Poster wrote:

Ok, ok season 8 had it's moments but I found it to be very tired and nothing special. Charmed is one of my all time favorite TV shows and I wish that after 8 years of running, why couldn't they take there time with the final season? What happened? If they needed more time why didn't they make a Season 9.

Replier #1 replied:

They didn't need more time. Season 7 was supposed to be the last season (Something Wicca This Way Comes as the premiere to Something Wicca This Way Goes as the finale) but Brad sold the idea of introducing a hot, new witch in season 8 that could lead into a spinoff so the network agreed on another season.

Replier #2 (me) asked:

Was it Kern who introduced Billie to The WB or The WB who asked for a hot new witch who they could use for a spin-off? I thought it was The WB. That's why the last season was more like the first season of Charmed's spin-off, "Billie: The Teen-Aged Thuperwitch" featuring the Charmed Ones rather than the last season of Charmed introducing Billie.

Replier #1 answered:

I'm about 85% certain it was Kern who suggested it to the network because he didn't want to end the show (and thus, try to find another job after the mess he made of Charmed ) but DON'T quote me on that.

Replier #3 disagreed:

No. At the time, leading up to the end of season 7 they had 1 year left on their contracts but they didn't have any heads up from the network whether they were renewed or not. They knew they wouldn't get the answer until it was too late so he made a part season, part series finale and afterwards they were renewed for an 8th season that Kern really wanted. One of the conditions was that he introduce a new direction for the show that could give it a possible spin-off. Thank god that didn't happen, much prefer Kaley in comedy.

Replier #1 asked:

Do you have a source/link? I'm pretty positive I heard about Kern wanting to introduce a new character for a possible spinoff back when the show was still in season seven. Whether it was to help sway the decision or not, I'm not sure, but I'm pretty positive it was Kern's idea.

Replier #3 answered:

He probably pitched the idea of Billie, but I distinctly remember interviews where he said the network had conditions that they would only renew if they provided a possibility to take the show further. As the cast's contracts all ended with season 8 he knew there was no way he could extend the show itself (much less get all of them to sign another contract lol). I'll have a fish around and see if I can get a link.

And later on, Replier #3 did just that:

I've found this link which gives a jist. It isn't the website I remember reading from but...

Do you think there might be a slim chance the CW network would consider a spin-off?

BRAD: Honestly, no. What most of the fans probably don't realize is that, last year, the show was all but dead. The new regime at the WB, in all of its wisdom, wanted a new direction if they were going to give it another year. They knew that Alyssa, Holly and Rose weren't going to come back for a 9th season (no matter how much they got paid), so the network told me that the only way they'd pick the show up for an 8th season would be if I could come up with a way to build in characters that could potentially "spin off" for a 9th season. That's how I came up with Billie and Christy, which convinced the network at the last minute to pick up the show. Personally, I think both Kaley and Marnette have done an amazing job coming into an existing series and giving it new life; yet, at the same time, it fundamentally changed the show from what it started out to be. But, that's the business of television - do whatever you can to get picked up for another season.

I like that he admits Billie/Christy didn't work in the sense that it didn't focus on Charmed as it was supposed to be with the sisters and moved away from what it should have been. But dislike that he did it to "get another season" anyway. You'd think if he loved the show the way he always said, he'd want the show to end as "Charmed", rather than go ahead with the final year just because he could. He should have let it die.

I got that snippet from this website which links to another website that seems to have closed but I'm sure the full interview must still be out there somewhere.

www.tv.com/shows/charmed/forums/analysis-of-the-latest-brad-ker n-interview-219-227533

Both Replier #1 and I thanked him, and then I had to share. I don't trust a lot of stuff that Kern says after the fact, since it all seems like spin, but this feels legit to me.

I also got a kick that when he listed the stars, he listed them as Alyssa, Holly and Rose. Despite the fact that he turned the show into "The Perils of Poor, Poor Pitiful Piper", he still counted Alyssa as the star.

Can't help but wonder if the rumors that were floating around the boards that Alyssa used the casting couch to get rid of Shannen and give herself top billing were true...Although that, like the true reason why Shannen was fired, is something we'll probably never know for sure, despite the article that I have posted so often.

[Astral Echo]

Are you sure he didn't just list them alphabetically?

[Chrisaholic]

Sure, to give the show a new life for Season 8 and a possible Spin-off with Billie, I accept this explanation. Yet I can't understand why BK didn't consider a Spin-off earlier on, like in S6 as Wyatt and Chris were introduced. I know you probably don't want to hear it, Es but that's just me.

[Esmeralda]

Mar 30, 2012 4:23:29 GMT -5 Astral Echo said:

Are you sure he didn't just list them alphabetically?

Hehehehe! But, yes. I don't see him smart enough to do that off the top of his head! And I think he's the only one I've seen who don't usually list them as Holly, Alyssa and Rose.

I'm still putting my chips on the casting couch! EWWWW!!!

[Esmeralda]

Mar 30, 2012 8:40:20 GMT -5 Chrisaholic said:

Sure, to give the show a new life for Season 8 and a possible Spin-off with Billie, I accept this explanation. Yet I can't understand why BK didn't consider a Spin-off earlier on, like in S6 as Wyatt and Chris were introduced. I know you probably don't want to hear it, Es but that's just me.

Nope, I don't mind hearing it, since I know fully well that that's what most fans wanted after Season Six, even if such a spin-off ever came to be, I wouldn't have watched a second. I also know on his own website that Fuller has made it very clear that he wasn't interested in a spin-off - he wanted to play an older, more mature character like he does in Army Wives (hehehehe, he also saw Chris as written as a boy more than a man despite being in his 20's and engaged) and I can't see fans accepting anyone else playing Chris - especially fans like you.

Also, after watching Season Seven, I can't see the dying WB agreeing to let Kern produce a show that starred hot young men unless they constantly jumped hot leather-clad demonesses or if they were given a hot blonde sister (played by Kaley) or a hot blonde cousin (played by Marinette) who would end up becoming the true star of the spin-off like they were in Season Eight.

No, thanks. I'd rather "watch" Season Nine via the comic books or "watch" The Charmed Sons via fanfics or "watch" Next Generation fics via virtual series, like Lexi's Progeny: Angels & Demons than tolerating our show being murdered even worse than it was in Season Eight. I just wish that Paul Ruditis had figured a way of getting rid of Season Eight and starting the comic books at the end of Season Seven.

Because I would've preferred just letting Season Seven be the finale with Phoebe's "Here we go" being the last line heard and the explosion the last thing seen (remember, I'm the one who would've loved Shax's "The End" being the last line heard), like the spoilers that were at thecharmedones.com during Season Seven. That would've left it open for just about anything, including, hopefully, a different network and a different executive producer - hopefully someone who loves the characters like we do, someone like Paul Ruditis.

[Esmeralda]

Mar 30, 2012 10:57:37 GMT -5 Esmeralda said:

Mar 30, 2012 4:23:29 GMT -5 Astral Echo said:

Are you sure he didn't just list them alphabetically?

Hehehehe! But, yes. I don't see him smart enough to do that off the top of his head! And I think he's the only one I've seen who don't usually list them as Holly, Alyssa and Rose.

I'm still putting my chips on the casting couch! EWWWW!!!

I wrote something similar to this at that other site and the one who posted that article probably gave the real reason:

I always felt character-wise Piper was always the strongest, or at least it was right to make her the next focus character once Prue was gone. Not meaning she was the best as lead witch or anything but just the obvious choice to be given some central focus for a while, even if they did drag it for 5 seasons too long.

But even with that there was no getting away from the fact that Alyssa had the biggest star power outside of the show.
I presumed her level of fame and being very well known compared to the others pretty much guaranteed she would get top billing. The same as Doherty when she was in the show.

And that I'll have to agree with.

[Chrisaholic]

Mar 30, 2012 11:05:35 GMT -5 Esmeralda said:

Nope, I don't mind hearing it, since I know fully well that that's what most fans wanted after Season Six, even if such a spin-off ever came to be, I wouldn't have watched a second. I also know on his own website that Fuller has made it very clear that he wasn't interested in a spin-off - he wanted to play an older, more mature character like he does in Army Wives (hehehehe, he also saw Chris as written as a boy more than a man despite being in his 20's and engaged) and I can't see fans accepting anyone else playing Chris - especially fans like you.

Also, after watching Season Seven, I can't see the dying WB agreeing to let Kern produce a show that starred hot young men unless they constantly jumped hot leather-clad demonesses or if they were given a hot blonde sister (played by Kaley) or a hot blonde cousin (played by Marinette) who would end up becoming the true star of the spin-off like they were in Season Eight.

Maybe that was the great plan originally. If I remember correctly from the old TCS board, it was always more Wes Ramsey interested in the Spin-off than Drew Fuller who is always looking for more interesting roles, I think. That's my impression but years ago it had been different. For me and many others.

Mar 30, 2012 11:05:35 GMT -5 Esmeralda said:

No, thanks. I'd rather "watch" Season Nine via the comic books or "watch" The Charmed Sons via fanfics or "watch" Next Generation fics via virtual series, like Lexi's Progeny: Angels & Demons than tolerating our show being murdered even worse than it was in Season Eight. I just wish that Paul Ruditis had figured a way of getting rid of Season Eight and starting the comic books at the end of Season Seven.

Because I would've preferred just letting Season Seven be the finale with Phoebe's "Here we go" being the last line heard and the explosion the last thing seen (remember, I'm the one who would've loved Shax's "The End" being the last line heard), like the spoilers that were at thecharmedones.com during Season Seven. That would've left it open for just about anything, including, hopefully, a different network and a different executive producer - hopefully someone who loves the characters like we do, someone like Paul Ruditis.

True. I also started with the fanfics before I joined anything. lol It's mainly good to let the own phantasy play of what could have been.

[pipercharmedphreak]

Glad I stumbled on this. I remember being thrilled once I heard that there would be a Season 8 of Charmed, seeing as the ending to Season 7 never felt quite right to me. But Season 8 left such a bad taste in my mouth, I prefer to forget about it altogether. That said, I enjoyed reading that Kern didn't feel that that Charmed was the same show anymore. Though it doesn't really change my opinion of him because in my opinion, he did enough damage to the show prior to grasping at straws to make Season 8 a go.

[Astral Alex]

I think Kern was pushed for a Season 8, and in a way it wasn't his fault for the way it turned out as it was The WB who wanted Billie's introduction etc.

But I am one of them people that get angry when shows are left on open-ended cliffhangers like the one in Season Seven, so personally I was glad that we got some resolvement. I don't consider Season 8 as as bad as some people on here make out, but it was definitely the season which I least enjoyed.

[forbuss]

Alex, I am definitely in the same boat as you! I enjoy season 8 for many reasons, but it is my least favorite season. I am not in denial that the story is lacking. I just think that if Billie and Christie were out of the picture (or even better, just a 1-2 episode story arc), and they had introduced a different demon/plot, or even focused a bit more on Phoebe's/Paige's love lifes, I would have been happy.

I would have been SO disappointed if it had of ended with S7.

[firstresident]

Just finished season 7, and starting season 8. I really HATE when the creators of a series, or books/movies decides to kill off major characters or situations! Right now, I don't even know if I want to watch season 8, because it sounds like a plan gone bad, bringing in the next generation of charmed ones! In the past, people didn't want to leave top rated TV shows, just because they were tired of being on the show. Bonanza and Gunsmoke stayed on for 20 years each, because the actors were happy to WORK, and they knew there would be time to relax AFTER the show ended. Everything today seems so temporary, so transitory. Pity.

[CharmedBOSthanh]

I heard that Charmed was supposed to go to season 10 and then cause it wasn't popular anymore they killed the show taking it off the air. It would of been interesting if they continued maybe we would of got a Christmas show which would of been nice.

[thepowerofnicki]

I was meh with season 8. Well they stayed in their alter-egos for a little bit too long for my liking. I also hated how cheap the show looked and how tired all the actors were. I mean I can't complain that much because I thought the show died at "All Hell Breaks Loose" however "Charmed Again" revived it for me until season 5 when I realized we have reached complete crap. I mean I still watch the later seasons for its comedic value and for Paige. Later Charmed would have been okay if it was a dramady parodying Sci-fi and fantasy things. It's just that early Charmed set the standard for what it should be.

[Darkhorse Christian]

I don't blame you for feeling like the show jumped the shark with season 5. It's my least favorite for reasons that…well, it should probably be obvious why season 5 would be anyone's least favorite. *coughColedeservedbettercough* As far as season 8 goes…yeah, the handling of it all was pretty incompetent. Billie could've been super cool, but she was scripted all over the place with gratuitous drama, and the sisters once again failed one too many times to come across as…well…the heroes.

[thepowerofnicki]

Yes Billie could have been awesome and funny but no, like everything in this show that has potential it gets ruined. I think that's what I feel about Charmed the most it had so much potential. I still get goosebumps when I watch "Something Wicca this Way Comes" after Piper remarks "well this should be interesting."

[imdb lives on]

Yes it breaks my heart when I finally get to the end of witch way now knowing that this show won't do anything particularily interesting or even try in making the show work. After that point I usually only look forward to certain eps and the second half of seven.

[Granny Charmed]

Feb 22, 2017 15:53:41 GMT -5 imdb lives on said:

Yes it breaks my heart when I finally get to the end of witch way now knowing that this show won't do anything particularily interesting or even try in making the show work. After that point I usually only look forward to certain eps and the second half of seven.

I couldn't agree more dear. 

[charmedforlife28]

Feb 22, 2017 15:53:41 GMT -5 imdb lives on said:

Yes it breaks my heart when I finally get to the end of witch way now knowing that this show won't do anything particularily interesting or even try in making the show work. After that point I usually only look forward to certain eps and the second half of seven.

I agree that I don't know if I would go back and rewatch the whole season but I would pick out certain episodes. Even in season 8 when I went back I only watched the parts where Paige and Henry interacted. 

[sol]

Apr 21, 2012 18:15:20 GMT -5 Astral Alex said:

I think Kern was pushed for a Season 8, and in a way it wasn't his fault for the way it turned out as it was The WB who wanted Billie's introduction etc.

But I am one of them people that get angry when shows are left on open-ended cliffhangers like the one in Season Seven, so personally I was glad that we got some resolvement. I don't consider Season 8 as as bad as some people on here make out, but it was definitely the season which I least enjoyed.

I think almost the same, I remeber reading, before season 8, that the production demanded a new young character and I hoped they were thinking about some cousins of the sisters

I'ld accept season 7  finale because it'd be an open door to resume Charmed few years later, as its happened with Gilmore Girls
It'ld make sense starting from a forced return of the Charmed Ones to their lives of witches because of a great threat, after years of peaceful life in a peaceful anonymity

[Ruth Marie]

Feb 27, 2017 2:06:30 GMT -5 sol said:

Apr 21, 2012 18:15:20 GMT -5 Astral Alex said:

I think Kern was pushed for a Season 8, and in a way it wasn't his fault for the way it turned out as it was The WB who wanted Billie's introduction etc.

But I am one of them people that get angry when shows are left on open-ended cliffhangers like the one in Season Seven, so personally I was glad that we got some resolvement. I don't consider Season 8 as as bad as some people on here make out, but it was definitely the season which I least enjoyed.

I think almost the same, I remeber reading, before season 8, that the production demanded a new young character and I hoped they were thinking about some cousins of the sisters

I'ld accept season 7  finale because it'd be an open door to resume Charmed few years later, as its happened with Gilmore Girls
It'ld make sense starting from a forced return of the Charmed Ones to their lives of witches because of a great threat, after years of peaceful life in a peaceful anonymity

The end of season 7 being the ending opens the door for a much better revival or movie than season 8. The sisters living a peaceful life for over a decade and being brought back in to face a big threat. This I love.

Sometimes I feel Charmed was better ending more open ended. I have to honest, reviving Charmed with how it ended in season 8. Doesn't leave much room for story, we are stuck with way too many children and already knowing the fate of the sisters because of the flashforwards. 

I have my problems with Something Wicca This Way Goes, but I think I would of been much happier and less angry had it ended with season 7 than it did with 8. At least I would of liked the final season and the second half of season 7. Best of all, Paige and Phoebe end the series single. I get to imagine who they end up with. Even if I miss out on Henry. But it leaves much more room for possible stories, and to think how much better the comics could of been with a season 7 ending. WOW!