Wonderfalls

Wonderfalls was a television series on Fox, created by Bryan Fuller (Dead Like Me) and Todd Holland (Malcolm in the Middle) with executive producer Tim Minear (writer and director for Firefly and Angel). Some sources use the two-word spelling Wonder Falls for the title, although it is correctly a single word (but note the title of its theme song, below). The series is a United States/Canada co-production, filmed in Toronto, Ontario and with several Canadian actors cast in lead roles (including the show's star).

Related Topics:
Television series - Fox - Bryan Fuller - Dead Like Me - Todd Holland - Malcolm in the Middle - Tim Minear - Firefly - Angel - United States - Canada - Toronto, Ontario

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The story centered around Jaye Tyler, played by Caroline Dhavernas, a recent graduate of Brown University (degree in Philosophy), working a dead-end job as a sales clerk at a Niagara Falls gift shop. Jaye is the reluctant participant in conversations with a variety of animal figurines — a wax lion, stuffed bear, mounted fish, and brass monkey, among others — which direct her via oblique comments to help people in need.

Related Topics:
Caroline Dhavernas - Brown University - Niagara Falls

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Originally scheduled to debut in the fall of 2003, the premiere of Wonderfalls was delayed until early 2004, possibly to avoid competition with the then-unproven, similar series Joan of Arcadia. When it finally debuted in February 2004, Wonderfalls received rave reviews from critics, but had trouble attracting viewers, with some dismissing the series as a ripoff of the now-popular Joan of Arcadia even though the two shows were created and produced at the same time. Coincidentally, both shows were based on the story of Joan of Arc.

Related Topics:
Joan of Arcadia - Joan of Arc

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Despite being cancelled after only four episodes (a fifth was advertised by the network but never aired), the show developed a loyal fanbase not unlike that formed following the cancellation of Firefly. Following a campaign spearheaded by fans at savewonderfalls.com, a DVD set featuring all 13 episodes was released by 20th Century Fox on February 1, 2005. The DVD set includes commentary by the producers and cast members on half the episodes, a behind-the-scenes documentary, an examination of the show's visual effects, and one of the two music videos produced for the theme song, "I Wonder Why the Wonder Falls" by Andy Partridge.

Related Topics:
DVD - 20th Century Fox - February 1 - 2005 - Music videos - Andy Partridge

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