The discussion about television shows' cult followings has always fascinated me.

I've been a part of a few disappointed cults who have seen "their shows" disappear from the airwaves. Most notably, I was crushed when "Twin Peaks" was canceled, although I admit the show's quality dropped in its closing episodes.

(And "Sports Night" died well before its time. ABC executives, may karma bop you solidly on the head and in the soul for both of these poor decisions.)

FOX faced a decision last spring. It could bring back one of two cult shows: "Dollhouse" or "The Sarah Connor Chronicles." It decided on "Dollhouse" but has not necessarily been rewarded with droves of viewers. In fact, FOX has announced it will air 13 "Dollhouse" episodes but will probably not commission a full-season order of 22 shows.

"Dollhouse" was created by Joss Whedon, the creator of (among other shows) "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Firefly," a couple of other programs that had devoted and fanatical followings, but probably not in the numbers their TV networks would have preferred. In fact, "Buffy" started on the WB but spent its last three years on UPN.

(At least Whedon has outlasted those two networks.)

"Sarah Connor" was an extension of the hit movie (and cult favorite) "Terminator" series.

In theory, the devotion these shows drew would be more beneficial to advertisers than shows that viewers simply enjoy. "30 Rock" may be a viewer favorite, but its audience won't memorize sponsors the way (in theory) a fanatical base would.

But it hasn't worked out that way. So science fiction devotees are left with a short season of "Dollhouse" and whatever is on the SyFy Network.

It's an interesting discussion and one that will continue to be around and even grow as time goes on.

NBC has put viewers in a similar position. Those who loved the network's 9 p.m. dramas are now left with five days a week of Jay Leno, and for some, that's six days too many. But Leno's transition of his version of "The Tonight Show" to prime time (and let's be realistic - that's all it really is, isn't it?) is affordable.

Instead of spending millions on prime time stars to bring millions of eyes to its network, NBC sacrificed some of the eyes to make the bottom line more attractive. It's the way of the world these days. Finances are what matter. Not to turn too haughty, but clearly NBC made a decision against art and in favor of commerce.

(Which played right into Leno's hands, because his work for years has been more about commerce than art.)

We're fortunate enough to live in a time where creative people can entertain us in minutes, and their art has never been more available. What's interesting is cults are helping take control of the arts away from corporations and put that control in the hands of the audience.

Unfortunately, the cult audiences often need the corporations to fund the art the cult consumes.

The realism of today's economy and the breadth of entertainment options have put some of the most popular entertainment items of the last 60 or 70 years, hit television shows, right in the crosshairs. We're seeing a developing change, and few if any of us can grasp its depth.

All that's certain is that in the next five, 10 or 20 years, television will have changed so much that we would not recognize it today. The cult may be king, or it may play unintentional arts assassin.

timcain@herald-review.com | 421-6908