Jaws of death! Steven Spielberg faces humiliation as sharks circle his TV series Terra Nova

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Jaws of death! Steven Spielberg faces humiliation as sharks circle his TV series Terra Nova
November 9, 2011
By Mike Larkin
Mail Online

It was heralded as the latest golden chapter in Steven Spielberg's supremely successful TV and film career.

But the iconic Jaws director seems to be losing his midas touch, as the sharks are said to be circling his new television series Terra Nova.

The Fox science fiction show has had disappointing ratings so far, despite having a budget that befits the legendary filmmakers status.

The time-bending programme follows follows the Shannon family as they go 85 million years into Earth's past to save humanity, ending up in a dangerous land inhabited by dinosaurs.

Statistical analysis website TV By The Numbers says the show's is now only a 'toss-up' for renewal, though ratings did slightly improve on last week's dismal showing.

It said: 'The combination of a baseball layoff and Halloween hammered Terra Nova ratings last week.

'While last night's preliminary ratings (not yet in the calculations above) recovered somewhat it was still below Fox's recent scripted show average ratings enough to put it into the "toss up" range.

'Since only 13 episodes were slated for this season, and I'd be virtually certain all those air, there will be no "back 9" pick up to signal early approval.

'Fans will likely be on pins and needles until May.'

ET director Steven serves as executive producer on the show, and was behind the decision to make it in Australia, rejecting the original plan to make it in Hawaii as he filmed Jurassic Park there.

His heavyweight backing persuaded Fox to order 13 episodes straight away rather than ordering a pilot on its own.

This was partly for financial reasons, as the sets down under were so expensive to build and dismantle.

It has proved to be an extremely expensive show to make, with the average epsiode costing $4 million.

However the pilot itself cost between $10 and $20 million, partly due to torrential rain when filming commenced in in Queensland, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Gold Coast Hinterland.

Initially the investment seemed to pay off, as the pilot attracted an audience of 9.22 million.

This early success has eroded however, with this week's episode attracting just 7.6 million viewers.
For the firing squad? No doubt the cast and crew are hoping it can suddenly attract a whole new audience before the series ends

For the firing squad? No doubt the cast and crew are hoping it can suddenly attract a whole new audience before the series ends

On the other hand it was an impressive 24 per cent improvement on last week's dismal 6.4 million, which some have claimed was due to the family friendly show being broadcast on Halloween.

Hook filmmaker Steven has helmed many successful television projects, indulging Emmy winners Band of Brothers, Taken and Into The West.

But it seems he could he could face an uphill battle if he wants to save his latest small screen project.

And it could ultimately end up being even more disappointing for him than the performance of his 1993 submarine show seaQuestDSV, which limped along before finally being axed in 1996.