Fox Picks up Joss Whedon’s DOLLHOUSE For a Second Season

Defying all the skeptics and the cynics, it looks like Joss Whedon’s “Dollhouse” will get a second season…with some preconditions.  According to EW’s Michael Ausiello, Fox has renewed the series for a 13-episode pick-up and with a drastically reduced budget.  While I imagine they’ll still have their beautiful set, I would expect some dolls to start heading up to the attic or other characters to make their exit as salaries will most likely be reduced or roles outright cut.

The question is whether or not fans will come on board for another thirteen episodes.  “Dollhouse” has received the most lukewarm reception of all of Whedon’s shows and while I think the series definitely picked up after its vaunted sixth episode, “Man on the Street”, I’m curious if the show will have the fanatical devotion and appeal to make this more than a final season.  Of course, the other big question is whether or not Whedon can do what he intended with a reduced budget and only thirteen episodes.

On a side note, I’m hoping that this 13-episode pick-up becomes a new trend for shows that are on the bubble.  It seems like the perfect compromise because fans don’t lose their show, the studio doesn’t have to spend money on 22 episodes, and writers don’t have to worry about filler episodes or any of that non-sense.  I’m also hearing that this 13-episode plan may be what’s in store for a little show called “Chuck”…