6 Interesting Facts About So Weird

Interesting Facts (5)

1. #001

   Dave 'Squatch' Ward learned to drive a bus to play Ned, an experienced roadie.

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2. #002

   Disney had the production made by Henry Winkler's company, Fair Dinkum Productions. Winkler served as executive producer; a lifelong believer in the supernatural, he fought to keep the series' mature tone and subject matter from condescending to its young audience. Winkler would also appear in the season 2 episode Boo (1999).

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3. #003

   So Weird (1999) was cancelled because in 1998 the Disney Channel implemented a "65-episode rule" across its programming, under which no show, no matter how popular, could exceed 65 episodes (roughly 3 seasons). There are four reasons for this rule… * Disney stars have a fast expiration date; the Disney Channel cannot follow them through high school. Series had to be shot quickly (usually within 2 and a half years) before key actors outgrew their roles and young viewers found it hard to connect with the characters. * Disney Channel programming is generally aimed at 9- to 12-year-olds, also known as "tweens." They start watching a series at 9 and it ends when they are 12. So by the time they turn 13, they will have moved on to teen-oriented channels such as MTV and Freeform. As these shows continue in reruns, a new generation of tweens can discover them and grow up with them, allowing the series' fan base to expand. * The episode limit would allow a series to air every weekday for a total of 13 weeks, a quarter of the year. Under this standard (5 x 13 = 65), four different Disney Channel programs could air within a calendar year. * Disney actors initially signed 3-year contracts, and after 3 years the actors could renegotiate, but Disney did not want to pay its stars that way. The rule saddened many fans who had grown attached to their favorite shows only for them to end abruptly. The rule was officially lifted in August 2004, when Disney ordered additional episodes of That's So Raven (2003), but Disney Channel shows still do not run longer than 4 or 5 years.

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4. #004

   Mackenzie Phillips shares the same surname as her character.

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5. #005

   Debby Boone was in the running to play Molly, but Henry Winkler fought for Mackenzie Phillips.

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Life & Family (1)

6. #006

   The executive producers pitched an idea for a third season that would have continued the series' heavy themes. Had things gone as planned, it would have been "Krizalis" instead of "Avatar." In this episode, Carey would have had a similar Fi-lite adventure in which she hosted a parasitic caterpillar as well as dealt with an alcohol problem. It would also have featured a return visit from Rebecca of 1x09 "Rebecca," with whom Molly would communicate by e-mail, and Molly's past as an alcoholic would have been explored. All of this would have set up Rebecca's role in the third season. Additionally, 2x26 "Twin" would have had Rick reveal that Fi had a special destiny, and the Wraith eliminating him would have left the threat of an evil alliance, giving Fi the motivation to investigate in order to save her father. In the third season, Jack would have been the reincarnation of an ancient heroic knight, which explained why the dragon feared him in 1x08 "Strangeling" and why a photo of him turned into O'Siannon's armor in 2x11 "Banshee." Rebecca would have appeared to explain who he was in a past life, since she knew Jack personally. Jack would have joined Fi to fight the evil alliance. The aliens, who did nothing in the first two seasons beyond being mysterious, would have revealed that Fi had a special genetic makeup that made her an interstellar being authorized to help humans. She would have been visited by her alien counterpart, whose father was also taken by evil forces, and who would have helped her with information throughout the season. Molly's witch powers would have been discovered, and some of her songs would have turned out to be prophecies. Bricriu would have possessed Fi, and Molly's priest brother would have exorcised him. Because Bricriu disliked being part of a hierarchy, he would eventually have switched sides. The series would have ended with Fi going to Hell, defeating the evil alliance and saving her father. Because the alliance took Rick before his time, he would have been allowed to stay on Earth with his family. All of this is foreseen in the song "Karanlıkta." Disney rejected all of it and wanted the third season to be lighter.

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