Human Target (2010 TV series)

Human Target
Genre Action
Drama
Spy fiction
Developed by Jonathan E. Steinberg
Starring Mark Valley
Chi McBride
Jackie Earle Haley
Indira Varma
Janet Montgomery
Theme music composer Bear McCreary (season 1)
Tim Jones (season 2)
Opening theme "Theme from Human Target"
Composer(s) Bear McCreary (season 1)
Tim Jones (season 2)
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 2
No. of episodes 25 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) Jonathan E. Steinberg
Brad Kern
Kevin Hooks
McG
Peter Johnson
Matt Miller
Location(s) Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Cinematography Brian Pearson (pilot)
Rob McLachlan
Editor(s) John Duffy
Philip Neel
Michael Hathaway
Craig Bench
Russell Denove
Running time 42 minutes
Production company(s) Bonanza Productions
Wonderland Sound and Vision
DC Comics
Warner Bros. Television
Bell Media
Distributor Warner Bros. Television Distribution
Bell Media
Release
Original network Fox
CTV
Picture format 480i SDTV
720p HDTV
Audio format Stereophonic
First shown in Canada
Original release January 15, 2010 (2010-01-15) – February 9, 2011 (2011-02-09)

Human Target is an American action drama television series that was broadcast by Fox in the United States. Based loosely on the Human Target comic book character created by Len Wein and Carmine Infantino for DC Comics, it is the second series based on this title developed for television, the first TV series having been aired in 1992 on ABC. Developed by Jonathan E. Steinberg, Human Target premiered on CTV in Canada and on Fox in the United States in January 2010.[1][2] The series was officially canceled on May 10, 2011, after the conclusion of the second season.[3]

Synopsis

The series follows the life of San Francisco-based Christopher Chance (Mark Valley), a unique private contractor, bodyguard and security expert hired to protect his clients. Rather than taking on the target's identity himself (as in the comic book version), he protects his clients by completely integrating himself into their lives, to become a "human target". Chance is accompanied by his business partner, Winston (Chi McBride), and hired gun, Guerrero (Jackie Earle Haley). Former client, Ilsa Pucci (Indira Varma), becomes Chance's benefactor, while experienced thief, Ames (Janet Montgomery), joins the team to seek redemption. Chance puts himself on the line to find the truth behind the mission.[4] Even his own business partner Winston does not know what drove him towards this life,[5] although it is explained in the first season finale episode (which also explains about the name Christopher Chance itself).[6]

Cast and characters

From left to right: Guerrero, Ames, Chance, Pucci and Winston.

Main characters

Recurring characters

Production

On May 18, 2009, Fox announced that Human Target would premiere mid-season.[10] The show was filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia.

On May 12, 2010, it was announced that Human Target had been renewed for a second season.[11] Matt Miller took over as showrunner from Jon E. Steinberg who remained part of the production team as an executive producer. Warner Bros. had contacted Miller to take a look at the first season and give his opinions on what changes he would make to the show.[12]

The show was officially canceled on May 10, 2011.[3]

Casting

In the original concept, Jackie Earle Haley's character Guerrero was intended to have a one-time appearance in the pilot episode, and every episode thereafter would feature a different character assisting Chance and Winston. However, the producers liked Haley's performance and his character, and invited the actor to be a regular on the series.[13]

Music

Composer Bear McCreary scored the music for the first season, for which he received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music.[14] He wanted to create a modern classic-adventure score", and a heroic but still fun and iconic theme for Chance. Chance's theme later became the opening theme for the first season. McCreary wrote around 30 minutes of full orchestral music for 11 weeks in a row,[15] which was performed by an average of 60 musicians. The score for the final episode of the season, "Christopher Chance", was performed by a total of 94 musicians, making it the largest live orchestra ever assembled for a television series.[14][15][16] McCreary was not asked back for the second season as they could no longer afford a weekly 40-person orchestra.[12] Chuck composer Tim Jones took over the role.[17]

Broadcast

The series premiered in Canada on CTV on January 15, 2010,[1] and began airing on Fox on January 17, 2010.[18] The first three episodes aired in various time slots on Fox; it premiered on Sunday at 8:00 pm ET; the second episode aired Wednesday at 9:00 pm ET; and the third episode aired Tuesday at 9:00 pm ET before relocating to its regular time slot for the remainder of the season, Wednesday at 8:00 pm ET.[19] The first seasons' finale aired April 11, 2010 in Canada and three days later in the U.S. The second season was due to premiere on September 24, 2010[20] but later delayed to October 1, 2010 airing in a new time slot, Fridays at 8:00 pm ET.[21] Instead of airing the season premiere Fox aired a rerun of Human Target and moved the show back to Wednesdays, taking Lie to Me's time-slot, which had moved to Mondays due to the cancellation of Lone Star. The second season premiered November 17, 2010 on Fox and originally aired Wednesdays at 8:00 pm ET.[22] In January 2011, back-to-back episodes aired on January 5 and January 14, 2011.[23] On January 12, 2011, due to network coverage of the Tucson memorial service, the two scheduled episodes did not air in the United States on Fox, however they aired in Canada on A. The episodes were rescheduled and aired on January 14, 2011 on Fox.[24] Fox announced on January 13, 2011, that the next scheduled episode to air on January 26 was to be delayed and aired January 31, airing Monday at 8:00 pm ET. The final two episodes of the season aired on February 2 and 9, airing in another new timeslot, Wednesdays at 9:00 pm.[25] Fox announced the official cancellation of the series on May 10, 2011.[26]

In Australia, Human Target premiered on GO! on August 18, 2010.[27] A week later it premiered in New Zealand on TV2.[28]

In the UK, it premiered on Syfy on April 14, 2010.[29] The second season was also broadcast on Syfy, and premiered on May 26, 2011.[30]

Reception

Critical reception

The series premiere of Human Target received generally favorable reviews, scoring 69 out of 100 on Metacritic based on 26 critical reviews.[31] The New York Post stated, "because he's a human target, he has no problem blowing out of exploding buildings (of which there are too many to count) with nary a scratch. Think Jack Bauer with excellent grooming."[32] Robert Bianco wrote of the show's premiere in USA Today, the "confined-spaces fight on the train is a miniature marvel of its kind."[33] Not all reviews were positive. Cynthia Fuchs gave the show a 3 out of 10, calling it predictable and the characters uninteresting.[34]

The second season premiere received similar favorable reviews, scoring slightly higher than the first season with 71 out of 100 on Metacritic based on 13 reviews.[35] Brian Lowry from Variety criticized the changes made to the second season believing that the producers were forced to give the show an overhaul by the network to make it more appealing to women. He believes the changes almost ruined the show for those who loved the first season. But he said "for all that, there are still some good moments in these early hours, and the stuntwork remains impressive." He was also happy to see the scheduling changes keeping the show away from the Friday night death slot.[36] Some reviewers wondered what happened to the original theme music, with Ian Cullen going as far as to say that "the change of music in the opening title sequence just plain sucked."[36][37]

Viewership

In the U.S. the series premiere attracted 10.12 million viewers,[38] and dropped to 7.24 million viewers for the season finale.[39] The first season averaged on 8.26 million viewers and became 48th in viewers.[40] In Canada the premiere was watched by 1.26 million people, ranking 21st in that week.[41]

The second season continued the drop in viewers and premiered to 6.59 million viewers.[42] Viewership increased for the final three episodes of the second season, when the show aired in special time slots. Notably, episode 12 which aired after American Idol, received 9.3 million viewers, a season-high, and the best ratings the series has had since the beginning of the first season.[43]

Awards and nominations

In 2010 Human Target was nominated for three Emmy Awards. Stunt coordinator Dean Choe received a nomination for "Outstanding Stunt Coordination" for the fifth episode "Run",[44] Bear McCreary for "Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music"[45] and Karin Fong, Jeremy O. Cox and Cara McKenney for "Outstanding Main Title Design".[46]

Home media releases

Human Target (Original Television Soundtrack — Season 1)
Soundtrack album by Bear McCreary
Released October 8, 2010 (2010-10-08) (2-disc set)
October 22, 2010 (2010-10-22) (3-disc set)
Genre Television soundtrack
Length 2:37:36 (2-disc set)
3:24:48 (3-disc set)
Label WaterTower Music (2-disc set)
La-La Land Records (3-disc set)

DVD and Blu-ray

Human Target – The Complete 1st Season was released as a widescreen three-disc region 1 DVD box set as well as a two-disc region free Blu-ray version on September 21, 2010. In addition to the 12 episodes of the season, which have an enhanced audio mix, a number of extras are included; several unaired and deleted scenes, an audio commentary by Mark Valley, Chi McBride, Jonathan E. Steinberg and Peter Johnson for the pilot episode and two featurettes; "Human Target: Full Contact Television" and "Human Target: Confidential Informant".[47] The set received a rating of 4.5 out of 5 from Blu-ray.com, with concerns expressed that "squeezing twelve episodes onto two discs takes a bit of a toll" and caused some artifacting. The site also questioned the use of a lossy 640 kbit/s audio track and the small number of special features, calling it "a tad pricey for twelve episodes".[48] By contrast, DVD Verdict said that the DVD's gave "a better-than average offering of supplements".[49]

To date, Warner Home Video has made no announcement on whether the second season will be released on DVD and/or Blu-Ray.

Soundtrack

A two-disc soundtrack containing 43 tracks composed by Bear McCreary for the first season was released by WaterTower Music on October 8, 2010.[50] A limited three-disc soundtrack with an additional 20 tracks was released on October 22, 2010 by La-La Land Records.[51]

References

  1. 1 2 "'Human Target' premieres January 15 on CTV". CTV. January 7, 2010. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  2. Sullivan, Brian Ford (December 18, 2009). "Exclusive: FOX to Flip "Target," "Idol" on Wednesdays". The Futon Critic. Retrieved March 27, 2010.
  3. 1 2 Seidman, Robert (May 10, 2011). "Fox Cancels 'Breaking In,' 'Human Target,' 'The Chicago Code,' & 'Traffic Light'". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 10, 2011.
  4. "About Human Target". Fox. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  5. "Pilot". Human Target. Season 1. Episode 1. January 15, 2010. CTV.
  6. 1 2 3 "Christopher Chance". Human Target. Season 1. Episode 12. April 11, 2010. CTV.
  7. "Run". Human Target. Season 1. Episode 5. February 8, 2010. 24:57 minutes in. CTV.
  8. "Baptiste". Human Target. Season 1. Episode 8. March 14, 2010. CTV.
  9. 1 2 "Indira Varma and Janet Montgomery Hit the Bull's Eye Joining the Cast of Fox's "Human Target"" (Press release). Fox. August 2, 2010. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  10. "Fox Broadcasting Company: Upfront: Programming Schedule – Human Target". Fox. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  11. Porter, Rick (May 12, 2010). "FOX picks four new shows, renews 'Lie to Me' and 'Human Target'". Zap2it. Retrieved October 16, 2010.
  12. 1 2 Frederick, Brittany (September 9, 2010). "Exclusive Interview – Matt Miller (Human Target)". TVOvermind. Retrieved December 1, 2010.
  13. Valley, Mark (actor); McBride, Chi (actor); Johnson, Peter (executive producer); Steinberg, Jonathan E. (writer) (September 21, 2010). Human Target: The Complete First Season: Commentary track (DVD). Warner Bros. Home Video.
  14. 1 2 Cullen, Ian (July 13, 2010). "Bear McCreary's 'Human Target' Earns His First Emmy Nomination For Outstanding Original Theme Music". SciFi Pulse. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
  15. 1 2 Cullen, Ian (November 28, 2010). "Episode 94 – Bear McCreary – Nov 28, 2010". The SciFi Pulse Podcast. Episode 94. SciFiPulse. 15:48 minutes in. Blog Talk Radio. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  16. Jusino, Teresa (November 23, 2010). "The New Champion: An Interview with Bear McCreary of 'Human Target'". PopMatters. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  17. Hibberd, James (July 25, 2010). "'Chuck' composer scores 'Human Target' gig". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  18. Sullivan, Brian Ford (December 18, 2009). "Exclusive: FOX to Flip "Target," "Idol" on Wednesdays". The Futon Critic. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
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  22. Andreeva, Nellie (September 29, 2010). "Fox's 'Human Target' Moves To Wednesdays". Deadline. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
  23. "FOX Announces 2010-2011 Midseason Schedule" (Press release). Fox. November 19, 2010. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
  24. "Chance and Ilsa Are Caught in a Hostage Crisis and Guerrero Is Framed for Murder on an All-New 2-Hour "Human Target" Friday, January 14, on FOX - Airing on a Special Day and Time" (Press release). Fox. January 13, 2011. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  25. "Exclusive: FOX Expands "Idol" on January 26, Bumps "Human Target" to January 31". The Futon Critic. January 13, 2011. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  26. Ausiello, Michael (May 10, 2011). "Fox Cancels Human Target, Lie To Me, Chicago Code, Two Others". TVLine.com. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
  27. Knox, David (August 3, 2010). "Airdate: Human Target". TV Tonight. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
  28. "Human Target on TV2". Throng. August 25, 2010. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
  29. "V & HUMAN TARGET HERALD THE UK ARRIVAL OF SYFY". Syfy.co.uk. Retrieved October 26, 2012.
  30. "'Human Target': Season two preview - Video". Digital Spy. May 25, 2011. Retrieved October 26, 2012.
  31. "Human Target: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
  32. Stasi, Linda (January 15, 2010). "'Human Target': Jack Bauer in a better suit". The New York Post. Retrieved January 15, 2010.
  33. Bianco, Robert (January 15, 2010). "Give 'Human Target' a shot, and it could just be a bull's-eye". USA Today. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
  34. Fuchs, Cynthia (January 17, 2010). "24: Season 8 Premiere / Human Target: Series Premiere". PopMatters. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  35. "Human Target: Season 2". Metacritic. Retrieved November 17, 2010.
  36. 1 2 Lowry, Brian (November 11, 2010). "Fox's Makeover Shoots Holes in 'Human Target'". Variety. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
  37. Cullen, Ian (November 19, 2010). "Ian's Roving Editorial: 'Human Target' Music – If Not Broke, Don't Fix". SciFi Pulse. Retrieved November 28, 2010.
  38. Seidman, Robert (January 20, 2010). "TV Ratings: American Idol, Indianapolis Colts, NCIS and The Big Bang Theory top weekly viewing". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
  39. Gorman, Bill (April 15, 2010). "Wednesday Broadcast Finals: The Middle, Modern Family, Cougar Town Adjusted Up; Ugly Betty Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 15, 2010.
  40. Gorman, Bill (June 16, 2010). "Final 2009-10 Broadcast Primetime Show Average Viewership". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
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  42. Seidman, Robert (November 18, 2010). "Wednesday Final Ratings: Modern Family, Criminal Minds Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 18, 2010.
  43. Hibberd, James (February 3, 2011). "'Idol' boosts 'Human Target', 'Minute' surprises". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 4, 2011.
  44. "2010 Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Stunt Coordination | Emmys.com". Emmy Awards. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
  45. "2010 Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music | Emmys.com". Emmy Awards. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
  46. "2010 Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Main Title Design | Emmys.com". Emmy Awards. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
  47. Lambert, David (June 23, 2010). "Human Target - Official Announcement for 'The Complete 1st Season' on DVD and Blu-ray". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Retrieved November 28, 2010.
  48. Brown, Kenneth (October 4, 2010). "Human Target: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Review — Fox's surprise hit actioner nabs a solid Blu-ray release from Warner Bros…". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved November 30, 2010.
  49. Dixon, Judge Kent (November 8, 2010). "Human Target: The Complete First Season". DVD Verdict. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  50. "Human Target (Original Television Soundtrack - Season 1)". iTunes. Retrieved November 22, 2010.
  51. "Human Target - Limited Edition (3CD-Set)". La-La Land Records. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
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