Examine individual changes

'{{About|the television series|the character|Veronica Mars (character)}} {{Infobox Television | show_name = Veronica Mars | image = [[Image:Veronica mars intro.jpg|250px]] | caption = ''Veronica Mars''<nowiki>'</nowiki> third season intertitle. | genre = [[Teen drama]] <br />[[Mystery fiction|Mystery]] <br />[[Film noir|Noir]] <br/> [[Comedy]] | picture_format = [[480i]] ([[Standard-definition television|SDTV]]), [[1080i]] ([[High-definition television|HDTV]]) | audio_format = [[Stereophonic sound|Stereo]] <br /> [[Dolby Digital|Dolby Digital 5.1]] | runtime = 42 minutes <!-- approximately --> | creator = [[Rob Thomas (writer)|Rob Thomas]] | starring = [[Kristen Bell]] <br />[[Percy Daggs III]] <br />[[Teddy Dunn]] <br />[[Jason Dohring]] <br />[[Sydney Tamiia Poitier]] <br />[[Francis Capra]] <br />[[Ryan Hansen]] <br />[[Kyle Gallner]] <br />[[Tessa Thompson]] <br />[[Julie Gonzalo]] <br />[[Chris Lowell]] <br />[[Tina Majorino]] <br />[[Michael Muhney]] <br />[[Enrico Colantoni]] | narrated = [[Kristen Bell]] <small>([[Veronica Mars (character)|eponymous]])</small> | opentheme = "[[We Used to Be Friends]]" by [[The Dandy Warhols]] | country = United States | network = [[UPN]] (2004–2006) <br />[[The CW Television Network|The CW]] (2006–2007) | first_aired = {{Start date|2004|09|22}} | last_aired = {{End date|2007|05|22}} | num_seasons = 3 | num_episodes = 64 | list_episodes = List of Veronica Mars episodes | executive_producer = [[Joel Silver]] <br />[[Rob Thomas (writer)|Rob Thomas]] | website = http://www.cbs.com/primetime/veronica_mars/ }} '''''Veronica Mars''''' is an American television series created by [[Rob Thomas (writer)|Rob Thomas]]. The series premiered on September 22, 2004 during television network [[UPN]]'s final two years, and ended on May 22, 2007, after a season on UPN's successor, [[The CW Television Network]]. ''Veronica Mars'' was produced by [[Warner Bros. Television]], Silver Pictures Television, Stu Segall Productions, Inc and Rob Thomas Productions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.variety.com/profiles/Season/main/56188/3/168403/Veronica+Mars.html?dataSet=1|title=''Veronica Mars'' Season 3|accessdate=November 3, 2008|publisher=''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]''}}</ref> The executive producers for the first two seasons were [[Joel Silver]] and Rob Thomas, and [[Diane Ruggiero]] was promoted in the third season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2005/nov/09/entertainment/et-mars9|title=Cult king in orbit on ''Mars''|accessdate=November 4, 2008|author=Elena Fernandez, Maria|date=November 9, 2005|publisher=''[[Los Angeles Times]]''}}</ref> The series is set in the fictional town of Neptune, [[California]], and stars [[Kristen Bell]] as the [[Veronica Mars (character)|title character]], a student who progresses from [[high school]] to [[college]] while moonlighting as a [[private investigator]] under the tutelage of her detective father. In each episode, Veronica solves a different stand-alone case while working to solve a more complex mystery. The first two seasons of the series had a season-long mystery arc, introduced in the first episode of the season and solved in the season finale. The third season took a different format, focusing on smaller mystery arcs that would last the course of several episodes. Thomas originally wrote ''Veronica Mars'' as a young adult novel, but decided to write a television version because it paid more. He changed the gender of the protagonist from a male because he thought a noir piece told from a female point of view would be more interesting and unique. Filming began in March 2004,<ref name="pilotfilmvm" /> and the series premiered in September to 2.49 million American viewers.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] Medianet|date=September 29, 2004|url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=092904_04|title= Weekly Program Rankings|accessdate=2008-07-30}}</ref> The critically acclaimed first season's run of 22 episodes garnered an average of 2.5 million viewers per episode in the United States. ''Veronica Mars'' appeared on a number of fall television best lists, and garnered several awards and nominations. During the series' run, it was nominated for two [[Satellite Awards]], four [[Saturn Awards]], five [[Teen Choice Awards]] and was featured on [[American Film Institute|AFI]]'s TV Programs of the Year for 2005. Following the cancellation of the series at the 2007 CW Upfront, Thomas began writing a feature film script continuing the series. Although Thomas finished the script, Warner Bros. opted not to fund the project. == Season synopses == {{See also|List of Veronica Mars episodes}} === Season one === [[File:Amanda Seyfried Up in the Air TIFF09.jpg|right|thumb|Thomas felt that [[Amanda Seyfried]] was so good in the series that he used her three or four more times than he initially planned in the first season.<ref name="lillydies" />]] {{Main|Veronica Mars (season 1)}} The first season revolves around [[Veronica Mars (character)|Veronica Mars]], a high school student and private investigator in the fictional Southern California seaside town of Neptune. As the daughter of well-respected County Sheriff [[Keith Mars]], Veronica's biggest problem was getting dumped by her boyfriend, [[Duncan Kane]], until the murder of her best friend [[Lilly Kane]]. After Lilly's murder, Veronica's life falls apart. Keith accuses Lilly's father, popular software billionaire [[Jake Kane]], of being involved in the murder. This provokes Neptune's wrath and Keith's ousting as sheriff in a recall election, replaced by [[Don Lamb]]. Veronica's mother, [[Lianne Mars|Lianne]], develops a drinking problem and leaves town. Veronica's "09er" friends&mdash;wealthy students from the fictional 90909 [[ZIP code]]&mdash;force her to choose between them and her father; Veronica chooses her father. After being voted out as sheriff, Keith opens a private investigation agency, Mars Investigations, where Veronica works part-time. Veronica helps her father solve cases and conducts her own investigations on behalf of friends and acquaintances at school. Veronica discovers new evidence which suggests that [[Abel Koontz]], the man imprisoned after confessing to Lilly's murder, is innocent. As Veronica delves deeper into the murder case, she also works on other investigations, seeks her mother's whereabouts and deals with the aftermath of being drugged and raped during an "09er" party. Veronica, no longer part of the school's wealthy in-crowd, makes some new friends: [[Wallace Fennel]], Neptune High basketball star; [[Eli "Weevil" Navarro]], leader of the PCHers, a Latino biker gang; and [[Cindy "Mac" Mackenzie]], Neptune High's resident computer genius. Using her friends' resources, as well as those provided by her father and his contacts, Veronica gains a reputation for sleuthing and finds her skills in increasingly high demand at her school. Things get more complicated when Veronica falls into a relationship with Lilly's ex-boyfriend [[Logan Echolls]], who for a time held Veronica partly responsible for Lilly's death and went out of his way to harass her. === Season two === [[File:Charisma Carpenter by Stanley Lui.jpg|upright|thumb|[[Charisma Carpenter]] appeared in ten episodes of the second season as [[Kendall Casablancas]].]] {{Main|Veronica Mars (season 2)}} The second season begins with the introduction of two new cases: a bus accident that kills several of Veronica's classmates, and the death of PCH biker gang member Felix Toombs. A school bus boarded with six Neptune High students and a teacher plunges off a cliff, killing almost everyone on board. Veronica, who was supposed to be on the bus, makes it her mission to discover why the bus crashed. Logan picks a fight with Weevil and the PCHers and ends up accused of killing Toombs, a charge he denies. Partway through the season, Weevil becomes convinced of Logan's innocence and they team up to find the real killer. This season shows Veronica's life returning to much the way it had been before Lilly's death: having broken up with Logan during the summer, she reunites with Duncan and is somewhat accepted by the '09ers. However, her private-eye sideline and tough persona keep her from being truly assimilated back into the rich crowd. '09ers [[Dick Casablancas]] and [[Cassidy Casablancas|Cassidy "Beaver" Casablancas]] deal with a gold-digging stepmother, [[Kendall Casablancas]], with whom they are left when their father flees the country while under investigation for real estate fraud. Wallace discovers that his biological father is alive, and takes a romantic interest in [[Jackie Cook]]. === Season three === {{Main|Veronica Mars (season 3)}} In the third season Veronica, Logan, Wallace, Mac and Dick are freshmen at Neptune's Hearst College. Two new regular main characters are introduced: [[Stosh "Piz" Piznarski]] and [[Parker Lee]], who are the respective roommates of Wallace and Mac. The first mystery is established when Parker becomes a victim of the Hearst serial [[rapist]], a storyline begun in the [[The Rapes of Graff|second season]]. Feeling guilty for not helping her, and remembering her past rape, Veronica sets herself the task of catching the rapist. The next mystery, the murder of the College's Dean, commences in the same episode the rapist is caught. During the season, Keith begins an adulterous affair with a married client, Wallace struggles to balance academics and sports, Mac begins dating again after previous failed relationships, and Dick has a breakdown and appeals to Logan for help. The season also chronicles Veronica and Logan's failing attempts to maintain their relationship in the face of Veronica's increasing mistrust. == Cast and characters == {{Main|List of Veronica Mars characters}} [[Image:VeronicaMarsSeasonThree.jpg|thumb|right|400px|The main characters of the third season from left to right: [[Eli "Weevil" Navarro|Weevil]], [[Parker Lee|Parker]], [[Wallace Fennel|Wallace]], [[Stosh "Piz" Piznarski|Piz]], [[Veronica Mars (character)|Veronica]], [[Keith Mars|Keith]], [[Logan Echolls|Logan]], [[Dick Casablancas|Dick]], [[Cindy "Mac" Mackenzie|Mac]] and [[Don Lamb|Don]].]] The first season had seven regular characters. [[Kristen Bell]] portrayed the titular [[Veronica Mars (character)|Veronica Mars]], a high school junior and skilled private detective. [[Teddy Dunn]] played [[Duncan Kane]], Veronica's ex-boyfriend and Lilly's brother. [[Jason Dohring]] played [[Logan Echolls]], the "bad-boy" 09er, the son of an [[A-list]] actor. [[Percy Daggs III]] portrayed [[Wallace Fennel]], Veronica's best friend and frequent partner in solving mysteries. [[Francis Capra]] portrayed [[Eli "Weevil" Navarro]], the leader of the [[California State Route 1|PCH]] Biker gang and Veronica's friend. [[Enrico Colantoni]] played Veronica's father [[Keith Mars]], a private investigator and former Balboa County Sheriff. [[Sydney Tamiia Poitier]] played [[Mallory Dent]], Veronica's journalism teacher at Neptune High.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pe.com/entertainment/stories/PE_Fea_Ent_buzz731.a0890.html |title=The Buzz |accessdate=2008-09-16 |date=July 31, 2004 |publisher=''[[The Press-Enterprise (California)|The Press-Enterprise]]''}}</ref> Although she was given series regular billing, Poitier appeared in only four episodes, but was given credit for seven. Poitier's removal from the series was rumored to be due to budget issues.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800019748/bio |title=Sydney Poitier Biography |accessdate=2008-09-18 |publisher=[[Yahoo! Movies]]}}</ref> Thomas, who said he "conceive[d] the show as a one-year mystery", decided that he needed to introduce and eliminate several characters to be able to create an "equally fascinating mystery" for the series' second season. Thomas felt that he could not bring back the Kanes and the Echolls and "have them all involved in a new mystery"; he needed "new blood".<ref name="marsthomasin">{{cite web | last=Porter | first=Rick | date=September 28, 2005 | title=Mystery deepens on Mars | url=http://www.projo.com/tv/content/projo_20050928_veronica.11a78ce9.html | accessdate=2008-11-08 | publisher=''[[The Providence Journal]]''}} </ref> The second season saw the introduction of [[Tessa Thompson]] as [[Jackie Cook]], a romantic interest of Wallace and daughter of a famous baseball player. Previous recurring characters [[Dick Casablancas]] and [[Cassidy Casablancas|Cassidy "Beaver" Casablancas]] were upgraded to series regulars. Dick, played by [[Ryan Hansen]], was an 09er friend of Logan, a womanizer and former high-school bully turned frat boy. [[Kyle Gallner]] portrayed "Beaver", Dick's introverted younger brother.<ref name="veronicaseason2dvd" /> Dunn, who portrayed Duncan Kane, left the series midway through the season.<ref name="veronicanewformat">{{cite web |url=http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/tv/archives/105095.asp |title=Kristen Bell, Rob Thomas hope The CW switch solves the mystery of why ''Veronica Mars'' hasn't caught on. |accessdate=2008-09-17 |last=McFarland |first=Melanie |date=July 17, 2006 |publisher=''[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]''}}</ref> Thomas explained that the Logan-Veronica-Duncan love triangle had run its course, and to keep the series fresh, there would need to be "other guys in her life". He attributed Dunn's removal to fan interest dominating the Logan-Veronica relationship,<ref>{{cite news|date=2006-09-20|title=Many Happy Returns|last=Madden Toby|first=Mekeisha|pages=01E|publisher=''[[The Detroit News]]''}}</ref> saying "it became clear that one suitor won out".<ref name="thomasseasonthree"/> The third season introduced two new series regulars, [[Parker Lee]] and [[Stosh "Piz" Piznarski]]. [[Julie Gonzalo]] portrayed Parker, Mac's extroverted roommate at Hearst College and "everything that Mac is not".<ref name="thomasseasonthree" /> Piz, played by [[Chris Lowell]], was Wallace's roommate at Hearst College and a music lover with his own campus radio show. Piz was named after the director of the pilot, [[Mark Piznarski]]. The character's role was to have another male friend for Veronica who was middle-class, and not upper-class. Thomas used the radio show as a narrative device to capture the mood of the university.<ref name="thomasjobhunt">{{cite web |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1549635,00.html |title=The ''Veronica Mars'' creator on his recent job hunt |accessdate=2008-09-29 |last=Jensen |first=Jeff |date=October 23, 2006 |publisher=''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''}}</ref> [[Cindy "Mac" Mackenzie]] and [[Don Lamb]], recurring characters in the first two seasons, were upgraded to series regulars. Mac, portrayed by [[Tina Majorino]], was a computer expert befriended by Veronica. Lamb, portrayed by [[Michael Muhney]], was the Balboa County Sheriff who won the office from Keith in the recall election.<ref name="thomasseasonthree" /> ==Production== ===Conception=== Rob Thomas originally wrote ''Veronica Mars'' as a young adult novel for publishing company [[Simon & Schuster]]. Prior to his first television job on ''[[Dawson's Creek]]'', Thomas sold two novel ideas. One of these was provisionally titled ''Untitled Rob Thomas Teen Detective Novel'', which formed the basis for the series. The novel had many elements similar to ''Veronica Mars'', however the protagonist was male. Thomas's father was a vice-principal at Westlake High School in Austin, Texas, and the main character attended a "thinly disguised version" of the school. As Thomas had begun writing for film and television, he did not resume his teen detective idea for several years. Writing a novel could take months for Thomas, whereas a television script only took several weeks. Knowing that television scripts paid more, Thomas wrote the television version of the teen detective project as a [[spec script]] before it became a novel. Since no studio or network had asked him to write it, and he would not get paid unless it sold, Thomas said that "it was never a very pressing project for me". Tinkering with it from time to time, Thomas wrote project notes a year before he actually started writing the television script. Most of his original ideas made it into the script, but some changed drastically. Thomas wanted to use flashbacks, and he had to shorten the timeline so that the murder could happen in a recent time.<ref name="marsconcept" /> Thomas changed the gender of the protagonist because he thought a noir piece told from a female point of view would be more interesting and unique.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/sections/entertainment/et_television/article_248468.php |title=Clash of cultures drives ''Veronica Mars'' |accessdate=2008-09-22 |last=Byrne |first=Bridget |date=September 22, 2004 |work=[[The Orange County Register]] |publisher=Associated Press}}</ref> === Casting === [[Image:TeddyDunn.jpg|right|thumb|[[Teddy Dunn]], who portrayed [[Duncan Kane]], originally auditioned for the role of Logan.]] Kristen Bell was chosen to play Veronica Mars from more than 500 women who auditioned for the role. Bell felt that it was "just luck" that Rob Thomas saw that "I have some sass to me, and that's exactly what he wanted". Bell thought that it was her cheerleader looks and an outsider's attitude that set her apart from the other women who auditioned.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/17/AR2008041701515_pf.html |title=Kristen Bell: Sassy Is the New Cute |accessdate=2008-09-18 |last=McCarthy |first=Ellen |date=April 18, 2008 |publisher=''[[The Washington Post]]''}}</ref> Jason Dohring, who played Logan Echolls, originally auditioned for the role of Duncan Kane. Teddy Dunn originally auditioned for Logan, but ended up portraying Duncan Kane.<ref name="loganjasonaudition">{{cite web |url=http://www.neptunesite.com/dohringinterview.htm |title=Neptunesite Interviews Jason Dohring (Logan) |accessdate=2008-09-22 |last=Byrne |first=Craig |date=January 3, 2005 |publisher=NeptuneSite}}</ref> Dohring felt that his audition for Duncan "was a little dark",<ref name="loganjasonaudition" /> and he was told by the producers that it was "not really right".<ref name="dohringcast" /> The producers asked Dohring to read for the role of Logan, which involved reading Duncan's lines. Dohring acted one scene from the pilot, in which he shattered the headlights of a car with a crowbar. During the final auditions, Dohring read two times with Bell and met with the studio and the network. When reading with Bell, Dohring acted the whole scene as if he had raped her, and tried to give the character an evil and fun feel.<ref name="dohringcast">{{cite web |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/veronica-mars/interview-with-jason-dohring-o-4233.aspx |title=Interview With Jason Dohring of ''Veronica Mars'' |accessdate=2008-09-22 |last=Lachonis |first=Jon |date=February 20, 2007 |publisher=[[BuddyTV]]}}</ref> At the time of Dohring's audition for Logan, the character was only going to be a guest star in the pilot.<ref name="loganjasonaudition" /> Percy Daggs III auditioned for the role of Wallace Fennel two times before being cast, and he had to go through three tests with the studio and network executives. During his first audition, Daggs read four scenes from the pilot. Just before his studio test, Daggs read with Bell and had "a great conversation". He said that she "made me feel comfortable about auditioning" and was a big reason why he became more comfortable playing Wallace as the season went on.<ref name="wallacepercycast">{{cite web |url=http://marsinvestigations.net/interviews/percydaggs.php |title=Percy Daggs III (Wallace Fennel) |publisher=MarsInvestigations.net |date=May 5, 2005 |accessdate=2008-09-22}}</ref> Thomas described [[Amanda Seyfried]], who portrayed the murdered [[Lilly Kane]], as "the biggest surprise of the year". When casting a series regular, he was able to see all the best actors in town, mainly because they all wanted to be a series regular. When casting Lilly Kane, who would only appear from time-to-time as "the dead girl", Thomas did not receive the same level of actors. Thomas said that he had "never had a more cut and dry audition" than he did with Seyfried. He said that she was "about 100 times better than anyone else that we saw, she was just spectacular". He continued by saying that she ended up being so good in the series that he used her three or four more times than he initially planned.<ref name="lillydies" /> === Writing and format === {|class="toccolours" style="float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-right:2em; font-size:95%; background:#f0f8ff; color:black; width:28em; max-width:40%;" cellspacing="5" |style="text-align: left;"|"To service a 22-episode mystery, you have to have a large playing field. To service a 9-episode mystery, we can keep that tighter, more focused. Instead of having 12 people who can be in the running for the villain, there might be five in one of those mysteries. I think it will be much cleaner. I think it will also give a new audience more jumping-in points." |- |style="text-align: left;" |— Series creator Rob Thomas on the change of format for the third season.<ref name="thomasseasonthree" /> |} Episodes have a distinct structure: Veronica solves a different "case of the week" while continually trying to solve a season-long mystery.<ref name="marsdvd1">{{cite web |url=http://au.dvd.ign.com/articles/659/659766p1.html |title=''Veronica Mars'': The Complete First Season|accessdate=2008-09-17 |last=Vukcevic |first=Filip |date=October 19, 2005 |publisher=[[IGN]]}}</ref> The first two seasons of ''Veronica Mars'' have a season-long mystery arc, which is introduced in the first episode of the season and solved in the finale. The third season takes on a different format, focusing on smaller mystery arcs that last the course of several episodes.<ref name="seasonthreemarsreview">{{cite web |url=http://au.tv.ign.com/articles/796/796707p1.html |title=''Veronica Mars'': Season 3 Review |accessdate=2008-09-17 |last=Goldman |first=Eric |date=June 14, 2007 |publisher=[[IGN]]}}</ref> During the first season, Thomas was unsure if the success of the series was attributed to the "case of the week" each episode, or the overarching story. He realized that fans were cool with the "case of the week", but came back for the ongoing mystery.<ref name="marsthomasin" /> Thomas felt that Bell had been overworked in the first season, and the mystery involving Logan and Weevil in the second season was an attempt to give her some time off. He said that the mystery arcs of the second season had "way too many suspects, way too many red herrings", and that the third season needed a change.<ref name="thomasseasonthree" /> The third season was initially planned to include three separate mysteries that would be introduced and resolved in a series of non-overlapping story arcs.<ref name="thomasseasonthree" /> Thomas realized by talking to CW Entertainment President [[Dawn Ostroff]] that viewers got too confused by his original format, and the new format would allow new viewers to start watching at any point in the season.<ref name="veronicanewformat" /> Inspired by the improvised thriller ''[[Bubble (film)|Bubble]]'', Thomas started laying "subtle" motives for the second mystery during the first one, so that fans would have "a theory on whodunit" when it occurred.<ref name="thomasjobhunt" /> The first mystery took place over the first nine episodes. Originally, the second mystery was to be seven episodes long and the third mystery was to occur over the last six episodes of the season.<ref name="thomasseasonthree">{{cite web |url=http://au.tv.ign.com/articles/719/719359p1.html |title=''Veronica Mars'' Season 3: Kristen Bell and Rob Thomas Talk |accessdate=2008-09-17 |last=Goldman |first=Eric |date=July 18, 2006 |publisher=[[IGN]]}}</ref> This was changed when The CW ordered a 20 episode season instead of the usual 22 episodes.<ref name="vmthird20">{{cite web |url=http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b3458_Breaking___amp_amp_lt_i_amp_amp_gt_Veronica_amp_amp_lt__i_amp_amp_gt__and__amp_amp_lt_i_amp_amp_gt_One_Tree_Hill_amp_amp_lt__i_amp_amp_gt__Picked_Up_.html |title=Breaking! ''Veronica'' and ''One Tree Hill'' Picked Up! |accessdate=2008-09-16 |last=Veitch |first=Kristin | authorlink = Kristin Veitch |date=November 17, 2006 |publisher=[[E!]]}}</ref> The second mystery arc was shortened from seven episodes to six,<ref name="Veitch-2006-12-04">{{cite web| last = Veitch | first = Kristin | url = http://ca.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b8039_spoiler_chat_greys_death_looms_brian.html| title = "Spoiler Chat: ''Grey's'' Death Looms; ''Brian'' Star Returns" | publisher = [[E!]] | date = December 4, 2006| accessdate = 2007-04-09}}</ref> and the third mystery was first changed from a six episode arc to a five episode arc. After an eight-week hiatus for the series was announced, the final mystery was changed to five stand-alone episodes designed to be friendlier to new viewers.<ref name="Veitch-2006-11-29">{{cite web| last = Veitch | first = Kristin | url = http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b3470_breaking_news_30_rock_picked_up.html| title = "Exclusive! ''Veronica Mars'' Creator Reveals New Plan, Answers ''You''!" | publisher = [[E!]] | date = November 29, 2006| accessdate = 2008-10-17 }}</ref> The final mystery was originally going to be "unlike any of the others we've done before". Previously, "nice characters" like Wallace and Mac had always been absent from the big mystery because no one was going to believe them as a suspect. For the third mystery, Thomas had wanted to present a situation where Wallace and Mac could be fully involved, "key players [with] really interesting stuff to do".<ref name="thomasjobhunt" /> ===Filming=== The original [[Pilot (Veronica Mars)|pilot]] filmed was darker in tone than the one aired. Thomas intended to take the script to [[FX (TV network)|FX]], [[HBO]] or [[Showtime]], but gave UPN "credit" as they only wanted it a bit lighter to match their standards and practices. There was also a lengthy debate as to whether Veronica could be a rape victim; UPN eventually consented.<ref name="marsconcept">{{cite web |url=http://www.slaverats.com/ |title=The Origins of ''Veronica Mars'' |accessdate=2008-09-17 |last=Thomas |first=Rob|authorlink=Rob Thomas (writer) |publisher=SlaveRats.com}}</ref> In the aired version of the pilot, Lilly Kane was found by the pool in the same spot where she was murdered. However, Thomas stated that Lilly's body was originally going to be found in the ocean, and he had a plan for events which led to Lilly's body being dumped. When Thomas pitched the idea to UPN, the network felt that it was "too dark and creepy" for Jake Kane to dispose of his daughter's body to protect his son, and the idea was changed.<ref name="lillydies">{{cite web|last=Thomas|first=Rob|url=http://www.slaverats.com/files/DVD_Commentary.mp3|title="Pilot" commentary|publisher=SlaveRats.com|accessdate=2008-09-17}}</ref> Many of the series' scenes were filmed at [[Stu Segall Productions]] in [[San Diego, California]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ucsdguardian.org/uncategorized/studio-diner/ |title=Studio Diner |accessdate=2008-11-08 |author=Cardenas, Joanna |date=November 3, 2008 |publisher=''[[UCSD Guardian]]''}}</ref> Producer Paul Kurta said that most of the scenes taking place in Neptune were filmed in [[Oceanside, California]]. Kurta liked that it was "a seaside town that still feels like middle-class people live there ... Most of the seaside towns feel resort driven."<ref name="pilotfilmvm" /> It was estimated that the series spent $44 million a year shooting each season in San Diego, which made more than half of the revenue generated by film production in the area in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |author=Calbreath, Dean |title=''Mars'' gives San Diego a Neptune vibe for now |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070422/news_lz1b22calbrea.html |date=April 22, 2007 |work=[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]] |accessdate=2009-06-12}}</ref> The setting of Neptune High, which was featured in the first two seasons, was also located in Oceanside. The school, Oceanside High School, was paid $7,750 by Stu Segall Productions for the use of the campus and extras.<ref name="pilotfilmvm">{{cite web |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20040321-9999-news_1mi21film.html |title=Oceanside High becomes stage for TV pilot |accessdate=2008-11-08 |author=Parmet, Sherry |coauthors=Sherman, Pat |date=March 21, 2004 |publisher=''[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]]''}}</ref> The series' third season setting of [[Hearst College]] was mostly filmed on the campuses of [[San Diego State University]],<ref name="marsfilming" /> [[University of San Diego]],<ref name="marsfilmusd">{{cite news |title=''Mars'' man touches down in Dublin |accessdate=2008-11-08 |author=Young, Susan |date=October 24, 2006 |publisher=''[[The Oakland Tribune]]''}}</ref> and the [[University of California, San Diego]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080216/news_1n16blacks.html |title=Others enjoy this nice strip of land |accessdate=2008-11-08 |author=Sierra, Tanya |date=February 16, 2008 |publisher=''[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]]''}}</ref> Filming locations were chosen by the director and by production designer Alfred Sole. Sole reportedly "really liked the look and feel of the school", and San Diego State University invited the series with "open arms".<ref name="marsfilming" /> Taping at the university led to financial and employment benefits for the university and its students. Alumni worked as crewmembers while students worked as actors; half of the third season extras were students from the university's film department.<ref name="marsfilming">{{cite web | last=Nehmens | first=Stephanie |date=July 31, 2006 | url = http://www.thedailyaztec.com/2.7445/1.800816 | title=''Veronica Mars'' lands at SDSU | accessdate=2008-10-17 | publisher=The Daily Aztec}} </ref> === Music === "We Used to Be Friends" by [[The Dandy Warhols]] was used as the series' theme song. Composer Josh Kramon was originally going to produce a noir version of an '80s song for the theme. However, Rob Thomas was "pretty much set on finding a song", and "We Used to Be Friends" was chosen right from the beginning.<ref name="MI" /> This theme was considered by TV critic Samantha Holloway to be one of "the five most recognizable, sing-along-able, memorable and best theme songs."<ref>{{citation | author = Samantha Holloway | date=July 5 | url = http://www.examiner.com/x-11396-Jacksonville-TV-Examiner~y2009m7d5-The-top-five-plus-one-TV-theme-songs | title = The top five (plus one) TV theme songs | publisher=The Examiner | accessdate = }} </ref> In the third season, the theme song was remixed in a softer piano style with dark and vibrant electronic beats to reflect the more noir-influenced opening credits.<ref>{{cite web | last=Love | first=Brett | date=September 28, 2006 | url = http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/09/28/veronica-mars-theme-remix-video/ | title=''Veronica Mars'' theme remix - Video | accessdate=2008-09-17 | publisher=[[TV Squad]]}} </ref> Kramon wrote the original background music to convey the film noir themes. For the pilot, Thomas wanted "a really atmospheric, kind of modern noir type of vibe", and Kramon used sounds similar to that of [[Air (band)|Air]] and [[Zero 7]]. Kramon used "traditional sounds" for the series, but also processed and filtered them. Among the instruments used were piano, vibraphone and guitar. When using an acoustic piano, Kramon would use compression so that it did not sound like a traditional piano. Live bass and percussion was also used, as Kramon did not like to program them. The main instrument used was guitar, but Kramon felt that piano was "by far the most important instrument for working on TV shows, especially when you're doing everything yourself."<ref name="MI" /> A week before choosing the sounds for the episodes, the crew had a "spotting session", where they would discuss with Thomas and the producers which type of music was going to be featured. Kramon did not decide the songs to be featured, but composed and created the whole score. Since there was little orchestral music, and Kramon could play guitar, piano, bass and drums, he played the whole score without hiring a musician.<ref name="MI">{{cite web | url=http://www.marsinvestigations.net/interviews/joshkramon1.php | title=Josh Kramon (Music Composer) Interview |publisher=MarsInvestigations.net |date=January 22, 2006 |accessdate=2006-01-22}} </ref> ''Veronica Mars: Original Television Soundtrack'', a song compilation from the series' first and second seasons, was released by [[Nettwerk Records]] on September 27, 2005.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.amazon.com/Veronica-Mars-Original-TV-Soundtrack/dp/B000AXWH12 | title = ''Veronica Mars'' - Original TV Soundtrack | accessdate=2008-09-17 | publisher=[[Amazon.com]]}} </ref> Thomas revealed that the primary goal for the soundtrack was to "get more publicity, which will in turn hopefully get more viewers for the show".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://marsinvestigations.net/interviews/robthomas1.php | title=Rob Thomas (Creator) Interview |accessdate=2008-09-17 |date=September 20, 2005 |publisher=MarsInvestigations.net}} </ref> == Cancellation and future == [[File:RicoColantoniByPhilKonstantin.jpg|upright|thumb|[[Enrico Colantoni]], who played Veronica's father [[Keith Mars]], expressed interest in the film adaption of the series.]] In January 2007, Dawn Ostroff announced that while she was pleased with the gradual ratings improvement of ''Veronica Mars'', the series would be put on hiatus after the February sweeps to air a new reality series, ''[[Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll|Pussycat Dolls Present]]''. When the hiatus ended, the series returned for the last five episodes of the season with non-serialized plotlines.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/tv/archives/110649.asp | title=The CW loves ''Chris'', Pussycat Dolls bump ''Veronica Mars'' | accessdate=2008-09-17 |last=McFarland |first=Melanie |date=January 19, 2007 |publisher=''[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]''}} </ref> At the 2007 CW Upfront, Ostroff announced that ''Veronica Mars'' was not part of the new primetime lineup and was "not coming back". Thomas created a trailer that took place four years after the third season finale, with the working title "Veronica in the FBI", and released it on the third season DVD.<ref name="AR">{{cite web | url = http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Ar-Ep-14/800016102 | title=AR Ep 14: ''Veronica Mars'' FBI Scoop! | last=Ausiello |first=Michael | publisher=''[[TV Guide]]'' | date=May 30, 2007 | accessdate=2007-05-30}} </ref> When asked if the FBI concept could happen, Ostroff said that the series was probably completely gone "in any form". Ostroff also said that Kristen Bell and Rob Thomas might collaborate on another project for the CW network, although it was unclear if this would be related to ''Veronica Mars'' or not.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://au.tv.ign.com/articles/789/789402p1.html | title=''Veronica Mars'' is Dead, but Kristen Bell is now CW's ''Gossip Girl'' | accessdate=2008-09-17 | last=Goldman| first=Eric | date=May 17, 2007 | publisher=[[IGN]]}} </ref> In June 2007, ''[[TV Guide]]'' writer [[Michael Ausiello]] confirmed that the cancellation of ''Veronica Mars'' was official.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Veronica-Mars-Officially/800016822 | title=''Veronica Mars'' Is Now "Officially Dead" | last=Ausiello |first=Michael | publisher=''[[TV Guide]]'' | accessdate=2007-06-11}} </ref> Thomas stated that he was interested in writing a feature film based on the series, in the interest of providing closure to the storylines and character arcs. In September 2008, Michael Ausiello, now a writer for ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'', reported that Thomas still planned to make a film, even though he was busy with other projects. He met with Bell to discuss the plot, which would likely involve Veronica solving crime in college rather than as an FBI agent. Thomas felt that the "FBI scenario was more of a 'What if...?'", aimed at getting a fourth season, and that he "would want to bring back our key players, and it would be tough to believe that the FBI stationed Veronica in Neptune."<ref>{{cite web | first = Michael | last=Ausiello | date = September 5, 2008 | url = http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20222167,00.html | title=The Ausiello Files for Sept 5, 2008 | publisher=''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' | accessdate=2008-09-04}}</ref> Ausiello later reported that Enrico Colantoni would be involved in the project. Colantoni said that he was fully aware of the talks taking place, adding, "cult shows have translated well into the film arena. Nothing's official, but they're talking about it."<ref name="Ausiello">{{cite web |url=http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2008/09/ask-ausiello--1.html |title=Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on ''Grey's Anatomy'', ''House'', ''The Office'', ''Prison Break'', ''Chuck'', ''Smallville'', and More! |accessdate=2008-09-15 |last=Ausiello |first=Michael |date=September 9, 2008 |publisher=''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''}}</ref> In addition to the feature-film possibility, Thomas has had a meeting with [[DC Comics]] to talk about a ''Veronica Mars'' comic book series.<ref name="marsstar">{{cite web |url=http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/224125 |title=Mars Bars can't save Veronica |accessdate=2008-09-16 |last=Menon |first=Vinay |date=June 12, 2007 |publisher=''[[Toronto Star]]''}}</ref> In September 2008, Thomas told ''Entertainment Weekly'' that "I thought I had the idea broken, but I've hit a wall in the final act that I haven't quite figured out". Thomas exclaimed that he was very busy writing for ''[[Cupid (2009 TV series)|Cupid]]'' and ''[[Party Down]]'', both of which he created.<ref name="Ausiello"/> In January 2009, ''[[TV Guide]]'' reported that the film was Thomas' first priority after ''Cupid''. Thomas noted that as well as writing the script, someone would need to pay for the film, but indicated that producer Joel Silver was ready to green-light the film.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvguide.com/News/Veronica-Mars-Movie-1001755.aspx |title=Rob Thomas: ''Veronica Mars'' Movie Is Next |accessdate=2009-01-16 |last=O'Connor |first=Mickey |date=January 16, 2009 |publisher=''[[TV Guide]]''}}</ref> In June 2009, Bell said "I don't think it will ever happen, and here's why: [Series creator] Rob Thomas and I had a powwow, and we were both 100 percent on board. We took our proposal to Warner Bros. and Joel Silver told us that there is no enthusiasm [there] to make a Veronica Mars movie, and that is unfortunately a roadblock we cannot compete with."<ref>http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/07/ask-ausiello-spoilers-on-lost-house-24-and-more.html</ref> == Impact == === Ratings === Below, "rank" refers to how well ''Veronica Mars'' rated compared to other television series which aired during primetime hours of the corresponding [[television season]]. The television season tends to begin in September, of any given year, and end during the May of the following year. "Viewers" refers to the average number of viewers for all original episodes, broadcast during the television season in the series' regular timeslot. "Rank" is shown in relation to the total number of series airing on the six/five major English-language networks in a given season. The "season premiere" is the date that the first episode of the season aired. Similarly, the "season finale" is the date that the final episode of the season aired. {| style="text-align:center;" class="wikitable" style="background: #FFFFFF;" |- ! Season ! Timeslot (EDT) ! Network ! Season Premiere ! Season Finale ! TV Season ! Rank/<br />total series ! Viewers<br />(in millions) |- ! '''[[Veronica Mars (season 1)|1]]''' |style="text-align:left"| <small>Tuesday 9:00 P.M. (September 22, 2004–May 10, 2005)</small> | UPN | September 22, 2004 | May 10, 2005 | 2004–2005 |style="font-weight:bold"| #148/156 | 2.5<ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000937471|date=May 27, 2005|title=Primetime series|accessdate=2008-09-18|publisher=''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]''}}</ref> |- ! '''[[Veronica Mars (season 2)|2]]''' |style="text-align:left"| <small>Wednesday 9:00 P.M. (September 28, 2005–April 5, 2006)<br />Tuesday 9:00 P.M. (April 11, 2006–May 9, 2006)</small> | UPN | September 28, 2005 | May 9, 2006 | 2005–2006 |style="font-weight:bold"| #145/156 | 2.3<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002576393|publisher=''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]''|date=May 26, 2006|accessdate=2008-09-18|title=2005–06 primetime wrap}}</ref> |- ! '''[[Veronica Mars (season 3)|3]]''' |style="text-align:left"| <small>Tuesday 9:00 P.M. (October 3, 2006–May 15, 2007)<br />Tuesday 8:00 P.M. (May 22, 2007)</small> | The CW | October 3, 2006 | May 22, 2007 | 2006–2007 |style="font-weight:bold"| #138/142 | 2.5<ref name="HRwrap2006–07">{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/features/e3ifbfdd1bcb53266ad8d9a71cad261604f|publisher=''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]''|date=May 25, 2007|accessdate=2008-09-18|title=2006–07 primetime wrap}} (Registration required)</ref> |} === Critical reception === [[Image:Kristen Bell as Veronica Mars 2.jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[Kristen Bell]]'s performance as [[Veronica Mars (character)|Veronica Mars]] was praised, and several critics felt that she was overlooked and deserved an Emmy Award nomination.<ref>{{cite news | last= Ellis| first= Rick | title= Predictions: 58th Annual Emmy Awards| publisher= [[KTVU]] | date= August 26, 2006 | url= http://www.ktvu.com/entertainment/9731047/detail.html | accessdate= 2008-01-03}} </ref><ref>{{cite news | last= Goodman| first= Tim | title= As Emmys loom, it's time to accept that rage is futile | publisher= ''[[The San Francisco Chronicle]]'' | date= September 15, 2005 | url= http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/09/16/DDG6AENT7M16.DTL | accessdate= 2008-01-03}} </ref><ref>{{cite news | last= Beaumont| first= Chris | title= Emmy 2007: Down and Dirty Predictions | publisher=[[Blogcritics]] | date=September 16, 2007 | url= http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/09/16/132139.php | accessdate= 2008-01-03}}</ref>]] Although not a ratings success, the series was a critical success from its first season. Robert Abele of ''[[LA Weekly]]'' said "in this smart, engaging series about a former popular girl turned crime-solving high school outcast, the hard-boiled dialogue comes from its teen protagonist's mouth in a way that stabs any potential cutesiness in the heart with an ice pick."<ref name="VM LA">{{cite web|first=Robert|last=Abele|title=Eyes of ''Veronica Mars'' |url=http://www.laweekly.com/2004-11-04/film-tv/eyes-of-veronica-mars|publisher=''[[LA Weekly]]''|date=November 4, 2004|accessdate=2008-03-10}}</ref> In her review, Paige Weiser of the ''[[Chicago Sun Times]]'' said that "on ''Veronica Mars'', wholesome is out; gritty reality is in. The show never soft-pedals the timeless, fundamental truth that high school is hell."<ref>{{cite web | url = http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=109436CAE25C46D4&p_field_direct-0=document_id | title=Reasons to love Ms. Mars |last=Weiser|first=Paige |date=March 29, 2007 |publisher=''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]''|accessdate=2008-09-19}} (Login required) </ref> Joyce Millman of ''[[The Phoenix (newspaper)|The Phoenix]]'' felt that the series was "a character study masquerading as a high-school drama."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/arts/tv/documents/04250551.asp |title=Smooth operators - ''Veronica Mars'' and ''House'' hit the mark |accessdate=2008-09-17 |last=Millman |first=Joyce |date=November 12, 2004 |publisher=''[[The Phoenix (newspaper)|The Phoenix]]''}}</ref> Joy Press of ''[[The Village Voice]]'' saw the series as "a sharp teen noir in the making. Tinged with class resentment and nostalgia for Veronica's lost innocence, this series pulses with promise."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2004-11-30/art/screen-gems/ |title=Screen Gems |accessdate=2008-09-17 |last=Press |first=Joy |date=November 30, 2004 |publisher=''[[The Village Voice]]'' }}</ref> Michael Abernethy of [[PopMatters]] said that "intrigue, drama, and humor, ''Veronica Mars'' is also a lesson book for the disenfranchised. Few TV series aim so high; even fewer succeed so well."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.popmatters.com/tv/reviews/v/veronica-mars-2004.shtml |title=''Veronica Mars'' |accessdate=2008-09-17 |last=Abernethy |first=Michael |date=October 4, 2004 |publisher=[[PopMatters]] }}</ref> James Poniewozik of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' labeled it as one of the six best dramas on television. He praised Bell as "a captivating star," and said that the series "uses its pulp premise to dramatize a universal teen experience: that growing up means sleuthing out the mystery of who you really are."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1042437,00.html |title=The 6 Best Dramas on TV Now |accessdate=2008-09-17 |last=Poniewozik |first=James |date=March 28, 2005 |publisher=''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]''}}</ref> Kay McFadden of ''[[The Seattle Times]]'' called the series an update to the "classic California film noir." She felt that ''Veronica Mars'' was the best new series on UPN, and that the title character was potentially "this season's most interesting character creation." McFadden described the series as "''[[Alias (TV series)|Alias]]'' in its attitude, [[Raymond Chandler]] in its writing and ''[[The O.C.]]'' in its class-consciousness."<ref name="marsbestchar">{{cite web |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2002042087_kay22.html |title=Intriguing new dramas full of possibilities |accessdate=2008-09-18 |author=McFadden, Kay |date=September 22, 2004 |publisher=''[[The Seattle Times]]''}}</ref> Stephanie Zacharek of [[Salon.com]] praised the first season finale for being "just the sort of satisfying capper you look for in a series that, week after week, keeps you asking questions."<ref name="marscreatorrob">{{cite web |url=http://dir.salon.com/story/ent/tv/review/2005/05/11/veronica_mars/index.html?site_design=grapenuts |title=Whodunit&nbsp;- and much more |accessdate=2008-09-18 |author=Zacharek, Stephanie |date=May 11, 2005 |publisher=[[Salon.com]]}}</ref> ''Veronica Mars'' was also positively received by other writers. [[Joss Whedon]], who made a guest appearance in the second season episode "[[Rat Saw God]]", said that it was the "Best. Show. Ever. Seriously, I've never gotten more wrapped up in a show I wasn't making, and maybe even more than those [...] These guys know what they're doing on a level that intimidates me. It's the ''Harry Potter'' of shows."<ref>{{cite web|last=Whedon|first=Joss|authorlink=Joss Whedon|url=http://whedonesque.com/comments/7502| title=Joss Luvs Veronica| publisher=[[Whedonesque.com]]| date=August 12, 2005 |accessdate=2008-09-17 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.latimes.com/2005/nov/09/entertainment/et-mars9 |title=Cult king in orbit on ''Mars'' |accessdate=2008-11-04 |author=Elena Fernandez, Maria |date=November 9, 2005 |publisher=''[[Los Angeles Times]]''}}</ref> [[Kevin Smith]], who guest starred in the episode "[[Driver Ed (Veronica Mars)|Driver Ed]]," said that ''Veronica Mars'' was "hands-down, the best show on television right now, and proof that TV can be far better than cinema."<ref>{{cite web|title=My Boring-Ass Life: Kevin Smith's Online Diary|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20060508054854/http://silentbobspeaks.com/?p=160|last=Smith|first=Kevin|publisher=silentbobspeaks.com (via Internet Archive)|date=2005-09-03|accessdate=2008-10-20}}</ref> [[Stephen King]] described the series as "[[Nancy Drew]] meets [[Philip Marlowe]], and the result is pure nitro. Why is ''Veronica Mars'' so good? It bears little resemblance to life as I know it, but I can't take my eyes off the damn thing."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1148634,00.html |title=Stephen King ponders ''Lost'', ''Mars'' conundrums |accessdate=2008-09-17 |last=King |first=Stephen |authorlink=Stephen King |date=January 13, 2006 |publisher=''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''}}</ref> [[Ed Brubaker]] called it "the best mystery show ever made in America."<ref>''Marvel Spotlight: Ed Brubaker/Billy Tan'', Marvel Publishing, August 2006, p. 13.</ref> Despite being a critical success throughout its run, criticisms began to emerge of the series in its third season. Keith McDuffee of [[TV Squad]] described the third season as "disappointing," mainly because the episodes offered nothing new: "most fans of ''Veronica Mars'' felt that season three was clearly its weakest."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvsquad.com/2007/10/21/veronica-mars-season-three-dvd-review/ |title=''Veronica Mars'' season three - DVD review |accessdate=2008-09-18 |last=McDuffee |first=Keith |date=October 21, 2007 |publisher=[[TV Squad]]}}</ref> Eric Goldman of [[IGN]] said that the main issue was the shift in the overall tone, with a lighter feeling than the previous seasons. He felt that Logan had been most affected by the tone change, robbed of his darker aspects and changed into an "increasingly extraneous character." Goldman felt that despite the concerns over final five episodes, the series ended with "three very strong episodes, with lots of strong dialogue and Veronica proving again just how tough she can be, and what a strong character she is." Goldman concluded that although the third season "was very choppy," it still had "plenty of witty dialogue and a continually engaging performance by Kristen Bell as the title character."<ref name="seasonthreemarsreview"/> The ''[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]'' opined that ''Veronica Mars'' had taken a dive "creatively," from "the mopier version of its theme song to stalled storylines." The reviewer felt that "the arcing mysteries had grown less convincing and compelling as time went on and were too drawn out."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07121/781558-352.stm |title=Men are for ''Mars'' |accessdate=2008-09-18 |date=May 1, 2007 |publisher=''[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]''}}</ref> [[Fox News Channel]]'s Bridget Byrne pointed out that Veronica had "gone from punky to-dare we say-preppy" in the third season. Byrne further explained that "with her quick, bright wit and sharp eye for life's darker moments [Veronica] has left high school and is going to college, doffing her dark threads and spiked tresses for something a little more stylish."<ref name="marsunichange">{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2006Oct23/0,4670,APonTVVeronicaMars,00.html |title=''Veronica'' Changes Image for New Season |accessdate=2008-09-18 |author=Byrne, Bridget |date=October 23, 2006 |publisher=[[Fox News Channel]]}}</ref> The series, described as a "critical darling," appeared on a number of fall television best lists.<ref name="seattlereview">{{cite web |url=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/tv/192651_tv28.html |title=It'll be a crime to miss sleuthing ''Veronica Mars'' |accessdate=2008-09-16 |first=Melanie |last=McFarland |date=September 28, 2004 |publisher=''[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]''}}</ref> In 2005, the series was featured on [[American Film Institute|AFI]]'s TV Programs of the Year,<ref name="veronicawoman">{{cite web |url=http://www.afi.com/tvevents/afiawards05/tvshows05.aspx |title=AFI TV Programs of the Year - Official Selections |accessdate=2008-09-16 |date=2005 |publisher=[[American Film Institute]]}}</ref> and on the lists of [[MSN TV]],<ref name="MSN">{{cite web |url=http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=176297 |title=The Best & Worst Television '04 |publisher=[[MSN]]|accessdate=2005-06-02}}</ref> ''The Village Voice'', the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'', ''[[People Weekly]]'' and the ''[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]''.<ref name="M1"/> It was named the second best series by [[Ain't It Cool News]], fourth best returning series by ''Time'', fifth best series by ''[[Newsday]]'', PopMatters and ''[[San Jose Mercury-News]]'', and sixth best by ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' and ''[[USA Today]]''.<ref name="M1">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/tv/bests/2005/ |title=Best of 2005 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=2005-07-12}}</ref> In 2006, the series was ranked number one on the lists of Ain't It Cool News and the ''Chicago Sun-Times'', and was ranked number six by [[Metacritic]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aintitcool.com/node/31898 |title=Updates !! Buh-Bye, Backup!! E! Online Says The CW Has Cancelled ''Veronica Mars''!! |accessdate=2008-09-16 |date=March 15, 2007 |publisher=[[Ain't It Cool News]]}}</ref><ref name="M2">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/tv/bests/2006/ |title=Best of 2006 |publisher=[[Metacritic]]|accessdate=2006-07-14}}</ref> In 2008, British film magazine ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'' ranked ''Veronica Mars'' number 48 in their list of the "50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time." The magazine said that "smart storylines and witty riffs on pop culture pepper the scripts, while Kristen Bell lent ballsy charm to the title role and ensured that every episode of the show's three seasons was television gold. Its untimely cancellation was a slap in the face that still smarts to this day." ''Empire'' named "[[Not Pictured]]" the best episode of the series.<ref name="marsempire">{{cite web |url=http://www.empireonline.com/50greatesttv/default.asp?tv=48 |title=Empire: Features - ''Veronica Mars'' |accessdate=2008-09-20 |publisher=''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]''}}</ref> === Fandom === ''Veronica Mars'' has attracted a loyal and dedicated fan base which includes internet communities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/peterson/20060410-9999-1c10karla.html |title=A shout-out to blog buzz |accessdate=2008-11-08 |author=Peterson, Karla |date=April 10, 2006 |publisher=''[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]]''}}</ref> A group of fans calling themselves the "Cloud Watchers" organized several campaigns to bring more viewers to the series to ensure its continuation. The group hired a plane to fly over the CW offices, carrying a banner reading "Renew ''Veronica Mars''." The group hired street teams in New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Chicago to distribute 30,000 fliers advertising the series' return after its midseason hiatus in the third season. The "Cloud Watchers" raised $50,000 in donations and through the sale of ''Veronica Mars'' clothing and [[tchotchke]]s.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Storm |title=The Philadelphia Inquirer Jonathan Storm column |curly=y |publisher=''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]'' |date=March 27, 2007 |accessdate= December 3, 2008}}</ref> Upon the cancellation of the series, fans sent more than 10,000 [[Mars Bar]]s to the CW,<ref name="marsempire"/> hoping that the network would reverse its decision and renew the series. Rob Thomas thanked the fans of the series for their efforts, saying "I love those people and they have been so good to me, but it's not going to happen."<ref name="marsstar"/> === Awards and nominations === {| class="wikitable" border="1" |- ! Year !! Award !! Recipient !! Result |- | rowspan="1" | 2004 || [[Saturn Award]] for Best Television Actress || Kristen Bell ||style="background: #ffdddd" | Nomination<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aintitcool.com/?q=node/19415 |title=Saturn Nominations Announced! Still The Coolest Awards Show In Town!! |accessdate=2008-10-26 |date=February 13, 2005 |publisher=[[Ain't It Cool News]]}}</ref> |- | rowspan="8" | 2005 || [[American Film Institute|American Film Institute Award]] for Television Programs of the Year || || style="background: #ddffdd" | Won<ref name="veronicawoman"/> |- | [[Satellite Award]] for Outstanding Actress in a Series, Drama || Kristen Bell || style="background: #ffdddd" | Nomination<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards2005b.shtml |title=2005 10th Annual Satellite Awards |accessdate=2008-10-26 |publisher=[[International Press Academy]]}}</ref> |- | Saturn Award for Best Television Actress || Kristen Bell || style="background: #ddffdd" | Won<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.saturnawards.org/past.html#tvactress |title=Past Saturn Awards |accessdate=2008-10-25 |publisher=[[Saturn Award]]}}</ref> |- | Saturn Award for Best Network Television Series || || style="background: #ffdddd" | Nomination<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sfsite.com/columns/news0602.htm |title=Saturn Nominations |accessdate=2008-10-26 |author=Silver, Steven |date=February 15, 2006 |publisher=[[SF Site]]}}</ref> |- | [[Teen Choice Award]] for Choice TV Breakout Show || || style="background: #ffdddd" | Nomination<ref name="teenchoice05"/> |- | Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Breakout Performance, Female || Kristen Bell || style="background: #ffdddd" | Nomination<ref name="teenchoice05">{{cite web |url=http://www.fox.com/tca2005/nominees.htm |title=The Teen Choice Awards |accessdate=2008-10-26 |publisher=[[Fox Broadcasting Company]]}}</ref> |- | [[Television Critics Association Awards]] for Outstanding New Program of the Year || || style="background: #ffdddd" | Nomination<ref name="tvcriticsawards">{{cite web |url=http://www.advocate.com/print_article_ektid17494.asp |title=''Desperate Housewives'' leads TV Critics Association nominations |accessdate=2008-10-25 |author=Littleton, Cynthia |date=June 6, 2005 |publisher=''[[The Advocate]]''}}</ref> |- | Television Critics Association Awards for Individual Achievement in Drama || Kristen Bell || style="background: #ffdddd" | Nomination<ref name="tvcriticsawards"/> |- | rowspan="8" | 2006 || Family Television Award for Favorite Father/Daughter || Kristen Bell, Enrico Colantoni || style="background: #ddffdd" | Won<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailynews.com/entertainment/ci_4790499 |title=All in the family |accessdate=2008-09-19 |author=Kuklenski, Valerie |date=June 12, 2006 |publisher=''[[Los Angeles Daily News]]''}}</ref> |- | International Cinematographers Guild Publicists Award for The Maxwell Weinberg<br />Publicist Showmanship Award for Television || || style="background: #ffdddd" | Nomination<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cameraguild.com/index.html?awards/pub/pub06/television.html~top.main_hp|title=The Maxwell Weinberg Publicist Showmanship Award for Television |accessdate=2008-09-19 |publisher=International Cinematographers Guild}}</ref> |- | Satellite Award for Actress in a Series, Drama || Kristen Bell || style="background: #ffdddd" | Nomination<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards2006.shtml|title=2006 11th Annual Satellite Awards |accessdate=2008-10-26 |publisher=[[International Press Academy]]}}</ref> |- | Saturn Award for Best Actress on Television || Kristen Bell || style="background: #ffdddd" | Nomination<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.saturnawards.org/san.html |title=The 33rd Annual Saturn Awards Nominations |accessdate=2008-10-25 |publisher=[[Saturn Award]]}}</ref> |- | Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Actress: Drama/Action Adventure || Kristen Bell || style="background: #ffdddd" | Nomination<ref>{{cite web | author=Thomas, Rachel | title=2006 Teen Choice Award Nominees and Winners | url=http://tvdramas.about.com/od/tvshowsaz/a/2006teenchoice.htm | publisher=[[About.com]] | accessdate=2009-03-27 }}</ref> |- | Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Sidekick || Percy Daggs III || style="background: #ffdddd" | Nomination<ref name="transteen">{{cite web|url=http://translate.google.com.au/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www.serieslive.com/news-2698-the-teen-choice-awards-2006-le-vote-du-public.html&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=9&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3D2006%2BTeen%2BChoice%2BAward%2BChemistry%2Bkreuk%2Bwelling%26start%3D20%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN|title=The Teen Choice Awards 2006: the voting public|accessdate=[[2008-12-09]]|author=Jacquiau, Baptist|date=[[2006-08-20]]|publisher=SeriesLive}}</ref> |- | Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Parental Unit || Enrico Colantoni || style="background: #ffdddd" | Nomination<ref name="transteen"/> |- | [[Writers Guild of America Award]] for Episodic Drama || Rob Thomas for "[[Normal Is the Watchword]]" || style="background: #ffdddd" | Nomination<ref>{{cite web|title=Veronica Mars|url=http://www.variety.com/profiles/TVSeries/main/168403/Veronica%20Mars.html?dataSet=1|publisher=''[[Variety Magazine]]''|accessdate=2008-10-23}}</ref> |- | rowspan="1" | 2007 || Writers Guild of America Award for On-Air Promotion (Radio or Television) || || style="background: #ffdddd" | Nomination<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wgaeast.org/wgreview/xaraya/var/uploads/File/awards/2007TV&RadioNominations.FINAL.pdf |title=2007 Writers Guild Awards Television & Radio Nominees Announced |accessdate=2008-09-19 |date=December 19, 2006 |publisher=[[Writers Guild of America Award]] }}</ref> |} == Distribution == === International === The [[CTV Television Network]] began airing ''Veronica Mars'' in Canada as a mid-season replacement on May 30, 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1086640800491_5?hub=Entertainment |title=CTV unveils 'new, original' programming plans |accessdate=2009-01-28 |date=June 7, 2004 |publisher=[[CTV Television Network|CTV.ca]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Television/TV_Shows/A/Amazing_Race_7/2005/05/20/1048837.html |title=''Race'' crosses the finish line first |accessdate=2009-01-28 |author=Brioux, Bill |date=May 30, 2005 |publisher=[[Jam!]]}}</ref> CTV decided not to pick up the second season, which began broadcast by [[CKXT-TV|Sun TV]] on July 18, 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Television/2006/06/13/1629049.html |title=Sun TV announces fall sked |accessdate=2009-01-28 |author=Brioux, Bill |publisher=[[Jam!]]}}</ref> The third season was [[simulcast]] in Canada by [[WFFF-TV|Fox 44]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://moreresults.factiva.com/results/index/index.aspx?ref=TOR0000020061003e2a300019 |title=Hoping there's life on ''Mars'' |accessdate=2009-01-28 |author=Mudhar, Raju |date=October 3, 2006 |work=[[Toronto Star]] |format=Registration required}}</ref> Subscription channel [[Living (UK TV channel)|Living]] began showing the series in the United Kingdom in October 2005, {{Why|date=November 2009}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a24042/the-boys-are-back.html |title= The boys are back |accessdate=2009-01-28 |author=Wilkes, Neil |date=September 10, 2005 |publisher=[[Digital Spy]]}}</ref> averaging 50,000 viewers per episode for its first season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a25685/mars-madness.html |title= ''Mars'' madness |accessdate=2009-01-28 |author=Wilkes, Neil |date=November 5, 2005 |publisher=[[Digital Spy]]}}</ref> The channel began airing the second season on June 8, 2006,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a32663/mars-mystery-solved.html |title= ''Mars'' mystery solved |accessdate=2009-01-28 |author=Wilkes, Neil |date=May 7, 2006 |publisher=[[Digital Spy]]}}</ref> airing one episode per week rather than showing one every night as they did in the first season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a33280/return-dates-galore.html |title= Return dates galore |accessdate=2009-01-28 |author=Wilkes, Neil |date=May 21, 2006 |publisher=[[Digital Spy]]}}</ref> Despite low ratings in the second season, Living decided to air the series' third season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a36959/the-same-old-drivel.html |title= The same old drivel |accessdate=2009-01-28 |author=Wilkes, Neil |date=September 14, 2006 |publisher=[[Digital Spy]]}}</ref>. Free-to-air channel [[E4 (channel)|E4]] began broadcasting the series from July 16, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|author=Birch, Gaye|date=July 9, 2009|url=http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/283987/geek_shows_and_movies_on_uk_tv_in_the_coming_week.html|title=Geek shows and movies on UK TV in the coming week|publisher=Den of Geek!|accessdate=July 16, 2009}}</ref> ''Veronica Mars'' premiered in Australia by [[Network Ten]] on November 28, 2005, where the series saw erratic airings.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2007/10/returning-veronica-mars-2.html |title=Returning: ''Veronica Mars'' |accessdate=2009-01-28 |author=Knox, David |date=October 5, 2007 |publisher=TV Tonight}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2007/10/gone-veronica-mars.html |title=Gone: ''Veronica Mars'' |accessdate=2009-01-28 |author=Knox, David |date=October 17, 2007 |publisher=TV Tonight}}</ref> [[TV2 (New Zealand)|TV2]] began showing the series in New Zealand on July 15, 2005,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/434905/597835 |title=Episode One&nbsp;- Pilot |accessdate=2009-01-28 |publisher=[[TV2 (New Zealand)|TV2]]}}</ref> and has shown all three seasons since.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/410965/595409 |title=''Veronica Mars''&nbsp;- TV2 |accessdate=2009-01-28 |publisher=[[TV2 (New Zealand)|TV2]]}}</ref> === DVD releases === The first season of ''Veronica Mars'' was released in the US under the title ''Veronica Mars: The Complete First Season'' as a widescreen six-disc [[Region 1]] DVD box set on October 11, 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amazon.com/Veronica-Mars-Complete-First-Season/dp/B000A59PMO |title=''Veronica Mars'' - The Complete First Season |accessdate=2008-09-17 |publisher=[[Amazon.com]]}}</ref> In addition to all the episodes that had been aired, DVD extras included an extended "[[Pilot (Veronica Mars)|Pilot]]" episode, over 20 minutes of unaired scenes and an unaired opening sequence.<ref name="marsdvd1"/> The same set was released on May 16, 2008 in [[Region 2]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amazon.de/Veronica-Mars-Staffel-Kristen-Bell/dp/B0015L4WDE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1222092818&sr=8-1 |title=''Veronica Mars''&nbsp;- Season 1 |accessdate=2008-09-22 |publisher=[[amazon.com|Amazon Germany]]}}</ref> and on June 4, 2008 in [[Region 4]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/799359 |title=''Veronica Mars''&nbsp;- The Complete 1st Season (6 Disc Set) |accessdate=2008-09-19 |publisher=[[EzyDVD]]}}</ref> The second season was released in the US under the title ''Veronica Mars: The Complete Second Season'' as a widescreen six-disc Region 1 DVD box set on August 22, 2006,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amazon.com/Veronica-Mars-Complete-Second-Season/dp/B000FL7CAK/ref=pd_cp_d_2?pf_rd_p=413864101&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000A59PMO&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=196WDD3K6TXC1B2MXHJ3 |title=''Veronica Mars''&nbsp;- The Complete Second Season |accessdate=2008-09-17 |publisher=[[Amazon.com]]}}</ref> Region 2 on August 15, 2008,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amazon.de/VeronicaMars-komplette-zweite-Staffel-DVDs/dp/B001AR8LY4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1222089736&sr=8-2 |title=''Veronica Mars''&nbsp;- The Complete Second Season |accessdate=2008-09-22 |publisher=[[amazon.com|Amazon Germany]]}}</ref> and Region 4 on September 8, 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/800350 |title=''Veronica Mars''&nbsp;- The Complete 2nd Season (6 Disc Set) |accessdate=2009-04-02 |publisher=[[EzyDVD]]}}</ref> In addition to all the aired episodes, DVD extras included two featurettes: "A Day on the Set with Veronica Mars" and "Veronica Mars: Not Your Average Teen Detective", a gag reel, a promo trailer for the third season and additional scenes, including an alternate ending to "[[My Mother, the Fiend]]".<ref name="veronicaseason2dvd">{{cite web |url=http://au.dvd.ign.com/articles/724/724801p1.html |title=''Veronica Mars'': The Complete Second Season |accessdate=2008-09-17 |last=Goldman |first=Eric |date=August 10, 2006 |publisher=[[IGN]]}}</ref> The third season was released in the US under the title ''Veronica Mars: The Complete Third Season'' as a widescreen six-disc Region 1 DVD box set on October 23, 2007,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amazon.com/Veronica-Mars-Complete-Third-Season/dp/B000NA2BEU/ref=pd_cp_d_2_img?pf_rd_p=413864101&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000FL7CAK&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0CRA5765FB201Y7NZXMS |title=''Veronica Mars''&nbsp;- The Complete Third Season |accessdate=2008-09-17 |publisher=[[Amazon.com]]}}</ref> Region 2 on December 12, 2008,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amazon.de/Veronica-Mars-komplette-dritte-Staffel/dp/B001HUGYMA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1226835199&sr=1-3|title=''Veronica Mars'' - The Complete Third Season |accessdate=2008-11-16 |publisher=[[amazon.com|Amazon Germany]]}}</ref> and Region 4 on February 11, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/803700 |title=''Veronica Mars''&nbsp;- The Complete 3rd Season (6 Disc Set) |accessdate=2009-04-02 |publisher=[[EzyDVD]]}}</ref> In addition to all the aired episodes, DVD extras included "Pitching Season 4", an interview with Rob Thomas discussing a new direction for the series that picks up years later, with Veronica as a rookie FBI agent; "Going Undercover with Rob Thomas"; webisode gallery with cast interviews and various set tours; unaired scenes with introductions by Rob Thomas; and a gag reel.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zap2it.com/dvd/zap-dvdreview-veronicamars-s3,0,6395187.story |title=DVD Review: ''Veronica Mars'', Season Three |accessdate=2008-09-17 |last=Porter |first=Rick |date=October 23, 2007 |publisher=[[Tribune Media Services]]}}</ref> == References == {{Reflist|2}} == External links == {{wikiquote}} * [http://marsinvestigations.net/index.php Complete Episode, Soundtrack, and Character Information] from marsinvestigations.net, a [[fansite]] * [http://www.thewb.com/shows/veronica-mars ''Veronica Mars''] on TheWB.com * {{imdb title|0412253|Veronica Mars}} * {{tv.com|24272|Veronica Mars}} * [http://www.cbs.com/primetime/veronica_mars/ ''Veronica Mars''] on CBS.com {{VeronicaMars}} [[Category:Veronica Mars|*]] [[Category:2000s American television series]] [[Category:2004 television series debuts]] [[Category:2007 television series endings]] [[Category:American drama television series]] [[Category:CW network shows]] [[Category:Serial drama television series]] [[Category:Teen dramas]] [[Category:American comedy-drama television series]] [[Category:High school television series]] [[Category:College television series]] [[Category:Television series by Warner Bros. Television]] [[Category:Television shows set in California]] [[Category:UPN network shows]] [[bg:Вероника Марс]] [[ca:Veronica Mars]] [[cs:Veronica Mars]] [[de:Veronica Mars]] [[et:Veronica Mars]] [[es:Veronica Mars]] [[fr:Veronica Mars]] [[it:Veronica Mars]] [[he:ורוניקה מארס]] [[li:Veronica Mars]] [[hu:Veronica Mars]] [[nl:Veronica Mars]] [[ja:ヴェロニカ・マーズ]] [[no:Veronica Mars]] [[pl:Weronika Mars]] [[pt:Veronica Mars]] [[ru:Вероника Марс]] [[simple:Veronica Mars]] [[sk:Veronika Marsová]] [[fi:Veronica Mars]] [[sv:Veronica Mars]] [[tr:Veronica Mars]] [[zh:美眉校探]]'