Tonight, Showtime’s critically-acclaimed drama Dexter is premiering on network television.
The series’ 12-episode first season will be shown on Showtime’s sister channel, CBS, making it the first premium cable drama to make the transition. The broadcasts will give viewers who don’t have access to Showtime the opportunity to watch the hit drama about a blood spatter analyst/serial killer on the small screen, while avid fans can relive the show’s entire debut season.
Debuting on network television entails certain consequences, particularly of the editing kind. In order to fit the more conservative standards of free TV, Dexter has been edited, so viewers can expect to see less of the gore that cable subscribers have been treated to.
Dexter, which is based on Jeff Lindsay’s novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter, has done well for Showtime, earning strong ratings, a loyal fan base and high critical praise. Show star Michael C. Hall, has been nominated twice in the lead actor category at both the Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild Awards. He has also won a TCA Award for Individual Achievement in Drama for his work on the show.
While Dexter has become a hit among viewers and critics, one watchdog group has expressed concern over the airing of the show on CBS. The Parents Television Council, a non-partisan non-profit organization, formally asked the network late last month to do away with its plans to air the show.
In a press release, the PTC, which has also gone after other shows like Nip/Tuck and Joan of Arcadia, described Dexter as a “graphically violent show about a hero who is a serial killer.”
The PTC’s description completely contrasts CBS’ entertainment president Nina Tassler’s sentiments on the show.
“Dexter is a high-quality, compelling series that will be new and original programming for most CBS viewers,” Tassler said in a statement. “It’s also a great match with our existing line-up, affording us the opportunity to promote this critically decorated series in CBS’ top-rated crime dramas.”
Dexter will fill CBS’ 10pm Sunday night timeslot for 12 consecutive weeks.
-Lisa Claustro, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Showtime, TV Guide
(Image Courtesy of Showtime)
Staff Columnist, BuddyTV
