In my inbox:
The Screening Exchange Proudly Invites You To An Exclusive Movie Screening Of: "STEPPIN' OUT: SAVE THE LAST DANCE 2"
Normally I loathe "electric boogaloo" jokes, but this movie deserves one.
Save the Last Dance? Are you kidding me?
Direct-to-video sequels are by no means new, but only recently have studios aggressively pursued them beyond animated, horror and sci-fi franchises, capitalizing on consumer indiscrimination.
If: Americans love buying DVDs
and: we're more inclined to buy a product with a name we recognize
then: Carlito's Way: Rise to Power, Single White Female 2: The Psycho, 8MM 2, American Pie Presents: Band Camp, 8 Seconds 2, The Butterfly Effect 2, House Party 5, Hollow Man 2, The Sandlot 2, Dr. Dolittle 3 and, of course, Steppin' Out: Save the Last Dance 2
Unnecessary? Absolutely. But they sell!
"American Pie Presents: Band Camp was the most popular DVD purchase during the week ended January 1." [source]
"As of Oct. 5, Carlito's Way: Rise to Power ranked No. 3 in overall DVD sales at Best Buy, topping Lost and Desperate Housewives." [source]
"'There is an increasing desire for these products,' says Tom Siegrist, VP of production for Fox Home Entertainment Productions." [source]
I don't think it's desire insomuch as it is indifference. No one desired a sequel to Save the Last Dance, but people will watch one because it's something to watch.
Sequels borne out of apathy twisted business.
Actual ad on Daily Kos:
Haha. "A date with Dateline…and the cops!"
Knock knock.
Who's there?
Pulitzer!