Sci-Fi Storm

It isn’t another cancellation-turned renewal, but it is a bit of a reprieve – Timeless WILL get an ending in the form of a two-part finale which will air on NBC during the holiday season.

While the creators had hoped another outlet would come along to allow the show to continue, that didn’t happen. “While we wish we could’ve made another dozen seasons of Timeless, this is the next best thing,” said Shawn Ryan and Eric Kripke, the creators and executive producers. “We’re thrilled to take the Lifeboat out for one last spin and bring closure to our story. The studio, network, cast and crew are all doing this for one reason only: the fans. Because they deserve it. Because the fans made this happen and we thank them for their passion, support and helicopters.”

Stars Matt Lanter, Abigail Spencer and Malcolm Barrett took to social media…

So, are you ready to get Rufus back?!?

#Timeless
Screw this… pic.twitter.com/wfGqxUOAUN

— Matt Lanter (@MattLanter) July 31, 2018

So excited! Jokes & ☕️ come spilling out of me. 🤦🏻‍♀️. Love you #Timeless fans! Thanks to you & everyone at @Sony & @NBC for making this happen! #timeteam #clockblockers #SaveTimeless pic.twitter.com/lPmyZYRGsQ

— Abigail Spencer (@abigailspencer) July 31, 2018

You guys ready to get Rufus back or what…? We’re getting a 2-hour movie. #Timeless #SaveRufus #SaveTimeless

A post shared by Malcolm Barrett (@verbalberappin) on Jul 31, 2018 at 9:38am PDT

Sorry Timeless fans, but NBC has officially passed on a third season of the show. Now, we’ve been here before, when they announced that the show was canceled after the first season but fan uproar managed to convince NBC brass to reconsider. Unfortunately this time there doesn’t appear to be any hope for a second such resuscitation with the second season ratings failing to hit targets. However, we understand that NBC and Sony have been talking about a possible 2-hour wrap-up movie – but nothing has come of it so far.

Co-creator Eric Kripke mentioned that Sony had been looking for another outlet as well, but no luck:

Gutted by this, guys, I know you are too. Behind the scenes, Sony has been trying hard to set it up elsewhere, but no luck so far. I think this 2 hour movie is our best shot. We're ready to make it if @nbc really wants it. Let 'em know how you feel. #clockblockers https://t.co/arNi9iS9GF

— Eric Kripke (@therealKripke) June 22, 2018

Wow…in a rare reversal, NBC – which canceled Timeless 4 days ago – did an about face and yesterday made the decision to renew the show for a second season of 10 episodes.

Star Matt Lanter broke the news in a Facebook video:

Co-creator Shawn Ryan also added that they aren’t yet sure when it will be back.

A lot of info flying. Initially thought #Timeless would be on next summer, now it may be 2018 spring. Who knows? Just know we're back!

— Shawn Ryan (@ShawnRyanTV) May 13, 2017

Not really surprising, given the sudden change – NBC will need to find a slot in the schedule now.

Update: NBC has reversed their decision…

Original:

NBC has decided not to renew freshman history-bending show Timeless, despite some hope that it might renew the show when it ordered additional episodes in the Fall.

Co-creator Eric Kripke confirmed the news on Twitter, but gave a little hope that it might get picked up elsewhere: “Its true. NBC canceled #Timeless. We’re surprised & upset. Get you a longer response later. Odds are long, but trying to find another home.” Fellow co-creator Shawn Ryan also said that studio Sony is shopping the show around. Odds are indeed very long for that to happen. It’s not unheard of but a rare occurrence, as another network isn’t likely to take on a show that another network couldn’t get to work, at least without major changes, as with Supergirl‘s move to the CW Network.

Timeless was launched in what was considered a prime slot on Mondays following The Voice, but it didn’t seem to garner the same level of audience predecessors did in that position. Viewership was OK on Live+7 but weak on just live viewers, and even early on Kripke mentioned that it was a “bubble show” and likely would have to fight each year for renewal.

It’s a long weekend here, so here’s a few more tidbits:

In a conversation with Deadline, BBC America president and GM Sarah Barnett tiptoed around the discussion of who might be the new Doctor to replace Peter Capaldi, but did mention that the Doctor Who spinoff Class, which takes place at the Coal Hill School where there first moments of it’s parent program took place, will debut in the U.S. on April 15th.

On renewals/cancellations, it seems several freshman shows will not survive. Spies have been whispering to us since January that Aftermath will not see a second season and Syfy and SPACE have silently killed the show. Star James Tupper also tweeted, “So sad to report #Aftermath will not be getting a second season. #sobummed”. We were hoping for a renewal and though the ratings and the partnership between Syfy and SPACE would help. No formal pronouncement still, but sadly it seems unlikely.

Also on the bubble are the CW’s Frequency and NBC’s Timeless. Frequency did not have an option to pick up more episodes, leaving the first season at 13, and they did essentially conclude the first season storyline. However, the show is on Netflix now, where it might pick up eyes, but we’re thinking it likely will not return. The Timeless season finale airs tonight, and it’s teetering on the edge. It may depend on what NBC decides on other shows and how many slots are available.

Syfy is still looking for a formula to bring cosplay into the limelight, and it will try again with Cosplay Melee, hosted by self-described “super fangirl” Yvette Nicole Brown. Each week, four world class cosplayers compete to create not only intricate full-body costumes – but fully-formed characters that they must bring to life through their own realistic performance. Guiding and critiquing them are a panel of judges including world class cosplayer LeeAnna Vamp, and A-list costume creator, Christian Beckman (The Hunger Games, TRON: Legacy). At the end of every episode, the winner will walk away with $10,000 … and the right to claim cosplay supremacy.

“As a huge fan of the creativity cosplayers bring to their craft, nothing makes me happier than having a front row seat for the amazing creations set to hit the Cosplay Melee runway,” said host Brown. “These talented artists are going to shine!”

I hope everyone enjoyed Halloween! Some quick tidbits as I attempt to get caught up on all the great programs I’m trying to follow these days…

Timeless is one of the shows I am enjoying so far, although the implications of the show are mind-boggling…but the show will get a little extra time to play out, with an additional three episodes ordered by NBC for a total of 16. It also seems that NBC is calling this a “full season” order now, compared with the typical 22-26. I’m not sure what a “season” really means any more…

Now while Marvel appears to rule the roads of cinema release schedules, DC still seems to be having trouble getting off the starting line. Last year, the Wonder Woman movie had a false start when director Michelle MacLaren departed the project over creative differences, and now the feature version of The Flash is seeing the same thing happening. Director Rick Famuyiwa is walking away for “creative differences” as well, and this time the project’s start date is in jeopardy. And this isn’t the first time for this film. Original director Seth Grahame-Smith left the film earlier this year over – you guessed it – “creative differences”.

Lastly, the Seth MacFarlane sci-fi dramedy set up at Fox still doesn’t have a name, but it does have some more cast members. In addition to MacFarlane and previously announced members Adrianne Palicki (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Scott Grimes (ER, Party of Five), Peter Macon (Friendship!) and J Lee (Family Guy), Halston Sage (Crisis, Goosebumps) and Penny Johnson Jerald (Castle, 24) have now signed on as regulars. Still no idea what any of the characters are yet though…

CBS has been wanting to bring MacGyver back to television for a while, and they finally will. The network gave the green light to a series, but we understand that MAJOR changes will happen after the pilot. Stars Lucas Till and George Eads will remain, as will the basic plot, but the supporting cast are all leaving, as are original pilot writer Paul Downs Colaizzo and Brett Mahoney, who helped with the pilot shooting script. Peter Lenkov, who is the showrunner for Hawaii Five-O, will write a new script and is also tagged as the showrunner here as well.

NBC wants to join the time travel bandwagon, picking up Timeless from Eric Kripke and Shawn Ryan. The show stars Matt Lanter, Abigail Spencer and Malcolm Barrett, is about a mysterious criminal who steals a secret state-of-the-art time machine, intent on destroying America as we know it by changing the past. Our only hope is an unexpected team: a scientist, soldier and history professor who must use the machine’s prototype to travel back in time to critical events. While they must make every effort not to affect the past themselves, they must also stay one step ahead of this dangerous fugitive. Can this handpicked team uncover the mystery behind it all and end his destruction before it’s too late?

Lastly, one show we expected to see but won’t is Marvel’s Most Wanted, the spinoff of Agents of SHIELD that was to follow disavowed agents Morse and Hunter, played by Adrianne Palicki and Nick Blood. Apparently the pilot only received mixed reviews. AS they already had done some work last summer to spruce up the show, it seems unlikely it will receive any further attention.