Sci-Fi Storm

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

NBC has been trying to bring back the classic sitcom The Munsters, and it looks like they are taking a swing at it again. Deadline reports that the network is on board for the development of the series led by Jill Kargman and Seth Meyers, from a concept from Odd Mom Out‘s Kargman. Kargman will write the script and executive produce with Meyers Mike Shoemaker for Sethmaker Shoemeyers Productions and Universal TV.

NBC wanted to reboot the show, which follows the life of a monster family trying to fit into normal society, back in 2012, but opted to try a one-hour format to allow for more of a drama setting. That appeared to be a mistake, with only the pilot being produced and ultimately being shown as a Halloween special with moderate ratings. It did however feature Eddie Izzard as Grandpa, which I thought was an intriguing choice. After it aired, NBC head Bob Greenblat said, “I won’t say we won’t do another version of The Munsters again,” and apparently he meant it…but this time, it’s a sitcom.

An interesting twist is the family will be relocated from a fictional suburb of Los Angeles to “hipster Brooklyn”. No word if the address of 1313 Mockingbird Lane will remain…

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.

From the “never a good sign” department, NBC has abruptly pulled the DC comics-tinged comedy series Powerless from the prime-time schedule, without any word on when the remaining episodes may air. The show, which starred Vanessa Hudgens, Alan Tudyk, Danny Pudi and Christina Kirk, struggled to find an audience from the start, despite the success of comics-based series of late. It centered on the normal human workers at Wayne Enterprises, who dealt with all the destruction caused by the superheroes and coming up with ways to protect the citizens.

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…

A couple quick tidbits for tonight…

Kryption, Syfy’s Superman prequel series, found a lead in British actress Georgina Campbell (After Hours), who will play Lyta Zod, daughter of General Alura Zod and a member of the military caste, who has been having a clandestine relationship with Seg-El, Kal-El’s grandfather, who is trying to restore the honor of the ostracized House of El. No casting of Seg-El has yet been announced.

Across the hall at flagship NBC, the Peacock Network is developing Unidentified, a high-octane thriller with sci-fi elements from Universal Television and Zachary Levi’s Middle Man Productions. Levi recently hosted Syfy’s Geeks Who Drink, and of course helped make nerds cool in Chuck. Levi is executive producing along with Turi Meyer and Al Septien (Smallville, Salem), with Middle Man partner Justin Allen co-executive producing with Sean Finegan, who is writing the script. The show follows a CIA operative trying to protect his family from an unimaginable secret.

Grimm was only renewed for 13 episodes in its sixth season back in April, but there were hopes it could get extended. But when it was left off NBC’s Fall lineup, fears were setting in. But now NBC has confirmed that the sixth season will remain at 13 episodes and be its last when they announced that the “final” season will begin January 6th at 8/7c.

The series, which reached the 100-episode milestone last season, has long been a fan and critical favorite, with the Los Angeles Times calling it “terrific and trendsetting… ‘Grimm’ has become a beacon of solid narrative and a weekly reminder of why monsters matter.” The New York Times said “Grimm” is “engaging, clever, tense, funny and well-paced, featuring a remarkably appealing cast.”

As for events leading into the final season, the nefarious forces of Black Claw have been silenced and Nick (David Giuntoli) faces an all too familiar foe in Capt. Sean Renard (Sasha Roiz). Now in the seat of power as the mayor elect of Portland, Renard is poised to bring rise to his own brand of law and order. Nick must take a stand to protect his city and those closest to him, especially his child with Adalind (Claire Coffee). It will take the full force of Nick and his allies to find a way to bring the peace.

Meanwhile, Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell) and Rosalee (Bree Turner) grapple with bringing a child into a new and tumultuous world, and Eve (Bitsie Tulloch) faces unsettling identity issues as her former self lurks below the surface.

“Grimm” also stars Russell Hornsby and Reggie Lee.

It’s something like “Hell Week” in Hollywood, as the networks clean up their schedules to make room for new programs, while they also decide what new programs to take. NBC has decided not to renew Revolution after two seasons. The show seemed to shed viewers this season, somewhat attributed to the “midwinter break” that has been becoming more common but can disrupt serials like Revolution.

J.J. Abrams, who was an executive producer, was hit with a double whammy when another Bad Robot show, mid-season supernatural drama Believe, was also chopped. On the plus side of the equation, the peacock network picked up supernatural detective drama Constantine from Warner Bros. Based on the DC comic of the same name, it follows former con man John Constantine (Matt Ryan, Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior), who becomes a detective fighting against dark forces.

On the ABC side, the network decided to keep strong fairy tale drama Once Upon A Time (and wondering what next season’s theme might be…) and the freshman show Resurrection, while saying goodbye to The Neighbors, it’s cult-following “aliens next door” comedy.

Just heard a little while ago…NBC has given an early pickup for another season of Grimm. Renewal was expected – it is doing reasonably well on the typically tough Friday night slot with 2.5 million viewers.

Revolution, on the other hand, it still waiting for news and may be on the bubble.