Fans of “Jericho,” the post-apocalyptic show saved by 40,000 pounds of peanuts may see its return to the small screen sooner than was originaly slated.
The show was to return with an abbreviated 7-episode second season as a mid-season replacement in 2008. While that still could be the case, Kelly Kahl, the head of CBS program scheduling, says the shows return could occur as early as November, according to reports from IGN.
Skeet Ulrich and other stars of the show were not available for comment, but Kahl stated that currently all their new shows are performing as expected and there is no clear candidate for early cut.
However, the Nielsens would beg to differ with Kahl. The new Jimmy Smits offering, “Cane,” did quite poorly on it premiere, and the highly controversial reality skien “Kid Nation” is showing good numbers but may be too much of a “hot potato” for CBS to stick with it. Some other new shows considered possible candidates for replacement are “Moonlight” and “Viva Laughlin.” However, right now “Cane,” is the most suseptible to an early axe, but no decision has yet been made by CBS execs.
Fans of the show will probably not grow weary of waiting until mid-season if necessary, but the general viewing audience’s interest in it could well fall off if the wait is too long, so it is in Jericho’s best interest to get back in the game sooner, rather than later. Showing that CBS does somewhat care more now than before about the success of “Jericho,” SyFy Portal is reporting that the Eye network have signed a first-look deal with the program’s showrunner, John Turtletaub. The agreement gives Turtlebaub and his studio, Junction Entertainment, an undisclosed committment for future shows, including the return of “Jericho” for an unnamed period of time. Whether that time is limited to the aforementioned 7 episodes or if it keeps the door open for more, is unknown at this time.
“There’s definite concern [about viewer interest waning], which is why we hope to get on the air as soon as possible,” said the show’s executive producer Carol Barbee.
“The best thing going for ‘Jericho’ is it’s done and ready to go,” Kahl told TV Week. “But it’s too early to tell what time period is going to be available.”
Barbee recently told TV Week that Jericho’s season premiere will open after the Jericho vs. New Bern war, and will include flashbacks to the battle. IGN has reported that for the show’s expected finale, “Barbee has shot multiple endings this time to ensure fans are not left in cliffhanger lurch” should CBS decide to cancel the show for good.
“We have a story broken so it tells a complete story,” Barbee said. “By episode seven you are going to be very satisfied. We packed an entire 22-episode season into seven shows, there’s a lot of mythology answered.”
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