Southland possibly moving to TNT was the subject of substantial commenting when Southland's cancellation was announced by NBC. It doesn't seem impossible to me, but paycuts all around are likely in store if it happens.
Four days after the abrupt cancellation of sophomore series "Southland" by NBC, chatter intensifies that the gritty cop drama may find a second home at TNT.
TNT was an obvious choice as it shares a corporate parent with Warner Bros. TV, which produces the critically praised series with studio-based John Wells Prods.
But sources on Monday indicated that talks between the two sides are advancing.
"We continually look at all programming opportunities that fit our portfolio of brands," TNT said in a statement.
Please TNT, Please!!!
ZERO percent chance! Though I agree since its all part of the Time-Warner mothership it is an obvious choice, beyond that I don’t see it.
I don’t see John Wells wanting to work at cable rates (although he can be darker and grittier there), but having seen how well “dark and gritty” police shows (DARK BLUE) play on TNT, I can’t imagine TNT would be very interested either.
Next stop, “Will DirecTV save Southland!”
that answer seems to be “no” since NBC is the only network to ever do that, but I believe that we’ll still see a story on it anyway!
I still think a cabler like FX would make some sense.
Well looks like Southland is effectively dead and so will NBC soon
Southland to Nickelodeon?
Robert,
I know you guys probably have a discussion somewhere about “cable rates” vs. network costs to produces shows. Could you kindly point me in the direction?
we know drama
Andrea, I don’t think we do. Futon Critic maybe? And if shows like Warehouse 13 really cost $2 million per episode as has been reported in Variety, I’m not really sure how big the gap really is anyway for some shows (if Warehouse 13 is $2 million, it seems like The Closer and Burn Notice should be…higher!).
Too dark and too expensive for TNT. FX..? hmmm… still too expensive without major retooling. This whale has been beached.
They said they were wrapping up the sixth episode when Southland was canceled. The first season was only seven episodes. Maybe TNT will take the six new episodes, and send NBC a thank-you note. It’s cable, they’re show anything and then repeat them forever.
I hope someone picks it up – it is a great show!
Kozy, there is a financial question we don’t have the answer for and it is this: what is NBC already on the hook for as far as those 6 episodes?
I assume they are on the hook for something, and that those six episodes will not air anytime soon unless someone is willing to cover the cost that NBC is already on the hook for. In other words, NBC has already bought the rights to those six episodes THIS season, and unless someone makes NBC whole (or close to it), I would not look for them to air anywhere else this season.
Next year is another story…
I know the chance is slim, but I hope they do!
Please TNT, save Southland! I have fought so badly since the announcement to keep this show alive! I have made a twitition (twitter petition) to try to keep Southland alive by at least moving it to another network. I have even gotten Michael Cudlitz, one of the cast members of Southland, so sign it! If you would like to sign it as well, click on my name on this comment and it will take you to my twitition, thanks so much in advance.
Maybe Spike TV could air the show? They seem to want shows that have gritty and dark elements. They recently got the rights to air Band of Brothers and have aired stuff like Afro Samurai, which has all the violence and sex that would appeal to men.
Robert – NBC said they will try their bet to air all 6 episodes. The spot, probably 10pm saturdays. The night where NBC has previously burned off all of their failing dramas (Kidnapped, Crusoe, Kings)
It’d be nice if NBC cancels one of their shit shows like “Mercy” or “Trauma”, and then burns off “Southland”.
After that, THEN FX should buy it (or TNT…it could be a good companion piece to “The Closer”) and continue on with it. If ABC could take “Scrubs” and CBS could take “Medium”, I think someone can take “Southland”.
they could just put the last episodes on Sleuth or someother NBCU network
Well, if this does happen, TNT will almost certainly have to cancel Dark Blue. There is simply no way they can have 3 dramas about the LAPD. Plus, If they do get the rights and decide to order a 10-13 episode season, I don’t think we will be seeing this air until late Spring or Summer 2010.
This could make sense on TNT.