Today's column is a mailbag dealing with more post-strike "When does my show come back?" questions. Of particular interest to this blog is this part:
"Rescue Me" will be back, but, like "24," not for a long time. FX ordered a 22-episode season (much longer than what the show has produced in the past), and the strike delayed the start of writing, figuring out the logistics, etc. FX says new episodes won't premiere until sometime in 2009.
(As for other FX shows, "Dirt" is back on Sunday; "The Riches" on March 18; "30 Days" sometime this summer; "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" sometime in summer or early fall; "The Shield" sometime after the end of the Summer Olympics or in the fall, and "Damages" in early '09.)
To read the full thing,
click here.
Today's column is a mailbag dealing with more post-strike "When does my show come back?" questions. Of particular interest to this blog is this part:
Alan, it doesn't make sense why "Rescue Me" would be delayed until 2009? Why not split it up? Each summer they do 13 episodes.
ReplyDeleteI guess if they start airing it in January, they figure it will fill the hole left by their best show leaving this year, "The Shield"?
After "Rescue Me's" last season, the last thing I want is more episodes. The show was coming off, by far, it's worst creative season.
I agree, Alex. My anticipation for Rescue Me is exactly nil. I really hope they rejuvenate the show. That last season just felt so goddamned pointless.
ReplyDeleteWait. Rescue Me is still on the air?
ReplyDeleteCount me in the group that's washed their hands of 'Rescue Me'. I've pretty much convinced myself that the sweet scene at the ball park was the finale for the series and I can walk away from it now.
ReplyDeleteBut I suppose Leary won't be done with the character until everybody close to Tommy is killed off. He has to out-Sipowicz every other character in TV.....
Alan, it doesn't make sense why "Rescue Me" would be delayed until 2009? Why not split it up? Each summer they do 13 episodes.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is that they have to plan things out in an entirely different way to figure out how to do 22 episodes instead of 13, and they hadn't even started that before the strike began. By the time they actually finish the logistics work and start writing and then filming, the summer will have already begun, and since FX usually tries to only program one or two nights at a time and doesn't want shows airing opposite the Olympics, a lot of the upcoming windows (spring for Dirt and The Riches, fall for Shield and Always Sunny) are spoken for, '09 it is.
Hey Alan, is there any word on Prison Break? I know that originally this was going to be the last season, but since there was only 13 episodes, has that been changed?
ReplyDeleteI also remember reading there was a spin-off planned, but it doesn't seem like they even got to introduce the character it would be centered around.
Kristen, if "Prison Break" comes back at all, it'll be next season. No idea about the spin-off. The strike really complicated development season.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't Dirty Sexy Money still have a couple of unaired episodes? So the season premiere in the fall is going to be a mid-season mid-story episode? Way to bring in new viewers, ABC!
ReplyDeleteArgh. Every time I hear more about The Shield, it's pushed back further.
ReplyDeleteThe good thing about The Shield returning late is that creator Shawn Ryan gets to edit the final eps himself, no matter what star Michael Chiklis told TV Guide about assumed that responsibility during the writers strike. But late summer seems to be out -- Ryan told me recently the show wouldn't be back until "at least" September.
ReplyDelete"Having" assumed that responsibility.
ReplyDeleteI have decided that I will no recognize any season of "Rescue Me" after the first season as canon. Season 2 to present are, in my eyes, merely fan fiction.
ReplyDeleteAw, I remember when Rescue Me was really good.... back in season 1. Good times, good times. I struggled through last season and watched it, but I'm done with it now. It was just godawful.
ReplyDeleteAlan,
ReplyDeleteIs Burn Notice still slated for late spring/early summer? I have not seen any info on it.
Taleena, dunno.
ReplyDeleteAlan, do you know HBO's schedule after The Wire is done? I know John Adams takes up the next 6 weeks starting the Sunday after The Wire is done. I know 12 Miles of Bad Road has some episodes in the can. I don't think Big Love will be able to start in its usual June spot. I would imagine Entourage and Flight of the Concords wouldn't be able to start until late summer or early fall.
ReplyDeleteAgain, dunno for the most part, though Whitney Matheson at Pop Candy said that "Conchords" won't be back until '09 (though Bret and Jemaine have an album coming out in April.
ReplyDeleteTaleena - I read an interview with Burn Notice's Exec. Producer who said the strike did not affect them at all and they would still be back. I assume that means it will be back, even if it is not official word from USA.
ReplyDeleteWow, it's pretty telling to me to see how many FORMER "Rescue Me" fans there are.
ReplyDeleteI will come back, not because I want to punish myself, but I do remember when "Rescue Me" was brilliant and unlike some, my complaint was only this past season - the first 3 I enjoyed.
I try to come back to see if a show can return to glory.
As for "Prison Break", the ratings have been deservedly free falling. Why in God's name does FOX have to continue to beat this dead horse?
Let me guess, there will be a prison in the Middle East that manages to get all your favorite characters - Bellick, T-Bag, Sucre, Michael, Linc, & Mahone - into that prison by some sort of buried treasure/search for Sarah's head plotline.
We all are waiting with baited breadth, FOX.
"Prison Break" really screwed the pooch this season, but I would still watch to see if Michael does avenge Sarah's death at last (or at least rescues Sucre). After that, they need to cut and run. No spinoff; just let it be.
ReplyDeleteHa! Dez said "Prison Break" should 'cut & run' after Alex R. talked about them chasing Sarah's head. Good stuff!
ReplyDelete^I wish I had done that on purpose! :-D
ReplyDeleteWOW, this is an old post. Not only is it premature but it surely was simply a rumor started by the columnist. Because this writers strike did not last long and from around the web, all sources tell me that Rescue Me will return this Summer. They were worried about fitting it in when between the old schedule and "The Shield's" final season. It seems they have that worked out for presumably this July. Not only that it is only 11 episodes instead of 13, with an additional 11 episodes probably not going to air until next year. (this I am not sure of.) But I am sure they will air Rescue Me's long awaited Season 5 this year to several other sources. This is the only source I have seen with a year delay to the show.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the critics to last season of "Rescue Me". I feel the same way. But i am also a big fan of the show. The first three seasons were smash hits. The word is that Dennis Leary has said himself that they plan to come back strong this season. This is partially why they are making it into a 22 episode split double season.
Sounds good to me. If its anything as good as the first three seasons I am all for it. I am really interested on how they plan to make it their best season yet.