I know, I know, we've all heard those words before. It seems that every other show that gets canceled these days has a "could it come back on another network?" addendum, a glimmer of hope that somehow, some way, a show that had a small but loyal following will actually survive. Unfortunately, 9.9 times out of 10 it doesn't happen.
But it could happen to Jericho. According to Brian Stelter at The New York Times, CBS/Paramount execs have been having secret talks with Comcast (yes, Comcast) about doing something with the show for a third season. Now, this might seem like an odd, desperate play for another season if it wasn't for the fact that NBC has already done something very similar to this with DirecTV, twice. First they had a deal with the satellite provider to air Passions, but that was a big bust (sorry, Passions fans), but they have a new deal to air another season of Friday Night Lights. The new season will start airing on DirecTV in October, and then repeats will air on NBC in early 2009.
This is by no means a done deal. Just because NBC did it with Friday Night Lights doesn't mean this is going to become a natural thing. But it's good to see that we now have other outlets for TV shows that have an audience, just not an audience that's big enough to warrant being on in prime time on the major networks. We now have cable, satellite, the web. Hell, maybe at some point the networks will give all the rights to a show to a really rich person like Bill Gates and private citizens can start producing TV shows and put them online.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
4-08-2008 @ 12:29PM
Nwing said...
OH PLEASE!!!!! Please let this be true. I was so disappointed at the way they had to let it end. But, like someone else said it did leave it for a great story to continue.
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4-08-2008 @ 12:40PM
Bas said...
That would be great!
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4-08-2008 @ 12:45PM
LaurenGamespeek said...
1. Stop playing games with my heart. It can't take it.
2. Please, please bring it back!!!
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4-08-2008 @ 12:56PM
Ryan S. said...
Seriously, this is the show that just won't die. I am a Jericho fan, but I think that we need to let this show go.
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4-08-2008 @ 12:57PM
robert said...
just let it go already
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4-08-2008 @ 1:15PM
Tom said...
This is just cruel to Jericho fans in my opinion. The truth is, FNL is much more appealing from a demographic standpoint. To be as blunt as I can be, rich people tended to watch it. Jericho was exactly the opposite. Also FNL is a critical darling where as Jericho wasn’t well liked by the critics (especially in Season 2 where most felt the human element that made the show so attractive had been cut out and the show had been turned into a 24 wannabe)
Then you get to production. FNL is about a high school football team and is shot using handhelds which makes the whole thing cheap to produce. Jericho on the other hand is filmed like a normal series and requires tanks, soldiers, explosions, jet planes in some cases, etc…
Finally, the FNL deal is attractive for NBC because DirecTV only makes up a small percentage of their audience. Also, NBC is desperate having been in 4th place for TV networks for years now. Comcast Cable goes to a lot more homes than DirecTV and CBS is the most watched network on television.
Bottom line: don’t get your hopes up.
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4-08-2008 @ 1:19PM
rayd said...
Anyone else feel Arrested Development came along just two years too early?
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4-08-2008 @ 1:24PM
Singanga said...
YES! Jericho is coming back, the fans will accept nothing less! Go rangers, be positive! we will achieve our goal if we work together. After all this is just the best TV show that ever was!!
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4-08-2008 @ 1:35PM
MERVE-THE-PERVE said...
I think they ought to just make 4-6 episodes and go straight to dvd. They could put one out every 3 months and charge 15-20 bucks. Then you wouldn't have to depend on any network.
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4-08-2008 @ 1:34PM
Chaz El said...
I love the show and felt genuinely heartbroken when the final credits rolled, but I really think we should just deal with it and say our final goodbyes.
I can't go through this every season!
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4-08-2008 @ 2:04PM
Carissa said...
Well, by all means put it on ComCast so the rest of us who don't have Comcast and who are fans of Jericho can't watch.
Brilliant idea for a show that is already suffering in the ratings. Kudos to everyone for continually segmenting our ability to watch programming beyond the myriad of choices we already cannot all view.
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4-08-2008 @ 2:56PM
Joe D said...
While I would love to see Jericho continue, I have a program with networks going with the "available on Comcast" (or DirecTV for FNL) option. Why would some CBS viewers have a right to see a show, while others will not be able to see it for months later.
Where network television is regulated by the government, I could see a possible class action suit for non-Comcast subscribers. Also, what is to stop more and more shows from becoming "available only on X" at some point as networks look to cut cost?
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4-08-2008 @ 3:10PM
Sam said...
As a fan of Jericho from the beginning, I hope it comes back for a third season--whether it's on TV or a Comcast deal that includes a broadcast or online component.
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4-08-2008 @ 4:14PM
Steve Blevins said...
CBS is like record people they shove what they want down your throat and pass the icons by for a one hit wonder...
The decision to get rid of Jericho is "ego" because a decision was over turned by embarrassment of loyal fans!
The people @ CBS would not know a good show if it hit them in the face.
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4-08-2008 @ 4:40PM
Oreo said...
Stop playing games and just leave it for dead!
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4-09-2008 @ 7:59AM
Alex said...
Why are people on here telling this show to die? I for one love this show and want a third and full season.
Season 2 was too short, on at a late time, and not promoted thus grabbing the ratings.
Even if this is on Comcast, I can always watch it online for free. Either way the show would be back.
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4-08-2008 @ 7:04PM
Krystal said...
I'll take my Jericho any way I can get it! I do feel MUCH more satisfied having had a second season, but this show is just too good to let go, and if they find a way to continue it, then I will follow them wherever they go. :)
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4-08-2008 @ 7:32PM
Michael said...
Journeyman??? Anyone??? Please???
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4-08-2008 @ 9:20PM
mj said...
While I love Jericho, and would LOVE to see it return, I hate Comcast with a passion. The service, at least here, is horrible, which is why we went to Direct TV. And, to be fair, Direct TV did NOTHING to promote Passions, except to people who already HAD it. Not too bright.
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4-08-2008 @ 11:08PM
Susan said...
What some are failing to see it that if Jericho is acquired by Comcast it will not make it exclusive to Comcast. It will be aired on CBS with the first viewing on Comcast. This deal just like FNL is to subsidize the production costs and takes some of the heat off having to rely on advertising dollars alone. Everyone is calling for the outdated Nielsen ratings system to be thrown out, well how about do some research and see that Comcast is partnered not only with CBS but the other networks on the Infinity System for more accurate numbers of ALL viewing methods. Try doing some homework and you just might find out that the things you are screaming for are in the making.
More Jericho please!!! Gutsy move CBS Paramount and Comcast!!!
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