TVSquad

Though it probably comes as no big surprise, sources are saying that the Patrick Swayze drama about a rogue FBI agent, The Beast, won't be returning for a second season. While A&E has told Variety that no official decision has been made, word is that episode 13, which aired at the end of April, will be the series' last.

I've been watching I'm a Celebrity: Get Me Out of Here!, which is a terrible revelation to make about myself, but in the three hours of my life that show has taken from me, I've come to a few conclusions: 1. My life needs more meaning, and 2. Lou Diamond Phillips is kind of a bad-ass.

I bring this up because apparently, there had been talks of The Beast continuing with someone other than Patrick Swayze in the lead in case Swayze's poor health prevented him from continuing on the show. Phillips recently guest-starred on the series, and I would love to see him on television (in a situation in which he wasn't getting eaten by rats).

However, sources claim that Phillips wasn't up for the headlining job, which is a shame. At least one actor currently on the series had his contract on hold until August in case of renewal, but it's now looking as though he will be released. Phillips, for his part, will remain in Costa Rica where he will continue to be upstaged by the antics of Heidi and Spencer Pratt.

The ill health of Patrick Swayze, has put the fate of The Beast up in the air for months. First the star, who is suffering from pancreatic cancer, had to pull out of promotional appearances in January due to a bout of pneumonia, and his declining health made those close to the show question even the logistics of a season 2.

I, of course, have no personal knowledge of Swayze's health, but I would have hoped that if he were able, he would continue working on The Beast. I can see why A&E may not want to risk having to shift creative direction midway through a second season, but they've known about this situation for a while, I would think they would have had a better Plan B on hand instead of cancellation. On the other hand, maybe The Beast's cancellation has nothing at all to do with Swayze, and is just about ratings.

What do you think? Should they have kept The Beast on the air, replacing Swayze as the lead if need be, or was cancellation at this point the best thing for the series? Leave your comments below.