TVSquad

I wish I could tell you that those plans included a television mini-series or at least a small screen film, but alas series creator Kevin Falls has moved on. In fact, his new series featuring a womanizer trapped in a woman's body, is currently coming together for FOX, so at least he's sticking with the "different." He did, however, take some time out to chat it up with AICN about the bigger plans for Journeyman.

This was a show that was hugely under-appreciated by the mainstream, and almost dismissed out of the gate as a Quantum Leap derivative by many of the sci-fi crowd. The show was so much more. There was such a heart of tragedy at the core of protagonist Dan Vasser's abrupt rips through time. Unlike QL's Sam Beckett, Vasser is literally torn from his life no matter what he is doing, body and spirit, and hurtled through the timestream. Then add all that we learned about his first love Livia and there's just so much pain in the show, which makes for great dramatic television.

Ain't It Cool News reveals that Journeyman's 12th episode (that is if you count the pilot as 1.00 and not 1.01) will air after all. If you've been following the show's behind-the-scenes drama, you know that there are talks of cancellation due to so-so ratings, and that this twelfth episode could very well be the series' final episode (13 episodes were ordered at first; NBC later ordered three more scripts but, because of the strike, episode 12 (episode 13 for us fans) was the last one completed).

This news is sure to upset fans of the NBC show Journeyman: the show will probably end with the 12th episode.

And just so you know this isn't a guess, this word comes straight from Kevin Falls, creator of the show. He says that because of the show's so-so ratings, and the fact that it doesn't look like the writers strike is going to end anytime soon, that episode will probably be the last one for the series. If it's any consolation for fans, Falls says that the episode does work as sort of a series finale and does answer a lot of questions. Though I would guess that those answers won't be enough for hardcore fans. It also leaves an opening for a second sesaon if that were to occur.

The 12th episode will air either at the end of December or early January.

NBC's new lineup continued on day two of its press presentation with Chuck, a one-hour drama by Josh Schwartz and McG, the creative team that brought viewers The O.C. The new series stars Zachary Levi, best known for his four years on Less Than Perfect.

If we're supposed to like Chuck, Levi's well cast in the role. He has a self-effacing way about him, especially when asked if he's bulked up over the last few years. He jokes he's eaten a lot of pizza and doesn't work out as much as he should.

Co-star Adam Baldwin is asked a question pretty much everyone knows the answer to. No, he's not related to the famous acting Baldwin brothers of Long Island. Baldwin jokes he hopes to meet Alec Baldwin (30 Rock) now that they're both on NBC so they can settle this in person.

After NBC picked up the drama series Journeyman, its director, Alex Graves (The Nine, The West Wing), has inked a deal with 20th Century Fox Television that will allow him to develop another series while still serving as an executive producer on Journeyman. If the new series is picked up, he'll step away from his duties on Journeyman. If it isn't picked up, he'll stick with the show.

Journeyman, about a man (Kevin McKidd) who travels back and forth through time, was picked up for a thirteen-episode order. It was created by Kevin Falls (North Shore, The West Wing). McKidd's character, Dan, is joined by actress Moon Bloodgood as Livia, his dead fiance who is also traveling through time. Yeah, I don't quite get it either, it sounds like an odd combination of Quantum Leap and Slaughter-House Five. I was kind of hoping it was about the Eric Clapton album.

UPDATE: Preview vid from NBC after the jump.

As I write this, I can't help but think this story is a joke. How could it be real? Apparently NBC has ordered the pilot for a science fiction show about a man who travels through time to right wrongs. Does that sound like Quantum Leap to you, too? There must be more to it because, while it was on the air for five seasons, I just am not seeing a big calling for bringing back Leap. Seaquest DSV, yes. But Quantum Leap? Nah.

The series is the brainchild of Kevin Falls, who has a pretty impressive writing resume including West Wing, Sports Night, North Shore, Arli$$ and The Lyon's Den.