Despite the hopes kindled by producer Harry Werksman at last month's MoonlightCon in Los Angeles, who said "talks" were in progress to find a home for Moonlight which apparently included Sci Fi (which would move the show to New York if it picked it up), Sci Fi is choosing to concentrate on original programming.
"We do get a lot of requests to pick up canceled genre shows such as Surface, Jericho, The 4400, etc.," my Sci Fi connection told me. "However, we remain focused on our own slate of new original programs in various stages of production and development."
Meanwhile fan organizers are scheduling nationwide rallies in support of Moonlight, including one in New York City's Central Park, for June 14. Rallies and rallyers are being coordinated at the Moonlightline forum. Sophia Myles, who plays Beth on the show, emailed Moonlight United to express her gratitude for everything the fans are doing. The fans, she said, are what have "kept her going" during all of this.
Sci Fi's Inward Gaze
Sci Fi has been expending a great deal of effort on original programming over the past several years, including high-rated unscripted shows, in-house series, and original movies. New Sci Fi original pilots in development at the moment include Caprica (the Battlestar Galactica prequel), Revolution (about a struggling Earth colony, starring Peter Fonda), and Warehouse 13 (described as part X-Files, part Raiders of the Lost Ark, starring C.C.H. Pounder). Sci Fi's other original series, all returning this summer, include Ghost Hunters International, Stargate Atlantis, Eureka, and a new version of Scare Tactics; as well as Battlestar Galactica, about to end its season and slated to return in January.
Again, nothing is official; Sci Fi could still surprise us with an announcement that it's been wowed by fan reaction and will pick up the show after all, but the chances of that happening are now much more remote. It's worth remembering that Sci Fi has the Stargate franchise because it picked it up from Showtime. Sci Fi also picked up Mystery Science Theater 3000 and Sliders for new original episodes, but all these series moved to Sci Fi years ago when the network was less confident about its own programming.
The CW Also Passed
The CW has already passed on Moonlight: CBS entertainment chief Nina Tassler said a pickup by The CW (which is co-owned by CBS and Warner Brothers, which produces Moonlight) was unlikely. "It had a very passionate fan base, and that's a good thing," Tassler said back on May 14, a day after CBS's cancellation of the show was confirmed. "We just had to make a lot of tough calls." Added Tassler, "I loved that vampire -- what can I tell ya?"
A lot of people love that vampire, and the fervor with which people are expressing their love for the show and need to bring it back seems to surprise even the fans themselves. "I, for one, have never felt so passionately about a show," said one fan on my comments board. "Most of us had never thought of contacting networks or show sponsors," said another. "Moonlight is so much more than just a show," exclaimed a third -- "it’s a phenomenon!"
The fan effort to get Moonlight picked up by Sci Fi or another cable network like F/X or A&E, and sponsored by DirecTV, will continue. For more on the campaign, click here.
Meanwhile I've consolidated my Moonlight images into a new season 1 gallery.
