Showtime, ABC may rescue ‘Arrested’
“Arrested Development” is down, but it might not be out just yet.
Rumors have been circulating that another network might pick up the Emmy-winning comedy if Fox cancels it after this season.
The network has ordered only 13 episodes of “Arrested” this season – a full season is 22 – and ratings, never huge to begin with, have fallen with the show’s move to Monday nights.
The showbiz trade papers are reporting that both Showtime and ABC might be interested in the series should Fox officially cancel it. Showtime, which is focusing on new original series, is considered a more serious suitor; ratings aren’t as big a concern there, as its revenue is driven by subscriber fees.
By the way, in the latest bit of inside-joke casting, Justine Bateman – the older sister of “Arrested” star Jason Bateman, who plays Michael Bluth – will guest-star on the episode scheduled for Jan. 9, as Michael’s long-lost older sister.
Fox closes ‘Kitchen’
The reopening of “Kitchen Confidential” last week turned out to be a one-night-only affair.
Fox has pulled the plug on the first-year comedy, which hardly got off the ground following “Arrested Development” on Monday night and was absent for all of November sweeps. When it finally did return Dec. 5, it did so to meager ratings, despite guest-star Michael Vartan.
Reruns of “Arrested Development” will fill the time slot for the next few weeks.
‘Weeds’ keeps growing
Just hours after “Weeds” won three Golden Globe nominations Tuesday, Showtime announced it was ordering a second season of the series, about a suburban mom (Mary-Louise Parker) who deals pot to make ends meet.
Production on the second season, which will run 12 episodes – up from 10 in Season 1 – is scheduled to begin in the spring, with Showtime aiming for a summer premiere date.
In addition to Parker’s nomination for best actress in a comedy series, “Weeds” also earned Golden Globe nods for best comedy series and best supporting actress Elizabeth Perkins.
New ‘Night’ life
“Night Stalker,” which lasted but seven weeks on ABC this fall, will get some new life next year thanks to the Sci Fi Channel.
The cable network has acquired rights to the entire series, which includes three episodes that never made it onto the air. Sci Fi will air all 10 episodes sometime next summer.
“Night Stalker” joins a roster of series on Sci Fi that have been discarded by broadcast networks. The channel enjoyed success with “Firefly” repeats earlier this year and also has served as a second home for shows like “Now & Again” and “Roar.”